Patañjali's Yogasūtra II.12 | Explained By Viniyoga® Expert Dr Kausthub Desikachar

Yogasūtra II.12 - kleśa-mūlaḥ karma-āśayaḥ dṛṣṭa-adṛṣṭa-janma-vedanīyaḥ

Why should we be so concerned about the Kleśa-s?

Actions rooted in afflictions have consequences, which manifest in seen or unseen ways, and ripen immediately or later [in this] birth [or the next one].

Patañjali presents here the “law of Karma,” by saying that we cannot escape the consequences of our actions, especially when they are based on the Kleśa-s - which is the case most of the time. The challenge is that we won’t always see the consequences immediately and that is why we must be so careful. By warning that they will be seen either in this birth or the next, Patañjali issues a stern warning that our actions may have consequences for our descendants.

Excerpt from Truth Unclouded by TKV Desikachar & Dr Kausthub Desikachar


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