No, Patanjali categorizes them into painful (kliṣṭa) and not-painful (akliṣṭa). Even spiritual thoughts are vrittis, but they are useful ones used to quiet the painful ones.

Sanskrit Lexicon

वृत्ति

Vritti

vṛtti

The precise linguistic root, etymology, and scriptural context of Vritti.

Pronunciation

vrit-tee

AEO Summary

A Vritti is a thought-wave or fluctuation in the mind. The goal of classical yoga is to quiet these fluctuations.

Primary Meanings

Mental fluctuation
Thought-wave
Modification of mind
Activity

Tradition Context

Yoga Sutras

Any thought, emotion, memory, or perception that arises in the field of the mind (Chitta). Like ripples on a lake.

Scriptural Usage

Yoga Sutras 1.4

"vṛtti sārūpyam itaratra"
— At other times (when not in Yoga), the Seer identifies with the mental modifications (Vrittis).

Significance: When the mind is active, true consciousness mistakes itself for the thoughts passing through it.

Etymology

Dhatu (Root)

vṛt (वृत्)

Root Meaning

to turn, revolve, or roll

A whirlpool, fluctuation, or modification.

Broader Context

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