Even Patanjali states that liberation or Self-realization is gained by knowledge, not by any other means and makes Yoga a means of achieving that higher knowledge. Shankara’s fifteenfold Raja Yoga expands and deepens the eightfold Yoga such as taught by Patanjali. His discussion of it clears up many misconceptions about the nature of Yoga, which should lead us to pure unity consciousness. Shankara makes clear the nature of Brahman consciousness that is the real goal of Raja Yoga and that is the Supreme Self, Paramatman, and Original Purusha, Adi-Purusha..
Shankara, the Great Yogi Shankaracharya, or Adi Shankara the teacher, is one of the greatest spiritual masters in the history of India. Shankara has often been called the greatest philosopher of India, if not of all time and of the entire world. His teaching is highly rational, clear and concise, as well deeply mystical, unfolding all the mysteries of Self, God, the universe, the Absolute and immortality, with subtle meditative examinations of mind and consciousness. Most of what today is called Advaita (non-dualistic) Vedanta reflects the mark of his insights or even follows his language of discourse. He is the main classical teacher of the Advaita Vedanta tradition that derives from the Vedas. Shankara’s greatness has been hailed by such monumental modern gurus of India as Swami Vivekananda, Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, Ramana Maharshi, Swami Chinmayananda, Swami Dayananda (Arsha Vidya) Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Paramahansa Yogananda, to name a few. Most of th...