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Four Forms of Yoga

Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Rāja Yoga and Jñāna Yoga

Karma Yoga

Path of action/ selfless service

Karma Yoga is the path of action. This path involves dedicating all our actions to the Supreme, with no thought of reward. As by renouncing the fruit of one's action, the action becomes unselfish. 

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Chapter 3 of Srimad Bhagavad Gita emphases on the importance of ‘Karma Yoga’ (verses below paraphrased):

No one neither by refraining from the duties can attain freedom, nor by renunciation alone (Verse 3.4). All of us need to make sure to perform our prescribed duties. It is not possible to maintain physical body without work, as action is far greater than inaction (Verse 3.8). The ultimate goal is to be free from the desire, selfishness and egoism. Surrender all your actions to the Supreme which would lead us to liberation (Verse 3.30).

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Bhakti Yoga

Path of devotion

Bhakti Yoga is the devotional approach. By following this path, one tries not to get rid of the emotions but channeling them to devotion. A few basis techniques of Bhakti- chanting, prayers, japa (repeating mantra or name of God) etc.

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Chapter 12 of Srimad Bhagavad Gita emphases on the importance of ‘Karma Yoga’ (verses below paraphrased):

One should try to fix the consciousness and surrender the intellect to Supreme. By doing this there is no doubt that one will like in Me (referred here as Supreme/ God) (Verse 12.8). If the path of Bhakti-yoga seems challenging just try to work for Me, by doing so one will achieve the stage of perfection (Verse 12.10).

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Rāja Yoga

Path of mental control/ scientific approach

Rāja Yoga is the path to achieve self-control, control over mind. Several techniques are used to bring mind under control. 

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Rāja Yoga Sutras (aka Patañjali's Yoga Sukra) which was compiled by Sage Patañjali, outlines the clear purpose and path of Raja Yoga- by following the aṣṭāṅga yoga (aṣṭa- eight, aṅgā- limb), Eight Limbs of Yoga. Sage Patañjali enlists these as below:

  • Yama (Restraints) - Five Yamas: (i) Ahiṁsā- non-violence, (ii) Satya- truthfulness, (iii) Asteya- non-stealing, (iv) Brahmacarya- celibacy and (v) Aparigraha- abstain from bribes.

  • Niyama (Observances) - Five Niyamas are: (i) Śauca- internal and external purity (ii) Santoṣa- contentment, (iii) Tapas- austerity, (iv) Svādhyāya- study of religious scriptures, (v) Īśvara-praṇidhāna- surrender to Supreme.

  • Āsana (Steady Pose): There are approx. 8.4 million āsanas. Sage Patañjali' (in Verse 2.1) says ‘Sthira Sukham’, which means steady poses. The ultimate goal of āsana is to achieve steady mind by having strong system (which is attained by healthy body).

  • Prāṇāyāma (Control of Vital Energy)

  • Pratyāhāra (withdrawal of the Sense of Objects)

  • Dhāraṇa (Concentration)

  • Dhyāna (Meditation)

  • Samādhi (Super-conscious State) - Samādhi is the final state of the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga. It represents the goal of all existence, and what all living beings are moving towards.

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Jñāna Yoga

Path of knowledge/ philosophical approach

Jñāna Yoga is the intellectual approach. The word Jnana means knowledge. 

“Jñāna Yoga, or the science of the Self, is not a subject that can be understood and realized through mere intellectual study, reasoning, discussion or arguments. It is the most difficult of all sciences.” - Swami Sivananda

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Chapter 4 of Srimad Bhagavad Gita emphases on the importance of ‘Jñāna Yoga’, along with the discussion on this among various other chapters. 

There is nothing higher than the Supreme, one who surrender to Supreme are blissful (Verse 18.7 and 18.7, paraphrased). 

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