Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translated by Yogi Kalinath - Chapter 2, Verse 4

Pada 2, Sutra 4

Sanskrit Verse

Avidyaa Ksetram uttaresaam prasupta-tanu-vicchinnodaaraanaam

Translation

Ignorance (of one’s True Nature) is the origin of all the other causes of affliction whether dormant, attenuated, interrupted or aroused.

Interpretation

Ignorance of our True Nature as a Spirit Soul is the source and field of all of our suffering and is the biggest hindrance to Self-Realization.

The greatest wealth is knowledge as knowledge is power. However Spiritual Knowledge is the highest and most precious knowledge as it leads to understanding our True Nature and our place in the Universe. Only Spiritual Knowledge can bring the Light of Awareness dissolving ignorance on the Path to Liberation and Bliss.

The afflictions of man’s mind express themselves to four degrees:

· dormant when the affliction is present in dormant form just waiting for the proper conditions to manifest itself

· attenuated when the affliction is restricted in its activity

· interrupted when the affliction is alternated by its opposite, e.g. attraction alternated and therefore interrupted by repulsion

· aroused when the affliction is fully active in its expression

Developing an ever-vigilant Self-awareness together with detachment and discrimination through concerted Sadhana (Spiritual Practice) is the way to gradually overcome the Kleshas, the causes of affliction.