Muni's PlaySutras 1.30–1.39 outline the challenges a practitioner faces and provide various techniques to achieve a steady and peaceful mind (Chitta-prasadana).
The Nine Obstacles (Antarayas)
These distractions hinder progress in Yoga and are often accompanied by grief, mental distress, tremor, and irregular breathing (Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.31).
| # | Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | व्याधि | Vyādhi | Disease / Illness |
| 2 | स्त्यान | Styāna | Mental laziness / Dullness |
| 3 | संशय | Saṅśhaya | Doubt |
| 4 | प्रमाद | Pramāda | Lack of enthusiasm / Carelessness |
| 5 | आलस्य | Ālasya | Physical lethargy / Sloth |
| 6 | अविरति | Avirati | Clinging to sense-enjoyments / Sensuality |
| 7 | भ्रान्तिदर्शन | Bhrānti-darśhana | False perception / Delusion |
| 8 | अलब्धभूमिकत्व | Alabdha-bhūmikatva | Non-attainment of a stage (of concentration) |
| 9 | अनवस्थितत्व | Anavasthitatva | Instability / Falling away from a state |
Methods for Stabilizing the Mind
Patanjali recommends the “practice of one subject” (Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.32) and offers several specific methods for mental purification and stability.
1. The Four Attitudes (Chitta-Prasadana)
Cultivating these four attitudes toward others pacifies the mind (Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.33):
| Attitude | Sanskrit | Transliteration | Target Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friendship | मैत्री | Maitri | The happy (Sukha) |
| Mercy | करुणा | Karuna | The miserable (Duḥkha) |
| Gladness | मुदिता | Mudita | The virtuous (Puṇya) |
| Indifference | उपेक्षा | Upeksha | The wicked (Apuṇya) |
2. Stabilization Techniques
Additional methods to steady the Chitta (Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.34–Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.39):
| Technique | Sanskrit | Description | Key Sutra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breath Control (Pranayama) | प्राणायाम | Throwing out and restraining the breath (Prāna) | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.34 |
| Sense Focus | विषयवती प्रवृत्ति | Extraordinary sense-perceptions through concentration | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.35 |
| Inner Light | ज्योतिष्मती | Meditating on the Effulgent Light beyond sorrow | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.36 |
| Not attachment (Vairagya) | वीतरागविषयं चित्तम् | Meditating on the heart of a non-attached being | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.37 |
| Dream Insight | स्वप्ननिद्राज्ञान | Meditating on knowledge gained in sleep or dreams | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.38 |
| Personal Choice | यथाभिमतध्यान | Meditating on anything good that appeals to the mind | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.39 |
See also: