Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 21

तदर्थ एव दृश्यस्यात्मा ॥२१॥

tat-artha eva-dṛśyasya-ātmā ||21||

That purpose of the seen is indeed for our essence.

tat - that, thisartha - purpose, aim; sense, meaning, notion; thing, objecteva - indeed, truly, really; thus; so, just so, exactly sodṛśya - the seen; to be seen, visibleātman - essence; the highest personal principle of life; the individual soul, self

Commentaries and Reflections

Commentary by T Krishnamacharya:

“Different Yoga practices are meant to prepare a person towards Dhyānam.”

Commentary by Paul Harvey:

“Yoga is about remaining true to the Self
within the wiles of Myself.”

“Serve Yoga and Yoga will serve you.”

Ātma is the source of the sunlight in the Psyche.”

“Are our impulses to act self serving,
as in arising from a place of Karma?
Or, are our impulses to act serving the self,
as in arising from a place of Dharma?
Furthermore, how to discern the difference
betwixt my and thy, given the facility of
Karma to proclaim itself as being Dharma?”