The avidya ksetram uttaresam prasupta tanu vicchinna udaranam yogic sutra tries to chalk out the root trouble for the sufferings, be it in any kind of stage. Lack of understanding, ignorance, unknowingness, or any kind of negative sense stands as a hindrance to self-realisation.
avidya lack of knowledge, ignorance, nescience
ksetram a place, a field, fertile soil, a region, the origin
uttaresam that which follows, is followed by, subsequent, consequent
prasupta asleep, sleepy, dormant
tanu thin, lean, emaciated, delicate, slender, attenuated
vicchinna interrupted, hidden, alternated
udaranam fully active
Lack of true knowledge is the source of all pains and sorrows - whether dormant, attenuated, interrupted or fully active.
Avidya - spiritual ignorance, is the source of all the other obstacles - arrogance, desire, aversion and eagerness to survive. These afflictions, whether dormant, weakened or alternating between hidden and fully active, are obstacles to self-enlightenment. Patanjali explains avidya as the fostering-ground of all affliction, whatever its nature.
