Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“Who does this?
What is the force that brings about this adjustment?
We need some means – that is called Nimitta.
We must have the intelligence to know the basic
characteristics of our materials and their possibilities.
We must also have ability to bring about desired change.
Change of the mind, as in the movement from an ordinary mind
to one that is extraordinary, is similar to the process of irrigation.
A farmer attempts to direct the flow of water from
an oversupplied plot to one with insufficient supply.
The very nature of water makes it necessary only to cut
a dam to cause it to flow. However, he must recognise
which plot is surplus, which is deprived and which
dam he must cut in order to solve his problem.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Four verse 3

“Nimitta is seen as the agent for change, as if a farmer.
Everything required is there, along with the intelligence.
You just have to find the intelligence to find the intelligence.
So verse 3 talks about the tools, materials and intelligence.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Four verse 3