Yoga Sutras 2.9

2.9:Svarasa vahi vidusopi tatha rudha abinivesah, Clinging to life, flowing by its own potency (due to past experience), exists even in the wise.

This is the fifth and last klesa (affliction). As has been discussed the klesas are progressive. The first one, ignorance (of our own nature as purusha or pure consciousness) is the primary affliction and leads to a sense of isolation or separation called ego which in turn promotes seeking fulfillment through the senses and becoming attached to those fleeting pleasures (raga), and aversion to any type of external discomfort (dvesa) which in turn leads to a clinging of life (abinivesah). There are several points to cover in this sutra and as usual a couple of different interpretations.

To continue to live is a function of all organisms, from the flower that leans toward the sun, to the fear that any animal has of falling, to the ability to repair damage and grow. Patanjali refers more to the attachment to the process of being alive. We all know individuals whose lives are one long drawn-out misery yet their attachment to life is as great as ever. According to Patanjali this is due to the other four klesas being totally active leading to the desire for life even in the absence of favorable external circumstances.

'Even in the wise' refers to the limit of intellectual knowledge. Knowing better doesn't equate to doing or being better. A learned scholar might know all the intricacies of the scriptures but unless he/she is experiencing directly the knowledge of the Self, liberation or Kaivalya, then they would be just as clingy to life as anybody else.

Svarasa vahi translates to 'flowing by its own potency'. Satchidananda interprets this to be connected to past life experience. The soul having memory of losing its physical connection before is more inclined to clinging to this life. The other interpretation is that the flowing is a result of outward movement from avidya progressively to the other klesas ending in attachment to life.