The seen has the nature of luminosity, activity, and stability; consists of the elements and senses; and has as its purpose experience and liberation.

This sutra describes dṛśya (prakṛti, the seen) in three aspects:

Its nature is formed by the three guṇas: prakāśa (luminosity, sattva), kriyā (activity, rajas), and sthiti (stability, tamas).

Its composition includes the bhūtas (elements) and the indriyas (senses), the entire field of objective experience.

Its purpose is twofold: bhoga (experience) and apavarga (liberation). Prakṛti is not the enemy of puruṣa; it exists so that puruṣa may experience and eventually awaken.

The world is not a prison, but a school. Through experience, puruṣa learns to discriminate and eventually becomes free.