Rishikesh Yogkulam – https://www.yogkulam.org/blog/yoga-sutra-1-11-anu-bhuta-visaya-asampramosah-smrtih

Yoga Sutra 1.11 is one of the foundational aphorisms of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, offering deep insight into the nature of memory and how it influences the mind. The sutra states: “Anubhūta viṣayāsaṁpramoṣaḥ smṛtiḥ”, which translates as “Memory is the unmodified recollection of experienced objects.” This means that memory arises when the impressions of past experiences remain in the mind without being altered or confused by imagination, distortion, or new perceptions. Yoga Sutra 1.11 emphasizes that memory is not just the act of remembering but a mental process that can either support or hinder the practice of yoga, depending on how it is managed. For instance, memories of past pleasures can create attachments, while memories of pain may generate aversion, both of which disturb the stillness of the mind. Patanjali guides practitioners to observe how memories shape their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and to cultivate awareness so that they do not become entangled in past impressions. By mastering the understanding of Yoga Sutra 1.11, a practitioner learns to distinguish between helpful memories that support inner growth and unhelpful ones that bind the mind to old patterns. This sutra is especially important for meditation practice, where the quieting of mental fluctuations (vrittis) is essential, and the influence of memory must be clearly understood and balanced.