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PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS
each of these minds would have an individual memory, the function of remembering would be reduced to utter confusion. चितेरप्रतिसंक्रमायास्तदाकारपत्तौ स्वबुद्धि
Fant 118811 21. The pure consciousness of the Atman is unchangeable.
As the reflection of its consciousness falls upon the mind, the mind takes the form of the Atman and appears to be conscious.
द्रष्टदृश्योपरक्तं चित्तं सर्वार्थम् ॥२२॥ 22. The mind is able to perceive because it reflects both the
Atman and the objects of perception. The mind stands midway, as it were, between Atman and external object. Its power to perceive the object is only borrowed from the Atman. In a perfectly dark room, a inirror cannot reflect the man who stands before it. But when a light is brought in, the mirror immediately “perceives” the man.
Similarly, the individual soul is known to Hindu philosophy as the "reflected", or the “shadow Atman”. It has no separate existence. It is only the reflection of the Atman upon the mind, which gives rise to a separate sense of ego. तदसंख्येयवासनाभिश्चित्रमपि परार्थं संहत्य
golfcrare 117311 Though the mind has innumerable impressions and desires, it acts only to serve another, the Atman; for, being a compound substance, it cannot act indepen
dently, and for its own sake. Every combination of individuals or forces in this world has to have a purpose for its action or existence; otherwise it would be just a meaningless, functionless collection of objects, brought together haphazardly. And this purpose must
23.
