the essential purpose of Yoga practice

The essential purpose of yoga practice is to reduce avidya so that understanding can gradually come to surface. But how can we know whether we have seen and understood things clearly? When we see the truth, when we reach a level that is higher than our normal everyday understanding, something deep within us is very quiet and peaceful. Then there is a contentment that nothing can take from us. It is not the kind of satisfaction derived from gazing at a beautiful object. It is much more than this. It is a satisfaction deep within us that is free from feeling and judgement. The center of this contentment is the purusa.

T.K.V. Desikatchar – The Heart of Yoga. Developing a Personal Practice – 8 The Things That Darken the Heart