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යෝගශ්චිත්තවෘත්තිනිරෝධඃ

Yogash Chitta-Vritti-Nirodhah (Yoga Sutra 1.2) in Sinhala · සිංහල

🕉️ yoga·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Early morning before meditation or asana practice·📜 Patanjali Yoga Sutras 1.2
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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగుதமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡമലയാളംગુજરાતીবাংলাଓଡ଼ିଆਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

Origin & Story

Patanjali Yoga Sutras 1.2 · Patanjali · Classical (c. 2nd century BCE – 4th century CE)

This is the second aphorism of the Samadhi Pada, the first chapter of Maharshi Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. After the opening sutra 'Atha yoganushasanam' (Now, the teaching of yoga), Patanjali immediately gives the definition that has guided practitioners for two millennia: yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind. It establishes the entire purpose and method of Raja Yoga.

✦ As told in scripture

Generations of yogis have testified that as the thought-waves of the chitta grow still through steady practice, an unshakable inner peace and self-knowledge dawns — the seer resting in its own nature, untouched by the restlessness of the world.

The Mantra

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යෝගශ්චිත්තවෘත්තිනිරෝධඃ .. 1.2 .. (පදපාඨ — යෝගඃ චිත්ත-වෘත්ති-නිරෝධඃ)

Yogash chitta-vritti-nirodhah || 1.2 || (pada-patha — yogah chitta-vritti-nirodhah)

Meaning:Yoga is the stilling (restraint) of the modifications of the mind.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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යෝගඃ🔊yogahYoga (union, the state of yoga)
චිත්ත🔊chittaThe mind-stuff; consciousness in its totality (manas, buddhi, ahamkara)
වෘත්ති🔊vrittiModifications, fluctuations, whirls or activities of the mind
නිරෝධඃ🔊nirodhahRestraint, cessation, stilling, mastery
චිත්තවෘත්ති🔊chitta-vrittiThe modifications of the mind-stuff — the thought-waves
වෘත්තිනිරෝධඃ🔊vritti-nirodhahThe stilling of the fluctuations
යෝගඃ චිත්තවෘත්තිනිරෝධඃ🔊yogah chitta-vritti-nirodhahYoga is the stilling of the modifications of the mind
නිරෝධ🔊nirodhaThe root concept of Patanjala Yoga — controlled cessation of mental activity, not suppression but mastery

Benefits of Chanting Yogash Chitta-Vritti-Nirodhah (Yoga Sutra 1.2)

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Provides the classical, authoritative definition of yoga — the cornerstone of Patanjali's entire system of Raja Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga).

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Contemplating it reveals that the true aim of yoga is mastery over the mind, not merely physical postures.

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A powerful focus for meditation, turning attention inward toward the stilling of thought-waves.

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Cultivates inner peace, mental clarity and one-pointed concentration (ekagrata).

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Recited and reflected upon by yoga practitioners worldwide as the heart of yogic philosophy.

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Guides the seeker from outward restlessness toward the silent witness within.

How to Chant Yogash Chitta-Vritti-Nirodhah (Yoga Sutra 1.2)

Repetitions3times
Best TimeEarly morning before meditation or asana practice
FaceEast or facing one's place of meditation

Recite the sutra slowly three times before beginning meditation, letting the meaning settle: that yoga is the quieting of the mind's fluctuations. Then sit and observe the thought-waves arising and dissolving, allowing them to grow still. It is meant to be contemplated as much as chanted — a direct pointer to the practice itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Yogash Chitta-Vritti-Nirodhah (Yoga Sutra 1.2) written in the Sinhala script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.
Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.
From Patanjali's Yoga Sutras 1.2, it means 'Yoga is the stilling of the modifications of the mind.' Chitta is the mind-stuff, vritti is its fluctuations or thought-waves, and nirodha is their restraint or cessation. It is the most fundamental definition of yoga.
It is the very definition of yoga given by Patanjali himself in the opening of the Yoga Sutras. Every other teaching in the text — the eight limbs, the practices, the goal — flows from this single statement that yoga means mastering the activity of the mind.
In the very next sutras, Patanjali lists five vrittis: right knowledge (pramana), error (viparyaya), imagination (vikalpa), sleep (nidra) and memory (smriti). Yoga is the stilling of all these fluctuations so the true Self can be realized.
According to the next sutra (1.3), 'Tada drashtuh svarupe avasthanam' — then the seer abides in its own essential nature. The cessation of mental fluctuations allows the pure consciousness (Purusha) to rest in itself, which is the goal of yoga.

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