Patañjali's Yogasūtra III.22 | Explained By Dr Kausthub Desikachar of Viniyoga

Yogasūtra III.22 - sopakramaṁ nirupakramaṁ ca karma tat-saṁyamāt-aparānta-jñānam-ariṣṭebhyaḥ-vā

The results of some actions are immediate, and others delayed. Through Saṁyama on these [two kinds of] actions, [arises] understanding of death and omens.

Actions with immediate results are called Sopakrama-karma, while those with delayed consequences are called Nirupakrama-karma.

We are responsible for our actions, but their consequences are not completely in our control. Sometimes the results of an action that we expect to be immediate are delayed, and vice versa. The manifestation of these consequences depends on many factors including whether we are operating from the Kleśa-s or not, the context of the action, the pre-determined Karma of the action, etc.

When Saṁyama is practiced on these two types of actions and their consequences we will gain insight into why there is immediate or delayed fruition in each case. This will slowly make us more sensitive, so that we can fully observe the field of action, both before, while and after we act. We shall develop such deep foresight, that we can predict our own time of death, and also have the capacity to see and interpret omens.


Excerpt from Truth Unclouded, The Yogasūtra-s of Patañjali by TKV Desikachar with Dr Kausthub Desikachar. If you wish to purchase a copy, please visit https://khyf.net/shop/


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Dr Kausthub Desikachar is the successor and current lineage holder of the classical Viniyoga tradition of T Krishnamacharya & TKV Desikachar. He is an acclaimed yoga teacher, yoga therapist, healer and spiritual adviser. His objectives include the sharing of the authentic teachings of Yoga to the modern era, as well as building bridges between different healing modalities to promote physical, emotional social and spiritual health.

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