Patanjali Yoga Sutra – Chapter-1 – verse-5

Patanjali Yoga Sutra – Chapter-1 – verse-5:-

वृत्तय: पञ्चतय्य: क्लिष्टाऽक्लिष्टा: ॥  ।५।

“There are five kinds of thought waves – some are painful and others are not painful.”

According to Patanjali “A painful wave” is not necessarily painful when it first arises in the mind:  It is the consecutive wave which brings with it an increased degree of ignorance, addiction and bondage.  A wave which seems “painful” first may be “Not painful”.   For example a lustful wave may seem pleasurable (not painful) but on the long run it is painful.  The following Bhagavad Gita sloka explains this very beautifully.

Chapter -2– Saankhya yogam- Verse-62 & 63

ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंस: सङ्गस्तेषुपजायते । सङ्गात् सञ्जायते काम: कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते ॥ ।६२। क्रोधाद्भवति संमोह: सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रम: । स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति ॥ ।६३।

Meaning of the above sloka - While concentrating on objects of senses a person develops attachment to the sense objects, from attachment desires are born, from desire anger arises.From anger delusion occurs, from delusion bewilderment of memory, after forgetfulness of memory the loss of spiritual intelligence and losing spiritual intelligence one perishes.

We have to dintinguish between the good and bad thoughts First. On one side we have good thoughts with love, generosity, truth, etc., प्रियम्, दया, सत्यं. On the other han we have bad thoughts with ange, desire, delusion, etc.,  काम क्रोध संमोह:

In practice of Yoga discipline, we have to subdue the bad waves with the good waves.  And ultimately, try to shed off even the good waves.  Since, even minds with good waves are not calm.