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## Uncontrolled Mind and its Restraint Measures
**Yoga Shastra, Fourth Light, Verses 35 to 39**
For some, mental purity is natural, while others need to control their minds through means like Yama and Niyama. (34)
What does an uncontrolled mind do? The following verse explains. (361)
The uncontrolled mind, like a demon, roams freely and without fear, throwing the beings of the three worlds into the abyss of the whirlpool of Samsara. (35)
**Explanation:** There are two types of mind: Dravya-mana and Bhava-mana. Dravya-mana is the Pudgala transformed into a specific form, while Bhava-mana is the Atma-parinam, in the form of Sankalpa, arising from the Pudgala-dravya. The mind itself is the demon in the form of Sankalpa, whose nature is to incline towards evil objects. Therefore, it does not seek stability in any particular object. How does the mind roam? The answer is: without fear. The mind, emerging from the realm of its own nature, roams freely and falls into the abyss of the cycle of Samsara, making it difficult to escape. There is no being in the three worlds who has not been thrown into the abyss of Samsara by the uncontrolled mind. (35)
The flaws of the uncontrolled mind are further explained. (362)
The restless mind, like a storm, throws those who desire liberation and those who practice severe austerities, away from their path. (36)
Further flaws of the uncontrolled mind are revealed. (363)
One who has faith in Yoga without restraining the mind, is like a lame person desiring to go to another village, and becomes an object of ridicule for the wise. (37)
Not only is faith in Yoga futile without restraining the mind, but such a restless mind invites many evil deeds. This is explained in the latter part of the next verse, while the former part describes the fruit of restraining the mind. (364)
By restraining the mind from objects, the influx of karma ceases from all sides. For one who does not restrain the mind, karma increases from all sides. (38)
**Explanation:** By restraining the mind, karma like Jnanavaraniya, etc., ceases to flow, because the influx of karma is under the control of the mind. One who does not restrain the mind, increases karma, because the bondage of karma is under the control of the uncontrolled mind. Therefore, one should strive to control the mind. (38)
This is further explained. (365)
The mind is like a monkey, a monkey that loves to roam the entire world. Therefore, one who desires liberation should strive to control their monkey-like mind. (39)
**Explanation:** The mind is restless like a monkey, this is a universally experienced truth. The similarity between the mind and the monkey is explained: just as a monkey roams freely in the forest, without any control over its movement, so too does the mind roam freely in the forest of the world. Therefore, it is said: the mind loves to roam, grabbing different objects and being restless. One should free oneself from the restlessness of such an uncontrolled mind and engage it in appropriate objects. How can this be done? Through the effort of practice. Who should do this? One who desires liberation of the soul. The meaning is that only one who can restrain the restlessness of the mind can be successful in the pursuit of liberation. (39)
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