Today we continue our deep dive into Yoga Sūtra 2.34, staying with the powerful teaching of pratipakṣa bhāvanam—the deliberate cultivation of opposite, positive thoughts to replace those that are harmful or negative. This is no abstract philosophy; it's a daily practice for those on the yogic path.
We begin by revisiting YS 2.33:
"vitarkāḥ hiṃsādayaḥ kṛta-kārita-anumoditāḥ lobha-krodha-moha-pūrvakāḥ mṛdu-madhya-adhimātrāḥ duḥkha-ajñāna-ananta-phalāḥ iti pratipakṣa-bhāvanam"
Negative thoughts such as violence, whether done by oneself, instigated in others, or even silently approved of, arise from greed (lobha), anger (krodha), and delusion (moha). These may be mild, moderate, or intense. And the fruit of such thoughts is always suffering (duḥkha) and ignorance (ajñāna). Therefore, the remedy is clear: pratipakṣa bhāvanam—cultivating the opposite.
And now, YS 2.34 offers a continued emphasis:
"vitarkāḥ hiṃsādayaḥ kṛta-kārita-anumoditāḥ lobha-krodha-moha-pūrvakāḥ mṛdu-madhya-adhimātrāḥ duḥkha-ajñāna-ananta-phalāḥ iti pratipakṣa-bhāvanam"
Yes, the verse repeats, almost word for word, driving home the importance of this mental discipline. When negative thoughts arise—and they will—do not indulge, fight, or shame them. Pause. Breathe. Redirect. This is the essence of the yogic mind-training. It’s ancient neuroplasticity in action. What we practice, we become.
Patañjali’s wording is especially nuanced: the verse starts with hiṁsā, often translated as violence or harm, but follows it with ādayaḥ, meaning “etc.” He’s indicating that it’s not just physical harm, but any kind of negative mental manifestation—jealousy, judgment, resentment, comparison, fear.
To deepen this insight, we turn to the Bhagavad Gītā, Chapter 2, Verse 62:
"dhyāyato viṣayān puṁsaḥ saṅgas teṣūpajāyate |
saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ kāmāt krodho 'bhijāyate ||"
"When a person dwells on objects, attachment to them arises. From attachment comes desire, and from desire arises anger."
Here we see a natural psychological progression: greed leads to attachment, attachment leads to desire, and desire, when unfulfilled, gives rise to anger. This anger clouds judgment and drives delusion. Sound familiar? It’s the very lobha-krodha-moha that Patañjali warns against.
The remedy in both texts is the same: cultivate awareness and redirect the mind.
One breath at a time. One thought at a time. One action at a time.
This is the everyday sādhanā—the inner practice that turns our yoga from theory into transformation.
More tomorrow.
