Sanskrit | Yoga Sūtras | Lists
(these are a work in progress)
Original Text
vṛttayaḥ pañcatayyaḥ kliṣṭākliṣṭāḥ
Translation
The mind’s activities are fivefold, and may be afflicted or free from affliction.
Background
This sutra explains that the activities of the mind (vṛttis) fall into five categories, and each can be either afflicted (clouded by the roots of suffering) or unafflicted (supporting clarity and well-being). It reminds us that not all thoughts are equal in their effects. Some reinforce confusion and dissatisfaction, while others foster understanding and steadiness. Recognizing these patterns is an essential step on the yogic path, because it allows us to cultivate mental states that bring us closer to our true nature and to let go of those that obscure it. This awareness forms the foundation for the deeper exploration of the mind that follows in subsequent sutras.