on Rupa Tanmatra. The interrelations between the Tattvas, Tanmatras and the organs
of sensation and their correspondences are well known and form an integral part of the
psychology upon which the Science of Yoga is based. All the visual phenomena are
dependent upon the interplay of the Tanmatra which is called Rupa, the Tattva which
is called Tejas, and the organ of sensation which is called Caksuh (eye). By perform-
ing Samyama on the Rupa Tanmatra, the Yogi gains knowledge of the forces which
connect the Tattva, the Tanmatra and the organ of sensation and can manipulate these
forces as he likes. He can, therefore, prevent the light from his body reaching or af-
fecting the eyes of the perceiver and thus make himself invisible.
- From the above can be understood the disappearance of sound, etc.
The principle referred to in the previous Sutra in relation to visual phenomena
is also applicable to the other four organs of sensation. Thus by performing Samyama
on the Sabda Tanmatra and gaining knowledge of the forces acting between the Tattva
which is called Akasa, the Tanmatra which is called Sabda and the organ of sensation
which is called Srotra (the ear) the Yogi can control phenomena connected with sound.
If the vibrations which affect any sense-organ and produce the corresponding sensa-
tions can be cut off the source of those vibrations naturally becomes imperceptible as
far as that sense-organ is concerned. This Sutra is omitted in some of the texts, obvi-
ously because what is pointed out in it can be inferred from the previous Sutra.