Just as a clear prism appears to be red when it is near a red flower, so 'Chit' appears to be the 'chittam' when it is near [but not truly associated with] the dirty worldly tendencies. The 'chittam' will remain and shine as the Supreme 'Chit' alone, if the syllable ‘-tam’, which represents the impurity, 'Maya', is removed.
- Guru Vachaka Kovai, V. 244
Part I: An Analysis of the Truth - Ch. 47: The Nature of Chittam
The prism remains ever colourless and its red colour is only apparent. To remove the red colour, it is sufficient if the flower is removed, because the prism will then be seen to be colourless as before.
Similarly, Chit truly remains ever pure and the impurity of Maya is only apparent. This apparent association of the ever-pure Chit with Maya is known as ‘chittam’ and to remove ‘-tam’ [i.e., Maya], which is merely attention wrongly focussed on 2nd and 3rd persons, it is sufficient if attention is focused on the 1st person, because the ‘chittam’ will then be known to be the ever-shining Chit, Shiva.
Chit: Absolute intelligence or consciousness
Chittam: The mental mode turned towards objects; that aspect of the mind in which impressions are stored
Maya: Illusion, false appearance; manifestation or illusion personified