Rāja Yoga Study Group
Samādhi Pāda · Lesson 3
Welcome to Samādhi Pāda, Lesson 3. Enter Patañjali’s opening definition of Yoga, then explore Citta and its five modes through Swamiji’s teaching. Additional sections will become available after they have been explored together in the live Study Group.
- 1 ListenReceive Swamiji’s teaching without rushing.
- 2 ExploreSelect each term in the interactive infographic.
- 3 IntegrateReflect, practise, and complete the guided journal.
Sūtra 1.1 · The Auspicious Beginning
Now, Yoga Begins
The video could not be loaded. Please refresh the page or contact Ambika.Now begins the exposition of Yoga—of Samādhi.
Interactive Infographic
The Four Movements of Readiness
Select each petal to follow Swamiji’s teaching: the sacred “now,” the true goal, the preparation, and the sign of readiness.
Atha · Now
The Sacred Now
Atha is “now,” but it is also a word of blessing. It marks the rare and auspicious moment when the teaching is present and a student is ready to receive it.
“Now” is a sacred opportunity, not merely a point in time.
Manana · Reflection
What would it mean for me to become ready—now?
Sūtra 1.2 · The Definition of Yoga
Inside Citta-Vṛtti-Nirodha
Yoga is the restraint—or stilling—of the modifications of the mind.
Interactive Infographic
Inside the Definition of Yoga
Select each petal to explore one term. These terms belong to the sūtra; they are not chronological steps.
Yoga · Samādhi
The State Being Defined
After announcing the exposition in 1.1, Patañjali now defines Yoga. Here Yoga is the state of Samādhi.
Here Yoga means Samādhi: citta-vṛtti-nirodha.
Manana · Reflection
How does your understanding of Yoga change when nirodha is approached as restraint rather than only as complete stopping or annihilation?
Sūtra 1.2 · Deep Dive I
What Is Citta?
The video could not be loaded. Please refresh the page or contact Ambika.Citta may name the storehouse of memory and, in a broader sense, the entire inner instrument.
Interactive Infographic
The Four Faculties of the Inner Instrument
Antaḥkaraṇa means the inner instrument. Select each faculty to see its function. In this teaching, citta can also name the whole inner instrument.
Citta · Storehouse
The Memory Faculty
In its narrower meaning, citta is like the subconscious storehouse: it holds memories, instincts, and learned habits.
Citta can mean one faculty—and it can also name the whole inner instrument.
Manana · Reflection
In this moment, what can you notice being remembered, imagined or doubted, discerned, and finally claimed as “I” or “mine”?
Sūtra 1.2 · Deep Dive II
The Five Modes of Citta
The same inner instrument may be scattered, dull, alternating, one-pointed, or fully restrained. These modes describe its present operation—not who you are.
Interactive Activity · Notice Before Revealing
Which Mode Is Operating?
Read each situation and choose a mode before revealing the teaching response. The modes describe how citta is operating in a moment—not a fixed personality or diagnosis.
The Jumping Mind
During meditation, attention moves from a sound to an email, to breakfast, to tomorrow, and then briefly back to the mantra. Which mode seems most present?
The Depleted Mind
After prolonged stimulation, you read the same sentence several times but cannot take in its meaning. Which mode may be operating?
Gathering, Then Wandering
You understand the teaching for several minutes, drift into planning, notice it, and return. Which mode does this illustrate?
The Steady Flame
Attention remains steadily with one question, allowing deeper understanding to emerge. Which mode is being cultivated?
Is Ordinary Calm Niruddha?
You feel peaceful for two minutes after relaxation. Does that necessarily mean citta is in Niruddha?
Interactive Infographic
One Mind, Five Ways of Operating
Select a mode to explore how citta is operating. These are changing modes—not fixed personalities or diagnoses.
Kṣipta · Scattered
The Monkey Mind
Attention jumps from object to object. Thinking becomes fast, reactive, superficial, and unable to remain with one line of inquiry.
Many impressions; little depth.
Manana · Reflection
Which mode is most present now—and what do you notice in your attention, energy, and reactivity?
Coming Soon
Vṛttis
The movements of citta. This part of the lesson will become available after it has been explored together during the live Study Group meeting.
Coming Soon
The Mind as Reflector
From reflection toward clearer seeing. This part of the lesson will become available after it has been explored together during the live Study Group meeting.
Coming Soon
SPACE Practice and Journal
Observation pause and conscious response. This part of the lesson will become available after it has been explored together during the live Study Group meeting.