Changes

The state in which a human mind resides in any particular moment is called as Chitta vritti or the modification of the mind. Chitta transforms into many forms and has infinite modifications. It has no shape and takes the shape of the Vishaya or object that it comes into contact with. This Vishayakaarata (becoming like Vishaya) is called as Vrtti.<ref name=":3" /> In Advaita Vedanta, we find an explanation about the mind (or Antahkarana) issuing out of the sense organs, goes to the object perceived by the sense organ and is modified into the form of the object (say a pot). This very modification is called a state or Vrtti.<ref name=":02">Swami Madhavananda. trans., ''Vedanta Paribhasha of Dharmaraja Adhvarindra.'' Howrah: The Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Pitha. pp 15-16</ref>  

The state in which a human mind resides in any particular moment is called as Chitta vritti or the modification of the mind. Chitta transforms into many forms and has infinite modifications. It has no shape and takes the shape of the Vishaya or object that it comes into contact with. This Vishayakaarata (becoming like Vishaya) is called as Vrtti.<ref name=":3" /> In Advaita Vedanta, we find an explanation about the mind (or Antahkarana) issuing out of the sense organs, goes to the object perceived by the sense organ and is modified into the form of the object (say a pot). This very modification is called a state or Vrtti.<ref name=":02">Swami Madhavananda. trans., ''Vedanta Paribhasha of Dharmaraja Adhvarindra.'' Howrah: The Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Pitha. pp 15-16</ref>  

Vrtti (singular वृत्तिः) literally means "wave," and refers to all elements that can affect the mutable Chitta. In terms of mind, it involves thoughts and with reference to the body it refers to the diseases and changes formed by ageing. Vrttis are the transformations and modifications in response to external stimuli, in the form of waves. Vrttis are formed from Samskaras or impressions on the mind and viceversa, and this is a perpetual cycle.<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>वृत्तयः पञ्चतय्यः क्लिष्टाक्लिष्टाः ॥ १.५ ॥ (Yoga. Sutr. 1.5) </blockquote>The gross and subtle thought patterns (Vrttis) can be classified into five categories, and can be either of Klishta (afflictive or accompanied by Pancha Kleshas and cause sufferings) or Aklishta (non-afflictive or not accompanied by Kleshas and cause happiness) nature. Both these kinds of vrttis recur in the lifetime of an individual in varying magnitudes causing sadness and happiness to a person.  <blockquote>प्रमाणविपर्ययविकल्पनिद्रास्मृतयः ॥ १.६ ॥ (Yoga. Sutr. 1.6) </blockquote>The five vrttis of chitta are  

Vrtti (singular वृत्तिः) literally means "wave," and refers to all elements that can affect the mutable Chitta. In terms of mind, it involves thoughts and with reference to the body it refers to the diseases and changes formed by ageing. Vrttis are the transformations and modifications in response to external stimuli, in the form of waves. Vrttis are formed from Samskaras or impressions on the mind and viceversa, and this is a perpetual cycle.<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>वृत्तयः पञ्चतय्यः क्लिष्टाक्लिष्टाः ॥ १.५ ॥ (Yoga. Sutr. 1.5) </blockquote>The gross and subtle thought patterns (Vrttis) can be classified into five categories, and can be either of Klishta (afflictive or accompanied by Pancha Kleshas and cause sufferings) or Aklishta (non-afflictive or not accompanied by Kleshas and cause happiness) nature. Both these kinds of vrttis recur in the lifetime of an individual in varying magnitudes causing sadness and happiness to a person.<ref name=":3" /> <blockquote>प्रमाणविपर्ययविकल्पनिद्रास्मृतयः ॥ १.६ ॥ (Yoga. Sutr. 1.6) </blockquote>The five vrttis of chitta are  

# प्रमाण ॥ Pramana - knowing correctly  

# प्रमाण ॥ Pramana - knowing correctly  

# निद्रा॥ Nidra - the object of void-ness  

# निद्रा॥ Nidra - the object of void-ness  

# स्मृतिः॥ Smrti - recollection or memory  

# स्मृतिः॥ Smrti - recollection or memory  

== चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥ Chittavrtti nirodha ==

== चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥ Chittavrtti nirodha ==

# '''निरुद्धम्॥''' '''niruddha''', where everything is restrained, controlled

# '''निरुद्धम्॥''' '''niruddha''', where everything is restrained, controlled

== Chitta Vikshepa ==

== चित्तविक्षेपाः ॥ Chitta Vikshepa ==

The nine obstacles (antarayah) in the path of attaining samadhi, as per Yoga sutras, are known as [[Chitta Vikshepa (चित्तविक्षेपाः)]]. <blockquote>व्याधिस्त्यानसंशयप्रमादालस्याविरतिभ्रान्तिदर्शनालब्धभूमिकत्वानवस्थितत्वानि चित्तविक्षेपास् तेऽन्तरायाः ॥ १.३० ॥ (Yoga. Sutr. 1.30)</blockquote>They are  

The nine obstacles (antarayah) in the path of attaining samadhi, as per Yoga sutras, are known as [[Chitta Vikshepa (चित्तविक्षेपाः)]]. <blockquote>व्याधिस्त्यानसंशयप्रमादालस्याविरतिभ्रान्तिदर्शनालब्धभूमिकत्वानवस्थितत्वानि चित्तविक्षेपास् तेऽन्तरायाः ॥ १.३० ॥ (Yoga. Sutr. 1.30)<ref name=":4" /></blockquote>They are<ref name=":3" />

 

 

 

Shvasa and Prashvasa together form the disturbances in normal breathing process; uncontrolled breathing distracts a person from concentration and consequently hinders his sadhana.  

# आलस्यम् (Alasya) - Desire for rest due to heaviness in the mind and body resulting in bringing about laziness

# अविरतिः (Avirati) - Having a desire to indulge in worldly enjoyments

# भ्रान्तिदर्शनम् (Bhranti darshana) - Erroneous perception of objects, confusion between what is truth and what is not, having wrong knowledge

# अनवस्थितत्वम् (Anavasthitva) - Inability of mind to be permanently established in samadhi after attaining it.

These nine obstacles distract the mind from being one-pointed and are enemies to [[Sadhana (साधनम्)|Sadhana]]. These obstacles arise with the existence of Vrttis of the mind, hence cessation of the Vrttis the obstacles disappear.  

For complete removal of the vikshepas and sahabhuvas, practice of devotion to Ishvara and developing vairagya are important factors.  

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Yoga]]

[[Category:Yoga]]

[[Category:Vedanta]]

[[Category:Vedanta]]