Chapter-1, Sutra 8

Patanjali Yogasutra 1.8 

(False Knowledge)

विपर्ययो मिथ्याज्ञानमतद्रूपप्रतिष्ठम् ॥ १.८॥

"False Knowledge is that which is based on a mistaken perception of Reality."

False knowledge (viparyaya) is one of the five types of mental modifications (vrittis) that cause suffering and prevent the Realization of the True Self. It is the opposite of correct knowledge (pramana), which is based on direct perception, inference, or reliable testimony.

False knowledge arises when the mind misinterprets the sensory data and forms a wrong notion about the object of perception. For example, when a person sees a rope in the dark and mistakes it for a snake, he or she has false knowledge of the rope. This false knowledge causes fear and anxiety, which are unnecessary and avoidable.

False knowledge is not established in the real nature (atadrupa) of the object, but is based on a distorted appearance (mithya). It is not in harmony with the reality, but is contrary (viparyaya) to it. Therefore, false knowledge is a source of ignorance (avidya) and bondage (samsara).

The way to overcome false Knowledge is to cultivate correct Knowledge through the practice of yoga. By withdrawing the senses from the external objects (pratyahara), concentrating the mind on a single point (dharana), and meditating on the True Nature of reality (dhyana), one can attain the state of clear awareness (samadhi) and realize the True Self (purusha).

Similar verses from Vedic texts, that deal with the topic of false knowledge are:

- Isha Upanishad 9

अविद्यायामन्तरे वर्तमानाः स्वयं धीराः पण्डितंमन्यमानाः । दन्द्रम्यमाणाः परियन्ति मूढा अन्धेनैव नीयमाना यथान्धाः ॥

"Living in ignorance, they consider themselves wise and learned. They wander about, deluded, like the blind led by the blind."

- Bhagavad Gita 5.16

ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं येषां नाशितमात्मन: |

तेषामादित्यवज्ज्ञानं प्रकाशयति तत्परम् ||16||

"Knowledge is covered by ignorance, and hence all beings are deluded. But those whose ignorance is destroyed by Knowledge of the Self, their Knowledge shines like the sun."

- Yogavashishta 6.2.215

अविद्याकामकर्मभिर्बद्धाः संसारिणो जनाः ।

विद्याकामकर्मभ्यां तु मुक्ताः संसारबन्धनात् ॥

"By ignorance, desire, and action, people are bound to the cycle of birth and death. By Knowledge, desirelessness, and inaction, they are freed from the bondage of the world."