The object does not depend on a single mind; if it did, what would happen when that mind did not cognize it?

Patañjali refutes the extreme idealism claiming objects exist only in the mind perceiving them. If the object depended completely on a particular mind, it would cease to exist when that mind didn’t know it.

Apramāṇakam means “not cognized, without proof.” If no one thinks of an object, does it disappear? Common experience says no: the world continues existing when we sleep or look elsewhere.

Yoga adopts a moderate realistic position: objects have existence independent of individual minds, although our experience of them is conditioned by our minds.

This distinguishes Yoga from Yogācāra Buddhist idealism, which tends toward “mind-only.” For Patañjali, prakṛti is real, though its ultimate nature is to serve puruṣa.

The object exists to be experienced; but it does not depend on particular experiences for its existence.