Hetu

Definition: Cause or reason; the underlying factor that brings about an effect or result.

Insights: Hetu represents the principle of causation in yoga philosophy. In the Yoga Sutras, it appears in contexts explaining the causes of suffering (such as ignorance being the hetu of the false conjunction between Seer and Seen), and the interdependent nature of phenomena. Understanding hetu helps practitioners recognize the root causes of their experiences and work toward liberation by addressing these fundamental causes.