Yoga Sutra 2.52 it destroys the karma which covers up Knowledge-of-the-difference

Sūtra II.52

Thereby is destroyed the covering of the light

It destroys the karma which covers up Knowledge-of-the-difference in the yogin who has not practised prāṇāyāma. As it is declared: ‘When the ever-bright sattva is covered over by Indra’s net of great illusion, one is impelled to what is not to be done.’ By the power of prāṇāyāma, the light-veiling karma binding him to the world becomes powerless, and moment by moment is destroyed. So it has been said: ‘There is no tapas higher than prāṇāyāma; from it come purification from taints and the light of Knowledge.’

Thereby is destroyed the covering of the light. It is karma by which the light is covered. In the yogin who has not practised prāṇāyāma, the Knowledge-of-the-difference is covered by karma which covers up Knowledge-of-the-difference. It is declared in another scripture that when the ever-bright sattva is covered over by Indra’s net of great illusion (mahāmoha), one is impelled to what should not be done. (The mind) covered over by Indra’s net of illusory knowledge (viparyaya jñāna) is impelled by the sattva-veiling karma to all that should not be done. By practice of prāṇāyāma, the light-veiling karma binding him to the world becomes powerless, and not merely does it become powerless, but it is moment by moment destroyed. So it has been said: ‘There is no tapas higher than prāṇāyāma; from it come purification from taints, and the light of Knowledge.’ (Cp. Manu VI.70, 72)

 

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