YS II.34 Pratipaksa bhavanam - opposite thoughts

Patanjali's yoga sutra II.34 states:

YS  II.34 vitarkah himsadayah krta karita anumoditah lobha krodha moha purvakah mrdu madhya adhimatrah duhkha ajnana anantaphalah iti pratipaksabhavanam

The following translation is from Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, by B.K.S. Iyengar:

YS II.34 Uncertain knowledge giving rise to violence, whether done directly or indirectly, or condoned, is caused by greed, anger or delusion in mild, moderate or intense degree. It results in endless pain and ignorance.  Through introspection comes the end of end and ignorance.

When we continue thoughts and actions that are improper we continue a cycle of pain and suffering.  This sutra states that this pain can be mild, medium or intense.  To counter this, as in sutra II.33 cultivating an opposite action is required.  This would be introspection leading to proper thinking and action.

Although not always easy to do, especially if you are not aware that you are not correct in your thinking. 
That is why practice and detachment is such an important part of yoga.  The more we practice, the more in tune with ourselves we become.  Detachment allows us to see and experience things from an unbiased view.  This introspection on the truth about our true nature can then be taken forward to how we interact in the world.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/