Practicing detachment from the visual and revealed side effects of the practice will keep us on the path to Yoga.
On the way to Yoga, there could be many achievements in the physical practice, the things that are visible and which can be noticed. Like, the increase in physical strength and capabilities. Or others that can be measured, like concentration. One should not get carried away with these ‘achievements’. These are only incidental benefits and side effects. If we place too much importance on these, we stand to lose the path to Yoga. So, we need to learn how to practice detachment from all the side effects however exciting they may be, that are visual and revealed. Revealed are those objects that are not earthly, meaning not physical, but those that are available at a deeper practice. Practicing detachment from the visible and revealed side effects of the practice will keep us on the path to Yoga.
This sutra seems a little complicated and recursive. First, you have a practice. Then you practice detachment from the practice.
dṛṣṭa anuśravika viṣaya vitṛṣnasya vaśīkāra samjña vairāgyam
drsta – seen, from root word drs to ’see’
anusravika – revealed, from anu + sru is to hear, learn
visaya – object
vitrsna – the thirstless, here: without thirst, from vi + root word trs is ‘to be thirsty’
vasikara = mastery, from root word vas is to will + kr is to make
samjna – knowledge, from sam + jna is to know
vairagya – dispassion
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As I understand it, the meaning of the sutra is broader than only side effects of the practice; it about all worldly objects (or what is perceived, drsta) and heavenly desires (anusravika, what is said in sacred texts). Whatever we do, we should do it without any expectation, as is stated in the Gita; absolutely detached of the fruits of our actions. And this is the lower form of detachment; the higher one, described in the next sutra, includes even to be detached of the purpose of being detached.
Hanuman, you are right. It is not just the side effects of the practice. We need to detach from all intrusive influences and it becomes easy to do that when one’s practice improves and is along the correct lines. The way I have explained it is very simplistic, I agree. I am following the book Heart of Yoga, and TKV Desikachar explains this sutra rather simplistic too.