Verse 4.4
णनभािणचत्तान्यणस्मताभात्रात य ॥ ४ ् ॥
nirmannachittanyasmitamatrat
From egoism alone proceed the created minds.
From a sense of self-awareness, numerous activities become associated in one's consciousness, thereby giving rise to mental states called moods, which form themselves into nirmita, or cultivated, citta. They taint, distort and disturb the intelligence, creating various afflictions and fluctuations.
If this distorted consciousness is re-channelled in the right direction, it develops refinement and sensitivity. Then nirmita citta changes into a sense of sattvic individuality, and nature makes the intelligence wise, which in turn keeps the consciousness pure.
This sutra explains the quality of constructive and creative mind. The seat of the mind-matter is the brain. It creates fluctuations, bias
and prejudices which cause pain and distress, and need to be restrained.
The mind at its source is single and pure. It is known as the core of the being (Atman) or the seat of the spiritual heart. When it sprouts into a seedling, it becomes the self-conscious centre (antah-karana) , and forms sense of sattvic individuality.
This develops into consciousness (citta) , which branches out into ego (ahamkara}, intelligence (buddhi) and mind (manas) . These manifest themselves as multiple thought-waves, which, if allowed free play, give rise to afflictions and fluctuations.
By regular practice, the fire of yoga develops the sadhaka's ability to discriminate between the original mind and its off-shoots, single mind and multifaceted, complex mind. He does this by careful observation of his behaviour, channelling his energies to retrace the source of these thoughtwaves (citta vrittis) and eradicate them at this very source. This samahita citta, which takes the sadhaka to the verge of the single state of consciousness, and converts the sprouted or created consciousness into a cultured consciousness, nirmana citta. This, in turn, traces the core of his individual existence. This becomes meditation, dhyana, at which point the distortions of the multiple mind disappear.
The conscious awareness of head and heart unite, and the consciousness becomes mature and pure (divya
citta). This pure citta is the root consciousness, mala cittah.
PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS
