The Raja reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Raja

A Raja (sometimes spelled Rajah) is a Hindu king, or princely ruler. The female equivalent is Rani (sometimes spelled Ranee). This Hindu royal title was and still is commonly used in India. The word is from Sanskrit and has a long history in the sub-continent. 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. It is used in India to distinguish a Hindu king from a Muslim Nawab or Shah.

The ruler of the Malaysian state of Perlis is to this day known as the Raja of Perlis.

---

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.

This is the "Raja" reference article from the English Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. See also our Disclaimer.