Sajun.org
A '''Raja''' (sometimes spelled '''Rajah''') is a
king, or princely ruler. The female equivalent is '''Rani''' (sometimes spelled Ranee). ''Raja'' comes from the
Sanskrit word ''rājan'' and has a long history in the
Indian subcontinent. Some rulers would give themselves the title as a means to increase prestige among their subjects. The word
maharaja connotes a raja who has conquered other rajas, thus becoming a '''great ruler'''. Variants include Rana, Rao, Raol Rawal, and Rawat.
It is used in
India to distinguish a
Hindu king from a Muslim
Nawab or
Shah, and still is commonly used in
India. Elsewhere it does not have the same religious suggestion.
The ruler of the
Malaysian state of
Perlis is to this day known as the Raja of Perlis. The White Rajahs of
Sarawak in
Borneo were
James Brooke and his
dynasty.
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'''Raja''' is also one of the four major
Yogic paths of
Hinduism. Raja
Yoga involves psycho-physical
meditational techniques to attain experience of the truth and finally achieve liberation described in Hindu thought to be
moksha.
ja:ラージャ
he:רג'ה
