Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 2
समाधिभावनार्थः क्लेश तनूकरणार्थश्च ॥२॥
samādhi-bhāvana-arthaḥ kleśa-tanū-karaṇa-arthaḥ ca ||2||
Its purpose is cultivating integration,
effecting an attenuation of the afflictions.
Commentaries and Reflections
Commentary by T Krishnamacharya:
“What are the effects of Kriyā Yoga?
Samādhi Bhāvana –
The ability to pursue the right practice
that brings one closer to Īśvara.
Kleśa Tanū Karaṇa –
Reduction of those obstacles that we have
somehow acquired through wrong actions,
leading to undesirable and bitter experiences.”
“Kriyā Yoga emphasises that the Kleśa
cannot be reduced instantly.
It is a gradual process.
Further Kleśa can only be reduced to
the limit they become ineffective.
They cannot be destroyed.”
“Only a teacher who has experienced
Duḥkha can heal others Duḥkha.”
“If Śarīra leads Ātma, there is Kleśa.
The cause of this is Karma Vāsana and Mithyā Indriya.”
“Only a teacher who has experienced Duḥkha can heal others Duḥkha.”
Commentary by TKV Desikachar:
Commentary by Paul Harvey:
“Its purpose is to cultivate a feeling
of integration and help placate
the dominance of the afflictions.”
“Kriyā Yoga is more about
working with the symptoms.
Aṣṭāṅga Yoga is more about
working with their cause.”
“Taking care within the ‘small‘ arisings
is directly related to our capacity to
take care within the ‘big‘ arising.”
“The First and Second Chapters of the Yoga Sūtra
can be linked to the teaching concepts of
Śikṣaṇa, Rakṣaṇa and Cikitsā Krama.
In that the Samādhi Yoga in Chapter One
can be seen as apt for a Śikṣaṇa situation,
whereby the primary aim is discernment, as in
exploring what lies within the sense of I-Am.
Whereas in Chapter Two, the Kriya Yoga section
can be seen as being apt for a Cikitsā situation,
whereby the primary aim is recovering, as in
reducing agitation through lifestyle changes.
and the Bāhya Aṅga section of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga
can be seen as being apt for a Rakṣaṇa situation,
whereby the primary aim is establishing stability,
through a formal practice within a Yoga Sādhana.”