Citta

The mental field encompassing mind, intellect, and memory. In yoga philosophy, citta includes all psychic functions: perception, thought, emotion, and recollection.

Patañjali defines yoga as citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ — the cessation of citta’s fluctuations. This doesn’t mean destroying the mind, but stilling its automatic movements so it can reflect reality without distortion.

Citta is the instrument through which consciousness (purusha) perceives the world. When agitated, it produces confusion; when serene, it reveals the true nature of being.