Yogasūtra II.5 - anitya-aśuci-duḥkha-anātmasu nitya-śuci-sukha-ātmakhyātiḥ- avidyā

Misapprehension is [the failure to discriminate between] the impermanent and the permanent, the impure and the pure, suffering and joy, the non-Self and the Self.

Avidyā (misapprehension) is defined in this Sūtra. It is a confused state where we are not able to discriminate between two things that are dissimilar. Avidyā exists because we aren’t really aware of our own true nature and hence are unable to discriminate between other objects.

Apart from Yoga Teaching, Dr. Kausthub Desikachar is also an avid photographer, inspirational writer and poet. To view, some of his inspirations, visit the website www.kausthubdesikachar.com