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Yoga is a Sanskrit word derived from the root 'yuj' means 'to unite'. Yoga means union, union of the individual soul with God. Yogas are innumerable. Hatha yoga, laya yoga, mantra yoga etc, are a few of them. Each is a distinct path, each catering to a different aspect of human personality. It was to the wisdom, insight and the genius of Swami Vivekananda to classify them into four yogas viz. Karma yoga (union through selfless work), Bhakti yoga (union through unflinching devotion to God), Raja yoga (union through control of the inner forces) and Jnana yoga (union through discrimination between the real and the unreal). This broad classification is of tremendous psychological importance.
A synthesis of these four yogas is advocated by Swami Vivekananda for the spiritual advancement of a person and with this idea as the basis he designed the emblem of the Ramakrishna Order.
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