It is obvious that by perceiving the mental image in the other mind the Yogi
cannot automatically gain knowledge of the motive or purpose which is present behind
the mental image. For this he will have to go deeper into the other mind. An example
will make this clear. Suppose the Yogi sees the image of the sun in the other mind.
This image may be produced by thinking of the sun by an astronomer who is interested
in the sun as an astronomical object. It may be produced by an artist who is admiring
the beauty of the sun. It may be produced by a sun-worshipper who is worshipping the
sun as an expression of Divine Life. The, image in all these cases will be the same but
the mental background will be entirely different. The Sutra points out that by merely
perceiving the mental image the Yogi will not be able to obtain knowledge of the other
factors which are present in the background and which are responsible for the produc-
tion of the image. This merely serves to emphasize that the world of names and forms
is different from, and is easier to reach than the world of motives, etc. which produces
movements in the lower mind.
- By performing Samyama on Rupa (one of the five Tanmatras), on sus-
pension of the receptive power, the contact between the eye (of the observer) and light
(from the body) is broken and the body becomes invisible.
The power of making oneself invisible is one of the well-known Siddhis which
can be acquired by Yoga. How can the modus operandi of this Siddhi be explained?
According to modern Science a body becomes visible when the light reflected from it
strikes the eye of the perceiver. If this contact between the eye and the light can be
prevented the body will become invisible. This can be done by performing Samyama