समाधिभावनार्थः क्लेशतनूकरणार्थश्च ॥२.२॥
पदविभाग: समाधि-भावन-अर्थः, क्लेश-तनूकरण-अर्थः, च।
अन्वय: समाधि-भावन-अर्थः क्लेश-तनूकरण-अर्थः च
प्रतिपदार्थ: समाधि = deep concentration / pure cognitive absorption, भावन = bringing about / cultivating / manifesting, अर्थः = for the purpose of / with the goal of, क्लेश = afflictions / psychological impurities / causes of suffering (detailed in upcoming sutras), तनूकरण = attenuating / weakening / making thin or subtle (from tanu – thin), अर्थः = for the purpose of, च = and.
तात्पर्यम्: Kriya Yoga is for the practice of Samadhi and minimising the pain-bearing obstructions.
Further context on the 53rd Sutra from Patanjali’s Yogasutras
The obstructions to yoga arise from the lack of control over our body. Kleshas are the mental afflictions like ignorance, ego, attachment, aversion, and the fear of death. Normally, in an untrained mind, these afflictions are dominant and fully operational. They hijack our thoughts and drive our behavior.
Notice Patanjali does not say Kriya Yoga destroys the Kleshas. He uses the word tanūkaraṇa, which means “to make thin,” “to attenuate,” or “to weaken.” You cannot simply snap your fingers and permanently destroy the ego or deep-rooted attachments. However, through discipline, self-study, and surrender, you can starve them. You make them “thin” and feeble, like weeds deprived of water. They may still exist in the mind as dormant seeds, but they no longer have the strength to control your actions.
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