Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translated by Yogi Kalinath - Chapter 4, Verse 23

Pada 4, Sutra 23

Sanskrit Verse

Drastr-drshyoparaktam cittam sarvaartham

Translation

All objects perceived in the mind are colored by the Seer and the seen.

Interpretation

The mind suffers from misidentification. Not only does it identify with external objects perceived (the ‘seen’) but it also identifies the Seer, the Self Within as the mind itself. The Seer is the Eternal Witness and consciousness is the ocean of awareness whose waves either move towards Samsara (identification with the temporal, the fluctuations of existence) or towards the Self Within. When the waves reaches the shore of Nirvana, the Seer, they subside and become the ocean.

Reflection

Until one reaches safely the shore of Self-Realization:

No man can serve two masters: for either he. will hate the one, and love the other; or else. he will hold to the one, and despise the other, Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24

Meaning that we either identify with the gross (seen) and subtle (impressions) waves and forget the Self (beyond the shore of the Ocean) as the Eternal Witness or practice remembering the Presence of the Self moment to moment. Ultimately, there is no self but the Self.