Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 33

वितर्कबाधने प्रतिपक्षभावनम् ॥३३॥

vitarka-bādhane pratipakṣa-bhāvanam ||33||

When oppressed by negative deliberation,
cultivate the opposite side.

vitarka - gross deliberation; negative deliberation; negative reasoningbādhana - oppressing, harassingpratipakṣa - the opposite side, hostile party, opposition; an adversary, opponent, foe; a respondent, defendantbhāvana - cultivation; imagining, fancying; forming in the mind; to occupy one's imagination with, meditation; conception; causing to be, effecting, producing, displaying, manifesting;
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Commentaries and Reflections

Commentary by TKV Desikachar:

“Pratipakṣa Bhāvana –
Creating space by doing something opposite.”

Commentary by S Ramaswami:

“When one is bothered by reasoning opposite to the Yama and Niyama, then develop the opposite feeling to it.
When one takes the vow these tendencies develop.

When this happens Patanjali says don’t act straight away to develop the opposite feeling.

AṢṬĀṄGA YOGA is an irrevocable decision. However, opposite tendencies arise because of SAṂSKĀRA.
What are the opposite tendencies or VITARKA?
These ideas which are opposed to YOGIC thought, especially in the context of YAMA and NIYAMA.

Also what is this PRATIPAKṢA we have to develop?”

Commentary by Paul Harvey:

“When harassed by negative reasoning,
cultivate the opposite viewpoint.”

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