Yoga Sutra 1.5: Vṛttayaḥ Pañcatayyaḥ Kliṣhṭākliṣhṭāḥ

Yoga Aug 18, 2025 0 12 Add to Reading List

Some thoughts leave us feeling restless and anxious.
Others bring clarity, peace, and even bliss.

Have you ever paused to notice the difference between these two inner experiences?

The answer lies in Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra 1.5:

"Vṛttayaḥ pañcatayyaḥ kliṣṭākliṣṭāḥ"
“The modifications of the mind are fivefold; some are painful (kliṣṭa), others are not (akliṣṭa).”

With this simple yet profound sutra, Patañjali offers a timeless key to understanding the nature of our thoughts. He connects the ancient philosophy of chitta-vṛtti—the movements or patterns of the mind—with the practical art of self-awareness. This builds directly on Sūtra 1.4, which reminds us that we often identify with our thoughts, shaping how we see ourselves and the world.

Here, Patañjali invites us to observe our mental patterns without judgment. He doesn't ask us to suppress or deny thoughts but to become conscious of their quality—to distinguish between those that lead to suffering and those that nurture inner peace.

This teaching lies at the heart of yoga—not just asana and breathwork, but the deeper mental discipline that mirrors principles found in mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and even modern psychology.

What makes this sutra especially powerful is that it prepares us for the next step:

A deeper look into the five types of vṛttis in Sūtra 1.6
And the essential yogic tools of abhyāsa (consistent practice) and vairāgya (non-attachment)

By learning to recognize the nature of our thoughts, we empower ourselves to shift from unconscious reactivity to conscious presence—an inner movement from disturbance to stillness.

Translation of Yoga Sutra 1.5: Vṛttayaḥ Pañcatayyaḥ Kliṣhṭākliṣhṭāḥ

Yoga Sūtra 1.5 – Understanding the Nature of Thoughts

Sanskrit: वृत्तयः पञ्चतय्यः क्लिष्टाक्लिष्टाः
Transliteration: Vṛttayaḥ pañcatayyaḥ kliṣṭākliṣṭāḥ
Translation:
“The modifications (vṛttis) of the mind are of five types—some are painful (kliṣṭa), others are not (akliṣṭa).”

Decoding the Terms

Vṛttayaḥ – Modifications, fluctuations, or ripples of the mind
Pañcatayyaḥ – Fivefold or of five types
Kliṣṭa – Painful, disturbing, leading to suffering
Akliṣṭa – Not painful, beneficial, or neutral

Patañjali introduces a pivotal insight: all mental activity—no matter how complex—can be grouped into five basic types, and these can be either painful or non-painful, depending on their nature and impact.

The Two Faces of Thought: Kliṣṭa and Akliṣṭa

Some thoughts lead to distress, such as those driven by:

Desire, anger, jealousy, fear, greed, ego, or attachment
These create mental agitation, leave strong impressions (saṁskāras), and bind us deeper into suffering. These are kliṣṭa vṛttis—painful modifications.

Other thoughts, however, bring clarity and upliftment:

Compassion, wisdom, devotion, gratitude, kindness, forgiveness
These foster balance and growth without causing inner disturbance. These are akliṣṭa vṛttis—non-painful or even helpful modifications.

The Five Waves of the Mind

Patañjali classifies all mental fluctuations into five categories, which he explores in Sūtra 1.6:

Pramāṇa – Right knowledge
Viparyaya – Misperception
Vikalpa – Imagination
Nidrā – Sleep
Smṛti – Memory

These waves stir the mindfield (chitta) continuously—whether we are awake, dreaming, or asleep. Each thought or experience leaves behind an impression (saṁskāra), which then influences future thoughts, behaviors, and tendencies. This cyclical relationship between action and impression creates a never-ending loop, binding us to samsāra.

Yoga offers the tools to break this cycle—to recognize the nature of each vṛtti and, through awareness and discipline, transcend it.

Everyday Examples: Seeing Vṛttis in Action

Kliṣṭa example: Fear caused by a sudden loss in the stock market stirs anxiety, pulling the mind into suffering.
Akliṣṭa example: A feeling of inspiration after a spiritual talk may energize the mind toward positive growth.

Both are vṛttis—but one is binding, the other liberating.

A Bridge to Modern Psychology

This ancient classification parallels modern psychological insights:

Negative thoughts: anger, fear, sadness, jealousy → stress, emotional imbalance
Positive thoughts: love, hope, kindness, gratitude → healing, mental well-being

We often know which thoughts are harmful and which are helpful, yet we continue to dwell on the former and neglect cultivating the latter. This is because the mind operates through ingrained saṁskāras, pulling us unconsciously into patterns.

Yoga teaches us to become aware participants—not victims—of our mental landscape.

Key Takeaway

You are not your thoughts.
But your relationship with your thoughts shapes your experience of life.

By practicing abhyāsa (consistent effort) and vairāgya (detachment), as Patañjali later teaches, you begin to recognize the vṛttis for what they are—passing waves—and gradually return to the stillness of your true self.

How We Can Apply Yoga Sutra 1.5 in Everyday Life: Witnessing the "Color" of Thoughts

Yoga Sūtra 1.5 offers us a simple yet transformative insight:

"Vṛttayaḥ pañcatayyaḥ kliṣṭākliṣṭāḥ"
“The modifications of the mind are fivefold—some are painful (kliṣṭa), others are not (akliṣṭa).”

Understanding Thought "Color"

In practical terms, there are two types of thoughts:

Colored (Kliṣṭa) – Influenced by fear, anger, craving, ego, or attachment. These often disturb the mind, pull us into emotional reactivity, and leave lingering discomfort.
Uncolored (Akliṣṭa) – Arise from peace, clarity, compassion, and inner wisdom. These thoughts bring calm, insight, and often inspire conscious action.

How to Pra ctice: A Simple Everyday Method

Pause when a thought arises.
Don’t judge or suppress it—just observe.
Ask yourself:
“Is this thought helping me feel peaceful—or is it disturbing me?”
Label gently:

If the thought brings agitation or restlessness → Label it “colored.”
If it brings peace, clarity, or love → Label it “uncolored.”

Then… just let it go.
No need to chase it, fix it, or fight it. Just witness and allow it to pass like a cloud across the sky.

Why This Matters

This simple practice isn’t just about sorting thoughts. It’s about developing self-awareness without judgment. Over time, you'll begin to notice which patterns dominate your mind—and gradually, you’ll become less entangled in them.

This awareness prepares the ground for the two essential yogic disciplines introduced later in the Yoga Sūtras:

Abhyāsa – Consistent, dedicated effort to stabilize the mind
Vairāgya – Non-attachment to desires, fears, and outcomes

Together, abhyāsa and vairāgya become the inner strength that allows you to move toward the stillness described in the opening sutras.

Final Thoughts

The sages teach that as long as the mind exists, vṛttis—mental modifications—will arise. Without conscious awareness and discipline, we become slaves to these fluctuations, repeating the same patterns shaped by past impressions (saṁskāras).

But with intentional practice, we can break this cycle.

The mind, guided by saṃkalpa śakti—the power of will and intention—can investigate its own awareness. This inner strength is the foundation of spiritual growth. By using the mind to go beyond the mind, we awaken to our deeper Self.