Yoga Sūtra-s of Patanjali
Interpretation by Śrī Sādaśiva Brahmendra Sarasvati
Yoga Sudhākara
Pada II: Sādhana Pāda
Sūtra 6
The Asmita (mistaken identification of oneself) which is formed as a result of Avidya (Nescience) is explained in this Sūtra.
Sūtra 6:
The appearance of identity of Dṛg Śakti (power of seer), and Darśana Śakti (the instrumental power of seeing), is Asmita.
The feeling of false identification that I am both this Satva (mind) and Puruṣa (Ātma) is called Asmita.
[The body-mind unit cannot be considered as Ātma. In fact, Ātma is Dṛg Śakti, the power of seer. The mind and organs are Darśana Śakti, the instrumental power of seeing. An individual cannot identify himself with the body-mind unit; because Ātma is defined as ‘the feeling of I’ in him. Knowing the difference between them, between Ātma and the body-mind unit is an important step in Yoga. Before separating them through his Yogic learning and practice, one may feel that they are one due to his ignorance. This confusion and misunderstanding which exists before acquiring the Yogic knowledge, is called Asmita. As pointed out in previous Sūtra, Asmita is one of the causes of unhappiness and dissatisfaction in life.]
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