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The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Book 1 - The Problem of Union

37. The chitta is stabilised and rendered free from illusion as the lower nature is purified and no longer indulged.

This translation is a particularly free one, as the words used in the Sanskrit are somewhat difficult of exact interpretation. The thought conveyed is that as the organs of perception and as the sense contacts are continually negated by the real man (who no longer seeks to identify himself with them), then he becomes "free from passion." Heat, or desire for all objects, is overcome. He stands then free from his lower sense nature. This results in a corresponding mental stability and in an ability to concentrate, for the mind stuff is no longer subject to the modifications produced by sense reactions of any kind, either those we call good or those we call bad.

This has been strongly advocated in many of the systems and one of the methods suggested [85] is constant meditation upon such great identities as Krishna, the Buddha and the Christ, who have freed Themselves from all sense reactions. This thought is brought out in some of the translations, but though indicated from one point of view, does not seem to be the main idea intended. Freedom from attachment is brought about as the fires of desire are overcome, and though the sacral centre is depicted as having specific relation to the sex nature, yet that sex nature (as it expresses itself on the physical plane) is symbolic of any attachment between the soul and any object of desire other than the spirit.

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