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It’s fascinating how you’ve highlighted the bridge between these two massive philosophical traditions. While they use different maps, they are clearly looking at the same mountain.

That "psychospiritual substratum" you mentioned—often referred in Buddhism as the ālayavijñāna (storehouse consciousness) or the santāna (mind-stream)—acts as the ledger for every action and intent. The goal, as you noted, is to balance that ledger to zero.

Here is a breakdown of how these two paths approach that "residual-free" state:

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The Shared Goal: Clearing the "Impressions"

Both traditions believe our current state is cluttered by Samskaras (Hinduism) or Sankharas (Buddhism). These are the mental imprints or "residue" left by past desires and actions.

Feature	Hindu Perspective (Atman)	Buddhist Perspective (Anatman)
The Core	The Atman is an eternal, unchanging soul that is "covered" by impressions.	There is no permanent soul; only a stream of energy and consciousness.
The Problem	The soul is trapped in the cycle of rebirth (Samsara) due to ignorance (Avidya).	The mind-stream is driven by craving (Tanha) and attachment.
The Solution	Moksha: Realizing the soul's oneness with the ultimate reality (Brahman).	Nirvana: The "blowing out" of the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion.

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Why "No Residual Impressions"?

The insistence on leaving no residue is purely practical. In these frameworks, an impression is like a seed. If you leave a seed (a desire, a regret, or a karmic debt), it will eventually find soil and sprout into a new life.

• In Yoga: This is described as reaching Nirbiha Samadhi (seedless absorption), where the seeds of future action are "burnt" by the fire of wisdom.

• In Buddhism: This is the cessation of the "karmic out-flow," where the mind becomes like a clear mirror that no longer catches dust.

The Subtle Distinction

While they concur on liberation, they differ slightly on what is liberated:

1. Hindus generally see it as a homecoming—the drop of water returning to the ocean.

2. Buddhists often see it as a total release—the flame going out because there is no more fuel (residue) to keep it burning.

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It’s a profound way to look at human existence—not as a quest to gain things, but as a process of unburdening.

Would you like to explore the specific techniques these traditions use to "erase" these impressions, such as Vipassana meditation or Raja Yoga?