Patanjali was an Indian sage who is known for his text on the philosophy of Yoga: The Yoga Sutras. He has divided this text into four parts: Samadhipada Sadhanapada Vibhutipada Kaivalyapada In the second sutra of the Samadhipada, Patanjali defines Yoga: Yoga Sutra 1.2 योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ Translation: Yoga is to still the thought-waves of mind-stuff. Chitta (Mind-stuff) The practice of Yoga is founded upon the philosophy of Sankhya, one of the six classical schools of Indian Darshana (philosophy). Yoga is often considered the applied or practical aspect of the theoretical framework provided by the Sankhya school. One of the main principles of Sankhya Darshana is dualism. It divides the world into Purusha and Prakriti Purusha is the knower, aware of itself and of Prakriti, whereas Prakriti knows neither itself nor Purusha. Furthermore, Prakriti is made of three gunas: Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. Guna Meaning Characteristics Sattva Purity, Illumination, Balance Light, clarity, harmony, goodness, wisdom, serenity Rajas Activity, Passion, Motion Energy, excitement, restlessness, drive, desire, pain, effort Tamas Inertia, Darkness, Stasis Heaviness, dullness, ignorance, laziness, procrastination, delusion Chitta, our mind-stuff, is an evolute of Prakṛti. It is the subtle element of matter that, while containing all three Guṇas, has a greater proportion of the Sattva Guṇa. This Sattva dominance allows Chitta to capture and reflect the light of Purusha, making consciousness and experience possible. Antahkarn Chatushtaya The Antahkarn Chatuṣhṭaya (The Fourfold Inner Instrument) is the set of four functional roles that the Chitta takes on when interacting with the world and processing experiences. It performs four distinct actions, depending on the task at hand: Component Function Example Mana (Mind) Mental deliberation and questioning. "Should I turn left or right?" Buddhi (Intellect) The higher intellect that judges, and decides "I have decided to turn left." Ahamkara (Ego) The sense of "I exist" or "I am the doer" that mistakenly attributes the actions of Prakriti to Purusha. "I am the one who turned left." Samskara (Memory) The storehouse of impressions; the deep reservoir of past experiences and conditioning. The residual impression left by the decision and action. States of Chitta Our experiences leave their impression on the Chitta. These accumulate over time and we mistake ourselves for these accumulated impressions. But in essence, these experiences have just clouded the Chitta. The goal of Yoga is to clear up the Chitta beyond these turbulent states. Patañjali describes five potential states of the Chitta at any given time: State Characteristic Connection to Yoga Mudha Dull, sluggish, dominated by Tamas No connection Kshipta Restless, distracted, dominated by Rajas No connection Vikshipta Occasionally steady, but primarily distracted No connection Ekagra The Sattva Guṇa becomes stable, and the mind is focused on a single object, illuminated by knowledge. The first state of Yoga Niruddha The complete cessation of all Vrittis (thought-waves). The Chitta becomes stable in its own source, like a wheel coming to rest on the ground, revealing the true nature of Purusha (the Atman). The final state of Yoga Vritti (Thought-waves) Vritti are thought-waves that constantly arise in the Chitta. These thought-waves are infinite but are classified into five types: Yoga Sutra 1.5-1.6 वृत्तयः पञ्चतय्यः क्लिष्टा अक्लिष्टाः। प्रमाणविपर्ययविकल्पनिद्रास्मृतयः। vṛttayaḥ pañcatayyaḥ kliṣṭā akliṣṭāḥ pramāṇa viparyaya vikalpa nidrā smṛtayaḥ Translation: There are five types of patterns, including both hurtful and benign.They are right perception, misperception, conceptualization, deep sleep, and remembering Term Translation Explanation Yoga Sutra Pramana Right Knowledge Valid, direct means of knowing, derived from direct perception, inference, or reliable testimony. 1.7प्रत्यक्षानुमानागमाः प्रमाणानि। Pratyakṣānumānāgamāḥ pramāṇāni Translation: Right perception arises from direct observation, inference, or the words of others. Viparyaya Misconception / Myth Incorrect knowledge that is based on a false understanding of the true nature of the object Ex: mistaking a rope for a snake 1.8विपर्ययो मिथ्याज्ञानमतद्रूपप्रतिष्ठम्। viparyayo mithyājñānam atadrūpapratiṣṭham Translation: Misperception is false knowledge, not based on what actually is. Vikalpa Verbal Delusion / Fantasy Knowledge based purely on words or imagination where no corresponding object exists in reality Ex: talking about a unicorn 1.9शब्दज्ञानानुपाती वस्तुशून्यो विकल्पः। śabdajñānānupātī vastuśūnyo vikalpaḥ Translation: Conceptualization derives from linguistic knowledge, not contact with real things Nidra Deep Sleep A mental activity based on the absence of content. Tamas is dominant during Nidra 1.10अभावप्रत्ययालम्बना वृत्तिर्निद्रा। abhāvapratyayālambanā vṛttir nidrā Translation: Deep sleep is a pattern grounded in the perception that nothing exists. Smriti Memory / Retention The retention and recalling of past experiences that have been deposited in the Chitta. 1.11अनुभूतविषयासंप्रमोषः स्मृतिः। anubhūtaviṣayāsaṁpramoṣaḥ smṛtiḥ Translation: Remembering is the retention of experiences All five types are forms of activity that obscure the Self. When these mental waves (Vrittis) are completely stilled (Nirodha), the mind becomes clear, and the Purusha (Consciousness) can be experienced in its true state.