Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translated by Yogi Kalinath - Chapter 4, Verse 16

Pada 4, Sutra 16

Sanskrit Verse

Na caika-citta-tantram vastu tad apramaanakam tadaa kim syaat

Translation

The object is not dependent on the perception of one single mind. Otherwise that object would be determined to be non-existent when that single mind was not perceiving it.

Interpretation

Objects exist in and of themselves, and are not dependent on a single mind perceiving them for their existence. That is the reality of the duality of subject (the perceiver) and object (the perceived).

We may all exist in the same space-time continuum and have the same substratum (Prakriti), however everything has its own distinct expression. Therefore reality is both positional and relational.

Reflection

Identification with objects we perceive through the external or internal senses due to the play of the material modes of Nature (Gunas) is called misidentification leading to the misunderstanding and therefore misdirection of our awareness from the Seer to the phenomenal world.