When most people hear the word yoga, they often think of physical postures, breathing exercises, or perhaps a way to relax. While these aspects are certainly part of the practice, they only scratch the surface of yoga’s deeper purpose. The true essence of yoga is captured in one profound Sanskrit phrase from the ancient Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:
"Yogas chitta vritti nirodha" (योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः).
This sutra, the second in Patanjali’s text, is often translated as:
“Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.”
But what does this really mean?
Breaking Down the Phrase
To understand yogas chitta vritti nirodha, we must explore each word:
- Yoga (yogas) – Derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning "to yoke" or "to unite." Yoga is the union of the individual self with the universal consciousness.
- Chitta – Refers to the mind-stuff or the field of consciousness. It includes thoughts, memories, perceptions, and emotions.
- Vritti – These are the modifications, movements, or fluctuations that arise in the chitta. They are the waves of thought and distraction that disturb the mind.
- Nirodha – Means cessation, control, or restraint. It is not suppression, but a quieting, a calming of the mental activity.
So, "yogas chitta vritti nirodha" teaches that the purpose of yoga is to quiet the mind—to go beyond the surface-level disturbances and enter a state of deep inner stillness.
The Goal of Yoga: Inner Stillness and Self-Realization
In our modern world, our minds are constantly active. Thoughts race from one topic to another. Emotions rise and fall. Memories pull us into the past, while fears and hopes drag us into the future. This constant activity—the vrittis—keeps us from experiencing the present moment and obscures our true nature.
Patanjali explains that when these mental fluctuations are quieted, the seer (our true self) rests in its own nature. This is the ultimate goal of yoga—not just physical fitness, but spiritual clarity and inner peace.
How Do We Achieve Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodha?
Attaining this state of stillness requires consistent practice and discipline. Patanjali outlines an eight-limbed path (Ashtanga Yoga) to guide practitioners:
- Yama – Ethical restraints (e.g., non-violence, truthfulness)
- Niyama – Personal observances (e.g., purity, contentment)
- Asana – Physical postures to prepare the body
- Pranayama – Breath control to calm the nervous system
- Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the senses from external distractions
- Dharana – Concentration on a single point
- Dhyana – Meditation, a steady flow of focus
- Samadhi – Absorption, the final state of union with the Self
Each of these limbs supports the practice of nirodha, helping to reduce mental disturbances and cultivate awareness.
A Timeless Teaching
Though written over 2,000 years ago, the teaching of yogas chitta vritti nirodha is more relevant than ever. In an age of constant noise, overstimulation, and anxiety, yoga offers a path back to inner stillness. It reminds us that we are not our thoughts, emotions, or the chaos around us—we are the calm, unchanging awareness behind it all.
Final Thoughts
Understanding yogas chitta vritti nirodha can completely transform your approach to yoga. Whether you are a beginner or a long-time practitioner, remembering this central teaching helps anchor your practice in something deeper than physical exercise. It invites you to turn inward, observe the mind, and gradually move toward stillness and self-realization.
Yoga, then, is not just something we do. It is a state of being—a return to the quiet, spacious, and limitless presence that is always within us.