We've just wrapped up Sūtra 2:4, focusing on avidyā (अविद्या)—the fundamental misunderstanding that serves as the root of all kleśas (क्लेशाः), or mental afflictions. Patañjali tells us that avidyā is the kṣetram (क्षेत्रम्), the "field" in which all other kleśas take root and grow. It is the misperception that leads us to see the impermanent as permanent, the impure as pure, the painful as pleasurable, and the non-self as the self.

The purpose of yoga is to help us recognize and ultimately dissolve these afflictions. Yoga is not just about moving our bodies or controlling our breath—it is a radical reorientation of our lifestyle, habits, and ways of being in the world. Through practice, we begin to recognize the unconscious patterns that cause suffering and develop the clarity needed to release them.

A powerful question to ask ourselves is: "Who do I want to be when I don't get my way?" The kleśas exert their influence most strongly in moments of challenge—when things don't go as planned, when expectations aren't met, when discomfort arises. Dedicated yoga practice isn't just about feeling good when life is easy; it trains us to remain steady when life isn't. Over time, through disciplined effort, these afflictions lose their power, and we move toward a state of greater inner freedom.

To do this work, we rely on svādhyāya (स्वाध्याय)—self-study, one of the core principles of Kriyā Yoga (क्रिया योग). The term svādhyāya is composed of sva (स्व), meaning "self," and adhyāya (अध्याय), meaning "study" or "inquiry." Traditionally, this refers to the study of sacred texts, but in a broader sense, it is any deep reflection that reveals our true nature. We can find wisdom in many sources, not just within the yoga tradition.

As the Gnostic Gospel of St. Thomas shares:

"If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you."

This mirrors Patañjali's teachings: our inner obstacles must be seen, understood, and transformed—otherwise, they unconsciously shape our lives. Yoga offers a path of liberation from these afflictions, guiding us toward a state of greater clarity, presence, and peace.

Next, we move deeper into the kleśas, beginning with asmitā (अस्मिता)—the illusion of the separate self.