Sūtra 1.2

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of sūtra 1.2:

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥ १.२ ॥

yogaścittavṛttinirodhaḥ || 1.2 ||

(2) Yoga is the suppression of the modifications of the mind.

Ancient and Modern interpretation:

Vyāsa says^[1], since the word sarva is absent in this sūtra, the word Yoga is intended to include Samprajñāta - yoga as well.

The mind has [the following three fluctuations, and is made of three guṇas or constituent principles]:

1. prakhyā (sattva),
2. pravṛtti (rajas) and
3. sthiti (tamas).

When the faculty of sattva is influenced by rajas and tamas the mind becomesinclined towards power and external objects. When it is dominated by tamas it inclines towards false knowledge, attachment and weakness. When the veil of infatuation is completely removed, and the mind becomes completely luminous, it has clear conception of the cognizor, the organs of cognition and the object of cognition, that mind being influenced by trace of rajas tends towards virtue, wisdom and detachment. When even the contamination of rajas is removed the mind rests in itself. It realizes the distinction between intellect and pure self (puruṣa) and proceeds to that form of contemplation known as dharmameghadhyāna. Consciousness is unchangeable, untransmissible. Vivekakhyāti or enlightenment of the distinction between puruṣa and buddhi is denoted by sattvaguṇa and is opposed to citiśakti.

When the mind becomes indifferent to even this realization, it retains the latent impressions alone; it is called nirbīja-Samādhi or Asamprajñātayoga as there is no Samprajñāta. In a way, yogasādhanā is movement from tamas and rajas to sattva, finally transcending the triguṇas. Hence at least for the beginners, Yoga advices sāttvika diet, sāttvikavicāra (thoughts), staying in the company of holy and pious people (satsaṅga).

The suppression of the modifications of the mind or Yoga is highest mental power. It means keeping the mind fixed on any particular desired object i.e. acquiring by practice the power of holding the mind undisturbed in the contemplation of any particular object. Only external objects do not form the subject of such contemplation, mental states also come under it. If the fluctuations of the mind are overcome, it is possible to remain fixed in good intentions and be endowed with mental power leading to calmness of the mind. The Acme of such calmness is Samādhi in a manner, in which awareness of one’s individual self gets lost.

Osho says,

‘Yoga is the cessation of mind’.

Osho opines^[2] that Yoga is a state of no-mind. The word ‘mind’ covers all -your egos, your desires, your hopes, your philosophies, your religions, and your scriptures. Whatsoever you can think is mind. All that is known, can be known, is knowable, and is within mind. Cessation of the mind means cessation of the known, knowable. When there is no mind, you are in the unknown. Yoga is a jump in the unknown. It is a jump into unknowable.

Yoga is the state of no Mind. When the activity of thinking is not there…you are there when the activity of the mind is not there. When thoughts have disappeared-they are just like clouds, your being just like the sky is uncovered.

By and large we can say that the sūtra indicates means to achieve the goal of Yoga. We may say that pure citta is the one without the vṛttis and such pure citta reflects the puruṣa exactly as a clean mirror reflects one’s image. The goal of Yoga is specified in I-3.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Āraṇya, op.cit., p.6.

[2]:

Osho, op.cit., p. 164