Patanjali Yoga Sutra — तदर्थ एव दृश्यस्यात्मा ॥2.21॥

tadartha eva dṛśyasyātmā॥

Apparent universe (prakṛti) exists only to serve the ‘Experiencer’ (in his quest for realization).

Obscured by ignorance of buddhi, the organs of perception might be carried away by the strong influences of visible prakṛti and consequently, even the ‘embodied spirit’ gets deluded and might feel that the universe exists only to enjoy, thus ignoring the very purpose for which the prakṛti is existing. This obscurity could be because of a drop in the spiritual sādhana. Prakṛti is, a ground or pasture for spiritual performance and accomplishment for Puruṣa. Thus, Patañjali Maharṣi warns the sādhakas of consequences of plummeting intensity of sādhana. Jīva, Jagat and īśvara — we are aware of the triputis.Vedānta says, īśvara expresses Himself through Jīva with the help of a tool called Jagat (Prakr̥ti).

Organs of sense perception always hanker for indulgence in sense pleasure. Even if the satisfaction is provided to the senses through gratification, there is no guarantee that it won’t surface once again. In fact, it would resurface more vigorously like a phoenix. The more one enjoys, more the senses are encouraged. It is like offering ghee to fire to satisfy. The fire cannot be satisfied at all. Ala means enough, sufficient. Anala means ‘not sufficient’. Fire is called anala in Sanskr̥it — meaning ‘not sufficient’. Even the great ṛṣi like viśvāmitra maharṣi fell prey to sense gratification. Bhagavān time again warns the sādhakas of the importance of controlling the senses:

इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्यधिष्ठानमुच्यते।

एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम्॥गीता ३.४०॥

indriyāṇi mano buddhirasyādhiṣṭhānamucyate|

etairvimohayatyeṣa jñānamāvṛtya dehinam॥Gītā 3.40॥

Mind and intellect are said to be reliant on indriyas (Organs of perception). Through the mind, intellect and senses, the very urge for sensual indulgence obscures the knowledge and embodied soul is misled.