KARMADOGG: Patanjali

1,2 yoga citta vrtti nirodhah

1,2 yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.

yoga = union; literally - to yoke; also "union" as in absorption into samadhi, or the Divine.

chitta = consciousness

vritti = activities, fluctuations, modifications, changes, or various forms of consciousness.

nirodhah = channeling, mastery, integration, coordination, stilling, quieting, setting aside.

Thus, yoga is the mastery (nirodhah) of the waves (vrtti) of consciousness (chitta).

Sutra 1,2 is often described as the most concise definition of the science of self-realization, or yoga. The central theme is about quieting the obstacles, illusions or false identities set up by the mind. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras essentially presents a practical handbook on how to do this.

The key to understanding the importance of Sutra 1,2 may lie in the word nirodhah. Nirodhah is difficult to translate or describe directly. When translated poorly, it can suggest control, as in the suppression of thoughts and emotions; which is definitely not the goal of yoga. Rather, nirodhah is about quieting the vacillating waves of the mind to find the jewel of truth that rests behind all consciousness. This is accomplished through yoga, a self-training program involving relationships with others, the senses, body, breath, and mind.

Taken By Trees - "Watch the Waves"

Sources:
Traditional Yoga and Meditation from the Himalayan Masters

Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy (Maehle)

Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Iyengar)

The Essential Yoga Sutra: Ancient Wisdom for Your Yoga (Roach, McNally)

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: With Great Respect and Love (Stiles)

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda (Satchidananda)

East of Eden

Yoga Sutra 1,1

Atha Yoganusasanam

Atha = now
Yoga = of yoga; anusasanum = direction or instruction

And now, the study of yoga

Atha may be more closely translated "and now," and was traditionally used to signify the beginning of an authoritative treatise.
The word yoga can be derived from two Sanskrit roots. From one, it can mean "union," as in uniting mind, breath and body; or uniting oneself with deeper, underlying reality. Derived from a second root, yoga can mean contemplation or absorption. In this sense, yoga indicates a process by which a clouded mind can be cleared.
Anusasanam refers to exposition or instruction, rather than theory or philosophy. Thus, in his 196 aphorisms, Pantanjali aims to present a concise package of real-life instruction.