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dṛg-darśana-śaktyoḥ-eka-ātmatā-iva-asmitā

दृग्दर्शनशक्त्योरेकात्मतैवास्मिता

The sense of ‘I’ am-ness is when the powers of seer and seeing are as if one nature

dṛś - to see

darśana - view; seeing

śakti - power, energy; ability, capability; strength; might, effort;

eka - one

ātmatā - nature; essence

iva - as if

asmitā - egoity; the sense of 'I' am-ness

Commentary by T Krishnamacharya:

“Citta and Puruṣa are distinct. They are in association like heat and water. Water which is cold becomes warm in association with heat. Then we use the term hot water.”

“Similarly, because of the proximity of Citta and Puruṣa, what is the quality of one is taken to be of the other. In our convention they are often taken as one and not two distinct entities with different natures. This state is Asmitā.”

Commentary by TKV Desikachar:

I know something and I am presented with something different. How I react or choose not to react is Asmitā. The wrong response brings Duḥkha. The right response Viveka. One is a hasty assessment and one is wanting to find out more. One is ‘assuming I know I proceed’, the other is ‘wishing to know I proceed’.

“Knowledge from the past prevails and influences me to either judge or inquire. Assuming my knowledge and my memory and I proceed is Asmitā Kleśa. Assuming that I may be wrong and wishing to find out more is Asmitā Jñāna. However to hesitate completely or question everything is Asmitā Kleśa.

Commentary by Paul Harvey:

Thats our starting point – this curious conjunction of being Human and yet human Being.