Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
## Description of the Principles of Restraint and Liberation, the Nature of the Five Kinds of Knowledge
**Chapter 16 of the First Light of Yoga Shastra**
Good inflow, or merit, is caused by auspicious actions, while inauspicious inflow, or sin, is caused by inauspicious actions. Thus, the inflow of karma-water into the pond of the soul is called *āśrava*.
**Restraint (Samvara) and Cessation (Nirjara):**
Preventing inflows is called *samvara*. Partially separating the karmas, which are the cause of birth and death in the world, from the soul is called *nirjara*. Thus, the nature of both these principles has been explained together. The nature of *āśrava*, *samvara*, and *nirjara* is not being explained in detail here, as it will be discussed extensively in the section on contemplation. The reader can learn about it in detail there. Here, these three principles have been briefly explained to avoid repetition.
**Bondage (Bandha):**
Due to passions, the soul acquires karmic particles that are capable of binding. The principle that causes the soul to become dependent in this way is called *bandha*. Just as a prisoner bound by chains becomes dependent, similarly, the independent soul, bound by the chains of karma, also becomes dependent. There are four types of *bandha*: *prākṛtibandha*, *sthitibandha*, *anubhāgabandha*, and *pradeśabandah*. *Prākṛti* means the nature of karma. There are eight types of *prākṛtibandha*: 1. *jñānāvaraṇīya*, 2. *darśanāvaraṇīya*, 3. *vedanīya*, 4. *mohanīya*, 5. *āyuṣya*, 6. *nāma*, 7. *gotra*, and 8. *antarāya*. These are the eight fundamental natures of karma. The state of having more or less karma, i.e., the duration or time-rule of experiencing karma, is called *karma-sthiti* (*sthitibandha*). *Anubhāgabandha* refers to the taste of the result, and *pradeśabandah* refers to the groups of karmas.
The soul becomes bound by karma due to these five causes: *mithyātva*, *avīrati*, *pramāda*, *kaṣāya*, and *yoga*. Thus, the nature of *bandha* has been explained briefly.
**Liberation (Mokṣa):**
The complete destruction of all karmas, or the complete absence of the causes of karmic bondage, is called *mokṣa*. Before liberation, the destruction of the four *ghātikarmas* leads to *kevalajñāna*. After that, the destruction of the remaining causes leads to the liberation of the soul. The happiness of the gods, demons, and emperors in the three realms is not even a fraction of the infinite happiness of liberation. The happiness that is found in the stability of one's own soul, or in the delight of one's own nature, is transcendental, eternal, and never-ending. Because of this infinite happiness, liberation is considered to be the ultimate goal of all beings. Thus, the nature of *mokṣa* has been explained.
**The Nature of the Five Kinds of Knowledge:**
There are five main types of *samyagjñāna*: *matijñāna*, *śruta-jñāna*, *avadhi-jñāna*, *manaḥparyava-jñāna*, and *kevalajñāna*. These five kinds of knowledge are progressively superior. Each of these five types has further subdivisions.
* **Matijñāna:** Knowledge that arises from the senses and mind, with subdivisions like *avagraha*, *īhā*, *avāya*, *dhāraṇā*, *bahu*, *bahuvidha*, etc.
* **Śruta-jñāna:** Knowledge that is based on the scriptures, including the *angas*, *upangas*, and *prakirṇas*, and is characterized by detailed explanation and the use of *syādvāda*. There are many subdivisions of *śruta-jñāna*.
* **Avadhi-jñāna:** Knowledge of substances, in the form of a specific duration, that arises from the soul without the help of the senses or mind. There are two types of *avadhi-jñāna*: 1. *bhavapratyayika* and 2. *guṇa-pratyayika* (caused by the cessation of karmas). Gods and hell-beings have *avadhi-jñāna* from birth, but animals acquire it through the cessation of karmas. There are six types of *avadhi-jñāna*: *anugāmi*, *ananugāmi*, *vardhamāna*, *hīyamāna*, *pratipāti*, and *apratipāti*.
* **Manaḥparyava-jñāna:** There are two types of *manaḥparyava-jñāna*: *ṛjumati* and *vipulamati*. *Ṛjumati* is generally... while *vipulamati* is... Once *manaḥparyava-jñāna* is attained, it never goes away.
* **Kevalajñāna:** Direct knowledge of all times, all substances, and all categories, arising from the soul, like the all-seeing eye, infinite, transcendental, and unprecedented.
Through these five kinds of knowledge, all principles can be known. Through knowledge, the seeker can become aware of the first aspect of the three jewels, which are the cause of liberation. Like a maddened elephant, ignorance...
**[The text continues]**