What is "Yoga"?

Human mind is like a water body; say for example, a lake. A calm lake with clear water is like a mirror. You will be able to see your reflection in that, won’t you? What about if it is turbid and with lot of waves or whirlpools? Will you be able to see your reflection?

A mind in today’s competitive world, because of different types of transactions of relationships, is bombarded with many types of thoughts. These thoughts, if one fails to manage, will certainly make the calm waters of the mind turbulent. They are mentioned in yoga as “Vritti”.

 योगच्चित्तव्रित्तिनिरोध : I

So yoga is all about stilling (nirodha) this whirlpool (Vritti) of turbid mind (Chitha). "Yoga is the silencing of the modifications of the mind”.

Same is the case when you try to see the bottom of the turbulent lake. You will be able to see the real ‘satta’ (the juice) of you only when the mind is calm. You will be able to look deep into yourself and see the depth of your consciousness only when your mind is still. Yoga is the method which helps you to do this and realize yourself.