Glossary of Key Terms

Abhyāsa अभ्यास

[uhb-YAH-suh]

Persistent, devoted practice over a long period. One of the two key methods (with vairāgya) for stilling the mind. [cite:2]

Ahaṃkāra अहंकार

[uh-hum-KAH-ruh]

The "I-maker" or ego function that turns experience into "my" experience. One component of citta along with manas and buddhi. [cite:2][cite:31]

Aṣṭāṅga Yoga अष्टाङ्ग योग

[ush-TAHN-guh YOH-guh]

The eight-limbed path of yoga: yama, niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, dhyāna, samādhi. [cite:16][cite:45]

Āsana आसन

[AHS-uh-nuh]

Posture. In Patanjali's system, defined as a steady and comfortable seat for meditation (Sutra 2.46). [cite:38][cite:49][cite:55]

Avidyā अविद्या

[uh-VID-yah]

Ignorance, particularly ignorance of the true Self (Purusha). The root of the five kleśas (afflictions) and the cause of suffering. [cite:16][cite:2]

Buddhi बुद्धि

[BOOD-dhee]

The discriminating intellect or higher mind that decides and classifies. One of the three components of citta. [cite:2][cite:31]

Citta चित्त

[CHIT-tuh]

The entire mental field, including manas (recording mind), buddhi (discriminating intellect), and ahaṃkāra (ego). Broader than "mind" — encompasses consciousness and the locus of both thoughts and emotions. [cite:1][cite:2][cite:3][cite:31]

Key point: Citta is not the Self (ātman/Purusha). It is the instrument through which consciousness experiences. [cite:2]

Dhāraṇā धारणा

[dhaa-ruh-NAH]

Concentration — binding the mind to a single point. The sixth limb of aṣṭāṅga yoga. [cite:16][cite:55]

Dhyāna ध्यान

[dhyaa-NAH]

Meditation — sustained, unbroken flow of attention. The seventh limb of aṣṭāṅga yoga. [cite:16][cite:55]

Duḥkha दुःख

[DOOKH-uh]

Suffering, dissatisfaction, or unsatisfactoriness. A central concept in Indian philosophy; yoga aims at the end of duḥkha. [cite:16][cite:31]

Īśvara ईश्वर

[EESH-vuh-ruh]

A special Purusha (consciousness) untouched by afflictions, actions, or karmic results. Often translated as "God" or "divine consciousness," but in Patanjali's system, Īśvara is a practical aid for meditation, not a creator deity. [cite:16][cite:55]

Kaivalya कैवल्य

[KY-vuhl-yuh]

Isolation, liberation, or emancipation. The ultimate goal of yoga — the separation of Purusha (pure consciousness) from Prakṛti (nature, including mind). [cite:16][cite:46][cite:48]

Key point: Kaivalya is the state in which the seer abides in its own nature, free from identification with mental modifications. [cite:16][cite:50]

Kleśa क्लेश

[KLAY-shuh]

Affliction or source of suffering. The five kleśas are: avidyā (ignorance), asmitā (egoism), rāga (attachment), dveṣa (aversion), and abhiniveśa (clinging to life). [cite:2][cite:16]

Manas मनस्

[MUH-nuhs]

The recording mind that takes in sense impressions. One of the three components of citta, along with buddhi and ahaṃkāra. [cite:2][cite:31]

Nirodha निरोध

[nee-ROH-dhuh]

Restraint, cessation, or stilling. In Yoga Sutra 1.2, refers to the stilling of citta-vṛttis. Not violent suppression but natural settling — like muddy water clearing when undisturbed. [cite:1][cite:2][cite:3]

Key point: Nirodha is a noun, not a verb. Yoga is the state in which fluctuations have become still, not the act of forcing stillness. [cite:1]

Niyama नियम

[nee-YUH-muh]

Observances or personal disciplines: śauca (cleanliness), santoṣa (contentment), tapas (austerity), svādhyāya (self-study), īśvara-praṇidhāna (devotion). The second limb of aṣṭāṅga yoga. [cite:16][cite:55]

Prakṛti प्रकृति

[PRAH-krih-tee]

Nature or primal matter — the manifest world including mind, body, and all material phenomena. In Sāṃkhya-Yoga dualism, distinct from Purusha (consciousness). [cite:16][cite:31][cite:53]

Prāṇāyāma प्राणायाम

[prah-nah-YAH-muh]

Regulation of breath or life force. The fourth limb of aṣṭāṅga yoga, involving control of inhalation, exhalation, and retention. [cite:16][cite:55]

Pratyāhāra प्रत्याहार

[pruh-tyah-HAH-ruh]

Withdrawal of the senses from external objects. The fifth limb of aṣṭāṅga yoga, turning attention inward. [cite:16][cite:55]

Puruṣa पुरुष

[POO-roo-shuh]

Pure consciousness, the seer, or the Self. In Sāṃkhya-Yoga dualism, the unchanging witness distinct from Prakṛti (nature, including mind). [cite:16][cite:31][cite:52]

Key point: The goal of yoga is to recognize Purusha as one's true nature, distinct from the modifications of citta. [cite:16][cite:1]

Samādhi समाधि

[suh-MAH-dhee]

Absorption, stillness, or meditative union. The eighth limb of aṣṭāṅga yoga. A state of direct, reliable perception where the seer abides in its own nature. [cite:16][cite:55]

Types: Samprajñīīīta (with awareness) and Asamprajñīīīta (without seeds); further subdivided into Savitarka, Nirvitarka, Savichāra, Nirvichāra, etc. [cite:16][cite:31]

Saṃskāra संस्कार

[suhs-KAH-ruh]

Latent impression or karmic seed left by past experiences. Saṃskāras shape future reactions and mental patterns. [cite:2][cite:16]

Sūtra सूत्र

[SOO-truh]

Aphorism or thread — a concise, memorable statement. The Yoga Sutras consist of 195-196 such aphorisms organized into four chapters (pādas). [cite:16][cite:31]

Svādhyāya स्वाध्याय

[svuh-DHYAH-yuh]

Self-study or study of sacred texts. One of the five niyamas (observances). [cite:16][cite:55]

Vairāgya वैराग्य

[vy-RAH-gyuh]

Non-attachment, dispassion, or renunciation. One of the two key methods (with abhyāsa) for stilling the mind. [cite:2][cite:16]

Vṛtti वृत्ति

[VRIT-tee]

Modification, fluctuation, or wave of mental activity. Patanjali identifies five types: pramāṇa (correct perception), viparyaya (misperception), vikalpa (imagination), nidrā (sleep), and smṛti (memory). [cite:2][cite:3][cite:20]

Key point: Every thought, emotion, or mental event is a vṛtti. The goal of yoga is not to eliminate vṛttis but to cease identification with them. [cite:2]

Yama यम

[YUH-muh]

Restraints or ethical precepts: ahiṃsā (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacarya (continence), aparigraha (non-grasping). The first limb of aṣṭāṅga yoga. [cite:16][cite:55]

Yoga योग

[YOH-guh]

From the root yuj meaning "to yoke" or "to unite." In Patanjali's system, yoga is the state in which mental-emotional fluctuations have become still — the result of practice, not the practice itself. [cite:1][cite:2][cite:3]

Definition: yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ — "Yoga is the cessation of the modifications of the mind." [cite:16]

Yoga Sūtras योग सूत्र

[YOH-guh SOO-truhs]

The foundational text of classical Yoga philosophy, attributed to Patañīīījali. Consists of 195-196 aphorisms in four chapters: Samādhi Pāda, Sādhana Pāda, Vibhūti Pāda, and Kaivalya Pāda. [cite:16]