Yoga Sutra 2.15

Parinama tapa samskara duhkhaih guna vrittih virodhat cha duhkham eva sarvam vivekinah

Summary

Yoga Sutra 2.15 states: “Parinama tapa samskara duhkhaih guna vrittih virodhat cha duhkham eva sarvam vivekinah.” This sutra explains that for the discerning person, all experiences are ultimately suffering due to the conflicts among the activities of the gunas (qualities), the results of past actions, and the distress caused by changes and latent impressions.

Analysis

Parinama

Translation: Change or transformation.

Meaning: Parinama refers to the constant changes and transformations that occur in life. These changes can lead to suffering due to the instability and impermanence they represent.

Tapa

Translation: Distress or pain.

Meaning: Tapa signifies the mental and emotional suffering caused by difficult situations, challenges, and hardships in life.

Samskara

Translation: Latent impressions.

Meaning: Samskara refers to the subconscious impressions and patterns formed by past actions and experiences. These latent impressions influence one’s thoughts and behaviors, often leading to repeated cycles of suffering.

Duhkhaih

Translation: Suffering.

Meaning: Duhkhaih encompasses the various forms of suffering and pain that individuals experience due to changes, challenges, and past impressions.

Guna

Translation: Qualities or attributes.

Meaning: Guna refers to the three fundamental qualities that make up all of nature: sattva (purity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia). These gunas are in constant interaction and fluctuation.

Vrittih

Translation: Activities or modifications.

Meaning: Vrittih denotes the various activities, movements, or modifications of the mind and the qualities (gunas).

Virodhat

Translation: Conflict or opposition.

Meaning: Virodhat signifies the conflict or opposition among the activities of the gunas, leading to inner turmoil and suffering.

Cha

Translation: And.

Meaning: Cha is a conjunction that connects the different causes of suffering discussed in this sutra.

Duhkham

Translation: Suffering.

Meaning: Duhkham emphasizes the pervasive nature of suffering in life due to various factors.

Eva

Translation: Indeed or truly.

Meaning: Eva reinforces the statement, indicating that suffering is an inherent part of human experience.

Sarvam

Translation: All.

Meaning: Sarvam signifies that all experiences are ultimately marked by suffering.

Vivekinah

Translation: Discerning person.

Meaning: Vivekinah refers to an individual who has developed discernment or wisdom. Such a person recognizes the inherent suffering in all experiences due to the nature of changes, latent impressions, and the gunas.

Significance of the Sutra

Yoga Sutra 2.15 is significant as it highlights the universal nature of suffering and its various causes. For a discerning person (vivekinah), all experiences are ultimately seen as forms of suffering due to the inevitable changes, conflicts among the gunas, and the influence of past impressions. This sutra encourages practitioners to develop discernment and wisdom to recognize the true nature of experiences and work towards liberation from suffering.

Common Interpretations

Traditional Interpretation

In traditional yoga teachings, this sutra emphasizes the importance of understanding the pervasive nature of suffering and its causes. Practitioners are encouraged to cultivate viveka (discernment) to recognize the inherent suffering in all experiences and strive for spiritual liberation. The emphasis is on overcoming the influence of the gunas, past impressions, and changes through