YOGASCHITVRITTINIROD
I am very keen to explore the deep meaning of first four sutras of Maharishi Patanjali, Yog Sutra. As these four sutras are the summary of entire chain of 196 yogsutras. Yog Sutras are all about the accurate way of living that can lead to joy, peace, compassion, clarity, wisdom and expansion of consciousness, in our lives. We are here, to evolve, and in my experience; we can only evolve, when there is wisdom, which enables us to see reality.
This sutra is from first chapter, Smadi Pada of Yog Sutra and it defines yoga. It means yoga is; Chit + Vritti + Nirod; this is the Sandi -viched or segregation of the Sanskrit word; In Sanskrit we can understand the meaning of the word by breaking down the compound word into its constituent words. Chit here is to feel, to observe. Chit word is here present in its past form; hence it means, which is observed and felt already.
. Vritti means, to choose or to not choose. We should have the freedom to choose but our freedom is usually influenced by our past experiences. Therefore, we donât choose anything based on our reality, however, we choose based on our past experiences which are embedded in our manas. This type of choice is influenced by our likes and dislikes So, it canât be qualified as free choice. Choice is free when itâs based-on facts and not on our likes and dislikes. Moreover, if we have the right to choose, we should also have the right, to not to choose anything.
The word Nirod is to halt something; thus, if we take itâs word by word meaning, it means to stop the process of choosing. As we decide, not to choose, the wheel of manas, gradually slows down and finally we stop choosing. We already have enough of experiences, to know that, the process of making choices has always led to conflict. We are trapped in web of our own making. When manas is inclined to likes and dislikes or desires, it leads to perturbed condition of mind. This is so paradoxical, each like, turning into dislike, and our pleasant experiences turning into pain. Actually, pleasure and pain are the two sides of the same coin. So, we have to transcend above these dualities of life. This is the complex circle or what we call is maya Jaal of this world. We have experienced these situations, numerous times in our lives, even if we are ignorant of it in the past.
Yogsachittavrittiniroda, leads us to the condition, where we become a mere spectator, as we had enough of experiences which inevitably develops us to a maturity level of, not choosing and observing the facts as it is. It results in the development of wisdom to know the reality as it is, which can only lead to peaceful and joyful state of mind.
