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Vasisthas*Yoga
SwamiVenkatesananda
STATEUNIVERSITYOFNEWYORKPRESS

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Disclaimer: Thisbookcontainscharacterswithdiacritics.WhenthecharacterscanberepresentedusingtheISO88591characterset(http://www.w3.org/TR/images/latin1.gif), netLibrarywillrepresentthemastheyappearintheoriginaltext,andmostcomputerswillbeabletoshowthefullcharacterscorrectly.Inordertokeepthetext searchableandreadableonmostcomputers,characterswithdiacriticsthatarenotpartoftheISO88591listwillberepresentedwithouttheirdiacriticalmarks. Publishedby StateUniversityofNewYorkPress,Albany 1993StateUniversityofNewYork Allrightsreserved PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica Nopartofthisbookmaybeusedorreproducedinanymannerwhatsoeverwithoutwrittenpermissionexceptinthecaseofbriefquotationsembodiedincritical articlesandreviews. Forinformation,addressStateUniversityofNewYorkPress,StateUniversityPlaza,Albany,N.Y.,12246 LibraryofCongressCataloginginPublicationData Venkatesananda,Swami. Vasistha's*yoga/SwamiVenkatesananda. p.cm. Includestranslationof:Yogavasistharamayana*. Includesindex. ISBN0791413632(hard.)ISBN0791413640(pbk.) 1.Yogavasistharamayana*Commentaries.2.Religiouslife Hinduism.3.HinduismDoctrines.I.Yogavasistharamayana*. English.II.Title. BL1237.32.Y633V461993 294.5'4dc20 923160 CIP 109

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SCHEMEOFTRANSLITERATION
VOWELS:a a* i i* u u* r* r* l* e ai o au m* h*

CONSONANTS: gutturals palatals cerebrals dentals labials semivowels sibilantss aspirate k c t* t p y s s* s* h kh ch th* th ph r asinsun palatalsibilant cerebralsibilantasinshun g j d* d b I gh jh dh* dh bh v n* n* n m

TheaboveschemedoesnotfacilitatethepronunciationofthesyllablejnawhichoccursoftenintheYogaVasistha*asalsoinyogaliterature(jnana*>means knowledge).Thejisnotreallypronouncedasjbutalmostasg.Itisfollowedbythenwhichpartakesofthecharacterofthegutturalandthepalataln.Addedtoall thisthereisalsoasuggestionofybeforetheappropriatevowelcompletesthesyllable. Satvic*,rajasic*andtamasic*areanglicisedadjectiveformsofsatva,rajasandtamas.Manycommonnounshavealsobeenanglicisedbyadditionof's'fortheplural. ThenumbersinthemarginsrefertoPartsandChaptersinthecompleteYogaVasishtha.TheRomannumberreferstothePart,ofwhichtherearesix,andthe followingArabicnumberdesignatestheChapterbeingsummarizedfromthatPart.

CONTENTS
Blessing SchemeofTransliteration Forework Introduction Prayer PartOne:OnDispassion PartTwo:OntheBehaviouroftheSeeker TheStoryofSuka* Selfeffort PartThree:OnCreation TheStoryofLila* TheStoryofKarkati* TheStoryoftheSonsofIndu TheStoryofAhalya* TheStoryoftheGreatForest TheStoryoftheThreeNonexistentPrinces TheStoryofLavana* PartFour:OnExistence TheStoryofSukra* TheStoryofDama*,Vyala*andKata* TheStoryofBhima*,Bhasa*andDrdha* TheStoryofDasura* Kaca'sStory i v viii x xii 1 21 23 25 39 55 92 108 110 119 122 124 143 147 165 172 186 193

PartFive:OnDissolution TheStoryofKingJanaka TheStoryofPunya*andPavana* TheStoryofBali TheStoryofPrahlada* TheStoryofGadhi* TheStoryofUddalaka* TheStoryofSuraghu TheStoryofBhasa*andVilasa* TheStoryofVitahavya* PartSix:OnLiberation DiscourseonBrahman TheStoryofBhusunda* DescriptionoftheLord DevaPuja* TheStoryoftheWoodapple TheStoryoftheRock TheStoryofArjuna TheStoryoftheHundredRudras TheStoryoftheVampire TheStoryofBhagiratha* TheStoryofSikhidvaja*andCudala* TheStoryofthePhilosopher'sStone TheStoryofCintamani* TheStoryoftheFoolishElephant TheStoryofKaca TheStoryoftheDeludedMan TheStoryofBhrngisa* TheStoryofIksvaku* TheWorldWithintheRock TheStoryoftheSagefromOuterSpace TheStoryofVipascit* TheStoryoftheHunterandtheDeer TheStoryofKundadanta Index

197 204 222 225 235 258 268 281 286 305 323 340 346 366 376 389 390 395 409 418 419 422 434 441 442 468 470 472 476 568 583 602 624 682 727

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FOREWORD
Thebook,Vasistha's*Yoga,isatranslationintoEnglishaccompaniedbybriefexpositions,bySwamiVenkatesanandaoftheDivineLifeSociety,Rishikesh,India, ofthewellknownVedanta*treatiseinSanskrit,TheYogaVasistha*. TheSwamihasarrangedtheversesofthebookinsuchawayastoconvertthemintoarosaryofdailythoughtsthroughouttheyear,onthelinesofhistwoother books,alreadypublished,namely,theSrimad*Bhagavatam*orTheBookofGod,andTheBhagavadgita*orTheSongofGod. TheYogaVasistha*hasbeenafavouritebookofspiritualseekersinIndiatheseseveralcenturies.Itsspecialappealliesinitsthoroughlyrationalapproach,andinits presentationofVedanta*asaphilosophywhichdares,likeTheBhagavadgita*,tobridgethegulfbetweenthesecularandthesacred,actionandcontemplation,in humanlife,throughacomprehensiveandloftyspirituality.ThereaderwillcomeacrosspassagessuchastheverseentryII:18,highlightingtheimportanceofreason:
Theremarkofevenachildistobeaccepted,ifitisinaccordancewithreasonbuttheremarkofevenBrahma*Himself,thecreatoroftheworld,istoberejectedlikeapieceof strawifitdoesnotaccordwithreason.

Itisthisphilosophyofacomprehensivespirituality,rationalandpractical,thatmaninthemodernageneedstorescuehimselffromhisstagnationofworldlinessandput himonthehighroadofcreativelivingandfulfillment.

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SwamiVenkatesananda,whohasbeenworkinguntiringlyfordecadestospreadthelifegivingmessageofYogaandVedanta*inEastandWest,hasdoneagreat servicetospiritualseekersfarandwidebybringingoutthistranslationofTheYogaVasistha*inthewakeofhistranslationoftheothertwogreatbooks. TheChilternYogaTrustofElgin,SouthAfrica,deservesthesilentthanksofreadersforpublishingthesethreebooksoftheSwamiandhelpingtobroadcastfarand widethelifegiving,purifying,andinspiringideasofEternalIndia,AmatBharat*,inherVedanta*. SWAMIRANGANATHANANDA

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INTRODUCTION
Scholarsspeculateabouttheauthorofthismonumentalscriptureandsuchotheracademicmatters:mayGodblessthemwithsuccess. TheYogaVasistha*isthegreatesthelptothespiritualawakeningandthedirectexperienceoftheTruth.Thisiscertain.Ifthisiswhatyouwant,youarewelcometo YogaVasistha*. Thetextaboundsinrepetitionswhichare,however,notrepetitious.Ifyoudonotlike(orneed)repetition,thenreadjustthisoneverse:
Thisworldappearanceisaconfusion:evenasthebluenessoftheskyisanopticalillusion.Ithinkitisbetternottolettheminddwellonit,buttoignoreit.(I.3.2)

Thisverseoccursseveraltimesinthescriptureanditseemstobetheveryessenceoftheteaching. Ifthatisnotquitecleartoyounow,readthescripture.Thenumerouswaysinwhichthistruthisrevealedwillhelpopenyourmind. Itiswisetoreadjustonepageaday.Theteachingisrevolutionary.Thebiasedminddoesnotreadilyacceptit.Afterthedailyreading,meditate.Letthemessage soakthrough. <><><><><><><><><><><><> Anoftrecurringexpressioninthisscriptureis'kakataliya*'acrowalightsonthecocoanutpalmtreeandthatverymomentaripecocoanutfalls.Thetwounrelated eventsthusseemtoberelatedintimeandspace,thoughthereisnocausalrelationship.

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Suchislife.Suchis'creation'.Butthemindcaughtupinitsowntrapoflogicquestions'why',inventsa'why'anda'wherefore'tosatisfyitself,convenientlyignoringthe inconvenientquestionsthatstillhauntanintelligentmind. Vasistha*demandsdirectobservationofthemind,itsmotion,itsnotions,itsreasoning,theassumedcauseandtheprojectedresult,andeventheobservedandthe observationandtherealisationoftheirindivisibleunityastheinfiniteconsciousness. Thatistheuniquenessofthisscripturewhichhencedeclaresitselftobesupreme:

Exceptthroughthisscripture,onecannotgainwhatisgood,noworatanytime.Therefore,forperfectrealisationofthesupremetruth,oneshouldferventlyinvestigatethis scripturealone.(VI.2.103)

Itis,howevertheteachingthatissupreme,notabookorasage.Hence,Vasistha*isboldenoughtosay:
If,however,onethinksitisnotauthoritativebecauseitisofhumanorigin,onecanresorttothestudyofanyotherscripturedealingwithselfknowledgeandfinalliberation. (VI.2.175)

Whicheverbethescripturetaughtbywhomeverandwhicheverbethepathyouchoose,stopnottillthepsychologicalconditioningceasesentirely.Hence,Vasistha* exhortstheseeker:
Oneshouldstudyatleastasmallpartofthisscripturedaily.Thebeautyinthisscriptureisthatitsstudentisnotabandonedtohisdespairifsomethingisnotclearinthefirst instance,afurtherstudyofthescripturemakesitclear.(VI.2.175)

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PRAYER
yatah*sarvani*bhutani*pratibhanti*sthitani*cayatrai'vo'pasamam*yanti*tasmaisatyatmane*namah*(1)ata*jnanam*tatha*jneyam*drasta*darsana*drsyabhuh* karta*hetuh*kriya*yasmat*tasmaijnaptyatmane*namah*(2)sphurantisikara*yasmad*anandasya*'mbare*'vanausarvesam*jivanam*tasmaibrahmanandatmane*namah* (3)

Salutationstothatrealityinwhichalltheelements,andalltheanimateandinanimatebeingsshineasiftheyhaveanindependentexistence,andinwhichtheyexistfora timeandintowhichtheymerge. Salutationstothatconsciousnesswhichisthesourceoftheapparentlydistinctthreefolddivisionsofknower,knowledgeandknown,seer,sightandseen,doer,doing anddeed. Salutationstothatblissabsolute(theoceanofbliss)whichisthelifeofallbeingswhosehappinessandunfoldmentisderivedfromtheshowerofsprayfromthatocean ofbliss.

Page1

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Blessing TheYogaVasistha*isauniqueworkofIndianphilosophy.Itishighlyrespectedforitspracticalmysticism.Thestudyofthisgreatscripturealonecansurelyhelpone toattaintoGodconsciousness.Foraspirantsofthehighestbeatitude,theYogaVasistha*islikenectar.Itisastorehouseofwisdom.LiketheAmritanubhavaof SriJnaneshwar*,thepathshowninthisworkisforthosewhoarehighlyspirituallyevolved,almosttothestateofaSiddha.Itexpoundsthehighestdoctrinewithmany storiesandillustrations.Notonlyphilosophers,buteventhemodernpsychologistsandscientistswillcertainlyfindinitsomethingrelatedtotheirowndiscoveries. MostofthescriptureswerenarratedbyGodtoHisdevotees,buttheYogaVasistha*wasnarratedtoGodHimself.ItistheteachingofthesageVasistha*imparted toLordRama*.Itcontainstrueunderstandingaboutthecreationoftheworld.ThephilosophyoftheYogaVasistha*isverysimilartothatofKashmirShaivism.Its mainteachingisthateverythingisConsciousness,includingthematerialworld,andthattheworldisasyouseeit.Thisisabsolutelytrue.Theworldisnothingbutthe playofConsciousness. Abhinavagupta,thegreattenthcenturyscholarofKashmirShaivism,oncesaid,''Shiva,theindependentandpureSelfthatalwaysvibratesinthemind,isthe Parashaktithatrisesasjoyinvarioussenseexperiences.ThentheexperienceofthisouterworldappearsasitsSelf.Idonotknowwherethiswordsamsara*has comefrom.''ThisisalsotheunparalleledphilosophyoftheYogaVasistha* Intranslatingthismonumentalwork,SwamiVenkatesanandahasworkedhardtomakeitsphilosophycomprehensibletoordinarypeople.Indoingso,hehasdonea greatservicetoseekersoftheTruth.Swamijiisapureperson,fullofknowledgeandthereforeworthyoftranslatingthisworkofsupremeyoga. Letthisbookbringtrueknowledgetoitsreaders. SWAMIMUKTANANDA

PARTONE ONDISPASSION

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SUTIKSNA*,thesage,askedthesageAgastya:

I:1

Osage,kindlyenlightenmeonthisproblemofliberationwhichoneofthetwoisconducivetoliberation,workorknowledge? AGASTYAreplied: Verily,birdsareabletoflywiththeirtwowings:evensobothworkandknowledgetogetherleadtothesupremegoalofliberation.Notindeedworkalonenorindeed knowledgealonecanleadtoliberation:but,bothofthemtogetherformthemeanstoliberation.Listen:Ishallnarratetoyoualegendinanswertoyourquestion.There oncelivedaholymanbynameKarunya*whowasthesonofAgnivesya*.Havingmasteredtheholyscripturesandunderstoodtheirpurport,theyoungmanbecame apathetictolife.Seeingthis,Agnivesya*demandedwhyKarunya*hadabandonedthedueperformanceofhisdailyduties.TowhichKarunya*replied:"Donotthe scripturesdeclareontheonehandthatoneshouldfulfilscripturalinjunctionstilltheendofone'slifeandontheotherthatimmortalitycanberealisedonlybythe abandonmentofallaction?Caughtbetweenthesetwodoctrines,whatshallIdo,Omyguruandfather?"Havingsaidthis,theyoungmanremainedsilent. AGNIVESYA*said: Myson,listen:Ishallnarratetoyouanancientlesson.Dulyconsideritsmoralandthendoasyouplease.Onceuponatime,acelestialnymphnamedSuruciwas seatedonapeakintheHimalayas*whenshesawamessengerofIndrathekingofgodsflypast.Questionedbyher,heinformedherofhismissionwhichwasas follows:"AroyalsagebynameAristanemi*entrustedhiskingdom

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tohissonandwasengagedinbreathtakingausteritiesinGandhamadana*hill.Seeingthis,Indraaskedmetoapproachhimwithabevyofnymphsandescortthe royalsagetoheaven.Theroyalsagehoweverwantedtoknowthemeritsandthedemeritsofheaven.Ireplied:Inheaven,thebest,themiddlingandtheleastamong piousmortalsreceiveappropriaterewards,andoncethefruitsoftheirrespectivemeritshavebeenexhaustedtheyreturntotheworldofmortals.Theroyalsage refusedtoacceptIndra'sinvitationtoheaven.IndraonceagainsentmetotheroyalsagewiththerequestthatheshouldseekthecounselofthesageValmiki*before turningtheofferdown. TheroyalsagewasthenintroducedtothesageValmiki*.HeaskedValmiki*,"Whatisthebestwaytoridoneselfofbirthanddeath?"Inreply,Valmiki*narratedto himthedialoguebetweenRama*andVasistha*. I:2 VALMIKI*said:

Heisqualifiedtostudythisscripture(thedialoguebetweenRama*andVasistha*)whofeelsIambound,Ishouldbeliberated",whoisneithertotallyignorantnor enlightened.Hewhodeliberatesonthemeansofliberationpropoundedinthisscriptureintheformofstoriessurelyattainsliberationfromtherepetitivehistory(ofbirth anddeath). IhadcomposedthestoryofRama*earlierandIhadimpartedittomybeloveddiscipleBharadvaja*.OncewhenhewenttothemountMeru,Bharadvaja*narrated ittoBrahma*,thecreator.Highlypleasedwiththis,thelattergrantedaboontoBharadvaja*.Bharadvaja*soughtaboonthat"allhumanbeingsmaybefreedfrom unhappiness"andbeggedofBrahmatofindthebestwaytoachievethis. BrahmasaidtoBharadvaja*:"GotothesageValmiki*andpraytohimtocontinuetonarratethenoblestoryofRama*insuchawaythatthelistenermaybefreed fromthedarknessofnescience."Notcontentwiththat,BrahmaaccompaniedbythesageBharadvaja*arrivedatmyhermitage. AfterreceivingdueworshipatmyhandsBrahmasaidtome:"Osage,yourstoryofRama*shallbetheraftwithwhichmenwillcrosstheoceanofsamsara* (repetitivehistory).Hence,continueitsnarrationandbringittoasuccessfulcompletion."Havingsaidthis,theCreatorinstantlydisappearedfromthescene. AsifpuzzledbytheabruptcommandofBrahma*,IrequestedthesageBharadvaja*toexplaintomewhatBrahma*hadjustsaid.Bharadvaja*repeatedBrahma's* words:"Brahma*wouldlikeyoutorevealthestoryofRama*insuchamannerthatitwouldenablealltogobeyondsorrow.I,too,praytoyou,Osage:kindlytell mein

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detail,howRama*,Laksmana*andtheotherbrothersfreedthemselvesfromsorrow." IthenrevealedtoBharadvaja*thesecretoftheliberationofRama*,Laksmana*andtheotherbrothers,asalsotheirparentsandthemembersoftheroyalcourt. And,IsaidtoBharadvaja*:"Myson,ifyou,too,livelikethemyouwillalsobefreedfromsorrowhereandnow." VALMIKI*continued: I:3

Thisworldappearanceisaconfusion,evenasthebluenessoftheskyisanopticalillusion.Ithinkitisbetternottolettheminddwellonit,buttoignoreit.Neither freedomfromsorrownorrealisationofone'srealnatureispossibleaslongastheconvictiondoesnotariseinonethattheworldappearanceisunreal.Andthis convictionariseswhenonestudiesthisscripturewithdiligence.Itisthenthatonearrivesatthefirmconvictionthattheobjectiveworldisaconfusionoftherealwith theunreal.Ifonedoesnotthusstudythisscripture,trueknowledgedoesnotariseinhimeveninmillionsofyears. Moksa*orliberationisthetotalabandonmentofallvasana*ormentalconditioning,withouttheleastreserve.Mentalconditioningisoftwotypesthepureandthe impure.Theimpureisthecauseofbirththepureliberatesonefrombirth.Theimpureisofthenatureofnescienceandegosensethesearetheseeds,asitwere,for thetreeofrebirth.Ontheotherhand,whentheseseedsareabandoned,thementalconditioningthatmerelysustainsthebody,isofapurenature.Suchmental conditioningexistseveninthosewhohavebeenliberatedwhileliving:itdoesnotleadtorebirthasitissustainedonlybypastmomentumandnotbypresent motivation. IshallnarratetoyouhowRama*livedanenlightenedlifeofaliberatedsage:knowingthisyouwillbefreedfromallmisunderstandingconcerningoldageanddeath. Uponhisreturnfromthehermitageofhispreceptor,Rama*dweltinhisfather'spalacesportinginvariousways.Desirousoftouringthewholecountryandvisitingthe holyplacesofpilgrimage,Rama*soughtthepresenceofhisfatherandaskedtobepermittedtoundertakesuchapilgrimage.Thekingchoseanauspiciousdayforthe commencementofthispilgrimageandonthatday,afterreceivingtheaffectionateblessingsoftheeldersofthefamily,Rama*departed. Rama*touredthewholecountryfromtheHimalayasdownwards,alongwithhisbrothers.Hethenreturnedtothecapitaltothedelightofthepeopleofthecountry.

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I:4,5,6

VALMIKI*continued:

UponenteringthepalaceRama*devoutlybowedtohisfather,thesageVasistha*andothereldersandholymen.ThewholeofthecityofAyodhya*putonafestive appearanceforeightdays,tocelebratethereturnofRama*fromthepilgrimage. ForsometimeRama*livedinthepalacedulyperforminghisdailyduties.However,verysoonaprofoundchangecameoverhim.Hegrewthinandemaciated,pale andweak.ThekingDasaratha*wasworriedoverthissuddenandunaccountablechangeinhisbelovedson'sappearanceandbehaviour.Wheneverhequestioned Rama*concerninghishealth,thelatterrepliedthattherewasnothingwrong.WhenDasaratha*askedRama*,"Belovedson,whatisworryingyou?"Rama*politely replied,"Nothing,father"andremainedsilent. InevitablyDasaratha*turnedtothesageVasistha*fortheanswer.Thesageenigmaticallyanswered:"Surely,thereissomereasonwhyRama*behavesinthis manner.Evenasinthisworldnogreatchangestakeplacebeforethecomingintobeingoftheircause,viz.,thecosmicelements,changeslikeanger,despondencyand joydonotmanifestinthebehaviourofnobleoneswithoutpropercause."Dasaratha*didnotwishtoprobefurther. Soonafterthis,therearrivedatthepalacethesageVisvamitra*ofworldrenown.Whenthekingwasinformedoftheholyvisit,herushedforwardtogreethim. Dasaratha*said:"Welcome,welcome,Oholysage!Yourarrivalatmyhumbleabodemakesmehappy.Itisaswelcometomeasvisiontoablindman,rainto parchedearth,sontoabarrenwoman,resurrectionofadeadman,recoveryoflostwealth.Osage,whatmayIdoforyou?Pray,whateverbethewishwithwhich youhavecometome,considerthatwishalreadyfulfilled.Youaremyworshipfuldeity.Ishalldothybidding." I:7,8,9 VALMIKI*continued:

Visvamitra*wasdelightedtohearDasaratha's*wordsandproceededtorevealhismission.Hesaidtotheking: "Oking,Ineedyourassistanceinthefulfilmentofareligiousriteundertakenbyme.WheneverIundertakeareligiousrite,thedemonswhoarethefollowersofKhara andDusana*invadetheholyplaceanddesecrateit.Underthevowsofthereligiousrite,Iamunabletocursethem. "Youcanhelpme.YoursonRama*caneasilydealwiththesedemons.And,inreturnforthishelp,Ishallconfermanifoldblessingsuponhimwhichwillbringyou unexcelledglory.Donotletyourattachmenttoyoursonoverpoweryourdevotiontoduty.Inthisworldthenobleonesdonotconsideranygiftbeyondtheirmeans. "Themomentyousayyes,thatverymomentIconsiderthatthe

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demonsaredead.For,IknowwhoRama*isevensodoesthesageVasistha*andtheotherholyonesinthiscourt.Lettherebenoprocrastination,Oking:send Rama*withmewithoutdelay." Hearingthishighlyunwelcomerequest,thekingremainedstunnedandsilentforawhileandthenreplied:Osage,Rama*isnotevensixteenyearsoldandis, therefore,notqualifiedtowageawar.Hehasnotevenseenacombat,exceptwhatgoesonintheinnerapartmentofthepalace.Commandmetoaccompanyyou commandmyvastarmytoaccompanyyoutoexterminatethedemons.ButIcannotpartwithRama*.Isitnotnaturalforalllivingbeingstolovetheiryoungdonot evenwisemenengagethemselvesinextraordinaryactivitiesfortheloveoftheirchildrenanddonotpeopleabandontheirhappiness,theirconsortsandwealthrather thantheirchildren?No,IcannotpartwithRama*. "IhaveheardofthemightydemonRavana*.Ishetheonethatcausesdisturbancetoyourreligiousrite?Inthatcase,nothingcanbedonetohelpyou,forIknowthat eventhegodsarepowerlessagainsthim.Timeandagain,suchpowerfulbeingsarebornonthisearthandintimetheyleavethestageofthisworld." Visvamitra*wasangry.Seeingthis,thesageVasistha*intervenedandpersuadedthekingnottobackoutofhispromise,buttosendRama*withVisvamitra*."O king,itisunworthyofyoutogobbackonyourpromise.Akingshouldbeanexemplarofrighteousconduct.Rama*issafeinthecareofVisvamitra*,whois extremelypowerfulandwhohasnumerousinvinciblemissiles." VALMIKI*continued: I:10

InobediencetothewishesofthepreceptorVasistha*,thekingDasaratha*orderedanattendanttofetchRama*.ThisattendantreturnedandannouncedthatRama* wouldfollowinaminute,andadded"Theprinceseemstobedejectedandheshunscompany."Bewilderedbythisstatement,Dasaratha*turnedtoRama's* chamberlainandwishedtoknowthefactsconcerningRama's*stateofmindandhealth. Thechamberlainwasvisiblydistressedandhesaid: "Lord,sincehisreturnfromthepilgrimage,agreatchangehascomeovertheprince.Hedoesnotseemtobeinterestedeveninbathingandintheworshipofthedeity. Hedoesnotenjoythecompanyofthepeopleintheinnerapartments.Heisnotinterestedinjewelsandpreciousstones.Evenwhenofferedcharmingandpleasing objects,helooksatthemwithsadeyes,uninterested.Hespurnsthepalacedancers,regardingthemastormentors!Hegoesthroughthemotionsofeating,walking, resting,bathingandsittinglikeanautomaton,likeonewhoisdeafanddumb.Oftenhemutters

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tohimself'Whatistheuseofwealthandprosperity,whatistheuseofadversityorofhouse?Allthisisunreal.'Heissilentmostofthetimeandisnotamusedby entertainment.Herelishesonlysolitude.Heisallthetimeimmersedinhisownthought.Wedonotknowwhathascomeoverourprince,whathecontemplatesinhis mind,norwhatheisafter.Daybydayhegetsmoreandmoreemaciated." "Againandagain,hesingstohimself'Alas,wearedissipatingourlifeinvariousways,insteadofstrivingtoreachthesupreme!Peoplewailaloudthattheyaresuffering andthattheyaredestitute,butnoonesincerelyturnsawayfromthesourcesoftheirsufferinganddestitution!'Seeingallthisandhearingallthis,we,hishumble servants,areextremelydistressed.Wedonotknowwhattodo.Heisbereftofhope,heisbereftofdesire,heisattachedtonothingandhedependsonnothing,heis notdeludednordemented,andheisnotenlightenedeither.Attimes,however,itlooksasifheisoverwhelmedbysuicidalthoughtsspurredbythefeelingsof despondency:'Whatistheuseofwealthorofmothersandrelations,whatistheuseofthekingdom,andwhatistheuseofambitioninthisworld?'Lord,onlyyoucan findtheappropriateremedyforthisconditionoftheprince." I:11,12 VISVAMITRA*said:

Ifthatbethecase,mayRama*berequestedtocomehere.Hisconditionisnottheresultofdelusionbutisfullofwisdomanddispassion,anditpointsto enlightenment.Bringhimhereandweshalldispelhisdespondency. VALMIKI*said: Thereupon,thekingurgedthechamberlaintoinviteRama*tothecourt.InthemeantimeRama*himselfgotreadytomeethisfather.Evenfromadistancehesawand salutedhisfatherandthesagesandtheysawthatthoughyoung,hisfaceshonewiththepeaceofmaturity.Hebowedtothefeetoftheking,whoembracedhim,lifted himupandsaidtohim:"Whatmakesyousosad,myson?Dejectionisanopeninvitationtoahostofmiseries."ThesagesVasistha*andVisvamitra*concurredwith theking. RAMA*said: Holysir,Ishalldulyansweryourquestion.Igrewuphappilyinmyfather'sabodeIwasinstructedbyworthyteachers.RecentlyIwentonapilgrimage.Duringthis periodatrendofthoughthastakenholdofme,robbingmeofallhopeinthisworld.Myheartbeginstoquestion:whatdopeoplecallhappinessandcanitbehadin theeverchangingobjectsofthisworld?Allbeingsinthisworldtakebirthbuttodie,andtheydietobeborn!Idonotperceiveanymeaninginallthesetransient phenomenawhicharetherootsof

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sufferingandsin.Unrelatedbeingscometogetherandthemindconjuresuparelationshipbetweenthem.Everythinginthisworldisdependentuponthemind,upon one'smentalattitude.Onexamination,theminditselfappearstobeunreal!But,wearebewitchedbyit.Weseemtoberunningafteramirageinthedeserttoslake ourthirst! Sir,surelywearenotbondslavessoldtoamasteryetwelivealifeofslavery,withoutanyfreedomwhatever.Ignorantofthetruth,wehavebeenaimlessly wanderinginthisdenseforestcalledtheworld.Whatisthisworld?Whatcomesintobeing,grows,anddies?Howdoesthissufferingcometoanend?Myheart bleedswithsorrow,thoughIdonotshedtears,indeferencetothefeelingsofmyfriends. RAMA*continued: I:13,14

Equallyuseless,Osage,iswealthwhichdeludestheignorant.Unsteadyandfleeting,thiswealthgivesbirthtonumerousworriesandgeneratesaninsatiablecravingfor more.Wealthisnorespecterofpersons:boththegoodandthewickedcanbecomewealthy.However,peoplearegood,compassionateandfriendlyonlytilltheir heartsarehardenedbythepassionatepursuitofwealth.Wealthtaintstheheartevenofthewisescholar,ahero,amanofgratitudeandadexterousandsoftspoken person.Wealthandhappinessdonotdwelltogether.Rareisthatwealthymanwhodoesnothaverivalsandenemieswhoscandalisehim.Tothelotusofrightaction, wealthisthenighttothewhitelotusofsorrow,itisthemoonlighttothelampofclearinsight,itisthewindtothewaveofenmity,itisthefloodtothecloudof confusion,itisthefavourablewindtothepoisonofdespondency,itistheaggravatingagent.Itisliketheserpentofevilthoughtsanditaddsfeartoone'sdistressitis destructivesnowfalltothecreeperofdispassionitisthenightfalltotheowlofevildesiresitistheeclipseofthemoonofwisdominitspresenceaperson'sgood natureshrivels.Indeed,wealthseekshimwhohasalreadybeenchosenbydeath. Evensoisthelifespan,Osage.Itsdurationislikethatofawaterdropletonaleaf.Thelifespanisfruitfulonlytothosewhohaveselfknowledge.Wemay encompassthewind,wemaybreakupspace,wemaystringwavesintoagarland,butwecannotpinourfaithonthelifespan.Manvainlyseekstoextendhislife span,andtherebyheearnsmoresorrowandextendstheperiodofsuffering.Onlyheliveswhostrivestogainselfknowledge,whichaloneisworthgaininginthis world,therebyputtinganendtofuturebirthsothersexistherelikedonkeys.Totheunwise,knowledgeofscripturesisaburdentoonewhoisfullofdesires,even wisdomis

Page10

aburdentoonewhoisrestless,hisownmindisaburdenandtoonewhohasnoselfknowledge,thebody(thelifespan)isaburden. Theratoftimegnawsatthelifespanwithoutrespite.Thetermiteofdiseaseeats(destroys)theveryvitalsofthelivingbeing.Justasacatintentoncatchingaratlooks atitwithgreatalertnessandreadiness,deathiseverkeepingawatchoverthislifespan. I:15,16 RAMA*continued:

Holysir,IambewilderedandscaredwhenIcontemplatethecomingintobeingofthedreadfulenemyofwisdomknownasegotism.Itcomesintobeinginthe darknessofignorance,andflourishesinignorance.Itgeneratesendlesssinfultendenciesandsinfulactions.Allsufferingsurelyrevolvesaroundegotism(itisthe'I'who suffers)andegotismisthesolecauseofmentaldistress.Ifeelthategotismismyworstdisease!Spreadingthenetofworldlyobjectsofpleasure,itisthisegotismthat trapslivingbeings.Indeed,alltheterriblecalamitiesinthisworldarebornofegotism.Egotismeclipsesselfcontrol,destroysvirtueanddissipatesequanimity.Giving uptheegotisticnotionthat"IamRama*"andgivingupalldesires,Iwishtorestintheself.IrealisethatwhateverIhavedonewithanegotisticnotionisvain:non egotismaloneistruth.WhenIamundertheinfluenceofegotism,IamunhappywhenIamfreefromegotismIamhappy.Egotismpromotescravingswithoutitthey perish.Itisthisegotismalone,withoutrhymeorreason,thathasspreadthenetoffamilyandsocialrelationships,tocatchtheunwarysoul.IthinkIamfreefrom egotismyet,Iammiserable.Pray,enlightenme. Bereftofthegraceearnedthroughtheserviceoftheholyones,theimpuremindstuffremainsrestlessasthewind.Itisdissatisfiedwithwhateveritgetsandgrows moreandmorerestlessbytheday.Thesievecanneverbefilledwithwaternorcanthemindeverreachthestateoffulfilmenthowevermuchofworldlyobjectsone acquires.Themindflitsinalldirectionsallthetime,butisunabletofindhappinessanywhere.Unmindfulofthepossibilityofreapinggreatsufferinginhell,themind seekspleasurehere,buteventhatitdoesnotget.Likethelioninacage,themindiseverrestless,havinglostitsfreedomyetnothappywithitspresentstate.Alas,O holyone,Iamboundbytheknotsofcravingtothenetthathasbeenspreadbythemind.Evenastherushingwatersofariveruprootthetreesonitsbank,the restlessmindhasuprootedmywholebeing.Iambeingwaftedlikeadryleafinthewindbythemind.Itdoesnotletmerestanywhere.Itisthismindalonewhichis thecauseofallobjectsintheworldthethreeworldsexistbecauseofthemindstuff.Whenthemindvanishestheworldsvanishtoo.

Page11

RAMA*continued:

I:17

Itisreallywhenthemindstuffisenvelopedbycravingthatinnumerableerrorsariseinthedarknessofignorancethuscaused.Thiscravingdriesupthegoodandnoble qualitiesofthemindandheart,likesweetnessandgentlenessofdisposition,andmakesmehardandcruel.Inthatdarkness,cravinginitsdifferentformsdanceslikea goblin. ThoughIadoptvariousmethodstorestrainthiscraving,thelatteroverpowersmeinamomentandhelplesslydrivesmeastray,evenasagalecarriesastrawaway. WhateverhopeIentertainofdevelopingdispassionandsuchotherqualities,cravingcutsthathopeawayevenasaratsnapsathread.AntiIhelplesslyrevolvecaught inthewheelofcraving.Likebirdscaughtinanet,weareunable,thoughwehavethewingsforit,toflytoourgoalorabodeofselfknowledge.Norcanthiscraving beeverappeased,evenifIweretoquaffnectar.Thecharacteristicofthiscravingisthatithasnodirection:itdrivesmeinonedirectionnowandtheverynext momentittakesmeawayinanotherdirection,likeamadhorse.Itspreadsinfrontofusaverywidenetofson,friend,wifeandotherrelations. ThoughIamahero,thiscravingmakesmeafrightenedcowardthoughIhaveeyestosee,itmakesmeblindthoughIamfullofjoy,itmakesmemiserableitislike adreadfulgoblin.Itisthisdreadfulgoblincravingthatisresponsibleforbondageandmisfortuneitbreakstheheartofmanandcreatesdelusioninhim.Caughtbythis goblin,manisunabletoenjoyeventhepleasuresthatarewithinhisreach.Thoughitappearsasifthecravingisforhappiness,thiscravingleadsneithertohappiness nortofruitfulnessinthislifeonthecontrary,itinvolvesvaineffortandleadstoeverykindofinauspiciousness.Evenwhenitoccupiesthestagecalledlifeonwhich severalhappyandunhappysituationsplay,thiscraving,likeanagedactress,isincapableofperforminganythinggoodandnobleandsuffersdefeatanddiscomfitureat everyturn.Yet,itdoesnotgiveupdancingonthestage! Cravingnowascendstotheskies,nowdivesintothedepthsofthenetherworlditiseverrestless.Foritisbasedontheemptinessofthemind.Inthemindthelightof wisdommomentarilyshines,butthereisdelusionthenextmoment.Itisawonderthatsagesareabletocutthiswiththeswordofselfknowledge. RAMA*continued: I:18

Thispitiablebodycomposedofveins,arteriesandnervesisalsoasourceofpain.Inert,itappearstobeintelligent:onedoesnotknowifitissentientorinsentient,and itengendersonlydelusion.

Page12

Delightedwithalittlegratificationanddistressedbytheleastadversity,thisbodyisindeedhighlydespicable. Icanonlycompareatreetothebody:withbranchesforarms,trunkforthetorso,holesforeyes,fruitsforhead,leavesfornumerousillnessesitisarestingplacefor livingbeings.Whocansaythatitisone'sown?Hopeordespairinrelationtoitisfutile.Itisbutaboatgiventooneforcrossingthisoceanofbirthanddeathbutone shouldnotregarditasone'sself. Thistreewhichisthebodyisbornintheforestknownassamsara*(repetitiveexistence),therestlessmonkey(mind)playsonit,itistheabodeofcrickets(worries), itisconstantlyeatenbytheinsects(ofendlesssuffering),itsheltersthevenomousserpent(ofcraving),andthewildcrow(ofanger)dwellsonit.Onitaretheflowers (oflaughter),itsfruitsaregoodandevil,itappearstobeanimatedbythewind(oflifeforce),itsupportsthebirds(ofsenses),itisresortedtobythetraveller(lustor desire)foritprovidestheshadeofpleasure,theformidablevulture(egotism)isseatedonit,anditishollowandempty.Itiscertainlynotmeanttopromotehappiness. Whetheritlivesforlongorfallsinashorttime,itisstilluseless.Itiscomposedoffleshandblood,itissubjecttooldageanddeath.Iamnotenamouredofit.Itis completelyfilledwithimpuresubstancesandafflictedwithignorance.Howcanitfulfilmyhopes? Thisbodyisthehomeofillness,thefieldformentaldistressandchangingemotionsandmentalstates.Iamnotenamouredofit.Whatiswealth,whatiskingdom,what isthebody?Allthesearemercilesslycutdownbytime(death).Atdeaththisungratefulbodyabandonsthesoulthatdweltinitandprotectedit:whathopeshallI reposeinit?Shamelesslyitindulgesagainandagaininthesameactions!Itsonlycertainpurposeseemstobetoburnintheend.Unmindfulofoldageanddeaththat arecommontotherichandthepoor,itseekswealthandpower.Shame,shameuponthosewhoareboundtothisbody,deludedbythewineofignorance!Shameon thosewhoareboundtothisworld! I:19 RAMA*said:

Evenchildhood,thepartoflifewhichpeopleignorantlyregardasenjoyableandhappy,isfullofsorrow,Osage.Helplessness,mishaps,cravings,inabilitytoexpress oneself,utterfoolishness,playfulness,instability,weaknessallthesecharacterisechildhood.Thechildiseasilyoffended,easilyrousedtoanger,easilyburstsinto tears.Infact,onemaysayboldlythatthechild'sanguishismoreterriblethanthatofadyingperson,anagedman,asickmanoranyotheradult.Forinchildhood one'sstateiscomparabletrulytothatofananimallivingatthemercyofothers.

Page13

Thechildisexposedtothecountlesshappeningsaroundittheypuzzlethechild,confusethechild,andarouseinitvariousphantasiesandfears.Thechildis impressionableandiseasilyinfluencedbythewicked:inconsequence,thechildissubjectedtocontrolandpunishmentbyitsparents.Childhoodseemstobeaperiod ofsubjectionandnothingelse! Thoughthechildmayappeartobeinnocent,thetruthisthatallsortsofdefects,sinfultendencies,andneuroticbehaviourliehiddenanddormantinit,evenasanowl lieshiddeninadarkholeduringthedaytime.Osage,Ipitythosepeoplewhofoolishlyimaginethatchildhoodisahappyperiod. Whatcanbeworsesufferingthanarestlessmind?And,thechild'smindisextremelyrestless.Unlessthechildgetssomethingneweveryday,itisunhappy.Cryingand weepingseemtobethechild'sforemostactivity.Whenthechilddoesnotgetwhatitwants,itlooksasifitsheartisbroken. Whenthechildgoestoschool,itreceivespunishmentinthehandsofitsteachersandallthisaddstoitsunhappiness. Whenthechildcries,itsparents,inordertopacifyit,promisetogiveittheworldandfromthenonthechildbeginstovaluetheworld,todesiretheworldlyobjects. Theparentssay''Ishallgiveyouthemoonforatoy,''andthechild,believingtheirwords,thinksthatitcanholdthemooninitshands.Thusaretheseedsofdelusion sowninthelittleheart. Thoughthechildfeelsheatandcold,itisunabletoavoidithowisitbetterthanatree,then?Liketheanimalsandbirdsthechildvainlyreachesouttogetwhatit wantsanditisfearfulofeveryelderinthehouse. RAMA*continued: I:20

Leavingthisperiodofchildhoodbehind,thehumanbeinggoesontothestageofyouth,butheisunabletoleavetheunhappinessbehind!Thereheissubjectedto numerousmentalmodificationsandheprogressesfrommiserytogreatermisery,forheabandonswisdomandembracestheterriblegoblin,knownaslust,thatresides inhisheart.Hislifeisfullofdesireandanxiety.Theywhohavenotbeenrobbedoftheirwisdomintheiryouthcanwithstandanyonslaught. Iamnotenamouredofthistransientyouthinwhichshortlivedpleasureisquicklyfollowedbylonglastingsuffering,anddeludedbywhichmanregardsthechangingto bechangeless.Whatisworsestill,itisduringyouththatoneindulgesinsuchactionsthatbringunhappinesstomanyothers. Evenasatreeisconsumedbyaforestfire,theyouth'sheartis

Page14

consumedbythefireoflustwhenhisbelovedleaveshim.Howevermuchhemaystrivetodeveloppurityofheart,theyouth'sheartisstainedwithimpurity.Evenwhen hisbelovedisnotpresentnearhim,heisdistractedbythethoughtsofherbeauty.Suchapersonwhoisfullofcravingsisnaturallynotheldinhighesteembygood men. Youthistheabodeofdiseasesandmentaldistress.Itcanbecomparedtoabirdwhosewingsaregoodandevilacts.Youthislikeasandstormthatdispersesand dissipatesone'sgoodqualities.Youtharousesallsortsofevilsintheheartandsuppressesthegoodqualitiesthatmayexistthereitisthusthepromoterofevil.Itgives risetodelusionandattachment.Thoughyouthfulnessappearstobeverydesirabletothebody,itisdestructivetothemind.Inyouth,themanistemptedbythemirage ofhappinessandinitspursuithefallsintothewellofsorrow.HenceIamnotenamouredofyouth. Alas,evenwhenyouthisabouttoleavethebody,thepassionsthathadbeenarousedbyyouthburnthemorefiercelyandbringaboutone'squickdestruction.He whodelightsinthisyouthissurelynotaman,butananimalinhumangarb. Theyareadorable,theyaregreatsoulsandtheyalonearemenwhoarenotovercomebytheevilsofyouthandwhosurvivethatstageoflifewithoutsuccumbingtoits temptations.For,itiseasytocrossagreatoceanbuttoreachtheothershoreofyouthwithoutbeingovercomebyitslikesanddislikesisindeeddifficult. I:21,22 RAMA*continued:

Inhisyouth,manisaslaveofsexualattraction.Inthebodywhichisnomorethantheaggregateofflesh,blood,bone,hairandskin,heperceivesbeautyandcharm.If this'beauty'werepermanent,therewouldbesomejustificationtotheimaginationbut,alas,itdoesnotlastverylong.Onthecontrary,verysoontheveryfleshthat contributedtotheattractiveness,thecharmandthebeautyofthebelovedistransformedfirstintotheshrivelleduglinessofoldage,andlaterconsumedbyfire,orby worms,orbyvultures.Yet,whileitlaststhissexualattractionconsumestheheartandthewisdomoftheman.Bythisisthecreationmaintainedwhenthisattraction ceases,thissamsara*(birthdeathcycle)alsoceases. Whenthechildisdissatisfiedwithitschildhood,youthtakesoverwhenyouthisplaguedbydissatisfactionandfrustration,oldageoverpowersithowcruelislife. Evenaswindtossesadewdropfromaleaf,oldagedestroysthebody.Evenasadropofpoisonwhenitentersthesystemsoonpervadesit,senilitysoonpervades theentirebodyandbreaksitdown,andmakesitthelaughingstockofotherpeople.

Page15

Thoughtheoldmanisunabletosatisfyhisdesiresphysically,thedesiresthemselvesflourishandgrow.Hebeginstoaskhimself,"WhoamI?WhatshouldIdo?"etc., whenitistoolateforhimtochangehislife'scourse,alterhislifestyle,ormakehislifemoremeaningful.Withtheonsetofsenility,allthedistressingsymptomsofa physicalbreakdown,likecough,whitehairs,hardbreathing,dyspepsiaandemaciation,manifestthemselves. Perhaps,thedeitypresidingoverdeathseesthewhiteroofedheadoftheoldmanassaltedmelonandrushestotakeit.Asafloodcutsawaytherootsoftrees standingontheriverbank,senilityvigorouslycutstherootoflife.Deathfollowsandcarriesitaway.Senilityisliketheroyalattendantwhoprecedestheking,death. Ah,howmysteriousandhowastoundingitis!Theywhohavenotbeenovercomebyenemiesandwhohavetakentheirabodeininaccessiblemountainpeakseven theyhavebeenafflictedbythedemonessknownassenilityanddegeneracy. RAMA*continued: I:23,24

Allenjoymentsinthisworldaredelusion,likethelunatic'senjoymentofthetasteoffruitsreflectedinamirror.Allthehopesofmaninthisworldareconsistently destroyedbyTime.Timealone,Osage,wearseverythingoutinthisworldthereisnothingincreationwhichisbeyonditsreach.Timealonecreatesinnumerable universes,andinaveryshorttimeTimedestroyseverything. Timeallowsaglimpseofitselfthroughitspartialmanifestationastheyear,theage,andtheepochbutitsessentialnatureishidden.ThisTimeoverpowerseverything. Timeismerciless,inexorable,cruel,greedyandinsatiable.Timeisthegreatestmagician,fullofdeceptivetricks.ThisTimecannotbeanalysedforhowevermuchitis divideditstillsurvivesindestructible.Ithasaninsatiableappetiteforeverythingitconsumesthesmallestinsects,thebiggestmountains,andeventhekingofheaven! Evenasayoungboyplayswithaballforhispastime,Timeusesthetwoballsknownasthesunandthemoonforhispastime.ItisindeedTimealonethatappearsas thedestroyeroftheuniverse(Rudra),thecreatoroftheworld(Brahma*),thekingofheaven(Indra),thelordofwealth(Kubera),andthenothingnessofcosmic dissolution.ItisindeedthisTimethatsuccessivelycreatesanddissolvestheuniverseagainandagain.Justaseventhegreatandmightymountainisrootedonearth, thismightyTimeisalsoestablishedintheabsolutebeing(Brahman). EventhoughTimecreatesendlessuniverses,itisnotwearied,nordoesitrejoiceitdoesnotcome,nordoesitgoitdoesnotrise,nordoesitset. Time,thegourmet,seesthattheobjectsofthisworldhavebeen

Page16

ripenedbythefireofthesun,andwhenhefindsthemfullyripeheconsumesthem!Eachepochoftimeisdecked,asitwere,bythelovelyjewelsofcolourfulbeings forthepleasureofTimethatwipesthemalloutplayfully. Tothelotusofyouthfulness,Timeisthenightfalltotheelephantoflifespan,Timeisthelion.Inthisworldthereisnothing,highorlow,thatTimedoesnotdestroy. Evenwhenallthesearedestroyed,Timeisnotdestroyed.Justasamanafteraday'sactivityrestsinsleep,asifinignorance,evensoTimeafterthecosmicdissolution sleepsorrestswiththecreationpotentialhiddeninit.NoonereallyknowswhatthisTimeis. I:25,26 RAMA*continued:

BesidestheTimeIhavejustdescribed,thereisanotherTimewhichisresponsibleforbirthanddeathpeoplerefertoitasthedeitypresidingoverdeath. YetagainthereisanotheraspectofthisTime,knownaskrtanta*theendofaction,itsinevitableresultorfruition.Thiskrtanta*islikeadancerwithniyati(thelaw ofnature)forhiswife:thetwotogetherbestowonallbeingstheinevitablefruitoftheiractions.Duringthecourseoftheexistenceoftheuniverse,theyareindefatigable intheirlabour,unwinkingintheirvigilanceandunflaggingintheirzeal. WhenTimethusdancesinthisuniverse,creatinganddestroyingeverything,whathopecanweentertain?Krtanta*holdsswayevenoverthosewhosefaithisfirm,and makesthemrestless.Onaccountofthiskrtanta*everythinginthisworldisconstantlyundergoingchangethereisnopermanencyhere. Allbeingsinthisworldaretaintedwithevilallrelationshipsarebondageallenjoymentsaregreatdiseasesanddesireforhappinessisonlyamirage.One'sown sensesareone'senemiestherealityhasbecomeunreal(unknown)one'sownmindhasbecomeone'sworstenemy.Egotism*istheforemostcauseforevilwisdom isweakallactionsleadtounpleasantnessandpleasureissexuallyoriented.One'sintelligenceisgovernedbyegotism,insteadofbeingtheotherwayround.Hence thereisnopeacenorhappinessinone'smind.Youthisfading.Companyofholyonesisrare.Thereisnowayoutofthissuffering.Therealisationoftruthisnottobe seeninanyone.Nooneishappyattheprosperityandhappinessofothers,noriscompassiontobefoundinanyone'sheart.Peoplearegettingbaserandbaserbythe day.Weaknesshasovercomestrength,cowardicehasoverpoweredcourage.Evilcompanyiseasilyhad,goodcompanyishardtocomeby.IwonderwhitherTime isdrivinghumanity. Holyone,thismysteriouspowerthatgovernsthiscreation

Page17

destroysevenpowerfuldemons,robswhateverhasbeenconsideredtobeeternalofitspermanency,killseventheimmortalsistherethenanyhopeforsimplefolk likeme?Thismysteriousbeingseemstodwellinall,anditsindividualisedaspectisregardedasegotism,andthereisnothingthatisnotdestroyedbyit.Theentire universeisunderitscontrolitswillaloneprevailshere. RAMA*continued: I:27

Osage,thusneitherinchildhoodnorinyouthnorinoldagedoesoneenjoyanyhappiness.Noneoftheobjectsinthisworldismeanttogivehappinesstoanyone. Themindvainlyseekstofindsuchhappinessintheobjectsofthisworld.Onlyheishappywhoisfreefromegotismandwhoisnotswayedbycravingforsense pleasure:butsuchapersonisextremelyrareinthisworld.Indeed,IdonotregardhimasaherowhoisabletobattlesuccessfullyagainstamightyarmyonlyhimI consideraherowhoisabletocrosstheoceanknownasthemindandthesenses. Idonotregardthatasa"gain"whichissoonlost:onlythatisagainwhichisnotlostandthereisnosuchgainavailabletomaninthisworld,howeverhardhemay struggle.Ontheotherhand,bothfleetinggainsandtemporaryadversitiescometoamanevenwithouthisseeking.Iampuzzled,Holysir,thatamanroamshereand thereseeminglybusythroughoutthedayandisallthetimeengagedinselfishactivity,andthoughhedoesnotdoonegoodturnduringtheday,heisstillabletosleep atnight! Yet,eventhoughthebusymanovercomesallhisearthlyenemiesandsurroundshimselfwithwealthandluxury,andevenwhenheboaststhatheishappy,death creepsinuponhim.Howitfindshim,onlyGodknows. Inignorance,manbindshimselftowife,sonandfriendsheknowsnotthatthisworldislikealargepilgrimcentrewherecountlesspeoplecometogetherfortuitously andtheywhomhecallshiswife,sonandfriendsareamongthem. Thisworldislikeapotter'swheel:thewheellooksasifitstandsstillthoughitrevolvesataterrificspeedevensotothedeludedpersonthisworldappearstobe stableeventhoughinfactitisconstantlychanging.Thisworldislikeapoisontree:onewhocomesintocontactwithitisknockedunconsciousandstupified.Allpoints ofviewinthisworldaretaintedallcountriesintheworldareterritoriesofevilallthepeopleoftheworldaresubjecttodeathallactionsaredeceitful. Manyaeonshavecomeandgonetheyarebutmomentsintimeforthereisessentiallynodifferencebetweenanepochandamoment,bothbeingmeasuresoftime. Fromtheviewpointofthegodseven

Page18

anepochisbutamoment.Evensothewholeearthisbutamodificationoftheearthelement!Howfutiletopinourfaithandourhopeonit! I:28,29 RAMA*continued:

OHolyone!Whateverappearstobepermanentortransientinthisworlditisalllikeadream.Whatisacratertodaywasamountainbefore,whatisamountain todaybecomesaholeintheearthinashortwhile,whatisadenseforesttodayissoontransformedintoabigcity,whatisfertilesoilnowbecomesariddesert.Similar isthechangeinone'sbodyandinone'slifestyleandfortune. Thislifeanddeathcycleappearstobeaskillfuldancerwhoseskirtismadeupoflivingsouls,andherdancinggesturesconsistofliftingthesoulsuptoheaven,hurling themdownintohell,orbringingthembacktothisearth.Allthemightydeeds,eventhegreatreligiousritesthatpeopleperformhere,aresoonconsignedtoone's memory.Humanbeingsarebornasanimalsandviceversagodslosetheirdivinitywhatisunchanginghere?IseeeventhecreatorBrahma*,theprotectorVisnu*, theredeemerRudraandothersinexorablygoingtowardsdestruction.Inthisworldsenseobjectsappeartobepleasanttooneonlytillheremembersthisinevitable destruction.Justasachildplayingwithearthmakesdifferentdesignswithaclod,theordaineroftheuniversekeepscreatingnewthingsanddestroyingthemsoon. Thisperceptionofthedefectsoftheworldhasdestroyedtheundesirabletendenciesinmymindandthereforedesireforsensepleasuredoesnotariseinmymind, evenasamiragedoesnotappearonthesurfaceofwater.Thisworldanditsdelightsappearbittertome.Iamnotfondofwanderinginthepleasuregardens,Idonot relishthecompanyofgirls,Idonotvaluetheacquisitionofwealth.Iwishtoremainatpeacewithinmyself.Iamconstantlyenquiring:"HowcanIweanmyheart completelyawayfromeventhinkingofthiseverchangingphantasmcalledtheworld?"Idonotlongfordeath,nordoIlongtoliveIremainasIam,freefromthe feveroflust.WhatshallIdowiththekingdom,pleasureorwealth,allofwhicharetheplaythingsofegotismwhichisabsentinme? IfIdonotgetestablishedinwisdomnow,whenshallanotheropportunityarise?For,indulgenceinsensepleasurepoisonsthemindinsuchawaythatitseffectslast severallifetimes.Onlythemanofselfknowledgeisfreefromthis.Therefore,Osage,Ipraytothee:instructmeinsuchawaythatImayforeverbefreefrom anguish,fearanddistress.Withthelightofyourinstruction,destroythedarknessofignoranceinmyheart.

Page19

RAMA*continued:

I:30,31

Byreflectingonthepitiablefateoflivingbeingsthusfallenintothedreadfulpitofsorrow,Iamfilledwithgrief.Mymindisconfused,Ishudder,andateverystepIam afraid.Ihavegivenupeverything,butIhavenotestablishedmyselfinwisdomhenceIampartlycaughtandpartlyfreed.Iamlikeatreethathasbeencutbutnot severedfromitsroot.Iwishtorestrainmymindbutdonothavethewisdomtodoso. Hence,praytellme:whatisthatconditionorstateinwhichonedoesnotexperienceanygrief?Howcanonewhoisinvolvedintheworldanditsactivities,asIam, reachthesupremestateofpeaceandbliss?Whatisthatattitudethatenablesonenottobeinfluencedbyvariouskindsofactivitiesandexperiences?Praytellme:how doyoupeoplewhoareenlightenedliveinthisworld?Howcanthemindbefreedfromlustandmadetoviewtheworldbothasone'sownselfandalsoasnomore valuablethanabladeofgrass?Thebiographyofwhichgreatoneshallwestudyinordertolearnthepathofwisdom?Howshouldoneliveinthisworld?Holysir, instructmeinthatwisdomwhichwillenablemyotherwiserestlessmindtobesteadylikeamountain.Youareanenlightenedbeing:instructmesothatImaynever againbesunkingrief. Obviouslythisworldisfullofpainanddeathhowdoesitbecomeasourceofjoy,withoutbefuddlingone'sheart?Themindisobviouslyfullofimpurities:howcanit becleansedandwithwhatcleanserprescribedbywhatgreatsage?Howshouldoneliveheresoasnottofallavictimtothetwincurrentsofloveandhate? Obviouslythereisasecretthatenablesonetoremainunaffectedbythegriefandsufferinginthisworldevenasmercuryisnotaffectedwhenitisthrownintothefire. Whatisthatsecret?Whatisthesecretthatcounteractsthehabitofthemindthatisspreadoutintheformofthisuniverse? Whoarethoseheroeswhohavefreedthemselvesfromdelusion?Andwhatmethodsdidtheyadopttofreethemselves.IfyouconsiderthatIamneitherfitnor capableofunderstandingthis,Ishallfastuntodeath. VALMIKI*said: Havingsaidso,Rama*remainedsilent. VALMIKI*said: I:32,33

AllthosewhohadassembledinthecourtwerehighlyinspiredbytheflamingwordsofRama's*wisdomthatiscapableofdispellingthedelusionofthemind.Theyfelt asiftheythemselveshadbeenridofalltheirdoubtsanddeludedmisunderstanding.TheydrankthenectarinewordsofRama*withgreatdelight.Astheysatinthe court

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listeningtoRama's*words,itappearedasthoughtheywerenolongerlivingbeingsbutpaintedfigurestheyweresostillwithraptattention. WholistenedtoRama's*discourse?SageslikeVasistha*andVisvamitra*,theministers,membersoftheroyalfamilyincludingkingDasaratha*,citizens,holyones, servants,cagedbirds,animalpets,thehorsesoftheroyalstable,andthecelestialsincludingtheperfectedsagesandheavenlymusicians.Surely,eventhekingof heavenandthechiefsofthenetherworldlistenedtoRama*. ThrilledtohearRama's*speech,allofthemacclaimed"Bravo,bravo"withonevoiceandthisjoyoussoundfilledtheair.TofelicitateRama*,therewasashowerof flowersfromheaven.Everyoneassembledinthecourtcheeredhim.Surely,noonebutRama*whowasfullofdispassioncouldhaveutteredthewordsthathegave expressiontonoteventhepreceptorofthegods.Wewereindeedextremelyfortunatetohavebeenabletolistentohim.Whilewelistenedtohim,itseemedas thoughwewerefilledwiththefeelingthatthereisnohappinesseveninheaven. THEPERFECTEDSAGESintheassemblysaid: Surely,theanswersthattheholyonesareabouttogivetotheweightyandwisequestionsofRama*areworthyofbeingheardbyallbeingsintheuniverse.Osages, come,come,letusallgatherinthecourtofkingDasaratha*tolistentotheanswerofthesupremesageVasistha*. VALMIKI*said: Hearingthis,allthesagesoftheworldhastenedtothecourt,wheretheyweredulyreceived,honouredandseatedinthecourt.Surely,ifinourhearttheloftywisdom ofRama*isnotreflected,weshallindeedbetheloserswhateverbeourabilitiesandfaculties,weshalltherebyprovethatwehavelostourintelligence!

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PARTTWO ONTHEBEHAVIOUROFTHESEEKER

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TheStoryofSuka*
VISVAMITRA*said: II:1

ORama*,youareindeedtheforemostamongthewise,andthereisreallynothingfurtherforyoutoknow.However,yourknowledgeneedsconfirmation,evenasthe selfknowledgeofSuka*neededconfirmationfromJanakabeforeSuka*couldfindthepeacethatpassethunderstanding.RAMA*asked: Holyone!PraytellmehowitwasthatSuka*didnotfindpeaceinspiteofhisknowledge,andhowhefounditlater. VISVAMITRA*said: Listen,ORama*.IshalldulynarratetoyouthissoulupliftingstoryofthebornsageSuka*,thesonofVedavyasa*whoisnowseatednexttoyourfather. Justlikeyou,Suka*alsoarrivedatthetruthconcerningexistenceafterdeepcontemplationoftheevanescenceofthisworld.Yet,becauseitwasselfacquired knowledge,hecouldnotpositivelyaffirmtohimself"thisisthetruth".Hehadofcoursearrivedatthestateofextremeandsupremedispassion. Oneday,thisSuka*approachedhisfatherVedavyasa*andaskedhim:"Sir,howdidthisdiversityofworldcreationcomeintobeingandhowwillitcometoan end?"Vedavyasa*gaveadetailedanswertothisquestion:butSuka*thought'AllthisIknewalreadywhatisnewinthis?'andwasnotimpressed.Vedavyasa*also sensedthis,andhencehesaidtoSuka*:"Myson,Idonotknowanythingmore

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thanthisbutthereistheroyalsageJanakaonearthwhoknowsmorethanthis.Kindlyapproachhim.'' Suka*thereuponcametoJanaka'spalace.InformedbythepalaceguardsoftheyoungSuka's*arrival,JanakaignoredhimforaweekwhileSuka*patientlywaited outside.ThenextweekJanakahadSuka*broughtintothepalaceandwaiteduponbydancersandmusicians.Suka*wasunmovedbythis,too.Afterthis,Suka* wasusheredintotheroyalpresence,andJanakasaid:''Youknowthetruth:whatelseshallItellyounow."Suka*repeatedthequestionhehadaskedhisfather,and Janakatoogavehimtheanswerhisfatherhadgiven.Suka*said:"Iknewthis,myfathertoldmethis,thescripturesalsoaffirmthis,andnowyoudeclarethetruth,and thatisthisdiversityarisesonaccountofmentalmodificationsanditwillceasewhentheycease."Thuswhenhisselfknowledgehadbeenconfirmed,Suka*attained peaceandremainedinnirvikalpasamadhi* II:2,3 VISVAMITRA*saidtotheassembledsages:

LikeSuka*,Rama*,too,hasgainedthehighestwisdom.Thesurestsignofamanofthehighestwisdomisthatheisunattractedbythepleasuresoftheworld,forin himeventhesubtletendencieshaveceased.Whenthesetendenciesarestrong,thereisbondagewhentheyhaveceased,thereisliberation.Heistrulyaliberated sagewhobynatureisnotswayedbysensepleasure,withoutthemotivationoffameorotherincentives.And,IpraythatthesageVasistha*shouldsoinstructRama* thathewillbeconfirmedinhiswisdomandwe,too,maybeinspired.Thatinstructionwillsurelybecomethegreatestwisdom,thebestofallscripturesforitis impartedbyanenlightenedsagetothequalified,dispassionatestudent. VASISTHA*said: Ishallsurelyaccedetoyourrequest.And,ORama*,IshallnowimparttoyouthewisdomwhichwasrevealedtomebythedivinecreatorBrahma*,himself. RAMA*said: Holysir,kindlytellmefirst:whywasVedavyasa*considerednotliberated,whilehissonSuka*wasconsideredaliberatedsage. VASISTHA*said: ORama*,countlesshavebeentheuniversesthathavecomeintobeingandthathavebeendissolved.Infact,eventhecountlessuniversesthatexistatthismomentare impossibletoconceiveof.Allthiscanimmediatelyberealisedinone'sownheart,fortheseuniversesarethecreationofthedesiresthatariseintheheart,likecastles builtintheair.Thelivingbeingconjuresupthisworldinhisheartandwhileheisalivehestrengthensthisillusionwhenhepassesawayheconjuresuptheworld beyondandexperiencesit

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thusthereariseworldswithinworldsjustastherearelayerswithinlayersinaplantainstem.Neithertheworldofmatternorthemodesofcreationaretrulyrealyet thelivingandthedeadthinkandfeeltheyarereal.Ignoranceofthistruthkeepsuptheappearance. ORama*,inthiscosmicoceanofexistence,beingsarisehereandtherewhoareequaltoothers,andotherswhoaredifferentfromyetothers.ThisVedavyasa*is thetwentythirdinthisstreamofcreation.Heandothersageswillattainembodimentanddisembodimentagainandagain.Insometheywillbeequaltoothersandin othersunequal.InthisembodimentVedavyasa*isindeedaliberatedsage.Suchliberatedsagesalsoareembodiedcountlesstimesandtheyassumerelationswith othersandsometimestheyareequaltoothersandsometimesunequalintheirlearning,behaviour,etc.

Selfeffort
VASISTHA*continued: II:4,5

ORama*,evenas,whethertherearewavesornowaves,waterremainswater,evensowhateverbetheexternalappearanceoftheliberatedsage,hiswisdom remainsunchanged.Thedifferenceisonlyintheeyesoftheignorantspectator. Therefore,ORama*,listentowhatIamabouttosaythisinstructionissuretoremovethedarknessofignorance. Inthisworldwhateverisgainedisgainedonlybyselfeffortwherefailureisencountereditisseenthattherehasbeenslacknessintheeffort.Thisisobviousbutwhat iscalledfateisfictitiousandisnotseen. Selfeffort,Rama*,isthatmental,verbalandphysicalactionwhichisinaccordancewiththeinstructionsofaholypersonwellversedinthescriptures.Itisonlyby sucheffortthatIndrabecamekingofheaven,thatBrahma*becamethecreator,andtheotherdeitiesearnedtheirplace. Selfeffortisoftwocategories:thatofpastbirthsandthatofthisbirth.Thelattereffectivelycounteractstheformer.Fateisnoneotherthanselfeffortofapast incarnation.Thereisconstantconflictbetweenthesetwointhisincarnationandthatwhichismorepowerfultriumphs. Selfeffortwhichisnotinaccordwiththescripturesismotivatedbydelusion.Whenthereisobstructioninthefruitionofselfeffortoneshouldexamineittoseeifthere issuchdeludedaction,andifthereisitshouldbeimmediatelycorrected.Thereisnopowergreaterthanrightactioninthepresent.Hence,oneshouldtakerecourse toselfeffort,grindingone'steeth,andoneshould

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overcomeevilbygoodandfatebypresenteffort. Thelazymanisworsethanadonkey.Oneshouldneveryieldtolazinessbutstrivetoattainliberation,seeingthatlifeisebbingawayeverymoment.Oneshouldnot revelinthefilthknownassensepleasuresasawormrevelsinpus. Onewhosays"Fateisdirectingmetodothis"isbrainless,andthegoddessoffortuneabandonshim.Hence,byselfeffortacquirewisdomandthenrealisethatthis selfeffortisnotwithoutitsownend,inthedirectrealisationofthetruth. Ifthisdreadfulsourceofevilnamedlazinessisnotfoundonearth,whowilleverbeilliterateandpoor?Itisbecauselazinessisfoundonearththatpeoplelivethelife ofanimals,miserableandpovertystricken. VALMIKI*said:Atthisstage,itwastimeforeveningprayersandtheassemblybrokeupfortheday. II:6 VASISTHA*beganthesecondday'sdiscourse:

Asistheeffortsoisthefruit,ORama*:thisisthemeaningofselfeffort,anditisalsoknownasfate(divine).Whenafflictedbysufferingpeoplecry"Alas,what tragedy"or"Alas,lookatmyfate",bothofwhichmeanthesamething.Whatiscalledfateordivinewillisnothingotherthantheactionorselfeffortofthepast.The presentisinfinitelymorepotentthanthepast.Theyindeedarefoolswhoaresatisfiedwiththefruitsoftheirpasteffort(whichtheyregardasdivinewill)anddonot engagethemselvesinselfeffortnow. Ifyouseethatthepresentselfeffortissometimesthwartedbyfate(ordivinewill),youshouldunderstandthatthepresentselfeffortisweak.Aweakanddullwitted manseesthehandofprovidencewhenheisconfrontedbyastrongandpowerfuladversaryandsuccumbstohim. Sometimesithappensthatwithouteffortsomeonemakesagreatgain:forexample,thestateelephantchooses(inaccordancewithanancientpractice)amendicantas therulerofacountrywhosekingsuddenlydiedwithoutleavinganheirthisiscertainlyneitheranaccidentnorsomekindofdivineact,butthefruitofthemendicant's selfeffortinthepastbirth. Sometimesithappensthatafarmer'seffortsaremadefruitlessbyahailstorm:surely,thehailstorm'sownpowerwasgreaterthanthefarmer'seffortandthefarmer shouldputforthgreatereffortnow.Heshouldnotgrieveovertheinevitableloss.Ifsuchgriefisjustified,whyshouldhenotweepdailyovertheinevitabilityofdeath? Thewisemanshouldofcourseknowwhatiscapableofattainmentbyselfeffortandwhatisnot.Itis,however,ignorance

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toattributeallthistoanoutsideagencyandtosaythat"Godsendsmetoheavenortohell"orthat"anoutsideagencymakesmedothisorthat"suchanignorant personshouldbeshunned. Oneshouldfreeoneselffromlikesanddislikesandengageoneselfinrighteousselfeffortandreachthesupremetruth,knowingthatselfeffortaloneisanothername fordivinewill.Weonlyridiculethefatalist.Thataloneisselfeffortwhichspringsfromrightunderstandingwhichmanifestsinone'sheartwhichhasbeenexposedto theteachingsofthescripturesandtheconductofholyones. VASISTHA*continued:` II:7,8

ORama*,oneshould,withabodyfreefromillnessandmindfreefromdistress,pursueselfknowledgesothatheisnotbornagainhere.Suchselfefforthasa threefoldrootandthereforethreefoldfruitaninnerawakeningintheintelligence,adecisioninthemindandthephysicalaction. Selfeffortisbasedonthesethreeknowledgeofscriptures,instructionsofthepreceptorandone'sowneffort.Fate(ordivinedispensation)doesnotenterhere. Hence,hewhodesiressalvationshoulddiverttheimpuremindtopureendeavorbypersistenteffortthisistheveryessenceofallscriptures.TheHolyones emphasise:persistentlytreadthepaththatleadstotheeternalgood.Andthewiseseekerknows:thefruitofmyendeavorswillbecommensuratewiththeintensityof myselfeffortandneitherfatenoragodcanordainitotherwise.Indeed,suchselfeffortaloneisresponsibleforwhatevermangetsherewhenheissunkin unhappiness,toconsolehimpeoplesuggestthatitishisfate.Thisisobvious:onegoesabroad,oneappeasesone'shunger,byundertakingajourneyandbyeating foodnotonaccountofafate.Noonehasseensuchafateoragod,buteveryonehasexperiencedhowanaction(goodorevil)leadstoaresult(goodorevil). Hence,rightfromone'schildhoodoneshouldendeavortopromoteone'struegood(salvation)byakeenintelligentstudyofthescriptures,byhavingthecompanyof theholyonesandbyrightselfeffort. Fateordivinedispensationismerelyaconventionwhichhascometoberegardedastruthbybeingrepeatedlydeclaredtobetrue.Ifthisgodorfateistrulythe ordainerofeverythinginthisworld,ofwhatmeaningisanyaction(evenlikebathing,speakingorgiving),andwhomshouldoneteachatall?No.Inthisworld,except acorpse,everythingisactiveandsuchactivityyieldsitsappropriateresult.Noonehaseverrealisedtheexistenceofafateordivinedispensation.
Thewordusedinthetextforfateis"daivam*"whichalsomeans"god".

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Peopleusesuchexpressionsas"Iamimpelledbyfateordivinedispensationtodothis"forselfsatisfaction,butthisisnottrue.Forexample,ifanastrologerpredicts thatayoungmanwouldbecomeagreatscholar,doesthatyoungmanbecomeascholarwithoutstudy?No.Then,whydowebelieveindivinedispensation?Rama*, thissageVisvamitra*becameaBrahmaRsi*byselfeffortallofushaveattainedselfknowledgebyselfeffortalone.Hence,renouncefatalismandapplyyourselfto selfeffort. II:9 RAMA*asked:

Lord,youareindeedtheknoweroftruth.Pray,tellmewhatdopeoplereallycallgod,fateordaivam*. VASISTHA*replied: Thefruitionofselfeffortbywhichoneexperiencesthegoodandevilresultsofpastactioniscalledfateordaivam*bypeople.Peoplealsoregardthatasfateor daivam*whichcharacterisesthegoodandevilnatureofsuchresults.Whenyouseethat'thisplantgrowsoutofthisseed',itisregardedasanactofthisdaivam*.But Ifeelthatfateisnothingbuttheculminationofone'sownaction. Inthemindofmanarenumerouslatenttendencies,andthesetendenciesgiverisetovariousactionsphysical,verbalandmental.Surely,one'sactionsareinstrict accordancewiththesetendencies,itcannotbeotherwise.Suchisthecourseofaction:actionisnondifferentfromthemostpotentamonglatenttendencies,andthese tendenciesarenondifferentfromthemindandthemanisnondifferentfromthemind!Onecannotdefinitelydeterminewhethercategorieslikemind,latenttendencies, actionandfate(daivam*)arerealorunreal:hence,themenofwisdomhavealludedtothemsymbolically. RAMA*askedagain: Holysir,ifthelatenttendenciesbroughtforwardfromthepreviousbirthimpelmetoactinthepresent,whereisfreedomofaction? VASISTHA*said: Rama*,thetendenciesbroughtforwardfrompastincarnationsareoftwokindspureandimpure.Thepureonesleadyoutowardsliberation,andtheimpureones invitetrouble.Youareindeedconsciousnessitself,notinertphysicalmatter.Youarenotimpelledtoactionbyanythingotherthanyourself.Henceyouarefreeto strengthenthepurelatenttendenciesinpreferencetotheimpureones.Theimpureoneshavetobeabandonedgraduallyandthemindturnedawayfromthemlittleby little,lestthereshouldbeviolentreaction.Byencouragingthegoodtendenciestoactrepeatedly,strengthenthem.Theimpureoneswillweakenbydisuse.Youwill

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soonbecomeabsorbedintheexpressionofthegoodtendencies,ingoodactions.Whenthusyouhaveovercometheforceoftheeviltendenciesthenyouwillhaveto abandoneventhegoodones.Youwillthenexperiencethesupremetruthwiththeintelligencethatrisesfromthegoodtendencies. VASISTHA*continued: II:10

Thecosmicorderthatpeoplerefertoasfate,daivam*orniyatiandwhichensuresthateveryeffortisblessedwithappropriatefruition,isbasedonomnipresentand omnipotentomniscience(knownasBrahman).Byselfeffortthereforerestrainthesensesandthemind,andwithamindthatisonepointedcalmlylistentowhatIam goingtosay. Thisnarrativedealswithliberationlisteningtoitwithotherwiseseekerswhoareassembledhere,youwillrealisethatsupremebeingwherethereisnosorrownor destruction.ThiswasrevealedtomebythecreatorBrahma*himselfinapreviousage. Rama*,theomnipresentomniscienceorthecosmicbeingshineseternallyinallbeings.Whenavibrationarisesinthatcosmicbeing,lordVisnu*isborn,evenasa waveariseswhenthesurfaceoftheoceanisagitated.FromthatVisnu*,Brahma*thecreatorwasborn.Brahma*begantocreatethecountlessvarietiesofanimate andinanimate,sentientandinsentientbeingsintheuniverse.Andtheuniversewasasitwasbeforethecosmicdissolution. TheCreatorsawthatalllivingbeingsintheuniverseweresubjecttodiseaseanddeath,topainandsuffering.Inhishearttherearosecompassion,andhesoughttolay downapaththatmightleadlivingbeingsawayfromallthis.Hethereuponinstitutedcentresofpilgrimageandnoblevirtueslikeausterity,charity,truthfulnessand righteousconduct.Butthesewereinadequatetheycouldbestowonlytemporaryrelieffromsufferingonpeopleandnotfinalliberationfromsorrow. Reflectingthus,theCreatorbroughtmeintobeing.Hedrewmetohimselfanddrewtheveilofignoranceovermyheart.InstantlyIforgotmyidentityandmyself nature.Iwasmiserable.IbeggedofBrahma*thecreator,myownfather,toshowmethewayoutofthismisery.SunkinmymiseryIwasunableandunwillingtodo anything,andIremainedlazyandinactive. Inresponsetomyprayer,myfatherrevealedtomethetrueknowledgewhichinstantlydispelledtheveilofignorancethathehimselfhadspreadoverme.TheCreator thensaidtome:"Myson,Iveiledtheknowledgeandrevealedittoyousothatyoumayexperienceitsgloryforonlythenwillyoubeabletounderstandthetravailof ignorantbeingsandtohelpthem."Rama*,equipped

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withthisknowledge,IamhereandIwillcontinuetobeheretilltheendofcreation. II:11 VASISTHA*continued:

EvensoineveryagetheCreatorwillsintobeingseveralsagesandmyselfforthespiritualenlightenmentofall.And,inordertoensurethedueperformanceofthe seculardutiesbyall,Brahma*alsocreateskingswhorulejustlyandwiselyoverpartsoftheearth.Thesekings,however,aresooncorruptedbylustforpowerand pleasureconflictofinterestsleadstowarsamongthemwhichinturngiverisetoremorse.Toremovetheirignorance,thesagesusedtoimpartspiritualwisdomto them.Indaysofyore,ORama*,kingsusedtoreceivethiswisdomandcherishithenceitwasknownasRajaVidya*,KinglyScience. Thehighestformofdispassionbornofpurediscriminationhasariseninyourheart,ORama*,anditissuperiortodispassionbornofacircumstantialcauseoranutter disgust.SuchdispassionissurelyduetothegraceofGod.Thisgracemeetsthematurityofdiscriminationattheexactmomentwhendispassionisgeneratedinthe heart. Aslongasthehighestwisdomdoesnotdawnintheheart,thepersonrevolvesinthiswheelofbirthanddeath.Pray,listentomyexpositionofthiswisdomwitha concentratedmind. Thiswisdomdestroystheforestofignorance.Roaminginthisforestoneundergoesconfusionandseeminglyinterminablesuffering.Oneshouldthereforeapproachan enlightenedteacherandbyaskingtherightquestionwiththerightattitude,elicittheteaching.Itthenbecomesanintegralpartofone'sbeing.Thefoolasksirrelevant questionsirreverentlyandthegreaterfoolishewhospurnsthesage'swisdom.Heissurelynotasagewhorespondstothevainquestionsofafoolishquestioner. ORama*,youareindeedthebestamongallseekers,foryouhavedulyreflectedoverthetruthandyouareinspiredbythebestformofdispassion.AndIamsure thatwhatIamgoingtosaytoyouwillfindafirmseatinyourheart.Indeed,oneshouldpositivelystrivetoenthronewisdominone'sheart,forthemindisunsteady likeamonkey.And,oneshouldthenavoidunwisecompany. Rama*,therearefourgatekeepersattheentrancetotheRealmofFreedom(Moksa*).Theyareselfcontrol,spiritofenquiry,contentmentandgoodcompany.The wiseseekershoulddiligentlycultivatethefriendshipofthese,oratleastoneofthem. II:12,13 VASISTHA*continued:

Withapureheartandareceptivemind,andwithouttheveilofdoubtandtherestlessnessofthemind,listentotheexpositionofthenatureandthemeansofliberation, ORama*.For,notuntilthe

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supremebeingisrealisedwillthedreadfulmiseriesofbirthanddeathcometoanend.Ifthisdeadlyserpentknownasignorantlifeisnotovercomehereandnow,it givesrisetointerminablesufferingnotonlyinthisbutincountlesslifetimestocome.Onecannotignorethissuffering,butoneshouldovercomeitbymeansofthe wisdomthatIshallimparttoyou. ORama*,ifyouthusovercomethissorrowofrepetitivehistory(samsara*),youwilllivehereonearthitselflikeagod,likeBrahma*orVisnu*!Forwhendelusionis goneandthetruthisrealisedbymeansofenquiryintoselfnature,whenthemindisatpeaceandtheheartleapstothesupremetruth,whenallthedisturbingthought wavesinthemindstuffhavesubsidedandthereisunbrokenflowofpeaceandtheheartisfilledwiththeblissoftheabsolute,whenthusthetruthhasbeenseeninthe heart,thenthisveryworldbecomesanabodeofbliss. Suchapersonhasnothingtoacquire,noranythingtoshun.Heisuntaintedbythedefectsoflife,untouchedbyitssorrow.Hedoesnotcomeintobeingnorgoout, thoughheappearstocomeandgointheeyesofthebeholder.Evenreligiousdutiesarefoundtobeunnecessary.Heisnotaffectedbythepasttendencieswhichhave losttheirmomentum:hismindhasgivenupitsrestlessness,andherestsintheblissthatishisessentialnature.Suchblissispossibleonlybyselfknowledge,notbyany othermeans.Hence,oneshouldapplyoneselfconstantlytoselfknowledgethisaloneisone'sduty. Hewhodisregardsholyscripturesandholymendoesnotattainselfknowledge.Suchfoolishnessismoreharmfulthanalltheillnessesthatoneissubjecttointhis world.Hence,oneshoulddevoutlylistentothisscripturewhichleadsonetoselfknowledge.Hewhoobtainsthisscripturedoesnotagainfallintotheblindwellof ignorance.ORama*,ifyouwanttofreeyourselffromthesorrowofsamsara*(repetitivehistory)receivethewholesomeinstructionsofsageslikemeandbefree. VASISTHA*continued: Inordertocrossthisformidableoceanofsamsara*(repetitivehistory),oneshouldresorttothatwhichiseternalandunchanging.Healoneisthebestamongmen,O Rama*,whosemindrestsintheeternalandis,therefore,fullyselfcontrolledandatpeace.Heseesthatpleasureandpainchaseandcanceleachother,andinthat wisdomthereisselfcontrolandpeace.Hewhodoesnotseethissleepsinaburninghouse. Hewhogainsthewisdomoftheeternalhereisfreedfromsamsara*andheisnotbornagaininignorance.Onemaydoubtwhethersuchunchangingtruthexists!Ifit doesnot,onecomesto

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noharmbyenquiringintothenatureoflifeseekingtheeternalwillsoftenthepaincausedbythechangesinlife.But,ifitexists,thenbyknowingitoneisfreed. Theeternalisnotattainedbyritesandrituals,bypilgrimagesnorbywealthitistobeattainedonlybytheconquestofone'smind,bythecultivationofwisdom.Hence everyonegods,demons,demigodsormenshouldconstantlyseek(whetheroneiswalking,fallingorsitting)theconquestofthemindandselfcontrolwhicharethe fruitsofwisdom. Whenthemindisatpeace,pure,tranquil,freefromdelusionorhallucination,untangledandfreefromcravings,itdoesnotlongforanythingnordoesitrejectanything. ThisisselfcontrolorconquestofmindoneofthefourgatekeeperstoliberationwhichImentionedearlier. Allthatisgoodandauspiciousflowsfromselfcontrol.Allevilisdispelledbyselfcontrol.Nogain,nopleasureinthisworldorinheaveniscomparabletothedelight ofselfcontrol.Thedelightoneexperiencesinthepresenceoftheselfcontrolledisincomparable.Everyonespontaneouslytrustshim.None(notevendemonsand goblins)hateshim. Selfcontrol,ORama*,isthebestremedyforallphysicalandmentalills.Whenthereisselfcontrol,eventhefoodyoueattastesbetter,elseittastesbitter.Hewho wearsthearmourofselfcontrolisnotharmedbysorrow. Hewhoevenwhilehearing,touching,seeing,smellingandtastingwhatisregardedaspleasantandunpleasant,isneitherelatednordepressedheisselfcontrolled. Hewholooksuponallbeingswithequalvision,havingbroughtundercontrolthesensationsofpleasureandpain,isselfcontrolled.Hewho,thoughlivingamongstall isunaffectedbythem,neitherfeelselatednorhates,evenasoneisduringsleepheisselfcontrolled. II:14 VASISTHA*continued:

Enquiry(thesecondgatekeepertoliberation)shouldbeundertakenbyanintelligencethathasbeenpurifiedbyaclosestudyofthescripture,andthisenquiryshould beunbroken.Bysuchenquirytheintelligencebecomeskeenandisabletorealisethesupremehenceenquiryaloneisthebestremedyforthelonglastingillness knownassamsara*. Thewisemanregardsstrength,intellect,efficiencyandtimelyactionasthefruitsofenquiry.Indeedkingdom,prosperity,enjoyment,aswellasfinalliberation,areall thefruitsofenquiry.Thespiritofenquiryprotectsonefromthecalamitiesthatbefalltheunthinkingfool.Whenthemindhasbeenrendereddullbythe

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absenceofenquiry,eventhecoolraysofthemoonturnintodeadlyweapons,andthechildishimaginationthrowsupagoblinineverydarkspot.Hence,thenon enquiringfoolisreallyastorehouseofsorrow.Itistheabsenceofenquirythatgivesrisetoactionsthatareharmfultooneselfandtoothers,andtonumerous psychosomaticillnesses.Therefore,oneshouldavoidthecompanyofsuchunthinkingpeople. Theyinwhomthespiritofenquiryiseverawakeilluminetheworld,enlightenallwhocomeintocontactwiththem,dispeltheghostscreatedbyanignorantmind,and realisethefalsityofsensepleasuresandtheirobjects.ORama*,inthelightofenquirythereisrealisationoftheeternalandunchangingrealitythisisthesupreme. Withitonedoesnotlongforanyothergainnordoesonespurnanything.Heisfreefromdelusion,attachmentheisnotinactivenordoeshegetdrownedinactionhe livesandfunctionsinthisworldandattheendofanaturallifespanhereachestheblissfulstateoftotalfreedom. Theeyeofspiritualenquirydoesnotloseitssighteveninthemidstofallactivitieshewhodoesnothavethiseyeisindeedtobepitied.Itisbettertobebornasafrog inthemud,awormindung,asnakeinahole,butnottobewithoutthiseye.Whatisenquiry?Toenquirethus:"WhoamI?Howhasthisevilofsamsara*(repetitive history)comeintobeing?"istrueenquiry.Knowledgeoftrutharisesfromsuchenquiryfromsuchknowledgetherefollowstranquilityinoneselfandthentherearises thesupremepeacethatpassethunderstandingandtheendingofallsorrow. (Vicara*orenquiryisnotreasoningnoranalysis:itisdirectlylookingintooneself.) VASISTHA*continued: II:l5,16

Contentmentisanothergatekeepertoliberation.Hewhohasquaffedthenectarofcontentmentdoesnotrelishcravingforsensepleasuresnodelightinthisworldis assweetascontentmentwhichdestroysallsins. Whatiscontentment?Torenounceallcravingforwhatisnotobtainedunsoughtandtobesatisfiedwithwhatcomesunsought,withoutbeingelatedordepressedeven bythemthisiscontentment.Aslongasoneisnotsatisfiedintheself,hewillbesubjectedtosorrow.Withtheriseofcontentmentthepurityofone'sheartblooms. Thecontentedmanwhopossessesnothingownstheworld. Satsanga*(companyofthewise,holyandenlightenedpersons)isyetanothergatekeepertoliberation.Satsanga*enlargesone'sintelligence,destroysone's ignoranceandone'spsychologicaldistress.Whateverbethecost,howeverdifficultitmaybe,whateverobstacles

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maystandinitsway,satsanga*shouldneverbeneglected.For,satsanga*aloneisone'slightonthepathoflife.Satsanga*isindeedsuperiortoallotherformsof religiouspracticelikecharity,austerity,pilgrimageandtheperformanceofreligiousrites. Oneshouldbyeverymeansinone'spoweradoreandservetheholymenwhohaverealisedthetruthandinwhoseheartthedarknessofignorancehasbeendispelled. Theywho,ontheotherhand,treatsuchholymendisrespectfully,surelyinvitegreatsuffering. Thesefourcontentment,satsanga*(companyofwisemen),thespiritofenquiry,andselfcontrolarethefoursurestmeansbywhichtheywhoaredrowninginthis oceanofsamsara*(repetitivehistory)canbesaved.Contentmentisthesupremegain.Satsanga*isthebestcompaniontothedestination.Thespiritofenquiryitselfis thegreatestwisdom.And,selfcontrolissupremehappiness.Ifyouareunabletoresorttoallthesefour,thenpractiseone:bythediligentpracticeofoneofthese,the otherswillalsobefoundinyou.Thehighestwisdomwillseekyouofitsownaccord.Untilyoutamethewildelephantofyourmindwiththehelpofthesenoble qualities,youcannothaveprogresstowardsthesupreme,evenifyoubecomeagod,demigodoratree.Therefore,ORama*,strivebyallmeanstocultivatethese noblequalities. II:17 VASISTHA*said:

HewhoisendowedwiththequalitiesthatIhaveenumeratedthusfarisqualifiedtolistentowhatIamabouttoreveal.Youareindeedsuchaqualifiedperson,O Rama*.Onlyhewouldwishtohearthiswhoisripeforliberation.Butthisrevelationiscapableofleadingonetoliberationevenifonedoesnotdesireit,asalightis capableofilluminingtheeyesofeventhesleepingperson.Aswhenthetruththataropeisaropeisseenandthefeargeneratedbythemisunderstandingthatitisa snakedisappears,thestudyofthisscripturefreesonefromsorrow,bornofsamsara*. Thisscriptureconsistsof32,000couplets.ThefirstsectionknownasVairagya*Prakaranam*(chapterondispassion)impartstooneknowledgeofthetruenatureof lifeinthisworld.Itscarefulstudypurifiestheheart.Thissectionconsistsof1,500couplets. Thenextsection,knownasMumuksu*Vyavahara*Prakaranam*(concerningthebehaviourofaseekerofliberation)consistsof1,000couplets.Inthisthe qualificationsofaseekeraredescribed. AfterthatcomestheUtpattiPrakaranam*(sectiononcreation)whichconsistsof7,000couplets.Initarefoundmanyinspiringstorieswhichhelpillustratethegreat truth,whichis:onaccountoftheinterplayofthefalseideasof'this'and'I',theuniversewhichhasnevertrulybeencreated,appearstobe.

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ThenextistheSthitiPrakaranam*(sectiononexistence)anditconsistsof3,000couplets.Withthehelpofstoriesagain,thetruthconcerningtheexistenceofthis worldanditssubstratumisrevealed. AfterthatcomestheUpasanti*Prakaranam*(sectiononcessation)whichconsistsof5,000couplets.Bylisteningtothis,thedeludedperceptionoftheworldcomes toanend,leavingonlyatraceofignorance. Lastly,theNirvana*Prakaranam*(sectiononliberation)whichrunsto14,500couplets.Astudyandunderstandingofthissectiondestroysone'sfundamental ignoranceandwhenallkindsofdelusionsandhallucinationsaresetatrest,thereistotalfreedom.Thoughstillwearingaphysicalbody,helivesasifheisfreefromit, freeofallcravingsanddesires,attachmentandaversion.Heisfreefromsamsara*(repetitivehistory).Hereandnow,heisfreefromthedemonknownasegotism. Heisonewiththeinfinite. VASISTHA*continued: II:18

Onewhosowstheseedoftheknowledgeofthisscripturesoonobtainsthefruitoftherealisationoftruth.Thoughhumaninorigin,anexpositionoftruthistobe acceptedotherwiseevenwhatisregardedasdivinerevelationistoberejected.Evenayoungboy'swordsaretobeacceptediftheyarewordsofwisdomelse, rejectitlikestrawevenifutteredbyBrahmathecreator. Hewholistenstoandreflectsupontheexpositionofthisscriptureenjoysunfathomablewisdom,firmconvictionandunperturbablecoolnessofspirit.Soonhe becomesaliberatedsagewhosegloryisindescribable. Thesageofinfinitevisionseesintheoneundividedintelligencecountlessuniverses,forhehasrealisedthemagicofMaya*orcosmicillusion.Heseestheinfinityin everyatom,andthereforeheisunattachedtotheriseandfalloftheideasofcreation.Hence,heisevercontentedwithwhatcomesunsought(whichhedoesnot reject)andhedoesnotrunafterwhathasbeentakenawayfromhimforwhichhedoesnotgrieve. Thisscriptureiseasyofcomprehensionasitisrichlyembellishedwithanumberofinterestingstories.Onewhostudiesthisscriptureandcontemplatesitsmeaninghas noneedtoundertakeausterities,meditationorrepetitionofamantraforwhatisgreaterthanliberationwhichisgrantedbyastudyofthisscripture? Onewhostudiesthisscriptureandcomprehendsitsteachingisnolongerdeludedbyworldappearance.Whenoneseesthattheyonderdeadlysnakeisalifelike painting,oneisnolongerafraidofit.Whentheworldappearanceisseenasanappearanceitdoesnot

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produceeitherelationorsorrow.Itisindeedagreatpitythatevenwhensuchascriptureexists,peopleseeksensepleasureswhichleadtogreatsorrow. ORama*,whenatruththathasnotbeenpersonallyexperiencedisexpounded,onedoesnotgraspitexceptwiththehelpofanillustration.Suchillustrationshave beenusedinthisscripturewithadefinitepurposeandalimitedintention.Theyarenottobetakenliterally,noristheirsignificancetobestretchedbeyondtheintention. Whenthescriptureisthusstudied,theworldappearstobeadreamvision.Theseindeedarethepurposeandthepurportoftheillustrations.Letnooneofperverted intellectmisinterprettheillustrationsgiveninthisscripture. II:19,20 VASISTHA*continued:

Parableshaveonlyonepurpose:toenablethelistenertoarriveatthetruth.Therealisationoftruthissovitalthatanyreasonablemethodusedisjustified,thoughthe parablesthemselvesmaybefictitious.Theparablesthemselvesareonlypartlyapplicabletothetruththusillustrated,andonlythatpartistobegraspedandtherest ignored.Studyandunderstandingofthescriptureswiththehelpofillustrationsandofaqualifiedteacherarenecessaryonlytillonerealisesthetruth. Again,suchstudyshouldcontinuetillthetruthisrealisedoneshouldnotstopshortofcompleteenlightenment.Alittleknowledgeofthescriptureresultsinconfusion worseconfounded.Nonrecognitionoftheexistenceofsupremepeaceintheheartandassumptionoftherealityofimaginaryfactors,arebothbornofimperfect knowledgeandtheconsequentpervertedlogic. Evenastheoceanisthesubstratumofallthewaves,directexperiencealoneisthebasisforallproofsthedirectexperienceoftruthasitis.Thatsubstratumisthe experiencingintelligencewhichitselfbecomestheexperiencer,theactofexperiencing,andtheexperience.Theexperiencingaloneisthefactyet,inastateofnon understanding,thisexperiencingseemstohaveasubject(theexperiencer).Wisdomthatisbornofthespiritofenquirydispelsthisnonunderstandingandthe undividedintelligenceshinesinitsownlight.Atthatstageeventhespiritofenquirybecomessuperfluousanddissolvesitself. Evenasmovementisinherentinair,manifestation(asthesubtleperceivingmindandthegrossobjectsitperceives)isinherentinthisexperiencingintelligence.Andthe perceivingmind,onaccountofignorance,thinks''Iamsuchandsuchanobject''andthencebecomesthat.Theobjectisexperiencedonlyinthesubject,not elsewhere!

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ORama*,tillsuchtimeasthiswisdomarisesdirectlyinyou,takerecoursetotheknowledgetransmittedbythegreatteachers.Whenyoureceivesuchknowledge fromthegreatteachers,yourbehaviourwillmirrortheirsandwhenthusyougrowintheirvirtuousqualities,yourwisdomwillunfoldwithinyou.Wisdomand emulationofthenoblebehaviourofholyonesthriveoneachother!

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PARTTHREE ONCREATION

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AKASA*SpaceorDimension.
Threeimportantwordsoccurinthetext,whichare:cidakasa*,cittakasa*andbhutakasa*.Literallyakasa*meansspaceandhencecidakasa*means consciousnessspace,cittakasa*meansmindspaceandbhutakasa*meanstheelementspace.Thesethreeconceptsarethusbeautifullyexplainedby Bhagavan*Ramana*Maharsi:*.
"Itissaidthatcidakasa*itselfisatma*svarupa*(imageofatma*)andthatwecanviewitonlywiththehelpofthemind.Howcanweseeit,ifthemindhassubsided?" someoneasked.Bhagavan*said:"Iftheskyistakenasanillustrationitmustbestatedtobeofthreevarieties,cidakasa*,cittakasa*andbhutakasa*Thenaturalstateis calledcidakasa*theIfeelingthatisbornfromcidakasa*iscittakasa*.Asthatcittakasa*expandsandtakestheshapeofallthebhutas*(elements)thisisallbhutakasa* Whenthecittakasa*whichisconsciousnessoftheself(''I'')doesnotseethecidakasa*butseesthebhutakasa*itissaidtobemanoakasa*andwhenwhenitleavesmano akasa*andseescidakasa*itissaidtobecinmaya(pureconsciousness).Thesubsidingofthemindmeans,theideaofmultiplicityofobjectsvanishesandtheideaofoneness ofobjectsappears.Whenthatisachievedeverythingappearsnatural."

Perhaps,abettertranslationforthewordakasa*is"dimension".Thesameinfiniteconsciousnessisknownascidakasa*,cittakasa*andbhutakasa* viewedfromthespiritual,mental(conceptual)andphysicaldimensionrespectively.

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VASISTHA*continued:

III:l

Ishallnowdeclaretoyouthecreationanditssecret.For,itisonlyaslongasoneinveststheperceivedobjectwithrealitythatbondagelastsoncethatnotiongoes, withitgoesbondage.Hereinthiscreationonlythatwhichiscreatedgrows,decaysandthengoeseithertoheavenortohell,anditgetsliberated. Duringthecosmicdissolutiontheentireobjectivecreationisresolvedintotheinfinitebeing,whichisvariouslydesignatedasAtma*,Brahman,Truth,etc.,bythewise, tofacilitatecommunicationanddialogue.Thissameinfiniteselfconceiveswithinitselfthedualityofoneselfandtheother.Thence,mindarises,asawaveariseswhen thesurfaceofthecalmoceanisdisturbed.But,pleasebearinmindthatjustasabraceletofgoldisbutgold(andthoughgoldexistswithoutbeingabracelet,bracelet doesnotexistwithoutgoldorothermetal),thequalitiesandthenatureofthecreatedandthepotentialityofcreationareinherentinthecreator.Themindisnon differentfrom(hasnoexistenceindependentof)theinfiniteself. Evenasthemirageappearstobeaveryrealriverofwater,thiscreationappearstobeentirelyreal.And,aslongasoneclingstothenotionoftherealityof"you"and "I",thereisnoliberation.Notbymerelyandverballydenyingsuchanotionofexistenceisitobliterated:onthecontrary,suchdenialitselfbecomesafurther distraction. Rama*,ifthecreationisinfactrealthenthereisnopossibilityofitscessation:foritisanimmutablelawthattheunrealhasnoreal

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existenceandtherealdoesnotceasetobe.Austerity,meditationandsuchotherpracticescanthereforenotcauseitscessationnorenlightenment.Aslongasthe notionofcreationlasts,eventhecontemplation(samadhi*)inwhichthereisnomovementofthought(nirvikalpa)isnotpossible.Evenifitwerepossible,themoment onereturnsfromsuchcontemplation,thecreationwithitssorrowarisesinthemind.Movementofthoughtcreatesthenotionofcreatedobjects. Evenastheessenceexistsinallthings,asoilexistsinsesameseeds,asaromaexistsinflowers,thefacultyofobjectiveperceptionexistsintheperceiver.Evenasthe dreamobjectsareexperiencedonlybythedreamer,theobjectsofperceptionareexperiencedbytheperceiver.Justasfromaseedthesproutarisesinduetime,this potentialitybecomesmanifestasthenotionofcreation. III:2 VASISTHA*continued:

ThereisaholymannamedAkasaja*(lit.bornofspace).Heisinconstantmeditationandhasthewelfareofallatheart.Hehadlivedforalongtime,whendeath desiredtodevourhim.Whendeathapproachedhim,ithadtostrugglewithafiercefirethatprotectedtheholyman.Evenafterfendingthisoff,deathwasunableto touchhim!Bewilderedbythisextraordinaryandunprecedentedevent,deathwenttothelordYamawhopresidesoverthedestiniesofmortalsandquestionedhim: "Pray,Lord,tellmewhyitisthatIamunabletograsphim." Yamaanswered:Infact,Odeath,youdonotreallykillanyone!Deathisreallycausedbyone'sownkarma(thefruitionofone'sownaction).Hence,discoverthis man'sfatalkarma." Evenasnoonecanfindthewhereaboutsofabarrenwoman'sson,deathcouldnotdiscovertheholyman'skarmaanywhereintheworld.HereportedthistoYama. Yamasaid:"Odeath,thisholymanAkasaja*wastrulybornofspaceandhasnokarmaatall.Heisaspureasspace.Hencehehasincurrednokarmawhichcan helpyougrasphimordevourhim.Evenasabarrenwoman'sson,thisholymanisnotborn.Hehadno'previousbirth'karmaeitherandthereforehehasnomind hencehehasnotevencommittedamentalactionwhichcouldbringhimwithinyourreach.Heisnothingbutamassofintelligence.Heappearstobealivingbeingonly inoureyesinhimtheredoesnotexistanysuchnotionascangiverisetokarma.Consciousnessisreflectedinconsciousnessandthereflectionassumes independence!Itisafalseassumption,notarealexistenceandthisholymanknowsthistruth. "Evenasliquidityisnaturallypresentinwaterandemptinessin

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space,thisholymanlivesinthesupremespirit.Hisisacauselessmanifestation:andhenceheisknownasselfcreated.Hewhoentertainsthefoolishnotionthat'Iam thisbodymadeupofearth'isentangledinmatter,andyoucanoverpowerhim.Sincethisholymanhasnosuchnotion(andhenceheistrulybodiless)heisbeyond yourreach. "Thisholymanhasneverbeenborn.Heispureconsciousnessthathasundergonenochange.Intheinfinitebeingatthebeginningofanepochtherearisesavibration onaccountoflatentignorance:andthismanifestsasdiversebeings,asifinacosmicdream.Uninvolvedinthis,thisholymanremainspureconsciousness." VASISTHA*said:IntheCreatorthereisneitheraseernoranobjectofperception.Yet,heisknownasselfcreated.Heshinesincosmicconsciousnessasa paintinginthemindofanartist. VASISTHA*continued: III:3

IntheCreatorthereisnomemoryofthepastsincehehadnopreviouskarma.Hedoesnotevenhaveaphysicalbodytheunbornisofspiritualsubstance.Mortal beingshavetwobodies,asitwere,onephysicalandtheotherspiritual,buttheunbornCreatorhasonlythespiritual,sincethecausethatgivesrisetothephysical doesnotexistinhim. Hewasnotcreated,butheistheCreatorofallbeings.Surely,thecreated(likeabracelet)isofthesamesubstanceasthatofwhichitwascreated(gold).The Creator'sthoughtbeingthecauseofthismanifoldcreationandtheCreatorhimselfhavingnophysicalbody,thecreation,too,istrulyofthenatureofthought,without materiality. AthrobbingaroseintheCreatorwhosethoughthadspreadoutastheuniverse.Thisthrobbroughtintobeingthesubtlebody(madeofintelligence)ofallbeings. Madeonlyofthought,allthesebeingsonlyappearedtobe,thoughtheyfeltthatthatappearancewasreal.However,thisappearancethusimaginedtobereal, producedrealisticresultsorconsequences,evenassexualenjoymentinadreamdoes.Similarly,eventheCreator(theholymanofthestory)thoughhehasnobody, appearstohaveabody. TheCreatorisalsoofadualnature:consciousnessandthought.Consciousnessispurethoughtissubjecttoconfusion.Hence,heappearstocomeintobeing(arise), thoughhedoesnotsoarise.Heistheintelligencethatsupportstheentireuniverse,andeverythoughtthatarisesinthatintelligencegivesrisetoaform.Thoughall theseformsareofthenatureofpureintelligence,onaccountofselfforgetfulnessofthis,andofthethoughtofphysicalforms,theyfreezeintothephysicalforms,even asgoblinsthoughformless

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areseentohaveformsonaccountoftheperceiver'sdelusion. TheCreator,however,isnotsubjecttosuchdelusion.Hence,heisalwaysofaspiritualnature,notmaterialistic.TheCreatorisspiritualandevenso,hiscreation, too,isinrealityspiritualinessence.Thiscreationiscauseless.Hence,itisessentiallyspiritualevenasthesupremebeing,Brahman,is.Thematerialityofthecreationis likethecastleintheair,anillusoryprojectionofone'sownmindimaginary. TheCreatoristhemindmindorpureintelligenceishisbody.Thoughtisinherentinthemind.Theobjectofperceptionisinherentintheperceiver.Whohasever discoveredadistinctionbetweenthetwo? III:4 VALMIKI*said:

Atthisstagethesunspedtowardsthewesternhillsasifeagertomeditateuponthesage'swordsandtoillumineotherpartsoftheearth.Theassemblydispersedfor prayers.Thenextmorningallthemembersofthecourtreassembledasbefore. RAMA*asked: OHolysage!Pray,tellmewhatthemindreallyis. VASISTHA*replied: Evenasempty,inertnothingnessisknownasspace,mindisemptynothingness.Whetherthemindisrealorunreal,itisthatwhichisapprehendedinobjectsof perception.Rama*,thoughtismindthereisnodistinctionbetweenthetwo.Theselfthatisclothedinthespiritualbodyisknownasminditisthatwhichbringsthe materialorphysicalbodyintoexistence.Ignorance,samsara*(repetitivehistory),mindstuff,bondage,impurity,darknessandinertiaareallsynonyms.Experience aloneistheminditisnoneotherthantheperceived. Thisentireuniverseisforevernondifferentfromtheconsciousnessthatdwellsineveryatom,evenasanornamentisnondifferentfromgold.Justasanornament potentiallyexistsingold,theobjectexistsinthesubject.Butwhenthisnotionoftheobjectisfirmlyrejectedandremovedfromthesubject,thenconsciousnessalone existswithoutevenanapparentorpotentialobjectivity.Whenthisisrealised,evilslikeattractionandrepulsion,loveandhate,ceaseinone'sheart,asalsothefalse notionsoftheworld,you,I,etc.Eventhetendencytoobjectifyceasesthisisfreedom. RAMA*asked: Holysir,iftheobjectofperceptionisreal,thenitshallnotceasetobe.Ifitisunreal,thenwedonotseeitasunrealsohowcanweovercomethis?

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VASISTHA*said: Yet,ORama*,weseethatthereareholyoneswhohaveovercomethis!Externalobjectslikespace,etc.,andpsychologicalfactorslike"I"etc.,existonlyinname.In realityneithertheobjectiveuniverse,northeperceivingself,norperceptionassuch,norvoid,norinertnessexistsonlyoneis,cosmicconsciousness(cit).Inthisitis themindthatconjuresupthediversity,diverseactionsandexperiences,thenotionofbondageandthedesireforliberation. RAMA*asked: III:5,6

OHolysage!Whatisthesourceofthismindandhowdiditarise?Kindlyenlightenmeonthese. VASISTHA*replied: Afterthecosmicdissolutionandbeforethenextepochdawned,theentireobjectiveuniversewasinastateofperfectequilibrium.Therethenexistedthesupreme Lord,theeternal,unborn,selfeffulgent,whoistheallandwhoisomnipotent.Heisbeyondconceptionanddescriptionthoughheisknownbyvariousnameslike Atma*etc.,theseareviewpointsandnotthetruth.Heis,yetheisnotrealisedbytheworldheiswithinthebody,too,yetheisfar.Fromhimemergecountless divinitieslikelordVisnu*,evenascountlessraysemergefromthesunfromhimemergeinfiniteworldsasripplesarisefromthesurfaceoftheocean. Heisthecosmicintelligenceintowhichcountlessobjectsofperceptionenter.Heisthelightinwhichtheselfandtheworldshine.Heordainsthecharacteristicnature ofeverycreatedthing.Inhimtheworldsappearanddisappear,evenasamirageappearsanddisappearsrepeatedly.Hisform(theworld)vanishes,buthisselfis unchanging.Hedwellsinall.Heishiddenandheoverflows.Byhismerepresence,thisapparentlyinertmaterialworldanditsinhabitantsareeveractive.Becauseof hisomnipresentomnipotentomniscience,hisverythoughtsmaterialise. Thissupremeselfcannotberealised,ORama*,bymeansotherthanwisdomnotindeedbyexertingoneselfinreligiouspractices.Thisselfisneitherfarnornearit isnotinaccessiblenorisitindistantplaces:itiswhatinoneselfappearstobetheexperienceofbliss,andisthereforerealisedinoneself. Austerityorpenance,charityandtheobservancesofreligiousvowsdonotleadtotherealisationoftheLordonlythecompanyofholymenandthestudyoftrue scripturesarehelpful,astheydispelignoranceanddelusion.Indeed,whenoneisconvincedthatthisselfaloneisreal,onegoesbeyondsorrow,onthepathof liberation. Austerityorpenanceisselfinflictedpain.Ofwhatvalueischarity

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performedwithwealthearnedbydeceivingothersonlytheyderivethefruitsofsuchcharity!Religiousobservancesaddtoone'svanity.Thereisonlyoneremedyfor ignoranceoftheLordthefirmanddecisiverenunciationofcravingforsensepleasure. III:7 RAMA*asked:

WheredoesthisLorddwell,andhowcanIreachhim? VASISTHA*replied: HewhohasbeendescribedastheLordisnotveryfar:Heistheintelligencedwellinginthebody.Heistheuniverse,thoughtheuniverseisnothe.Heispure intelligence. RAMA*remarked: EvenalittleboysaysthattheLordisintelligence:whatneedisthereforspecialinstructionconcerningthis? VASISTHA*replied: Ah,onewhoknowsthatpureintelligenceistheobjectiveuniverseknowsnothing.Sentientistheuniverse,andsentientisthesoul(jiva*).Thesentientcreatesthe knowableandgetsinvolvedinsorrow.Whenthereiscessationoftheknowable,andtheflowofattentionistowardsthatwhichisnotknowable(pureintelligence), thenthereisfulfilmentandonegoesbeyondsorrow. Withoutthecessationoftheknowable,one'sattentioncannotbefinallyturnedawayfromtheknowable.Mereawarenessoftheinvolvementofthejiva*inthis samsara*isofnouse.ButifthesupremeLordisknown,thissorrowcomestoanend. RAMA*asked: Holysir,pleasedescribetheLord. VASISTHA*replied: Thecosmicintelligenceinwhichtheuniverseasitwereceasestobe,istheLord.Inhimthesubjectobjectrelationshipappearstohaveceased,assuch.Heisthe voidinwhichtheuniverseappearstoexist.Inhimevencosmicconsciousnessstandsstilllikeamountain. RAMA*askedagain: HowcanwerealisetheLordandrealisetheunrealityoftheuniversethatwehavecometoregardasreal? VASISTHA*answered:TheLordcanberealisedonlyifoneisfirmlyestablishedintheunrealityoftheuniverseevenasthebluenessoftheskyisunreal.Dualism presupposesunity,andnondualismsuggestsdualism.OnlywhenthecreationisknowntobeutterlynonexistenttheLordisrealised. III:8,9 RAMA*asked:

Holysir,bywhatmethodisthisknown,andwhatshouldIknowbywhichtheknowablecomestoanend?

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VASISTHA*replied: Thewrongnotionthatthisworldisrealhasbecomedeeprootedonaccountofpersistentwrongthinking.However,itcanberemovedthatverydayonwhichyou resorttothecompanyofholymenandtothestudyoftheholyscripture.OfallscripturesthisMaharamayanam*isbest.Whatisfoundhereisfoundelsewherewhat isnotfoundhereisnotfoundanywhereelse.However,ifonedoesnotwishtostudythisoneiswelcometostudyanyotherscripturethereisnoobjectiontothis. Whenthewrongnotionisdispelledandthetruthrealised,thatrealisationsothoroughlysaturatesone,thatonethinksofit,speaksofit,rejoicesinitandteachesitto others.SuchpeoplearesometimescalledJivanmuktas*andalsoVidehamuktas. RAMA*asked: Lord,whatarethecharacteristicsofJivanmuktas*(liberatedwhileliving)andVidehamuktas(liberatedoneswhohavenobody)? VASISTHA*replied: Hewho,whilelivinganapparentlynormallife,experiencesthewholeworldasanemptiness,isaJivanmukta*.Heisawakebutenjoysthecalmnessofdeepsleephe isunaffectedintheleastbypleasureandpain.Heisawakeindeepsleepbutheisneverawaketothisworld.Hiswisdomisuncloudedbylatenttendencies.He appearstobesubjecttolikes,dislikesandfearbutinfactheisasfreeasthespace.Heisfreefromegotismandvolitionandhisintelligenceisunattachedwhetherin actionorininaction.Noneisafraidofhimheisafraidofnone.HebecomesaVidehamuktawhen,induetime,thebodyisdropped. TheVidehamuktais,yetisnot,isnot'I'northe'other'.Heisthesunthatshines,Visnu*thatprotectsall,Rudrathatdestroysall,Brahmathatcreatesheisspace,the earth,waterandfire.Heisinfactcosmicconsciousnessthatwhichistheveryessenceinallbeings.Allthatwhichisinthepast,presentandfutureallindeedishe andhealone. RAMA*askedagain: Lord,myperceptionisdistorted:howcanIattaintothatstateyouhaveindicated? VASISTHA*replied: Whatisknownasliberation,ORama*,isindeedtheabsoluteitself,whichaloneis.Thatwhichisperceivedhereas'I','you'etc.,onlyseemstobe,forithasnever beencreated.HowcanwesaythatthatBrahmanhasbecomealltheseworlds? ORama*,inornamentsIseeonlygold,inwavesIseeonlywater,inairIseeonlymovement,inspaceIseeonlyemptiness,inmirage

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Iseeonlyheat,andnaughtelsesimilarly,IseeonlyBrahmantheabsolute,nottheworlds. Theperceptionof'theworlds'isbeginninglessignorance.Yetitwillvanishwiththehelpofenquiryintotruth.Onlythatceasestobewhichhascomeintobeing.This worldhasneverreallycomeintobeing,yetitappearstobetheexpositionofthistruthiscontainedinthischapteroncreation. Whenthepreviouscosmicdissolutiontookplace,allthatappearedtobebeforedisappeared.Thentheinfinitealoneremaineditwasneitheremptinessnoraform, neithersightnortheseen,andonecouldnotsaythatitwas,northatitwasnot.Ithasnoears,noeyes,notongue,andyetithears,seesandeats.Itisuncausedand uncreatedanditisthecauseofeverythingaswateristhecauseofwaves.Thisinfiniteandeternallightisintheheartofall:andinitslightthethreeworldsshine,asa mirage. Whentheinfinitevibrates,theworldsappeartoemergewhenitdoesnotvibrate,theworldsappeartosubmerge:evenaswhenafirebrandiswhirledfastafiery circleappears,andwhenitisheldsteady,thecirclevanishes.Vibratingornotvibrating,itisthesameeverywhereatalltimes.Notrealisingit,oneissubjectto delusionwhenitisrealisedallcravingsandanxietiesvanish. Fromitistimefromitisperceptionoftheperceivableobject.Action,form,taste,smell,sound,touchandthinkingallthatyouknowisitaloneanditisthatby whichyouknowallthis!Itisintheseer,sightandseenastheveryseeingwhenyouknowit,yourealiseyourself. III:10 RAMA*said:

Holysir,howcanitbesaidtobenotempty,nottobeilluminatedandnotdark?Bysuchcontradictoryexpressionsyouconfuseme! VASISTHA*replied: Rama*,youareaskingimmaturequestions.Yet,Ishallelucidatethecorrectmeaning. Evenastheuncarvedimageisforeverpresentinablock,theworldwhetheryouregarditasrealorunrealisinherentintheabsolute,whichisthereforenotvoid.Just asinacalmocean,onecannotsaythattherearenowavespresent,theabsoluteisnotemptyoftheworld.Ofcourse,theseillustrationshavelimitedapplicationand shouldnotbeexceeded. Intruth,however,thisworlddoesnotarisefromtheabsolutenordoesitmergeinit.Theabsolutealoneexistsnowandforever.Whenonethinksofitasavoid,itis becauseofthefeelingonehasthatitisnotvoidwhenonethinksofitasnotvoid,itisbecausethereisafeelingthatitisvoid.

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Theabsoluteisimmaterialandsomaterialsourcesoflightlikethesun,donotillumineit.Butitisselfluminous,andthereforeitisnotinertnordark.Thisabsolute cannotberealisedorexperiencedbyanotheronlytheabsolutecanrealiseitself. Theinfinite(spaceof)consciousnessisevenpurerthaninfinitespaceandtheworldisevenasthatinfiniteis.But,onewhohasnottastedcapsicumdoesnotknowits tasteevenso,onedoesnotexperienceconsciousnessintheinfiniteintheabsenceofobjectivity.Hence,eventhisconsciousnessappearstobeinertorinsentient,and theworldisexperiencedassuchtoo.Evenasintangibleoceantangiblewavesareseen,intheformlessBrahmantheworldalsoexistswithoutform.Fromtheinfinite theinfiniteemergesandexistsinitastheinfinitehencetheworldhasneverreallybeencreateditisthesameasthatfromwhichitemerges. Whenthenotionofselfisdestroyedbythewithdrawalofthefuelofideasfromthemind,thatwhichis,istheinfinite.Thatwhichisnotsleepnorinert,istheinfinite.It isonaccountoftheinfinitethatknowledge,knowerandknownexistasone,intheabsenceoftheintellect. RAMA*said: III:11

Lord,duringthecosmicdissolution,thisworldwhichisclearlyseennowwheredoesitgo? VASISTHA*said: Fromwheredoesthesonofabarrenwomancome,andwheredoeshego?Abarrenwoman'ssonhasnoexistence,ever.Evenso,thisworldassuchhasno existence,ever.Thisanalogybafflesyouonlybecauseyouhavetakentheexistenceoftheworldforgranted. Considerthis:Isthereabraceletnessinthegoldenbracelet,isitnotjustgold?Isthereathingcalledskyindependentoftheemptiness?Evenso,thereisno''thing'' calledtheworldindependentofBrahmantheabsolute.Justascoldnessisinseparablefromice,whatiscalledtheworldisinseparablefromBrahman. Waterinthemiragedoesnotcomeintobeingandgooutofexistenceevensothisworlddoesnotcomeoutoftheabsolutenordoesitgoanywhere.Thecreationof theworldhasnocause,andthereforeithashadnobeginning.Itdoesnotexistevennowhowcanitreachdestruction? IfyouconcedethattheworldhasnotbeencreatedoutofBrahmanbutassertthatitisanappearancebasedontherealityofBrahman,thenindeeditdoesnotexist andBrahmanaloneexists.Itislikedream:inastateofignorancetheintelligencewithinoneselfappearsasnumerousdreamobjects,allofwhicharenothingotherthan thatintelligence.Evenso,inwhatisknownasthebeginningof

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creation,suchanappearancehappenedbutitisnotindependentofBrahman,itdoesnotexistapartfromBrahman,henceitdoesnotexist. RAMA*said: Holysir,ifthatisso,howisitthatthisworldhasacquiredsuchasenseofreality?Aslongastheperceiveris,theperceivedexists,andviceversa,andonlywhenboth thesecometoanendisthereliberation.Ifthereisacleanmirror,itreflectssomethingorotherallthetime:evensointheseerthiscreationwillagainandagainarise. However,ifthenonexistenceofcreationisrealisedthentheseerceasestobe.But,sucharealisationishardtoget! VASISTHA*said: Rama*,Ishallpresentlydispelyourdoubtswiththehelpofaparable.Youwillthenrealisethenonexistenceofcreationandleadanenlightenedlifeinthisworld. III:12 VASISTHA*said:

ORama*,Ishallnarratetoyouhowthiscreationappearstohaveemergedfromtheonepureundividedcosmicbeing,evenasdreamsappearintheconsciousnessof thesleepingperson. Thisuniverseisinfacttheeternaleffulgentinfiniteconsciousnesswhichgenerateswithinitselftheknowable(whichwouldbeknownasthatwhichistobe)withanidea concerningitsform(whichisspace),andwithanenquiryconcerningitself.Thusisspacebroughtintobeing.When,afteraconsiderabletimetheconsciousnessof creationbecomesstrongintheinfinitebeing,thefuturejiva*(livingcosmicsoulalsoknownasHiranyagarbha*)ariseswithinit:andtheinfiniteabandons,asitwere, itssupremestate,tolimititselfasthejiva*.However,eventhenBrahmanremainstheinfinite,andthereisnorealtransformationintoanyofthese. Inspace,thefacultyofsoundmanifestsitself.Thencomesintobeingegotismwhichisvitaltofurthercreationoftheuniverse,and,atthesametime,thefactorknown astime.Allthishappensmerelybythecreativethoughtinherentinthecosmicbeing,notasrealtransformationsoftheinfinite. Bythesimilarexerciseofthecreativethought,airiscreated.TheVedascomeintobeing,too.Consciousnesswhichissurroundedbyalltheseiscalledthejiva*which givesrisetoallthedifferentelementsinthisworld. Therearefourteenplanesofexistence,eachwithitsowntypeofinhabitants.Andallthesearethemanifestationsofthecreativethoughtofconsciousness.Evenso, whenthisconsciousnessthought'Iamlight',sourcesoflightlikethesun,etc.,wereinstantlycreated.Similarlywaterandearthwerecreated.

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Allthesefundamentalelementscontinuedtoactononeanotherasexperiencerandexperienceandtheentirecreationcameintobeinglikeripplesonthesurfaceof theocean.And,theyareinterwovenandmixedupsoeffectivelythattheycannotbeextricatedfromoneanothertillthecosmicdissolution.Thesematerial appearancesareeverchangingandtherealityexistsunchangedsincethesearealllinkedwithconsciousness,theyinstantlybecomegrossphysicalsubstance,though allthesearetheinfiniteconsciousnessalone,whichhasundergonenochangewhatsoever. VASISTHA*continued: III:13

Inthesupremebeingthereexiststhevibrationwhichisatonceequilibriumanddisturbanceonaccountofthisthereappearspaceandlightandinertia,thoughthey havenotreallybeencreated.Sinceallthishappensinconsciousness,theypossessthequalityoftheknowableatthesametimetherearisestheknower.Itisthe inherentpowerofconsciousnesstoillumineallthings,henceitisthecosmicknower.Thatconsciousnessitselfbecomesitsownknowableandtheknower.Whensuch arelationshiparises,thenotion"Iamajiva*,livingsoul"arisesinconsciousness. Bythefurtheridentificationwiththeknowable,inthepureconsciousnesstherearisesthenotionofegotismandthenthefacultyofdiscriminationortherationalising intellect.Afterthisthemindandtherootelementsarise.Theserootelementscombineagainandagaintoformtheworlds.Spontaneouslyandalsobyorderly changes,allthesecountlessformsappearanddisappearrepeatedly,evenascitiescomeandgoinadream.Noneoftheseneedsanyinstrumentalormaterialcause likeearth,waterorfire.Forallthisisoftheessentialnatureofconsciousness,anditisthisconsciousnessthatapparentlycreatesallthese,asonecreatescitiesina dream.Itisnothingbutpureconsciousness. Thefiveelementsaretheseedofwhichtheworldisthetreeandtheeternalconsciousnessistheseedfortheelements.Asistheseed,soisthefruit(tree).Therefore, theworldisnothingbutBrahmantheabsolute. Inthismannerhastheuniversebeenconjuredupincosmicspacebycosmicconsciousnesswithitsowninfinitefacultiesitisnotreal,norhasitbeenreallycreated. Thoughtheseelementshavecombinedamongthemselvesandcreatedapparentmaterialityintheworld,yet,intruth,allthisismereappearanceliketheformsseenin space.Theyowetheirrealitytotheirsubstratumwhichiscosmicconsciousnesswhichaloneisreal. Donotentertainthefeelingthattheworldoffiveelementsistheircreation:lookuponthefiveelementsthemselvesasthe

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manifestationofthepowerinherentinconsciousnessabsolute.Itmaybesaidthattheelementssuchasearthetc.,haveariseninconsciousnesslikedreamobjectsor itmaybesaidthattheyaremereappearancesignorantlysuperimposedoncosmicconsciousness.Suchisthevisionorrealisationofholymen. VASISTHA*continued: Rama*,Ishallnowtellyouhowthejiva*(livingsoul)cametodwellinthisbody. Thejiva*thought"Iamatomicinnatureandstature"andsoitbecameatomicinnature.Yet,itonlyapparentlybecameso,onaccountofitsimaginationwhichwas false.Evenasonemaydreamthatheisdeadandthathehasanotherbody,thisjiva*whichintruthhadanextremelysubtlebodyofpureconsciousness,nowbegins toidentifyitselfwithgrossnessandsobecomesgross. Evenasamountainisreflectedinamirrorandisseenasifitwereinthemirror,thejiva*reflectstheexternalobjectsandactivities,andsoonbeginstothinkthatthey areallwithinitselfandthatheisthedoeroftheactionsandtheexperienceroftheexperiences. Whenthejiva*wishestosee,eyesareformedinthegrossbody.Evensotheskin(tactilesense),ears,tongue,noseandtheorgansofactionareformedasaresultof theappropriatedesirearisinginthejiva*.Thusabidesinthebody,thejiva*whichhastheextremelysubtlebodyofconsciousness,imaginingvariousexternalphysical experiencesandvariousinternalpsychologicalexperiences.Thus,restingintheunrealwhichhoweverappearstobereal,Brahman,nowappearingtobejiva*, becomesconfused. ThissameBrahmanwhichhascometoregarditselfasafinitejiva*andendowedwithaphysicalbody,apprehendstheexternalworldwhichonaccountoftheveilof ignoranceappearstobecomposedofmatter.SomeonethinksheisBrahma*,someoneelsethinksheissomethingelseinthismannerthejiva*imaginesitisthisor that,andsobindsitselftotheillusionofworldappearance. Butallthisismereimaginationorthought.Evennownothinghaseverbeencreatedthepureinfinitespacealoneexists.Brahmathecreatorcouldnotcreatetheworld asitwasbeforethecosmicdissolution,forBrahmaattainedfinalliberationthen.Cosmicconsciousnessaloneexistsnowandeverinitarenoworlds,nocreated beings.Thatconsciousnessreflectedinitselfappearstobecreation.Evenasanunrealnightmareproducesrealresults,thisworldseemstogiverisetoasenseof realityinastateofignorance.Whentruewisdomarises,thisunrealityvanishes. III:14 VASISTHA*continued:

AsIhavealreadyexplainedtoyou,ORama*,thisworldconsisting

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ofegotismandthecountlessobjectsofexperiencehasnotbeencreatedandthereforeitdoesnotexist:whatexistsisBrahman,theabsoluteexistence.Justasawave isseenonthecalmsurfaceoftheoceanwhenthelatterisagitated,evensowhentheabsolute'thinks',asitwere,thatitisajiva*,thejivanature*manifestsitself.Just asasleepingpersonappearstocreatediversecreatureswithinhimselfwithouteverabandoninghisownuniqueandsolereality,byamerethoughtorwilltheabsolute bringsintobeingthesecountlesscreatureswithouteversufferingdiminutionorchange. Thecosmicform(Virat*)ofthiscosmicconsciousnessisofcourseofthenatureofpureconsciousness,uncontaminatedbygrossmateriality.Thecosmicformmade ofpureconsciousnesscanbecomparedtoaneverlastingdreaminasleepingpersoninwhichthereexistpalacesandotherbeings. EventhecreatorBrahmaisamerethoughtforminthiscosmicconsciousness:consciousnessreflectingitsownthoughtformswithinitselfisallthisapparentseerand seen,allofwhicharemereimaginations.Allofthemhoweverexistinnameonlyandmultiplyinnameonly.Evenasthecosmicbeingaroseinthecosmic consciousnessasacosmicthoughtform,othersarosefromthethoughtsofthatcosmicbeingjustasonelampiskindledfromanother.Butallofthemarenon differentfromthatonecosmicbeingonaccountofwhosethoughtvibrationtheyarose. Brahmanaloneisthecosmicbeing(Virat*)andthecosmicbeingisallthiscreation,withthejiva*andalltheelementsthatconstitutethiscreation. RAMA*asked: Lord,isthereonlyonejiva*thatiscosmic,oraretheremanyjivas*,oristhereahugeconglomerateofjivas*? VASISTHA*answered: Rama*,thereisneitheronejiva*normanynoraconglomerateofjivas*.Jiva*isonlyaname!WhatexistsisonlyBrahman.Becauseheisomnipotent,histhought formsmaterialise.Onealoneappearsasdiverseonaccountofignorancewedonotexperiencethisignorancewhichdisappearsonenquiryevenasdarknessvanishes whenlightisbroughtintolookatit.Brahmanaloneisthecosmic(Mahajiva*)soulandthemillionsofjivas*.Thereisnaughtelse. VASISTHA*continued: Bytheapprehensionoftheperceivedortheknowable,consciousnessbecomesjiva*(thelivingsoul)andisapparentlyinvolvedinrepetitivehistory(samsara*).When thefalsenotionofaknowableapartfromtheknower(consciousness)ceases,itregainsitsequilibrium.

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Inanorderlyandsometimesdisorderlyway,theoneMahajiva*thusbecomesindividualjiva*,inheritingfromthepreviousgenerationthesenseofdualityandof individuality. Themysteriouspowerofconsciousnesswhichinaninexplicableandmiraculouswayproducesthisinfinitediversityofnamesandforms(body)isknownasegotism. Thesameconsciousness,whenitwishestotasteortoexperienceitself,becomestheknowableuniverse.Onlyimmaturepeopleseeinthiseitherarealtransformation orevenadeludedappearanceforthereisnothingotherthanconsciousness. Theoceaniswaterthewavesarewaterandwhenthesewavesplayuponthesurfaceoftheocean,ripples(alsowater)areformed.Evensowiththeuniverse.Even astheoceanmightlookuponandrecognisetheindividualityoftheripples,theconsciousnessthinksoftheindividualsasindependentandthusegotismisborn('I ness').Allthisisthewonderfulplayofthemysteriouspowerofconsciousnessandthataloneiscalledtheuniverse. Whenegotismhascomeintobeing,thategotism(whichisnondifferentfromconsciousness)entertainsnotionsofthevariouselementsthatconstitutethisuniverse,and theyarise.Inunitydiversityarises.ORama*,giveupallthesefalsenotionsof'I'and'you',byrenouncingeventhenotionsofajiva*anditsowncause.Whenallthese havegone,youwillrealisethetruthwhichisinthemiddlebetweentherealandtheunreal.Whenallthese'clouds'havebeendispelled,theoneindivisiblewholeshines asithasneverceasedtoshine.Wedonotknowwhatisrealorwhatisfalse! Thisconsciousnessisnotknowable:whenitwishestobecometheknowableitisknownastheuniverse.Mind,intellect,egotism,thefivegreatelements,andthe worldalltheseinnumerablenamesandforms,areallconsciousnessalone.Amanandhislifeandworksareindistinguishable,thestaticandthekineticmanifestations ofthesamefactor.Jiva*andthemindetc.,areallvibrationsinconsciousness. VASISTHA*continued: Thatconsciousnessindeedexistshere,knowing"Icannotbecut,Icannotbeburnt,Icannotbemadewet,IcannotbedriedIameternal,omnipresentand unchangingandunmoving."Thisisthetruth.Peopleliketoargueandconfuseotherstheyareindeedconfused.But,ORama*,wearebeyondconfusion.Changesin theunchangingareimaginedbyignorantanddeludedpeople:butinthevisionofsageswhohaveselfknowledgenochangewhatsoeverhastakenplacein consciousness. ORama*,consciousnessalonehasspreaditselfoutasspace,withoutundergoinganychangeinitself.Afterthat,consciousness

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aloneappearsasthewindthathasthequalityofmotion.Andthenconsciousnessaloneappearsasfire,water,andtheearthwithitsminerals,andalsothebodiesof livingbeings. Whenthenotionofanexternalknowablehasbeenremoved,selfknowledgearisesandwheninitthereisthenotionofinertiaorignorance,thestateofdeepsleep hascometoit.Hence,sinceconsciousnessaloneexistsatalltimes,itmaybesaidthatspaceexistsanddoesnotexist,theworldexistsanddoesnotexist. Evenasheatistofire,whitenessistoaconchshell,firmnessistoamountain,liquiditytowater,sweetnessistosugarcane,butteristomilk,coolnessistoice, brightnessistoillumination,oilistomustardseed,flowistoariver,sweetnessistohoney,ornamentistogold,aromaistoaflowertheuniverseistoconsciousness. Theworldexistsbecauseconsciousnessis:andtheworldisthebodyofconsciousness.Thereisnodivision,nodifference,nodistinction.Hencetheuniversecanbe saidtobebothrealandunreal:realbecauseoftherealityofconsciousnesswhichisitsownreality,andunrealbecausetheuniversedoesnotexistasuniverse, independentofconsciousness.Thisconsciousnessisindivisibleandhasnopartsorlimbs.Initthemountain,theocean,theearth,therivers,etc.,donotexistassuch, butonlyasconsciousnesshencetherearenopartsnorlimbsinconsciousness. But,becauseoftheunrealityoftheuniverse,etc.,itcannotbesaidthattheirowncause,viz.,theconsciousnessisalsounreal:suchastatementwouldonlybeasetof wordswithnomeaningforitrunscountertoourexperience,andtheexistenceofconsciousnesscannotbedenied. (Atthisstage,thethirdeveningsetin:andtheassemblydispersed.)

TheStoryofLila*
VASISTHA*continued: III:15

ORama<Rama> ,evenasfromthewakingstateexperience,thereisnomaterialityintheobjectsseeninadream(thoughwhiledreamingtheobjectsappearto besolid)thisworldappearstobematerialyetinrealityitispureconsciousness.Thereisnotevenatemporaryorsubtleriverinthemirage:evensothereisinnosense arealworld,butonlypureconsciousness.Onlyknowledgebasedonignoranceclingstothenotionofaworldinreality,thereisnodifferenceinthemeaningofthe words'world''Brahmanortheinfinite',and'self'.TheworldisastrueinrelationtoBrahmanasthedreamcityistrueinrelationtotheexperienceofthewaking consciousness.Hence,'world'and'cosmicconsciousness'aresynonyms.

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Tomakeallthiscrystalclear,ORama*,IshallnownarratetoyouthestoryofMandapa*:pray,listenattentively. Onceuponatime,ORama*,therewasakingonearthcalledPadma.Hewasperfectineveryrespectandbyhisownnatureandconductheenhancedthegloryof hisdynasty.Hehonouredreligioustraditionsevenastheoceanrespectstheauthorityoftheshore.Hesubduedhisenemiesevenasthesunroutsdarkness.Evenas firereduceshaytoashes,hedestroyedevilinsociety.Holymenresortedtohimevenasgodsresorttoheaven.Hewastheabodeofvirtue.Hemadehisenemies trembleonthebattlefieldevenasagalerufflesacreeper.Hewashighlylearnedandamasterofarts.Tohimtherewasnothingimpossibleofachievement,evenasto lordNarayana*therewasnoimpossibility. ThiskinghadawifebynameLila*.Shewashighlyaccomplishedasawomanandwasverybeautiful.ItappearedasifshewasgoddessLaksmi*(consortof Narayana*)incarnateonearth.Shewassoftspoken,hergaitwasslowandgracefulandhersmileradiatedthecooldelightofmoonlight.Shewasfair.Shewassweet ashoney.Herarmsweresoftanddelicate.HerbodywasaspureandclearasthewatersoftheholyriverGanga*andevenasatouchofthewatersoftheGanga* givesrisetobliss,totouchherwastoexperiencebliss.ShewashighlydevotedtoherhusbandPadmaandknewhowtoservehimandtopleasehim. Shewasonewiththekingandsharedhisjoyandsorrow.ShewasinfactthealteregoofPadmaexceptthatwhenthekingbecameangry,shemerelyreflectedfear. III:16 VASISTHA*continued:

KingPadmaandthequeenLila*livedanideallife.Theyenjoyedtheirlifeineverypossibleandrighteousway.Theywereyoungandyouthfullikethegods,andtheir loveforeachotherwaspureandintense,withoutanyhypocrisyorartificiality. Oneday,thequeenLila*thought:"Themosthandsomekingwhoismyhusbandisdearertomethanevenmyownlife.WhatshouldIdoinorderthatheandImay liveforeverenjoyingthepleasuresoflife?IshallimmediatelyundertakesuchausteritiesastheholyoneswouldsuggestinorderthatImayfulfilmyambition."She soughtthecounseloftheholyones. TheHolyonessaidtoher:"Oqueen,austeritiesorpenance,repetitionofmantrasandadisciplinedlifewillsurelybestowuponyouallthatitispossibleforoneto attaininthisworldbutphysicalimmortalityisnotpossibleofattainmentinthisworld!" Thequeenponderedthisadviceanddecided:"IfIshoulddiebeforemyhusband,thenIshouldattainselfknowledgeandbefreefrom

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sorrow.But,ifheshouldleavebeforeme,thenIshallsostrivenowastoobtainaboonfromthegodsthathisjiva*doesnotleaveourpalace.Ishallbehappytolive initintheknowledgethatheisalwayswithme." Thusresolved,Lila*begantopropitiatethegoddessSarasvati*immediately,withoutevendiscussingthisprojectwithherhusband.Onceinthreenightssheusedto eat,afterdevoutlyworshippingtheLord,holyones,thepreceptor,thelearnedonesandthesages.Shewasutterlyconvincedthatthispenancewouldprovefruitful, andthisconvictiongreatlystrengthenedherapplicationtothepenanceundertaken.Thoughshedidnotrevealherintentiontotheking,shedidnotletherservicetoher husbandsufferintheveryleastonaccountofthispenance.Afteronehundredsuchthreenightlyworship,thegoddessSarasvati*appearedbeforeherandgranted hertheboonsofherchoice.Lila*prayed:"ODivinemother,grantmetwoboons:(1)whenmyhusbanddepartsfromhisbody,lethisjiva*remaininthepalace,and (2)wheneverIpraytoyou,letmeseeyou."Sarasvati*grantedthesetwoboonsanddisappeared. Timeinexorablypassed.KingPadma,whowasmortallywoundedonthebattlefield,diedinthepalace.QueenLila*wasinconsolablewithgrief.Whenshewasthus sunkingrief,anetherealvoicespoketoher. III:17 THEETHEREALVOICEOFSARASVATI*said:

Mychild,covertheking'sdeadbodywithflowersthenitwillnotdecay.Hewillnotleavethepalace. (Lila*didso.Yet,shewasnotsatisfied,andshefeltlikeawealthyman(whohadthewealth)whohadbeentrickedintopovertystrickenexistence.Sheinvoked goddessSarasvati*whoappearedbeforeherandsaid:) Mychild,whydoyougrieve?Sorrow,likewaterinmirage,isanillusion. (Lila*askedher:Pray,tellmewheremyhusbandis.) OLila*,therearethreetypesofspacethepsychologicalspace,thephysicalspace,andtheinfinitespaceofconsciousness.Ofthesethemostsubtleistheinfinite spaceofconsciousness.Byintensemeditationonthisinfinitespaceofconsciousness,youcanseeandexperiencethepresenceofone(likeyourhusband)whose bodyisthatinfinitespace,eventhoughyoudonotseehimhere.Thatistheinfinitespacewhichexistsinthemiddlewhenthefiniteintelligencetravelsfromoneplaceto anotherforitisinfinite.Ifyougiveupallthoughtsyouwillhereandnowattaintotherealisationofonenesswithall.Normally,onlyhewhohasrealisedtheutternon existenceoftheuniversecanexperiencethisbutyouwilldoso,bymygrace.

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VASISTHA*continued: Lila*begantomeditate.Immediatelysheenteredthehigheststateofconsciousnessfreefromalldistractions(nirvikalpa).Shewasintheinfinitespaceof consciousness.Thereshesawthekingonceagain,onathrone,surroundedbymanykingswhoadoredhim,bymanysagesandholymenwhochantedtheVedas,by manywomen,andbyarmedforces.Shesawthembuttheydidnotseeher,asone'sthoughtformsarevisibleonlytooneself,nottoothers.Shesawthatthekinghad ayouthfulbody.ShealsosawinhiscourtverymanymembersofthecourtofkingPadma.Shewondered:aretheyalldead,too! Again,bythegraceofgoddessSarasvati*,Lila*camebacktoherpalace,andsawherattendantsasleep.Shewokethemandaskedthemtorequestthemembersof theroyalcourttoassembleatonce.MessengerswerequicklytosummonallandverysoontheroyalcourtofkingPadmawasteemingwiththeministers,sages,civil servants,relations,andfriends.Seeingthemallthere,Lila*rejoiced. III:18 VASISTHA*continued:

Seeingallthemembersoftheroyalcourt,Lila*waspuzzled:shethought,'Thisisstrange,forthesepeopleseemtoexistintwoplacesatthesametimeinthatregion whichIsawinmymeditationandhereinfrontofme.Justasamountainisseenbothinsidethemirrorandoutsideit,thiscreationisseenbothwithinconsciousness andoutsideit.But,whichoftheseisrealandwhichthereflection?ImustfindoutfromSarasvati'*.SheadoredSarasvati*andsawherseatedinfrontofher. LILA*asked: Begracious,OGoddess,andtellmethis.Thatonwhichthisworldisreflectedisextremelypureandundivided,anditisnottheobjectofknowledge.Thisworld existsbothwithinitasitsreflectionandoutsideassolidmatter:whichisrealandwhichthereflection? SARASVATI*asked: Tellmefirst:whatdoyouconsiderrealandwhatunreal? LILA*,answered: ThatIamhereandyouareinfrontofmethisIconsiderreal.ThatregioninwhichmyhusbandisnowthatIconsiderunreal. SARASVATI*said: Howcantheunrealbetheeffectofthereal?Theeffectisthecause,thereisnoessentialdifference.Eveninthecaseofapotwhichisabletoholdwaterwhereasits cause(clay)cannot,thisdifferenceisduetothecooperativecauses.Whatwasthematerialcauseofyourhusband'sbirth?For,onlymaterialeffectsareproducedby materialcauses.

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Hence,whenyoufindnoimmediatecauseforaneffect,thensurelythecauseexistedinthepastmemory.Memoryislikespace,empty.Allcreationhereistheeffect ofthatemptinessandhencethecreationisempty,too.Evenasthebirthofyourhusbandisanillusoryproductofmemory,Iseeallthisastheillusoryandunreal effectofimagination. Ishallnarratetoyouastorywhichillustratesthedreamlikenatureofthiscreation.Inpureconsciousness,inacornerofthemindoftheCreator,therewasa dilapidatedshrinecoveredwithabluedome.Ithadthefourteenworldsforrooms.Thethreedivisionsofspacewereholesinit.Thesunwasthelight.Inittherewere littleanthills(thecities),littlepilesofearth(mountains)andlittlepoolsofwater(theoceans).Thisiscreation,theuniverse.Inaverysmallcornerofittherelivedaholy manwithhiswifeandchildren.Hewashealthyandfreefromfear.Heperformedhisreligiousandsocialdutieswell. SARASVATI*continued: III:19,20

ThatholymanwasknownasVasistha*andhiswifewasArundhati*(thoughtheyweredifferentfromtheVasistha*andArundhati*oflegendaryfame).Oneday whenthatholymanwasseatedonthetopofahillhesawatthefootofthathill,acolourfulprocessiononthemove,withakingridingastatelyelephant,followedby anarmyandotherroyalparaphernalia.Lookingatthis,awisharoseintheheartoftheholyman:''Indeed,thelifeofakingisrichandfullofdelightandglory.When willIridearoyalelephantlikethatandbefollowedbyanarmylikethis?'' Sometimeafterthis,theholymangrewoldandthendeathovertookhim.Hiswifewhowashighlydevotedtohimprayedtomeandaskedforthesameboonthat youaskedfor:thatherhusband'sspiritshouldnotleaveherhouse.Igrantedherthatboon. Thoughthatholymanwasanetherealbeing,onaccountofthepowerofhisconstantwishduringthepreviouslifespanhebecameamightykingandruledovera greatempirewhichresembledheavenonearth.Hewasdreadedbyhisfoes,hewasindeedacupidtowomenfolk,hewasstableandfirmagainsttemptationslikea mountain,hereflectedallthescriptureswithinhimselflikeamirror,hewasthewishfulfillerofeveryoneinneedandhewastherestingplaceofholymen:hewas indeedthefullmoonofrighteousness.(Arundhati*hadalsogivenupherbodyandattainedreunionwithherhusband.)Itiseightdayssincethishappened. Lila*,itisthesameholymanwhoisnowyourhusband,thekingandyouarethesameArundhati*whowashiswife.Onaccountofignoranceanddelusion,allthis seemstotakeplaceintheinfinite

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consciousness:youmayregardallthisastrueorasfalse. LILA*,asked: OGoddess,allthisseemssostrangeandincredibletome.Itislikesayingthatahugeelephantisboundinthecentreofamustardseed,orthatinanatomamosquito foughtwithalion,orthatthereisamountaininalotuspod. SARASVATI*said:Mydear,Idonotutterfalsehood,butamtellingthetruth.Itsoundsincrediblebutthiskingdomappearstobeonlyinthehutoftheholymanon accountofhisdesireforakingdom.Thememoryofthepastishidden,andyoutwohaverisenagain.Deathisbutwakingfromadream.Birthwhicharisesfroma wishisnomorerealthanthewish,likewavesinamirage! III:20,21 SARASVATI*continued:

Lila*,yourhouse,you,Iandallthisispureconsciousness,naughtelse.YourhousewasitselfinthehouseoftheholymanVasistha.*Inthespaceofhisjiva*existed theriversandthemountainsandsoon.Evenafterthe'creation'ofallthisintheholyman'shouse,itremainedasitwasbefore.Indeed,ineveryatomthereareworlds withinworlds. LILA*,asked: OGoddess,yousaidthatitwasonlyeightdaysagothattheholymanhaddiedandyetmyhusbandandIhavelivedforalongtime.Howcanyoureconcilethis discrepancy? SARASVATI*said: OLila*,justasspacedoesnothaveafixedspan,timedoesnothaveafixedspaneither.Justastheworldanditscreationaremereappearances,amomentandan epocharealsoimaginary,notreal.Inthetwinklingofaneyethejiva*undergoestheillusionofthedeathexperience,forgetswhathappenedbeforethat,andinthe infiniteconsciousnessthinks'Iamthis'etc.,and'Iamhisson,Iamsomanyyearsold',etc.Thereisnoessentialdifferencebetweentheexperiencesofthisworldand thoseofanotherallthisbeingthethoughtformsintheinfiniteconsciousness.Theyareliketwowavesinthesameocean.Sincetheseworldswerenevercreated, theywillneverceasetobe:suchisthelaw.Theirrealnatureisconsciousness. Evenasinadreamthereisbirth,deathandrelationshipallinaveryshorttime,andevenasaloverfeelsthatasinglenightwithouthisbelovedisanepoch,thejiva* thinksofexperiencedandnonexperiencedobjectsinthetwinklingofaneye.And,immediatelythereafter,heimaginesthosethings(theworld)tobereal.Eventhose thingswhichhehadnotexperiencednorseenpresentthemselvesbeforehimasinadream.

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Thisworldandthiscreationisnothingbutmemory,dream:distance,measuresoftimelikeamomentandanage,allthesearehallucinations.Thisisonekindof knowledgememory.Thereisanotherwhichisnotbasedonmemoryofpastexperience.Thisisthefortuitousmeetingofanatomandconsciousnesswhichisthen abletoproduceitsowneffects. Liberationistherealisationofthetotalnonexistenceoftheuniverseassuch.Thisisdifferentfromameredenialoftheexistenceoftheegoandtheuniverse!Thelatter isonlyhalfknowledge.Liberationistorealisethatallthisispureconsciousness. LILA*,asked: OGoddess,withoutpriorhallucinationhowwasthecreationoftheholymanandhiswifepossible? SARASVATI*said: Indeed,thatwasduetothethoughtformofBrahma*,thecreator.Hehimselfhadnohiddenthoughtforms(memory)forbeforecreationtherewasdissolutionandat thattimetheCreatorhadattainedliberation.Atthebeginningofthisepoch,someoneassumestheroleofcreatorandthinks"IamthenewCreator"thisispure coincidence,evenasoneseesacrowalightingonapalmtreeandthecocoanutfalling,thoughthesetwoareindependentofeachother.Ofcourse,donotforgetthat eventhoughallthisseemstohappen,thereisnocreation!Theoneinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisthoughtformorexperience:thereisnocauseandeffectrelationship, these('cause'and'effect')areonlywords,notfacts.Theinfiniteconsciousnessisforeverininfiniteconsciousness. LILA*,said: OGoddess,yourwordsaretrulyenlightening.However,sinceIhaveneverbeenexposedtothembefore,thewisdomisnotwellgrounded.Iwishtoseetheoriginal houseoftheholyVasistha*. SARASVATI*said: OLila*,giveupthisformofyoursandattainthepurespiritualinsight.ForonlyBrahmancanreallyseeorrealiseBrahman.Mybodyismadeofpurelight,pure consciousness.Yourbodyisnot.Withthisbodyofyoursyoucannotevenvisittheplacesofyourownimagination,thenhowcanyouenterthefieldofanother's imagination?Butifyouattainthebodyoflight,youwillimmediatelyseetheholyman'shouse.Affirmtoyourself,"Ishallleavemybodyhereandtakeabodyoflight. Withthatbody,likethescentofincense,Ishallgotothehouseoftheholyman."Evenaswatermixeswithwater,youwillbecomeonewiththefieldof consciousness. Bythepersistentpracticeofsuchmeditation,evenyourbodywillbecomeoneofpureconsciousnessandsubtlety.For,Iseeeventhis

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mybodyasconsciousness.Youdonot,foryouseetheworldofmatter,evenasanignorantmanmightmistakeapreciousstoneforapebble.Suchignorancearises ofitsownaccord,butisdispelledbywisdomandenquiry.Infact,evensuchignorancedoesnotexist!Thereisneitherunwisdom,norignoranceneitherbondage,nor liberation.Thereisbutonepureconsciousness. III:22,23 SARASVATI*said:

DearLila*,indream,thedreambodyappearstoberealbutwhenthereisanawakeningtothefactofdream,therealityofthatbodyvanishes.Evenso,thephysical bodywhichissustainedbymemoryandlatenttendenciesisseentobeunrealwhentheyareseentobeunreal.Attheendofthedream,youbecomeawareofthe physicalbodyattheendofthesetendencies,youbecomeawareoftheetherealbody.Whenthedreamends,deepsleepensueswhentheseedsofthoughtperish, youareliberated.Inliberationtheseedsofthoughtdonotexist:iftheliberatedsageappearstoliveandtothink,heonlyappearstodoso,likeaburntclothlyingon thefloor.Thisis,however,notlikedeepsleepnorunconsciousness,inbothofwhichtheseedsofthoughtliehidden. Bythepersistentpractice(abhyasa*)egotismisquieted.Thenyouwillnaturallyrestinyourconsciousnessandtheperceiveduniverseheadstowardsthevanishing point.Whatiscalledpractice? Thinkingofthatalone,speakingofthat,conversingofthatwithoneanother,utterdedicationtothatonealonethisiscalledabhyasa*orpracticebythewise.When one'sintellectisfilledwithbeautyandbliss,whenone'svisionisbroad,whenpassionforsensualenjoymentisabsentinonethatispractice.Whenoneisfirmly establishedintheconvictionthatthisuniversehasneverevenbeencreated,andthereforeitdoesnotexistassuch,andwhenthoughtslike"Thisisworld,thisIam"do notariseatallinonethatisabhyasa*orpractice.Itisthenthatattractionandrepulsiondonotarisetheovercomingofattractionandrepulsionbytheuseofwill forceisausterity,notwisdom. (Atthisstage,eveningsetin:andthecourtdispersed.Earlynextmorningthecourtassembled,andVasistha*continuedhisdiscourse.) VASISTHA*.continued: ORama*,Sarasvati*andqueenLila*immediatelysatindeepmeditationornirvikalpasamadhi*.Theyhadrisenabovebodyconsciousness.Becausetheyhadgiven upallnotionsoftheworld,ithadcompletelyvanishedintheirconsciousness.Theyroamedfreelyintheirwisdombodies.Thoughitseemedthattheyhadtravelled millionsofmilesinspace,theywerestillinthesame'room'butonanotherplaneofconsciousness.

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VASISTHA*continued:

III:24,25

Holdingeachother'shands,Sarasvati*andLila*,slowlyascendedtofardistantscenesinspace.Thisspacewasintenselypureandtotallyempty.Theyrestedontop ofthemountMeru,theaxisoftheearth.Theysawcountlessinterestingsightsastheyproceededawayfromtheorbitofthemoon.Theyroamedwithinhugecloud formationsinspace.Theyenteredinfinitespace,thewombandsourceofinfinitebeingsininfiniteworlds. TheysawthesevengreatmountainsinthecosmoswhichwereradiantlikethefireofdissolutiontheysawgoldenplainsnearMeruandtheysawthedensestformof darkness.Theysawsiddhas(beingswithsupernaturalpowers)theysawcrowdsandcrowdsofdemons,goblinsandotherspiritstheysawspacevehiclescomeand goeverywheretheysawcelestialnymphssinganddancetheysawavarietyofbirdsandalsoanimalstheysawangelsandgodstheysawgreatyogisendowedwith allauspiciousqualitiestheysawtheabodeoftheCreator,theabodeofSiva*,andothers.Likeacoupleofmosquitoestheyroamedalltheseplanes. (Note:Thedescriptionisgraphicanddetailedinthetext.)InshorttheysawallthatwasalreadyinthemindofSarasvati*andwhichSarasvati*wantedtoshowto queenLila*.Itwaslikethelotusoftheheart,withthedirectionsforitspetals,thenetherworldforthemudinwhichitgrows,heldbythedivineserpentwhichisthe root. Inthislotus,theysawwhatisknownasJambudvipa*,inwhichthereareverymanycountriesandcontinents.Itissurroundedbyasaltyocean.Beyondthatis Sakadvipa*,surroundedbyanoceanofmilk.BeyondthatisKusadvipa*withanoceanofcurd.ThenKrauncadvipa*andanoceanofghee.ThenSalmalidvipa* surroundedbyanoceanofwine.ThenGomedadvipa*surroundedbyanoceanofsugarcanejuice.ThenthereisPuskaradvipa*surroundedbyanoceanofsweet water.Thenthereisacosmichole.BeyondthatistheLokaloka*mountainshiningresplendently.Beyondthatistheinfiniteforest,etc.Lastlytherewasinfinitespace, sheeremptiness. (Note:ComparewiththedescriptioninBhagavatam*.) Havingthusseentheoceans,mountains,theprotectorsoftheuniverse,thekingdomofthegods,theskyandtheverybowelsoftheearth,Lila*sawherownhouse. VASISTHA*continued: III::26

ORama*,thetwoladiesthenenteredintotheholyman'shouse.Thewholefamilywasinmourning.Onaccountoftheirgriefthehouseitselfhadadepressing atmosphere.BythepracticeoftheyogaofpurewisdomLila*hadacquiredthatfacultybywhichher

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thoughtsinstantlymaterialised.Shewishedthat'These,myrelations,shouldseemeandSarasvati*asifweareordinarywomenfolk'.Theyappearedsotothe mourningfamily.Butthetwoladieswereofsupernaturalradiancewhichdispelledthegloomthatpervadedthehouse. Theeldestsonofthedepartedholycouplewelcomedthetwoladies,takingthemtobetwoangelsoftheforest!Hesaidtothem:"Oangelsoftheforest,surelyyou havecomeheretorelieveusofourgriefinourbereavement.Forsuchisthenatureofdivinities:theyareeagertorelievethedistressofothers." Thetwoladiesaskedtheyoungman:"Tellusthecauseofyoursorrowwhichseemstoafflictallthesepeoplehere." Thesonoftheholycouplereplied:"Oladies,inthisveryhousetherelivedapiousmanandhisdevotedwife,whowerebothdevotedtoarighteouslife.Recently,they abandonedtheirchildrenandgrandchildren,theirhouseandtheircattle,andascendedtoheaven.Therefore,tousthiswholeworldappearstobeempty.Look,O ladies,eventhebirdsarecryingforthedepartedones.Eventhegodsarecryingingrief(rainingtears!).Thetreesaresheddingtearseverymorning(thedewdrops). Abandoningthisearth,myparentshavesurelygoneawaytotheworldoftheimmortals." Hearingthis,Lila*laidherhandontheyoungman'shead:instantlyhewasrelievedofhissorrow.Seeingthis,alltheotherswerealsorelievedofsorrow. RAMA*asked: OHolyone,whyisitthatLila*didnotappeartoherownsonashisrealmother? VASISTHA*replied:Rama*,hewhohasrealisedtheunrealityofmaterialsubstancesseesonlytheoneundividedconsciousnesseverywhere.Adreamerdoesnot seethisworld,amanindeepcomamayevenseetheotherworld.Lila*hadrealisedthetruth.HewhohasrealisedthetruththatBrahman,theself,etc.,areallone infiniteconsciousnessuntohimwhereisson,friend,wife,etc.?Evenherlayingherhandontheyoungman'sheadwasthespontaneousexpressionofBrahman's grace. III:27 VASISTHA*continued:

Havingthusblessedthefamilyofthedeceasedholyman,thetwoladiesdisappeared.Theconsoledmembersofthefamilyreturnedtotheirabodes.Lila*turnedto Sarasvati*toaskheraquestion:inthisstate,ofcourse,theirbodiesweremadeneitherofmatterlikeearthnorpsychosomaticfactorslikelifebreath.Itwasliketwo dreamobjectsconversingwitheachother.Lila*askedSarasvati*:"Howwasitthatwewereseenbythisfamilyofminehere,andwewerenot

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seenbymyhusbandwhowasrulingakingdomwhenwevisitedhim?"Sarasvati*answered:"Thenyouwerestillclingingtoyournotion'IamLila*'nowyouhave overcomethatbodyconsciousness.Tilltheconsciousnessofdualityiscompletelydispelled,youcannotactintheinfiniteconsciousnessyoucannotevenunderstand it,evenasonestandinginthesundoesnotknowthecoolnessoftheshadeofatree.But,nowifyougotoyourhusband,youwillbeabletodealwithhimasbefore." LILA*,said: ODivinity!ItwashereitselfthatmyhusbandwastheholymanandIwashiswifehereagainIwashisqueenherehediedandhereagainherulesnow!Pray,take mewhereIcanseehim. SARASVATI*said: Lila*,youandyourhusbandhavebeenthroughmanyincarnations,threeofwhichyounowknow.Inthisincarnation,thekinghasslippeddeepintothesnareof worldlinessandhethinks'Iamthelord,Iamstrong,Iamhappy,etc.'Thoughfromthespiritualstandpointthewholeuniverseisexperiencedhere,fromthephysical pointofview,millionsofmilesseparatetheplanes.Intheinfiniteconsciousness,ineveryatomofit,universescomeandgolikeparticlesofdustinabeamofsunlight thatshinesthroughaholeintheroof.Thesecomeandgolikeripplesontheocean. LILA*.reminisced:ODivinity!SinceemergingasareflectionintheinfiniteconsciousnessIhavehad800births.TodayIseethis.Ihavebeenanymph,avicious humanwoman,aserpent,aforesttribalwoman,andonaccountofevildeedsIbecameacreeper,andbytheproximityofsagesIbecameasage'sdaughterI becameaking,andonaccountofevildeedsdonethen,Ibecameamosquito,abee,adeer,abird,afishandagainIbecameacelestial,afterwhichIbecamea tortoise,andaswan,andIbecameamosquitoagain.Ihavealsobeenacelestialnymphwhenothercelestials(males)usedtofallatmyfeet.Justasthescalesof balanceseesawconstantlyIhavealsobeencaughtupintheseesawofthisrepetitiveexistence,samsara*. RAMA*asked: III:28

Holysir,howwasitpossibleforthetwoladiestotraveltodistantgalaxiesintheuniverse,andhowdidtheyovercomethenumerousbarriersontheway? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,whereisuniverse,wherearegalaxies,wherearebarriers?Thetwoladiesremainedinthequeen'sinnerapartment.ItwastherethattheholymanVasistha* wasrulingaskingViduratha*itwashewhowaskingPadmabefore.Allthishappenedinpurespace:thereisnouniverse,nodistance,nobarriers.

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Conversingwitheachother,thetwoladiesemergedfromtheroomandproceededtowardsavillageontopofamountain.Thebeautyandthegloryofthatmountain areindescribable.Allitshouseswereliterallycoveredwithflowersthatcontinuallydroppedfromthetrees.Youngwomensleptintheirroomsonbedsmadeof clouds.Thehouseswereilluminatedbylightning. Onaccountoftheintensityofherpracticeoftheyogaofwisdom,Lila*hadacquiredfullknowledgeofthepast,presentandfuture.Sherecollectedthepastandsaid toSarasvati*:"ODivinity,sometimeagoIwasanagedwomanandIlivedhere.IwasdevotedtorighteousnessineverywaybutIhadneverpractisedenquiryinto thenatureoftheself("WhoamI,whatisthisworld?").Myhusbandwasalsoagood,righteousandlearnedmanbut,hisinnerintelligencehadalsonotbeen awakened.Wewereexemplarsinconductandbysuchconductwetaughtothershowtheyshouldlive."Aftersayingthis,Lila*showedtoSarasvati*herprevious dwelling,andcontinued:"See,thisismyfavouritecalf.Onaccountofmyseparation,itdoesnoteveneatgrassandhasbeenconstantlyweepingforthepasteight days.Inthisplace,myhusbandruledtheworld.Becauseofhisstrongwillpowerandsincehewasdeterminedtobeagreatkingsoon,hehadindeedbecomean emperorwithintheshortspanofeightdays,thoughitlookedlikealonglongtime.Justasairmovesaboutunseeninspace,evensointhespaceofthishouse,my husbandlives,unseen.Here,inthespaceofthesizeofathumb,weimaginedthekingdomofmyhusbandtobeamillionsquaremiles.ODivinity,surelybothmy husbandandIareofpureconsciousnessyet,onaccountofthemysteriousillusorypowerMaya*,myhusband'skingdomappearstoencompasshundredsof mountains.Thisistrulymarvellous.Iwishtoenterintothecapitalcitywheremyhusbandrules.Comeletusgothere:forwhatisimpossibleofachievementtothe industrious?'' III:29,30 VASISTHA*continued:

AlongwithSarasvati*,thequeenLila*roseintothesky.Theywentbeyondtheregionofthepolestar,beyondtherealmsofthesagesofperfection,evenbeyondthe realmofthegods,ofBrahma*(thecreator),GolokaandtherealmsofSiva*andofthemanesandoftheliberatedones.FromthereLila*sawthateventhesunand themoonwerefarbelow,andwerebarelyvisible.Sarasvati*saidtoLila*,"Dearone,youhavetogobeyondeventhistotheverytopoftheheadofcreationallthat youhaveseenisjustafewparticlesthathaveemanatedfromthere."Soontheyhadreachedthissummit,fortheirwillbecomesadamantinewhoseconsciousnessis pureandunveiled.

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There,Lila*sawthatthiscreationwasenvelopedbylayersofwater,fire,airandspace,andbeyondthatwaspureconsciousness.Thissupremeinfinite consciousnessispure,peaceful,freefromillusions,establishedinitsownglory.InthatLila*sawcountlesscreationsfloatinglikedustparticlesinlight.Theself projectionsofthejivas*dwellinginthoseuniversesgavethemtheirformsandnature.Becauseoftheessentialnatureofthisinfiniteconsciousness,allthesekeep arisingandagainarising,andbytheirownthoughtforce,returntoastateoftranquillityallthisislikethespontaneousplayofachild. RAMA*asked: Whatdopeoplemeanby'above''below'andsoon,whenonlytheinfiniteistruth? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,justaswhenlittleantscrawlalloveraroundrock,whatisundertheirfeetisalways'below'andwhatisbehindtheirbackisalways'above'evensopeople talkofthesedirections. Ofthosecountlessuniverses,ORama*,insomethereareonlyplantssomehaveBrahma*,Visnu*,Rudraandothersasthepresidingdeities,andsomehavenoneat allinsomethereareonlyanimalsandbirdsinsomethereisonlyanoceansomearesolidrockssomeareinhabitedonlybywormssomearepervadedbydense darknessinsomegodsdwellsomeareforeverillumined.Someseemtobeheadingtowardsdissolutionsomeseemtobefallinginspacetowardsdestruction.Since consciousnessexistseverywhereforever,creationoftheseuniversesandtheirdissolutionalsogoesoneverywhereforever.Alltheseareheldtogetherbya mysteriousomnipresentpower.Rama*,everythingexistsintheoneinfiniteconsciousnesseverythingarisesfromititaloneiseverything. VASISTHA*continued: III:3140

Havingseenallthis,Lila*sawtheinnerapartmentofthepalacewherethecorpseofthekinglayburiedunderaheapofflowers.Therearoseinheranintensewishto beholdherhusband'sotherlife.Instantly,shebrokethroughthesummitoftheuniverseandenteredintotherealmwhereherhusbandnowruled. Atthesametime,amightykingwhoruledovertheSindhuregionwaslayingasiegetoherhusband'skingdom.Asthetwoladieswerecoursingthespaceabovethe battlefieldtheyencounteredcountlesscelestialswhohadassembledtheretowitnessthebattleandtheexploitsofthegreatheroes. RAMA*asked: Holyone,tellme:whoisaheroamongsoldiersandwhoisabeastorawarcriminal?

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VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,hewhofightsabattlewhichisinaccordancewiththescripturalinjunctions,onbehalfofarighteouskingofunblemishedconduct,whetherhediesinbattle orwins,heisahero.Hewhofightsforanunrighteousmonarch,whotorturespeopleandmutilatestheirbodies,evenifhediesfightinginbattle,heisabeastor criminalandgoestohell.Hewhofightstoprotectthecattle,holymen,friends,ortheywhohavetakenhisasylum,heisanornamentofheaven.Ontheotherhand, theywhofightforakingwhodelightsinharassingthepeople(whetherhebeakingornot,orjustalandlord),theygotohell.Onlytheherowhodiesinbattlegoesto heaventheywhofightunrighteously,eveniftheydieinbattle,donotgotoheaven. ORama*,stillstandinginthesky,Lila*sawthetwogreatarmiesclosinginoneachother,readytoengagethemselvesinbattle.(Therefollowsagraphicdescription ofthestateofreadinessofthearmies,andofthedifferentformationsofthebattalions,asalsoofthefiercenessofthebattle,andthegruesomesceneofdestruction thatfollowedit.Alltheseareomittedinthistranslation.S.V.) Aseveningsetin,Lila's*husbandheldacouncilwithhisministersconcerningtheeventsofthemorningandthenhewenttosleep. Thetwoladieslefttheplacewheretheystoodwatchingthefiercebattleandtravellinglikeabreathofair,enteredintotheapartmentwherethekingwasasleep. RAMA*asked: Holyone,thebodyseemstobesolargeandheavyhowdoesitenterthroughaminutehole? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,indeeditisimpossibleforonewhoisrootedintheideathatheisaphysicalbodytopassthroughasubtleholeortube.Itistheinnermostconvictionthat"I amthebodywhichisobstructedthusinitsmovement"thatinfactmanifestsassuchobstruction:whentheformerisabsent,thelatterisabsent,too. Justaswatereverremainswaterandflowsdown,andfiredoesnotabandonitsnatureofrisingup,consciousnessremainsforeverconsciousness.But,hewhohas notunderstoodthisdoesnotexperienceitssubtletyortruenature.Asishisunderstandingsoishismind,foritistheunderstandingthatisthemindyet,itsdirection canbechangedbygreateffort.Normally,one'sactionsareinaccordancewithone'smind,(i.e.,one'sunderstanding). Buthewhoknowsthathisbodyisethereal,howcanhismovementbeobstructed?Intruth,everyone'sbodyeverywhereispureconsciousness:butonaccountofan ideathatarisesinsomeone'sheart,

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thereseemstobeallthiscomingandgoing.For,thesameinfiniteconsciousnessisalsotheindividualconsciousness(mind)andthecosmicspace(material).Therefore theetherealbodycanenteranythinganywhere,anditgoeswherethewishofitsheartleads. ORama*,everyone'sconsciousnessisofthisnatureandpower.Ineveryone'sconsciousnessthereisadifferentideaoftheworld.Deathandsuchotherexperiences arelikecosmicdissolution,thenightofcosmicconsciousness.Whenthatcomestoanendeveryonewakesuptohisownmentalcreation,whichisthematerialisation ofhisideas,notionsanddelusions.Evenasthecosmicbeingcreatestheuniverseafterthecosmicdissolution,theindividualcreateshisownworldafterhisdeath. However,divinitieslikeBrahma*,Visnu*andSiva*,asalsoholysages,attainfinalliberationduringcosmicdissolutionandtheircreationofthenextcycleisnotfrom memory.Inthecaseofotherbeings,thenewcreationafterthedeathinthepreviousoneisconditionedbytheimpressionsleftinthemindbythevariousexperiences duringthatlifespan. VASISTHA*continued: Immediatelyafterdeath,thestateinwhichitmaybesaidthatoneisneitherherenorthere,whentheconsciousness,asitwere,slightlyopenstheeyesthoughitseems nottodosothatstateisknownaspradhana*orthematerialorinertstateofconsciousness.Itisalsoknownasetherealnature,unmanifestnatureanditisregarded bothassentientandinsentient.Itisthiswhichisresponsiblebothformemoryanditsabsence,andthereforeforthenextbirth. Whenthatetherealnaturebecomesawakened,andwheninitsconsciousnesstheegosensemanifestsitself,itgivesrisetothefiveelements(earth,water,fire,air,and ether),spacetimecontinuumandalltherestofthematerialneededforphysicalbirthandexistence.Thesethencondenseintotheirmaterialcounterparts.During dreamingandwakingstatestheygiverisetothefeelingofaphysicalbody.Butinfactallthisconstitutestheetherealbodyofthejiva*. Whentheidea'Iamthebody'becomesdeeplyingrained,thissameetherealbodydevelopsthephysicalcharacteristicsofabodyliketheeyes,etc.thoughallthis happensonlylikevibrationsormovementsinair.Evenifalltheseappeartobereal,theyareas(un)realastheexperienceofsexualpleasureinadream. Whereveronedies,'thereitselfthatjiva*seesallthishappening.Inthatspace,inthatfieldofconsciousnessitself,heimagines''Thisistheworld,thisamI"and, believingthatheisborn,heexperiencestheworldwhichisnothingbutspacehethejiva*isspace,too!Hethinks"Heismyfather,sheismymother,thisismy wealth,Ihave

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donethiswonderfuldeed,alasIhavesinned."Heimagines"Ihavebecomeasmallchild,andnowIhavebecomeayouth,"andseesalltheseinhisheart. Thisforest,knownascreation,arisesintheheartofeveryjiva*.Whereverapersondies,thereandthenheseesthisforest.Inthismanner,countlessworldsbornin theconsciousnessofindividualjivas*haveintimevanishedevensocountlessBrahmas*,Rudras,Visnus*andsunshavevanished.Inthismanner,theillusory perceptionofcreationhastakenplacecountlesstimes,istakingplacenow,andwilltakeplaceinthefuture.Forallthisisnondifferentfromthemovementofthought which,again,isnotindependentoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Inreality,whatismentalactivitybutconsciousness,andthatconsciousnessisthesupremetruth. III:41 VASISTHA*continued:

Thetwoladiesenteredtheapartmentofthekingliketwodivinities,resplendentliketwomoons.Bytheirgracetheking'sattendantswerefastasleep.Astheytook theirseats,thekingawokeandbeheldthem.Hesatdownandworshippedtheirlotuslikefeetwithflowers.Sarasvati*wishedthathisministershouldacquaintLila* withtheking'sancestry:byherwill,theministerawoke. WhenSarasvati*askedthekingwhohewas,theministerinformedtheladiesthathewasadescendantofthegreatkingIksvaku*,thathisfatherwasNabhoratha whowhenthesonwastenyearsoldhadentrustedthekingdomtohimandretiredtotheforesttoleadaspirituallife.Theking'snamewasViduratha*Sarasvati*then blessedViduratha*bylayingherhandonhisheadandinspiredhimtorecollectthefactsofhisownpreviouslives.Instantly,thekingrememberedeverythingand askedSarasvati*: "OGoddess,howisitthatthoughitishardlyonedaysinceIdied,itseemsthatIhavelivedinthisbodyafullseventyyears,andhowisitthatIrememberallthe thingsthathappenedwhenIwasyounginthislifespan?" SARASVATI*replied: Oking,attheverymomentofyourdeathandintheveryplaceofyourdeath,allthisthatyouareseeingheremanifested.AllthisiswheretheholymanVasistha* lived,inthevillageonthehill.Thatishisworld,andinthatworldistheworldofkingPadma,andinthatworldofkingPadmaistheworldthatyouarein.Livinginit youthink"Thesearemyrelations,thesearemysubjects,thesearemyministers,thesearemyenemies"youthinkthatyouareruling,youareengagedinreligiousrites youthinkthatyouhavebeenfightingwithyourenemiesandyouweredefeatedbythemyouthinkyouareseeingus,worshippingus,andthatyouarereceiving

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enlightenmentfromusyouthink"IhaveovercomeallsorrowandIenjoysupremebliss,Ishallbeestablishedintherealisationoftheabsolute." Allthistooknotimetohappen,evenasinnotimeduringadreamawholelife'sdramaisenacted.Inreality,youareunbornnordoyoudie.Youseeallthis,asit were,thoughyoudonotsee:forwhenallthisisnaughtotherthantheinfiniteconsciousness,whoseeswhat?(VIDURATHA*asked:Then,arenotthese,my ministersindependentbeings?)Totheenlightenedpersonthereisonlyoneinfiniteconsciousness,andthereisnonotionof'Iam'or'theseare'.WhileVasistha*said this,anotherdaycametoanend. SARASVATI*continued: III:42

Toanimmatureandchildishpersonwhoisconfirmedinhisconvictionthatthis.worldisreal,itcontinuestoberealevenasachildwhobelievesinaghostishaunted byitthroughouthislife.Ifapersonisenamouredoftheappearanceofthebracelet,hedoesnotseethatitisjustgold:hewhoseesthegloryofpalaces,elephantsand citiesdoesnotseetheinfiniteconsciousnesswhichaloneistrue. Thisuniverseisbutalongdream.Theegosenseandalsothefancythatthereareothers,areasrealasdreamobjects.Thesolerealityistheinfiniteconsciousness whichisomnipresent,pure,tranquil,omnipotent,andwhoseverybodyandbeingisabsoluteconsciousness(thereforenotanobject,notknowable):whereverthis consciousnessmanifestsinwhatevermanner,itisthat.Hencewhentheseerfanciesseeingahumanbeing,ahumanbeinghappensthere.Becausethesubstratum(the infiniteconsciousness)isreal,allthatisbasedonitacquiresreality,thoughtherealityisofthesubstratumalone.Thisuniverseandallbeingsinitarebutalongdream. Tomeyouarereal,andtoyouIamrealevensotheothersarerealtoyouortome.And,thisrelativerealityisliketherealityofthedreamobjects. RAMA*asked: Holyone,inthecaseofacitywhichappearedinone'sdream,itcontinuestobeifitisarealcity:isthiswhatyouimplyinyourteaching? VASISTHA*replied: Youareright,ORama*.Sincethedreamofacityetc.,isbasedontherealsubstratumofinfiniteconsciousness,thesedreamobjectsappeartobereal.But,then thereisnorealdifferencebetweenthewakingstateofconsciousnessandthedreamstate.Whatisrealintheoneisunrealintheotherhence,boththesestatesare essentiallyofthesamenature.

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Therefore,theobjectsofthewakingorthedreamingconsciousnessareequallyunreal,exceptfortheinfiniteconsciousnessonwhichtheyareallsuperimposed. Afterhavingimpartedthisteachingtotheking,Sarasvati*blessedhimandsaid:"Mayallauspiciousnessattendyou.Youhaveseenwhatistobeseen.Giveusleave togo." Viduratha*said:"Soon,OGoddess,Ishallgofromhere,justasonegoesfromonedreamtoanotherinsleep.Pray,grantthatmyministersandmyvirgindaughter maygowithme."Sarasvati*grantedhisprayer. III:43 SARASVATI*said:

Oking,youshalldieinthiswarandthenyouwillregainyourpreviouskingdom.Afteryourdeathinthisbody,youwillcomeovertothepreviouscitywithyour daughterandyourministers.Wetwoshallgonowaswecameandallofyouwillofcoursefollowusinduecourse:forthenatureofthemotionofahorse,an elephantandacamelisdifferent! VASISTHA*continued: EvenasSarasvati*wassayingthistotheking,aroyalmessengerrushedintoannouncethattheenemyforceshadenteredthecapitalandweredestroyingit.There wasanincendiaryraidinprogress,andtheentirecitywasablaze.Thetwoladies,thekingandhisministersmovedtoawindowtowitnessthatdreadfulscene. Lootingofthecityhadcommencedandtherobberswereyellingfiercelyeverywhere.Theentirecitywasenvelopedindensesmoke.Firewasrainingfromthesky. (Antiaircraft?)missilesdescribed'halfmoon'shapedflamingstreaksinthesky.Heavyrocklikemissiles(bombs)werefallingonthehouses,destroyingthemandthe roadsaround. Thekingandtheothersheardthepitiablecriesofthecitizens.Everywheretherewasweepingandwailing,theheartrendingcriesofwomenandchildren.Someone wascrying,"Odear,thiswomanhaslostherfather,mother,brotherandherlittleinfant:thoughshehasnotperished,thetragedyofherlifeisburningherheart." Anothershouted:"Getoutofthathousequicklyitisabouttocollapse."Yetanother:"Look,bombsandweaponsrainintoeveryhouse.''Missileswereraininglikethe downpourthatprecedescosmicdissolution.Allthetreesaroundthehouseshadbeenburntandthewholeplacelookeddesolate.Whatlookedlikeelephantshad beenpropelledintotheairfromthebattlefieldandtheywererainingfireonthecity.And,therewereroadblockseverywhere.Boundbyattachment,mentarriedin burninghouseslookingfortheirwivesandchildren.Evenwomenoftheroyalhouseholdwerebeing

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draggedaboutbytheinvadingsoldiers.Weepingandwailing,thesenobleladiesdidnotknowwhattodo.Theycried:"Alas,whowillhelpusinthisterriblesituation?" andtheyweresurroundedbysoldiers Suchisthegloryofsovereignty,kingdomsandempires.* VASISTHA*continued: III:44

Inthemeantime,thequeenarrivedthere.Theladyinwaitingannouncedhertotheking.Shesaid:"YourMajesty,alltheotherladiesoftheharemhavebeenviolently draggedawaybytheenemy.Fromthisindescribablecalamitythathasbefallenus,onlyYourMajestycanredeemus." ThekingbowedtoSarasvati*andexcusedhimself,"Ishallmyselfgotothebattlefront,OGoddess,todealwiththeenemyandthis,mywife,willwaituponyou duringthattime." TheenlightenedLila*wasamazedtoseethatthequeenwasacompletereplicaofherself.SheaskedSarasvati*:"ODivinity,howisitthatsheisexactlywhatIam? WhateverIwasinmyownyouth,sheisnow.Whatisthesecretofthis?Also:alltheseministers,etc.,whoarehere,arethesamethatwerethere,inourpalace.If theyarebutareflectionortheobjectsofourfancy,aretheysentientandaretheyalsoendowedwithconsciousness?" SARASVATI*replied: OLila*,whatevervisionariseswithinoneself,thatisimmediatelyexperienced.Consciousness(assubject)itselfbecomes,asitwere,theobjectofknowledge.When inconsciousnesstheimageoftheworldarises,atthatveryinstant,itbecomesso.Time,space,durationandobjectivitydonotarisefrommatterforthentheywould bematerial.Whatisreflectedinone'sconsciousnessshinesoutsidealso. Whatisregardedastherealobjectiveworldexperiencedinthewakingstateisnomorerealthanthatexperiencedduringsleep(dream).Duringsleep,theworlddoes notexistandduringthewakingstate,thedreamdoesnotexist!Evenso,deathcontradictslife:whileliving,deathisnonexistent,andindeath,lifeisnonexistent. Because,thatwhichholdstogethereitherexperienceisabsentintheother. Onecannotsaythateitherisreal,orunreal,butonecanonlysaythattheirsubstratumaloneisreal.TheuniverseexistsinBrahmanonlyasaword,anidea.Itis neitherrealnorunreal:justasasnake
*

Thedescriptionisastonishingandresemblesmodernwarfareandbombingofcivilians.

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intheropeisneitherrealnorunreal.Evensoistheexistenceofthejiva*.Thisjiva*experiencesitsownwishes.Itfanciesthatitexperienceswhatithadexperienced beforeandsomeothersarenewexperiences.Theyaresimilarattimesanddissimilarattimes.Alltheseexperiences,thoughessentiallyunreal,appeartobereal.Such isthenatureoftheseministersandothers.EvensothisLila*existsastheproductofthereflectioninconsciousness.Evensoareyou,meandallothers.Knowthisand restinpeace. III:45,46 THESECONDLILA*,saidtoSarasvati*:

ODivinity,IusedtoworshipSarasvati*andsheusedtoappeartomeinmydreams.Youlookexactlylikeher:IpresumethatyouareSarasvati*.Ihumblybegof youtograntmeaboonwhenmyhusbanddiesonthebattlefield,mayIaccompanyhimtowhicheverrealmhegoes,inthisverybodyofmine. SARASVATI*replied: Odearlady,youhaveworshippedmeforalongtimewithintensedevotion:therefore,Igrantyoutheboonsoughtbyyou. THEFIRSTLILA*thereuponsaidtoSarasvati*: Truly,yourwordsneverfail,yourwishalwayscomestrue.Pray,tellmewhyyoudidnotallowmetotravelfromoneplaneofconsciousnesstoanotherwiththesame body. SARASVATI*replied: MydearLila*,Idonotreallydoanythingtoanyone.Everyjiva*earnsitsownstatebyitsowndeeds.Iammerelythedeitypresidingovertheintelligenceofevery beingIamthepowerofitsconsciousnessanditslifeforce.Whateverformtheenergyofthelivingbeingtakeswithinitself,thatalonecomestofruitionincourseof time.Youlongedforliberation,andyouobtainedit.Youmayconsideritthefruitofyourausterityorworshipofthedeitybutitisconsciousnessalonethatbestows thefruituponyouevenasthefruitthatseemstofallfromtheskyreallyfallsfromthetree. VASISTHA*continued: Astheyweretalkingamongthemselveslikethis,thekingViduratha*ascendedhisresplendentchariotandproceededtothebattlefront.Unfortunately,hehadnot assessedtherelativestrengthofhisandtheenemy'sforcesrightuptothemomentheactuallyenteredintotheenemyranks. ThetwoLilas*,Sarasvati*,asalsotheprincesswhohadreceivedtheblessingsofSarasvati*,werewatchingtheterriblewarfromtheirapartmentinthepalace. Theskywascrowdedwiththemissilesfromboththearmies.Thebattlecriesofthewarriorswereheardeverywhere.Therewasapallofsmokeanddustoverthe entirecity.

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EvenasthekingViduratha*enteredtheranksoftheenemy,therewasanintensetuttutsoundofintensecrossfire.Asthemissilescollided,thereweresoundslike khutkhut,tuktuk,jhunjhun. THESECONDLILA*askedSarasvati*: III:4750

OGoddess,pleasetellme,whyisitthatthoughweareblessedbyyou,myhusbandcannotwinthebattle? SARASVATI*replied: Nodoubt,IwasadoredbykingViduratha*foraconsiderabletimebuthedidnotprayforvictoryinbattle.Beingtheconsciousnessthatdwellsintheunderstanding ofeveryperson,Ibestowuponthatpersonthatwhichheseeks.Whateveritbethatapersonasksofme,Ibestowuponhimthatfruit:itisbutnaturalthatfiregives youheat.Hehadaskedforliberationandheshallattainliberation. Ontheotherhand,thekingofSindhuworshippedme,andprayedforvictoryinbattle.Hence,thekingViduratha*willbeslaininbattle,andhewillrejoinyouboth andincourseoftimewillattainliberation.ThiskingofSindhuwillwinthewarandwillrulethecountryasthevictoriousmonarch. VASISTHA*continued: Astheladieswerewitnessingthebattle,thesunroseintheeasternhorizon,asifeagertowitnesstheconcludingphaseofthisterriblebattle.Surroundedbyathousand soldierseach,thetwokingsfoughteachother.Theirmissileshadseveraldifferentshapesandsizes.Someofthem,thoughtheyweresingleheadedwhentheyleftthe ground,multipliedintoathousandintheairandrainedliterallyintensofthousandswhentheyhittheirtarget. Boththekingswerewellmatchedinstrengthandvalour:Viduratha's*wasinborn,whilethestrengthoftheenemywasderivedfromaboonhehadobtainedfromlord Narayana*Whiletheyfought,theirarmieswatcheddumbfounded. Atonestage,whenitlookedasthoughViduratha*waswinning,thesecondLila*washighlyelatedandpointedhimouttoSarasvati*buttheverynextmoment,the enemyemergedunscathed.Foreverydeadlymissileofonetheotherusedacountermissile.Themissilethatcreateddepressionwascounteredbyonethatinspiredthe warriors.Theserpentmissilehaditsantidote.Thewatermissilewasmetwiththefiremissile.AndtheVisnumissile*wasusedbyboththekings. Boththekingslosttheirvehicles,andtheycontinuedtofightstandingontheground.AsViduratha*wasabouttoascendanewonehewascutdownbythekingof Sindhu.Viduratha's*bodywassoonbroughttothepalacewhichthepursuingenemycouldnotenteronaccountofSarasvati's*presence.

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III:51,52

VASISTHA*continued:

SoonafterthekingViduratha*fell,therewasutterpostwarconfusionandchaosinthecity.ThekingofSindhuannouncedthathissonwouldbethenewruler.There wasgreatrejoicingamonghissubjectsandhisministersquicklygotreadyforthecoronation.Immediatelythenewadministrationproclaimedmartiallawinthenew state,whichrestoredpeaceandordertoit. SeeingViduratha*fall,thesecondLila*felldownunconscious.ThefirstLila*saidtoSarasvati*:''OGoddess,see,thismyhusbandisabouttogiveuptheghost." SARASVATI*said: Dearone,allthisterriblewar,thisdestructionanddeath,areasrealasadreamforthereisneitherakingdomnortheearth.Allthistookplaceinthehouseoftheholy manVasistha*ontopofthehill.Thispalaceandthisbattlefieldandalltherestofitisnowherebuttheinnerapartmentsofyourownpalace.Infact,theentireuniverse isthere.For,withinthehouseoftheholymanistheworldofthekingPadmaandwithinthepalaceofthatkinginthatworldisallthatyouhaveseenhere.Allthisis merefancy,hallucination.Whatis,isthesolerealitywhichisneithercreatednordestroyed.Itisthatinfiniteconsciousnessthatisperceivedbytheignorantasthe universe Justasawholecityexistswithinthedreamer,thethreeworldsexistinasmallatomsurely,thereareatomsinthoseworlds,andeachoneofthoseatomsalsocontains thethreeworlds. TheotherLila*whofelldownunconscioushasalreadyreachedthatworldinwhichyourhusbandPadma'sbodyislying. LILA*asked: OGoddess,tellme:howdidshegotherealready,andwhatarethepeopletheretellingher? SARASVATI*replied:Justasbothofyouarethefanciedobjectsoftheking,evensothekinghimselfandIaredreamobjects.Onewhoknowsthisgivesup lookingfor'objectsofperception'.Intheinfiniteconsciousnesswehavecreatedeachotherinourfancy.TheotheryouthfulLila*wasindeedyourself.She worshippedmeandprayedthatshewouldneverbewidowed:hence,beforethekingViduratha*diedsheleftthisplace.Dearone,youareallindividualisedcosmic consciousness,butIamthecosmicconsciousness:andImakeallthesethingshappen. III:53 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,thesecondLila*whohadobtainedaboonfromSarasvati*roseintotheskyandtheremetherdaughter.ThegirlintroducedherselftoLila*.And,Lila* requestedhertoguidehertowhereher

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husbandthekingwas.Thegirlthereuponflewawaywithhermother. First,theypassedthroughtheregionoftheclouds,thentheypassedthroughtheregionofair.Beyondthattheywentthroughtheorbitofthesunintothestarryheaven. TheyproceededstillfurthertotherealmsofBrahma*thecreator,Visnu*,andSiva*,andafterallthatintothesummitoftheuniverse.Theywereabletodoallthis evenasthecoolnessoficeisabletoradiatefromtheicejarwithoutbreakingit.Ofcourse,Lila*whohadanetherealbodycomposedofmaterialisedthought, experiencedallthiswithinherself. Passingbeyondeventhisuniverse,Lila*crossedovertheoceansandotherelementsthatenvelopthisuniverse,andenteredintotheinfiniteconsciousness.Inthat infiniteconsciousnesstherearecountlessuniverseswhichdonotknowofoneanother'sexistence. Lila*enteredoneofthoseuniversesinwhichlaythebodyofkingPadmacoveredwithaheapofflowers.Sheagainpassedthroughtheregionsofthegods(Brahma*, etc.),enteredthecityandthepalaceinwhichthebodylay.But,alas,whenshelookedaroundshecouldnotseeherdaughterwhohaddisappearedmysteriously. Sherecognisedthekingasherhusbandandthoughtthathavingdiedawarrior'sgloriousdeathonthebattlefieldhehadascendedtothehero'sheaven.Shethought "BythegraceofSarasvati*,Ihavephysicallyreachedthisplace.Iamthemostblessedamongpersons."Shebegantofantheking'sbody. THEFIRSTLILA*askedSarasvati*:Seeingher,whatdidtheservantsofthekingdo? SARASVATI*answered:Theking,theservantsoftheroyalhouseholdandalltherestofthem,areonlyinfiniteconsciousness.However,sincethesubstratumisthe reflectionoftheinfiniteconsciousnesswhichisreal,andsincethereisaconvictionintheorderoffancifulcreation,theyrecogniseoneanother.Thehusbandsays,"She ismywife"andthewifesays,"Heismyhusband". Shecouldnotgoinherownphysicalbodytothenewrealmbecauselightcannotcoexistwithdarkness,andaslongasthereisinoneselftheblindnotionof ignorance,wisdomdoesnotarise.Whenthewisdomconcerningone'setherealbodyarises,thephysicalbodyceasestoberecognisedastrue.Thisisthefruitofthe boonthatIgrantedher.Therecipientoftheboonthinks,"Justasyouhavemademethinkbyyourboon,soIam".Therefore,shethinksshehasreachedher husband'sabodeinherphysicalbody.Onemayignorantlyseeasnakeintheropebuttheropecannotbehavelikeasnake.

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III:54

SARASVATI*said:

Onlyonewhohasarrivedatwisdomcanascendtotheetherealrealms,OLila*,notothers.ThisLila*doesnotpossesssuchwisdomhence,sheonlyfanciedthat shehadreachedthecitywhereherhusbanddwelt. THEENLIGHTENEDLILA*said: Letthatbeasyousay,OGoddess.But,pleasetellme:howdidtheobjectsacquiretheircharacteristicslikeheatinfire,coolnessinice,solidityofearth?Howdid theworldorder(niyati)firstarise,asalsobirthanddeath? SARASVATI*said: Dearone,duringthecosmicdissolution,theentireuniversehavingdisappeared,onlytheinfiniteBrahmanremainsinpeace.Thisinfinitebeingofthenatureof consciousnessfeels'Iam'andthen'Iamanatomoflight'.Thusitexperiencesthetruthofthatstatementwithinitself.Italsofanciestheexistencewithinitselfofthe diversecreatures:andsinceitsnatureispureandabsoluteconsciousness,thatfancifulcreationappearstobearealcreation,withobjectsofdiversecharacteristicsin strictaccordwiththefancyoftheinfiniteconsciousness. Whatever,whereverandhoweverwasconceivedorfanciedbytheinfiniteconsciousnessduringthatfirstcreation,allthathasremainedthereandinthatmannerand withthosecharacteristicsevennow.Thuswasadefiniteorderbroughtintobeinghere. Infact,thisorderisinherentininfiniteconsciousness.Alltheseobjectsandtheircharacteristicswerepotentiallypresentinitevenduringthecosmicdissolution:into whatelsecouldtheydissolve?Moreover,howcansomethingbecomenothing?Goldthatappearsasbraceletcannotbecomeformlessentirely. Thus,althoughalltheelementsofthiscreationareutteremptiness,yetwhateverelementwasconceivedofinthebeginningwithwhatevercharacteristic,suchorderhas persisteduntilnow.Allthisisonlyfromtherelativepointofview:for,theuniversehasnotbeencreatedatall,andwhateveris,istheinfiniteconsciousnessandnaught else.Itisthenatureofappearancetoappeartobereal,eventhoughitisunreal. Suchistheorder(niyati)intheuniverse,thatnothinguntilnowhasbeenabletoalterit.Itwastheinfiniteconsciousnessitselfthatthoughtofalltheseelementswithin itselfanditexperiencedthemwithinitself,andthatexperienceappearstohavematerialised. SARASVATI*continued:Accordingtotheorderthatexistedinthefirstcreationhumanbeingswereendowedwithalifespanofone,two,threeorfour

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hundredyears.Theshorteningorthelengtheningofthelifespanisdependentuponthepurityorimpurityofthefollowingfactorscountry,time,activity,andthe materialsusedandconsumed.Hewhoadherestotheinjunctionsofthescripturesenjoysthelifespanguaranteedbythosescriptures.Thus,thepersonlivesalongor shortlifeandreachesitsend. THEENLIGHTENEDLILA*said:OGoddess,kindlyenlightenmeconcerningdeath:isitpleasantorunpleasant,andwhathappensafterdeath? SARASVATI*said:Therearethreetypesofhumanbeings,mydear:thefool,onewhoispractisingconcentrationandmeditation,andtheyogi(orintelligentone).The twolattertypesofhumanbeingsabandonthebodybythepractice'oftheyogaofconcentrationandmeditationanddepartattheirsweetwillandpleasure.But,the foolwhohasnotpractisedconcentrationormeditation,beingatthemercyofforcesoutsidehimself,experiencesgreatanguishattheapproachofdeath. Thisfoolexperiencesaterribleburningsensationwithinhimself.Hisbreathingbecomeshardandlaboured.Hisbodybecomesdiscoloured.Heintersintodense darknessandseesthestarsduringtheday.Hegetsdizzy.Heisconfusedinhisvision:heseestheearthasspaceandtheskyasthesolidearth.Heexperiencesall sortsofdelirioussensationsthatheisfallingintoawell,enteringintoastone,ridingafastvehicle,meltingawaylikesnow,beingdraggedwitharope,floatingaway likeabladeofgrass,etc.Hewishestoexpresshissuffering,butisunabletodoso.Gradually,hissenseslosetheirpowerandheisunableeventothink.Thereforehe sinksinunwisdomandignorance. THEENLIGHTENEDLILA*asked:Thougheverypersonisendowedwiththeeightlimbs,whydoesheexperienceallthisagonyandignorance? SARASVATI*replied: Suchistheorderestablishedinthebeginningofcreationbytheinfiniteconsciousness.Whenlifebreathdoesnotflowfreely,thepersonceasestolive.Butallthisis imaginary.Howcaninfiniteconsciousnessceasetobe?Thepersonisnothingbutinfiniteconsciousness.Whodiesandwhen,towhomdoesthisinfiniteconsciousness belongandhow?Evenwhenmillionsofbodiesdie,thisconsciousnessexistsundiminished. THEENLIGHTENEDLILA*said: III:55

Kindlyproceedwithyourdiscourseonbirthanddeath:listeningtoitagainwillcertainlydeepenmywisdom. SARASVATI*said:

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Whenthereiscessationoftheflowofthelifebreath,theconsciousnessoftheindividualbecomesutterlypassive.Pleaseremember,OLila*,thatconsciousnessis pure,eternalandinfinite:itdoesnotarisenorceasetobe.Itiseverthereinthemovingandunmovingcreatures,inthesky,onthemountainandinfireandair.When lifebreathceases,thebodyissaidtobe'dead'or'inert'.Thelifebreathreturnstoitssourceairandconsciousnessfreedfrommemoryandtendenciesremainsas theself. Thatatomicetherealparticlewhichispossessedofthesememoriesandtendenciesisknownasthejiva*:anditremainsthereitself,inthespacewherethedeadbody is.Andtheyrefertoitas'preta'(departedsoul).Thatjiva*nowabandonsitsideasandwhatithadbeenseeingtillthen,andperceivesotherthingsasindreamingor daydreaming. Afteramomentarylapseofconsciousness,thejiva*beginstofancythatitseesanotherbody,anotherworldandanotherlifespan. OLila*,therearesixcategoriesofsuch'departedsouls':bad,worseandworstsinnersgood,better,bestofvirtuousones.Ofcourse,therearesubdivisionsamong these,too.(Inthecaseofsomeoftheworstsinners,themomentarylapseofconsciousnessmaylastaconsiderabletime.) Theworstamongthesinnersundergoterriblesufferingsinhellandthenarebornincountlesslivingspecies,beforetheyseetheendoftheiragony.Theymighteven existastreesforalongtime. Themiddlingamongsinnersalsosufferlapseofconsciousnessforaconsiderabletimeandthenarebornaswormsandanimals. Thelightsinnersaresoonrebornashumanbeings. Thebestamongtherighteousascendtoheavenandenjoylifethere.Latertheyareborningoodandaffluentfamiliesonearth. Themiddlingamongtherighteousgototheregionofthecelestials,andreturntotheearthaschildrenofbrahmanas*,etc. Eventherighteousamongthedepartedones,afterenjoyingsuchheavenlypleasures,havetopassthroughtherealmsofthedemigodstosuffertheconsequencesof theiniquitiestheymighthavecommitted. SARASVATI*continued: All.thesedepartedsoulsexperiencewithinthemselvesthefruitionoftheirownpastactions.Atfirstthereisthenotion'Iamdead',andthen'Iambeingcarriedaway bythemessengersofthegodofdeath'.Therighteousamongthemfancythattheyaretakentoheavenandtheordinarysinnersfancythattheyarestandinginthe courtofthegodofdeathwhere,withthehelpofCitragupta(thehiddenrecordofone'sdeeds),theyarebeingtriedandjudgedfortheirpastlife.

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Whateverthejiva*sees,thatthejiva*experiences.Forinthisemptyspaceofinfiniteconsciousnessthereisnothingknownastime,action,etc.Thenthejiva* fancies,'Thegodofdeathhassentmetoheaven(orhell)'and'Ihaveenjoyed(orsuffered)thepleasures(ortortures)ofheaven(orhell)',and'Iambornasanimal, etc.,asordainedbythegodofdeath'. Atthatmoment,thejiva*entersintothebodyofthemalethroughthefoodeatenitisthentransferredtothefemaleanddeliveredintothisworld,whereitundergoes lifeagaininaccordancewiththefruitionofpastactions.Thereitgrowsandwaneslikethemoon.Onceagainitundergoessenilityanddeath.Thisgoesonagainand againtillthejiva*isenlightenedbyselfknowledge. THEENLIGHTENEDLILA*asked: OGoddess,butpleasetellmehowallthisbeganintheverybeginning. SARASVATI*replied: Themountains,theforests,theearthandtheskyallthesearebutinfiniteconsciousness.Thataloneistheverybeingofall,therealityinallandhencethatpure infiniteconsciousnessappearedtobecomewhateverformittookwheneveritmanifesteditself.Tillnowitcontinuestobeso.Whenthelifebreathentersintothe bodiesandbeginstovibratethevariouspartsofthebodies,itissaidthatthosebodiesareliving.Suchlivingbodiesexistedrightinthebeginningofcreation.When thosebodiesintowhichthelifebreathhadentereddidnotvibrate,theywereknownastreesandplants.Itisindeedasmallpartoftheinfiniteconsciousnessthat becomestheintelligenceinthesebodies.Thisintelligence,enteringintothebodies,bringsintobeingthedifferentorgansliketheeyes. Whateverthisconsciousnessthinksitis,ittakesthatform.Thus,thisselfofallexistsinallbodies,withmotionasthecharacteristicofmovingbodies,immovabilityas thecharacteristicoftheimmovablebodies.Thusdoallthesebodiescontinuetobeevennow. SARASVATI*continued: Whenthatintelligence,whichispartoftheinfiniteconsciousness,fancieditselftobeatree,itbecameatreeorarock,itbecamearockorgrass,itbecamegrass. Thereisnodistinctionbetweenthesentientandtheinsentient,betweeninertandintelligent:thereisnodifferenceatallintheessenceofsubstances,fortheinfinite consciousnessispresenteverywhereequally.Thedifferencesareonlyduetotheintelligenceidentifyingitselfasdifferentsubstances.Thesameinfiniteconsciousnessis knownbydifferentnamesinthesedifferentsubstances.Inthesameway,itisthesameinfiniteconsciousnessthattheintelligenceidentifiesastheworms,antsand birds.Init

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thereisnocomparison,norasenseofdifference:justasthepeoplelivinginthenorthpoledonotknow(andthereforedonotcontrastthemselveswith)thepeopleof thesouthpole.Eachindependentsubstanceidentifiedassuchbythisintelligenceexistsbyitself,withoutdistinctionfromtheothersubstances.Ascribingdistinctionsto themas'sentient'and'insentient'islikeafrogborninarockandafrogbornoutsideitconsideringthemselvesdifferent,oneinsentientandtheothersentient! Theintelligencewhichisapartoftheinfiniteconsciousnessiseverywhere,anditiseverything:whateverthatintelligencethoughtofasitself,itbecamethatinthevery beginningofcreationandsoithasremainedeversince. Itthoughtofitselfasspace,itthoughtofitselfasthemovingair,itthoughtofitselfastheinsentient,itthoughtofitselfasthesentientbeings.Allthisisnothingbutthe fancyofthatintelligence.Suchappearanceisnotthereality,thoughitappearstobereal. OLila*,IthinkthatnowthekingViduratha*wishestoenterintotheheartofthebodyofkingPadma.Heisproceedingtowardsit. THEENLIGHTENEDLILA*said: OGoddess,letusalsoproceedinthesamedirection. SARASVATI*said: TuninghimselftotheegoprincipleintheheartofPadma,Viduratha*fanciesthatheisproceedingtoanotherworld.Letusproceedalongourownpaths:onecannot treadthepathofanother! III:56 VASISTHA*continued:

Inthemeantime,thelifebreathleftthebodyofthekingViduratha*evenasbirdsabandonatreethatisabouttofall.Hisintelligenceroseintospace,inanethereal form.Lila*andSarasvati*sawthisandfollowedit.Inafewmoments,thatetherealformbecameconscious,whentheperiodofpostmortemunconsciousnesscame toanend.And,thekingfanciedthathesaweventhegrossformwhichhadbeenputtogetherbythefuneralritesperformedbyhisrelatives. Withthishetravelledtowardsthesouthandreachedtheabodeofthegodofdeath,whodeclaredthatthekinghadnotcommittedanysinfulactionatallandordered hismessengerstolethimenterhisownpreviousbody(ofPadma)whichlayembalmed. Instantly,thejiva*ofViduratha*crossedovertotheotheruniverseinwhichPadma'sbodylay,andreachedthepalace.ObviouslyViduratha*hadbeenlinkedwith Padma'sbodythroughtheegosenseofthelatter,evenasamantravellingindistantcountriesisstillattachedtotheplacewherehehasburiedhistreasure! RAMA*asked: OHolysir,ifone'srelativesfailtoperformthefuneralrites

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properly,thenhowcanthatoneobtaintheetherealform? VASISTHA*answered: Whetherthefuneralriteshadbeendulyperformedornot,ifthedepartedonebelievesthattheyhavebeenperformed,hegetsthebenefitoftheetherealform.Thisisa wellknowntruth:whateverbeone'sconsciousness,thatoneis.Things(objectsorsubstances)comeintobeingonaccountofone'sfancy(thoughtoridea)andone's fancyalsoarisesfromthethings.Poisonturnsintonectarthroughone'sfancy(orfaith)evenso,anunrealobjectorsubstancebecomesrealwhensuchintensefaithis present.Withoutacausenoeffectisproducedanywhereatanytimeandthereforethereisnofancyorthoughteither.Hence,butfortheonecauselessinfinite consciousnessnothingwhatsoeverhaseverarisenorbeencreated.Restassuredofthis. Ifthefuneralritesareperformedbyone'srelativeswiththerightfaithithelpstheintelligenceofthedepartedsoul,unlessthelatterisoverpoweringlyvicious. LetusreturntothepalaceofkingPadma.AsIsaid,Lila*andSarasvati*reenteredthatbeautifulpalaceandtheroominwhichtheembalmedbodyofPadmahad beenkept.Alltheroyalattendantswerefastasleep. VASISTHA*continued: III:57

There,seatednearthebodyofkingPadmatheysawthesecondLila*whowasdevoutlyfanningtheking.ThefirstLila*andSarasvati*sawher,butshedidnotsee them. RAMA*asked: ItwassaidthatthefirstLila*hadtemporarilyleftherbodynearthekingandtravelledwithSarasvati*inanetherealbody:butnowthefirstLila's*bodyisnot mentionedatall. VASISTHA*replied: WhenthefirstLila*becameenlightened,theegoisticfancyofheretherealrealbeingabandoneditslinkswiththegrossphysicalform,anditmeltedawaylikesnow.In fact,itwasLila's*ignorantfancythatmadeitappearasifshehadaphysicalbody.Itwasasifonedreamsandthinks''Iamadeer":onwakingupandfindingthedeer missing,doesonegoaboutsearchingforit?Inthemindofthedeludedtheunrealmanifestsitselfandwhenthedelusionhasbeendispelled(liketherealisationthatitis ropeandnotsnake!)thereisnolongeranignorantfancy.Thisfancifulconvictionthattheunrealisrealisdeeprootedbyrepeatedimagination. Evenwithoutdestroyingit,onecanmovefromoneetherealbodytoanother,justasindreamonecantakeoneformafteranotherwithoutabandoningtheprevious one.Theyogi'sbodyistruly

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invisible,ethereal,eventhoughitappearstobevisibleintheeyesoftheignorantbeholder.And,itissuchabeholderwho,onaccountofhisownignorance,thinksand says,"Thisyogiisdead".For,whereisthebody,whatexistsandwhatdies?Thatwhichisis:onlydelusionvanished! RAMA*asked:Holysir,doesayogi'sphysicalbodythenbecomeanetherealbody? VASISTHA*replied: Howmanytimes`havetoldyou,ORama*:yetyoudonotgraspit!Theetherealbodyaloneis:bypersistentfancy,itappearstobelinkedtoaphysicalbody.Justas whenanignorantman(whothinksheisthephysicalbody)diesandthebodyiscremated,hasasubtlebody,evensotheyogionbeingenlightenedwhileliving,hasan etherealbody. Thephysicalbodyisonlythecreationofone'signorantfancy,andisnotreal.Thereisnodifferencebetweenthebodyandtheignorance.Tothinktheyaretwothis indeedissamsara*(repetitivehistory). III:58 VASISTHA*continued:

Inthemeantime,Sarasvati*restrainedViduratha's*jiva*fromenteringintothebodyofkingPadma. THEENLIGHTENEDLILA*askedSarasvati*: OGoddess,fromthetimeIsathereincontemplationtillnow,howmuchtimehaselapsed? SARASVATI*replied: Dearone,itisamonthsinceyouenteredintocontemplation.Duringthefirstfifteendays,yourbody,onaccountoftheheatgeneratedbypranayama*,became vaporised.Thenitbecamelikeadryleafandfelldown.Thenitbecamerigidandcold.Theministersthenthoughtthatyouhaddiedofyourownaccordandcremated thatbody.Now,onaccountofyourownwishyouappearhereinyouretherealbody.Inyoutherearenomemoriesofpastlifenorlatenttendenciesbroughtforward frompreviousincarnation.Forwhentheintelligenceisestablishedintheconvictionofitsetherealnature,thebodyisforgotten,evenasinyouthoneforgetslifeasa foetus.Todayisthethirtyfirstdayandyouarehere.Come,letusrevealourselvestothisotherLila*. WhenthesecondLila*sawthembeforeher,shefellattheirfeetandworshippedthem. SARASVATI*askedher:Tellushowyoucamehere. THESECONDLILA*replied: WhenIfaintedinthepalaceofViduratha*,Ididnotknowanythingforsometime.Ithensawthatmysubtlebodyrosetotheskyandwasseatedinanaerialvehicle whichbroughtmehere.And,Isaw

Page85

thatViduratha*waslyinghereasleepinagardenofflowers.Ithoughthewasfatiguedfrombattleandwithoutdisturbinghim,Ifanhim. Sarasvati*immediatelyletViduratha's*jiva*enterthebody.Thekingatonceawokeasiffromslumber.ThetwoLilas*bowedtohim. ThekingaskedtheenlightenedLila*,"Whoareyou,whoisshe,andfromwherehasshecome?" TheenlightenedLila*replied:"Lord,Iamyourwifeinyourpreviousincarnationandyourconstantcompanion,evenasawordanditsmeaningare.ThisLila*isyour otherwifesheismyownreflection,createdbymeforyourpleasure.And,shewhoisseatedonyondergoldenthroneisthegoddessSarasvati*herself.Sheis presenthereonaccountofourgreatgoodfortune." Hearingthis,thekingsatupandsalutedSarasvati*.Sarasvati*blessedhimwithlonglife,wealthandsoon,andenlightenment. VASISTHA*continued: III:59,60

Aftergrantingthedesiredboonstotheking,Sarasvati*vanishedatthatspot.Thekingandthequeenfondlyembracedeachother.Theroyalattendantswhowere guardingtheking'sbodywokeupandrejoicedthatthekinghadcomebacktolife. Therewasgreatrejoicinginthestate.PeoplefarandwiderecountedforalongtimehowthequeenLila*returnedfromtheotherworldwithanotherLiltasagiftto theking.ThekingheardfromtheenlightenedLila*allthattookplaceduringthepreviousmonth.Hecontinuedtoruleandenjoytheblessingsofthethreeworlds throughthegraceofSarasvati*,whichhehadnodoubtearnedbyhisownselfeffort. ThusisthestoryofLila*,ORama*,whichIhavenarratedindetailtoyou:contemplationofthisstorywillremovefromyourmindtheleastfaithintherealityofwhat isperceived.Truly,ifonlythatwhichistruecanberemoved,howcanoneremovewhatisunreal?Thereisnothingtoberemoved,forallthatappearstobeinyour eyes(theearth,etc.)isnothingbuttheinfiniteconsciousnessandifsomethinghasbeencreatedeventhathastakenplacebyit,withinititself.Everythingisasitis nothinghaseverbeencreated.YoumaysaythatwhatappearstobeisthecreationofMaya*,butthenMayaitselfisnotreal! RAMA*said: Lord,whatagrandvisionoftheultimatetruthyouhavegivenme!But,Holyone,thereisaninsatiablehungerinmeforthenectarofyourenlighteningwords.Pray, explaintomethemysteryoftime:inthestoryofLila*sometimesawholelifetimewasspentineightdays,sometimesinonemonth.Iampuzzled.Aretheredifferent timescalesindifferentuniverses?

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VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,whateveronethinkswithinoneselfinhisownintelligence,thataloneisexperiencedbyhim.Evennectarisexperiencedaspoisonbyhimwhofanciesitis poison.Friendsbecomeenemiesandenemiesbecomefriends,dependinguponone'sinnerattitude.Theobjectisexperiencedbyonestrictlyinaccordancewithone's innerfeeling.Toasufferingpersonanightisanepochandanightofrevelrypasseslikeamoment.Indreamamomentisnondifferentfromanepoch.Alifetimeof ManuisbutanhourandahalftoBrahma*Brahma's*lifetimeisadayofVisnu*.Visnu's*lifespanisSiva's*day.Buttothesagewhoseconsciousnesshas overcomelimitations,thereisneitherdaynornight. VASISTHA*continued: Theyogiknowsthatitisone'sownmentalitythatturnssweetthingsintobitterthingsandviceversa,andfriendsintoenemiesandviceversa.Inthesameway,by changingtheangleofvisionandbypersistentpracticeonecandevelopatasteforthestudyofscripturesandforjapa,etc.,whichwereuninterestingearlier.Forthese qualitiesarenotintheobjectsbutonlyinone'sownthinking:justasaseasickmanseestheworldgoround,theignorantmanthinksthatthesequalitiesabideinthe objects.Adrunkenmanseesemptyspacewhereawallstandsandanonexistentgoblinkillsadeludedperson. Thisworldisnothingbutamerevibrationofconsciousnessinspace.Itseemstoexistevenasagoblinseemstoexistintheeyesoftheignorant.AllthisisbutMaya*: forthereisnocontradictionbetweentheinfiniteconsciousnessandtheapparentexistenceoftheuniverse.Itislikeamarvellousdreamofapersonwhoisawake. ORama*,intheautumnthetreesshedtheirleavesinspringtimethesametreessproutnewleaveswhichweresurelywithinthetreesthemselves.Evensothiscreation existsallthetimewithintheabsoluteconsciousness.Itisnotseen:evenastheliquiditythatexistsingoldisnotalwaysevident.Ifthecreatorofoneepochattains liberationandifthecreatorinthenextepochprojectsthenewuniversefromhismemory,eventhatmemoryisnoneotherthantheinfiniteconsciousness. RAMA*asked: Lord,howisitthatthekingandalsothecitizensexperiencedthesameobjectivefacts? VASISTHA*replied: Thatisbecausetheintelligenceofallthejivas*isbasedupontheoneinfiniteconsciousness,ORama*.Thecitizens,too,thoughtthathewastheirking.Thought vibrationsarenaturalandinherentin

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theinfiniteconsciousnessandtheyarenotmotivated.Evenasitisnaturalforadiamondtosparkle,theking'sintelligencethinks''IamkingViduratha*"andsodoall thebeingsintheuniverse.If'one'sintelligenceisestablishedinthistruthconcerningtheinfiniteconsciousness,itreachesthesupremestateofliberation.Thisdepends uponone'sownintensityofselfeffort.Amanispulledintwodifferentdirections:towardstherealisationofBrahmantheabsoluteandtowardstheignorant acceptanceoftherealityoftheworld.Thatwhichhestrivestorealisewithgreatintensitywins!Onceheovercomesignorance,thedeludedvisionoftheunrealisfor everdispelled. RAMA*asked: III:61

Holysir,pleasetellmebrieflyagain:howdoesthedelusionofthenotionsof'I'and'theworld'ariseinthefirstplace,withoutanycause? VASISTHA*replied: Asallthingsareequallyindweltbyintelligence,soatalltimesineverywaytheuncreatedisall,theselfofall.Weusetheexpression'allthings':itisonlyafigureof speech,foronlytheinfiniteconsciousnessorBrahmanexists.Justasthereisnodivisionbetweenabraceletandgold,nodivisionbetweenwavesandwater,thereis nodivisionbetweentheuniverseandtheinfiniteconsciousness.Thelatteraloneistheuniversetheuniverseassuchisnottheinfiniteconsciousness,justasthebracelet ismadeofgoldbutgoldisnotmadeofbracelet.Justaswerefertoamanandhislimbsasbeingoneandthesame,werefertothepresenceoftheinfinite consciousnessasallbeings,whichdoesnotimplyadivisioninit. Inthatinfiniteconsciousnessthereisaninherentnonrecognitionofitsinfinitenature.Thatappearstomanifestas'I'and'theworld'.Justasthereisanimageina marbleslab,evenifithasnotbeencarved,evensothisnotionofI'and'theworld'existsintheinfiniteconsciousness.Evenasinacalmseathewavesexistintheir potentialstate,theworldexistsinitspotentialstateintheinfiniteconsciousness:andthatisknownasitscreation.Theword'creation'hasnootherconnotation.No creationtakesplaceinthesupremebeingortheinfiniteconsciousnessandtheinfiniteconsciousnessisnotinvolvedinthecreation.Theydonotstandinadivided relationshiptoeachother. Thisinfiniteconsciousnessregardsitsownintelligenceinitsownheart,asitwere,thoughitisnondifferentfromitevenaswindisnondifferentfromitsown movement.Atthatverymoment,whenthereisanunrealdivision,therearisesinthatconsciousnessthenotionofspace,which,onaccountofthepowerofthe consciousness,

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appearsastheelementknownasspaceorether.Thatitselflaterbelievesitselftobeairandthenfire.Fromthisnotiontherearisestheappearanceoffireandlight. Thatitselffurtherentertainsthenotionofwaterwithitsinherentfacultyoftasteandthatitselfbelievesitselftobetheearthwithitsinherentfacultyofsmellandalsoits characteristicofsolidity.Thusdothewaterandtheearthelementsappeartohavemanifestedthemselves. VASISTHA*continued: Atthesametime,thesameinfiniteconsciousnessheldinitselfthenotionofaunitoftimeequaltoonemillionthofthetwinklingofaneye:andfromthisevolvedthe timescalerightuptoanepochconsistingofseveralrevolutionsofthefourages,whichisthelifespanofonecosmiccreation.Theinfiniteconsciousnessitselfis uninvolvedinthese:foritisdevoidofrisingandsetting(whichareessentialtoalltimescales),anditisdevoidofabeginning,middleandend. Thatinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisthereality,everawakeandenlightened:andwithcreationalsoitisthesame.Thatinfiniteconsciousnessaloneistheunenlightened appearanceofthiscreation:andevenafterthiscreationitisthesamealways.Itiseverthesame.Whenonerealisesintheselfbytheselfthatconsciousnessisthe absoluteBrahman,thenheexperiencesitasallevenastheoneenergydwellinginallhislimbs. Onecansaythatthisworldappearanceisrealonlysofarasitisthemanifestationofconsciousnessandbecauseofdirectexperienceanditisunrealwhenitis graspedwiththemindandthesenseorgans.Windisperceivedasrealinitsmotion,anditappearstobenonexistentwhenthereisnomotion:evensothisworld appearancecanberegardedbothasrealandunreal.ThismiragelikeappearanceofthethreeworldsexistsasnondifferentfromtheabsoluteBrahman. ThecreationexistsinBrahmanjustasthesproutexistsintheseed,liquidityinwater,sweetnessinmilk,andpungencyincapsicumbutinignoranceitappearstobe differentfromandindependentofBrahman.Thereisnocausefortheworld'sexistenceasapurereflectionintheabsoluteBrahman.Whenthereisnotionofcreation, thecreationseemstobe:andwhen,throughselfeffort,thereisunderstandingofnoncreation,thereisnoworld. Nothinghaseverbeencreatedanywhereatanytimeandnothingcomestoanendeither.TheabsoluteBrahmanisall,thesupremepeace,unborn,pure consciousnessandpermanent.Worldswithinworldsappearineveryatom.Whatcanbethecauseandhowdothesearise?!

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Asandwhenoneturnsawayfromthenotionsof'I'andthe'world',oneisliberated:thenotionof'Iamthis'isthesolebondagehere.Theywhoknowtheinfinite consciousnessasthenameless,formlesssubstratumoftheuniverse,gainvictoryoversamsara*(repetitivehistory). RAMA*asked: III:62,63

ItisevidentthatBrahmanaloneexists,oHolysage!But,thenwhydoeventhesesagesandmenofwisdomexistinthisworld,asifsoordainedbygodandwhatis god? VASISTHA*replied: Theredoesexist,ORama*,thepowerorenergyoftheinfiniteconsciousness,whichisinmotionallthetimethataloneistherealityofallinevitablefuturisticevents, foritpenetratesalltheepochsintime.Itisbythatpowerthatthenatureofeveryobjectintheuniverseisordained.Thatpower(citsakti*)isalsoknownas Mahasatta*(thegreatexistence),Mahaciti*(thegreatintelligence),Mahasakti*(thegreatpower),Mahadrsti*(thegreatvision),Mahakriya*(thegreatdoeror doing),Mahodbhava*(thegreatbecoming),Mahaspanda*(thegreatvibration).Itisthispowerthatendowseverythingwithitscharacteristicquality.Butthispower isnotdifferentfromorindependentoftheabsoluteBrahman:itisasrealasapieinthesky.SagesmakeaverbaldistinctionbetweenBrahmanandthepowerand declarethatcreationistheworkofthatpower. Thedistinctionisverbal,evenasonespeaksofthebody(asawhole)anditsparts.Theinfiniteconsciousnessbecomesawareofitsinherentpower,evenasone becomesawareofthelimbsofhisbody:suchawarenessisknownasniyati(thepoweroftheabsolutethatdeterminesnature).Itisalsoknownasdaivaordivine dispensation. Thatyoushouldaskmethesequestionsisordainedbyniyatiandthatyoushouldactuponmyteachingisalsoordainedbyniyati.Ifonesays,'Thedivinewillfeedme' andremainsidle,thatalsoistheworkofniyati.ThisniyaticannotbesetasideevenbygodslikeRudra.But,wisemenshouldnotgiveupselfeffortbecauseofthis, forniyatifunctionsonlyasandthroughselfeffort.Thisniyatihastwoaspects,humanandsuperhuman:theformerisseenwhereselfeffortbearsfruitandthelatter whereitdoesnot. Ifoneremainsidle,dependinguponniyatitodoeverythingforhim,hesoondiscoversthathislifedepartsforlifeisaction.Hecan,byenteringintothehighest superconsciousstate,stopthebreathandattainliberation:butthenthatisindeedthegreatestselfeffort! Theinfiniteconsciousnessaloneappearsasonethinginoneplaceandanotherinanotherplace.Thereisnodivisionbetweenthat

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consciousnessanditspower,asthereisnodivisionbetweenwaveandwater,limbsandthebody.Suchdivisionisexperiencedonlybytheignorant. III:64,65 RAMA*asked

Whentheonlyrealityistheinfiniteconsciousnessanditsowninherentkineticpower,howdoesthejiva*acquireanapparentrealityinthesecondlessunity? VASISTHA*Qreplied: Inthemindoftheignorantalonedoesthisterriblegoblinknownasjiva*ariseasareflectedrealityorappearance.Noone,noteventhemenofwisdomorsagescan definitelysaywhatitis:becauseitisdevoidofanyindicationsofitsnature. Inthemirrorofinfiniteconsciousnesscountlessreflectionsareseen,whichconstitutetheappearanceoftheworld.Thesearethejivas*.Jiva*islikeuntojustalittle agitationonthesurfaceoftheoceanofBrahmanorjustalittlemovementoftheflameofacandleinawindlessroom.When,inthatslightagitationtheinfinitudeofthe infiniteconsciousnessisveiled,limitationofconsciousnessappearstoarise.Thistooisinherentinthatinfiniteconsciousness.Andthatlimitationofconsciousnessis knownasthejiva*. Justaswhenasparkfromaflamecomesintocontactwithflammablesubstanceitburstsintoanindependentflame,evensothislimitationofconsciousness,whenitis fedbylatenttendenciesandmemories,condensesintoegotism'I'ness.ThisInessisnotasolidreality:butthejiva*seesitasreal,likethebluenessofthesky. Whentheegotismbeginstoentertainitsownnotions,itgivesrisetothemindstuff,theconceptofanindependentandseparatejiva*,mind,Maya*orcosmicillusion, cosmicnature,etc. Theintelligencewhichentertainsthesenotionsconjuresupthenaturalelements(earth,water,fire,airandspace).Associatedwiththese,thesameintelligencebecomes asparkoflight,thoughitisthecosmiclightintruth.Itthencondensesintocountlessformssomewhereitbecomesatree,etc.,somewhereabird,etc.,somewhere itbecomesagoblin,etc.,somewhereitbecomesdemigods,etc.ThefirstofsuchmodificationsbecomesthecreatorBrahma*andcreatesothers,bythoughtandwill. Thusthevibrationinconsciousnessaloneisthejiva*,karma,godandalltherestfollows. Creation(ofthemind)isbutagitationinconsciousnessandtheworldexistsinthemind!Itseemstoexistbecauseofimperfectvision,imperfectunderstanding.Itis reallynotmorethanalongdream.Ifthisisunderstood,thenalldualitywillcometoanend,andBrahman,jiva*,mind,Maya*,doer,action,andtheworldwillallbe seenassynonymouswiththeonenondualinfiniteconsciousness.

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VASISTHA*continued:

III:66,67

Theoneneverbecamemany,ORama*.Whenmanycandlesarekindledfromanother,itisthesameflamewhichburnsinallcandlesevenso,theoneBrahman appearstobemany.Whenonecontemplatestheunrealityofthisdiversity,heisfreedfromsorrow. Jiva*isnothingmorethanthelimitationofconsciousnesswhenthelimitationgoes,thereispeaceevenasforonewhowearsshoesthewholeworldispavedwith leather.Whatisthisworld?Nothingbutanappearance,evenasaplantainstemisnothingbutleaves.Evenasliquorisabletomakeoneseeallsortsofphantasmsin theemptysky,mindisabletomakeoneseediversityinunity.Evenasadrunkardseesatreemoving,theignorantoneseesmovementinthisworld. Whenthemindperceivesduality,thenthereisbothdualityanditscounterpartwhichisunity.Whentheminddropstheperceptionofduality,thereisneitherdualitynor unity.Whenoneisfirmlyestablishedintheonenessoftheinfiniteconsciousness,whetherheisquietoractivelyengagedinwork,thenheisconsideredtobeatpeace withhimself.Whenoneisthusestablishedinthesupremestate,itisalsoknownasthestateofnonselforthestateofknowledgeofthevoidoremptiness. Onaccountoftheagitationofthemind,consciousnessappearstobecometheobjectofknowledge!Thenthereariseinthemindallsortsoffalsenotionslike'Iam born'etc.Suchknowledgeisnotdifferentfromthemind.Henceitisknownasignoranceordelusion. Toridoneselfofthediseaseofthissamsara*orworldappearance,thereisnoremedybutwisdomorselfknowledge.Knowledgealoneisthecureforthewrong perceptionofasnakeintherope.Whenthereissuchknowledge,thenthereisnocravinginthemindforsensepleasurewhichaggravatestheignorance.Hence,if thereiscraving,donotfulfilit:whatdifficultyisthereinthis? Whenthemindentertainsnotionsofobjects,thereisagitationormovementinthemindandwhentherearenoobjectsorideas,thenthereisnomovementofthought inthemind.Whenthereismovement,theworldappearstobewhenthereisnomovement,thereiscessationofworldappearance.Themovementofthoughtitselfis calledjiva*,causeandactionthatistheseedforworldappearance.Thenfollowsthecreationofthebody. VASISTHA*continued: Onaccountofvariouscauses,thereisthismovementofthoughtsomeoneisfreedfromthisinonelifetime,andsomeoneelseisfreedinathousandbirths.When thereismovementofthoughtonedoesnotseethetruthandthenthereisthefeelingof'Iam','Thisismine'etc.

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Theworldappearanceisthewakingstateofconsciousnessegotismisthedreamingstatethemindstuffisthedeepsleepstateandpureconsciousnessisthefourth stateoruncontradictedtruth.Beyondeventhisfourthstatethereisabsolutepurityofconsciousness.Onewhoisestablishedinitgoesbeyondsorrow. TheworldappearanceissaidtohavetheabsoluteBrahmanasitscause,injustthesamewayasthesky(space)isthecauseofthegrowthofatree(sincethesky doesnotobstructitsgrowth,itpromotesorcausesit).Infact,Brahmanisnotanactivecausativefactorandthisisrevealedbyenquiry.Evenasonediggingthesolid earthfindsemptyspaceashecontinuestodig,whentheenquiryiscontinued,youwillfindthetruththatallthisisnoneotherthantheinfiniteconsciousness. RAMA*asked:Pray,tellmehowthiscreationbecomessoextensive. VASISTHA*continued: Thevibrationintheinfiniteconsciousnessisnotdifferentfromthatconsciousnessitself.Fromthatvibration,justasthejiva*becomesmanifest,evensofromthejiva* themindbecomesmanifestbecausethejiva*thinks.Theminditselfentertainsthenotionsofthefiveelementsandittransformsitselfintothoseelements.Whateverthe mindthinksof,thataloneitsees.Afterthis,onebyonethejiva*acquiresthesenseorgansthetongue,theeyes,thenose,thesenseoftouch,etc.Inthisthereisno causalconnectionbetweenthemindandthesenses,butthereisthecoincidenceofthethoughtandofthemanifestationofthesenseorgansjustlikeacrowsitsona palmtreeandaccidentallythefruitdropsfromitanditappearsthatthecrowdislodgedit!Thusthefirstcosmicjiva*cameintobeing. RAMA*asked:Holysir,ifignoranceisnonexistentintruth,thenwhyshouldoneevenbotheraboutliberationoraboutenquiry? VASISTHA*replied:Rama*,thatthoughtshouldariseinitsowntime,notnow!Flowersbloomandfruitsripenintheirduetime. Thecosmicjiva*uttersOMandbypurewillcreatesthevariousobjects.JustasthecreatorBrahma*waswilledintobeing,evensoisawormbroughtintobeing: becausethelatteriscaughtupinimpurity,itsactionistrivial.Thedistinctionisillusory.Intruth,thereisnocreation,andhencenodivisionatall.

TheStoryofKarkati*
III:68,69 VASISTHA*continued:

Inconnectionwiththis,ORama*,thereisanancientlegendwhichIshallnownarratetoyou. ThereoncelivedtothenorthoftheHimalaya*mountainaterrible

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demonessknownasKarkati*.Shewashuge,blackanddreadfultolookat.Thisdemonesscouldnotgetenoughtoeat,andshewaseverhungry. Shethought,''IfonlyIcaneatallthepeoplelivinginJambudvipacontinent*inonemeal,thenmyhungerwilldisappearevenasamiragedisappearsafteraheavyrain. Suchacourseofactionisnotinappropriate,sinceitisappropriatetopreserveone'slife.However,sincethepeopleofJambudvipa*arepious,charitable,devotedto god,andendowedwithaknowledgeofherbs,itisinappropriatetoharassthesepeacelovingpeople.Letmeengagemyselfinpenance,forthroughpenanceis attainedthatwhichwouldotherwisebeextremelydifficulttoattain." Karkati*thenwentuponeofthesnowpeaksandcommencedherpenance,standingononeleg.Shewasasfirmasamarblestatueanddidnotevennoticedaysand monthspassby.Incourseoftime,shehadgrownsothinthatitlookedasifshewasaskeletoncladintransparentskin.Thussheremainedforonethousandyears. Afterathousandyearshadpassed,thecreatorBrahma*appearedbeforeher,pleasedwithherpenance:byintensepenanceonecanattainanythingevenpoisonous fumesareextinguished.Shebowedtohimmentally,andbegantowonderwhatboonsheshouldaskofhim."Ah,yes,"shethought,"IshallrequestthatIshould becomealivingsteelpin(Sucika*),anembodimentofdisease.WiththisboonIshallsimultaneouslyentertheheartsofallbeingsandfulfilmydesireandappeasemy hunger."WhenBrahma*saidtoher,"Iampleasedwithyourpenanceaskaboonofyourchoice,"sheexpressedherwish. BRAHMA*.said:SobeityoushallalsobeVisucika*.Remainingasubtlething,youwillinflictpainonthosewhoeatthewrongfoodandindulgeinwrongliving,by enteringtheirheart.However,onecanattainreliefbytheuseofthefollowingmantra:
himadrer*uttareparsve*karkati*nama*raksasi* visucikabhidhana*sanamna*'pyanyayabadhika* om*hram*hrim*srim*ram* visnusakttaye*namobhagavativisnusaktti*ehienam*haraharadahadahahanahanapacapaca mathamathautsadaya*utsadaya*dure*kurukurusvaha*visucike* tvam*himavantam*gacchagacchajivasara*candramandalam*gato'sisvaha*

Onewhoisproficientinthismantrashouldwearitonhisleftarmand,thinkingofthemoon,passthathandoverthepatientwhowillbecuredatonce.

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III:70

VASISTHA*continued:

Immediately,ORama*,thedemonesswiththemountainousbodybegantoshrinkgraduallytothesizeofapin.Shebecamesosubtlethatherexistencecouldonlybe imagined.Shewasliketheextremelysubtlesusumna*nadi*thatlinksthebaseofthespinewiththecrownofthehead.Shewaslikethealayaconsciousness* describedbytheBuddhists.ShewasconstantlyfollowedbyherotherformknownasVisucika*(cholera). Thoughshewasextremelysubtleandunseen,herdemoniacalmentalityunderwentnochangeatall.Shehadgainedtheboonofherchoicebutshecouldnotfulfilher desiretodevourallbeings!Thatisbecauseshewasofthesizeofaneedle!!Howstrange:thedeludedonesdonothaveforesight.Theselfishperson'sviolentefforts togainhisselfishendsoftenleadtootherresults,evenasapersonisunabletoseehisfacewhenherunstothemirrorpuffingandpantinghisownbreathmiststhe mirror. Significantly,again,thedemonesswhohadahugeformgaveupthatbody,diedtoit,inordertofulfilherambitiontobecomeaneedle:evendeathbecomesdesirable whenoneiskeenonsomeselfishgainandwhenoneispossessedbyexcessivecraving. Visucika*wasradiantandwasassubtleasthearomaofflowers.Dependentuponthelifeforceofothers,she'wasdevotedtoherownwork. WithhertwofoldformofSucika*andVisucika*,thedemonessroamedtheworldafflictingallthepeople.Byherownwishshehadbecomesmall:indeed,people becomewhattheyintenselywishtobe.Meanmindedpeopleevenprayfortriviajustasthedemonessprayedtobetransformedintoacruelneedle.One'sinborn natureisnoteasilycounteractedevenbypenance. Sucika*enteredintothephysicalbodiesofpeoplewho,onaccountofpreviousillnesshadbeengreatlydebilitatedorhadbecomeobese,andtransformedherselfinto Visucika*(cholera).Sucika*enteredintotheheartofevenahealthyandintelligentperson,andpervertedhisintellect.Insomecases,however,sheleftthatperson whenthelatterunderwentahealingtreatmenteitherwiththeaidofthemantraorwithdrugs. Thus,thedemonessroamedtheearthformanymanyyears. VASISTHA*continued: Sucika*hadhernumeroushidingplaces.Amongthemwere:dust
Thedemonessisperhapsthecholeravirus.Theconnectionwithimpropereatingandlivinghabitsisinteresting.

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anddirtontheground,(unclean)fingers,threadsinacloth,withinone'sbodyinthemuscles,dirtyskincoveredwithdust,uncleanfurrowsonthepalmsandonother partsofthebody(duetosenility),placeswherefliesabound,inalustrelessbody,inplacesfullofdecayingleaves,inplacesdevoidofhealthytrees,inpeopleoffilthy dress,peopleofunhealthyhabits,intreestumpscausedbydeforestationinwhichfliesbreed,inpuddlesofstagnantwater,inpollutedwater,inopensewersrunningin themiddleofroads,inresthousesusedbytravellers,andinthosecitieswheretherearemanyanimalslikeelephants,horses,etc. BeingSucika*(asewingneedle),sheworedirtypiecesofcloththrownontheroads,sewntogetherandsheroamedfreelyinthebodiesofsickpeople.Evenasa sewingneedlewhichhasbeenwellusedbyatailorfeelsfatiguedandfallstothegroundtotakesomerest,asitwere,Sucika*alsogottiredofherdestructiveactivity. Justassewing(piercing)isthenaturalfunctionofaneedle,crueltywasthenatureofSucika*.Justastheneedlekeepsonswallowingthethreadthatpassesthroughit, Sucika*continuedtoclaimhervictims. Itisseenintheworldthatevenwickedandcruelpeoplearesometimesmovedtopitywhentheyseeotherswhohavebeenpovertystrickenandmiserablefora longtime.Evenso,Sucika*sawtheendlessthreadthathadpassedthroughherinthecloth(herownkarma)infrontofher.Thisworriedher.Shefanciedthatthis darkcloth,whichhadbeenwovenbyher(asSucika*orsewingneedle)wascoveringherfaceandthatshewasblindfolded.Shewondered"HowshallItearthis veil?"She(theneedle)passedthroughsoftcloth(goodpeople)asalsohardcloth(thewickedones),forwhatfoolorwickedpersondiscriminatesbetweenwhatis goodandwhatisnot? Unharmedandunprovokedbyothers,Sucika*worksforthedestructionanddeathofothers:boundbythisthread,sheisdanglingperilously.KnownalsoasJiva sucika*,shemovesinallbeingsasthelifeforcewiththehelpofprana*andapana*,subjectingthejiva*tosorrow,bycausingterriblysharppain(ofgout, rheumatism)whichmakesonelosehismind.Sheentersintothefeet(likeaneedle)anddrinksblood.Likeallwickedpeople,sherejoicesinothers'sorrow. (AsVasistha*wassayingthis,thesunsetandanotherdaycametoanend.Theassemblyadjournedforprayers.) VASISTHA*continued: III:71,72

Afterlivinginthismannerforalonglongtime,thedemonessKarkati*wasthoroughlydisillusionedandrepentedherfoolishdesiretodevourpeople,whichentailed severepenanceforathousandyearsandthedegradedexistenceasaneedle(andcholeravirus).Shethusbewailedherownselfinflictedmisfortune:

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"Alas,whereismymountainousbodyandwhereistheformofaneedle?SometimesIfallintomudandfilth,Iamtrampleduponbypeople.Alas,Iamlost.Ihaveno friends,noonetakespityuponme.Ihavenofixedabode,norhaveIabodyworththename.Ihavesurelylostmymindandmysenses!Themindthatisheading towardscalamityfirstcreatesdelusionandwickedness:andthesethemselveslaterexpandintomisfortuneandsorrow.Iamneverfree,everatthemercyofothers.I aminthehandsofothersanddowhattheymakemedo.Idesiredtoappeasethegoblinofadesiretodevourallbutthathasledtoaremedyworsethanthedisease, andagreatergoblinhasarisen.Surely,Iamabrainlessfoolhence,Ithrewawaysuchagreatandgiganticbodyanddeliberatelychosethisdespicablebodyofavirus (oraneedle).Whoisnowgoingtoliberatemefromthismiserableexistenceasabeingsmallerthanaworm?TheverythoughtofsuchaviciouscreatureasIammay notevenariseintheheartofsages.Ah,whenwillIagainbeaslargeasamountainanddrinkthebloodoflargebeings?...Letmebecomeanasceticagainand performpenanceasIdidbefore." AtonceKarkati*abandonedallwishtodevourlivingbeings,andwenttotheHimalayas*fordoingintensepenanceagain.Standingasifononefoot,shebeganher penance.Thefireofpenancegeneratedsmokefromthecrownofherhead,andthattoobecameanotherSucika*,ahelpmate.Hershadowbecameyetanother Sucika*,yetanotherfriend. EventhetreesandcreepersoftheforestadmiredSucika's*penanceandradiatedtheirpollensforhertoeat.Butshewouldnotconsumeanythingatall.Shestood firmlyonherresolve.Thegodofheavenalsosentsmallparticlesofmeattowhereshestoodbutshewouldnotevenletthemtouchher.Thusshestoodforseven thousandyears,utterlymotionless,unmovedbywind,rain,orforestfire. Karkati's*wholebeingbecamecompletelypurifiedbythispenance.Allhersinfultendencieshadbeenwashedawaybythepenanceandshegainedthehighest wisdom.TheenergyofherpenancesettheHimalayas*onfire,asitwere.IndrathekingofheavenlearntfromthesageNarada*ofKarkati's*unprecedented undertaking. III:73 InanswertoIndra'srequest,SAGENARADA*narratedthestoryof Karkati*:

ThisdespicablegoblinKarkati*becamealivingneedleembodiedinametalneedle.Assuchsheenteredintothebodiesofsinfulpeopleandafflictedtheirmuscles, theirjointsandtheirblood.Sheenteredthesebodieslikewind,andcausedstabbingandprickingpains.Sheinflictedsuchpainonthosebodieswhichhadbeen nourishedonimpurefoodlikemeat,etc.

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Shealsoenteredintothebodiesofallbeingslikevultures,etc.,anddevouredthebodiesofothers.Onaccountofthepowerofherpenanceshehadacquiredthe facultyofenteringintothemindandheartofall,andparticipatinginallthatthe'host'did.Whatisimpossibletoonewhoisinvisibleandsubtlelikethewind? However,sinceshesometimeslikedsomebeingsmorethanothersandsomepleasuresmorethanothers(onaccountofherimpuretendencies),shebecameboundto themandhoveredoverthem.Sheroamedfreely,butwhentherewastroubleshereturnedtotheneedlebody,asignorantpeopledointimesoftrouble. Yet,shewasnotsatisfiedphysically.Onlyanexistentialfactorcanundergoappropriateexperienceshowcananonexistentbodyexperiencesatisfaction?Thus dissatisfied,Sucika*wasmiserable.Inordertoregainherpreviousbodyasagiganticgoblin,shebegantoperformpenanceagain.Sheenteredthebodyofavulture whichflewtothepeakoftheHimalayas*wherethevulturedepositedtheneedleandflewoff. Usingthesolidneedleashersupport,Sucika*beganherpenancewhichcontinuestillnow.OIndra,ifyoudonotinterruptherpenance,shemightseektodestroythe worldbythepowerofthatpenance. ASISTHA*continued: Hearingthis,IndracommissionedVayu*thewindgodtofindouttheexactspotwhereSucika*dwelt.Vayu*waftedthroughallthedifferentplanetarysystemsinthe universeandfinallyenteredtheearthplaneanddescendedupontheHimalayas*where,onaccountofitsproximitytothesun,therewasnovegetationandthewhole arealookedlikeanariddesert. VASISTHA*continued: III:74,75

IntheHimalayas*,Vayu*sawtheasceticSucika*standinglikeanotherpeakofthemountain.Asshewasnoteatinganythingatallshehadbecomealmost completelydriedup.WhenVayu*(wind)enteredhermouth,shethrewitoutagain.andagain.Shehadwithdrawnherlifeforcetothecrownofherheadandstood asaperfectyogini.Seeingher,Vayu*wasamazedandlostinwonderment.Hecouldnoteventalktoher.Convincedthatshewasengagedinsupremepenancehe forthwithreturnedtoheavenwherehereportedtoIndra:'' Lord,intheJambudvipacontinent*Sucika*isperformingunprecedentedpenance.Shedoesnotevenletwindenterhermouth!Andtoovercomehunger,shehas turnedherstomachintosolidmetal.Pray,getupatonceandapproachthecreatorBrahma*toappeaseherbygrantingherthedesiredboon.Orelse,thepowerof herpenancemightburnusallup."

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Thereupon,IndrawenttoBrahma*andinanswertohisprayer,Brahma*wenttowhereSucika*wasengagedinpenance. Inthemeantime,Sucika*hadbecometotallypurebyherpenance.Onlyherowntwootherformshershadow,andthefireofherausteritieswerewitnesstoher penance.Bycomingintocontactwithher,eventheairaroundherandtheparticlesofdustnearherhadattainedfinalliberation!Atthistime,shehadgaineddirect knowledgeofthesupremecauselesscauseofallbyherownexaminationoftheintelligencewithinher.Surely,directenquiryintothemovementsofthoughtinone's ownconsciousnessisthesupremeguruorpreceptor,ORama*,andnooneelse. Brahma*saidtoher,"Askaboon"(thoughsinceshehadnosenseorgans,sheexperiencedthiswithinherself).Shereflectedwithinherselfinresponsetothis:"Ihave reachedtherealisationoftheabsoluteandtherearenodoubtsorwantsinme.WhatshallIdowithboons?WhenIwasanignorantgirl,Iwashauntedbythegoblin ofmydesiresnow,throughselfknowledge,thatghosthasbeenlaid." Brahma*said:"Theeternalworldordercannotbesetaside,Oascetic.And.itdecreesthatyoushouldregainyourpreviousbody,livehappilyforalongtimeand thenattainliberation.Youwillliveanenlightenedlife,afflictingonlythewickedandthesinful,andcausingtheleastharmandthattooonlytoappeaseyournatural hunger."Sucika*acceptedwhatBrahma*hadsaidandsoonherneedlebodygrewintoamountainousbody. III:76,77 VASISTHA*continued:

Thoughshehadregainedherformerdemoniacalform,Karkati*remainedinthesuperconsciousstateforaconsiderabletime,devoidofalldemoniacaltendencies. Sheremainedinthesameplace,seatedinthelotuspostureofmeditation.Afteraperiodofsixmonthsshebecamefullyawareoftheoutsideworldandherbody. Immediately,sheexperiencedhungerforaslongasthebodylastsitissubjecttoitsownphysicallaws,includinghungerandthirst. Karkati*reflected:"WhatshallIeat?WhomshallIdevour?Destructionofotherlivingbeingsforthesakeofprolongingone'slifeiscondemnedbywisesages. Hence,ifwhilenotconsumingsuchforbiddenfood,Ihavetogiveupthisbody,Iseenoharminit.Unwholesomefoodispoison.Moreover,toanenlightenedperson likeme,thereisnodistinctionbetweenphysicallifeanddeath." Asshewasreflectingthus,sheheardanaerialvoicesay:"OKarkati*,approachignorantanddeludedpeopleandawakenwisdominthem.Thisindeedistheonly missionofenlightenedbeings.Onewhomyouthusendearourtoenlightenbutwhofailstoawaketo

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truthisfitforyourconsumption.Youshallincurnosinbydevouringsuchanignorantperson." Hearingthis,Karkati*gotupanddescendedfromthemountain.Sheenteredadenseforestwherehilltribesandhuntersdwelt.Nightfellovertheearth. Inthatregion,therewasakingofthehuntersknownasVikram.Aswashiscustom,thisking,alongwithhisminister,wentoutintothedensedarknessofthenightto protecthissubjectsbysubduingrobbersanddacoits.Karkati*sawthesetwobraveandadventurousmenwhowerejustthenofferingtheirprayerstothetribal demigodsoftheforest. Seeingthem,Karkati*reflected:"Surely,thesetwomenhavecomeheretoappeasemyhunger.Theyareignorantandthereforeaburdenonearth.Suchignorant peoplesufferhereandhereaftersufferingistheonlymissionintheirlife!Death,untothem,isawelcomereleasefromsuchsufferinganditispossiblethatafterdeath theywillawakeandseektheirsalvation.Ah,but,itmaybethattheyarebothwisemen,andIdonotliketokillwisemen.For,whoeverwishestoenjoyunalloyed happiness,fameandlonglife,shouldbyallmeanshonourandworshipgoodmen,bygivingthemallthattheymightwishtohave.Letmethereforetesttheirwisdom.If theyarewiseIshallnotharmthem.Wisemen,goodmen,areindeedgreatbenefactorsofhumanity." VASISTHA*continued: III:78

Havingdecidedtotestthekingandhisminister,thedemonessKarkati*letoutapiercingcryandroared.Thensheshouted:"Heyyoutwolittlewormsroamingthis denseforest!Whoareyou?TellmequickorelseIshalldevouryou." Thekingreplied:"Oghost,whoareyouandwhereareyou?Ionlyhearyouletmeseewhoyouare." Hearingthiscalmandcoolreplyoftheking,thedemonessfeltthathisanswerwasappropriateandmadeherselfvisibletohim.Thekingandtheministerthenbeheld herdreadfulform,andwithoutbeingperturbedintheveryleast,theministersaidtoher:"Odemoness,whyareyousoangry?Toseekfoodisnaturaltoallliving beingsandinperformingone'snaturalfunctionsoneneednotbebadtempered.Evenselfishendsaregainedbythewisebyappropriatemeansandproperbehaviour oraction,aftertheygiveupangerandmentalagitation,andresorttoequanimityandclearmind.Wehaveseenthousandsofinsectslikeyouandhavedealtjustlywith them,foritisthedutyofakingtopunishthewickedandprotectthegood.Giveupyouranger,andachieveyourendbyresortingtotranquility.Suchindeedis appropriateconduct

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whetheroneisabletoachieveone'sambitionornot,oneshouldremainpeaceful.Askofuswhatyouwillhaveforwehaveneverturnedabeggarawayempty handed." Karkati*greatlyadmiredthecourageandthewisdomofthetwomen.Shethoughtthattheywerenotordinaryhumanbeingsbutenlightenedmen,fortheverysight oftheirfacesfilledherheartwithpeace.Whentwoenlightenedmenmeet,theirheartsmingleinpeaceandbliss,evenasthewatersoftwomountainstreamsmixat theirconfluence.Moreover,whobutawisemancanmaintainhiscalmwhilefacedwithalmostcertaindeath?Hence,shethought,"Letmeutilisethisopportunityto clearthedoubtsthatareinmymindforheissurelyafoolwho,havingthecompanyofawiseman,neglectstoclearhisdoubts." Atherrequest,theministerinformedheroftheking'sidentity.Karkati*retorted:"Oking,youdonotseemtohaveawiseminister!Agoodministermakestheking wiseandasisthekingsoarehissubjects.Lordshipandequalvisionaccruefromthekinglyscience(ofselfknowledge)hewhodoesnotpossessthisisneithera goodministernorawiseking.Ifyoutwoaremennotpossessedofselfknowledge,theninaccordancewithmyinherentnature,Ishalldevouryouboth.Inorderto determinethis,Ishallaskyousomequestions.Givemetherightanswers:thisistheonlythingIaskofyou." III:79 THEDEMONESSasked:

Oking,whatisitthatisoneandyetismany,andinwhichmillionsofuniversesmergeevenasripplesinanocean?Whatisitthatispurespace,thoughitappearsto benotso?Whatisitthatismeinyouandthatisyouinmewhatisitthatmovesyetdoesnotmove,thatremainsstationarythoughitisnotsowhatisitthatisarock thoughconsciousandwhatplayswonderfultricksinemptyspacewhatisitthatisnotthesunandthemoonandfireandyeteternallyshineswhatisthatatomthat seemstobefarandyetsonearwhatisitthatisofthenatureofconsciousnessandyetisnotknowablewhatisitthatisallandyetisnotanyofthesewhatisitthat, thoughitistheveryselfofall,isveiledbyignoranceandisregainedaftermanylifetimesofintenseandpersistenteffortwhatisitthatisatomicandyetcontainsa mountainwithinit,andthattransformsthethreeworldsintoabladeofgrasswhatisitthatisatomicandyetisimmeasurablewhatisitthatwithouteverrenouncingits atomicnatureappearstobebiggerthanthebiggestmountainwhatisthatatominwhichtheentireuniverserestslikeaseedduringthecosmicdissolution? Whatisitthatisresponsibleforthefunctionofalltheelementsintheuniverse,thoughitdoesnothingatallevenasornamentslike

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braceletsaremadeofgold,ofwhataretheseer,thesightandtheseenmadewhatisitthatveilsandrevealsthethreefoldmanifestation(viz.,theseer,thesightand theseen)inwhatistheapparentthreefolddivisionoftime(thepast,thepresent,andthefuture)established,evenasthetreeisinaseedwhatisitthatcomesinto manifestationandvanishesalternately,evenasthetreecomesoutoftheseedandtheseedcomesoutofthetreealternately? Oking,whatisthecreatorofthisuniverseandbywhosepower doyouexistandfunctionasaking,protectingyoursubjectsandpunishingthewickedwhatisit,seeingwhichyourownvisionispurifiedandyouexistasthatalone withoutadivision? Oking,tosaveyourselffromcertaindeath,answerthesequestions.Bythelightofyourwisdomdispelthisdarknessofdoubtinme.Heisnotawisemanwhois unable,whenquestioned,tocutattheveryrootofignoranceanddoubt. If,however,youareunabletouprootthisignoranceinmeandtoanswerthesequestions,youwillappeasemyhungertoday. THEMINISTERreplied: III:80

Ishallsurelyansweryourquestions,Olady!Forthattowhichallyourquestionsreferisthesupremeself. Thatselfissubtlerthanevenspacesinceithasnonameandcannotbedescribedandneitherthemindnorthesensescanreachitorcomprehendit.Itispure consciousness.Theentireuniverseexistsintheconsciousnessthatisatomic,evenasatreeexistswithintheseed:but,thentheuniverseexistsasconsciousnessand doesnotexistastheuniverse.Thatconsciousnessexists,however,becausesuchistheexperienceofall,andsinceitaloneistheselfofall.Sinceitis,allelseis. Thatselfisemptylikespacebutitisnotnothingness,sinceitisconsciousness.Itis:yetbecauseitcannotbeexperiencedbythemindandsenses,itisnot.Itbeingthe selfofall,itisnotexperienced(astheobjectofexperience)byanyone.Thoughone,itisreflectedintheinfiniteatomsofexistenceandhenceappearstobemany. Thisappearanceishoweverunrealevenas'bracelet'isanimaginaryappearanceofgoldwhichaloneisreal.But,theselfisnotunreal.Itisnotavoidornothingness: foritistheselfofall,anditistheveryselfofonewhosaysitisandofonewhosays(orthinks)itisnot!Moreover,itsexistencecanbeexperiencedindirectlyjustas theexistenceofcamphorcanbeexperiencedbyitsfragrance.Italoneistheselfofallasconsciousnessanditaloneisthesubstancethatmakestheworld appearancepossible. Inthatinfiniteoceanofconsciousness,whirlpoolsknownasthethreeworldsarisespontaneouslyandnaturally,evenaswhirlpools

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arecausedbytheverynatureoftherunningwater.Becausethisconsciousnessisbeyondthereachofthemindandsenses,itseemstobeavoidbutsinceitcanbe knownbyselfknowledge,itisnotavoid.Onaccountoftheindivisibilityofconsciousness,Iamyouandyouaremebuttheindivisibleconsciousnessitselfhas becomeneitherInoryou!Whenthewrongnotionsof'you'and'I'aregivenup,therearisestheawarenessthatthereisneitheryou,norI,noreverythingperhapsit aloneiseverything. Theselfbeinginfinitemovesnotthoughmoving,andyetisforeverestablishedineveryatomofexistence.Theselfdoesnotgonordoesitevercome:forspaceand timederivetheirmeaningfromconsciousnessalone.Wherecantheselfgowhenallthatisiswithinit?Ifapotistakenfromoneplacetoanother,thespacewithin doesnotmovefromoneplacetoanother,foreverythingisforeverinspace. THEMINISTERcontinued: Theselfwhichisofthenatureofpureconsciousnessseemstobeinertandinsentientwhenitisapparentlyassociatedwithinertia.Ininfinitespace,thisinfinite consciousnesshadmadeinfiniteobjectsappearthoughallthisseemstohavebeendone,sucheffectbeingamerefancy,nothinghasbeendone.Hence,itisboth consciousnessandinertia,thedoerandthenondoer. Therealityinfireisthisselforconsciousness:yet,theselfdoesnotburnnorisitburnt,sinceitistherealityinall,andinfinite.Itistheeternallightwhichshinesinthe sun,themoon,andthefire,butindependentofthem.Itshinesevenwhenthesehaveset:itilluminesallfromwithinall.Italoneistheintelligencethatindwellseven trees,plantsandcreepers,andpreservesthem.Thatselforinfiniteconsciousnessis,fromtheordinarypointofview,thecreator,theprotectorandtheoverlordofall andyetfromtheabsolutepointofview,inreality,beingtheselfofall,ithasnosuchlimitedroles. Thereisnoworldindependentofthisconsciousness:hence,eventhemountainsareintheatomicself.Initarisethephantasiesofamomentandofanepoch:andthese appeartoberealtimescales,evenasobjectsseeninadreamappeartoberealatthattime.Withinthetwinklingofaneyethereexistsanepoch,evenasawholecity isreflectedinasmallmirror.Suchbeingthecase,howcanoneasserttherealityofeitherdualityornonduality?Thisatomicselforinfiniteconsciousnessalone appearstobeamomentoranepoch,nearandfar,andthereisnothingapartfromitandthesearenotmutuallycontradictoryinthemselves. Aslongasoneseesthebraceletasabracelet,itisnotseenasgoldbutwhenitisseenthat'bracelet'isjustawordandnotthereality,

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thengoldisseen.Evenso,whentheworldisassumedtobereal,theselfisnotseen:butwhenthisassumptionisdiscarded,consciousnessisrealised.Itistheall hencereal.Itisnotexperiencedhenceunreal. WhatappearstobeisbutthejuggleryofMayawhichcreatesadivisioninconsciousness,intosubjectandobject.Itisasrealasthedreamcity.Itisneitherrealnor unreal,butalongstandingillusion.Itistheassumptionofdivisionthatcreatesdiversity,rightfromthecreatorBrahma*downtothelittleinsect.Justasinasingle seedthediversecharacteristicsofthetreeremainatalltimes,evensothisapparentdiversityexistsintheselfatalltimes,butasconsciousness. KARKATI*said: III:81

Iamdelightedwithyourminister'sanswers,Oking.NowIwouldliketohearyouranswers. THEKINGsaid: Yourquestions,Onoblelady,relatetotheeternalBrahmanwhichispureexistence.Itisknownwhenthethreefoldmodificationknownaswaking,dreamingand deepsleepceaseandwhenthemindstuffisridofallmovementsofthought.Theextensionandwithdrawalofitsmanifestationarepopularlyregardedasthecreation andthedissolutionoftheuniverse.Itisexpressedinsilencewhentheknowncomestoanend,foritisbeyondallexpression.Itistheextremelysubtlemiddle, betweenthetwoextremesandthatmiddleitselfhastwosides.Alltheseuniversesarebutitsplayfulbutconsciousprojection.Asthediversityofthisuniverse,it seemstobedividedinitselfbuttruly,itisundivided. WhenthisBrahmanwishes,windcomesintobeing,thoughthatwindisnothingbutpureconsciousness.Similarly,whensoundisthoughtof,thereisafanciful projectionofwhatsoundslikesound:butbeingpureconsciousness,therealityisfarfromwhatisthoughtofassoundandasitsmeaningorsubstance.Thatsupreme subtleatomicbeingisallandisnothingIamthatyetIamnot.Thataloneis.Byitsomnipotenceallthisappearstobe. Thisselfcanbeattainedbyahundredwaysandmeansyet,whenitisattained,nothinghasbeenattained!Itisthesupremeselfyetitisnothing.Oneroamsinthis forestofsamsara*,orrepetitivehistory,tillthereisthedawnofthatwisdomwhichisabletodispeltherootignoranceinwhichtheworldappearstobereal.Justas theignorantmanisattractedbytheperceptionofwaterinthemirage,thisworldappearanceattractstheignorantman.Butthetruthisthatitistheinfinite consciousnessthatperceivestheuniversewithinitself,throughitsownpowerknownasMaya*.Thatwhichisseenwithinappearsalsooutside,likethehallucinationof onewhoismadwithlust.

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Thoughtheselfisextremelysubtleandatomicandoftheessentialnatureofpureconsciousness,byittheentireuniverseiswhollypervaded.Thisomnipresentbeingby itsveryexistenceinspirestheworldappearanceto'dancetoitstunes'.Thatwhichisthussubtlerthanahundredthpartofthetipofahairisyetgreaterthanthe greatest,becauseofitsomnipresence. THEKINGcontinued: Thelightofselfknowledgealoneilluminesallexperiences.Itshinesbyitsownlight.Whatisthelightbywhichone'sees'(knows),ifallthelightsintheworldfromthe sunonwardsbecomeinert?Onlytheinnerlight.Thisinnerlightappearstobeoutsideandtoillumineexternalobjects.Theothersourcesoflightareindeednon differentfromthedarknessofignoranceandonlyappeartoshine:thoughthereisnoessentialdifferencebetweenfogandcloud(bothofwhichveilobjects),itisoften seenthatfogseemstoradiatelight,whilecloudseemstoobscureit.Theinnerlightofconsciousnessshinesforeverwithinandwithout,dayandnightmysteriously,it illuminestheeffectsofignorancewithoutremovingthedarknessofignorance.Justastheeverluminoussunrevealsitsrealnaturewiththehelpofnightandday,even sothelightoftheselfrevealsitsrealnaturebyrevealingbothconsciousnessandignorance. Withintheatomicspaceofconsciousness,thereexistalltheexperiences,evenaswithinadropofhoneytherearethesubtleessencesofflowers,leavesandfruits. Fromthatconsciousnessallexperiencesexpand,fortheexperiencingisthesoleexperiencer(whichisconsciousness).Whatevermaybetheparticulardescriptionof theexperiences,theyareallencompassedintheoneexperiencingofconsciousness.Indeed,thisinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisallthis:andallthehandsandeyesare itsown,thoughbeingextremelysubtle,ithasnolimbs.Inthetwinklingofaneyethisinfiniteconsciousnessexperiencesanepochwithinitself,evenasinthecourseofa briefdreamoneexperiencesyouthandoldageandevendeath.Alltheseobjectswhichappearinconsciousnessareindeednondifferentfromconsciousness,evenas asculpturecarvedofstoneisnothingbutstone.Justasthewholetreewithallitsfutureramificationsisintheseed,theentireuniverseofthepast,thepresentandthe futureiscontainedintheatomofinfiniteconsciousness.Therefore,thoughtheselfisneitherthedoerofactionsnortheexperiencerofexperiences,itisthedoerofall actionsandtheexperiencerofallexperiences:thereisnothingapartfromit.Withintheatomofinfiniteconsciousnessthedoershipandtheexperiencerareinherent. Theworld,however,hasneverreallybeencreated,nordoesitdisappear:itisregardedasunrealonlyfromtherelativepointof

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viewfromtheabsolutepointofviewitisnondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousness. THEKINGcontinued: Sagesonlyspeakoftheinnerandtheouter,whicharebutwordswithnocorrespondingsubstance:itismeanttoinstructtheignorant.Theseer,himselfremaining unseen,seeshimselfandtheseerdoesnoteverbecomeanobjectofconsciousness.Theseeristhesightonly,andwhenthelatentpsychicimpressionshaveceased, theseerregainsitspurebeingwhentheexternalobjectisimagined,aseerhasbeencreated.Ifthereisnosubject,thereisnoobjecteither:itisthesonthatmakesa man'father'.Again,itisthesubjectthatbecomestheobjectthereisnoobject(sight)withoutasubject(seer),evenaswithoutafatherthereisnoson.Becausethe subject(seer)ispureconsciousness,heisabletoconjureuptheobject.Thiscannotbetheotherwayround:theobjectdoesnotgivebirthtothesubject.Therefore theseeraloneisreal,theobjectbeinghallucination:goldaloneisreal,thebraceletisanameandaform.Aslongasthenotionofbraceletlasts,thepuregoldisnot apprehendedaslongasthenotionoftheobjectpersists,thedivisionbetweentheseerandtheseenalsopersists.But,justasbecauseoftheconsciousnessinthe bracelet,goldrealisesitsgoldness,thesubject(seer)manifestingastheobject(theseen)realisessubjectivity(consciousness).Oneisthereflectionoftheother:thereis norealduality.Theseerdoesnotseehimselfasheseestheobject:theseerseeshimselfastheobject,andthereforedoesnotseethoughheisthereality,yethe appearstobeunreal.However,whenselfknowledgearisesandtheobjectceasestobe,theseer(subject)isrealisedasthesolereality. Thesubjectexistsbecauseoftheobject,andtheobjectisbutareflectionofthesubject:dualitycannotbeifthereisnotone,andwhereistheneedforthenotionof 'unity'ifonealoneexists?Whenthusrealknowledgeisgainedbymeansofrightenquiryandunderstanding,onlythatremainswhichisnotexpressibleinwords.Of thatitcannotbesaidthatitisoneorthatitismany.Itisneitherseernorseen,neithersubjectnorobject,neitherthisnorthat.Neitherunitynordiversitycanbetruly establishedasthetruth:foreverythesisgivesrisetoantithesis.Yet,oneisnotdifferentfrom'theother':justasthewaveisnototherthanwater,braceletisnotdifferent fromgold.Evenso,divisionisnotacontradictionofunity!Allthisspeculationconcerningunityanddiversityisonlytoovercomesorrow:thatwhichisbeyondallthis isthetruth,thesupremeself. VASISTHA*continued: III:82

Afterlisteningtothesewisewordsoftheking,Karkati*becametranquil,andherdemoniacalnaturelefther.Shesaidtothem:

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''Owisemen,youarebothfittobeworshippedbyallandtobeservedbyall.And,Ihavebeenthoroughlyawakenedbyyourholycompany.Onewhoenjoysthe companyofenlightenedmendoesnotsufferinthisworld,evenasonewhoholdsacandleinhishanddoesnotseedarknessanywhere.Pray,tellmewhatIcandofor you." THEKINGsaid:"Olady,inmycitymanypeoplesufferfromrheumatichearttroubles.Inthecountrythereisalsoanepidemicofcholera.Itisinordertoinvestigate theseandfindaremedyforthemthatmyministerandIcameoutofthepalacetonight.Myhumblesubmissiontoyouisthis:donottakethelifeofanyofmypeople. (Karkati*atonceaccededtotheking'srequest.)Now,pleasetellme:howshallIrecompenseyouforyourkindnessandappeaseyourhunger?" KARKATI*replied:"OnceIhadtheintentionofengagingmyselfinpenanceintheHimalayas*andgivingupthebody.ButnowIhavegivenupthatidea.Ishallgive youmybiography.OnceuponatimeIwasademonessofgiganticproportions.Iwishedtodevourpeopleandwiththisintentionperformedpenance.Fromthe creatorBrahma*Iobtainedaboon,asaresultofwhichIbecameaneedle(andalsothecholeravirus)assuchIbroughtuntoldmiserytopeople.Brahma*, however,alsoevolvedamantrabywhichaloneIambroughtundercontrol.Learnthismantra,andwithitshelpyoucanenablepeopletogetridofrheumaticheart troubles,alsoleukemiaandotherbloodillnesses.Iusedtospreadleukemiainsuchawaythatitwaspassedonbytheparenttohischildren!" AllthethreeofthemthenwenttothebankoftheriverwherethekingreceivedthemantrafromKarkati*thismantrabecomeseffectivebyitsrepetition(japa). ThegratefulKINGsaidtoKarkati*:"Okindlady,nowyouhavebecomemyguruandfriend.Friendshipisvaluedbygoodpeople.Pray,assumeagentleandsmaller form,andcometomypalaceandliveasmyguest.Youneednotafflictgoodpeopleatall.ButIshallfeedyouwithsinnersandthieves." Karkati*agreed.Shebecameacharmingyoungwomanandaccompaniedthekingtoliveashisguest.Heentrustedthievesandothercriminalsandsinnerstoher.At nighteverydaysheresumedherdemoniacalformandconsumedthem.Duringthedaytimeshecontinuedtobeacharmingwomanthefriendandguestoftheking. Afterhermealshewouldoftengointosamadhi*forafewyearsatatime,beforereturningtonormalconsciousnessandnormallife. III:83,84 VASISTHA*continued:

Thus,Karkati*livesevennowprotectingtheking'sdescendants.Shewasthedaughterofademonwhoresembledacrab(?).Demons

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areofmanykindsandcolours(white,black,greenandred)andshewasoftheblackkind.Itoldyouthestory,however,becauseIrememberedherquestions,and theking'sanswers.Inessence,evenastheramificationsofthetree(withitsleaves,flowers,fruits,etc.)extendfromtheseedinwhichthereisnosuchdiversification, theuniverseofdiversityextendsfromtheinfiniteconsciousness. ORama*,bymerelylisteningtomywordsyouwillbeenlightened,thereisnodoubtinthis.KnowthattheuniversehasarisenfromBrahmananditisBrahmanalone. RAMA*asked:Ifonenessaloneisthetruth,whythendowesay,''Bythis,thatisattained"? VASISTHA*replied: Rama*,inthescriptureswordshavebeenusedinordertofacilitate theimpartingofinstruction.Causeandeffect,theselfandtheLord,differenceandnondifference,knowledgeandignorance,painandpleasureallthesepairshave beeninventedfortheinstructionoftheignorant.Theyarenotrealinthemselves.Allthisdiscussionandargumentationtakeplaceonlyinandbecauseofignorance whenthereisknowledgethereisnoduality.Whenthetruthisknown,alldescriptionscease,andsilencealoneremains. Thenyouwillrealisethatthereisonlyone,withoutbeginningandwithoutend.Butaslongaswordsareusedtodenoteatruth,dualityisinevitablehowever,such dualityisnotthetruth.Alldivisionsareillusory. Ishallgiveyouanotherillustration.Listenverycarefully.Bymeansofthepotentmedicineofmyexplanations,youwillsurelyovercometheillnessthatafflictsyour mind.Thissamsara*(worldappearance)isnothingbutthemindfilledwithlikesanddislikeswhenitisfreeofthem,worldappearancetoocomestoanend.The consciousnessinthemindistheseedofallsubstancesandtheinertaspectofthemindisthecauseoftheillusoryappearanceoftheworld.Becauseofthe omnipresenceofconsciousness,themindtakestheformoftheknowableandthusbecomestheseedoftheuniversethemind,likeachild,imaginestheexistenceof theworld.Whenthemindisillumineditexperiencestheinfiniteconsciousnesswithinitself.Ishallpresentlyexplaintoyouhowthissubjectobjectdivisionarises. VASISTHA*continued: III:85

OnceIaskedthecreatorBrahma*totellmehowthisuniversewasfirstcreated.Andhegavemethefollowingreply. BRAHMA*said: Mychild,itisonlymindthatappearsasallthis.Ishalltellyouwhathappenedtomeatthebeginningofthisepoch.Attheendof

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thepreviousepochtherewasthecosmicnight,andassoonasIwokeattheendofthatnightIofferedmymorningprayersandlookedaround,wishingtocreatethe universe.Ibeheldtheinfinitevoidwhichwasneitherilluminednordark. InmymindtherewastheintentiontocreateandinmyheartIbegantoseesubtlevisions.ThereinmymindandwithmymindIsawseveralseeminglyindependent universes.InthemallIalsosawmyowncounterpartscreators.InthoseuniversesIsawallkindsofbeings,asalsomountainsandrivers,oceansandwind,sunand heavenlybeingsandthenetherworldandthedemons. InalltheseuniversesIalsosawscripturesandmoralcodeswhichdeterminegoodandevilandheavenandhellasalsothescripturesthatlaydownthepathto pleasureandthepathtoliberation.AndIsawpeoplepursuingallthesedifferentgoals. Isawsevenworlds,sevencontinentsandalsooceansandmountains,alloftheminexorablyheadingfordestruction.Isawtimeanditsdivisions,rightdowntodays andnights.IsawtheholyriverGanga*asitknittogetherthethreeworldshecelestialregion,theatmosphere,andtheearth. Likeacastleintheair,thiscreationshoneextensivelywithitssky,earthandoceans.LookingatallthisIwaswonderstruckandpuzzled:"HowisitthatIamseeingall thesewithmymindinthegreatvoid,eventhoughIhavenotseenthemwithphysicaleyes?"IcontemplatedthisproblemforaconsiderabletimeandeventuallyI thoughtofoneofthesunsinoneofthesolarsystemsandrequestedhimtocometome.Iaskedhimthequestionthatwasengagingmyattention. THESUNreplied: Ogreatone,beingtheomnipotentcreatorofallthisyouareindeedtheLord.Itisthemindalonethatappearsasallthisceaselessandendlesscreativeactivity,which, onaccountofnescience,deludesoneintothinkingthatitisrealorthatitisunreal.Surely,youknowthetruth,Lord:yetsinceyoucommandedmetoansweryour query,Isaythis.

TheStoryoftheSonsofIndu(TenYoungMen)
III:86 THESUNsaid:

OLordoflords,neartheholymountainKailasa*inaplaceknownasSuvarnajata*,yoursonshadestablishedacolony.Inthatplacetherewasaholymanknownas Indu,adescendantofthesageKasyapa*.Heandhiswifeenjoyedeveryblessingexceptanoffspring.InordertoobtainthisblessingtheywenttoKailasa*and engagedthemselvesinseverepenance,livingonlyonaverysmallquantity

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ofwater.Theyhadresortedtothestateoftreesandstoodunmoving. LordSiva*waspleasedwiththeirpenanceand,appearingbeforethem,askedthemtochooseaboonfromhim.Theyprayedthattheymightbegettenworthysons whowouldbedevotedtoGodandrighteousness.LordSiva*grantedtheboon. Verysoonafterthis,theholyman'swifegavebirthtotenbrilliantandradiantsons.Theseboysgrewupintoyoungmentheyhadmasteredallthescriptureseven whentheywerebarelysevenyearsofage.Afteraconsiderabletime,theirparentsabandonedtheirbodiesandbecameliberated. Thetenyoungmenweresorelydistressedatthelossoftheirparents.Onedaytheygottogetherandaskedthemselves:"Obrothers,whatisthemostdesirablegoal here,whichisproperforustoaspiretoandwhichwillnotleadtounhappiness?Tobeaking,tobeanemperor,eventobeIndrathegodofheavenalltheseare trivial,sinceevenIndrarulesheavenjustforanhourandahalfoftheCreator'slifespan.Ah,therefore,theattainmentofcreatorshipisthebestforusbecauseofall lordshipsitalonewillnotcometoanendforawholeepoch." Alltheothersheartilyagreedwiththisstatement.Theysaidtothemselves:"Wellthen,weshouldsoonreachBrahmahood*whichisdevoidofoldageanddeath." Theeldestbrothersaid:"PleasedoasItellyoutodo.Fromnowoncontemplateasfollows,'IamBrahma*,seatedonafullblownlotus'."Allthebrothersthereupon begantomeditateinthefollowingmanner:"IamBrahma*,thecreatoroftheuniverse.ThesagesasalsoSarasvati*thegoddessofwisdomarewithinmeintheir personalforms.Heaveniswithinme,withallthecelestials.Mountains,continentsandoceansarewithinme.Demigodsanddemonsarewithinme.Thesunshines withinme.Nowthecreationtakesplace.Nowthecreationexists.Nowisthetimeforthedissolution.Anepochisover.ThenightofBrahma*isathand.Ihaveself knowledgeandIamliberated." Meditatingthuswithalltheirbeing,theybecamethat. THESUNcontinued: III:87,88

Lord,afterthat,stilldeeplycontemplatingontheirintentiontobethecreatorsoftheuniverse,thetenholymenstoodincontemplation.Theirbodieshadwithered awayandwhateverwasleftwasconsumedbywildbeasts.Buttheycontinuedtostandthereintheirdisembodiedstate,foralonglongtime...tillanepochcametoa closeandtherewasthegreatscorchingheatofthesunandtheterriblecloudburstwhichdestroyedeverything.Theholymenstillcontinuedtostand

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intheirdisembodiedstate,withthesoleintentionofbecomingthecreatorsoftheuniverse. Atthedawnofanewcreation,thesemencontinuedtostandinthesameplaceandinthesamemannerandwiththesameintention.Theybecamethecreators.They werethetencreatorswhomyousawandyousawtheiruniverses,too.Lord,Iamoneofthesunsthatshineintheuniversesthuscreatedbythem. THECREATORaskedtheSun: OSun,whenthustheuniverseshavebeencreatedbythesetencreators,whatneedIdo?Whatisthereformetodo? THESUNreplied: Lord,youhavenowishes,noranymotivesofyourown.Naturally,thereisnoneedforyoutodoanything.Whatbenefitdoyouderivefromcreatingtheuniverse? Creationoftheuniverseissurelyamotivelesspastimetoyou! Lord,creationemergesfromyouwhoarefreefromtheleastdesireormotive,justasthesunwithoutintendingtoshineisreflectedinapoolofwaterwithoutintending tosoreflectit.Justaswithoutintendingtodoso,thesuncausesnightanddaytofolloweachother,evenso,engageyourselfinthenonvolitionalactofcreation.For, whatwillyougainbyabandoningyournaturalfunction? Wisemendonotdesiretodoanythingandwisemendonotdesiretoabandonactioneither. Lord,youareviewing,withyourownmentaleye,thisuniversethuscreatedbythoseholymen.Onebeholdswithphysicaleyesonlysuchobjectsashavebeen createdbyhiminhisownmindnaughtelse.Theseobjectswhichhavebeencreatedbythemindareindestructible:onlythoseobjectswhichhavebeenputtogether withmaterialsubstancesdisintegrate.Apersonismadeofwhateverisfirmlyestablishedasthetruthofhisbeinginhisownmind:thatheis,naughtelse.

TheStoryofAhalya*
III:89 THESUNcontinued:

Lord,themindaloneisthecreatoroftheworldandmindaloneisthesupremeperson.Whatisdonebythemindisaction,whatisdonebythebodyisnotaction. Beholdthepowersofthemind:bydeterminedthinkingthesonsoftheholymanbecamecreatorsoftheuniverse!Whenone,ontheotherhand,thinks'Iamalittle body'hebecomesamortalbeing.Onewhoseconsciousnessisextrovertedexperiencespleasureandpaintheyogi,ontheotherhand,whose

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visionisintroverteddoesnotentertainideasofpainandpleasure.InthisconnectionthereisalegendwhichIshallnarratetoyou. InthecountryofMagadhatherewasakingnamedIndradyumna.Ahalya*washiswife.Inthatplacetherewasalsoahandsomeyoungmanofloosemoralsknown asIndra.Onedayduringadiscourse,thequeenlistenedtothestoryoftheseductionofthefamedAhalya*byIndrathekingofheaven.Asaresultsheconceiveda greatlovefortheyoungmanIndra. Ahalya*wasdistraughtwithloveforIndraandwiththehelpofoneofhermaidsmanagedtohavetheyoungmanbroughttoher.FromthenonwardsIndraand Ahalya*usedtomeeteachotherinasecrethouseandenjoythemselves. Ahalya*wassofondofIndrathatshesawhimeverywhere.Theverythoughtofhimmadeherfaceradiant.Astheirlovegrew,theirrelationshipbecamepublic,andit reachedtheking'sears. Theirateking,inanefforttobreakthisrelationship,punishedtheminnumerousways:theywereimmersedinicecoldwater,theywerefriedinboilingoil,theywere tiedtothelegsofanelephant,theywerewhipped.Indrasaidtotheking,laughingly:" Oking,theentireuniversetomeisnothingbutmybeloved.SoitistoAhalya*.Henceweareunaffectedbyallthese.Sir,Iamonlymindandmindaloneisthe individual.Youcanpunishthebodybutyoucannotpunishthemindnorbringabouttheleastchangeinit.Ifthemindisfullysaturatedwithsomething,whatever happenstothebodydoesnotaffectthemind.Themindisunaffectedevenbyboonsandcurses,evenasthefirmlyestablishedmountainisnotmovedbythehornsof alittlebeast....Thebodydoesnotcreatethemind,butthemindcreatesthebody.Themindaloneistheseedforthebody:whenthetreedies,theseeddoesnot,but whentheseedperishes,thetreedieswithit.Ifthebodyperishes,themindcancreateotherbodiesforitself." THESUNcontinued: III:90,91

Lord,thekingthereuponapproachedthesageBharataandpleadedthatheshouldpunishtherecalcitrantcouplebycursingthem.And,thesagepronouncedacurse uponthecouple.However,theysaidtothesageandtotheking:"Alas,youarebothoflittleunderstanding.Bythuscursingusyouhavesquanderedthemeritacquired bypenance.Yourcursewillsurelydestroyourbodies,butweshalllosenothingbythat.Noonecandestroythemindofothers."However,thesage'scursedestroyed theirbodies,andonleavingthosebodies,theywereborntogetherasanimalsandthenasbirds,andthenasahumancoupleinaholyfamily.Tillnow,onaccountof thetotalloveforeachother,theyareborntogetherashusbandandwife.Even

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thetreesoftheforestwereinspiredandinfectedbythesupremeloveanddevotionofthiscouple. Eventhesage'scursecouldnotbringaboutthemutationofthecouple'smind.Evenso,Lord,youcannotinterferewiththecreationofthetensonsoftheholyman. Butwhatdoyouloseiftheyarethusengagedintheirowncreation?Letthemremainwiththecreationsoftheirownmind!Itcannotbedestroyedbyyouanymore thanthereflectionincrystalcanberemoved. Lord,inyourownconsciousness,createtheworldasyoulike.Intruth,theinfiniteconsciousness,themind(one'sownconsciousness)andtheinfinitespaceareallof onesubstance,pervadedbytheinfiniteconsciousness.Thereforeregardlessofwhattheyoungmenhavecreated,youcancreateasmanyworldsasyoulike! BRAHMA*saidtoVasistha*: HavinglistenedtothisadviceoftheSun,Iimmediatelybegantocreatetheworldsasthenaturalexpressionofmyownbeing.IrequestedtheSuntobemyfirst partnerinthistask.Thus,hewastheSuninthecreationoftheyoungmen,andtheprogenitorofthehumanraceinmycreation,andheplayedthisdualroleefficiently. Inaccordancewithmyintentions,hebroughtaboutthecreationoftheworlds.Whateverappearsinone'sconsciousness,thatseemstocomeintobeing,gets established,andevenbearsfruits!Suchisthepowerofthemind.Justasthesonsoftheholymangainedthepositionofcreatorsoftheworldonaccountofthe powersoftheirmind,evensohaveIbecomethecreatoroftheworld.Itisthemindthatmakesthingsappearhere.Itbringsabouttheappearanceofthebody,etc. Naughtelseisawareofthebody. THECREATORBRAHMA*said: Theindividualisedconsciousness(mind)hasinititsownmanifoldpotentialities,evenasspiceshavetasteinthem.Thatconsciousnessitselfappearsasthesubtleor etherealbody,andwhenitbecomesgrossthatitselfappearstobethephysicalormaterialbody.Thatindividualisedconsciousnessitselfisknownasthejiva*orthe individualsoul,whenthepotentialitiesareinanextremelysubtlestate.And,whenallthisjuggleryofthejiva*ceases,thatitselfshinesasthesupremebeing.Iamnot, noristhereanyoneinthisuniverse:allthisisnothingbuttheinfiniteconsciousness.Justastheintentionoftheyoungmenbecamemanifest,allthisisappearancebased oninfiniteconsciousness.Theyoungmen'sintentionmadethemfeelthattheywerethecreators:evensoIam. Thepureandinfiniteconsciousnessalonethinksofitselfasthejiva*andasthemindandthenbelievesitselftobethebody.Whenthisdreamlikefantasyisprolonged, thislongdreamfeelslike

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reality!Itisbothrealandunreal:becauseitisperceived,itappearstobereal,butbecauseofinherentcontradictionitisunreal.Themindissentientbecauseitisbased onconsciousnesswhenviewedassomethingapartfromtheconsciousness,itisinertanddeluded.Whenthereisperception,themindtakesontheroleoftheobject ofperception:butnotinrealityevenaswhenitisperceivedassuch,thebraceletisseen,thoughthetruthisthatitisgold. BecauseBrahmanaloneisallthis,evenwhatisinertispureconsciousnessbutallofus,frommedowntotherock,areindefinable,neitherinertnorsentient.There canbenoapprehensionoftwocompletelydifferentthings:onlywhenthereissimilaritybetweenthesubjectandobjectisperceptionpossible.Concerningwhatis indefinableandwhoseexistenceisnotcertain,'inert'and'sentient'areonlywordswithnosubstance.Inthemind,thesubjectisbelievedtobesentientandtheobject issaidtobeinert.Thus,caughtindelusion,thejiva*hangsaround.Intruth,thisdualityitselfisthecreationofthemind,ahallucination.Ofcourse,wecannot determinewithcertaintythatsuchahallucinationexists,either.TheinfiniteconsciousnessaloneIS. Whenthisillusorydivisionisnotseenforwhatitis,thereisthearisingofthefalseegotism.Butwhenthemindintoitsownnature,thisdivisiondisappears.Thereis realisationoftheoneinfiniteconsciousness,andoneattainsgreatbliss. VASISTHA*askedBrahma*: III:92

Lord,howisitpossiblethatthesage'scurseaffectedIndra'sbodyandnothismind?Ifthebodyisnondifferentfromthemind,thenthecurseshouldaffectthemind, too.Kindlyexplaintomehowthemindisnotthusaffectedorthatitisaffected! THECREATORBRAHMA*,replied: Dearone,intheuniverse,fromBrahma*toahill,everyembodiedbeinghasatwofoldbody.Ofthese,thefirstisthementalbodywhichisrestlessandwhichacts quickly.Thesecondisthebodymadeofflesh,whichdoesnotreallydoanything.Ofthesethelatterisoverpoweredbycursesandalsobyboonsorcharms:itis dumb,powerless,weakandtransientlikeadropletofwateronlotusleaf,anditisentirelydependentuponfate,destinyandsuchotherfactors.Mindhowever,is independent,thoughitmightseemtobedependent.Whenthismindconfidentlyengagesinselfeffort,thenitisbeyondthereachofsorrow.Wheneveritstrives,then andthereitsurelyfindsthefruitionofitsstriving. Thephysicalbodyachievesnothingontheotherhand,thementalbodygetsresults.Whentheminddwellsconstantlyonwhatispure,itisimmunetotheeffectsof curses.Thebodymayfallintofireor

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mire,butthemindexperiencesonlythatwhichitcontemplates.ThiswasdemonstratedbyIndra.ItwasalsodemonstratedbythesageDirghatapa*whowishedto performareligiousrite,butfellintoablindwellwhilecollectingthematerialsforitheperformedtheritementallyandderivedthefruitofactualphysicalperformance oftherite.ThetensonsoftheholymanwerealsoabletoachieveBrahmahood*bytheirmentaleffort:evenIcouldnotpreventit. Mentalandphysicalillness,aswellascursesand"evileye"donottouchthemindthatisdevotedtotheself,anymorethanalotusflowercansplitarockintotwoby fallingonit.Hence,oneshouldendeavourwiththemindtomakethemindtaketothepurepath,withtheselfmaketheselftreadthepathofpurity.Whateverthemind contemplatesthatinstantlymaterialises.Byintensecontemplationitcanbringaboutradicalchangewithinitself,tohealitselfofthedefectivevisioninwhichillusions wereperceivedasreal.Whattheminddoes,thatitexperiencesastruth.Itmakesthemanwhoissittinginmoonlightexperienceburningheatanditmakesonewhois inburningsunexperiencecoolcomfort! Suchisthemysteriouspowerofthemind. III:93 VASISTHA*continued:

ThuswasIinstructedbythecreatorBrahma*indaysofyoreandthatIhaveconveyedtoyou,ORama*. Thus,sincetheabsoluteBrahmaninitsundifferentiatedstatepervadeseverything,everythingisinanundifferentiatedstate.Whenthatofitsownaccordcondenses,the cosmicmindisborn.Inthatmindtherearisestheintentionoftheexistenceofthedifferentelementsintheirextremelysubtlestate:thetotalityofallthisistheluminous cosmicpersonwhoisknownasBrahma*thecreator.Hence,thisCreatorisnoneotherthanthecosmicmind. ThisBrahma*thecreatorseeswhateverheintendstoseeinhisownmind,forheisofthenatureofconsciousness.Itishe(Brahma*thecreator)whohaswishedinto beingthisnesciencewhichisthedifferentiatingprincipleintheuniverse,andonaccountofwhichoneconfusestheselfwiththenotself,anditiswiththisfactorof nesciencethattheCreatorhascausedthisuniverse(themountains,thebladeofgrass,water,etc.)toappearasoneofdiversecreatures.Becauseofthisthoughthe entireuniverseisnothingbutinfiniteconsciousnessthereappeartobecreaturesbornofatomicparticlesandmolecules. Therefore,ORama*,allobjectsandsubstancesinthisuniversehaveemergedinBrahmantheabsolute,justaswavesmanifestintheocean.Inthisuncreateduniverse, themindofBrahma*thecreatorperceivesitselfastheegotismandthusdoesBrahma*the

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cosmicmindbecomeBrahma*thecreatoroftheuniverse.Thepowerofthatcosmicmindaloneappearstobethediverseforcesintheuniverse.Infinitenumberof diversecreaturesmanifestthemselvesinthiscosmicmindandtheyarethenknownasdiversejivas*. Whenthesediversejivas*ariseintheinfinitespaceofconsciousness,seeminglycomposedoftheelements,intoeachofthebodiesconsciousnessentersthroughthe apertureoflifeforce,andthenceformstheseedofallbodies,bothmovingandunmoving.Thence,birthasindividualstakesplace,eachindividualbeingaccidentally (likeacrowalightingandacocoanutfalling)broughtintocontactwithdifferentpotentialitieswhoseexpressiongivesrisetothelawofcauseandeffect,etc.,and thencetoriseandfallinevolution.Desirealoneisthereafterthecauseofallthis.Rama*,suchisthisforestknownasworldappearancehewhocutsitsveryrootwith theaxeofinvestigation(enquiry)isfreedfromit.Somearriveatthisunderstandingsoon,othersafteraverylongtime. VASISTHA*continued: III:94

Rama*,Ishallnowdescribetoyouthedivisionsofbeingsintothebest,theworstandthemiddling,asithappenedinthebeginningofthiscycleofcreation. Thefirstandforemostamongthecreaturesarebornofnoblepractices.Theyarenaturallygoodanddevotedtogooddeeds.Theyreachliberationinafewlifetimes. Theyarefullofthequalityofpurityandlight(satva).Thentherearethosewhoarefullofimpurity,inwhomtheworldlyhabitsarestrongandvariegated,whowill perhapsreachliberationinathousandbirthstheyaretheleastamongthegood.Amongthemtherearethoseinwhosecaseliberationitselfisdoubtfulinthisworld cycle:theyarebeingsofdensedarkness. Themiddlingtypearetheoneswhoarefullofthequalityofdynamismanddesire(rajas).Whensuchpeoplearecloseenoughtoliberationthatontheirdeparturefrom thisworldtheyreachit,theyhaveamixtureofrajasandsatva.Butwhentherajasic*(passionatedesire)tendencyissostrongthatittakesalittlelongertosublimate it,theyarepurelyrajasic*.Butwhentherajasic*tendencyisextremelydense,thenitpartakesofdarkness(tamas).Inthecaseofthosefromwhomliberationisso remotethatitisdoubtful,thequalityofrajaspartakesofthedensestdarkness. Theywhoevenafterathousandbirthsarestillindarknessunawakened,areknownasbeingsofdarkness(tamas).Theymaytakealongtimetoreachliberation.But whenthisliberationseemstobeathand,thentheirtamasismixedwithsatva.Iftheyare

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proceedingclosetoliberation,thentheirtamasismixedwithrajas.When,evenafterahundred'births,liberationisanotherhundredbirthsaway,theyarefulloftamas andifliberationisdoubtful,theyareindensedarkness. (Thischapterseemstosuggestthatsatva,rajasandtamasinthemselvesarenotobstaclestoliberation,butthefurthermodificationsbywrongthoughtandwrong actionpushliberationaway.S.V.) AllthesebeingshavearisenintheabsoluteBrahmanwhentherewasjustaslight.disturbanceinitsequilibrium,evenaswavesariseonthesurfaceoftheocean.Even asthespaceinajar,thespaceinaroomandthespaceinasmallholeareallintegralpartsofonecosmicspace,allthesearebuttheinfinitebeinginwhichthereare noparts.And,astheyaroseinit,theymergeinit.Thus,bythewilloftheinfiniteBrahmanalltheseseemtoariseandthendissolveinit. III:95 VASISTHA*continued:

Actionandthedoeroftheactionarosespontaneouslyinthesupremebeingatthesametime,evenasfloweranditsfragrancearisesimultaneously.However,itisonly intheeyesoftheignorantthatthecreationofthejivas*appearstobereal,evenasonlytheignorantseebluenessinthesky!Totheenlightenedtheexpressions ''Jivas*arebornofBrahman"and"Jivas*arenotbornofBrahman"arebothmeaningless. Onlyforthesakeofinstructionisthedualismprovisionallyacceptedotherwiseinstructionisimpossible.Afterhavingpositedthatjivas*arebornofBrahman,itis pointedoutbytheteacherthatsincetheeffectisnondifferentfromthecause,jivas*arenondifferentfromBrahman.AlltheseappeartobebornofBrahman,even asfragranceisbornofflower.AndtheyreenterintoBrahman,evenasoneseason'enters'intoanother! Witheveryspeciesofbeingthatmanifestsitselfintheuniverseissimultaneouslybornitsnaturalbehaviour.Itisonlytheirignoranceoftheirownessentialnatureorself whichleadstosuchbehaviouroractionastocausereactioninalaterbirth. RAMA*said: Holysir,trulythedeclarationsofsageswhosemindsareuncolouredconstitutescripture.And,theywhoarepureatheartandinwhosevisionthereisnodivisionare regardedassages.Theimmaturepersoncanhopetoseethelightoftruthonlywiththeaidofascriptureandoftheknowledgeofthenatureofanenlightenedperson. Holysir,weseeinthisworldthattheseedisbornofatree,andthetreegrowsfromtheseed.Isitthenappropriatetosaythat

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withouttheseedofpreviouskarma,diversebeingswerebornoftheabsoluteBrahman? VASISTHA*replied: Ifyouobservecarefully,ORama*,youwillseethatitisonlywhenthemindisinvolvedintheactionthatthereistheextensionoftheactionintoitsownfruition. Hence,mindistheseedofaction.Evenso,whenthecosmicmindmanifesteditselfintheabsoluteBrahman,atthatveryinstantthenaturaltendenciesofdiversebeings andtheirbehaviourwereborn,andtheembodiedbeingscametoberegardedasjivas*.Thereisnodivisionbetweenmindandaction.Beforeitisprojectedasaction itarisesinthemind,withtheminditselfasits'body'.Hence,actionisnothingbutthemovementofenergyinconsciousness,anditinevitablybearsitsownfruit.When suchactioncomestoanend,mindcomestoanend,tooandwhenthemindceasestobe,thereisnoaction.Thisappliesonlytotheliberatedsage,nottoothers. VASISTHA*continued: III:96

Mindisonlyperceptionandperceptionismovementinconsciousness.Theexpressionofthismovementisaction,andfruitionfollowsthis.Mindisanintentionarising intheomnipotentandinfiniteconsciousness.Itstandsbetweentherealandtheunreal,asitwere,butinclinedtowardscomprehension.Thoughnondifferentfromthe infiniteconsciousness,itthinksthatitis.Thoughnondoing,itthinksitdoes.Suchisthemind,andthesequalitiesareinseparablefromthemind.Evensothejiva*and themindareinseparable. Whateverthemindthinksof,theorgansofactionstrivetomaterialise:hence,again,mindisaction.However,mind,intellect,egotism,individualisedconsciousness, action,fancy,birthanddeath,latenttendencies,knowledge,effort,memory,thesenses,nature,Maya*orillusion,activityandsuchotherwordsarebutwordswithout correspondingreality:thesolerealityistheinfiniteconsciousnessinwhichtheseconceptsareconceivedtoexist.Alltheseconceptshavearisenwhen,byaccidental coincidence(thecrowdislodgingthecocoanut),theinfiniteconsciousnessinamomentofselfforgetfulnessvieweditselfastheobjectofperception. When,thusveiledbynescience,thesameconsciousnessviewsdiversityinanagitatedstateandidentifiesobjectsassuch,itisknownasmind.Thatitselfwhenitis firmlyestablishedintheconvictionofacertainperception,isknownasintellect(orintelligence).Whenitignorantlyandfoolishlyidentifiesitselfasanexistentseparate individual,itisknownasegotism.Whenitabandonsconsistentenquiry,allowingitselftoplaywithcountless

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thoughtscomingandgoing,itisknownasindividualisedconsciousness(ormindstuff). Whereaspuremovementinconsciousnessiskarmaoractionwithoutanindependentdoer,whenitpursuesthefruitionofsuchaction,itisknownaskarma(action). Whenitentertainsthenotion''Ihaveseenthisbefore"inrelationtosomethingeitherseenorunseen,itisknownasmemory.Whentheeffectsofpastenjoyments continuetoremaininthefieldofconsciousnessthoughtheeffectsthemselvesareunseen,itisknownaslatenttendency(orpotentiality).Whenitisconsciousofthe truththatthevisionofdivisionistheproductofignorance,itisknownasknowledge.Ontheotherhand,whenitmovesinthewrongdirection,towardsgreaterself forgetfulnessanddeeperinvolvementinfalsefancies,itisknownasimpurity.Whenitentertainstheindwellerwithsensations,itisknownasthesenses(indriya).When itremainsunmanifestinthecosmicbeing,itisknownasnature.Whenitcreatesconfusionbetweenrealityandappearance,itisknownasMaya*(illusion).Whenit thinks"Iambound"thereisbondagewhenitthinks"Iamfree"thereisfreedom. III:97 VASISTHA*continued:

Thelightofconsciousnesseclipsedbyafirmconvictionintheexistenceofthemindisindeedthemind.Thismindembodiesitselfindiversebeingshumans,gods, demons,demigodsandcelestials.Itthenspreadsitselfoutasvariousformsofbehaviourasalsothecitiesandtowns,etc.Suchbeingthetruth,whatistheuseof examiningalltheseexternalappearances?Itismindalonethatistheproperfactorforustoexamine.Forwhenweenquireintothenatureofthemind,allthecreated objectsorallappearancesareseentobeitscreationsonlytheinfiniteconsciousnessremainsasuncreatedbythemind.Whendeeplyobserved,themindisabsorbed 'intoitssubstratum,andwhenitisthusabsorbed,thereissupremefelicity.Whenthemindthusdisintegratesthereisliberation,andthereisnomorerebirth,foritwas mindalonethatappearedtotakebirthandtodie.(Vicara*,usuallytranslated'enquiry',is'directobservation'.) RAMA*askedagain: Pray,Lord,howdidallthistakeplaceinthepureinfiniteconsciousness?Howwasitpossibleforthemind,whichisapparentlyamixtureoftherealandtheunreal,to ariseinit? VASISTHA*said: Rama*,spaceisthreefoldtheinfinitespaceofundividedconsciousness,theinfinitespaceofdividedconsciousnessandthephysicalspaceinwhichthematerial worldsexist.Theinfinitespace

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ofundividedconsciousness(cidakasa*)isthatwhichexistsinall,insideandoutside,asthepurewitnessofthatwhichisrealandofthatwhichappearstobe.The finitespaceofdividedconsciousness(cittaakasa*)isthatwhichcreatesthedivisionsoftime,whichpervadesallbeingsandwhichisinterestedinthewelfareofall beings.Thephysicalspaceisthatinwhichtheotherelements(air,etc.)exist.Thelattertwoarenotindependentofthefirst,theinfinitespaceofundivided consciousness.Infact,theothersdonotexist,andthisdivisionofconsciousnessintothreeisarbitrarilysuggestedonlywhileinstructingtheignorant.Theenlightened oneknowsthatthereisonlyonerealitytheinfiniteconsciousness. Rama*,whenthatconsciousnessapparentlythinks"Iamintelligent"or"Iaminert"thatisthemind.Itisfromthiswrongnotionthatalltheotherphysicaland psychologicalfactorshavebeenimaginarilycreated. TheStoryoftheGreatForest VASISTHA*continued: III:98

ORama*,whatevermighthavebeentheoriginofthemindandwhateveritmightbe,oneshouldconstantlydirectittowardsliberationthroughselfeffort.Thepure mindisfreefromlatenttendencies,andthereforeitattainsselfknowledge.Sincetheentireuniverseiswithinthemind,thenotionsofbondageandliberationarealso withinit.InthisconnectionthereisthefollowinglegendwhichIheardfromthecreatorBrahma*himself.Listentoitattentively: Therewasagreatforest,solargethatmillionsofsquaremileswerelikethespacewithinanatom,init.Inittherewasjustonepersonwhohadathousandarmsand limbs.Hewasforeverrestless.Hehadamaceinhishandwithwhichhebeathimselfand,afraidofthebeating,heranawayinpanic.Hefellintoablindwell.Hecame outofit,againbeathimselfandagainranawayinpanic,thistimeintoaforest.Hecameoutofit,againbeathimselfandagainranawayinpanic,thistimeintoa bananagrove.Thoughtherewasnootherbeingtofear,heweptandcriedaloudinfear.Hekeptrunningasbefore,beatinghimselfasbefore. IwitnessedallthisintuitivelyandwiththepowerofmywillIrestrainedhimforamoment.Iaskedhim,"Whoareyou?"But,hewassorelydistressedandcalledme hisenemyandweptaloudandthenlaughedaloud.Thenhebegantoabandonhisbodylimbbylimb. Immediatelyafterthis,Isawanotherpersonrunninglikethefirstone,beatinghimself,weepingandwailing.WhenIsimilarly

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restrainedhim,hebegantoabusemeandranawayintentonhisownwayoflife.LikethisIcameacrossseveralpersons.Somelistenedtomywordsandabandoning theirpreviouswayoflifebecameenlightened.Someothersignoredmeorevenheldmeincontempt.Someothersevenrefusedtocomeoutoftheblindwellorthe denseforest. Suchisthegreatforest,ORama*:noonefindsasurerestingplaceinit,whateverbethemodeoflifetheymayadopt.Eventodayyouseesuchpeopleinthisworld andyouyourselfhaveseensuchalifeofignoranceanddelusion.Becauseyouareyoungandignorant,youdonotunderstandit. III:99 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,thisgreatforestisnotfaraway,noristhatstrangemaninastrangeland!Thisworlditselfistheforest.Itisagreatvoidbutthisvoidisseenonlyinthelight ofenquiry.Thislightofenquiryisthe'I'intheparable.Thiswisdomisacceptedbysomeandrejectedbyothers,whocontinuetosuffer.Theywhoacceptitare enlightened. Thepersonwiththousandsofarmsisthemindwithcountlessmanifestations.Thismindpunishesitselfbyitsownlatenttendenciesandrestlesslywandersinthisworld. Theblindwellinthestoryishellandthebananagroveisheaven.Thedenseforestofthornybushisthelifeofaworldlyman,withthenumerousthornsofwife, children,wealth,etc.hurtinghimallthetime.Themindnowwandersintohell,nowintoheavenandnowintotheworldofhumanbeings. Evenwhenthelightofwisdomshinesonthelifeofthedeludedmind,itfoolishlyrejectsit,consideringthatthatwisdomisitsenemy.Thenitweepsandwailsin distress.Sometimes,itexperiencesanimperfectawakening,anditrenouncesthepleasuresoftheworldwithoutproperunderstandingsuchrenunciationitselfproves tobeagreatsourceofsorrow.But,whensuchrenunciationarisesoutofthefullnessofunderstanding,ofwisdombornofenquiryintothenatureofthemind,the renunciationleadstosupremebliss.Suchamindmayevenlookatitsownpastnotionsofpleasurewithpuzzlement.Justasthelimbsofthepersonastheywerecut awayfelldownanddisappeared,thelatenttendenciesofthepersonwhowiselyrenouncestheworldalsovanishfromthemind. Beholdtheplayofignorance!whichmakesonehurtoneselfoutofone'sownvolitionandwhichmakesonerunhitherandthitherinmeaninglesspanic.Thoughthe lightofselfknowledgeshinesineveryheart,yetonewandersinthisworlddrivenbyone'sownlatentdesires.And,theminditselfintensifiesthissorrowandgoads

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onetogoroundincircles.Byitsownwhimsandfancies,thoughtsandhopes,itbindsitself.Whenitisvisitedbysorrowitdespairsandbecomesrestless. Whenonewhogainswisdompreservesitforalongtimeandpersistsinthepracticeofenquiry,hedoesnotexperiencesorrow.Anuncontrolledmindisthesourceof sorrowwhenitisthoroughlyunderstood,thesorrowvanisheslikemistatsunrise. VASISTHA*continued: III:100

Theindividualisedconsciousness(themind)hasariseninthesupremebeing,ORama*:itisbothdifferentandnondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousnessevenasa waveisdifferentandnondifferentfromtheocean.TotheenlightenedthemindistheabsoluteBrahmanandnaughtelse.Totheunenlightened,themindisthecauseof repetitivehistory(samsara*).Whendualisticconceptsareusedbyus,ORama*,itisonlytofacilitateinstruction:thedivisionisnotreal. TheabsoluteBrahmanisomnipotent:andthereisnothingwhichisoutsideofit.Itishisownpowerorenergythatpervadesallthings.Inembodiedbeings,itisthecit sakti*(thepowerofconsciousnessorintelligence).Itismotioninair,stabilityinearth,voidinspace,anditisthepowerofselfconsciousness('Iam')increated beings.YetallthisisnothingbutthepowerofabsoluteBrahman.Itisthepowerofdisintegration,thepowerthatcausesgriefinthegriefstrickenandthepowerthat causeselationinthejoyousinthewarrioritisvalouritisthepowerthattriggerscreationandthesamepowerbringsaboutthedissolutionoftheuniverse. Thejiva*isatthejunctionofconsciousnessandmatterandbecauseitisareflectionoftheabsoluteBrahman,itissaidtobeinBrahman.Seetheentireuniverseand alsothe'I'astheabsoluteBrahman,fortheself(whichisBrahman)isomnipresent.Whenthatselfthinks,itisknownasmind.Itisnothingbutthepowerofthe absoluteBrahmanwhichisnondifferentfromBrahman:initallthisarbitrarydivisioninto'I'and'this'arebutapparentreflections.Theveryrealityofthemindis Brahmanalone. Hereandthere,nowandthen,thispowerofBrahmanmakesmanifestoneortheotherofitspowers.Butallthismanifestationisbuttheapparentreflectionofthe powerofBrahman,notarealcreation.Thuscreation,transformation,existenceanddestructionareallbroughtaboutbyBrahmaninBrahman:itisnothingbut Brahman.Theinstrumentsofaction,actionandthedoer,birth,deathandexistenceallthisisBrahman.Nothingelseis,eveninimagination.Delusion,craving,greed andattachmentarenonexistenthowcantheyexistwhenthereisnoduality?When

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bondageisnonexistent,surelyliberationisfalse,too. RAMA*asked:Holysir,yousaidthatwhenthemindthinksofsomethingitmaterialises.Nowyousaythatbondagedoesnotexist!Howcanthesebereconciled? VASISTHA*replied:ORama*,themind,inastateofignorance,imaginesbondage.Thebondageexistsonlyinthatstateofignorance.Justasthedreamobjects vanishwhenthedreamerwakesup,allthesehallucinationsknownasbondageandliberationdonotexistintheeyesoftheenlightened.

TheStoryoftheThreeNonexistentPrinces
III:101 VASISTHA*continued:

Toillustratethis,thereisaninterestinglegend.Kindlylistentoit. Ayoungboyaskedhisnannytotellhimastoryandthenannytoldhimthefollowingstorytowhichtheboylistenedwithgreatattention: Onceuponatimeinacitywhichdidnotexist,therewerethreeprinceswhowerebraveandhappy.Ofthemtwowereunbornandthethirdwasnotconceived. Unfortunatelyalltheirrelativesdied.Theprinceslefttheirnativecitytogoelsewhere.Verysoontheyfellintoaswoonunabletobeartheheatofthesun.Theirfeet wereburntbyhotsand.Thetipsofgrasspiercedthem.Theyreachedtheshadeofthreetrees,ofwhichtwodidnotexistandthethirdwasnotevenplanted.After restingthereforsometimeandeatingthefruitsofthosetrees,theyproceededfurther. Theyreachedthebanksofthreeriversofthemtwoweredryandinthethirdtherewasnowater.Theprinceshadarefreshingbathandquenchedtheirthirstinthem. Theythenreachedahugecitywhichwasabouttobebuilt.Enteringit,theyfoundthreepalacesofexceedingbeauty.Ofthemtwohadnotbeenbuiltatall,andthe thirdhadnowalls.Theyenteredthepalacesandfoundthreegoldenplatestwoofthemhadbeenbrokenintotwoandthethirdhadbeenpulverised.Theytookhold oftheonewhichhadbeenpulverised.Theytookninetynineminusonehundredgramsofriceandcookedit.Theytheninvitedthreeholymentobetheirguestsof themtwohadnobodyandthethirdhadnomouth.Aftertheseholymenhadeatenthefood,thethreeprincespartookoftherestofthefoodcooked.Theywere greatlypleased.Thustheylivedinthatcityforalonglongtimeinpeaceandjoy.Mychild,thisisanextremelybeautifullegendprayrememberthisalways,andyou willgrowupintoalearnedman. ORama*,whenthelittleboyheardthishewasthrilled.

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Whatisknownasthecreationoftheworldisnomorerealthanthisstoryoftheyoungboy.Thisworldisnothingbutpurehallucination.Itisnothingmorethanan idea.Intheinfiniteconsciousnesstheideaofcreationarose:andthatiswhatis.ORama*,thisworldisnothingmorethananideaalltheobjectsofconsciousnessin thisworldarejustanidearejecttheerror(dirt)ofideationandbefreeofideasandremainrootedintruth,attainpeace. VASISTHA*continued: III:102

Onlyafool,notawiseman,isdeludedbyhisownideasitisafoolwhothinksthattheimperishableisperishable,andgetsdeluded.Egotismisbutanideabasedona falseassociationoftheselfwiththephysicalelements.Whenonealoneexistsinallthisastheinfiniteconsciousness,howhaswhatiscalledegotismarisen?Infact,this egotismdoesnotexistanymorethanthemirageexistsinthedesert.Therefore,ORama*,abandonyourimperfectvisionwhichisnotbasedonfactrestintheperfect visionwhichisofthenatureofblissandwhichisbasedontruth. Enquireintothenatureoftruth.Abandonfalsehood.Youareeverfreewhydoyoucallyourselfboundandthengrieve?Theselfisinfinitewhy,howandbywhomis itbound?Thereisnodivisionintheself,fortheabsoluteBrahmanisallthis.Whattheniscalledbondageandwhatisliberation?Itisonlyinastateofignorancethat youthinkyouexperiencepain,thoughyouareuntouchedbypain.Thesethingsdonotexistintheself. LetthebodyfallorriseorletitgoontoanotheruniverseIamnotconfinedtothebody,thenhowamIaffectedbyallthis?Therelationbetweenthebodyandthe selfisliketherelationbetweencloudandwind,liketherelationbetweenlotusandthebee.Whenthecloudisdispersed,thewindbecomesonewithspace.Whenthe lotuswithers,thebeefliesawayintothesky.Theselfisnotdestroyedwhenthebodyfalls.Eventheminddoesnotceasetobeuntilitisburntinthefireofself knowledgenottomentiontheself. Deathisbuttheveilingbytimeandspaceoftheeverpresentself.Onlyfoolishpeoplefeardeath. Abandonyourlatenttendenciesevenasabirdwishingtoflyintotheskybreaksoutofitsshell.Bornofignorance,thesetendenciesarehardtodestroy,andtheygive birthtoendlesssorrow.Itisthisignorantselflimitingtendencyofthemindthatviewstheinfiniteasthefinite.However,evenassundispelsmist,enquiryintothenature oftheselfdispelsthisignorantselflimitingtendency.Infact,theverydesiretoundertakethisenquiryisabletobringaboutachange.Austeritiesandsuchother practicesareofnouseinthis.

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Whenthemindispurifiedofitspastbythearisingofwisdom,itabandonsitsprevioustendencies.Themindseekstheselfonlyinordertodissolveitselfintheself. Thisindeedisintheverynatureofthemind.Thisisthesupremegoal,Rama*:striveforthis.Atthisstage,anotherdaycametoaclose.

TheStoryofLavana*
III:103,104 VASISTHA*continued:

Havingmanifestedintheinfiniteconsciousness,themindhasbyitsownnaturespreaditselfout.Byitsnature,again,itmakesthelongappearshortandviceversa,and makesone'sownmindappeartobedistinctandviceversa.Evenalittlethingwhichittouches,itmagnifiesandmakesitsown.Inthetwinklingofaneyeitcreates countlessworldsandinthetwinklingofaneyeitdestroysthem.Evenasanableactorplaysseveralrolesoneaftertheother,thismindassumesseveralaspectsone aftertheother.Itmakestheunrealappearasrealandviceversaandonaccountofthisitseemstoenjoyandtosuffer.Eventhatwhichitgetsnaturallyitgrabswith handsandfeet,andasaresultofthisfalsesenseofownership,sufferstheconsequences. Timeaschangingseasonsisableindirectlytobringaboutchangesinthetreesandplantsevenso,themindmakesonethingappeartobeanotherbyitspowersof thoughtandideation.Therefore,eventimeandspaceandallthingsareunderthecontrolofthemind.Dependinguponitsintensityordullness,anduponthesize(big orsmall)oftheobjectcreatedorinfluenced,theminddoeswhatistobedonewithsomedelayormuchlater:itisnotincapableofdoinganythingwhatsoever. Pray,ORama*,listentoanotherinterestinglegendtoillustratethis. InacountryknownasUttarapandava*,inwhoseforestssagesdweltandwhosevillageswerebeautifulandprosperous,therereignedakingknownasLavana*who wasadescendantofthefamouskingHariscandra*.Hewasrighteous,noble,chivalrous,charitableandineverywayaworthyking.Hisenemieshadallbeen conqueredandtheirfollowerscouldnoteventhinkofhimwithoutbecomingfeverishwithanxiety. Oneday,thiskingwenttohiscourtandascendedthethrone.Afteralltheministersandothershadpaidtheirhomagetohim,ajugglerenteredthecourtandsaluted him.Hesaidtotheking:"Ishallshowyousomethingwonderful!"Ashewavedabunchofpeacockfeathers,thereenteredintothecourtacavalierleadingan

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exquisitelybeautifulhorse.Herequestedthekingtoacceptitasagift.Thejugglerrequestedthekingtoridethathorseandroamfreelythroughouttheworld.The king,too,sawthehorse. Thereupon,thekingclosedhiseyesandsatmotionless.Seeingthiseveryoneassembledinthecourtbecamesilent.Absolutepeacereignedinthecourt,asnoone daredtodisturbtheking'speace. VASISTHA*continued: III:105,106

Rama*,aftersometime,thekingopenedhiseyesandbeganto106trembleasifinfear.Ashewasabouttofalldown,theministerssupportedhim.Dismayedtosee them,thekingasked"Whoareyouandwhatareyoudoingtome?"Theworriedministerssaidtohim:"Lord,youareamightykingofgreatwisdomandyetthis delusionhasoverpoweredyou.Whathashappenedtoyourmind?Onlytheywhoareattachedtothelittleobjectsofthisworldandthefalserelationshipsofwife, children,etc.,aresubjecttomentalaberrations,notonelikeyou,devotedtothesupreme.Moreover,onlyhewhohasnotcultivatedwisdomisadverselyaffectedby spells,drugs,etc.,notonewhosemindisfullydeveloped." Hearingthis,thekingpartlyregainedhiscomposure,thoughuponlookingatthejugglerhetrembledasifinfearandsaidtohim:"Omagician,whathaveyoudoneto me?Youhavespreadanetofillusionoverme.TrulyeventhewiseareoverpoweredbythejuggleryofMaya*evenas,thoughIamstillinthisbody,withinashort periodIexperiencedwonderfulhallucinations."Turningtothemembersofthecourt,thekingrecountedhisexperiencesduringtheprevioushour:" AssoonasIsawthisjugglerwavehisbundleofpeacockfeathers,Ijumpedonthehorsewhichstoodinfrontofmeandexperiencedaslightmentaldelusion.ThenI wentawayonahuntingexpedition.Thehorseledmeintoanariddesertwherenothinglived,nothinggrew,wheretherewasnowateranditwasbitterlycold.I experiencedgreatgrief.Ispentthewholedaythere.Later,ridingthathorseagainIcrossedthatdesertandreachedanotherwhichwaslessdreadful.Irestedundera tree.Thehorseranaway.Irestedforsometime,andthesunset.Frightened,Ihidmyselfinthebushes.Thenightwaslongerthananepoch. "Thedaydawned.Thesunrose.Alittlelater,Isawadarkgirlcladinblackclothescarryingaplatefuloffood.Iapproachedherandbeggedforfood:Iwashungry. SheignoredmeIpursuedher.Atlast,shesaid"Ishallgiveyoufood,ifyouconsenttomarryme."Iconsentedsurvivalwasthefirstandforemostconsiderationthen. Shegavemefoodandlaterintroducedmetoherfatherwhowasevenmoredreadfultolookat.Soonthethreeofusreachedtheir

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villagewhichwasflowingwithbloodandflesh.Iwasintroducedtoallasthatgirl'shusband.Iwastreatedbythemwithgreatrespect.Theyentertainedmewith dreadfulstorieswhichwereasourceofpain.Atadiabolicalceremony,Igotmarriedtothatgirl.'' III:107,108 THEKINGcontinued:

Verysoon,Ihadbecomeamemberoftheprimitivetribe.Mywifegavebirthtoadaughter,thesourceofmoreunhappinesstome.Incourseoftimethreemore babiesarrived.Ihadbecomeafamilymaninthattribe.Ispentmanyyearsamongthistribe,sufferingtheagoniesofafamilymanwithawifeandchildrentofeedand toprotect.IcutfirewoodandoftenIhadtosleepunderatreeatnight.Whentheweatherbecamecold,Ihidmyselfinthebushesinordertokeepwarm.Porkwas mystaplediet. TimerolledonandIbecameold.Ibegantotradeinmeat.ItookthemeattothevillagesontheVindhyamountainsandsoldthebestpartofittherewhatcouldnot thusbesoldatadecentprofit,Icutupintobitsanddriedinaterriblyfilthyplace.IwouldoftenfightwithothersinthetribeforapieceofmeattoeatwhenIwas afflictedwithhunger.Mybodyhadbecomeblackassoot. Thusengagedinsinfulactivities,mymindhadalsobecomeinclinedtowardssin.Goodthoughtsandfeelingshadtakenleaveofme.Myhearthadshedallcompassion evenasasnakeshedsitsslough.WithnetsandothertrapsandweaponsIcauseduntoldhardshiptobirdsandanimals. CladonlyinaloinclothIenduredeveryinclemencyoftheweather.ThusIspentsevenyears.Boundbytheropesofeviltendencies,Igrewwildwithangerandused abusivewords,weptinmisfortunes,andaterottenfood.ThusIlivedforalongtime,inthatplace.Idriftedlikeadryleafinthewind,asifmyonlymissioninlifewas eating. Therewasdroughtintheland.Theairwassohotthatitseemedtowaftsparksofflame.Theforestcaughtalight.Onlyashesremained.Peopleweredyingofhunger. Peoplechasedaftermiragesthinkingtherewaswater.Theymistookpebblestobeballsofmeatandbegantochewthem. Somehadevenbeguntoeatcorpses.Some,whiledoingso,evenchewedtheirownfingerswhichhadbeensoakedinthebloodofthosedeadbodies.Suchwastheir dementedstateofstarvation. Whatwasonceaflourishingforesthadbeentransformedintoahugecrematorium.Whatwasonceapleasuregroveresoundedwiththeagonisedcriesofthedying.
Note:Thesetwochaptersarefullofaptandgraphicsimiles.

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THEKINGcontinued:

III:109

Thusafflictedbyfamine,manypeopleleftthecountryandmigratedelsewhere.Someothers,deeplyattachedtotheirwivesandchildren,perishedinthatland.Many otherswerekilledbywildanimals. I,too,leftthecountrytogoawaywithmywifeandchildren.Attheborderofthecountry,Ifoundthecoolshadeofatreetemptingand,afterputtingdownthelittle childrenIwascarryingonmyshoulders,Irestedunderthattreeforalongtime. Theyoungestofmychildrenwasquitesmallandinnocent,andthereforewasthedearesttomyheart.Withtearsinhiseyes,hedemandedfood.AlthoughItoldhim thattherewasnomeattoeat,inhischildishinnocencehepersistedinhisdemand,unabletobearhishunger.Isaidtohimindespair,"Allright,eatmyflesh!"The innocentchildsaid,withoutthinking,"Giveme." Iwasmovedbyattachmentandpity.Isawthechildwasunabletoendurethepangsofhungeranymore.Idecidedthatthebestwaytoendallthesemiserieswasto endmylife.IraisedapyrewiththehelpofthetimberIfoundnearby.And,asIascendedthatpyre,IshudderedandIfoundmyselfinthiscourt,beinghailedand greetedbyallofyou. (Asthekingsaidthis,thejugglervanished.)TheMINISTERSsaid:Lord,hecannotbeajuggler,forhewasnotinterestedinmoney,inareward.Surely,somedivine entitywishedtodemonstratetoyouandtoallofusthepowerofcosmicillusion.Fromallthisitisclearthatthisworldappearanceisnothingbuttheplayofthemind theminditselfisbuttheplayoftheomnipotentinfinitebeing.Thismindisabletofoolevenmenofgreatwisdom.Else,whereisthekingwhoiswellversedinall branchesoflearning,andwhereisthisbewilderingdelusion? Surely,thisisnotajuggler'strick:forajugglerperformsformaterialgain.Itisreallythepowerofillusion.Hence,thejugglervanishedwithoutlookingforareward. VASISTHA*said: Rama*,IwasthereinthatcourtatthattimeandsoIknowallthisfirsthand.Inthismannerthemindveilstherealnatureoftheselfandcreatesanillusoryappearance withmanybranches,flowersandfruits.Destroythisillusionbywisdom,andrestinpeace. VASISTHA*continued: III:110

Inthebeginning,therearoseadivisioninthesupremebeingorinfiniteconsciousness,andtheinfiniteapparentlybecameboththeobserverandtheobserved.When thisobserversoughttograsporcomprehendtheobserved,therearoseamixture(oftherealityand

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theapparentappearance)oraconfusion.Onaccountofthisconfusion,intheinfiniteconsciousnesstherearisestheconceptoffiniteness. Thefinitemindthengeneratescountlessideaswithinitselfwhichweakenandveilitleadingtosorrowwhichthemindgreatlymagnifies.Theseideasandthese experiencesleavetheirmarkonthemind,formingtheimpressionsorconditioningtendencieswhichareforthemostpartlatentordormant.But,whenthemindisrid ofthese,theveilvanishesinamomentlikemistatsunrise,andwithitthegreatestsorrowalsovanishes.Tillthenthemindplayswithall,evenaslittlechildrenplaywith fledglingsandteasethem. Theimpuremindseesaghostwherethereisjustapost,andpollutesallrelationships,creatingsuspicionamongfriendsandmakingenemiesofthem,evenasa drunkenmanseesthattheworldisrevolvingaroundhim.Adistressedmindturnsfoodintopoisonandcausesdiseaseanddeath. Theimpuremind(ladenwiththetendencies)isthecausefordelusions(maniasandphobias).Oneshouldstrivetouproottheseanddiscardthem.Whatismanbutthe mind?Thebodyisinertandinsentient.Onecannotsaythatthemindisinert,thoughonecannotsaythatitissentienteither.Whatisdonebythemindisactionwhatis renouncedbythemindisrenunciation. Mindisthewholeworld,mindistheatmosphere,mindisthesky,mindisearth,mindiswind,andmindisgreat.Onlyhewhosemindisfoolishiscalledafool:when thebodylosesitsintelligence(forexample,indeath)thecorpseisnotsaidtobefoolish! Mindsees:theeyesareformed.Mindhears:earscomeintobeing.Evensowiththeothersenses:itisthemindthatcreatesthem. Minddecideswhatissweetandwhatisbitter,whoisfriendandwhoisenemy.Minddecidesthelengthoftime:thekingLavana*experiencedtheperiodoflessthan anhourasifitextendedtoalifetime.Minddecideswhatisheavenandwhatishell.Hence,ifthismindismastered,everythingismastered,includingthesenses. VASISTHA*continued: Whatismoremysterious,Rama*,thanthatthemindisabletoveiltheomnipresent,pure,eternalandinfiniteconsciousnessmakingyouconfuseitwiththisinert physicalbody?Theminditselfappearsaswindinthemovingelement,lustreinthelustrous,solidityinearthandvoidinthespace. If'themindiselsewhere'thetasteoffoodthatisbeingeatenisnotreallyexperienced.If'themindiselsewhere'onedoesnotseewhatisrightinfrontofoneself.The sensesarebornofthemind,butnottheotherwayround.

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Itisonlyfromthepointofviewoffoolsthatthebodyandthemindaresaidtobequitedifferentinfact,theyarenondifferent,beingmindalone.Salutationstothose sageswhohaveactuallyrealisedthistruth. Thesagewhohasrealisedthisisnotdisturbedevenifthebodyisembracedbyawoman:tohimitislikeapieceofwoodcomingintocontactwiththebody.Evenif hisarmsarecutoff,hedoesnotexperienceit.Heisabletoconvertallsorrowintobliss. Ifthemindiselsewhere,evenifyouhearaninterestingstory,youdonothearanythingatall. Justasanactorisabletoportrayinhimselfthecharacterofdifferentpersonalities,themindisabletocreatedifferentstatesofconsciousnesslikewakingand dreaming.HowmysteriousisthemindwhichisabletomakethekingLavana*feelthatheisaprimitivetribesman!Themindexperienceswhatititselfconstructs,the mindisnothingbutwhathasbeenputtogetherbythoughtknowingthis,doasyouplease. Itisthemindindeedthat,onaccountofpersistentthinking,thinksthatitisborn,thatitdiesandthoughithasnoform,thinksthatitisajiva*withabodyetc.On accountofthoughtsalonedoesitacquireanationality,andenjoysorsufferspleasureandpainallofwhichareinthemindlikeoilinaseed. Hewhodoesnotallowhismindtoroaminobjectsofpleasureisabletomasterit.Evenasonewhoisboundtoapillardoesnotmove,themindofanoblemandoes notmovefromthereality:healoneisahumanbeing,theothersareworms.Heattainstothesupremebeingbyconstantmeditation. VASISTHA*continued: III:111

Victoryoverthisgoblinknownasmindisgainedwhen,withtheaidofone'sownselfeffort,oneattainsselfknowledgeandabandonsthecravingforwhatthemind desiresaspleasure.Thiscaneasilybeachievedwithoutanyeffortatall(evenasachild'sattentioncanbeeasilydiverted)bythecultivationoftheproperattitude. Woeuntohimwhoisunabletogiveupcravings,forthisisthesolemeanstoone'sultimategood.Byintenseselfeffortitispossibletogainvictoryoverthemindand thenwithouttheleastefforttheindividualisedconsciousnessisabsorbedintheinfiniteconsciousnesswhenitsindividualityisbrokenthrough.Thisiseasyandiseasily accomplished:theywhoareunabletodothisareindeedvulturesinhumanform. Thereisnootherpathtoone'ssalvationexceptcontroloverone'smind,whichmeansresoluteefforttoabandoncravingsinthemind.Makeafirmresolvetokillthe mindasitwere,whichiseasily

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achievedwithouttheleastdoubt.Ifonehasnotabandonedthecravingsofthemind,thenalltheinstructionsofapreceptor,studyofscriptures,recitationofmantras andsoonareasvaluableasstraw!Onlywhenoneseverstheveryrootofthemindwiththeweaponofnonconceptualisation,canonereachtheabsoluteBrahman whichisomnipresent,supremepeace.Conceptualisationorimaginationisproductiveoferrorandsorrowanditcanbesoeasilygotridofbyselfknowledgeand whenitisgotridofthereisgreatpeace.Whydoesonefinditsodifficult? Abandonyourrelianceonfateorgodscreatedbydullwittedpeople,andbyselfeffortandselfknowledgemakethemindnomind.Lettheinfiniteconsciousness swallow,asitwere,thefinitemindandthengobeyondeverything.Withyourintelligenceunitedwiththesupreme,holdontotheselfwhichisimperishable. Whenthemindisthusconqueredbyremainingcompletelyunagitated,youwillconsidereventheconquestofthethreeworldsworthless.Thisdoesnotinvolve studyingthescriptures,orrisingorfallingnothingbutselfknowledge.Whydoyouconsideritdifficult?Ifthisisfounddifficultbysomeone,howdoesheevenlivein thisworldwithoutselfknowledge? Onewhoknowsthedeathlessnatureoftheselfisnotafraidofdeath.Norisheaffectedbyseparationfromfriendsandrelations.Thefeelings'ThisisI'and'Thisis mine'arethemindwhentheyareremoved,themindceasestobe.Thenonebecomesfearless.Weaponslikeswordsgeneratefeartheweapon(wisdom)that destroysegotismgeneratesfearlessness. III:112 VASISTHA*continued:

Towardswhicheverobjectthemindflowswithintensity,inthatitseesthefulfilmentofitscravings.Thecauseofthismovementinaparticulardirectionisnotobvious likeripplesonthesurfaceoftheocean,suchintensemovementappearsnowhereandnowthere,comesintobeinganddies.However,justascoolnessisinseparable fromice,thisrestlessmovementisinseparablefrommind. RAMA*asked: How,then,Holysir,canthisrestlessmovementofthemindberestrainedbyforcewithoutcausinggreaterrestlessness? VASISTHA*said: Ofcourse,thereisnomindwithoutrestlessnessrestlessnessistheverynatureofmind,Itistheworkofthisrestlessnessofthemindbasedontheinfinite consciousnessthatappearsasthisworld,ORama*:thatindeedisthepowerofthemind,But,whenthemindisdeprivedofitsrestlessness,itisreferredtoasthe deadmind

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andthatitselfispenance(tapas)asalsotheverificationofthescripturesandliberation. Whenthemindisthusabsorbedintheinfiniteconsciousnessthereissupremepeacebutwhenthemindisinvolvedinthoughtsthereisgreatsorrow.Therestlessness oftheminditselfisknownasignoranceornescienceitistheseatoftendencies,predispositionsorconditioningdestroythisthroughenquiry,asalsobythefirm abandonmentofcontemplationoftheobjectsofsensepleasure. ORama*,mindconstantlyswingslikeapendulumbetweentherealityandtheappearance,betweenconsciousnessandinertness.Whenthemindcontemplatesthe inertobjectsforaconsiderabletime,itassumesthecharacteristicofsuchinertness.Whenthesamemindisdevotedtoenquiryandwisdom,itshakesoffall conditioningandreturnstoitsoriginalnatureaspureconsciousness.Mindtakestheveryformofthatwhichonecontemplates,whetheritisnaturalorcultivated. Therefore,resolutelybutintelligentlycontemplatethestatebeyondsorrow,freefromalldoubts.Themindiscapableofrestrainingitselfthereisindeednootherway. Wisemenremovefromtheirmindthemanifestationsofthelatenttendenciesorconditioning(whichaloneisthemind)asandwhentheyrise:thusisnescience removed.Firstdestroythementalconditioningbyrenouncingcravingsandthenremovefromyourmindeventheconceptsofbondageandliberation.Betotallyfree ofconditioning. VASISTHA*continued: III:113

Thepsychologicaltendency(ormentaldispositionormentalconditioning)isunreal,yetitdoesariseinthemind:henceitcanbecomparedtothevisionoftwomoons inapersonsufferingfromdiplopia.Hencethistendencyshouldberenouncedasifitweresheerdelusion.Theproductofignoranceisrealonlytotheignorantperson tothewise,itisjustaverbalexpression(justasonespeaksofthebarrenwoman'sson).Donotremainignorant,ORama*,butstrivetobewise,byrenouncing mentalconditioningasyouwouldabandontheideathatthereisasecondmoon. Youarenotthedoerofanyactionhere,ORama*so,whydoyouassumedoership?Whenonealoneexists,whodoeswhatandhow?Donotbecomeinactive, eitherforwhatisgainedbydoingnothing?Whathastobedonehastobedone.Therefore,restintheself.Evenwhiledoingalltheactionsnaturaltoyou,ifyouare unattachedtothoseactions,youaretrulythenondoerifyouaredoingnothingandareattachedtothatnondoership(thenyouaredoingnothing)youbecomethe doer!Whenallthisworldislikethejuggler'strick,

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whatistobegivenupandwhatistobesought? Theseedofthisworldappearanceisignorancewithoutbeingseenas'thisisit',thisignorancehasthequalityoftruth!Thepowerwhichcreatesthisworld appearanceandkeepsitrevolvingasthepotter'swheeliskeptrevolvingbyapotter,isthepsychologicaltendency(ormentalconditioning).Likeabamboo,itis hollowandwithoutsubstance.Likethewavesofariver,itdoesnotdieevenwhenitiscutasunder.Itcannotbegrasped.Itissubtleandsoft,butithasthepowerof asword.Thoughitisperceivedinitsownreflectionasitseffects,itisnotusefulinone'squestoftruth.Onaccountofthisconditioning,differencesareseeninthe objectsofthiscreation. Thoughitcannotbesaidtoabideinaparticularplace,itisseeneverywhere.Thismentalconditioningisnotamanifestationofintelligence,yetbeingbasedon intelligenceithastheappearanceofintelligence.Thoughitiseverchanging,itcreatesinoneselfanillusionofpermanence.Becauseofitsproximitytotheinfinite consciousness,itseemstobeactiveandwhenthatinfiniteconsciousnessisrealised,it(theconditioning)comestoanend. Thismentalconditioningdieswhennotfedbyattachmenttoobjectsbutevenintheabsenceofsuchattachment,itcontinuestoremainasapotentiality. VASISTHA*continued: Thisignoranceormentalconditioningisacquiredbymaneffortlesslyanditseemstopromotepleasure,butintruthitisthegiverofgrief.Itcreatesadelusionof pleasureonlybythetotalveilingofselfknowledge.ThusitwasabletomakethekingLavana*experiencelessthananhourasifitwereofseveralyears'duration. Thisignoranceormentalconditioningispowerlesstodoanything,yetitseemstobeveryactive,evenasamirroractivelyreflectsthelightofalamp.Evenasalifelike paintingofawomanisunabletoperformthedutiesofalivingwoman,thisignoranceormentalconditioningisincapableoffunctioning,thoughitappearstobepotent. Itisevenunabletodeludethewiseman,thoughitoverpowersthestupidoneevenasamiragefoolsanimalsandnotanintelligentman. Thisignoranceormentalconditioninghasbutamomentaryexistence:yet,sinceitflowson,itseemstobepermanentlikeariver.Becauseitisabletoveilthereality,it seemstobereal:butwhenyoutrytograspit,youdiscoveritisnothing.Yet,again,itacquiresstrengthandfirmnessonaccountofthesequalitiesintheworld appearance,evenasaflimsyfibrewhenrolledintoaropeacquiresgreatstrength.Thisconditioningseemstogrow,butinfactitdoes

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not.Forwhenyoutrytograspit,itvanisheslikethetipofaflame.Yet,again,evenastheskyappearstobeblue,thisconditioningalsoseemstohavesomekindof realappearance!Itisbornasthesecondmoonindiplopia,itexistslikethedreamobjects,anditcreatesconfusionevenaspeoplesittinginamovingboatseethe shoremoving.Whenitisactive,itcreatesadelusionofthelongdreamofworldappearance.Itpervertsallrelationshipsandexperiences.Itisthisignoranceormental conditioningthatisresponsibleforthecreationandperceptionofduality,andofdivisionandtheconsequentconfusionofperceptionandexperience. Whenthisignoranceormentalconditioningismasteredbybecomingawareofitsunreality,mindceasestobeevenaswhenthewaterceasestoflow,theriverdries up. RAMA*asked: Ontheotherhand,Holysir,theriverseeninthemiragedoesnotcometoanend.Howastonishingitisthatthisignorancehasblindedthewholeworld!Thisignorance ormentalconditioningthrivesonthetwinforcesofdesireandhate.Pray,tellmeofthebestwaytoensurethatthisignoranceormentalconditioningmaynotariseat all. RAMA*asked: III:114

Holysir,alsotellmehowthisdreadfuldarknessofignorancedisappears. VASISTHA*said: ORama*,evenasdarknessdisappearsonturningtowardslight,ignorancedisappearsifyouturntowardsthelightoftheself.Aslongastheredoesnotariseanatural yearningforselfknowledge,solongthisignoranceormentalconditioningthrowsupanendlessstreamofworldappearance.Evenasashadowvanisheswhenit wishestoseethelight,thisignoranceperisheswhenitturnstowardsselfknowledge. Rama*,itisdesirethatisignoranceormentalconditioning:andthecomingtoanendofdesireisliberation.Thishappenswhenthereisnomovementofthoughtinthe mind. RAMA*asked: Osage,youhavesaidthatwhenignoranceceasestobe,thereisselfknowledge.Whatistheself(atman*?) VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,fromBrahmathecreatordowntothebladeofgrass,allthisisnothingbuttheself:ignoranceisnonexistentunreality.Thereisnosecondthinghereknown asthemind.Inthatselfitself,theveil(thatisalsoofitself)floats,creatingthepolarisationofsubjectobjectandtheinfiniteconsciousnessitselfisthenknownas

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themind.Thisveilisanidea,anintentionorathoughtinthatinfiniteconsciousness.Mindisbornofthisideaorthought,andmindhastovanishwiththehelpofanidea orthought,i.e.,bythecomingtoanendoftheideaorthought. Thefirmconvictionthat'IamnottheabsoluteBrahman'bindsthemindandthemindisliberatedbythefirmconvictionthat'everythingistheabsoluteBrahman'.Ideas andthoughtsarebondageandtheircomingtoanendisliberation.Therefore,befreeofthemanddowhateverhastobedonespontaneously. Evenasthoughtoridea'sees'bluenessinthesky,themindseestheworldasreal.Thereisnobluenessinthesky:theinabilityofthesenseofsighttoseebeyonda certainlimitappearsasblueness.Evenso,itisonlythelimitationofthoughtthatperceivestheworldappearance.Thisworldappearanceisdelusion,ORama*:itis betternottolettheverythoughtofitariseagaininthemind. Bythinking'Iamlost'onecomestogrief,andbythinking'Iamalert'onegoestowardsbliss. VASISTHA*continued: Whenthemindcontinuallydwellsondeludedorstupidideasitbecomesdeludedandwhenthemindcontinuallydwellsonenlightenedandmagnanimousideasitis enlightened.Whenthethoughtofignoranceissustainedinthemind,ignoranceisfirmlyestablishedbut,whentheselfisrealised,thisignoranceisdissolved.Moreover, whateverthemindseekstoattain,thatthesensesstriveforwithalltheirenergy. Therefore,hewhodoesnotlethisminddwellonsuchthoughtsandideas,bystrivingtobeconsciousoftheself,enjoyspeace.Thatwhichwasnotinthebeginning doesnotexistevennow!Thatwhichwasandthereforeisnow,istheabsoluteBrahmancontemplationofthisbestowspeace,forthatBrahmanispeace.One shouldnotcontemplateanythingelseatanytimeandinanymanneranywhere.Oneshoulduproottheveryhopeofenjoymentwithone'sutmoststrength,andusing one'sutmostintelligence. Ignorancealoneisthecauseofoldageanddeath.Hopesandattachmentsseemtoramifyonaccountofthementalconditioningwhichisignorance.Thisramification takestheformofideaslike'Thisismywealth','Thesearemysons',etc.Inthisemptyphysicalbody,whereisitthatiscalledI'?Intruth,ORama*,'I','mine'etc., havenoexistenceatalltheoneselfaloneisthetruthatalltimes. Itisonlyinastateofignorancethatoneseesasnakeintherope,notinanenlightenedstate.Evenso,totheenlightenedvision,onlytheinfiniteconsciousnessexists, naughtelse.ORama*,donotbecomeanignorantmanbecomeasage.Destroythemental

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conditioningthatgivesrisetothisworldappearance.Whydoyou,likeanignorantman,considerthisbodyasyourselfandfeelmiserable?Thoughthebodyandthe selfappeartoexisttogether,theyarenotinseparablewhenthebodydies,theselfdoesnotdie. Isitnotagreatwonder,ORama*,thatpeopleforgetthetruththattheabsoluteBrahmanaloneis,andareconvincedoftheexistenceoftheunrealandnonexistent ignorance?Rama*,donotletthefoolishideaoftheexistenceofignorancetakerootinyouforiftheconsciousnessisthuspolluted,itinvitesendlesssuffering.Though itisunreal,itcancauserealsuffering!Itisonaccountofignorancethatillusionslikeamirageexist,andoneseesvariousvisionsandhallucinations(likeflyingintheair andflyinginspace)andoneexperiencesheavenandhell.Therefore,ORama*,giveupmentalconditioningwhichaloneisresponsiblefortheperceptionofduality, andremaintotallyunconditioned.Then,youwillattainincomparablepreeminenceoverall! AfterafewminutesofdeepcontemplationRAMA*asked: III:115

Holysage!Itisindeedincrediblethatthisnonexistentnesciencecreatessuchanillusionthatthisnonexistentworldappearstobeveryreal:prayexplaintomefurther howthisispossible.AlsopleasetellmewhythekingLavana*underwentallsortsofsufferings.Pleasetellmewhoorwhatitisthatexperiencesallthesesufferings. VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,itisnotreallytruethatconsciousnessisinanywayrelatedtothisbody.Thebodyhasonlybeenfanciedbytheconsciousnessasifinadream.When consciousness,clothedasitwere,byitsownenergy,limitsitselfandconsidersitselfajiva*,thatjiva*,endowedwiththisrestlessenergy,isinvolvedinthisworld appearance. Theembodiedbeingwhoenjoysorsuffersthefruitsofpastactionsandwhodonsavarietyofbodiesisknownasegotism,mindandalsojiva*.Neitherthebodynor theenlightenedbeingundergoessuffering:itisonlytheignorantmindthatsuffers.Itisonlyinastateofignorance(likesleep)thattheminddreamsoftheworld appearance,notwhenitisawakeorenlightened.Hencetheembodiedbeingthatundergoessufferinghereisvariouslyknownasthemind,ignorance,jiva*,andmental conditioning,asalsotheindividualisedconsciousness. Thebodyisinsentientandhencecanneitherenjoynorsuffer.Nesciencegivesrisetoheedlessnessandunwisdomhenceitisnesciencealonethatenjoysorsuffers.It isindeedthemindalonethatisborn,weeps,kills,goes,abusesothers,etc.,notthebody.Inalltheexperiencesofhappinessandunhappinessasalsoinallthe hallucinationsandimaginations,itismindthatdoeseverything

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anditismindthatexperiencesallthis:mindisman. IshallnarratetoyouthereasonforthesufferingsofthekingLavana*.Lavana*wasadescendantofHariscandra*.Lavana*thought:''Mygrandfatherperformeda greatreligiousriteandbecameagreatman.Ishouldalsoperformthesamerite.''Hegatheredthenecessarymaterialsandthereligiousmenandheperformedtherite mentallyforawholeyear,(whilesittinginhisowngarden).Sincehehadthussuccessfullycompletedthereligiousriteperformedmentally,hewasentitledtoitsfruits. ORama*,thusyouseethatmindaloneistheperformerofallactionsandhenceitisalsotheexperiencerofallhappinessandunhappiness.Therefore,guideyourmind alongthepathtosalvation,Rama*. III:116,117 VASISTHA*continued:

ImyselfwasawitnesstothesceneinkingLavana's*court,andwhentheywishedtoknowwhothatjugglerwasafterhehadabruptlydisappearedfromthecourt,I sawhisidentitythroughmysubtlevisionandfoundthathewasamessengerofthegods.ItisthetraditionthatIndrawouldsendallsortsofafflictionstotestthe strengthofanyonewhoengagedhimselfinthatparticularreligiousritewhichLavana*wasperformingmentally.Thehallucinationshehadweretheresult.Theritewas performedbythemindandthehallucinationswereexperiencedbythemind. Whenthesamemindisthoroughlypurified,youwillgetridofalldualityanddiversitywhichitcreates. Rama*,Ihavealreadynarratedtoyoutheprocessofcyclicalcreation(afterthepreviouscosmicdissolution),andofhowonecomestoentertainthefalsenotionsof 'I'and'mine'.Equippedwithwisdom,hewhograduallyascendsthesevenstepstoperfectioninyogaattainsliberationfromthese. RAMA*asked: Holysir,whatarethesevenstepsyouhavereferredto? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,therearesevendescendingstepsofignoranceandtherearesevenascendingstepsofwisdom.Ishallnowdescribethemtoyou.Toremainestablishedin selfknowledgeisliberationwhenthisisdisturbed,therearisesegotismandbondage.Thestateofselfknowledgeisthatinwhichthereisnomentalagitation,neither distractionnordullnessofmind,neitheregotismnorperceptionofdiversity. Thedelusionthatveilsthisselfknowledgeissevenfold:seedstateofwakefulness,wakefulness,greatwakefulness,wakefuldream,dream,dreamwakefulnessand sleep.Inpureconsciousnesswhenmindandjiva*existonlyinnameitistheseedstateofwakefulness.

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Whennotionsof'I'and'this'ariseitisknownaswakefulness.Whenthesenotionsgetstrengthenedbythememoryofpreviousincarnations,itisgreatwakefulness. Whenthemindisfullyawaketoitsownfanciesandisfilledwiththem,itiswakefuldream.Thefalsenotionsofexperiencesduringsleep,whichyetappeartobereal, aredreams.Inthedreamwakefulstateonerecallspastexperiencesasiftheyarerealnow.Whentheseareabandonedinfavouroftotalinertdullness,itissleep. Thesesevenhavetheirowninnumerablesubdivisions. VASISTHA*continued: III:118

Ishallnowdescribetoyou,ORama*,thesevenstatesorplanesofwisdom.Knowingthemyouwillnotbecaughtindelusion.Purewishorintentionisthefirst, enquiryisthesecond,thethirdiswhenthemindbecomessubtle,establishmentintruthisthefourth,totalfreedomfromattachmentorbondageisthefifth,thesixthis cessationofobjectivity,andtheseventhisbeyondallthese. 'WhydoIcontinuetobeafool?Ishallseekholymenandscriptures,havingcultivateddispassion'suchawishisthefirststate.Thereupononeengagesinthe practiceofenquiry(directobservation).Withallthese,therearisesnonattachment,andthemindbecomessubtleandtransparent:thisisthethirdstate.Whenthese threearepractised,therearisesintheseekeranaturalturningawayfromsensepleasuresandthereisnaturaldwellingintruth:thisisthefourthstate. Whenallthesearewellpractised,thereistotalnonattachmentandatthesametimeaconvictioninthenatureoftruth:thisisthefifthstate.Thenonerejoicesinone's ownself,theperceptionofdualityanddiversitybothwithinoneselfandoutsideoneselfceases,andtheeffortsthatonemadeattheinspirationofothersbearfruitionin directspiritualexperience. Afterthis,thereisnoothersupport,nodivision,nodiversity,andselfknowledgeisspontaneous,naturalandthereforeunbroken:thisistheseventh,transcendental state.Thisisthestateofonewhoisliberatedevenwhilelivinghere.Beyondthisisthestateofonewhohastranscendedeventhebody(theturiyatita*). Rama*,allthesegreatoneswhoascendthesesevenplanesofwisdomareholymen.Theyareliberatedandtheydonotfallintothemireofhappinessand unhappiness.Theymayormaynotworkorbeactive.Theyrejoiceintheselfanddonotstandinneedofotherstomakethemhappy. Thehigheststateofconsciousnesscanbeattainedbyall,evenbyanimalsandbyprimitivemen,bythosewhohaveabodyandevenbydisembodiedbeings,forit involvesonlytheriseofwisdom.

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Theywhohavereachedthehighestplanesofconsciousnessareindeedgreatmen,Theyareadorableevenanemperorislikeaworthlessbladeofgrasscomparedto them,fortheyareliberatedhereandnow. III:119 VASISTHA*continued:

Theselfignorantlyimaginesanegotisticexistenceevenasifgoldforgettingitsgoldnessmightthinkitisaringandweepandwail"Alas,Ihavelostmygoldness". RAMA*asked: Holysir,howcanthisignoranceandegotismariseintheself? VASISTHA*said: Rama*,oneshouldaskquestionsconcerningtherealityonly,notconcerningtheunreal.Neithergoldlessringnessnorlimitedegotismexistsintruth.Whenthe goldsmithsellstheringheweighsoutthegold:foritisgold.Ifoneweretodiscusstheexistenceoftheringnessinthering,andthefiniteformintheinfinite consciousness,thenonehastocompareitwiththebarrenwoman'sson.Theexistenceoftheunrealisunreal:itarisesinignoranceandvanisheswhenenquiredinto.In ignoranceoneseessilverinthemotherofpearl:butitcannotserveassilverevenforamoment!Aslongasthetruththatitismotherofpearlisnotseen,the ignorancelasts.Evenasonecannotextractoilfromsandandevenasonecanobtainonlygoldfromthering,therearenotwothingshereinthisuniverse:theone infiniteconsciousnessaloneshinesinallnamesandforms. Suchindeedisthenatureofthisutterignorance,thisdelusionandthisworldprocess:withoutrealexistencethereisthisillusorynotionofegotism.Thisegotismdoes notexistintheinfiniteself.Intheinfiniteselfthereisnocreator,nocreation,noworlds,noheaven,nohumans,nodemons,nobodies,noelements,notime,no existenceandnodestruction,no'you',noI,noself,nothat,notruth,nofalsehood(noneofthese),nonotionofdiversity,nocontemplationandnoenjoyment. Whateveris,andisknownastheuniverse,isthatsupremepeace.Thereisnobeginning,nomiddleandnoend:allisallatalltimes,beyondthecomprehensionofthe mindandthespeech.Thereisnocreation.Theinfinitehasneverabandoneditsinfinity.Thathasneverbecomethis.Itisliketheocean,butwithoutocean'smovement. Itisselfluminouslikethesun,butwithoutactivity.Inignorance,thesupremebeingisviewedastheobject,astheworld.Evenasspaceexistsinspace,onewith space,evensowhatappearstobethecreationisBrahmanexistinginBrahman,asBrahman.Thenotionsoffarandnear,ofdiversity,ofhereandthereareasvalidas thedistancebetweentwoobjectsinamirrorinwhichawholecityisreflected.

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VASISTHA*continued:

III:120,121

ThedayafterhishallucinatoryexperiencekingLavana*thought:"IshouldactuallygotothoseplacesthatIsawinthevisionperhapstheyexistinreality". Immediately,hesetoutwithhisretinueandproceededinasoutherlydirection.Soon,hecameacrosstheveryscenesofhisvisionandthetypeofpeoplewhomhe hadseenthen.Hemettheverypeoplewhomheknewduringhisexistenceasatribesman.Heevensawhisowndestitutechildren. Hesawthereanoldwomanwhowasweepingandscreaminginagony:"Omybelovedhusband,wherehaveyougone,leavingusallhere.Ihavelostmybeautiful daughterwhohadanextraordinarystrokeoflucktoobtainahandsomekingforherhusband.Wherehavetheyallgone?'Alas,Ihavelostallofthem."Theking approachedher,consoledherandlearntfromherthatshewasindeedthemotherofhistribalwife!Outofcompassionhegavethemenoughwealthtomeettheir needsandtohelpthemoutofthedroughtthathadstrickenthewholecountryside,evenashehadseenthedaybefore.Hedweltamongthemforsometimeandthen returnedtohispalace. Thenextmorning,thekingaskedmetoexplainthemysteryandwasfullysatisfiedwithmyanswer.ORama*,thusthepowerofnescienceiscapableofcreatinga totalconfusionbetweentherealandtheunreal. RAMA*asked: Osage,thisisindeedpuzzling.Howcanthatwhichwasseeninadreamorahallucinationbealsoexperiencedintherealityofthewakingstate? VASISTHA*answered: But,ORama*,allthisisignorance!Thenotionsoffarandnear, amomentandeternity,areallhallucinations:inignorancetherealappearstobeunreal,andtheunrealseemstobereal.Theindividualisedconsciousnessperceives whatitthinksitperceives,onaccountofitsconditioning.Onaccountofignorance,whenthenotionofegotismarises,atthatverymomentthedelusionofabeginning, amiddleandanendalsoarises.Onewhoisthusdeludedthinksthatheisananimalandexperiencesthis.Allthishappensonaccountofaccidentalcoincidence:justas acrowfliestowardsacocoanutpalmandasitalightsonthetree,afruitfallsdownasifthecrowdislodgeditthough,infact,thecrowdidnot!Similarly,bypure coincidenceandinignorance,theunrealseemstobereal. VASISTHA*continued: Inhishypnoticstate,thekingLavana*obviouslysawreflectedin hisownconsciousnessthemarriageofaprincewiththetribalwoman,etc.,andheexperienceditasifithappenedtohim.Aman

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forgetswhathedidearlierinhislifeevenifatthattimehehaddevotedalotoftimeandenergytothataction.Evenso,henowthinksthathedidnotdowhathe actuallydid.Suchdiscrepanciesinmemoryareoftenseen. Evenasonesometimesdreamsofapastincidentasifitwerehappeningnow,Lavana*experiencedinhisvisionsomepastincidentconnectedwiththetribesmen.It ispossiblethatthepeopleintheforestsontheslopesoftheVindhyasexperiencedintheirownmindsthevisionsthatappearedintheconsciousnessofLavana*.Itis alsopossiblethatLavana*andthetribesmensawintheirownmindswhateverwasexperiencedbytheother.Thesehallunicationsbecomerealitywhenexperienced bymany,evenasastatementmadebyverymanypeopleisacceptedastrue.Whentheseareincorporatedinone'slife,theyacquiretheirownreality:afterall,whatis thetruthconcerningthethingsofthisworld,excepthowtheyareexperiencedinone'sownconsciousness? Nescienceisnotarealentity,evenasoilinsandisnotarealentity.Nescienceandtheselfcannothaveanyrelationship:fortherecanberelationshiponlybetween sameorsimilarentitiesthisisobviousineveryone'sexperience.Thus,itisonlybecauseconsciousnessisinfinitethateverythingintheuniversebecomesknowable.It isnotasifthesubjectilluminestheobjectwhichhasnoluminosityofitsown,butsinceconsciousnessisallthis,everythingisselfluminous,withoutrequiringa perceivingintelligence.Itisbytheactionofconsciousnessbecomingawareofitselfthatintelligencemanifestsitself,notwhenconsciousnessapprehendsaninert object. Itisnotcorrecttosaythatthereisamixtureinthisuniverseofthesentientandtheinert,fortheydonotmix.Itisbecauseallthingsarefullofconsciousnessandwhen thisconsciousnesscomprehendsitselfthereisknowledge. Onemayseearelationshipbetweenatreeandarock,thoughtheyappeartobeinert:butsuchrelationshipexistsintheirfundamentalconstituentswhichhave undergoneacertainkindofchangetobecomeatreeandanothertobecomearock.Thisisalsoseeninthesenseoftaste:thetastebudsinthetonguerespondtothe tasteinthefood,etc.,becauseoftheirsimilarityinconstitution. VASISTHA*continued: Allrelationshipisthereforetherealisationofthealreadyexistingunity:itisregardedasrelationshiponlybecauseofthepreviousfalseanddeludedassumptionofa divisionintosubjectandobject.Infact,thereisonlyoneAll,theinfiniteconsciousness.Therefore,ORama*,realisethisuniverseastheinfiniteconsciousness.Itis filledwiththejuggleryofthepowerofthatconsciousnessyet,nothinghas

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happened,forthefullcannotbefilledwithmore.Itisfilledonlyinthesenseofaspacewhichisfilledwithanimaginarycity. Onlywhenthegoldisforgottendoesoneseeabracelet.Braceletisanillusoryappearanceofgoldevensoaretheillusorynotionsofanationortheworldandalso thatofrepeatedbirths.Whenthefalsenotionofthebraceletisrejected,thetruthofthegoldisrealisedandwhenthefalsenotionofthesubjectobjectisrejected, thereisnoignorancetocreateadivision.Thoughtalonecreatesallthesedivisionsandillusions.Whenitceases,creationceases,too:thenyourealisethatallthewaves constituteoneocean,dollsarewood,potsareclay,andthethreeworldsareabsoluteBrahman. Inthemiddlebetweenthesightandtheseen,thereisarelationshipwhichisknownastheseer.Whenthedivisionbetweentheseer,thesightandtheseenis abolished,thatisthesupreme.Whenthemindtravelsfromonecountrytoanother,betweenthemiscosmicintelligence.Bethatalways.Yourtruenatureisdistinct fromthelimitedwakeful,dreamingandsleepconsciousnessitiseternal,unknowable,notinertremainasthatalways.Removedullnessandbeestablishedinthe truthinyourheart:andthen,whetheryouarebusilyengagedinactivityorincontemplation,remainasthatalways,withoutcravingsandhatredandwithoutgetting tangledinbodyconsciousness.Evenasyoudonotbusyyourselfwiththeaffairsofafuturevillage,donotgettangledwiththemoodsofyourmind,butbeestablished intruth.Regardthemindasaforeignerorapieceofwoodorstone.Thereisnomindininfiniteconsciousnessthatwhichisdonebythisnonexistentmindisalso unreal.Beestablishedinthisrealisation. Infact,theminddoesnotexist:ifitdidexist,nowitisdead.Yetthisdeadmindseesallthis,whichisthereforefalseperceptionbeestablishedfirmlyinthis realisation.Hewhoisruledbythismindwhichistotallynonexistentisindeedinsaneandfeelsthatathunderboltisdescendingfromthemoon!Therefore,rejectthe realityofthemindfromagreatdistanceandbeeverdevotedtorightthinkingandmeditation.Ihaveinvestigatedthetruthconcerningthemindforaverylongtime,O Rama*,andhavefoundnone:onlytheinfiniteconsciousnessexists. VASISTHA*continued: III:122

Thisseeminglyendlessstreamofignorancecanbecrossedoveronlybytheconstantcompanyoftheholyones.Fromsuchcompanythereariseswisdomconcerning whatisworthseekingandwhatistobeavoided.Thentherearisesthepurewishtoattainliberation.Thisleadstoseriousenquiry.Thenthemindbecomessubtle becausetheenquirythinsoutthementalconditioning.Asaresultofthe

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risingofpurewisdom,one'sconsciousnessmovesinthereality.Thenthementalconditioningvanishesandthereisnonattachment.Bondagetoactionsandtheirfruits ceases.Thevisionisfirmlyestablishedintruthandtheapprehensionoftheunrealisweakened.Evenwhilelivingandfunctioninginthisworld,hewhohasthis unconditionedvisiondoeswhathastobedoneasifheisasleep,withoutthinkingoftheworldanditspleasures.Aftersomeyearsoflivinglikethis,oneisfully liberatedandtranscendsallthesestates:heisliberatedwhileliving. Suchaliberatedsageisnotelatedatwhathegets,nordoeshegrieveforwhathehasnot.ORama*,inyoualsotheconditioningofthemindhasbeenweakened: strivetoknowthetruth.Byattainingknowledgeoftheself,whichisinfiniteconsciousness,youwillgobeyondgrief,delusion,birthanddeath,happinessand unhappiness.Theselfbeingoneandundivided,youhavenorelativesandthereforenosorrowbornofsuchfalserelationship.Theselfbeingoneandundivided,there isnothingelseworthattainingordesiring.Thisselfundergoesnochangeanddoesnotdie:whenthepotisbroken,thespacewithinitisnotbroken. Whenmentalconditioningisovercomeandthemindismadeperfectlytranquil,theillusionthatdeludestheignorantcomestoanend.Itisonlyaslongasthisillusion (Maya*)isnotclearlyunderstoodthatitgeneratesthisgreatdelusionbutonceitisclearlyunderstood,itisseenastheinfinite,anditbecomesthesourceofhappiness andtherealisationoftheabsoluteBrahman.Itisonlyforthesakeofscripturalinstructionthatonespeaksoftheself,Brahman,etc.,butintruthonealoneis.Itispure consciousness,notembodiedbeing.Itis,whetheroneknowsornot,whetheroneisembodiedorwithoutabody.Alltheunhappinessyouseeinthisworldbelongsto thebodytheselfwhichisnotgraspedbythesensesisnottouchedbysorrow.Intheselfthereisnodesire:theworldappearsinitwithoutanywishorintentiononits part.Thus,ORama*,throughmypreceptsthefalsenotionofacreationanditsexistencehasbeendispelled.Yourconsciousnesshasbecomepure,devoidofduality.

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PARTFOUR ONEXISTENCE

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VASISTHA*continued:

IV:1

ORama*,aftertheexpositionofthetruenatureofworldcreationIshalldealwiththeexpositionofthetruenatureofthesustenanceofthisworldappearance.Only aslongasthedelusionofthisworldappearancelastsistherethisexistenceoftheworldasanobjectofperception.Infact,itisasrealasadreamvisionforitis producedoutofnothingbynoonewithnoinstrumentsonnothing. Thisworldappearanceisexperiencedonlylikeadaydreamitisessentiallyunreal.Itisapaintingonvoidlikethecoloursofarainbow.Itislikeawidespreadfog whenyoutrytograspit,itisnothing.Somephilosopherstreatthisasinertsubstanceorvoidortheaggregateofatoms. RAMA*asked: Ithasbeensaidthatthisuniverseremainsinaseedstateinthesupremebeing,tomanifestagaininthenextepoch:howcanthisbeandaretheywhoholdthisviewto beregardedasenlightenedorignorant? VASISTHA*continued: Theywhosaythatthisuniverseexistsinaseedstateafterthecosmicdissolutionarethosewhohavefirmfaithintherealityofthisuniverse!Thisispureignorance,O Rama*.Itisatotallypervertedviewwhichdeludesboththeteacherandthehearer.Theseedofaplantcontainsthefuturetree:thisisbecauseboththeseedandthe sproutarematerialobjectswhicharecapableofbeingapprehendedbythesensesandthemind.But,thatwhichisbeyondthereachofthemindandthesenseshow canthatbetheseedfortheworlds?

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Inthatwhichissubtlerthanspace,howcanthereexisttheseedoftheuniverse?Whenthatisso,howcantheuniverseemergefromthesupremebeing? Howcansomethingexistinnothing?Andifthereissomethingcalledtheuniverseinit,howisitnotseen?Howcanatreespringoutoftheemptyspaceinajar?How cantwocontrarythings(Brahmanandtheuniverse)coexist:candarknessexistinthesun?Itisappropriatetosaythatthetreeexistsintheseed,becauseboththese haveappropriateforms.Butinthatwhichhasnoform(Brahman)itisinappropriatetosaythatthiscosmicformoftheworldexists.Hence,itispurefoolishnessto assumethatthereexistsacausalrelationshipbetweenBrahmanandtheworld:thetruthisthatBrahmanaloneexistsandwhatappearstobetheworldisthatalone. IV:2,3 VASISTHA*continued:

Rama*,iftheuniverseexistedinaseedstateintheabsoluteBrahmanduringthecosmicdissolution,thenitwouldneedacooperativecauseforitsmanifestationafter thedissolution.Toassumethattheuniversemanifestedwithoutsuchcooperativecausationistoassumetheexistenceofabarrenwoman'sdaughter.Hence,the fundamentalcauseitselfhastobeseenastheverynatureofthesupremebeingwhichcontinuestobesoevenduringtheperiodafterthedissolution,inwhatone regardsasthiscreation.Thereisnocauseandeffectrelationbetweenthesupremebeingandtheuniverse. Millionsofuniversesappearintheinfiniteconsciousness(cidakasa*)likespecksofdustinabeamoflightstreamingintoaroomthroughaholeintheroof.But,even assuchspecksofdustarenottobeseenintheoutsidesunlightitself,theworldisnotseeninthesupremenondualconsciousness.Thatisbecausetheseuniversesare nondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousness,evenasone'snatureisnotdifferentfromoneself. Attheconclusionofthecosmicdissolution,therearosetheCreatoroftheuniversewhowasnothingmorethanmemory.Thethoughtsthatarosefromthatmemory constitutethisworldappearance,whichisnomorerealthanapieintheskyforthememoryfromwhichthethoughtsspranghasitselfnovalidbasis,becauseallthe deitiesofthepreviousworldcycle(likethecreatorBrahma,*etc.)hadsurelyattainedliberation.Whenthereisnoonetoremember,howcanmemoryexist? Thus,thatmemorywhicharoseinconsciousness(whetherofpreviousexperiencesorotherwise)appearsastheworld.Thatspontaneousworldappearanceinthe infiniteconsciousnessis

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knownasspontaneouscreation.Thisworldappearanceassumedacertainetherealformwhichisknownasthecosmicperson. Inonesmallatomallthethreeworldsappeartobe,withalltheircomponentslikespace,time,action,substance,dayandnight.Inthatthereareotheratomsinwhich therearesuchworldappearances,justasthereisafigureinanuncarvedmarbleslabandthatfigure(whichismarble)hasafigureinitslimbsandsoonadinfinitum. Hence,ORama*,intheeyesofboththeenlightenedandtheignorant,thevisiondoesnotvanish:totheenlightenedthisisBrahmanatalltimes,andtotheignorantit isalwaystheworld!Inuttervoid,youseewhatisregardedas'distance'intheinfiniteconsciousness,youseewhatisregardedas'creation'.Creationisjustaword, withoutcorrespondingsubstantialreality.

TheStoryofSukra*
VASISTHA*continued: IV:4,5,6

ORama*,theonlywaytocrossthisformidableoceanofworldappearanceisthesuccessfulmasteryofthesenses.Noothereffortisofanyuse.Whenoneis equippedwiththewisdomgainedbystudyofthescripturesandthecompanyofsages,andhashissensesunderhiscontrol,herealisestheutternonexistenceofall objectsofperception. Rama*,mindaloneisallthis:andwhenthatishealed,thisjuggleryofworldappearanceisalsohealed.Thismindalonebyitsthinkingfacultyconjuresupwhatis knownasthebody:nobodyisseenwheretheminddoesnotfunction!Hence,thetreatmentofthepsychologicalillnessknownasperceptionofobjectsisthebestof alltreatmentinthisworld.Themindcreatesdelusion,themindproducesideasofbirthanddeathand,asadirectresultofitsownthoughts,itisboundanditis liberated. RAMA*asked: OHolysage,kindlytellme:howdoesthisenormousuniverseexistinthemind? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,itisliketheuniversescreatedbythebrahmana*boys.Again,itislikethehallucinationssufferedbythekingLavana*.Thereisanotherillustration.Itisthe storyofthesageSukra*whichIshallpresentlynarratetoyou. Alongtimeago,thesageBhrgu*wasperformingintensepenanceonthepeakofamountain.HissonSukra*wasayoungmanatthattime.Whilethefathersat motionlessinmeditation,theyoungsonattendedtothefather'sneeds.Oneday,thisyoungmanbeheldin

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theskyabeautifulflyingnymph.HismindwasdisturbedwithdesireforhersowasherownminddisturbedwhenshesawtheradiantyoungSukra*. Intenselyovercomebydesireforthenymph,Sukra*closedhiseyesand(mentally)pursuedher.Hereachedheaven.Therehesawtheradiantcelestialbeings,gods andtheirconsorts,thecelestialelephantandhorses.HesawthecreatorBrahmahimselfasalsotheotherdeitieswhogovernthisuniverse.Hesawthesiddhas (perfectedbeings).Helistenedtocelestialmusic.Hevisitedthecelestialgardensinheaven.Finally,hesawthekingofheaven,Indrahimself,seatedinallhismajesty, waiteduponbyincomparablybeautifulnymphs.HesalutedIndra.Indra,too,gotupfromhisthroneandgreetedtheyoungsageSukra*andbeggedhimtostayin heavenforalongtime.Sukra*alsoconsentedtodoso. IV:7,8,9 VASISTHA*continued:

Sukra*hadcompletelyforgottenhispreviousidentity.AfterspendingsometimeinthecourtofIndra,Sukra*roamedtheheavenandsoondiscoveredthe whereaboutsofthenymphhehadseen.Whentheylookedateachothertheywereovercomebydesireforeachother,forwishfulfilmentisthecharacteristicof heaven. Sukra*wishedforthedarknessofnighttoenvelopthepleasuregardenwherehemetthenymph.Soitwasdark.Sukra*thenenteredthebeautifulresthouseinthat garden:thenymphfollowed.Shepleaded,''Greatone,Iamtormentedbydesireforyou.Onlythedullwittedderidelove,notthewiseones.Eventhelordshipofthe threeworldsisnothingcomparedtothedelightofthecompanyofthelovedone.Hence,pray,givemeshelterinyourheart.''Sayingso,shecollapsedonhischest. Sukra*spentaverylongtimewiththatnymph,roamingatwillinheaven.Helivedwiththatnymphforaperiodequaltoeightworldcycles. Afterthislengthoftime,asifhismerithadbeenexhausted,Sukra*fellfromheaven,alongwiththatnymph.Whentheirsubtlebodiesfellonearth,theybecamedew dropswhichenteredfoodgrainswhichwereeatenbyaholybrahmana*,fromwhomhiswifereceivedtheiressence.Sukra*becametheirson.Hegrewupthere. Thenymphhadbecomeafemaledeer,andSukra*begotthroughherahumanchild.Hebecamegreatlyattachedtothisson.Worriesandanxietiescausedbythis childsoonagedSukra*,andhediedlongingforpleasures. OnaccountofthisSukra*becametherulerofakingdominthenextbirthandhediedtothatembodimentlongingforalifeofausterityandholiness.Inthenextbirth hebecameaholyman.

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Thus,afterpassingfromoneembodimenttoanotherandenduringallmannerofdestiniesSukra*practisedintenseausterity,standingfirmonthebankofariver. Thuscontemplatingwhileseatedinfrontofhisfather,Sukra*spentalongtime.Hisbodyhadbecomeextremelyemaciated.Inthemeantimetherestlessmindcreated sceneaftersceneofsuccessivelifespans,birthanddeath,ascenttoheavenanddescenttoearthandthepeacefullifeofahermit.Hewassoimmersedinthesethathe regardedthemasthetruth.Thebodyhadbeenreducedtoskinandbone,forithadbeenassailedbytheinclemenciesofeverytypeofweather.Itappearedterribly frighteningeventolookat.Yet,itwasnotconsumedbycarnivorousbeasts,asitstoodrightinfrontofthesageBhrgu*whowasengagedindeepmeditation,andas Sukra*himselfhadendoweditwithpsychicstrengththroughthepracticeofyogicdiscipline. VASISTHA*continued: IV:10

Afterahundredcelestialyearsofcontemplation,thesageBhrgu*gotupfromhisseat.Hedidnotseehisson,Sukra*,infrontofhim,butsawthedriedupbody.The bodyappearedhideous,anabodeofwormswhich,dwellingintheeyesockets,hadmultipliedveryfastindeed.Deeplyconcernedwithwhathesaw,andwithout reallyreflectingoverthenaturalcourseofevents,Bhrgu*wasfilledwithrageandresolvedtocurseTimeforthuscausingtheuntimelydeathofhisson. Time(orDeath)instantlyapproachedthesageinphysicalform.Timehadaswordinonehandandanooseintheother.Hehadimpenetrablearmour.Hehadsix armsandsixfaces.Hewassurroundedbyahostofhisservantsandmessengers.Hewasradiantwiththeflamesofdestructionthatemanatedfromhisbodyandfrom theweaponsheheldinhishands. Calmlyandinanunfalteringvoice,TIMEthusaddressedBhrgu*: Osage,howisitthatsuchawisesageasyouarecontemplatessuchunworthyconduct?Wisemenarenotupsetevenwhentheyareoffendedyet,youhavelostyour balanceofmindeventhoughnoonehasoffendedyou!Youareindeedanadorableperson,andIamoneofthosewhostrictlyadheretotheappropriatemodeof behaviourhenceIsaluteyounotwithanyothermotive. Donotwasteyourmeritinuselessexhibitionofyourpowertocurse!KnowthatIamunaffectedevenbythefiresofcosmicdissolutionhowchildishofyoutohope todestroymewithyourcurse! IamTime:andIhavedestroyedcountlessbeings,nay,eventhegodswhopresideoverthisuniverse.Holyone,Iamtheconsumerandyouareourfood:thisindeed isordainedbynature.This

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relationshipisnotbasedonmutuallikesordislikes.Firebyitsverynatureflamesupward,andwaternaturallyflowsdown:foodseekstheconsumer,andcreated objectsseektheirend.ThisishowithasbeenordainedbytheLord:intheselfofall,theselfdwellsasitself.Tothepurifiedvisionthereisneitheradoernoran enjoyerbuttotheunpurifiedvisionwhichseesdivision,suchadivisionseemstoexist. Youareindeedaknoweroftruthandyouknowthatthereisneitherdoershipnornondoershiphere.Creaturescomeandgolikeflowersontrees,theircausationis naughtelsethanconjecture.Alltheseareattributedtotime.Thiscanbeconsideredrealorunreal.For,whenthesurfaceofthelakeisagitated,thereflectionofthe moonseemstobeagitated.Thiscanbeconsideredbothtrueandfalse. TIMEcontinued: Donotgivewaytoanger,Osage:thatissurelythepathtodisaster.For,whatwillbewillbe.Realisethistruth.Wearenotswayedbyvanitywearenaturallyinclined tothefulfilmentofournaturalfunctions.Suchindeedisthenatureofwiseones.Whathastobedonehastobedonebywisemenhere,remainingegolessandunselfish asifindeepsleep:donotletthisbeviolated. Whereisyourwisdom,yourgreatnessandyourmoralcourage?Osage,thoughyouknowthepathtoblessedness,whydoyouactlikeafool?Surely,youknowthat theripefruitfallstothegroundignoringthis,whydoyouthinkofcursingme? Surely,youknowthateveryonehastwobodies,theonephysicalandtheothermental.Thephysicalbodyisinsentientandseeksitsowndestructionthemindisfinite butorderlybutthatmindisdisturbedinyou!Themindmakesthebodydancetoitstunes,bringingaboutsuccessivechangesinit,likethechildplayingwithmud. Mentalactionsaloneareactionsitsthoughtscausebondageanditsownpurestateisliberation.Itisthemindthatcreatesthebodywithallitslimbs.Minditselfisboth thesentientandtheinsentientbeingsallthisendlessdiversityisnothingbutmind.Minditselfinitsfunctionasdeterminationisknownastheintellectandinitsfunction asidentificationisknownastheegosense.Thephysicalbodyisonlyphysicalmatteryettheminddeemsitasitsown.Yet,ifthemindturnstowardsthetruth,it abandonsitsidentificationwiththebodyandattainsthesupreme. Osage,whileyouwereengagedincontemplation,yoursonwentfar,farawayinhisownfancy.Heleftherethebodywhichwas'thesonofBhrgu'*androseupto theheaven.Thereinheavenheenjoyedthecelestialnymphs.Incourseoftime,whenhismerithadbeen

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exhaustedbysuchenjoyment,hefelldownontheearthlikeripefruit,alongwiththenymph.Hehadtoleavehiscelestialbodyinheaven.Hefellonearthtobeborn withaphysicalbody.Hereonearthhehadtoundergoaseriesofbirths.Hewas,successively,abrahmana*boy,aking,afisherman,aswan,againaking,agreat yogiwithpsychicpowers,acelestialdemigod,thesonofasage,akingagain,andagainthesonofasage,andonaccountofevildeedshebecameahunter,aking, andthenaswormsandplants,adonkey,abamboo,adeerinChina,asnake,abird,andonceagainademigod,andnowonceagainhehasbecomethesonofa brahmana*knownasVasudeva.HeiswellreadinthescripturesandisatpresentengagedinpenanceonthebankoftheholyriverSamanga*. VASISTHA*continued: IV:11

EncouragedbyYama(Time),thesageBhrgu*thereuponenteredintotheeyeofwisdominordertobeholdthelifeofhisson.Inaninstant,hesawinhisown intelligencetheentirestoryofhisson'stransmigration.Wonderstruckatwhathesaw,hereenteredhisownbody. Completelydevoidofallattachmenttohisson,BHRGU*said: Lord,youareindeedtheknowerofthepast,presentandfuture,whereasweareoflittleunderstanding.Thisworldappearancewhichthoughunrealappearstobe real,deludeseventheheroicmanofwisdom.Surely,allthisiswithinyou,andonlyyouknowthetrueformofthisphantomcreatedbytheimaginationsofthemind. Thissonofmineisnotdead:yet,takinghimtobedeadIbecameagitated.Ithoughtthatmysonhadbeentakenawayfrommebeforehistimearrived.Lord,though weunderstandthecourseofearthlyevents,wearemovedtojoyandsorrowbywhatweconsiderasgoodfortuneandmisfortune. Inthisworld,angerimpelsmantodowhatshouldnotbedone,buttranquillityenablesonetodowhatshouldbedone.Aslongasthereexiststhedelusionofworld existence,solongthedistinctionbetweenappropriateandinappropriateactionisvalid.Itisinappropriatethatweshouldbeagitatedbyyournaturalfunction,whichis tocausetheapparentdeathofbeingshere. Byyourgrace,Ihaveseenmysonagain,andIrealisethatmindaloneisthebodyanditisthemindthatconjuresupthisworldvision. TIMEsaid: Wellsaid,Osagetrulymindisthebodyitisthemindthat'creates'thebodybymerethoughts,justasthepottermakesapot.Itcreatesnewbodiesandbringsabout thedestructionofwhatexists,andallthisbymerewish.Itissurelyobviousthatwithinmindexist

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thefacultiesofdelusionorhallucination,dreamingandirrationalthought,whichcreateapieinthesky.Evensoitcreatestheappearanceofthebodywithinitselfbut theignorantmanwithagrossphysicalvisionseesthephysicalbodyasdifferentfromandindependentofthemind. Thethreeworlds(ofwaking,dreamandsleep)arenothingbuttheexpressionofthefacultiesofthemind:thisexpressioncanbeconsideredneitherrealnorunreal. Whenthemindconditionedbytheperceptionofdiversity'sees',itseesthediversity. TIMEcontinued: Theminditselfgetsinvolvedinthisworldappearancebyentertainingcountlessnotions(like'Iamweak,unhappy,foolish,etc.').Whentheunderstandingarisesthatall thisisbutthefalsecreationofthemind,IamwhatIamthenthepeaceofthesupremearisesinone'sconsciousness. Themindislikeavastoceanwithinfinitevarietyofcreatureswithinit,onthesurfaceofwhichripplesandwavesofdifferentsizesriseandfall.Thesmallwavethinksit issmallthebigonethatitisbig.Theonethatisbrokenbythewindthinksithasbeendestroyed.Onethinksitiscold,anotherthatitiswarm.Butallthewavesare butthewateroftheocean.Itisindeedtruetosaythattherearenowavesintheoceantheoceanaloneexists.Yet,itisalsotruethattherearewaves! Evenso,theabsoluteBrahmanaloneexists.Sinceitisomnipotent,thenaturalexpressionofitsinfinitefacultiesappearsastheinfinitediversityinthisuniverse. Diversityhasnorealexistenceexceptinone'sownimagination.'AllthisisindeedtheabsoluteBrahman'remainestablishedinthistruth.Giveupallothernotions. Evenasthewaves,etc.arenondifferentfromtheocean,allthesethingsarenondifferentfromBrahman.Evenasintheseedishiddentheentiretreeinpotential,in Brahmanthereexiststheentireuniverseforever.Evenasthemulticolouredrainbowisproducedbysunlight,allthisdiversityisseenintheone.Evenastheinertweb emanatesfromthelivingspider,thisinertworldappearancehassprungfromtheinfiniteconsciousness. Evenasthesilkwormweavesitscocoonandthusbindsitself,theinfinitebeingfanciesthisuniverseandgetscaughtinit.Evenasanelephanteffortlesslybreaksloose fromtheposttowhichitistied,theselfliberatesitselffromitsbondage.For,theselfiswhatitconsidersitselftobe.Infact,thereisneitherbondagenorliberationfor theLord.Idonotknowhowthesenotionsofbondageandliberationhavecomeintobeing!Thereisneitherbondagenorliberation,onlythatinfinitebeingisseen:yet theeternalisveiled

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bythetransient,andthisisindeedagreatwonder(oragreatillusion). Themomentthismindmanifestedintheinfiniteconsciousness,therealsoarosethenotionsofdiversity,andthesenotionsexistintheinfiniteconsciousness.Onaccount ofthis,thereappeartoexistinthisuniversethevariousdeitiesandtheinnumerablespeciesofcreationssomelonglived,someshortlived,somebigandsomesmall, somehappyandsomeunhappy.Alltheselivingentitiesarebutnotionsintheinfiniteconsciousness:someconsiderthemselvesignorantandbound,othersarefree fromignoranceandliberated. TIMEcontinued: IV:1213

Osage,gods,demonsandhumanbeingsarenondifferentfromthiscosmicoceanofconsciousnessknownasBrahman:thisisthetruth,allotherassertionsarefalse. They(thegods,etc.)entertainfalsenotions(like'Iamnottheabsolute')andthussuperimposeuponthemselvesimpurityandthefeelingofdownfall.Eventheydwell foreverinthiscosmicoceanofconsciousnessyetconsideringthemselvesseparatedfromBrahman,theyaredeluded.Thoughtheyareforeverpure,they superimposeimpurityonthemselvesandthisistheseedofalltheiractionsandtheirconsequences,viz.,happiness,unhappiness,ignoranceandenlightenment. Ofthesebeings,somearepurelikeSiva*andVisnu*,someareslightlytaintedlikemenandgods,someareindensedelusionliketreesandshrubs,someareblinded byignorancelikeworms,somewanderfarfarfromwisdomandsomehavereachedthestateofenlightenmentandliberation,likeBrahma*,Visnu*andSiva*. Thoughrevolvingthusinthewheelofignoranceanddelusion,whenonestepsontothewisdomconcerningthesupremetruthheisinstantlyredeemed. Ofthese,neithertheywhoarelikethetreesfirmlyrootedindelusion,northeywhohaveutterlydestroyedtheirdelusionneedengagethemselvesintheenquiryintothe scriptures.Thescripturesthemselveshavebeenproducedbyenlightenedbeingsfortheguidanceofthosewhohavebeenawakenedfromtheslumberofignorance aftertheirevilnatureanditsexpressionshaveceasedtobe,andwhoseintellectnaturallyseekssuchscripturalguidance. Osage,itisonlythemindthatexperiencespleasuresandpaininthisworld,notthephysicalbodyofbeings.Infact,thephysicalbodyisnothingbutthefruitofthe fancyofthemindthephysicalbodyisnotanexistentialfactindependentofthemind.Whateveryoursonwilledinhisownmind,thatheexperienceswearenot responsibleforthis.Allbeingshereinthisworldobtainonlythoseactionswhichspringfromthestorehouseoftheirownpotentialitiesand

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predispositions:nooneelseisresponsibleforthoseactions,nosuperhumanbeingorgod. Come,letusgotowhereyoursonisengagedinpenance,aftermomentarilyenjoyingthepleasuresoftheheaven. (Sayingthus,Yama(Time)caughtholdofBhrgu*andledhimaway....WhilethesageVasistha*saidthistheeighthdaycametoacloseandtheassemblydispersed.) IV:14 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,thesageBhrgu*andthedeitypresidingoverTimeproceededtowardsthebankoftheriverSamanga*.AstheyweredescendingtheMandaramountain theysawbeautifulforestsinhabitedbyperfectedandenlightenedsages.Theysawmightyelephantsinrut.Theysawotherperfectedsageswhowerebeingplayfully peltedwithflowersbycelestialnymphs.TheysawBuddhist(orenlightened)monksroamingtheforest.Thentheydescendedontotheplainsdottedwithvillagesand cities.Verysoon,theyhadreachedthebankoftheriverSamanga*. There,thesageBhrgu*sawhisson,whohadanotherbodyandwhosenaturewasdifferentfromwhatitwasbefore,whowasofapeacefuldispositionandwhose mindwasestablishedinthetranquilityofenlightenment,thoughhewasdeeplyreflectingthedestinyoflivingbeingsintheuniverse.Thisradiantyoungmanappearedto havereachedtotalquiescenceofmindinwhichtheplayofthoughtsandcounterthoughtshadceased.Hewasabsolutelypure,likeacrystalthatisnotinterestedeven inreflectingwhatisaroundit!Therewasnothoughtinhismindofeither'thisistobeobtained'or'thisistobeavoided'. TimepointedoutthisyoungmanandsaidtoBhrgu*:"Thisisyourson".Sukra*heardthewords"Getup"andgentlyopenedhiseyes.Seeingthetworadiantbeings standinginfrontofhim,hegreetedthemappropriatelyandseatedthemonarock.Insoftandsweetwords,hesaid:''ODivinebeings,Iamtrulyblessedtobehold bothofyou!Byyourverypresencebeforemethedelusionsofmymindhavebeendestroyed:delusionswhicharenotdestroyedeitherbythestudyofscriptures,or byausterities,orbywisdomorbyknowledge.Evenashowerofnectarisnotsoblissfulasthesightofholyones.Theveryearthtroddenbyyourfeetisholy." ThesageBhrgu*saidtohim:"Recollectyourself,foryouarenotanignorantperson!"Sukra*wasinstantlyawakenedtothememoryofhispreviousexistence,which hebeheldwithhiseyesclosedforabriefperiod. SUKRA*said: "Behold,Ihavepassedthroughcountlessembodimentsand

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throughcountlessexperiencesofpainandpleasure,wisdomanddelusion.Ihavebeenacruelking,agreedytraderandawanderingascetic.Thereisnopleasurethat Ihavenotenjoyed,noactionIhavenotperformed,nounhappinessorhappinessIhavenotendured.NowIwishfornothing,nordoIwishtoavoidanything:let naturetakeitscourse.Come,father,letusgotowherethepreviousbodystands,driedup." VASISTHA*continued: IV:15

SoontheyarrivedattheplacewherethebodyofSukra*,thesonofBhrgu*,layinanadvancedconditionofdecay.Lookingatthis,Sukra*wailed:"Ah,lookatthis bodywhichwasadmiredandadoredbyevencelestialnymphsitisnowtheabodeofwormsandvermin.Thebodywhichwassmearedwithsandalpasteisnow coveredwithdust.Obody!Youarenowknownasacorpseandyouaretrulyfrighteningme.Evenwildbeastsareafraidofyourdreadfulappearance.Totallydevoid ofsensations,thisbodyremainsinastateofutterfreedomfromthoughtsandideas.Freedfromthegoblinofthemind,itremainsunaffectedbyevennaturalcalamities. Ridofthefrolicsoftherestlessmonkeyknownasthemind,thistreeofthebodyhasfallenuprooted.ItisindeedgoodfortunethatIamabletoseethisbody, liberatedfromsorrow,inthisdenseforest." RAMA*asked:Holysir,eventhoughasyouhavejustsaidSukra*hadpassedthroughcountlessembodiments,whyisitthathebemoanedthefateofthebodywhich wasbornofBhrgu*? VASISTHA*replied: Rama*,itisbecausealltheotherbodieswerethehallucinationsofthisoriginalbody,whichwasthatofSukra*thesonofsageBhrgu*.Soonaftercreationattheend ofthepreviousdissolution,onaccountofthewilloftheinfiniteconsciousness,thejiva*orthelivingsoulwhichbecamethefoodthatenteredthebodyofthesage Bhrgu*,waslaterbornasSukra*.Itwasinthatembodimentthatthissoulhadalltheritesandritualsappropriatetothebirthofabrahmana*boy. WhydidSukra*(nowknownasVasudeva)bemoanthatbody?Whetheroneiswiseorignorant,aslongasthebodylastsitsfunctionscontinueunalteredaccording toitsnature.Andtheembodiedpersonfunctionsasitisappropriateintheworld,eitherattachedorunattached.Thedifferencebetweenthetwoliesintheirmental dispositions:inthecaseofthewisetheseareliberatingandinthecaseoftheignorantthesearebinding.Aslongasthereisthebody,solongshallpainbepainfuland pleasurepleasant:butthewisearenotattachedtoeither.Rejoicinginjoyandsufferinginsuffering,thegreatonesappeartobehaveliketheignorant,thoughinfact theyareenlightened.Hewhosesenseorgansarefreedbut

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whoseorgansofactionarerestrainedisliberatedhewhosesenseorgansareboundbutwhoseorgansofactionarefreeandunrestrainedisinbondage.Thewise behaveappropriatelyinsocietythoughinwardlytheyarefreeofallneedtoconform.ORama*,renounceallcravingsandlongingsanddowhatneedstobedone,in therealisationthatyouareeverthepureinfiniteconsciousness. IV:16 VASISTHA*continued:

HearingtheyoungasceticVasudevamourningthefateofhispreviousbody,Time(orDeath)intervenedandsaidtoSukra*: TIME(orDEATH)said: OsonofBhrgu*!Abandonthisbodyofyoursandreenteryourotherbody,evenasakingreentershiskingdom.WiththatotherbodyofSukra*,onceagain engageyourselfinpenanceandthenbecomethespiritualpreceptorofthedemons.Attheendoftheepoch,youwillgiveupthatbody,nevertobecomeembodied again. Havingsaidthis,Timevanishedatthatveryplace. Thereupon,Sukra*abandonedthebodyofVasudevainwhichhehadperformedintensepenanceonthebankoftheriverSamanga*andreenteredthedecayed bodyofSukra*,thesonofthesageBhrgu*.Atthatverymoment,thebodyofVasudevafelldownlikeanuprootedtreeandbecameacorpse.ThesageBhrgu sprinkledthebodyofSukra*withtheholywaterfromhisownwaterpot,utteringsacredhymnswhichhadthepowertorevivethatbody,clothingitwithflesh,etc. Instantly,thatbodybecameyouthfulandradiantasitwasbefore. Sukra*gotupfromthemeditativepostureandseeinghisfather,thesageBhrgu*,standinginfrontofhim,fellprostrateathisfeet.Bhrgu*wasdelightedtoseehisson thusresurrectedfromthedeadandfondlyembracedhim,smilinghappilyallthewhile.Thefeelingofaffectionatthethought,"Thisismyson"overcameeventhesage Bhrgu*thisisnaturalaslongasthereisbodyconsciousness.Bothofthemrejoicedatthishappyreunion. BothBhrgu*andSukra*thenperformedthefuneralritesofthebodyofthebrahmana*boyVasudevaforthusdothemenofwisdomhonoursocialcustomsand traditions. Bothofthemthenshonewiththeradianceofthesunandthemoon.Theywhoweresurelythespiritualpreceptorsofthewholeuniverseroamedtheworld. Establishedfirmlyintheknowledgeoftheself,theyremainedunmovedbythechangesthattookplaceinthetimeandintheenvironment.Incourseoftime,Sukra* becamethespiritualpreceptorofthedemonsandhisfatherBhrgu*becameoneofthesagesofhighestwisdom.

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SuchisthestoryofthesageSukra*whoonaccountofhisinfatuationwithanymph,wanderedincountlesswombs. RAMA*asked: IV:17

Holysir,whydoesnotthewishofothersmaterialiseasthewishofSukra*materialisedinhisascenttoheaven,etc.? VASISTHA*replied: Sukra's*mindwaspure,sincethatwashisfirstembodimentthatmindwasnotloadedwiththeimpuritiesofotherpreviousembodiments.Thatmindispureinwhich allcravingsareinastateofquiescence.Whateverthatpuremindwishes,thatmaterialises.WhathappenedinthisrespecttoSukra*ispossibleforeveryoneelse. Theworldexistsineachjiva*inaseedstateandbecomesmanifestlikethetreesproutingfromtheseed.Theworldisthusfalselyfanciedbyeachindividual.The worldneitherarisesnorsetsallthisisnothingbutthefancyofthedeludedmind.Withineachonethereisafancyworld.Evenasone'sdreamsareunknowntoothers, one'sworldisunknowntoothers.Therearegoblinsanddemigodsanddemons,allofwhichareembodimentsofdelusion.Evensohavewecomeintobeing,O Rama*,outofpurethoughtforce,andconsiderthefalsetobereal.Suchindeedistheoriginofcreationintheinfiniteconsciousness.Materialityisnotfactualthoughit isperceivedinemptiness.Everyonethusfancieshisownworldwhenthistruthisrealised,theworldthusfanciedcomestoanend.Thisworldexistsonlyin appearanceorimaginationandnotbecauseoneseesthematerialsubstances.Itislikealongdreamorajuggler'strick.Itistheposttowhichthemindelephantistied. Themindistheworld,theworldisthemindwhenoneisrealisedasnottrue,bothofthemvanish!Whenthemindispurifieditreflectsthetruth,andtheunrealworld appearancevanishes.Themindispurifiedbypersistentcontemplationoftruth. RAMA*asked: Howdidthesuccessionofbirths,etc.,ariseinthemindofSukra*? VASISTHA*replied: Sukra*hadbeentaughtbyhisfatherBhrgu*concerningthesuccessionofbirths,andthisteachinghadconditionedSukra's*mindwhichconjureduptheexpansionof suchconditioning.Onlywhenthemindistotallypurifiedofallconditioningdoesitregainitsutterpuritythatpuremindexperiencesliberation. VASISTHA*continued: IV:18

Thediversitythatisseeninthiscreation,ORama*,isbutanappearanceofdiversity.Evolutionorinvolutionhastheoneinfiniteconsciousnessasitssourceandasits goal.Duringevolution,there

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seemstobeanapparentdiversityintheoneinfiniteconsciousness,inaccordancewiththenotionsthatappearinthatconsciousness.Someofthesenotionsintermingle, thusproducinginfinitevarietyinthisdiversity.Somedonotthusintermingle.But,infact,allthesenotionsappearineveryatomofexistenceandtheseatomsexist independentofoneanother.ThetotalityisknownastheabsoluteBrahman. Eachindividualseesonlythoseobjectswhicharerootedinhisownmind.Whentheideasintheminddonotbearfruits,thereisachangeinthemindtherefollowsa successionofbirthstosuitthesepsychologicalchanges.Itisthispsychologicalconnectionthatcreatestheconvictionintherealityofbirthanddeath,andinthereality ofthebody.Whenthisconvictionisgivenup,thereisthecessationofembodiment. Itisonlybecauseofforgetfulnessoftruththattheconfusionarisesthattheunrealisreal.Bythepurificationofthelifeforce(prana*)andbytheknowledgeofthat whichisbeyondthisprana*orlifeforce,onegainsknowledgeofallthatistobeknownconcerningtheactivitiesofthemindaswellasthebasisforthesuccessionof births. Theselfofalllivingbeingspassesthroughthreestates:waking,dreaminganddeepsleep.Theyhavenothingtodowiththebody.(Eventhisisbasedonthe assumptionoftheexistenceoflivingbeingsintheoneself,whichisnotthetruth.)Thewisemanwhogoesbeyondthedeepsleepstate(whichispureconsciousness) returnstothesource:butthefoolwhodoesnotiscaughtupinthelifecycle. Sincetheconsciousnessisinfinite,oneisledfromonelifecycletoanother,evenbeyondtheworldcycle.Suchcreationsareendless,oneappearingwithinanother likethebarksofaplantainstem.Ofcourse,itisunwisetocompareBrahmantheabsolutewithanything. Oneshouldenquireintothatwhichistrulytheuncausedcauseofallsubstances,whichisyetbeyondallsuchcausation:thisaloneisworthenquiringinto,forthisalone istheessential.Whyenquireintothenonessential? VASISTHA*continued: ORama*,thetreeinaseedgrowsoutofitafterdestroyingtheseed:butBrahmancreatesthisworldwithoutdestroyingitselfthetree(world)appearsevenwhen theseed(Brahman)isasitis.Hence,itisimpossibletocomparetheincomparableBrahmanwithanythingwhatsoeverwhereasthetree,etc.aredefinablematerial substances,Brahmanisnamelessandformlessbeing.ItisBrahmanalonethatbecomeswhatappearstobeofadifferentnatureyet,fromanotherpointofview,it doesnotsobecome,foritiseternalandchangeless.

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OnecannotthereforepositanythingconcerningBrahman:itisnotpossibletosaythatithasnotbecomeallthis,norisitpossibletosaythatithasbecomeallthis. Whentheselfisseenasanobject,theseerisnotseen(realised)aslongastheobjectiveuniverseisperceivedonedoesnotrealisetheself.Whenyouseethemirage aswater,youdonotperceivetherisinghotairbut,whenyouperceivethehotair,youdonotseewaterinthemirage!Whenoneistruth,theotherisnot. Theeyeswhichperceivealltheobjectsoftheworld,donotseethemselves.Aslongasoneentertainsthenotionofobjectivity,theselfisnotrealised.Brahmanisas subtleandpureasspace.Itcannotberealisedbyanyeffortwhatsoever.Aslongasoneseeswhatisseenwiththeinnerfeelingthattheyareobjectsofperception (himselfbeingtheirseparateseerorsubject),therealisationofBrahmanisfarindeed. Itisonlywhenthedivisionbetweentheseerandtheseenisgivenup,onlywhenthetwoare'seen'asofonesubstance,thatthetruthisrealised.Thereisnoobject whichistotallyofadifferentnaturefromthesubject.Norcanthesubject(self)beseenasifitwereanobject!Infact,thesubject(self)aloneappearstothesightas theseen(object):thereisnootherobjectofperceptionhere.Ifagainthesubjectortheselfaloneisallthis,thensurelyitisnoteventhesubjectortheseer!Thereis nodivisioninsuchavision. Justassugarbecomesdiversesweetmeatswithouteverlosingitsnaturalsweetness,thisinfiniteconsciousnessorBrahmanvisualisesitselfasallthisinfinitediversity withouteverdivestingitselfofitsessentialnature.Thereisnolimitwhatsoevertothemanifestationofthisinfiniteconsciousness. VASISTHA*continued: Eachjiva*experienceswithinitselfwhateverandhoweverithasgivenrisetowithinitselfwiththehelpofitsownlifeforce.ORama*,beholdwiththeeyeofyour innerwisdomthetruththatineveryatomofexistencetherearecountlessworldappearances.Ineveryone'smind,intheveryspace,ineveryrock,intheflameoffire andinwaterthereexistcountlessworldappearancesevenasoilexistsinsesameseed.Itiswhenthemindbecomesabsolutelypurethatitbecomespure consciousness,andthereforeonewiththeinfiniteconsciousness. Thisworldappearanceisbutalongdreamwhichmanifestseverywhere,beingtheimaginationofBrahmathecreatorandallothers.Theobjectsthusborninthe Creator'sdreammigratefromdreamtodream,fromembodimenttoembodimentthusgeneratingtheillusorysolidityofthisworldappearance.Thisdreamlike appearance

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isyettrueduringtheperiodofthedreamitself. Withineveryatomisthepotentialexperienceofeverykind,evenasaseedcontainswithinitselfthedifferentaspectsofthetree(flowers,leaves,fruits,etc.)Within everyatomofexistence,thereistheinfiniteconsciousness:hence,itisindivisible.Therefore,giveupallyournotionsofdiversityorunity.Time,space,action(or motion)andmatterareallbutdifferentaspectsoftheoneinfiniteconsciousness:andconsciousnessexperiencesthemwithinitself,whetherithappenstobethebody ofthecreatorBrahma*orthatofaworm. Anatomofconsciousness,whenitattainstothefullygrownstateofabody,experiencesitsownfaculties.Someoneperceivestheobjectsspreadoutasifoutside becausetheinfiniteconsciousnessisomnipresent.Othersbeholdeverythingwithin,evolvinganddevolvingalternately.Somegofromonedreamexperienceto another,wanderinginthisworldappearance. Therarefewrealisethattheworldappearanceseenwithinthemselvesisillusory,exceptastheoneinfiniteconsciousnesswhichaloneisevertrue.Onaccountofthis consciousness,theworldappearsinthejiva*:andtherearejivas*withinjivas*,adinfinitum.Itiswhenonethusexperiencesthetruth,thatheisfreedfromillusion.At the'sametime,one'scravingforpleasureisthinnedout.Thisistheonlyproofofwisdom.Apaintedpotofnectarisnotnectar,norapaintedflamefire,andapainting ofawomanisnotawoman:wisewordsaremerewords(ignorance)notwisdom,unlesstheyaresubstantiatedbytheabsenceofdesireandanger. IV:19 VASISTHA*continued:

Theveryseedforalljivas*,whichistheabsoluteBrahman,existseverywhereandwithinthejivas*therearecountlessotherjivas.Allthisisbecausetheentire universeistotallypermeatedwiththeinfiniteconsciousness. Upontheirappearanceasthejivas*,whatevertypeofcontemplationtheyadopt,theysoonbecomeofthesamenature.Theywhoaredevotedtothegods,reachthe godstheywhoadorethedemigods,attainthedemigods.TheywhocontemplatetheabsoluteBrahman,becomeBrahman.Hence,oneshouldresorttothatwhichis notlimited,conditionedorfinite. Bycontemplatingtheformofthenymph,Sukra*wasboundandwhenherealisedthepurityofhisselfwhichisinfiniteconsciousness,hewasinstantlyliberated. RAMA*asked: Holysir,praytellmeofthetruenatureofthewakingandthedreamingstates.Whatconstitutesthewakingstate,andhowdoes

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dream,ordelusioninthewakingstate,arise? VASISTHA*said: Thatstatewhichenduresisknownasthewakingstateandthatwhichistransientisthedreamstate.Duringtheperiodofeventhedream,ittakesonthecharacteristic ofthewakingstateandwhenthewakingstateisrealisedtobeofafleetingnature,itgetsthecharacteristicofdream.Otherwise,thetwoarethesame. Whenthelifeforceinthebodystirs,thevariousorgansofthought,wordanddeedperformtheirfunctions.Theyflowtowardstheirobjectsofperceptionin accordancewiththedeludednotionsthatprevailinthemind.Thislifeforceperceivesdiverseformswithintheself.Sincethisperceptionseemstobeofanenduring nature,itisknownasthewakingstate. But,whenthelifeforce(jivacetana*)isnotthusdivertedbythemindandbody,itremainsrootedinpeacewithintheheart.Thereisnomovementofconsciousness inthenervesofthebodynordoesthelifeforceactivatethesenses.However,thatconsciousnesswhichisawakeevenindeepsleepandwhichisalsothelightthat shinesinwakinganddreaming,isthetranscendentalconsciousness,turiya*. Whenagaintheseedsofignoranceanddelusionexpand,therearisesthefirstthoughtwhichisthethought'Iam'.Then,oneperceivesthoughtformswithinthemind indreams.Atthistimetheexternalsenseorgansdonotfunction,buttheinnersensesfunctionandthereisperceptionwithinoneself.Thisisthedreamstate.Whenthe lifeforceagainactivatesthesenseorgans,onceagainthereiswakefulness. VASISTHA*continued: IV:20,21

Ihavedescribedthestatesofthemindjusttoenableyoutounderstandthenatureofthemind:ithasnootheruse.For,mindtakesontheformofthatwhichit intenselycontemplates.Existence,nonexistence,gainingandrenouncingallthesearenomorethanmoodsofthemind. RAMA*asked: Ifmindisallthis,Lord,howdoesitevergettainted? VASISTHA*replied: Itisabeautifulquestion,Rama*,butnotthepropertimetoask:whenyouhavelistenedtowhatIhavetosay,youwillsurelyfindtheanswertothisquestionwiththe utmostclarity. Thatthemindisimpure,istheexperienceofeveryonewhostrivesforliberation.Dependinguponone'sparticularpointofview,everyonedescribesitdifferently. Justasaircomingintocontactwithdifferentflowerstakesontheirscent,somindentertainingdifferentnotionstakesonthose

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moods,createsbodiessuitabletothemand,astheenergyactivatingthesenses,enjoysthefruitionofitsownnotions.Itisthemind,again,thatprovidesthefuelforthe functioningoftheorgansofaction.Mindisactionandactionismindthetwoarelikethefloweranditsscent.Theconvictionoftheminddeterminestheactionand theactionstrengthenstheconviction. Mindiseverywheredevotedtodharma,wealth,pleasureandfreedom:buteveryonehasadifferentdefinitionoftheseandisconvincedthatthatdefinitionisthetruth. Evenso,thefollowersofKapila,theVedantins*,theVijnanvadins*,theJainasandothersassertthattheirsistheonlypathtoliberation.Theirphilosophiesarethe expressionsoftheirexperienceswhicharethefruitoftheirownpractice,whichisinaccordancewiththeconvictionsintheirmind. Rama*,bondageisnoneotherthanthenotionofanobject.ThisnotionisMaya*,ignorance,etc.Itisthecataractthatblindsonetothesunoftruth.Ignoranceraises adoubtdoubtperceivesthatperceptionisperverted.Indarknesswhenoneapproachesevenalion'semptycage,heisafraid.Evenso,oneignorantlybelieveshe isimprisonedinthisemptybody.Thenotionsof'I'and'theworld'arebutshadows,nottruth.Suchnotionsalonecreate'objects':theseobjectsareneithertruenor false.Amotherwhoconsidersherselfahousekeeperbehaveslikeoneawifewhoconsidersherselfherhusband'smotherbehaveslikeoneforthetimebeing. Therefore,Rama*,abandonthenotionsof'I'and'this'andremainestablishedinthetruth. IV:22 VASISTHA*continued:

Hewhoacquireswisdomthroughselfenquiryandpossessesthefollowingqualificationsenjoysclarityofselfknowledgeevenaswaterbecomesclearwhenapiece ofalumisthrownintoit. Hismindisundisturbedbymodifications.Hisbeinghasbeentransmuted.Havingattainedwhatisworthattainment,viz.,selfknowledge,hehasabandonedthevery notionofobjectivity.Sincetheseeralonesees,hedoesnotregardanyotherfactorastheseer(subject).Heisfullyawakeinthesupremetruthhenceheistotally asleep,asitwere,intheworldappearance.Hisdispassionbeingpervasive,heisdisinterestedinpleasureanditsopposite.Hiscravingshaveceased,evenasthe restlessnessofriversceasesontheirenteringtheocean.Hehascutthenetofworldappearanceevenasamousecutsthesnare. Itisonlywhenthemindhasbecomedevoidofallattachment,whenitisnotswayedbythepairsofopposites,whenitisnotattractedbyobjectsandwhenitistotally independentofallsupports,thatitisfreedfromthecageofdelusion.Whenalldoubtcomesto

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restandwhenthereisneitherelationnordepression,thenthemindshineslikethefullmoon.Whentheimpuritiesofthemindhaveceasedtobe,thereariseintheheart alltheauspiciousqualities,andthereisequalvisioneverywhere.Evenasdarknessisdispelledbytherisingsun,theworldillusionisdispelledwhenthesunofinfinite consciousnessarisesintheheart.Suchwisdomasiscapableofgladdeningtheheartsofallbeingsintheuniversemanifestsandexpands.Inshort,hewhohasknown thatwhichaloneisworthknowingtranscendsallcomingandgoing,birthanddeath. EventhegodsBrahma*,Visnu*,IndraandSiva*aresympathisedwithandassistedbytheholyonesinwhomselfknowledgehasarisenthroughselfenquiryor directobservation. Whenthereisabsenceofegoism,thereisnoconfusioninthemindwhenthatmindfunctionsnaturally.Justaswavesriseandfallintheocean,theworldsariseand vanish:thisdeludestheignorant,butnotthewise.Thespaceinapotdoesnotcomeintobeingwhenthepotisbroughtin,norisitdestroyedwhenthepotisbroken: hewhoknowsthatsuchistherelationshipbetweenhisbody(pot)andtheself(space)isnotinfluencedbypraiseandcensure. Thisglamorousworldappearancehauntsoneonlyaslongasonedoesnotengageoneselfinenquiryintothenatureoftheself.Whenwisdomarises,delusionsets. VASISTHA*continued: ORama*,heseesthetruthwhoseesthebodyasaproductofdeludedunderstandingandasthefountainsourceofmisfortune,andwhoknowsthatthebodyisnot theself. Heseesthetruthwhoseesthatinthisbodypleasureandpainareexperiencedonaccountofthepassageoftimeandthecircumstancesinwhichoneisplacedand thattheydonotpertaintohim. Heseesthetruthwhoseesthatheistheomnipresentinfiniteconsciousnesswhichencompasseswithinitselfallthattakesplaceeverywhereatalltimes. Heseesthetruthwhoknowsthattheself,whichisassubtleasthemillionthpartofthetipofahairdividedamilliontimes,pervadeseverything. Heseesthetruthwhoseesthatthereisnodivisionatallbetweentheselfandtheother,andthattheoneinfinitelightofconsciousnessexistsasthesolereality. Heseesthetruthwhoseesthatthenondualconsciousnesswhichindwellsallbeingsisomnipotentandomnipresent. Heseesthetruthwhoisnotdeludedintothinkingthatheisthebodywhichissubjecttoillness,fear,agitation,oldageanddeath.

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Heseesthetruthwhoseesthatallthingsarestrungintheselfasbeadsarestrungonathread,andwhoknows'Iamnotthemind'. HeseesthetruthwhoseesthatallthisisBrahman,neither'I'nor'theother'. Heseesthetruthwhoseesallbeingsinthethreeworldsashisownfamily,deservingofhissympathyandprotection. Heseesthetruthwhoknowsthattheselfaloneexistsandthatthereisnosubstanceinobjectivity. Heisunaffectedwhoknowsthatpleasure,pain,birth,death,etc.,arealltheselfonly. Heisfirmlyestablishedinthetruthwhofeels:''WhatshouldIacquire,whatshouldIrenounce,whenallthisistheoneself?'' Salutationstothatabodeofauspiciousness,whoisfilledwiththesupremerealisationthattheentireuniverseistrulyBrahmanalone,whichremainsunchangedduring alltheapparentcreation,existenceanddissolutionoftheuniverse. IV:23 VASISTHA*continued:

Rama*,hewhotreadsthesuperiorpath,thoughhedwellsinthisbodywhichfunctionsasthepotter'swheeldoesbypastmomentum,isuntaintedbytheactionsthat mightbeperformed.Inhiscase,thebodyexistsforhispleasureandfortheliberationofhissoulhedoesnotexperienceunhappinessinit. Totheignorant,thisbodyisthesourceofsufferingbuttotheenlightenedman,thisbodyisthesourceofinfinitedelight.Whileitexiststhewisemanderivesfromit greatpleasureandthedelightofenlightenmentandwhenitslifespancomestoanendhedoesnotregarditasalossatall.Hence,totheenlightenedpersonthebody itselfisasourceofinfinitedelight.And,sinceittransportshiminthisworldinwhichheroamsfreelyanddelightfully,thebodyisregardedasavehicleofwisdom. Sinceitisthroughthebodythatthewisemanderivesthedifferentsenseexperiencesandgainsthefriendshipandaffectionofothers,tohimitisasourceofgain.The enlightenedmanreignshappilywhiledwellinginthecityknownasthebody,evenasIndrathekingofheavendwellsinhiscity. Thebodydoesnotsubjectthewisemantothetemptationsoflustandgreed,nordoesitallowignoranceorfeartoinvadehim.Theintelligencethatgovernsthewise man'sbodyisnotdrawnoutbytheexcitementwhichtheignorantcallpleasure,butitrestswithininastateofcontemplation. Theembodiedbeingcomeslightlyintocontactwiththebodywhileitlastsbutisuntouchedbyitonceitisgone,evenasairtouchesapotwhichexists,butnotonethat doesnotexist. JustasthemostdeadlypoisonwhichwasdrunkbylordSiva*did

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notharmhimbutenhancedhischarm,thevariedactionsandenjoymentsofanenlightenedpersondonotbindhimtothecycleofbirthanddeath.Justasifyouknow someoneisathiefanddealwithhimwiththatknowledge,hebecomesyourfriend,whenyouenjoytheobjectsknowingtheirtruenature,theygiveyoujoy.Thewise manwhoisridofalldoubtsandinwhomthereisnoimageofself,reignssupremeinthebody. Thereforeoneshouldabandonallcravingsforpleasureandattainwisdom.Onlythemindthathasbeenwelldisciplinedreallyexperienceshappiness.Thecaptiveking, whenfreed,isdelightedwithapieceofbreadthekingwhohasnotbeensubjectedtocaptivitydoesnotenjoyasmuch,evenshoulditbetheannexationofanother kingdom.Hence,thewisemangrindshisteethandstrivestoconquerhismindandsenses:suchconquestisfargreaterthanconquestofexternalfoes.

TheStoryofDama*,Vyala*andKata*
VASISTHA*continued: IV:24,25

ORama*,inthegreatempireknownasdreadfulhell,evilactionsroamlikemightyelephantsinrut.Thesenseswhichareresponsiblefortheseactionsareequipped withaformidablemagazineofcravings.Hence,thesesensesarehardtoconquer.Theseungratefulsensesdestroythebody,theirownabodeandsupport. However,onewhoisequippedwithwisdomisabletorestraincravingwithoutinjuringthebeingevenasanooserestrainstheelephantwithoutharmingitsbeing.The blissenjoyedbythewisemanwhohashissensesundercontrolisincomparablysuperiortotheenjoymentofakingwhorulesoveracitybuiltwithbrickandmortar. Theformer'sintelligencegrowsinclarityashiscravingforsensepleasureiswornout.However,thecravingdisappearscompletelyonlyafterthesupremetruthhas beenseen. Tothewise,themindisanobedientservant,goodcounsellor,ablecommanderofthesenses,pleasingwife,protectingfatherandtrustworthyfriend.Itimpelshimin goodactions. Rama*,beestablishedintruthandliveinfreedominamindlessstate.BehavenotlikethedemonsDama*,Vyala*andKata*,whosestoryIshallpresentlynarrateto you. InthenetherworldtherewasamightydemonknownasSambara*.Hewasapastmasterintheartofmagic.Hecreatedamagiccitywithahundredsunsonthe horizon,walkingandtalkingbeingsmadeofgold,swanscarvedinpreciousstones,icecoldfireandhisowncelestialbodies.Hewasaterrortothegodsofheaven.

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Whenhewasasleeporawayfromhiscity,thegodstookadvantageofthesituationandkilledhisarmy.Enraged,thedemoninvadedtheheaven.Thegods,afraidof hismagicpowers,hidthemselves.Hecouldnotfindthem.But,theymanagedtokillhisforcesatopportunemoments.Inordertoprotecthisforces,thedemon createdthreeotherdemons:Dama*,Vyala*andKata*. Thesethreehadhadnopreviousincarnationandhencetheywerefreefromeverytypeofmentalconditioning.Theyhadnofear,doubtorotherpredispositionsthey didnotfleebeforetheenemy,theywerenotafraidofdeaththeydidnotknowthemeaningofwar,victoryordefeat.Infact,theywerenotindependentjivas*atall theyweremerelytherobotlikeworkingprojectionsofthedemonSambara*.Theirbehaviourwaslikethatofonewhohaseradicatedalllatenttendenciesor conditioningbuthasnotattainedenlightenment.ThedemonSambara*wasdelightedthathisarmyhadinvincibleprotectors. IV:26,27 VASISTHA*continued:

ThedemonSambara*despatchedhisinvulnerablearmy,protectedbythethreenewdemons,tofightwiththegods.Thearmyofthegods,too,gotreadytofight.The demonswereunarmedandthey.wereengagedinhandtohandcombatwiththegods.Afiercebattleensued.Latertheyfoughtwithallkindsofterriblemissiles, destroyingallthecities,villages,caves,animalsandothers.Eachsidealternatelyenjoyedvictoryandsuffereddefeat. Thethreeprincipaldemonslookedfortheprincipalgods,buttheycouldnotbefound.ThedemonswentbacktoSambara*toreporttohim.Thegodsprayedtothe creatorBrahma*,whoappearedbeforethematonce,andbeggedhimtofindawaytodestroythethreedemons. BRAHMA*,said: Ogods,Sambara*cannotbekillednow.Hewillbekilledafterahundredyears,bylordVisnu*.Itiswiseforyoutoretreatfrombattle,asifdefeatedbythethree demons.Induecourse,onaccountoftheirengagementinthiswar,theegosensewillariseinthem.Thentheywillbesubjectedtopsychologicalconditioningand developlatenttendencies.Justnow,thesethreedemonsareutterlydevoidoftheegosenseanditsadjuncts(conditioningandtendencies). Theyinwhomtheegosense('me')anditscounterpart(thetendencies)donotexist,knowneitherdesirenoranger.Theyareinvincible.Hewhoisboundbytheego sense('me')andbytheconditioningofthemind,evenifheisregardedasagreatmanoramanofgreatlearning,canbedefeatedevenbyachild. Infact,thenotionsof'I'and'mine'aretheeagerreceptacleswhich

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receivesorrowandsuffering.Hewhoidentifiesthebodywiththeselfsinksinmiseryhewhoevenenvisionstheselfastheomnipresentbeingovercomessorrow.To thelatter,thereisnothinginthethreeworldswhichisnottheselfandwhichistobedesired. Hewhosemindisconditionedcanbedefeated:intheabsenceofsuchconditioningevenamosquitobecomesimmortal.Theconditionedmindexperiencessuffering whenridoftheconditioning,itexperiencesdelight.Conditioningorcravingweakensaperson.Hence,youneednotfeelanxioustofightthesethreedemons.Dowhat youcantocreateinthemthefeelingsof'I'and'mine'.SincetheyareignorantcreaturesofthedemonSambara*theywilleasilyfallforthisbait.Thentheycanbe easilydefeatedbyyouall. VASISTHA*continued: IV:28,29,30

Havingsaidthus,thecreatorBrahmavanished.Thegodsrestedintheirabodesforawhile,inpreparationforafreshonslaughtonthedemons.Therenewedfighting betweenthearmiesofthegodsandthedemonswasevenmorefiercethanthepreviousone.Therewasterribledestructioneverywhere. Thiscontinuedinvolvementinfightinggeneratedinthethreedemonleadersthebasicnotionof'Iam'.Evenasamirrorreflectsanobjectheldclosetoit,one's behaviourreflectsastheegosenseinone'sconsciousness.However,ifthisbehaviouris'heldatadistance'fromconsciousnessandthereisnoidentificationwithsuch behaviour,theegosensedoesnotarise. Oncethisegosensearose,therequicklyfollowedthedesirefortheprolongationoflifeinthebody,acquisitionofwealth,health,pleasure,etc.Thesedesiresgreatly debilitatedtheirpersonalities.Thentherearoseconfusionintheirminds,whichinturngaverisetofeelingsof'Thisismine'and'Thisismybody'.Alltheseinevitably resultedininefficiencyandinabilitytodotheirownwork.Theyweregreatlyattachedtoeatinganddrinking.Objectsgavethemfeelingsofpleasureandthusrobbed themoftheirfreedom.Withthelossoffreedom,theircouragealsowentandtheyexperiencedfear.Theywereterriblyworriedattheverythought,"Weshalldiein thiswar". Thegodstookadvantageofthissituationandbegantoattackthesedemons.Thethreedemonswhowerepossessedbyfearofdeathfled. Whenthedemonarmysawthattheirinvincibleprotectorshadfledbeforetheinvadinggods,theywerethoroughlydemoralisedthedemonsfellbythethousands. WhenthedemonSambara*heardthathisarmyhadbeenroutedbythegods,hewasfurious.Referringtothethreeinvincibledemons,

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Dama*,Vyala*andKata*,hedemanded:"Wherehavetheygone?"Afraidofhiswrath,thesethreedemonstookrefugeinthenethermostworld. There,theservantsofthegodofdeath,Yama,gavethemrefugeandalsothreegirlstomarry.Theylivedinthenetherworldforalongtime.Onedaytheywerevisited byYamahimself,withouthisparaphernalia.Theyfailedtorecogniseandhonourhim.Angered,Yamadespatchedthemtothemostdreadfulhells.Aftersufferingthere andafteranumberofincarnationsindifferentsubhumanspecies,theynowliveasfishinalakeinKashmir. IV:31 VASISTHA*continued:

Thusyouseethedisastrousresultsthatarisefromnonwisdom.Youseehowtheinvincibledemonswereutterlydefeatedanddisgracedonaccountoftheirego sense,whichgaverisetofearintheirhearts.Thedeadlycreeperofworldlinesssproutsfromtheseedoftheegosense.Therefore,ORama*,abandonthisegosense withallthestrengththatlieswithinandbybeingestablishedintheconviction:'Iisnothing',behappy.Theoneinfiniteconsciousness,whichisofthenatureofpure bliss,iseclipsedbytheshadowoftheegosense. ThoughthedemonsDama*,Vyala*andKata*werereallyfreefromthecycleofbirthanddeath,onaccountoftheiregosensetheyhadtobesubjectedtobirthand death.TheyofwhomeventhegodswereafraidaretodaymiserablefishinalakeinKashmir. RAMA*asked: Holysir,Dama*,Vyala*andKata*wereunreal,havingbeenproducedbythemagicofSambara*.Howwasitthattheybecamerealentitieslikeus? VASISTHA*replied: Rama*,justasthedemonsDama*andotherswereunrealandtheproductsofmagic,evensoareweandallthegodsandothers.Allthesenotionsof'I'and'you',O Rama*,areunreal.ThatyouandIareseentoberealentitiesdoesnotalterthetruthevenifadeadpersonappearsbeforeyounow,heisstilldead! However,itisunwisetodeclarethetruth('Brahmanaloneisreal')totheignorant.For,therealityoftheworldappearance,whichhasbecomedeeprootedinthe heartoftheignorant,willnotbedispelledexceptthroughintenseenquiryintothepurportofthescriptures.Onewhodeclares:"ThisworldisunrealBrahmanaloneis real"tosuchignorantpeopleislaughedat.Howeverwellyouexplaintothemthat'AllthisisBrahman',theignorantcannotcomprehenditanymorethanacorpsecan walk.Thattruthcanbeexperiencedonlybythewise.

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ORama*,neitherwenorthesedemonsarereal.Therealityistheoneinfiniteconsciousnesswhichdoesnotundergoanychange.Inthatinfiniteconsciousnessthere arisethenotionsofyourself,myself,thesedemonsetc.,andtheyareinvestedwithrealitybecausetheperceivingconsciousnessisreal.Wherethisconsciousnessis 'awake'asitwere,theresuchnotionsariseandwhereitis'asleep',theresuchnotionsaredissolved.Yet,intheinfiniteconsciousnesstherearenosuchstatesas awakeandasleep.Itisbutpureconsciousness.Realisethisandbefreefromsorrowandfearcausedbydivision. RAMA*asked: IV:32

OHolysage,pray,tellme,whenandhowwillthethreedemonsattainliberation? VASISTHA*replied: Rama*,whentheylistentothenarrationoftheirstoryandareremindedoftheirownessentialnatureaspureconsciousness,theywillbeliberated. Incourseoftime,therewillariseacitynamedAdhisthana*inthemiddleofthecountryknownasKashmir.Inthecentreofthatcitytherewillbeahillwhosepeakwill beknownasPradyumna.Ontopofthathilltherewillbeaskyscraper.InacornerofthatbuildingthedemonVyala*willbebornasasparrow. Inthatbuilding,akingknownasYasaskar*willreside.ThedemonDama*willbebornasamosquitoandresideinaholeinoneofthepillarsofthatpalace. ElsewhereinthatcitytherewillbeapalaceknownasRatnavalivihara*whichwillbeinhabitedbythestateministerknownasNarasimha*.ThedemonKata*willbe bornasabird(myna)andliveinthatpalace. Onedaythatminister,Narasimha*,willrecitethestoryofthethreedemonsDama*,Vyala*andKata*Listeningtoit,themynawillbeenlightened.Itwillrecallthat itsoriginalpersonalitywasbutamagicalcreationofthedemonSambara*thisrecollectionwillfreeitfromthemagicofSambara*.ThedemonKatawillthusattain nirvana*(liberation). Otherpeoplewillrecountthisstoryandthesparrowwillalsoattainliberationafterlisteningtoit.ThuswillthedemonVyiala*attainliberation. Inthesameway,themosquitodemonDama*willalsolistentothisstoryandwillalsoattainliberation. Suchisthestory,ORama*,ofthethreedemonsDama*,Vyala*andKata*,who,onaccountoftheiregosenseandtheircravings,fellintohell.Allthisisnothing morethantheplayofignoranceanddelusion.

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Infact,itisthepureconsciousnessthatentertainstheimpurenotionof'Iam',playfullyasitwere,andwithouteverrenouncingitsessentialnatureasconsciousness, experiencesthedistortedimageofitselfwithinitself.Eventhoughthisdistortedimageistrulyunreal,theegosense('Iam')believesittoberealandgetsdeluded. VASISTHA*continued: ORama*,theywhoareestablishedinthestateofliberation,aspointedoutbythescriptures,surelycrossthisoceanofworldappearanceastheirconsciousness flowstowardstheself.But,theywhoarecaughtinthenetofpolemics,whichareonlyproductiveofsorrowandconfusion,forfeittheirownhighestgood.Eveninthe caseofthepathshownbythescriptures,onlyone'sdirectexperienceleadsonealongthesafestwaytothesupremegoal. Whatelseisleftofagreedymanexceptahandfulofashes?But,hewholooksupontheworldaslessvaluablethanabladeofgrassnevercomestogrief.Hewhohas fullyrealisedtheinfiniteisprotectedbythecosmicdeities.Hence,oneshouldnotsetfootonthewrongpathevenintimesofgreatdistress.Hewhohasearnedagood reputationthroughavirtuouslifegainswhateverhasnotbeengainedandisridofmisfortune.Onlyhecanbeconsideredahumanbeingwhoisnotcomplacentwithhis ownvirtue,whoisdevotedtotheteachinghehasheardandwhostrivestotreadthepathoftruth:othersareanimalsinhumandisguise.Hewhoisfilledwiththemilk ofhumankindnessissurelytheabodeofthelordHari(whoissaidtodwellintheoceanofmilk). Whateverhastobeenjoyedhasalreadybeenenjoyed,whateverhastobeseenhasbeenseen:whatelseistherenewinthisworldwhichawisemanshouldseek? Hence,oneshouldbedevotedtoone'sdutyasordainedbythescriptures,havinggivenupallcravingforpleasure.Adorethesaints:thiswillsaveyoufromdeath. Adheringtotheinjunctionsofthescripturesoneshouldpatientlywaitforperfectionwhichcomesinitsowntime.Arrestthedownwardtrendbystudyingthisholy scriptureforliberation.Enquireconstantlyintothenatureoftruth,knowingthat'thisisbutareflection'.Donotbeledbyothersonlyanimalsareledbyothers.Wake upfromtheslumberofignorance.Wakeupandstrivetoendoldageanddeath. Wealthisthemotherofevil.Sensepleasureisthesourceofpain.Misfortuneisthebestfortune.Rejectionbyallisvictory.Life,honourandnoblequalitiesblossom andattainfruitioninonewhoseconductandbehaviouraregoodandpleasant,whoisdevotedtoseclusionandwhodoesnotcraveforthepleasuresoftheworld, whichleadtosuffering.

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VASISTHA*continued:

IV:33

ORama*,everyzealouseffortisalwayscrownedwithfruition.Hence,donotabandonrighteffort.Surely,itisnecessarytoweightheworthinessoftheendresult beforeplungingintozealouseffortofanysort.Ifyoucarefullyinvestigateinthismanneryouwillsurelydiscoverthatselfknowledgealoneiscapableofutterly destroyingallpainandpleasurebytheirveryrootshencezealouseffortshouldbedirectedtowardsselfknowledgealone.Getridofallnotionsofobjectivitycreated bythepleasureseekingdesirewithinyou.Isthereanyhappinesswhichisuntaintedbyunhappiness? BoththeabsenceofrestraintandthepracticeofrestraintareindeedoneintheabsoluteBrahmanandthereisnorealdivisionbetweenthemyet,thepracticeof restraintbestowsgreatjoyandauspiciousnessuponyou.Hence,resorttoselfrestraintandgiveupegosense.Enquireintothenatureoftruthandseekthecompany ofthewise.Theyindeedaregoodandwisemenwholiveinaccordancewiththescripturalinjunctionsandinwhomgreed,delusionandangerdecreasedaybyday. Inthecompanyofthewise,selfknowledgearisesandatthesametimethenotionoftherealityoftheobjectsofperceptionassuchwanesandeventuallyvanishes. Whentheworldasobjectofperceptionthusfadesaway,onlythesupremetruthexistsandthejiva*ortheindividualpersonalityisabsorbedinit,asitdoesnotfind anyobjectworthclingingto.Theworldasanobjectwasnevercreated,nordoesitexistassuchnow,norwilliteverbeso:itisonlytheonesupremebeingthatexists atalltimesasthesolereality. ThushaveIexplainedtoyouinathousandwaystheessentialunrealityoftheworldasanobjectofperception.Itisnothingbutthepurespaceofconsciousness:init thereisnodivisionwhichcouldbereferredtoas'Thisisthetruth'and'Thisisnotreal'.Thewonderfulmanifestationofthatinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisregardedas theworld,naughtelse.Init,thedivisionslikesubjectandobjectandsubstanceandshadowareunwarrantedarbitraryassumptionslikethedistinctionmadebetween thesun'sraysandsunlight:intruth,onlytheindivisibleandunmodifiedconsciousnessexists.Wheninaccordancewithitsownnatureitclosesandopensitseyes,asit were,thereiswhatisknownasdissolutionandcreationoftheuniverse. VASISTHA*continued: Whenitisnotrightlyunderstood,the'I'appearstobeanimpurenotionintheinfiniteconsciousnessbut,whenthe'I'isrightlyunderstood,itsmeaningisseenasthe infiniteconsciousness.Whenitsownrealityisseenitdoesnotappearastheegosenseanymore,butastheoneinfinitereality.Infact,thereisnodistinctentityas'I'.

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Whenthistruthisrevealedtoonewithapuremind,hisignoranceisatoncedispelledbutothersclingtotheirownfalsenotionlikeachildclingingtothenotionofthe existenceofaghost. Whenthe'I'asaseparateentityisthusknowntobefalse,howcanonebelieveintheothernotions(ofheaven,hell,etc.)thatarerelatedtoit?Cravingforheavenand evenforliberationarisesinone'sheartonlyaslongasthe'I'isseenasanentity.Aslongasthe'I'thusremains,thereisonlyunhappinessinone'slife.And,thisnotion ofthe'I'cannotbegotridofexceptthroughselfknowledge.Whenoneispossessedbythisghostof'Iness',noscriptures,nomantras,nothingenablesonetogetrid ofit. Onlybytheconstantremembranceofthetruththattheselfisapurereflectionintheinfiniteconsciousnessdoes'Iness'ceasetogrow.Theworldappearanceisa juggler'strickallsubjectobjectrelationshipbetweenitandmeisfoolishwhenthisunderstandingtakesroot,'Iness'isuprooted.Whenitisseenthatitisthe'I'that givesrisetothenotionofa'world',bothofthemceaseinpeace. However,thehigherformof'Iness'whichgivesrisetothefeeling'Iamonewiththeentireuniversethereisnothingapartfromme',istheunderstandingofthe enlightenedperson.Anothertypeof'Iness'iswhenonefeelsthatthe'I'isextremelysubtleandatomicinnatureandthereforedifferentfromandindependentof everythinginthisuniverse:this,too,isunobjectionable,beingconducivetoliberation.Butthe'Iness'thathasbeendescribedearlieronisonewhichidentifiestheself withthebody:thisistobeabandonedfirmly.Bythepersistentcultivationofthehigherformof'Iness'thelowerformiseradicated. Havingkeptthelower'Iness'incheck,oneshouldresorttothehigherformof'Iness',persistentlygeneratinginoneselfthefeeling:'IamtheAll'or'Iamextremely subtleandindependent'.Induecourseeventhishigherformof'Iness'shouldbecompletelyabandoned.Thenonemayeitherengageoneselfinallactivityorremainin seclusion:thereisnofearofdownfallforhim.

TheStoryofBhima*,Bhasa*andDrdha*
IV:34 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,afterSambara*hadbeendesertedbythethreedemonsDama*,Vyala*andKata*,herealisedthattheyhadfoolishlyentertainedegoisticnotionsandhad thuscometogrief.Hence,heresolvedtocreatemoredemons,butthistimewithselfknowledgeandwisdom,sothattheymightnotfallintothesametrapofego sense. Sambara*thereuponcreatedbyhisownmagicpowerthreemore

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demonsknownasBhima*,Bhasa*andDrdha*.Theywereomniscient,theywereendowedwithselfknowledge,theywerefullofdispassionandsinless.They regardedthewholeuniverseasofnomorevaluethanabladeofgrass. Theybegantofightwiththearmyofthegods.Inspiteoffightingforaconsiderabletime,theegosensedidnotariseinthem.Whenevertheegosenseraiseditshead, theysubdueditwithselfenquiry('WhoamI').Theywerethereforefreefromfearofdeath,devotedtoappropriateactioninthepresent,freefromallattachment, devoidofthefeeling'Ididthis',intentondoingtheworkallottedtothembythemasterSambara*,freefromdesireandfromaversionandendowedwithequalvision. Thearmyofthegodswasquicklydefeatedbythem.ThegodsfledtolordVisnu*forrefuge.Athiscommand,theytookuptheirabodeinanotherregion. Afterthis,lordVisnu*himselfhadtofightwiththedemonSambara*:slainbytheLordthedemoninstantlyreachedtheabodeofVisnu*.LordVisnu*alsoliberated thethreedemonsBhima*,Bhasa*andDrdha*,who,whenthebodyfell,becameenlightened,astheyhadnoegosense. ORama*,theconditionedmindaloneisbondageandliberationiswhenthemindisunconditioned.Theconditioningoftheminddropsawaywhenthetruthisclearly seenandrealisedandwhentheconditioninghasceasedone'sconsciousnessismadesupremelypeaceful,aswhentheflameofalampisputout.Torealisethat'The selfaloneisallthis,whateveronemaythinkofanywhere'isclearperception.'Conditioning'and'mind'arebutwordswithoutcorrespondingtruth:whenthetruthis investigatedtheyceasetobemeaningfulthisisclearperception.Whenthisclearperceptionarises,thereisliberation. Dama*,Vyala*andKata*illustratethemindthatisconditionedbytheegosenseBhima*,Bhasa*andDrdha*illustratethemindthatisfreefromconditioningor egosense.ORama*,donotbeliketheformer,butbelikethelatter.ThatisthereasonwhyInarratedthisstorytoyou,mydearandhighlyintelligentdisciple. VASISTHA*continued: IV:35

ORama*,theyarethetrueheroeswhohavebroughtundercontrolthemindwhichisdominatedbyignoranceanddelusion.Suchcontrolofthemindistheonlyway bywhichonecanremedythesufferingsofthisworldappearance(orthecycleofbirthanddeath)andtheendlesschainoftragedy.Ishalldeclaretoyouthe quintessenceofallwisdom:listenandletitperfumeyourwholelife.Bondageisthecravingforpleasureanditsabandonmentisliberation.Hence,lookuponallthe pleasurecentresinthisworldaspoisonfumes.

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Blindabandonmentisundesirable:enquiredeeplyandseriouslyintothenatureofsensepleasuresandabandonallcravingforthem.Thenyoucanlivehappily. Bythecultivationofauspiciousqualities,asallwrongknowledgegraduallyceases,themindbecomesdesireless,freefromthepairsofopposites,restlessness,fear anddelusion.Therebythemindrestsinastateofpeaceandbliss.Itisthenunpollutedbytheegosense,evilthoughtsandfeelings,attachmentandsorrow. Then,themindgetsridofitsviolentsonknownasdoubtanditswifeknownascraving.Ironically,theawakenedmindbringsaboutthecessationofthoseverythings (likethoughtsanddesires)whichpromoteditsgrowth.Pursuingtheenquiryintoitsrealnature,themindabandonsitsidentificationevenwiththebody.Theignorant mindexpandsbutontheawakeningofwisdom,thesamemindceasestobemind. Mindaloneisthisuniverse.Mindisthemountainrange.Mindisthespace.Mindisgod.Mindaloneisfriendandfoe.Whentheconsciousnessforgetsitself,and undergoesmodificationandpsychologicalconditioning,itisknownasthemind,whichgivesrisetobirthanddeath.Thisisknownasjiva*,beingthatpartofthe infiniteconsciousnesswhichhasassumedthecharacterofanobjectofthisconsciousness,justalittleenvelopedbythepsychologicalconditioning.Itisthisjiva*that movesawayfromthetruthoftheinfiniteconsciousnessandbysinkingdeeperanddeeperintotheconditioningbecomesinvolvedintheworldappearance. Ofcourse,theselfisneitherthejiva*,northebody,noritscomponents.Theselfis,likespace,independentofallthese. VASISTHA*continued: ORama*,theminditselfisthejiva*themindexperienceswhatititselfhasprojectedoutofitself.Bythatitisbound.Itisthestateofthemindthatdeterminesthe natureofthereincarnationofthejiva* Onewhowishestobeakingdreamsthathehasbecomeking.Whatoneintenselywishesforheobtainssoonerorlater.Ifthemindisimpure,itseffectsarealso impureifitispure,itsproductsarepuretoo.Thenoblemanengageshimselfinnoblespiritualpursuitseveninstraitenedcircumstances. Thereisneitherbondagenorliberationintruth.Theinfinitethinks'Iamthebody'andthisthoughtactsasbondage.Whenonerealisesthatallthesearefalse,heshines astheinfiniteconsciousness.Whenthemindhasbeenpurifiedbypurethoughtsandactions,ittakesonthenatureoftheinfinite,evenasapureclothtakesonacolour easily.

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Wheninapuremindthereariseconceptsandnotionsofabody,scripturalknowledgeanddispassion,etc.,theworldappearancecomesintobeing.Whenthemind getsinvolvedintheexternalobjectiveuniverseitmovesawayfromtheself.But,whenthemindgivesupthesubjectobjectrelationshipithaswiththeworld,itis instantlyabsorbedintheinfinite. Themindhasnoexistenceapartfromtheinfiniteconsciousness:itdidnotexistinthebeginning,itwillnotexistintheendandsoitdoesnotnow!Onewhothinksthat itdoesexistholdssorrowinhishand.Hewhoknowsthatthisworldistheselfinrealitygoesbeyondthatsorrow,andthisworldgiveshimbothjoyandliberation. Themindisnaughtbutideasandnotions:whowillgrievewhensuchamindcomestoanend!Therealityisconsciousnesswhichisthemiddle,betweentheseerand theobjectthisrealityisveiledbythemindandrevealedwhenthemindceases. Whenthemind'sconditioningceases,thenignorance,craving,desiresandaversions,delusion,stupidity,fearandideationscometoanendpurity,auspiciousnessand goodnessarise.Oneenjoysthedelightofselfknowledge. Hewhohasanintelligencethathasbeenrenderedpurebythedestructionofallinnerimpurities,hashisheartilluminedbythelightoftheselfobtainedthroughenquiry intotheselfseeingtheworthlessnessofbirthanddeath,hedwellswithoutfearoranxietyinthecitywhichisthebody. RAMA*asked: IV:36

Lord,theinfiniteconsciousnessistranscendentalpray,tellmehowthisuniverseexistsinit. VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,thisuniverseexistsintheinfiniteconsciousnessjustasfuturewavesexistinacalmseanondifferentintruthbutwiththepotentialityofanapparent difference.Theinfiniteconsciousnessisunmanifest,thoughomnipresent,evenasspace,thoughexistingeverywhere,isunmanifest.Justasthereflectionofanobjectin crystalcanbesaidtobeneitherrealnorentirelyunreal,onecannotsaythatthisuniversewhichisreflectedintheinfiniteconsciousnessisrealnorunreal.Again,justas spaceisunaffectedbythecloudsthatfloatinit,thisinfiniteconsciousnessisunaffectedanduntouchedbytheuniversethatappearsinit.Justaslightisnotseenexcept throughtherefractingagent,evensotheinfiniteconsciousnessisrevealedthroughthesevariousbodies.Itisessentiallynamelessandformless,butnamesandforms areascribedtoitsreflections. Consciousnessreflectinginconsciousnessshinesasconsciousnessandexistsasconsciousnessyet,toonewhoisignorant(though

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consideringoneselfaswiseandrational)therearisesthenotionthattherehascomeintobeingandthereexistssomethingotherthanthisconsciousness.Totheignorant thisconsciousnessappearsastheterribleworldappearancetothewisethesameconsciousnessappearsastheoneself.Thisconsciousnessaloneisknownaspure experiencinganditisthankstoitthatthesunshinesandallbeingsenjoylifehere. Thisconsciousnessisnotcreated,nordoesitperishitiseternalandtheworldappearanceissuperimposedonit,evenaswavesinrelationtotheocean.Inthat consciousness,whenitisreflectedwithinitself,therearisesthe'Iam'notionwhichgivesrisetodiversity.Asspace,thesameconsciousnessenablestheseedtosprout asair,itdrawsthesprout,asitwereaswater,itnourishesitasearth,itstabilisesitandaslight,theconsciousnessitselfrevealsthenewlife.Itistheconsciousnessin theseedthatinduecoursemanifestsasthefruit. Thisconsciousnessaloneisthedifferentseasonsandtheircharacteristics.Itisonaccountofthisconsciousnessthattheentireuniverseexistsasitdoessupportingan infinitenumberofbeings,tillthetimeofthecosmicdissolution. IV:37 VASISTHA*continued:

Thus,thisworldappearancecomesandgoesastheverynatureoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Beingnondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousnessthisworld appearancehasamutualcausalrelationshipwithitarisesinit,existsinitandisabsorbedinit.Thoughlikethedeepoceanitisnotagitated,yetitisagitatedlikethe wavesappearingonthesurface.Evenasonewhoisintoxicatedseeshimselfasanotherperson,thisconsciousness,becomingconsciousofitself,considersitselfas another. Thisuniverseisnotreal,norisitunreal:itexistsinconsciousness,yetitdoesnotexist(independently)inconsciousness.Thoughappearingtobeanadditionto consciousness,itdoesnotexceedconsciousness.Therelationshipislikeornamentsandgold. Thisself,thesupremeBrahman,whichpermeateseverything,isthatwhichenablesyoutoexperiencesound,taste,formandfragrance,ORama*.Itistranscendental andomnipresentitisnondualandpure.Initthereisnotevenanotionofanother.Allthesediversitieslikeexistenceandnonexistence,goodandevil,arevainly imaginedbyignorantpeople.Itmattersnotwhetherthisimaginationissaidtobebasedonthenotselfortheselfitself. Sincethereisnothingotherthantheself,howcantherebedesireforanother?Hence,notionslike'Thisisdesirable'and'Thisisundesirable'donottouchtheself. Sincetheselfisdesirelessand

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becausethedoer(theinstrumentofaction)andtheactionitselfarealsonondual,itdoesnotgetinvolvedinaction.Sincethatwhichexistsandthatinwhichitexists areidentical,onecannotevensayitis.Sinceinitthereisnodesirewhatsoever,thereisnonotionofinactioninit. Thereisnaughtelse,ORama*.YouaretheveryexistenceofthisabsoluteBrahman.Therefore,freeyourselffromallnotionsofdualityandliveanactivelife.What haveyoutogainbydoingallkindsofactionsagainandagain?And,whatwillyougainbydesiringtobeinactive?Or,byadheringtoscriptures?ORama*,restin peaceandpurityliketheoceanwhenitisnotagitatedbywind.Thatself,bywhicheverythingiscompletelypermeated,isnottobegainedbytravellingfarandwide. Donotletyourmindwanderamongtheobjectsoftheworld.Youyourselfarethesupremeself,theinfiniteconsciousnessyouarenaughtelse! VASISTHA*continued: IV:38

ORama*,thesenseofdoership(thenotion'Idothis')whichgivesrisetobothhappinessandunhappiness,orwhichgivesrisetothestateofyoga,isfictitiousinthe eyesofthewisetotheignorant,however,itisreal.For,whatisthesourceofthisnotion?Thisnotionariseswhenthemind,spurredbythepredisposition,endearours togainsomethingtheresultantactionisthenattributedtooneself.Whenthesameactionleadstotheexperienceofitsfruition,thenotion'Ienjoythis'arises.Thetwo notionsareintruththetwofaces(phases)ofthesamenotion. Whetheroneisengagedinactionornot,whetheroneisinheavenorinhell,whatevermaybethepsychologicalconditioning,thatitselfisexperiencedbythemind. Hence,totheignorantandconditionedpersonthereisthenotion'Idothis'whetherheisdoingsomethingordoingnothingbutsuchanotiondoesnotariseinthe enlightenedorunconditioned.Whenthetruthconcerningthisisknowntheconditioningisweakenedandthenceforththewiseman,evenwhileactinginthisworld,is notinterestedinthefruitsofthoseactions.Heletsactionshappeninhislife,withoutattachmenttothoseactionsandwhateverbetheresultsofthoseactions,he regardsthemasnondifferentfromhisownself.Butsuchisnottheattitudeofonewhoisimmersedinthementalstates. Whatevertheminddoes,thataloneisaction:hence,themindaloneisthedoerofactions,notthebody.Themindaloneisthisworldappearancethisworld appearancehasariseninitanditrestsinthemind.Whentheobjectsaswellastheexperiencingmindhavebecometranquil,consciousnessaloneremains. Thewisedeclarethatthemindoftheenlightenedisneitherina

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stateofblissnordevoidofbliss,neitherinmotionnorstatic,neitherrealnorunreal,butbetweenthesetwopropositions.Hisunconditionedconsciousnessblissfully playsitsroleinthisworldappearanceasifinaplay.Sinceitisthementalconditioning(whichexistsintheignorant)whichdeterminesthenatureoftheactionandof theexperience,andsinceitisabsentintheenlightened,thelatteriseverinbliss.Hisactionsarenonactions.Hencehedoesnotincurmeritnordemerit.Hisbehaviour islikethatofachildandevenifheappearstobeinpain,heisnot.Heistotallyunattachedtothisworldappearanceandtotheactionsofthemindandthesenses. Hedoesnotevenentertainthenotionofliberation,northatofbondage.Heseestheselfandselfalone. IV:39 VASISTHA*continued:

Rama*,theabsoluteBrahmanbeingomnipotent,hisinfinitepotenciesappearasthisvisibleuniverse.Allthediversecategorieslikereality,unreality,unity,diversity, beginningandendexistinthatBrahman.Likewavesonthesea,thejiva*alsoappearsinBrahmanselflimitedbyindividualisedconsciousness:thisjiva*later undergoesprogressivelydenserconditioning,functionsinaccordancewiththatconditioningandexperiencestheconsequencesofsuchaction. RAMA*asked:Lord,Brahmanisfreefromsorrowandyetthatwhichhasemergedfromit,asalampkindledfromanotherlamp,istheuniversewhichisfullof sorrow.Howisthispossible? VALMIKI*said:Hearingthisquestion,Vasistha*contemplatedthusforawhile:Obviously,Rama's*understandingisnotefficientbecausethereisimpurityinhis mind.Yet,ifheisnotenabledfullytounderstandthetruth,hismindwillnotfindrest.Aslongasthemindisswayedbythoughtsofpleasureorhappiness,solongisit unabletocomprehendthetruth.Ifthemindispure,thenitinstantlycomprehendsthetruth.Hence,itisdeclaredthathewhodeclares'AllthisisBrahman'toonewho isignorantorhalfawakened,goestohell.Hence,awiseteachershouldencouragehisstudentsfirsttobeestablishedinselfcontrolandtranquillity.Thenthestudent shouldbeproperlyexaminedbeforetheknowledgeofthetruthisimpartedtohim.Then, VASISTHA*said: YouwilldiscoverthetruthforyourselfwhetherBrahmanisfreefromsorrowornot.Or,Ishallhelpyouunderstandthisincourseoftime.Forthepresent,understand this: Brahmanisomnipotent,omnipresentandtheindwellingpresenceinall.ThisBrahman,throughtheindescribablepowerknownasMaya*,hasbroughtthiscreation intobeing.ThisMaya*iscapableofmakingtheunrealappearasthereal,andviceversa,evenas

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theemptyvoidofspaceappearstobeblueincolour. BeholdRama*:youseesuchinfinitediversityofcreaturesinthisworlditself.ThatisthemanifestationoftheinfinitepotenciesoftheLord.Embracetranquilityhewho isatpeacewithinhimselfbeholdsthetruth.Whenthemindisnotatpeace,theworldappearstobeaconfusionofdiversity.Butinfact,thisuniverseisanapparent manifestationoftheinfinitepotenciesoftheLord.Justaswherethereislightthereisnaturalvisibility,evensoonaccountoftheomnipotenceoftheLord,thisworld appearancehasarisenashisverynature.However,simultaneouslywiththisworldappearance,ignorancehasalsocomeintobeing,onaccountofwhichthereis sorrow.Giveupthisignoranceandbefree. VASISTHA*continued: IV:40

ORama*,thisentirecreationofworldappearanceisbutanaccidentalmanifestationoftheintentionoftheomnipotentconsciousenergy(citsakti*)oftheinfinite consciousnessorBrahman.Theintentionitselfcondensesandthusgivesriseinthemindtothesubstancethusintended.Immediatelythemindreproducesthe substanceasifintheobjectivefield.Atthisstage,thereisanotionofthiscreationhavingfactuallyabandoneditsfundamentalandtruenatureastheinfinite consciousness. Thisinfiniteconsciousnessapparentlyseeswithinitselfapurevoid:andtheconsciousenergy(citsakti*)thereuponbringsspaceintoexistence.Inthatconscious energytherearisesanintentiontodiversify:thisintentionitselfisthenregardedasthecreatorBrahma*,withhisretinueofotherlivingcreatures.Thushaveallthe fourteenworldsappearedinthespaceofinfiniteconsciousness,withtheirendlessvarietyofbeingssomeimmersedindensedarkness,someverycloseto enlightenmentandothersfullyenlightened. Inthisworld,ORama*,amongthemanyspeciesoflivingbeingsonlythehumanbeingsarefittobeinstructedintothenatureoftruth.Evenamongthesehumanbeings manyareobsessedbysorrowanddelusion,hateandfear.AllthisIshallpresentlydealwithingreatdetail. Butallthistalkaboutwhocreatedthisworldandhowitwascreatedisintendedonlyforthepurposeofcomposingscripturesandexpoundingthem:itisnotbasedon truth.Modificationsarisingintheinfiniteconsciousnessororganisationofthecosmicbeing,donotreallytakeplaceintheLord,thoughtheyappeartodoso.Thereis naughtbuttheinfiniteconsciousness,eveninimagination!Tothinkofthatbeingthecreatorandtheuniverseasthecreated,isabsurd:whenonelampiskindledfrom another,thereisnocreatorcreaturerelationshipbetweenthemfireisone.Creation

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isjustaword,ithasnocorrespondingsubstantialreality. ConsciousnessisBrahman,themindisBrahman,theintellectisBrahman,Brahmanaloneisthesubstance.SoundorwordisBrahmanandBrahmanaloneisthe componentofallsubstances.AllindeedisBrahmanthereisnoworldinreality. Justaswhenthedirtisremovedtherealsubstanceismademanifest,justaswhenthedarknessofthenightisdispelledtheobjectsthatwereshroudedbythedarkness areclearlyseen,evensowhenignoranceisdispelledtruthisrealised. IV:41 RAMA*asked:

Lord,howcouldtherebeevenanintentiontodiversifyintheinfiniteconsciousness? VASISTHA*said: ORama*,thereisnocontradictioninmystatements.Youwillseethebeautyofthetruthinmystatementswhenyouattainthevisionoftruth.Descriptionsofcreation, etc.,aregiveninthescripturesforthepurposeofinstructingdisciples:donotletyourmindbecolouredbythem.Whenyourealisethatwhichisindicatedbythe words,thennaturallyyouwillabandonthejuggleryofwords. Intheinfiniteconsciousnessitselfthereisneitheranintentionnortheveilofdelusion.But,thatitselfisbeforeyouastheworld. Thiscanberealisedonlywhenignorancecomestoanend.Ignorancewillnotceaseexceptwiththehelpofinstructionwhichrestsintheuseofthesewordsand descriptions.Thisignoranceseekstodestroyitselfandhenceseeksthelightoftrueknowledge.Weaponsaredestroyedbyotherweapons,dirtcleansdirt,poison curespoisonandenemiesaredestroyedbyotherenemies:evensothisMayarejoiceswhenitisdestroyed!ThemomentyoubecomeawareofthisMaya*,it vanishes. ThisignoranceorMayaveilsthetruthandcreatesthisdiversitybutitdoesnotknowitsownnature,andthatisstrange.Aslongasonedoesnotenquireintoits nature,itrulesthemomentthereisenquiryintoitsnature,itceases. ThisMayadoesnotexistintruth.Solongasthistruthisnotdirectlyexperiencedbyyou,youwillhavetoacceptmywordforit.HewhoknowsthatBrahmanaloneis thetruth,heisliberated.Allotherpointsofviewareintendedtobindapersontoignorance. Thisignorancewillnotgoawaywithoutselfknowledge.And,selfknowledgearisesonlywhenthescripturesarestudieddeeply.Whatevermaybetheoriginofthis ignorance,surely,eventhatexistsintheself.Hence,ORama*,donotenquireinto'Howhasthisignorancearisen'butenquireinto'HowshallIgetridofit'.When thisignoranceorMaya*hasceasedtobe,thenyoushallknowhow

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itarose.Youwillrealisethatthisignoranceisnotarealentity.Itarisesonlyinastateofunwisdom.Notasingleperson,whetherheisagreatscholarorahero,has beensparedbythisignorance!Thisignoranceisthesourceofallsorrow:uprootanddestroyit. VASISTHA*continued: IV:42

Ishallagaindeclaretoyouthewayinwhichtheoneinfiniteconsciousnesshascometoappearasthejiva*andalltherestofit.Youseeintheoceanthatitistranquil inplacesandagitatedinotherplaces.Evenso,theinfiniteconsciousnessseemstoembracediversityinsomeplaces,thoughitinitselfisnondual.Itisnaturalforthe omnipotentinfiniteconsciousnesstomanifestinallitsinfiniteglory. Thismanifestationoftheomnipotenceofinfiniteconsciousnessentersintoanalliancewithtime,spaceandcausationwhichareindispensabletothemanifestation. Thencearosetheinfinitenamesandforms.Butalltheseapparentmanifestationsareinrealitynondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousness.Thataspectofthisinfinite consciousnesswhichrelatesitselftothemanifestationofthenamesandformsandthustotime,spaceandcausationisknownasthe'knowerofthefield',orthe witnessconsciousness.Thebodyisthefieldthatwhichknowsthisfieldinsideoutandinallitsaspectsistheknowerofthefieldorwitnessconsciousness. Thiswitnessconsciousnessbecomesinvolvedinthelatentpredispositionsanddevelopstheegosense.Whenthisegosensegeneratesnotionsandintentionswithin itself,itisknownastheintellect.Asthethinkinginstrument,itisknownasthemind.Whentheintelligencegetsfurthermodifiedorperverted,itbecomesthesenses. Alloftheseconstitutethebody.Justasafruitundergoesvariouschangesinsize,colour,etc.,asitmatures,thesameconsciousnessundergoestheseapparentchanges astheignorancegrowsdeeperanddenser. Thefoolishpersonthenabandonsallrightthinkingorenquiryintothetruthandvoluntarilyembracesignoranceasbliss.Caughtinitsowntrapofvariousactivities,and ofidentificationofoneselfastheirdoer,heundergoesendlesssufferingwhichisselfimposedandselfwilled.ORama,inthisworldthecauseofallmisfortunesisonly themindwhichisfullofsorrowandgrief,desireanddelusion.Forgetfulofselfknowledge,itgeneratesdesireandanger,evilthoughtsandcravingswhichthrowthe personintothefireofsenseobjects.ORama*,rescuethismindfromthemireofignorance. ORama,heindeedisademoninhumanformwhoisnotdistressedbytheimpurestateofthemindcausedbyalternatinggoodandevilthoughts,andwhoissubjected tooldage,deathanddespair.

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IV:43

VASISTHA*continued:

Thisincidentalmanifestationofthepoweroftheinfiniteconsciousnessappearsasthemillionsofspeciesofbeingsinthisuniverse.Thesecountlessbeingsarecaught upintheirownmentalconditioning.Theyarefoundineverycountryandineveryplaceintheuniverse,andtheyareineveryconceivablekindofsituation. Someofthemarepartofthenewcreationinthisepoch,othersaremoreancient.Somehaveincarnatedjustacoupleoftimes,othershavehadcountlessincarnations. Someareliberated.Othersaresunkindreadfulsuffering.Somearecelestials,somearedemigods,andothersarethedeitiespresidingoverthismanifestuniverse. Someothersaredemons,othersaregoblins.Somearemembersofthefourcastesofhumanbeings,andothersaremembersofprimitiveuncivilisedtribes. Someofthemareintheformofherbsandgrassothersappearasroots,fruitsandleaves.Someareintheformofcreepers,andsomearelivingasflowers.Someare thekingsandtheirministers,cladinroyalrobesothersarecladinragsandbarkoftrees,eitherbecausetheyareanchoritesortheyarebeggars. Somearesnakesandothersareinsectsothersareanimalslikelions,tigers,etc.Somearebirds,othersareelephantsanddonkeys. Someareprosperousothersareinadversecircumstances.Someareinheaven,othersareinhell.Someareintheregionofthestars,othersareinholesofdying trees.Someliveamongstliberatedsagesothersarealreadyliberatedsageswhohaverisenabovebodyconsciousness.Someareendowedwithenlightened intelligencesomeareextremelydull. ORama*,justasinthisuniversetherearecountlessbeingsofvariousspecies,inotheruniverses,too,therearesimilarbeings,withdifferentbodiessuitedtothose universes. But,allofthemareboundbytheirownmentalconditioning.Thesebeingsroamthisuniversesometimesuplifted,sometimesdegradedanddeathplayswiththemas withaball.Boundtotheirowncountlessdesiresandattachmentsandlimitedbytheirownmentalconditioning,theymigratefromonebodytoanother.Theywill continuetodoso,tilltheyperceivethetruthconcerningtheirownselfwhichisinfiniteconsciousness.Afterattainingthisselfknowledge,theyareliberatedfrom delusionandtheydonotreturntothisplaneofbirthanddeathanymore. IV:44 VASISTHA*continued:

However,allthiscreationtakesplaceonlyasinadream.Thiscreationisnotrealitmerelyappearstobeso.Hewhohaseradicatedignorancetotallyandinwhom everyformofconditioninghasceased

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isaliberatedsage:thoughheseemstobeawareofthisdreamknownasworldappearance,inrealityhedoesnotseeitastheworld.Thisworldappearanceis naturallyconceivedofinallthejivas*atalltimes,tillthejiva*attainsliberation.Ineveryjiva*,therefore,thebodyexistspotentiallynotinallitsphysical substantiality,butasathoughtandasanintention. IshalldescribetoyouonceagainhowthecreatorBrahmaaroseintheinfiniteconsciousnessandyouwillseefromthataccounthowtheinfinitebeingsarosesimilarly inthatconsciousness.Theinfiniteconsciousnesswhichisdevoidoftime,spaceandcausationplayfullyassumesthese.Thusthecosmicpersoncomesintobeingthis cosmicpersonisalsothecosmicmindandcosmiclife. Thiscosmicpersonintendstoexperiencesoundandspaceisbroughtintobeing,withthetransmissionofsoundasitscharacter.Itintendstoexperiencetouchairis created.Theseareunseenandsubtle.Wishingtosee,thiscosmicpersonbringsfireintobeing,andthisfireexpandsintothenumeroussourcesoflight.Itintendsto experiencetasteaswellascoolnesstocounteractfirewatercomesintobeing.And,lastly,byitsmerewishtosmell,earthwithitsfacultyofsmellcomesintobeing. Thiscosmicpersonwithallitsfacultiesisstillextremelysubtleandundivided.Itapparentlyabandonsthatandperceivesitselfasinfinitesparksinspace.Itthinksof itselfaseachoneofthesesparkstheegosensearises.Thisegosensealsohasintelligenceinherentinit,anditconceivesofabodyforitselfwiththehelpofthefive cosmicelementsIhavealreadymentioned.Thisbodyitregardsasgross,physicalandmaterial,andsoitbecomes. ThiscosmicpersonistheBrahma*.Heappearstocreateallthesecountlessbeingsandhehimselfprotectsthem.Hefirstaroseintheinfiniteconsciousness:but apparentlyovercomebyselflimitationandforgetfulnessoftheinfinitenature,asinfoetalsleep,heidentifieshimselfwiththebody,fueledandmaintainedbythe lifeforce(prana*)andcomposedofmaterialsubstances.Whenhebeginstoenquireintohisorigin,histruenatureisrevealedtohimandheisliberatedfromself limitation. VASISTHA*continued: IV:45

ORama*,thoughthisuniverseseemstoexist,nothingreallyexistsastheuniverse.Itisbuttheappearanceorreflectionoftheinfiniteconsciousness,whichaloneisthe reality.Inthatconsciousnessthecreationappearsasifinadream.Hence,onlytherealityinwhichitappearsisreal:andthatistheinfinitevoid.Youseetheworld becausetheeyes(ortheothersenses)perceivetheworld:andinthesameway,ifyouthinkorbelieveorknowthatitexists,that

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isbecauseyourmindthinksso.Andthatmindhasbroughtthisbodyintobeingforitsowndwelling. Allthepowersthatareinherentinthemindandbywhichthisworldhasbeenbroughtintobeingarefoundintheinfiniteconsciousness.Hence,thesageshave declaredthatthemindisomnipotent.Allthesegods,demonsandhumanshaveallbeenconjuredupbythemindwhenthemindceasestoentertainsuchnotions,they shallceasetobe,evenasalampwithoutfuel. Thewisemanwhoknowsthatalltheobjectsintheworldareunrealdoesnotconsiderthemobjectsofpleasuretobepursued.Hewhorunsaftertheobjectscreated byhisownmindsurelycomestogrief.Thisworldappearancehascomeintobeingonaccountofdesireitwillceaseonlywhendesireceasestoarise(notwhenyou turnagainstorhateit).Whenthisworldappearancehasbeendissolvednothingwhatsoeverhasreallybeendestroyed. Ifanunrealappearancehasvanished,whatdoesonelose?Ifitisutterlyunreal,thenhowcanitevenbedestroyedandwhydoesonegrieveovertheunrealloss?Or, ifitwerereal,thennoonecoulddestroyitormakeitunrealfromthispointofviewthisworldisnothingbutBrahman,theeternaltruth.Inwhichcase,isthereany roomforsorrowatall? Similarly,thatwhichisunrealcannotgroworflourishforwhatdoesonerejoice?Whatdoesonedesirethen?Whenallthisisindeedtheoneinfiniteconsciousness, whatdoesonerenounce? Thatwhichwasnonexistentinthebeginning,andthatwhichshallceasetobeintheend,isnotrealinthemiddle(inthepresent),either.Thatwhichexistsinthe beginning,andintheend,istherealityinthepresent,too.Seethat'allthisisunreal,includingmyself'andtherewillbenosorrowinyou:or,seethat'allthisisreal, includingmyself'andsorrowwillnottouchyoueither. (Asthesagesaidthis,theninthdaycametoanend,andtheassemblydispersed.) IV:46 VASISTHA*continued:

Knowingthattheentireuniverseincludingone'swealth,wife,son,etc.arenothingbutthecreationofthejuggleryofthemind,onedoesnotgrievewhentheyarelost, nordoesonefeelelatedwhentheyprosper.Ontheotherhand,itmaybepropertofeelunhappywhentheyprosperforsuchprosperitymayintensifyone's ignorance.Hence,thatwhichgeneratesattachmentandcravinginthefool,generatesdetachmentandcoolindifferenceinthewise. Thenatureofthewisepersonisnottodesirethoseexperienceswhichonedoesnoteffortlesslyobtain,andtoexperiencethosewhichhavealreadyarrived.Ifoneis abletoweanthemindaway

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fromcravingforsensepleasurebywhatevermeans,oneissavedfrombeingdrownedintheoceanofdelusion.Hewhohasrealisedhisonenesswiththeentire universe,andwhohasthusrisenabovebothdesire'for'anddesire'against',isneverdeluded. Therefore,ORama*,realisethatselforinfiniteconsciousnesswhichpermeatesandthereforetranscendsboththeunrealandthereal:and,then,neithergraspnorgive upwhateverisinsideoroutside.Thewisesagewhoisestablishedinsuchselfknowledgeisfreefromanysortofcolouringormentalconditioningorselflimitation:he isliketheskyorspacewhichistotallyfreefrombeingtaintedbyanythingthathappenswithinit. Letyourmindnotentertainafeelingof'mineness'inanyoftheobjectsofthesenses:then,whetheryouareactiveorinactive,youwillnotbesunkinthemireof ignorance.Whenyourheartdoesnottastesensepleasuresassweetanddesirable,thenyouhaveknownallthatthereistobeknown,andyouaresavedfromthis cycleofbirthanddeath.Hewhoisnotattractedbythepleasuresofeitherthisworldorofheaven(whetherornotthereisbodyconsciousnessinhim)isliberated, evenifhedoesnotspecificallydesireorstriveforsuchliberation. ORama*,inthisoceanofignorantmentalconditioning,hewhohasfoundtheraftofselfknowledgeissavedfromdrowninghewhohasnotfoundthatraftissurely drowned.Therefore,ORama*,examinethenatureoftheselfwithanintelligenceassharpastherazor'sedgeandthenrestestablishedinselfknowledge. Liveasthesagesofselfknowledgelive.Theyknowtheinfiniteconsciousnessandtheworldappearance:hence,theydonotrelishnorrenounceactivityinthisworld. You,too,haveattainedselfknowledge,Rama*,andyouareatpeace. VASISTHA*continued: IV:47

ORama*,inthepasttherehavebeenmillionsofBrahmas*,Sivas*,Indras,andNarayanas*:however,eventhecreationsofthesegodswerebutthejuggleryof Maya!ThesecreationsweresometimesfromBrahma*otherswereascribedtoSiva*orNarayana*orthesages.Again,sometimesBrahmawasbornofalotus,at othersherosefromthewatersorfromaneggorfromspace.InsomeuniversesBrahmaisthesupremedeity,inothersitistheSun,Indra,Narayana*orSiva*.In someuniversestheearthisfilledwithtrees,inotherswithpeopleorwithmountains.Somewheretheearthisofmudorclay,elsewhereitisrockyorgoldenor coppery.Onemaycounttheraysofthesunbutitisimpossibletocountthenumberofuniversesthatexist.Thiscreationisbeginningless.Inthis'cityof Brahman'(whichistheinfiniteconsciousnessortheconsciousnessinthespace

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ofone'sheart)theseuniversesariseandvanishagainandagain.Butthesearedifferentfromtheoneinfiniteconsciousness. Thesecreations,whethertheyaregrossorsubtle,whetherestablishedordisintegrating,areallgarlandsofthesubtleelementswhichhaveallarisenfromtheinfinite spaceofconsciousness.Sometimes,spacegetsestablishedfirst,andtheCreatorissaidtobebornofspaceatothertimes,airgetsestablishedfirst,andatother times,fire,waterorearthandtheCreatorgetsanappropriatetitle.FromthisCreator'sbodytherearise'words'likebrahmana*(apriest)etc.,andthesewords become'livingbeings'withappropriatedesignations. Ofcourse,allthisisunreal,likethecreationsseeninadream.Hencethequestion''Howdidallthisariseintheoneinfiniteconsciousness?''isimmatureandchildish. Thecreationappearstotakeplaceonaccountoftheintentionsofthemind.Thisiscertainlyamysteryandawonder. Ihavedescribedallthistoyouonlyasanillustrationofthetruth.However,inthiscreation,thereisnosuchorderorsequence.Thiscreationisnothingbutthecreation ofthemindthisisthetruth,therestisbutafancifuldescription.Onaccountofthesuccessionofthecreationanddissolutionofthisuniverseatimescaleisconceived of,fromamomenttoanaeon.Butthisuniverseisforeverpresentinconsciousnessjustassparksareeverpresentinaredhotiron.Inthepurevisionofan enlightenedperson,however,allthisisBrahmanalone,notaworldappearance.Therepetition(creationanddissolution)ofinfinitenumberofuniverses,withthe infinitevarietyofcreatorsinthem,isnothingbutthefancifulperceptionoftheignorantandthedeluded.

TheStoryofDasura*
IV:48 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,theywhoarebusywiththediverseaffairsinthisworldinpursuitofpleasureandpowerdonotdesiretoknowthetruthwhichtheyobviouslydonotsee. Hewhoiswisebutwhohasnotcompletelycontrolledthepleasureseekingtendenciesofhissenses,seesthetruthandseestheillusion.And,hewhohasclearly understoodthenatureoftheworldandofthejiva*andwhohasfirmlyrejectedtheworldappearanceasthereality,heisliberatedandisnotbornagain.Theignorant striveforthewelfareofthebodyandnotoftheself:benotliketheignorant,ORama*,butbewise. Toillustratethis,Ishallnownarratetoyouaninterestinglegend.InthecountryknownasMagadhawhichhadanabundanceof

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pleasuregardens,therelivedasagebynameDasura*.Hewasengagedinbreathtakingpenance.Hewasagreatasceticwhohadnointerestatallinworldly pleasuresandhewaslearned,too. HewasthesonofanothersageknownasSaraloma*.But,asillluckwouldhaveit,helostbothhisparentswhenhewasyoung.Thedeitiesoftheforesttookpityon thisorphanwhowasinconsolableinhisgrief,andtheysaidtohim: Owiseboy!Youarethesonofasagewhydoyouweeplikeanignorantfool?Doyounotknowtheevanescentnatureofthisworldappearance?Youngone,such istheverynatureofthisworldappearance:thingscomeintobeing,theyexistforawhile,andtheyarethendestroyed.Whateverbeingthereappearstobe,fromthe relativepointofview,(evenifthatbeingiscalledBrahma*,thecreator)issubjecttothisinevitableend.Thereisnodoubtaboutthis.Hence,donotgrieveoverthe inevitabledeathofyourparents. Theyoungman'ssorrowwasameliorated.Hegotupandperformedthefuneralritesofhisparents.Then,hebegantoleadarigorouslyreligiouslife,hemmedinonall sideswithdo'sanddon'ts.Sincehehadnotyetrealisedthetruth,hewasimmersedintheperformanceoftheritualswithalltheirinjunctionsandprohibitions.Allthis createdinhimafeelingthatthewholeworldisfullofimpurities.Hesoughttoliveinanunpollutedplace.Atreetop,hedecided!Wishingtoliveonatreetop,he performedasacredriteduringwhichhecutoffandofferedhisownfleshintothesacredfire,Soon,thefiredeityhimselfappearedbeforehimandannounced,"You willsurelyattainthewishwhichhasalreadyappearedinyourheart." Afteracceptingtheascetic'sworship,Firedisappeared. VASISTHA*continued: IV:49,50,51

ThesagethensawinfrontofhimahugeKadambatreewhichhadamajesticappearance.Itseemedtowipewithitshands(itsfoliage)thetears(raindrops)ofhis belovedsky.Ithadactuallycoveredthespacebetweenheavenandearthwiththethousandsofitsarms(branches)anditstoodlikethecosmicformoftheLord,with thesunandthemoonforhiseyes.Ladenwithflowers,itrainedthemontheholyanddivinesageswhotraversedthesky.Andthebeesthatdweltonitsangasongof welcometothosesages.(Thedetaileddescriptionofthetreeisgraphicandbeautiful.S.V.) Thesageascendedthistreewhichstoodlikeapillarlinkingheavenandearth.Hesatonthetopmostbranchofthetree.Forabriefmoment,helethiseyesroaminall thedirections.Hehadavisionofthecosmicbeing.(Thedetaileddescriptiongiveninchapter50ofwhathesawisalsointeresting.S.V.)

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BecausehehadtakenhisabodeontheKadambatreehehadcometobeknownasKadambadasura*.Hecommencedhisausteritiessittingonthetopofthattree. HehadbeenaccustomedtotheritualisticperformancesenjoinedintheVedas,andsoheengagedhimselfintheirperformance,butthistimementally.Yet,suchisthe powerofsuchmentalperformance,itpurifiedthesage'smindandhisheart,andheattainedpurewisdom. Oneday,hebeheldinfrontofhimanymphcladinflowers.Shewasextremelybeautiful.Thesageaskedher:"Obeautifullady,withyourradianceyoucanoverpower evenCupid.Whoareyou?"Shereplied:"Lord,Iamadeityoftheforest.Inthisworldnothingisunattainabletoonewhoresortstothepresenceofanenlightened sagelikeyou.Ihavejustbeentoattendafestivalintheforest,whereImetseveralothergoddessesoftheforest,eachoneofthemwithheroffspring.Iwastheonly oneamongthemwhohadnochildren.Hence,Iamunhappy.However,whenyouareinthisforest,whyshouldIbeunhappy?GrantmeasonorIshallreducemyself toashes."Thesagepickedupacreeperandhandingittohersaid:"Go.Justasthiscreeperwillproduceflowersinamonth,youtoo,willgivebirthtoason."The gratefulgoddesswentaway. Shereturnedtothesage,aftertwelveyears,withasonofthatage.Shesaid:"Lord,thisisyourson.And,Ihaveinstructedhiminallbranchesoflearning.Ipraythat youmayinstructhiminselfknowledge:forwhowilllethissongrowintoafool?"Thesageacceptedtodosoandthegoddesswentaway.Fromthatday,thesage begantoinstructtheyoungmaninallbranchesofselfknowledge. IV:52 VASISTHA*continued:

DuringthisperiodIwasmyselfgoingoverthatverytreeandheardthesage'sinstructionstohisson. DASURA*said: IshallillustratewhatIwishtosayconcerningthisworld,withastory.TherelivesamightykingnamedKhotthawhoiscapableofconqueringthethreeworlds.The deitiespresidingovertheworldsfaithfullyhonourhiscommands.Noonecanevencataloguehisinnumerabledeedswhichwereproductiveofbothhappinessand unhappiness.Hisvalourcouldnotbechallengedbyanyoneusinganyweaponwhatsoever,orevenbyfire,anymorethanonecanhitspacewithafist.EvenIndra, Visnu*andSiva*couldnotequalhiminhisenterprises. Thiskinghad'threebodieswhichhadcompletelyengulfedtheworlds:andtheywererespectivelythebest,themiddlingandtheleast.Thiskingaroseinspaceandgot establishedinspace.There

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inspace,thekingbuiltacitywithfourteenroadsandthreesectors.Initwerepleasuregardens,beautifulmountainpeaksforsports,andsevenlakeswithpearlsand creepersinthem.Initthereweretwolightswhichwerehotandcoldandwhoselightneverdiminished. Inthatcitythekingcreatedseveraltypesofbeings.Somewereplacedabove,othersinthemiddleandyetothersbelow.Ofthemsomewerelonglivedandothers shortlived.Theywerecoveredwithblackhair.Theyhadninegates.Theywerewellventilated.Theyhadfivelamps,threepillars,andwhitesupportingwooden poles.Theyweresoftwithclayplastering.AllthiswascreatedbytheMayaorillusorypoweroftheking. Here,thekingbesportshimself,withalltheghostsandgoblins(whichareafraidofenquiryorinvestigation)thathadbeencreatedtoprotectthemansions(thedifferent bodies).Whenhethinksofmovinghethinksofafuturecityandcontemplatesmigratingtoit.Surroundedbytheghosts,herunsfasttothenewabodeafterleavingthe previousone,andoccupiesthenewcitybuiltinthefashionofamagiccreation.Inthatagainwhenhecontemplatesdestruction,hedestroyshimself.Sometimeshe wails,"WhatshallIdo?Iamignorant,Iammiserable".Sometimesheishappy,atotherspitiable. Thus,helivesandconquers,goes,talks,flourishes,shinesanddoesnotshine:myson,thusthiskingistossedinthisoceanofworldappearance. DASURA*continued: IV:53

Thushasbeenillustratedthecreationoftheuniverseandofman.Khottha,whoaroseinthegreatvoid,isnonebutanotionoranintention.Thisnotionarisesinthe greatvoidofitsownaccordanddissolvesinthegreatvoidofitsownaccord,too.Theentireuniverseandwhateverthereisinitisthecreationofthisnotionor intention,andnaughtelse.Infact,eventhetrinity(Brahma*,Visnu*andSiva*)arethelimbsofthatnotion.Thatintentionaloneisresponsibleforthecreationofthe threeworlds,thefourteenregionsandthesevenoceans.Thecitybuiltbythekingisnothingbutthelivingentity,withhisdifferentorgansandtheircharacteristics.Of thedifferentkindsofbeingsthuscreated,some(thegods)areinahigherregionandtheothersareinlowerrealms. Havingbuiltthisimaginarycity,thekingplaceditundertheprotectingcareofghosts:theseghostsaretheahamkara*(egoprinciple).Thekingthenceforthsportsin thisworld,inthisbody.Inamomentheseestheworldinthewakingstateandaftersometimeheabruptlyshiftshisattentiontotheworldwithinwhichheenjoysin hisdreams.Hemovesfromonecitytoanother,from

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onebodytoanother,fromonerealmtoanother. Aftermanysuchperegrinations,hedevelopswisdom,gettingdisillusionedwiththeseworldsandtheirpleasures,andreachestheendofhiswanderingbythecessation ofallnotions. Inonemomentheseemstoenjoywisdom,whilsttheverynextmomentheiscaughtupinpleasureseeking,andinaninstanthisunderstandinggetsperverted,justas inthecaseofalittlechild.Thesenotionsareeitherlikedensedarkness(andgiverisetoignoranceandbirthsinthelowerordersofcreation)orpureandtransparent (andgiverisetowisdom,drawingoneclosetothetruth)orimpure(andgiverisetoworldliness).Whenallsuchnotionscease,thenthereisliberation. Evenifoneengagesoneselfineveryothersortofspiritualendeavour,andevenifonehasthegodsthemselvesasone'steachers,andevenifonewereinheavenor anyotherregion,liberationisnothadexceptthroughthecessationofallnotions.Thereal,theunrealandtheadmixtureofthesetwoareallbutnotionsandnaughtelse andnotionsthemselvesareneitherrealnorunreal.Whatthenshallwecallrealinthisuniverse?Hence,myson,giveupthesenotions,thoughtsandintentions.When theycease,themindnaturallyturnstowhatistrulybeyondthemindtheinfiniteconsciousness. IV:54 THEYOUNGMANasked:

Father,pleasetellmehowthissankalpa*(notion,thought,idea,concept)arisesandhowitgrowsandceases. DASURA*replied: Myson,when,intheinfiniteconsciousness,theconsciousnessbecomesawareofitselfasitsownobject,thereistheseedofideation.Thisisverysubtle.Butsoonit becomesgrossandfillsthewholeofspace,asitwere.Whenconsciousnessisengrossedinthisideationitthinkstheobjectisdistinctfromthesubject.Thenthe ideationbeginstogerminateandtogrow.Ideationmultipliesnaturallybyitself.Thisleadstosorrow,nottohappiness.Thereisnocauseforsorrowinthisworldother thanthisideation! Thisideationornotionhasreallycomeintobeingbysheercoincidence(thecrowalightsonthepalmtree,andthefruitfallstotheground,withoutanycausal connection).Butthisunrealnonsubstanceisyetabletogrow!Yourbirth,therefore,isunrealyourexistence,surely,isunrealtoo.Whenyouknowthisandrealise this,theunrealityceases. Donotentertainideas.Donotholdontothenotionofyourexistence.Foritisonlybythesethatthefuturecomesintobeing.Thereisnocauseforfearinthe destructionofallideation.Whenthereisnothought,notionorideationceases.Myson,itiseasierto

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ceasetoentertainnotions,thanitistocrushaflowerthatliesonthepalmofyourhand.Thelatterdemandsefforttheformeriseffortless.Whenthusallnotionscease, thereisgreatpeace,andsorrowisdestroyedtoitsveryroot.Foreverythinginthisuniverseisbutanidea,anotion,aconcept:ithasdifferentnameslikethemind,the livingsoulorjiva*,intelligenceandconditioningtherearenorealsubstancescorrespondingtothesewords.Hence,removeallthought.Donotwasteyourlifeand effortinotherendeavours. Alreadyasthenotionsweaken,oneislessaffectedbyhappinessandunhappiness,andknowledgeoftheunrealityoftheobjectspreventsattachment.Whenthereis nohope,thereisneitherelationnordepression.Theminditselfisthejiva*whenitisreflectedinconsciousnessandminditselfbuildscastlesintheair,stretchingitself, asitwere,intothepast,thepresentandthefuture.Itisnotpossibletocomprehendtheripplesofideationbutthismuchcanbesaid:senseexperiencesmultiplythem, andwhenthesearegivenup,theyceasetobe.Ifthesenotionsarereal,liketheblacknessofcoal,thenyoucannotremovethembutthatisnotso.Hencetheycanbe destroyed. VASISTHA*continued: IV:55,56

Hearingthesage'swords,IdescendeduponthatKadambatree.Foraconsiderabletimethethreeofusdiscussedselfknowledge,andIawakenedinthemthe supremeknowledge.ThenItookleaveofthemandwentaway.ORama*,thisismeanttoillustratethenatureoftheworldappearanceandtherefore,thisstoryisas trueastheworlditself! Evenifyoubelievethatthisworldandyourselfarereal,thenbeitso:restfirmlyinyourownself.Ifyouthinkthatthisisbothrealandunreal,thenadoptthe appropriateattitudetothischangingworld.Ifyoubelievethattheworldisunreal,thenbefirmlyestablishedintheinfiniteconsciousness.Similarly,whetheryoubelieve thattheworldhashadacreatorornot,letitnotcloudyourunderstanding. Theselfisdevoidofthesenseshencethoughthedoerofeverything,heisasifinert.Oneenjoysalifespanofjustahundredyears:whydoestheimmortalselfrun afterthesensualpleasuresduringthisbriefperiod?Iftheworldanditsobjectsarereal,eventhenitdoesnotstandtoreasonthattheconsciousselfshouldseekthe inertobjects!Andofcourseiftheyarenotreal,nothingbutunhappinesscanresultfromtheirpursuit. Giveupthedesiresofyourheart.Youarewhatyouareinthisworld:knowingthis,sportinthisworld.Intheverypresenceoftheselfallactivitiestakeplaceinthis world,justasintheverypresence

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ofalampthereislight.Thelamphasnointentiontoshine:evenso,theselfdoesnotintendtodoanythingandyeteverythinghappensinitsverypresence.Youmay adoptoneortheotherofthetwoattitudes:(1)Iamtheomnipresentbeingthatdoesnothing,and(2)Iamthedoerofallactionsinthisworld.Inbothcasesyouwill arriveatthesamestateofperfectequanimity,whichisimmortality.Youwillbefreefromlikesanddislikes,attractionandaversion.Youwillberidoffoolishfeelings like"Someoneservedme",or"Someoneelsehurtme".Hence,ORama*,youmayfeel,"Iamnotthedoer,Idonotexist"or''Iamthedoer,andIameverything'':or enquireintothenatureoftheself('WhoamI')andrealise"Iamnotanyofthisthatisattributedtome".Restestablishedintheselfwhichisthehigheststateof consciousness,inwhichthebestamongtheholymenwhoknowofthisstateeverdwell. IV:57 RAMA*asked:

Holysage,howdoesthisunrealworldexistintheabsoluteBrahman:cansnowexistinthesun? VASISTHA*said: Rama*,thisisnottherighttimeforyoutoaskthisquestion,foryouwillnotbeabletocomprehendtheanswernow.Lovestoriesareuninterestingtoalittleboy. Everytreebearsitsfruitsindueseasonandmyinstructionwillalsobearfruitingoodtime.Ifyouseekyourselfwiththeselfbyyourownselfeffort,thenyouwill clearlyfindtheanswertoyourquestion.Idiscussedthequestionofdoershipandnondoershipinorderthatthenatureofthementalconditioningorideationmay becomeevident. Bondageisbondagetothesethoughtsandnotions:freedomisfreedomfromthem.Giveupallnotions,eventhoseofliberation.First,bythecultivationofgood relationshipslikefriendship,giveuptendenciesandnotionswhicharegrossandmaterialistic.Later,giveupevensuchnotionsasfriendship,eventhoughcontinuingto befriendly,etc.Giveupalldesiresandcontemplatethenature(ornotion)ofcosmicconsciousness.Eventhisiswithintherealmofideationorthought.Hence,give thisupinduecourse.Restinwhatremainsafterallthesehavebeengivenup.And,renouncetherenouncerofthesenotions.Wheneventhenotionoftheegosense hasceased,youwillbeliketheinfinitespace.Hewhohasthusrenouncedeverythingfromhisheart,heindeedisthesupremeLord,whetherhecontinuestolivean activelifeorwhetherherestsincontemplationallthetime.Tohimneitheractionnorinactionisofanyuse.ORama*,Ihaveexaminedallthescripturesand investigatedthetruththereisnosalvationwithoutthetotalrenunciationofallnotionsorideasormentalconditioning.

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Thisworldofdiversenamesandformsiscomposedofthedesirableandtheundesirable!Forthesepeoplestrive,butforselfknowledgenoonestrives.Rarearethe sagesofselfknowledgeinthethreeworlds.Onemaybeanemperoroftheworldorthekingofheavenbutalltheseareonlycomposedofthefiveelements!Itisa pitythatpeopleindulgeinsuchcolossaldestructionoflifeforthesepettygains.Shameonthem.Noneoftheseengagestheattentionofthesage,becauseheis equippedwithselfknowledge.Heisestablishedinthatsupremeseattowhichthesunandthemoonhavenoaccess(thesusumna*?).Hence,thesageofself knowledgeisnotenamouredofthegainsorthepleasuresoftheentireuniverse.

Kaca'sSong
VASISTHA*continued: IV:58

Inthisconnection,ORama*,Irememberaninspiringsongsungbythesonofthepreceptorofthegods,Kaca.ThisKacawasestablishedinselfknowledge.He livedinacaveonthemountMeru.Hismindwassaturatedwiththehighestwisdomandhenceitwasnotattractedbyanyoftheobjectsoftheworldcomposedofthe fiveelements.Feigningdespair,Kacasangthismeaningfulsong.Praylistentothis. KACAsaid:WhatshallIdo?WhereshallIgo?WhatshallItrytohold?WhatshallIrenounce?Thisentireuniverseispermeatedbytheoneself.Unhappinessor sorrowistheself.Happinessistheself,too.Foralldesiresarebutemptyvoid.Havingknownthatallthisistheself,Iamfreedfromalltravail.Inthisbody,withinand without,aboveandbelow,everywherehereandtherethereisonlytheselfandselfaloneandthereisnononself.Theselfaloneiseverywhereeverythingexists astheself.Allthisistrulytheself.Iexistintheselfastheself.Iexistasallthis,astherealityinalleverywhere.Iamthefullness.Iamtheselfbliss.Ifilltheentire universelikethecosmicocean. Thushesang.And,heintonedtheholywordOMwhichresoundedlikeabell.Hehadmergedhisentirebeinginthatholysound.Hewasneitherinsideanythingnor outsideanything.Thissageremainedinthatplacetotallyabsorbedintheself. VASISTHA*continued: IV:59

Whatelseisthereinthisworld,ORama*,excepteating,drinkingandsex:hence,whatisthereinthisworldthatawisemanwouldfindworthyofseeking?Thisworld offiveelements,andthebodycomposedofflesh,blood,hairandalltherestofit,areconsidered

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realbytheignorant,andtheyexistforhisentertainment.Thewiseseeinallthisanimpermanentandunrealbutterriblepoison. RAMA*asked: BythedestructionofallnotionswhenthemindregainsthestateoftheCreatorhimself,howdoesthenotionoftheworldariseinit? VASISTHA*continued: Rama*,thefirstbornCreatoronarisingfromthewomboftheinfiniteconsciousnessutteredthesound'Brahma*':henceheisknownasBrahma*,thecreator.This Creatorfirstentertainedthenotionoflight,andlightcameintobeing.Inthatlighthevisualisedhisowncosmicbody,andthiscameintobeingfromthebrilliantsunto thediverseobjectsthatfillthespace.Hecontemplatedthesamelightasofinfinitesparks,andallthesesparksbecamediversebeings.Surely,itisthecosmicmind alonethathasbecomethisBrahma*andalltheotherbeings.WhateverthisBrahma*createdinthebeginningisseeneventoday. Thisunrealworldhasacquiredsubstantialityonaccountofthepersistenceofthenotionofitsexistence.Allthebeingsinthisuniversesustainitbytheirownnotions andideas. Aftercreatingtheuniversebyhisownthoughtforce,theCreatorreflectedthus:"Ihavecreatedallthisbythepowerofalittleagitationinthecosmicmind.Ihavehad enoughofit.Itwillnowperpetuateitself.Letmerest."Contemplatingthus,Brahma*thecreatorrestedrestedinhisownselfindeepmeditation. Then,outofcompassionforthecreatedbeings,theCreatorrevealedthescriptureswhichtreatofselfknowledge.Onceagainhebecameabsorbedintheknowledge ofhisownselfwhichisbeyondallconceptsanddescriptions.Thisindeedisthehighest'stateoftheCreator'(brahmisthiti*). Fromthereon,createdbeingsacquiredthecharacterofthethingswithwhichtheyassociated.Byassociatingwiththegoodtheybecamegood,andthosewho associatedwiththeworldly,becameworldly.Thusonegetsboundtothisworldappearanceandthusoneisliberatedtoo. IV:60,61 VASISTHA*continued:

Afterthecreationoftheworldappearance,it(thisworldappearance)becamelikeawaterpotinwhichthelivingcreatureskeepcomingupandgoingdownintothe blindwell,withthe'desiretolive'asthebindingrope.Theselivingbeingsthataroseintheoceanofinfiniteconsciousnesslikewavesandripplesenteredintothe physicalspaceandwhentheelementslikeair,fire,waterandearthwereevolvedtheybecameinvolvedinthem.Thenthecycleofbirthanddeathbegantorevolve.

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Thejivas*comedown,asitwere,ridingtheraysofthemoon,andenterintotheplantsandherbs.Theybecomethefruits,asitwere,ofthoseplantsthefruitsare ripenedbythelightofthesun.Thentheyarereadytoincarnate.Thesubtlenotions,ideasandmentalconditioningaredormantevenintheunbornbeingatbirth,the veilthatcoveredthemisremoved. Someofthesebeingsarebornpureandenlightened(satvika*).Evenintheirownpreviousbirthstheyhadturnedawayfromthelureofsensualpleasures.Butthe natureoftheothers,whoarebornmerelytoperpetuatethecycleofbirthanddeath,isamixtureofthepure,theimpure,andthedark.Thereareotherswhosenature ispurewithjustaslightimpuritytheyaredevotedtothetruthandarefullofnoblequalitiesrarearesuchpeoplewhoaredevoidofthedarknessofignorance*. Otherpeopleareenvelopedbythedarknessofignoranceandstupiditytheyarelikerocksandhills! Thosebeingsinwhompurityispreponderantwithjustaslightimpurity(therajasasatvika*people)areeverhappy,enlightenedanddonotgrievenordespair.They areunselfishliketrees,andlikethem,theylivetoexperiencethefruitionofpastactionswithoutcommittingnewones.Theyaredesireless.Theyareatpeacewithin themselvesandtheydonotabandonthispeaceevenintheworstcalamities.Theyloveall,andlookuponallwithequalvision.Theydonotdrownintheoceanof sorrow. Byallmeansoneshouldavoiddrowningintheoceanofsorrowandengageoneselfintheenquiryintothenatureoftheself:"WhoamI,howhasthisworldillusion arisen?"Oneshouldthusabandonegoisminthebodyandattractiontotheworld.Thenonewillrealisethatthereisnodivisioninspace,whetherornotabuilding standsinspace.Thesameconsciousnessthatshinesinthesunalsodwellsasthelittlewormthatcrawlsinaholeonthisearth. VASISTHA*continued: IV:62

ORama*,onewhoiswiseandwhoiscapableofenquiringintothenatureoftruthshouldapproachagoodandlearnedpersonandstudythescripture.Thisteacher shouldbefreefromcravingforpleasureandheshouldalsohavehaddirectexperienceofthetruthandwithhishelp,oneshouldstudythescriptureandbythe practiceofthegreatyoga,onecanreachthesupremestate. ORama*,youareindeedaspiritualheroandanabodeofgoodqualities.Youarefreefromsorrow.Youhavereachedthestateofequanimity.Giveupalldelusion throughthehighestformofintelligence.Whenyouarefreefromallconcernabouttheobjectsoftheworld,youwillbeestablishedinnondualconsciousness,andthat isfinalliberation.Thereisnodoubtaboutthis.And,

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sagesofselfknowledgewillfollowyournobleexample. Rama*,onlyapersonwhoisintelligentlikeyou,whoisgoodnaturedandequalvisionedlikeyou,andwhoseesonlywhatisgood,isentitledtothevisionofwisdom whichIhavedescribedhere. ORama*,aslongasyouareembodied,livewithoutbeingswayedbylikesanddislikes,attractionandaversion,inconformitywiththestandardsofthecommunityin whichyoulive,butwithoutanydesiresandcravings.Constantlyseektodiscoverthesupremepeace,astheholyonesdo. Itisbyemulatingtheexampleoftheholyonesthatonemakesprogresstowardsthesupremestate.Whateverbeone'snaturehereinthislife,thataloneheobtains afterleavingthislifespan.Buthewhoexertsseriouslynowisabletoovercomesuchpredispositionsandexalthimselffromthestatesofdarknessandstupidity (tamas)andimpurity(rajas).Itisbytheexerciseofone'swisdomthatonecanascendfromtheseotherstatestothestateofpurityandenlightenment(satva). Itisonlybyintenseselfeffortthatoneobtainsagoodembodiment.Thereisnothingthatintenseselfeffortcannotachieve.Bythepracticeofbrahmacarya (continenceorwholesouleddevotiontoBrahman),courageandendurance,anddispassion,andbyintelligentpracticebasedoncommonsense,oneobtainsthat whichoneseekstoobtain,selfknowledge. Rama*,youarealreadyaliberatedbeing:livelikeone!

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PARTFIVE ONDISSOLUTION

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VALMIKI*said:

V:1,2

Thepeople(includingthegods,demigodsandsagesandthemembersoftheroyalcourt)listenedtosageVasistha's*wordsofwisdomwithtotalattention.The emperorDasaratha*andhisministershadforthetimebeingabandonedtheirroyalpreoccupationsandpleasures,intentonabsorbingtheteachingsofthesage.At noon,theconchesgavethetimesignalandtheassemblyroseforthemiddayinterval.Intheeveningthecongregationwasgivenleavetoretirefortheday,andasthe kingsandtheprincesrosetoleavethecourt,theirdazzlingornamentsilluminedit.Thecourtitselfappearedtobeaminiatureuniverse. Whentheassemblyhadthusdispersed,thekingDasaratha*dulyworshippedthesagesandreceivedtheirblessings.Afterthis,Vasistha*gaveleavetotheprinces, Rama*andhisbrothers,toretirefortheday.Theytoo,fellatthesage'sfeetandreceivedhisblessings. Whennightfell,allexceptRama*retiredtobed.But,Rama*couldnotsleep. RAMA*contemplatedtheilluminatingwordsofthesageVasistha*thus: Whatisthisworldappearance?Whoareallthesedifferentkindsofpeopleandotherbeings?Howdotheyappearhere,fromwheredotheycomeandwheredo theygo?Whatisthenatureofthemindandhowdoesitattainquiescence?HowdidthisMaya(cosmicillusion)ariseinthefirstplaceandhowdoesitcometoan end?Again,issuchanendtothisillusiondesirableorundesirable?Howhaslimitationenteredintotheinfiniteself?

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WhatexactlyarethemeansthatthesageVasistha*hasprescribedfortheconquestofthesensesandthemind?Theyaresurelythesourcesofsorrow.Itis impossibletoabandonenjoymentofpleasure,anditisnotpossibletoendsorrowwithoutabandoningsuchenjoyment:thisindeedisaproblem.But,sincethemindis thecrucialfactorinallthis,surelyifthemindoncetastesthesupremepeace,freedofallworldillusion,itwillnotabandonthatandrunaftersensepleasure. Oh,whenwillmymindbepure,andwhenwillitrestinthesupremebeing?Whenwillmymindrestintheinfiniteevenasawaveisreabsorbedintheocean?When willIbefreeofallcraving?WhenwillIbeblessedwithequalvision?WhenwillIberidofthisterriblefeverofworldliness? Omind,willyoureallyremainfirmlyestablishedinthewisdomrevealedbythegreatsages?Omyintellect,youaremyfriend:contemplatetheteachingsofsage Vasistha*insuchawaythatweshallbothbesavedfromthemiseriesofthisworldlyexistence. V:3,4 VALMIKI*continued:

Whenthedaydawned,Rama*andtheothersgotupandperformedtheirmorningreligiousfunctionsandwentovertotheresidenceofthesageVasistha*.Thesage himselfhadbythenconcludedhisowndawnprayersandwasindeepmeditation.Whenherose,heandtheothersascendedachariotanddrovetothepalaceofking Dasaratha*.Astheyenteredtheroyalcourt,thekingwalkedthreepacestoreceivethemwithduehonour. Soonafterthis,alltheothermembersoftheassembly(thegods,thedemigods,thesagesandothers)enteredtheassemblyandtookuptheirrespectiveplaces. Openingtheday'sproceedings,DASARATHA*said: OblessedLord,Ihopeyouhavethoroughlyrecoveredfromthestrainofyesterday'sdiscourse.Forourpart,wefeelhighlyelevatedbythewordsofsupreme wisdomthatyouutteredyesterday.Surely,thewordsofenlightenedsagesdispelthesorrowsofallbeingsandbestowblissuponthem.Theydriveawaytheimpurities causedinusbyourownevildeeds.Theeviltendencieslikecraving,greed,etc.,areweakenedbyyourwisdom.Ourdeludedbeliefintherealityofthisworld appearanceisalsoprovidedwithapowerfulchallenge. ORama*,onlythatdayonwhichsuchsagesareworshippedcanberegardedasfruitfultheotherdaysareofdarkness.Thisisyourbestopportunity:enquireand learnfromthesagethatwhichisworthlearning. VASISTHA*said: ORama*,haveyoudeeplycontemplatedtheteachingsIhave

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communicatedtoyou?Didyoureflectoverthemduringthenightandhaveyouinscribedthemonthetabletofyourheart?DoyourememberthatIsaidtoyouthatthe mindisman?DoyourememberwhatIsaidaboutthecreationofthisuniverseinallitsdetails?Foritisonlybyfrequentremembranceofsuchteachingsthattheyattain clarity. RAMA*said: Lord,Ihaveindeeddonejustthat.Givingupsleep,Ihavespentthewholenightmeditatinguponyourenlighteningwords,endeavoutingtoseethetruththatthewords pointedto.ThushaveIenshrinedthattruthinmyheart.Whowillnotbearyourteachingsonhishead,knowingthattheyconferthehighestblissonhim?Atthesame time,theyareextremelysweettohear,theypromoteeverytypeofsuspiciousnessandtheybringustheincomparableexperience. Hence,OLord,Ipray:resumeyourmostexcellentdiscourse. VASISTHA*said: V:5

ORama*,kindlylistentothisdiscourseonthedissolutionoftheuniverseandtheattainmentofsupremepeace. Thisseeminglyunendingworldappearanceissustainedbyimpure(rajasa*)anddull(tamasa*)beings,evenasasuperstructureissustainedbypillars.Butitis playfullyandeasilyabandonedbythosewhoareofapurenature,evenasthesloughiseffortlesslyabandonedbyasnake.Theywhoareofapure(satva)natureand theywhoseactivities(rajas)arebasedonpurityandlight(satva)donotlivetheirlifemechanically,butenquireintotheoriginandthenatureofthisworldappearance. Whensuchenquiryisconductedwiththehelpoftherightstudyofscripturesandthecompanyofholyones,therearisesaclearunderstandingwithinoneselfinwhich thetruthisseen,asinthelightofalamp.Notuntilthistruthisperceivedbyoneselfforoneselfthroughsuchenquiryisthetruthseentruly.ORama*,youareindeedof apurenature:therefore,enquireintothenatureofthetruthandthefalsehood,andbedevotedtothetruth.Thatwhichwasnotinthebeginningandwhichwillceaseto beafteratime,howcanthatberegardedastruth?Thatalonecanberegardedasthetruthwhichhasalwaysbeenandwhichwillalwaysbe. Birthisofthemind,ORama*:andgrowthismental,too.And,whenthetruthisclearlyseen,itismindthatisliberatedfromitsownignorance.Hence,letthemindbe ledalongthepathofrighteousnessbythepriorstudyofthescriptures,companyoftheholyonesandthecultivationofdispassion.Equippedwiththese,oneshould resorttothefeetofamaster(guru)whosewisdomis

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perfected.Byfaithfullyadheringtotheteachingsofthemaster,onegraduallyattainstotheplaneoftotalpurity. Rama*,beholdtheselfbytheselfthroughpureenquiry,evenasthecoolmoonperceivestheentirespace.Oneistossedaroundoverthewatersofthisillusory worldappearancelikeapieceofstrawonlyaslongasonedoesnotgetintothesecureboatofselfenquiry.Evenasparticlesofsandfloatinginwatersettledown whenthewaterisabsolutelysteady,themindofthemanwhohasgainedtheknowledgeofthetruthsettlesdownintotalpeace.Oncethisknowledgeofthetruthis gained,itisnotlost:evenifapieceofgoldhaslaininaheapofashes,thegoldsmithfindsnoproblemseeingit.Whenthetruthhasnotbeenknown,theremaybe confusion:butonceitisknowntherecanbenoconfusion.Ignoranceoftheselfisthecauseofyoursorrowknowledgeoftheselfleadstodelightandtranquility. VASISTHA*continued: Resolvetheconfusionbetweenthebodyandtheself,andyouwillbeatpeaceatonce.Evenasanuggetofgoldfallenintomudisneverspoiledbythemud,theselfis untaintedbythebody.Irepeat,withupliftedarmsIproclaim,"Theselfisonethingandthebodyisanother,evenasthewaterandthelotus",butnoonelistenstome! Aslongastheinertandinsentientmindpursuesthepathofpleasure,solongthisdarknessofworldillusioncannotbedispelled.But,themomentoneawakensfrom thisandenquiresintothenatureoftheself,thisdarknessisdispelledatonce.Hence,oneshouldconstantlyendeavourtoawakenthemindwhichdwellsinthebodyin orderthatonemaygobeyondtheprocessofbecomingforsuchbecomingisfraughtwithsorrow. Evenastheskyisnotaffectedbythedustparticlesfloatinginit,theselfisunaffectedbythebody.Pleasureandpainarefalselyimaginedtobeexperiencedby oneself,evenasonefalselythinksthat'theskyispollutedbydust'.Infact,pleasureandpainareneitherofthebodynoroftheselfwhichtranscendseverythingthey belongonlytoignorance.Theirlossisnoloss.Neitherpleasurenorpainbelongtoanyone:allindeedistheselfwhichissupremepeaceandinfinite.Realisethis,O Rama*. Theselfandtheworldareneitheridenticalnoraretheydifferent(dual).Allthisisbutthereflectionofthetruth.NothingbuttheoneBrahmanexists.'Iamdifferent fromthis'ispurefancy:giveitup,ORama*.Theoneselfperceivesitselfwithinitselfastheinfiniteconsciousness.Therefore,thereisnosorrow,nodelusion,nobirth (creation),norcreature:whateveris,is.Befreefromdistress,ORama*.Befreeofdualityremainfirmlyestablishedintheself,

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abandoningevenconcernforyourownwelfare.Beatpeacewithin,withasteadymind.Lettherebenosorrowinyourmind.Restintheinnersilence.Remainalone, withoutselfwilledthoughts.Bebrave,havingconqueredthemindandthesenses.Bedesireless,contentwithwhatcomestoyouunsought.Liveeffortlessly,without grabbingorgivingupanything.Befreefromallmentalperversionsandfromtheblindingtaintofillusion.Restcontentinyourownself.Thus,befreefromalldistress. Remaininanexpansivestateintheself,likethefullocean.Rejoiceintheselfbytheself,liketheblissfulraysofthefullmoon. VASISTHA*continued: V:6,7

ORama*,hewhoknowsthatalltheactivitiesmerelyhappenbecauseofthemereexistenceofconsciousnessevenasacrystalreflectstheobjectsarounditwithout intendingtodosoisliberated.Theywho,evenaftertakingthishumanbirth,arenotinterestedinsuchnonvolitionalactivity,gofromheaventohellandfromhellto heavenagain. Sometherearewhoaredevotedtoinaction,havingturnedawayfromorsuppressedallactiontheygofromhelltohell,fromsorrowtosorrow,fromfeartofear. Someareboundbytheirtendenciesandintentionstothefruitsoftheirownactionsandtheytakebirthaswormsandvermin,thenastreesandplants,thenasworms andverminagain.Otherstherearewhoknowtheselfblessedindeedarethey,theyhavecarefullyenquiredintothenatureofthemindandovercomeallcravings:they gotohigherplanesofconsciousness. Hewhohastakenbirthforthelasttimenow,isendowedwithamixtureoflight(satva)andalittleimpurity(rajas).Rightfrombirthhegrowsinholiness.Thenobler typeofknowledgeentersintohimwithease.Allthenoblequalitieslikefriendliness,compassion,wisdom,goodnessandmagnanimityseekhimandtaketheirabodein him.Heperformsallappropriateactions,butisnotswayediftheirresultsappeartobegainorloss,nordoeshefeelelatedordepressed.Hisheartisclear.Heis muchsoughtafterbythepeople.Suchaone,whoisfullofallthenoblequalities,seeksandfollowsanenlightenedmasterwhodirectshimalongthepathofself knowledge.Hethenrealisestheselfwhichistheonecosmicbeing. Suchaliberatedoneawakenstheinnerintelligence,whichhasbeenasleepsofar:andthisawakenedintelligenceinstantlyknowsitselftobetheinfiniteconsciousness. Becomingconstantlyawareoftheinnerlight,suchablessedoneinstantlyascendsintotheutterlypurestate. Suchisthenormalcourseofevolution,ORama*.However,thereareexceptionstothisrule.Inthecaseofthosewhohavetakenbirth

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inthisworld,twopossibilitiesexistfortheattainmentofliberation.Thefirstis:treadingthepathindicatedbythemaster,theseekergraduallyreachesthegoalof liberation.Thesecondis:selfknowledgeliterallydropsintoone'slap,asitwere,andthereisinstantenlightenment. Ishallnarratetoyouanancientlegendwhichillustratesthesecondtypeofenlightenment.Pleaselisten.

TheStoryofKingJanaka
V:8 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,thereisagreatmonarchwhosevisionisunlimited,whorulesovertheVidehaterritory:heisknownasJanaka.Tothosewhoseekhisaid,heisa cornucopia.Inhisverypresencetheheartlotusesofhisfriendsblossom:heislikeuntoasunforthem.Heis.agreatbenefactortoallgoodpeople. Onedayhewenttoapleasuregardenwhereheroamedfreely.Whilehewasthusroaming,heheardtheinspiringwordsutteredbycertainholy,perfectedones.Thus didthe PERFECTEDSAGESsing: Wecontemplatethatselfwhichrevealsitselfasthepureexperienceofblisswhenseer(theexperiencer)comesintocontactwiththeobject(theexperience),withouta divisionorconceptualisation. Wecontemplatetheselfinwhichtheobjectsarereflectednonvolitionally,oncethedividedexperience(predicate)ofsubjectobjectandtheintentionorvolitionthat createdthisdivisionhaveallceased. Wecontemplatethatlightthatilluminesallthatshines,theselfthattranscendsthetwinconceptsof'is'and'isnot'andwhichthereforeis'inthemiddle'ofthetwosides, asitwere. Wecontemplatethatrealityinwhicheverythingexists,towhicheverythingbelongs,fromwhicheverythinghasemerged,whichisthecauseofeverythingandwhichis everything. Wecontemplatetheselfwhichistheverybasisofalllanguageandexpression,beingthealphaandtheomega,whichcoverstheentirefieldfrom'a'to'ha'andwhichis indicatedbytheword'aham'('I'). Alas,peoplerunafterotherobjects,foolishlygivinguptheLordwhodwellsinthecaveofone'sownheart. Hewho,havingknowntheworthlessnessoftheobjectsstillremainsboundathearttothem,isnotahumanbeing! Oneshouldstrikedowneverycravingwiththerodofwisdom,whetherthatcravinghasarisenorisabouttoriseintheheart.

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Oneshouldenjoythedelightthatflowsfrompeace.Themanwhosemindiswellcontrolledisfirmlyestablishedinpeace.Whentheheartisthusestablishedinpeace, therearisesthepureblissoftheselfwithoutdelay. VASISTHA*continued: V:9

Havingheardthewordsofthesages,kingJanakabecameterriblydepressed.Withtheutmostexpedition,heretracedhisstepstothepalace.Quicklydismissingallhis attendants,hesoughttheseclusionofhisownchamber.Inamoodofintenseanguish, KINGJANAKAsaidtohimself: Alas,alas,Iamhelplesslyswinginglikeastoneinthisworldofmisery.Whatisthedurationofalifespanineternity:yet,Ihavedevelopedaloveforit!Fieonthe mind.Whatissovereigntyevenduringawholelifetime?Yet,likeafool,IthinkIcannotdowithoutit!Thislifespanofmineisbutatrivialmomenteternitystretches beforeandafterit.HowshallIcherishitnow? Ah,whoisthatmagicianwhohasspreadthisillusioncalledtheworldandthusdeludedme?HowisitthatIamsodeluded?Realisingthatwhatisnearandwhatisfar isallinmymind,Ishallgiveuptheapprehensionofallexternalobjects.Knowingthatallthebusynessinthisworldleadsonlytoendlesssuffering,whathopeshallI cherishforhappiness?Dayafterday,monthaftermonth,yearafteryear,momentaftermoment,Iseehappinesscomestomebearingsorrowandsorrowcomesto meagainandagain! Whateverisseenorexperiencedhereissubjecttochangeanddestruction:thereisnothingwhatsoeverinthisworldwhichthewisewouldrelyon.Theywhoare exaltedtodayaretroddenunderfoottomorrow:Ofoolishmind,whatshallwetrustinthisworld? Alas,IamboundwithoutacordIamtaintedwithoutimpurityIamfallen,thoughremainingatthetop.Omyself,whatamystery!Evenastheeverbrilliantsun suddenlyfacesacloudfloatinginfrontofhim,Ifindthisstrangedelusionmysteriouslyfloatingtowardsme.Whoarethesefriendsandrelatives,whatarethese pleasures?Evenasaboyseeingaghostisfrightened,Iamdeludedbythesefancifulrelatives.Knowingallsuchrelativesascordsthatbindmetothisoldage,death, etc.,Istillclingtothem.Lettheserelativescontinueorperish:whatisittome?Greateventsandgreatmenhavecomeandgone,leavingjustamemorybehind:on whatshalloneplacerelianceevennow?Eventhegodsandthetrinityhavecomeandgoneamilliontimes:whatispermanentinthisuniverse?Itisvainhopethatbinds onetothisnightmareknownasworldappearance.Fieonthiswretchedcondition.

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KINGJANAKAcontinued: Iamlikeanignorantfooldeludedbythegoblinknownastheegosensewhichcreatesthefalsefeeling''Iamsoandso''.KnowingfullwellthatTimehastrampled underfootcountlessgodsandtrinities,Istillentertainloveforlife.Daysandnightsarespentinvaincravings,butnotintheexperienceoftheblissofinfinite consciousness.Ihavegonefromsorrowtogreatersorrow,butdispassiondoesnotariseinme. WhatshallIregardasexcellentordesirable,seeingthatwhateveronecherishedinthisworldhaspassedaway,leavingonemiserable.Daybydaypeopleinthis worldgrowinsinandviolence,hencedaybydaytheyexperiencegreatersorrow.Childhoodiswastedinignorance,youthiswastedinlustingafterpleasuresandthe restofone'slifeisspentinfamilyworries:whatdoesastupidpersonachieveinthislife? Evenifoneperformsgreatreligiousrites,onemaygotoheavennothingmore.Whatisheaven,isitonearthorinthenetherworld,andisthereaplacewhichis untouchedbyaffliction?Sorrowbringshappiness,andhappinessbringssorrowonitsshoulders!Theporesoftheeartharefilledbythedeadbodiesofbeings:hence itlookssolid! Therearebeingsinthisuniversewhosewinkingisofthedurationofanepoch.Whatismylifespanincomparison?Ofcoursethereappeartobedelightfuland enduringobjectsinthisworld,buttheybringwiththemendlessworriesandanxieties!Prosperityistrulyadversity,andadversitymaybedesirabledependinguponthe effectuponthemind.Mindaloneistheseedforthisdelusionofworldappearanceitisthemindthatgivesrisetothefalsesenseof'I'and'mine'. Inthisworldwhichappearstohavebeencreated,evenasthefruitofcocoanutpalmmightappeartohavebeendislodgedbyacrowwhichcoincidentallyhappensto alightonthetreeatthatmoment,sheerignorancegeneratesfeelingslike'thisIshouldhave'and'thisIshouldreject'.Itisbettertospendone'stimeinseclusionorin hellthantoliveinthisworldappearance. Intentionormotivationaloneistheseedforthisworldappearance.Ishalldryupthismotivation!Ihaveenjoyedandsufferedallkindsofexperiences.NowIshall rest.Ishallnotgrieveanymore.Ihavebeenawakened.Ishallslaythisthief(themind)whohasstolenmywisdom.Ihavebeenwellinstructedbythesages:nowI shallseekselfknowledge. V:10 VASISTHA*continued:

Seeingthekingthusseatedengrossedindeepcontemplation,his

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bodyguardrespectfullyapproachedhimandsaid:"Lord,itistimetoconsideryourroyalduties.YourMajesty'shandmaidenawaitsyourpleasure,havingprepared yourperfumedbath.Theholypriestsawaityourarrivalinthebathchamber,tocommencethechantingoftheappropriatehymns.Lord,ariseandletwhathastobe donebedonefornoblemenareneverunpunctualornegligent." Butthekingignoredthebodyguard'swordsandcontinuedtomuse: WhatshallIdowiththiscourtandtheroyalduties,whenIknowthatalltheseareephemeral?Theyareuselesstome.IshallrenounceallactivitiesanddutiesandI shallremainimmersedintheblissoftheself. Omind,abandonyourcravingforsensepleasuressothatyoumayberidofthemiseriesofrepeatedoldageanddeath.Whateverbetheconditioninwhichyouhope toenjoyhappiness,thatveryconditionprovestobethesourceofunhappiness!Enoughofthissinful,conditioned,pleasureseekinglife.Seekthedelightthatisnatural andinherentinyou. Seeingthatthekingwassilent,thebodyguardbecamesilent,too.THEKINGonceagainsaidtohimself: WhatshallIseektogaininthisuniverse,onwhateternaltruthinthisuniverseshallIrestwithconfidence?WhatdifferencedoesitmakeifIamengagedinceaseless activityorifIremainidle?Nothinginthisworldistrulyenduringinanycase.Whetheractiveoridle,thisbodyisimpermanentandeverchanging.Whenthe intelligenceisrootedinequanimity,whatislostandhow? IdonotlongforwhatIdonothave,nordoIdesiretoabandonwhathascometomeunsought.Iamfirmlyestablishedintheselfletwhatisminebemine!Thereis nothingthatIshouldworkfor,noristhereanymeaningininaction.Whateverisgainedbyactionorbyinactionisfalse.Whenthemindisthusestablishedin desirelessness,whenitdoesnotseekpleasure,whenthebodyanditslimbsperformtheirnaturalfunctions,actionandinactionareofequalvalueormeaning.Hence, letthebodyengageitselfinitsnaturalfunctionswithoutsuchactivity,thebodywilldisintegrate.Whenthemindceasestoentertainthenotions'Idothis''Ienjoythis'in regardtotheactionsthusperformed,actionbecomesnonaction. VASISTHA*continued: V:11

Reflectingthus,kingJanakarosefromhisseatasthesunrisesinthehorizonandbegantoengagehimselfintheroyalduties,withoutanyattachmenttothem.Having abandonedallconceptsofthedesirableandtheundesirable,freedfromallpsychologicalconditioningandintention,heengagedhimselfinspontaneousand appropriateactionasifindeepsleep,thoughwideawake.He

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performedtheday'stasks,includingtheadorationoftheholyonesandattheconclusionofthedayheretiredtohisownseclusiontospendthenightindeep meditation,whichwaseasyandnaturaltohim.Hismindhadnaturallyturnedawayfromallconfusionanddelusion,andhadbecomefirmlyestablishedinequanimity: andwhenheroseinthemorning, KINGJANAKAthusreflectedinhisownmind: Ounsteadymind!Thisworldlylifeisnotconducivetoyourtruehappiness.Hence,reachthestateofequanimity.Itisinsuchequanimitythatyouwillexperience peace,blissandthetruth.Wheneveryoucreateperversethinkinginyourself,outofyourwantonness,itisthenthatthisworldillusionbeginstoexpandandspread out.Itiswhenyouentertaindesireforpleasurethatthisworldillusionsproutscountlessbranches.Itisthoughtthatgivesrisetothisnetworkofworldappearance. Hence,abandonthiswhimandfancyandattaintoequanimity.Weighinthebalanceofyourwisdom,thesensepleasuresononesideandtheblissofpeaceonthe other.Whateveryoudeterminetobethetruth,seekthat.Giveupallhopesandexpectations,andfreedfromthewishtoseekortoabandon,roamaboutfreely.Let thisworldappearanceberealorunreal,letitariseorset:but,donotletitsmeritsanddemeritsdisturbyourequanimity.For,atnotimedoyouhavearealrelationship withthisworldappearance:itisonlybecauseofyourignorancethatsucharelationshiphasappearedinyou.Omind,youarefalse,andthisworldappearanceisalso false:hencethereisamysteriousrelationshipbetweenyoutwoliketherelationshipbetweenthebarrenwomanandherson.Ifyouthinkthatyouarerealandthat theworldisunreal,howcanavalidrelationshipexistbetweenthetwo?Ontheotherhand,ifbotharereal,wherethenisthejustificationforexultationandsorrow? Hence,abandonsorrowandresorttodeepcontemplation.Thereisnaughthereinthisworldwhichcanleadyoutothestateoffullness.Hence,resolutelytakerefuge incourageandendurance,andovercomeyourownwaywardness. V:12 VASISTHA*continued:

Havingreachedtheunderstandingalreadydescribed,Janakafunctionedasthekinganddidallthatwasnecessary,withoutgettingbefuddled,andwithagreatstrength ofmindandspirit.Hismindwasnotdistractedbyroyalpleasures.Infact,hemovedaboutasifhewerecontinuallyinastateofdeepsleep. Fromthenon,hewasinterestedneitherinaccumulatingnorinrejectinganything:withoutanydoubtorconfusion,helivedinthepresent.Hiswisdomwas uninterruptedandhisintelligencedidnotbecomecloudedagainbyimpurities.Thelightofselfknowledge

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(cidatma*)aroseinhisheart,freefromtheleasttaintofimpurityandsorrow,evenasthesunrisesonthehorizon.Hebeheldeverythingintheuniverseasexistingin cosmicpower(cidsakti*).Endowedwithselfknowledgehesawallthingsintheselfwhichisinfinite.Knowingthatallthathappenshappensnaturally,heneither experiencedelationnorsuffereddepressionandremainedinunbrokenequanimity.Janakahadbecomealiberatedonewhilestillliving(jivanmukta*). Janakacontinuedtorulethekingdom,withouthisselfknowledgesettingorrisingagainonaccountoftheinfluenceoftheevilorthegoodprevalentaroundhim. Remainingforeverintheconsciousnessoftheinfinite,heexperiencedthestateofnonaction,eventhoughheappearedtootherstobeeverbusyindiverseactions. Allhistendenciesandintentionshadceasedtobe:hence,thoughheappearedtobeactive,hewasreallyinastateofdeepsleepallthetime. Hedidnotbroodoverthepast,nordidheworryoverthefuture:helivedinthepresentmoment,smilinghappilyallthetime. Janakaattainedwhateverhedidbydintofhisownenquiry.Similarly,oneshouldpursuetheenquiryintothenatureoftruthtillonereachestheverylimitsofsuch enquiry.Selfknowledgeorknowledgeoftruthisnothadbyresortingtoaguru(preceptor)norbythestudyofscripture,norbygoodworks:itisattainedonlyby meansofenquiryinspiredbythecompanyofwiseandholymen.One'sinnerlightaloneisthemeans,naughtelse.Whenthisinnerlightiskeptalive,itisnotaffected bythedarknessofinertia. VASISTHA*continued: Whateversorrowstheremaybethatseemtobedifficulttoovercomeareeasilycrossedoverwiththehelpoftheboatofwisdom(theinnerlight).Hewhoisdevoidof thiswisdomisbotheredevenbyminordifficulties.But,hewhohasthiswisdom,evenifheisaloneandhelplessinthisworldandevenifheisunlearnedinthe scriptures,easilycrossestheseaofsorrow.Evenwithoutthehelpofanotherthemanofwisdomaccomplisheshiswork.Hewhoiswithoutwisdomdoesnotnay, evenhiscapitalislost.Hence,oneshouldconstantlyendeavourtogainthisinnerlightorwisdom,evenasonewhoaspiresforfruitsexertsconstanteffortinhis garden.Wisdomistherootwhich,whenthusconstantlynourished,yieldsthegoodfruitsofselfknowledge. Theeffortandtheenergythataredirectedbythepeopleinworldlyactivitiesshouldfirstbedirectedtothegainingofthiswisdom.Oneshouldfirstdestroythedullness ofwitwhichisthesourceofallsorrowandcalamitiesandwhichistheseedforthis

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hugetreeofworldappearance.And,whateverisgainedinheavenorinthenetherworldorbyempireshere,isgainedbywisdomhereandnow.Bywisdomisthis oceanofworldappearancecrossedover,notbycharitynorbypilgrimagenorbyausterities.Thosemenwhoareendowedwithdivinevirtuesheregainedthem throughwisdom.Evenkingshavegainedtheirthronethroughwisdom:wisdomissurelythepathtoheavenaswellastosupremegoodorliberation. Itisbywisdomalonethatameekscholarwinsinacontestagainstapowerfuladversary.Wisdomortheinnerlightislikethelegendarypreciousstone,ORama*, whichbestowsonitsownerwhateverhewishestohave.Hewhohasthiswisdomreachestheothershoreofthisworldillusioneasilyhewhodoesnothavethis wisdomdrownsinworldillusion.Whenone'sintelligenceandunderstandingareproperlyguidedbythisinnerlight,onereachestheothershoreifnot,oneis overcomebyobstacles. Defects,desiresandevilsdonotevenapproachthatmanofwisdomwhosemindisundeluded.Throughwisdom(intheinnerlight)theentireworldisclearlyseenasit isneithergoodfortunenormisfortuneevenapproachonewhohassuchclearvision.Evenasthedensedarkcloudthatveilsthesunisdispersedbywind,the darknessofegosensewhichveilstheselfisdispelledbywisdom(innerlight).Hewhoseekstobeestablishedinthehigheststateofconsciousness,shouldfirstpurify hismindbythecultivationofwisdomorbythekindlingoftheinnerlight,evenasonewhodesiresfoodgrainstillsthefield. V:13 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,thusdoenquireintothenatureoftheself,evenasJanakadid.Thenyouwillreach,withoutanyobstaclewhatsoever,thatrealmoftheknowersofwhatis tobeknown.Againandagain,oneshouldovercometheenemiesknownasthesenses:andthentheselfattainsselfsatisfactionbyitsownendeavour.Whenthusthe infiniteselfisrealised,sorrowcomestoanendeventheseedsofdelusionaredestroyed,theshowerofmisfortunesceasesandtheperceptionofevilends.Hence, ORama*,belikeJanaka,andrealisetheselfintheinnerlight.Beanexcellentperson. Ifoneengagesoneselfinconstantselfenquiryandseestheeverchangingnatureoftheworld,induetime,onewillattainselfknowledgelikeJanaka.Neithergod,nor ritesandrituals(oranyaction)norwealthnorrelativesareofanyuseinthistothosewhoareafraidoftheworldillusion,selfeffortasselfenquiryaloneiscapableof bringingaboutselfknowledge.Pray,donotfollowtheteachingsofthosedeludedoneswhodependupongods,variousritesandroutineactions,andsuchother perversepractices.This

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oceanofworldappearancecanbecrossedonlywhenyouarefirmlyestablishedinsupremewisdom,whenyouseetheselfwiththeselfaloneandwhenyour intelligenceisnotdivertedorcolouredbysenseperceptions. ThushaveInarratedtoyouhowkingJanakaattainedselfknowledgeasifbyanactofgracewhichcausedtheknowledgetodropfromheaven,asitwere.Onewho cultivatesthewisdomthatJanakahadwillexperiencetheinnerlightinhisownheart,andtheignorantfancyofworldillusionwillbeinstantlydispelled.Whenthe limitedandconditionedfeeling"Iamsoandso"ceases,therearisesconsciousnessoftheallpervadinginfinite.Hence,ORama*,likeJanaka,youtooabandonthe falseandfancifulnotionoftheegosensewithinyourownheart.Whenthisegosenseisdispelledthesupremelightofselfknowledgewillsurelyshineinyourheart. Thisegosensealoneisthedensestformofdarkness:whenitisdispelled,theinnerlightshinesbyitself.Hewhoknows'Iamnot','Nordoestheotherexist','Noris therenonexistence',andwhosementalactivityhasthuscometoastandstill,isnotengrossedinacquisitiveness.ORama*,thereisnobondagehereotherthancraving foracquisitionandtheanxietytoavoidwhatoneconsidersundesirable.Donotsuccumbtosuchanxietyanddonotletacquisitionofwhatisconsidereddesirablebe yourgoal:givingupboththeseattitudes,restinwhatremains. VASISTHA*continued: Theyinwhomthetwinurgesofacquisitionandrejectionhavecometoanenddonotdesireanythingnordotheyrenounceanything.Theminddoesnotreachthe stateofuttertranquilitytillthesetwoimpulses(ofacquisitionandofrejection)havebeeneliminated.Evenso,aslongasonefeels'thisisreal'and'thisisunreal'the minddoesnotexperiencepeaceandequilibrium.Howcanequanimity,purityordispassionariseinthemindofonewhoisswayedbythoughtsof'thisisright','thisis wrong''thisisgain','thisisloss'?WhenthereisonlyoneBrahman(whichisforeveroneandthemany)whatcanbesaidtoberightandwhatwrong?Aslongasthe mindisswayedbythoughtsofthedesirableandtheundesirabletherecannotbeequanimity. Desirelessness(absenceofallexpectations),fearlessness,unchangingsteadiness,equanimity,wisdom,nonattachment,nonaction,goodness,totalabsenceof perversion,courage,endurance,friendliness,intelligence,contentment,gentleness,pleasantspeechallthesequalitiesarenaturaltoonewhoisfreefromtheinstincts ofacquisitionandrejection:andeventhosequalitiesarenonintentionalandspontaneous.

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Oneshouldrestrainthemindfromflowingdownward,evenastheflowofariverisblockedbytheconstructionofadam.Afterhavingfirmlyabandonedallcontact withexternalobjectsturnthemindwithinandreflectovereverythingwithinyourself,evenwhileengagedinvariousactivities.Withthehelpofthissharpswordof wisdom,cutthroughthisnetworkofconditioning(whichthrowsupcravings,intentions,motivations,acceptanceandrejection)whichaloneisthecauseofthisstream ofworldappearance. Cutdownthemindwiththeminditself.Havingreachedthestateofpurity,remainestablishedinitrightnow.Cuttheminddownwiththemindanddismissthethought ofthemindwhichthusnegatesthemind:thuswillyouhavefinallydestroyedtheworldappearance.Whenthustheworldappearancehasbeeneliminated,delusion willnotariseagainandthemindwillnotcreatetheworldappearanceagaineither.Thoughappearingtofunctioninthisworld,befirmlyrootedintheawarenessofthe unrealityofallthisandthusgiveupallhopesandexpectations.Rootedinequanimity,doingwhateverhappenstobetheappropriateactionineachgivensituationand noteventhinkingaboutwhathasthusbefallenyouunsought,liveanonvolitionallifehere.EvenastheLordmaybesaidtobeboththedoerandthenondoerofall actionshere,you,too,livenonvolitionallydoingyetnotdoingwhathastobedone. VASISTHA*continued: Youaretheknowerofall,theself.Youaretheunbornbeing,youarethesupremeLordyouarenondifferentfromtheselfwhichpervadeseverything.Hewhohas abandonedtheideathatthereisanobjectofperceptionwhichisotherthantheself,isnotsubjectedtothedefectsbornofjoyandgrief.Heisknownasayogiwhois freedfromattractionandaversion,towhomaclodofearthandanuggetofgoldareofequalvalueandimportance,andwhohasgivenupallthetendencieswhich confirmtheworldappearance.Whateverhedoes,whateverheenjoys,whateverhegivesandwhateverhedestroys,hisconsciousnessisfreeandtherefore equanimousinpainandpleasure.Doingwhateverhastobedonewithoutthedivisionintothedesirableandtheundesirable,hewhoengageshimselfinactiondoesnot drowninit. Hewhoisconfirmedinhisconvictionthattheinfiniteconsciousnessaloneexists,isinstantlyfreedfromthoughtsofpleasureandisthereforetranquilandself controlled.Themindisbynatureinert:itborrowsintelligencefromtheconsciousnesswhichitpursuesinordertogaintheabilitytoexperience.Themindthuscomes intocontactwithwhateverhasbeenbroughtintobeingbythepowerorenergyofconsciousness(citsakti*).Thus,themindexistsbythe

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graceofconsciousness,asitwereanditentertainsvariousthoughtsonaccountofitsperceptionofthisuniverse.Theconsciousnessaloneisitslight:otherwise,how doestheinertmindfunctionintelligently? Theywhoarewellversedinthescripturesdeclarethatthefictitiousmovementofenergyinconsciousnessisknownasthemind.And,theexpressionsofthemind(like thehissingofthesnake)areknownasthoughtsorideas.ConsciousnessminusconceptualisationistheeternalBrahmantheabsoluteconsciousnessplus conceptualisationisthought.Asmallpartofit,asitwere,isseatedintheheartasthereality.Thisisknownasthefiniteintelligenceorindividualisedconsciousness. However,thislimitedconsciousnesssoon'forgot'itsownessentialconsciousnatureandcontinuedtobe,butinert.Itthenbecamethethinkingfacultywithreception andrejectionasitsinherenttendencies.Infact,itistheinfiniteconsciousnessalonethathasbecomeallthis:butuntilitawakestoitsinfinitenature,itdoesnotknow itselfinselfknowledge.Hence,themindshouldbeawakenedbymeansofenquirybasedonscriptures,dispassionandcontrolofthesenses.Thisintelligencewhenit isthusawakenedshinesasBrahmantheabsoluteorelseitcontinuestoexperiencethisfiniteworld. VASISTHA*continued: Whenthisinnerintelligenceisnotawakened,itdoesnotreallyknoworunderstandanything:andwhatappearstobeknownthroughthethoughtsisofcoursenotthe reality.Thesethoughtsthemselvesderivetheirvaluefromconsciousness,evenasareceptaclederivesitsscentfromtheincensekeptinit.Onaccountofthis borrowedintelligencethoughtisabletoknowaminutefragmentedfractionofthiscosmicconsciousness.Themindblossomsfullyonlywhenthelightoftheinfinite shinesuponit. Otherwise,thoughappearingtobeintelligent,thoughtisunabletocomprehendanythingreally,evenasthegranitefigureofadancerdoesnotdanceevenwhen requestedtodoso.Canabattlescenepaintedonacanvasgeneratetheroarofthefightingarmies?Canacorpsegetupandrun?Doesthefigureofthesuncarved onarockdispeldarkness?Similarly,whatcantheinertminddo?Evenasthemirageappearstobeflowingwateronlywhenthesunshines,themindappearstobe intelligentandactiveonlybecauseoftheinnerlightofconsciousness. Ignorantpeoplemisconstruethemovementoflifeforcetobethemind:butinfactitisnothingmorethantheprana*orlifeforce.But,inthecaseofthosewhose intelligenceisnotfragmentedorconditionedbythoughts,itissurelytheradianceofthesupremebeing

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orself.Theintelligencethatidentifiesitselfwithcertainmovementsoflifeforceintheself(byentertainingnotionsof'thisamI','thisismine')isknownasthejiva*or thelivingsoul.Intelligence,mind,jiva*,etc.,arenameswhichareusedevenbywisemen:suchentitiesarenotreal,however,fromtheabsolutepointofview.Intruth, thereisnomind,nointelligence,noembodiedbeing:theselfaloneexistsatalltimes.Theselfaloneistheworldtheselfaloneistimeandalsotheevolutionary process.Becauseitisextremelysubtleitseemsnottoexist,thoughitexists.Whileappearingtobeareflectionorappearance,itisalsorealisedtobethetruth:butthe selfisbeyondallthesedescriptionsanditstruthcanonlybeexperienceddirectlyinselfknowledge. Whentheinnerlightbeginstoshine,themindceasestobeevenaswhenthereislight,darknessvanishes.Ontheotherhand,whenconsciousnessisobjectifiedinan efforttoexperiencetheobjectsofthesenses,theselfisforgotten,asitwere,andtherearisethoughtsconcerningthecreaturesofthemind. VASISTHA*continued: Athoughtarisinginthesupremebeingisknownasindividualconsciousnesswhenthisconsciousnessisfreedfromthoughtandindividuation,thereisliberation.The seedorthesolecauseforthisworldappearanceisbutthearisingofathoughtintheinfiniteconsciousness,whichgaverisetothelimitedfiniteindividual consciousness.Whenconsciousnessthusmovedawayfromitsutterlyquiescentstateandbecametainted,asitwere,fromthought,thethinkingfacultyaroseand,with it,themindthoughtoftheuniverse. ORama*,bythecontrolofthelifeforcethemindisalsorestrained:evenastheshadowceaseswhenthesubstanceisremoved,themindceaseswhenthelifeforceis restrained.Itisbecauseofthemovementofthelifeforcethatonerememberstheexperiencesonehadelsewhereitisknownasmindbecauseitthusexperiences movementsoflifeforce.Thelifeforceisrestrainedbythefollowingmeans:bydispassion,bythepracticeofpranayama*(breathcontrol)orbythepracticeof enquiryintothecauseofthemovementofthelifeforce,bytheendingofsorrowthroughintelligentmeansandbythedirectknowledgeorexperienceofthesupreme truth. Itispossibleforthemindtoassumetheexistenceofintelligenceinastone.Buttheminddoesnotpossesstheleastintelligence.Movementbelongstothelifeforce whichisinert:intelligenceorthepowerofconsciousnessbelongstotheselfwhichispureandeternallyomnipresent.Itisthemindthatfanciesarelationshipbetween thesetwofactors:butsuchfancyisfalseandhenceallknowledgethatarisesfromthisfalserelationshipisalsofalse.This

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isknownasignorance,asMayaorcosmicillusion,whichgivesrisetothedreadfulpoisonknownasworldappearance. Thisrelationshipbetweenthelifeforceandconsciousnessisimaginaryifitisnotsoimagined,therecanbenoworldappearance!Thelifeforce,byitsassociation withconsciousnessbecomesconsciousandexperiencestheworldasitsobject.Butallthisisasunrealastheexperienceofaghostbyachild:themovementwithinthe infiniteconsciousnessaloneisthetruth.Canthisinfiniteconsciousnessbeaffectedbyanyfinitefactor?Inotherwords,cananinferiorentityoverwhelmasuperior one?Hence,ORama*,intruththereisnomindorfiniteconsciousness:whenthistruthisclearlyunderstood,thatwhichwasfalselyimaginedasthemindcomestoan end.Itappearedtobebecauseofimperfectunderstandingwhenthismisunderstandingceases,themindalsoceasestobe. VASISTHA*continued: Thismindisinertandisnotarealentity:henceitisforeverdead!Yet,beingsinthisworldarekilledbythisdeadthing:howmysteriousisthisstupidity!!Themindhas noself,nobody,nosupportandnoformyet,bythismindiseverythingconsumedinthisworld.Thisindeedisagreatmystery.Hewhosaysthatheisdestroyedby themindwhichhasnosubstantialityatall,saysineffectthathisheadwassmashedbythelotuspetal.Tosaythatonecanbehurtbythemindwhichisinert,dumband blindislikesayingthatoneisroastedbytheheatofthefullmoon.Theherowhoisabletodestroyarealenemystandinginfrontofhimishimselfdestroyedbythis mindwhichdoesnotevenexist. Whatisthepowerofthatwhichhasbeenputtogetherbythought,whoseveryexistenceisfalseandwhichisfoundtobenonexistentwhenitsexistenceisenquired into? Stupidityandignorancealonearethesourcesofallsorrowinthisworldthiscreationhasbeenbroughtaboutonlybyignoranceandstupidity.Inspiteofknowingthis, itisindeedstrangethatthisunrealandfalsenonentityissoughttobestrengthenedbylivingbeings. Thisworldillusioncanbecomparedtotheimaginationoftheherowhothinksthatheisboundbytheinvisiblechainsthatissuefromtheeyesofhisenemyandthathe isharassedbytheinvisiblearmycreatedbythemerethoughtoftheenemy.Thisworldthusconjuredupbythenonexistentmindisalsodestroyedbyanotherequally nonexistentmind.Thisillusoryworldappearanceisnoneotherthanthemind.Hewhoisunabletounderstandthetruenatureofthemindisalsounfitforbeing instructedinthetruthexpoundedinthescripture.Themindofsuchapersonisunabletograspthe

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subtletruthoftheteachingexpoundedinthisscripture:itseemstobesatisfiedwiththeillusoryworldappearance.Suchamindisfulloffear:itisafraidofthe melodioussoundoftheveenaanditisevenafraidofasleepingrelative.Itisfrightenedbyhearingsomeoneshoutaloudandfleesthatspot.Theignorantmanis completelyovercomebyhisowndeludedmind. Amanisburntbyhisownmindwhichisinhisheart,whichisasvirulentaspoisonthoughitismixedwithjustalittlehappiness.Hedoesnotknowthetruth,for,heis foolishlydeludedbythemind!Thisindeedisagreatmystery. V:24 VASISTHA*continued:

Myteachingsarenotmeantforthose,ORama*,whoseintelligencehasbeensilencedbyafirmfaithintherealityofthisillusoryworldandtheconsequentstrivingfor thepleasuresofthisworld.Whatfoolishmanwillendeavourtoshowacolourfulforesttoonewhorefusestosee?Whowillstrivetoeducatethatman,whosenose hasbeeneatenawaybyleprosy,inthedelicateartofdistinguishingdifferentperfumes?Whowillinstructthedrunkardinthesubtletiesofmetaphysics?Whowillmake enquiriesconcerningvillageaffairsfromacorpselyinginthecrematorium:andifafooldoesjustthis,whocandissuadehimfromsuchfoolishattempt?Evenso,who caninstructthatignorantpersonwhofindsitdifficulttogovernthemindwhichisdumbandblind? Infacttheminddoesnotexist:andhence,restassuredthatithasallthetimebeenconquered.Hewhofindsitdifficulttoovercomethenonexistentmindsuffersfrom theeffectsofpoisonhehasnottaken.Thewisemanseestheselfallthetimeandheknowsthatallmovementarisesfromthemovementofthelifeforceheknows, too,thatthesensesperformtheirrespectivefunctions.Whatthenisknownasthemind?Allmotionbelongstolifeforceandallconsciousnessbelongstotheself,and thesenseshaveeachtheirownpower:whichistheonethatbindsthemalltogether?Alltheseareindeedaspectsoftheoneinfiniteomnipotentconsciousness:diversity isawordwithoutsubstance.Howdoeseventheideaofdiversityariseinyou? Whatindeedisthejiva*(individualsoul)butawordwhichhasbefuddledtheintelligenceofpeople?Eventhefiniteorindividualisedconsciousnessisanunrealfancy: whatcanitdo!Seeingthefateoftheignorantpeoplewhoaresufferingbecausethemindthattheyhavefanciedintoexistenceveilsthetruthwhichaloneexists,Iam filledwithpity. Inthisworldfoolsarebornonlytosufferandperish.Everydaymillionsofanimalsarekilledthroughouttheworldeveryday

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millionsuponmillionsofmosquitoesarekilledbythewindeverydayintheoceansthebigfisheatthesmalloneswhatistheretogrieve?Thestrongeranimalkills andeatstheweakeranimalinthisworldfromthesmallestanttothegreatestofdivinities,allaresubjecttobirthanddeath.Everymomentcountlessbeingsdieand countlessothersareborn,totallyregardlessofwhetherpeoplelikeitornot,whethertheyrejoiceorgrieve.Hence,itwerewiserneithertogrievenortorejoiceover theinevitable! VASISTHA*continued: ORama*,hewhocomesforwardtoremovethesorrowofpeopleofpervertedintelligenceisendeavouringtocovertheskywithasmallumbrella.Theywhobehave likebeastscannotbeinstructed,fortheyarebeingledlikeanimalsbytheropeoftheirownmind.Indeed,evenstonesshedtears,lookingatthoseignorantpeople whosinkinthemireoftheirownmind,whoseactionsspelltheirowndoom.Hence,thewisemandoesnotattempttoteachthosewhohavenotovercometheirown mindandarethereforemiserableineveryway.Ontheotherhand,thewisedoendeavourtoremovethesorrowofthosewhohaveconqueredtheirmindandwhoare thereforeripetoundertakeselfenquiry. Themindisnot,ORama*:donotunnecessarilyimagineitsexistence.Ifyouimagineitsexistencethenitdestroysyou,likeaghost.Aslongasyouhaveforgottenyour self,solongdoesthisimaginarymindexist.Nowthatyouhaverealisedthatthemindwaxeslargebythecontinuedaffirmationofitsexistence,abandonsuchthinking. Whenobjectivityarisesinyourconsciousness,thelatterbecomesconditionedandlimited:thatisbondage.Whenobjectivityisabandoned,youbecomemindless: thatisliberation.Comingintocontactwiththequalitiesofnatureisconducivetobondageabandoningthemistheroadtoliberation.Knowingthisdowhateveryou please.'Iamnot'and'thisisnot'remainfirmandunmoved,liketheinfinitespace.Abandontheimpurethoughtwhichcreatesadualityofselfworld.Inthemiddle betweentheselfastheseerandtheworldastheseen,youaretheseeing(sight):alwaysremaininthisrealisation.Betweentheexperiencerandtheexperienceyouare theexperiencing:knowingthisremaininselfknowledge. When,abandoningthisselfyouthinkofanobject,thenyoubecomethemind(subject)andthusbecomethesubjectofunhappiness.Thatintelligencewhichisother thanselfknowledgeiswhatconstitutesthemind:thatistherootofsorrow.Whenitisrealisedthat'Allthisisbuttheself'thereisnomind,nosubject,noobjectand nothinking.Whenyouthink'Iamthejiva*'etc.,themindarises

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andwithitsorrow.Whenyouknow'Iamtheself,thejiva*andsuchotherthingsdonotexist',themindceasestobeandthereissupremebliss.Inthelightofthe truththat'Allthisuniverseistheselfalone',theminddoesnotexist.Onlysolongasthisserpentofmindisinthebodyistherefearwhenitisremovedbythepractice ofyoga,whereisthecauseforfear? V:15 VASISTHA*continued:

Whentheself,selfforgetfully,identifiesitselfwiththeobjectsseenandexperiencedandisthusimpurified,therearisesthepoisonofcraving.Thiscravingintensifies delusion.Godslike,Siva*,etc.,maybeabletocopewiththefiresofcosmicdissolutionbutitisimpossibleforanyonetodealwiththeconsumingfireofcraving. Whateverterriblesufferingsandcalamitiesthereareintheworldareallthefruitsofcraving,ORama*.Remainingunseenandsubtle,thiscravingisyetableto consumetheveryflesh,boneandbloodofthebody.Inamomentitseemstosubside,thenextmomentitisinanexpandedstate.Afflictedbyit,manbecomes pitiable,weak,lustreless,mean,deluded,miserableandfallen. Whenthiscravinghasceased,one'slifeforceispureandalldivinequalitiesandvirtuesenterone'sheart.Theriverofcravingflowsonlyintheheartoftheunwise person.Evenasananimalfallsintoatrap(ablindwell)onaccountofitscravingforfood(thebait),amanfollowingthetrailofhiscravingfallsintohell.Eventhe worstblindnessofsenilityismildincomparisontotheblindingdelusionwhichcravingbringsaboutinone'sheartinthetwinklingofaneye. Cravingmakesonecringeandbecome'small':evenlordVisnu*becameadwarfwhenhedecidedtobeg.Hence,thiscravingwhichisthesourceofallsorrowsand whichdestroysthelivesofallbeingsshouldberenouncedfromagreatdistance. Yet,itisonaccountofcravingthatthesunshinesonearth,thewindblows,themountainsstandandtheearthupholdslivingbeingsallthethreeworldsexistonlyon accountofcraving.Allthebeingsinthethreeworldsareboundbytheropeofcraving.Itispossibletobreakeventhestrongestropeinthisworld,buttheropeof cravingishardtobreak. Therefore,ORama*,giveupcravingbygivingupthinkingorconceptualisation.Themindcannotexistwithoutthinkingorconceptualisation.First,lettheimagesof'I', 'you'and'this'notariseinthemind,foritisbecauseoftheseimagesthathopesandexpectationscomeintobeing.Ifyoucanthusrefrainfrombuildingtheseimages, youwillalsobecountedasamanofwisdom.Cravingisnondifferentfromtheegosense.Egosenseisthesourceofallsins.Cutatthe

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veryrootofthisegosensewiththeswordofwisdomofthenonego.Befreefromfear. RAMA*said: V:16

Lord,youinstructmetoabandontheegosenseandthecravingthatitgivesriseto.IfIabandontheegosense,thensurelyIshouldalsogiveupthisbodyandallthat isbasedontheegosense.For,thebodyandthelifeforcerestonthesupportoftheegosense.Whentheroot(theegosense)iscut,thenthetree(thebody,etc.) willfall.Howisitpossibleformetoabandontheegosenseandyetlive? VASISTHA*replied: Rama*!Theabandonmentofallnotions,conditioningandconceptualisationissaidtobeoftwokinds:oneisbasedonknowledgeordirectrealisationandtheotheris basedoncontemplation.Ishalldescribethemtoyouindetail. Oneshouldbecomeawareofone'sdeludednotioninwhichonethinksthat'Ibelongtotheseobjectsoftheworldandmylifedependsuponthem.Icannotlive withoutthemandtheycannotexistwithoutme,either.'Thenbyprofoundenquiry,onecontemplates'Idonotbelongtotheseobjects,nordotheseobjectsbelongto me'.Thusabandoningtheegosensethroughintensecontemplation,oneshouldplayfullyengageoneselfintheactionsthathappennaturally,butwiththeheartand mindevercoolandtranquil.Suchanabandonmentoftheegosenseandtheconditioningisknownasthecontemplativeegolessness. Whenthereisknowledgeordirectexperienceofthenondualtruth,oneabandonstheegosenseandconditioning,andentertainsnofeelingof'Thisismine'evenwith regardtothebodythisisknownasdirectrealisationofegolessness. Heisliberatedevenwhilelivingwhoplayfullyabandonstheegosensethroughthecontemplativemethod.Hewhouprootsthisegosensecompletelybythedirect experienceisestablishedinequanimity:heisliberated.Janakaandotherslikehimfollowthecontemplativemethod.Otherswhohavethedirectexperienceof egolessnessareonewithBrahmanandhaverisenbeyondbodyconsciousness.However,bothofthemareliberatedandbothhavebecomeonewithBrahman. Heisconsideredaliberatedsagewhoisnotswayedbythedesirableandtheundesirable,wholivesinthisworldandfunctionsthoughinwardlytotallyuntouchedby theworld,asifheisindeepsleep. (AsthesageVASISTHA*saidthis,anotherdaycametoanend.Theassemblydispersed.) VASISTHA*continued: V:17

ORama*,theywhohavegoneabovebodyconsciousnessare

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beyonddescription,too:Ishallthereforedescribetoyouthenatureofthosewhoareliberatedwhileliving. Thedesirethatarisesinthecourseofone'snaturalfunctionsdevoidofcravingisthatofaliberatedsage.Butthatdesirewhichisboundupwithcravingforexternal objectsisconducivetobondage.However,whenallegobasednotionshaveceasedinone'sheart,theattentionthatisdirectednaturallyisalsothenatureofthe liberatedsage.Thatwhichisafflictedbycontactwithexternalobjectsisthecravingconducivetobondagethenonvolitionaldesirewhichisunaffectedbyanyobject isliberation.Thatdesirewhichexistedevenbeforecontactwiththeobjects,existsevennowandforever:itisnatural,thereforesorrowlessandfreefromimpurity. Suchadesireisregardedbythewiseasfreefrombondage. 'Iwantthistobemine'.Whensuchacravingarisesinone'sheart,itgivesrisetoimpurity.Suchacravingshouldbeabandonedbyawisepersonbyallmeansatall times.Giveupthedesirethattendstobondageandthedesireforliberationtoo.Remainstillliketheocean.Knowingthattheselfisfreefromoldageanddeath,let notthesedisturbyourmind.Whenthewholeuniverseisrealisedasillusory,cravinglosesitsmeaning. Thefollowingfourtypesoffeelingsariseintheheartofman:(1)Iamthebodybornofmyparents,(2)Iamthesubtleatomicprinciple,differentfromthebody,(3)I amtheeternalprincipleinallthediverseperishableobjectsintheworld,and(4)the'I'asalsothe'world'arepurevoidlikespace.Ofthesethefirstisconduciveto bondageandtheotherstofreedom.Thedesiresthatarerelatedtothefirstcausebondagedesiresthatareconcomitanttotheotherthreedonotcausebondage. Oncetherealisationthat'Iamtheselfofall'hasarisen,onedoesnotagainfallintoerrororsorrow.Itisthisselfalonewhichisvariouslydescribedasthevoid,nature, Maya*,Brahman,consciousness,Siva*,Purusa*,etc.Thataloneiseverrealthereisnaughtelse.Resorttotheunderstandingofnonduality,forthetruthisnon dualhowever,actioninvolvesdualityandhencefunctionsinapparentdualitythus,letyournaturepartakeofbothdualityandnonduality.Therealityisneither duality(foritisthemindthatcreatesdivision)norunity(fortheconceptofunityarisesfromitsantithesisofduality).Whentheseconceptscease,theinfinite consciousnessaloneisrealisedtobethesolereality. V:18 VASISTHA*continued:

Theliberatedsagewhoisdisinterestedintheeventsofthepast,presentandfuturelooksatthestateoftheworldwithamusement.Constantlyengagedinappropriate action,establishedinthehappy

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mediumbetweentwoextremeandoppositepointsofview,hedwellsunremittingly,rejectingeveryformofconditioningorintention.Herestsinthesupremestateof plenitudehenceheisnotagitatedorexcitedbytheeventsofthisworld.Inallhostilitiesheisintheneutralpositionyetendowedwithcompassionandconsideration forall,heremainsunaffectedbytheworldappearance.Ifheisspokento,heanswerssimplyandsuitablyifnotspokento,heissilentheseeksnothingandhehates nothing.Thusheisnotafflictedbytheworld.Hesayswhatisgoodforall,andwhenquestionedheexplainshisviewsconvincingly.Heknowswhatisappropriateand whatisinappropriate.Heisawareofthepointofviewofotherpeople.Heisfirmlyestablishedinthesupremestateremainingcalmandcoolinhisownheart,he looksatthestateoftheworldamusedly.Suchisthestateofthesageswhohavereachedliberationwhileyetlivinginthisworld. Weareunabletoexpoundthephilosophyofthefoolswhohavenotcontrolledtheirownmindandwhoareimmersedinthemireofsensepleasure.Theyareonly interestedinsexualpleasuresandintheacquisitionofmaterialwealth.Wearealsounabletoexpoundthepathofritualsandroutineswhichbestowallkindsof rewardsintheshapeofpainandpleasure. ORama*,liveinthisworldwithunlimitedvision,havingfirmlyrejectedalllimitation.Inwardlybefreefromalldesiresandhopesbutoutwardlydowhathastobe done.Examineeverythingandseekonlythatwhichisnotlimitedorfinite:and,liveinthisworldconstantlycontemplatingtheinfinite.Withoutentertaininganyhopein yourheart,yetlivingasifyouarefullofhopes,liveinthisworldwithyourheartcalmandcool,behavingoutwardlylikeeveryoneelse.Inwardlygiveupallnotionsof'I amthedoer',yetengageyourselfinallactivitiesoutwardly.Thusliveinthisworld,ORama*,completelyfreefromtheleasttraceoftheegosense. Thereisnobondageandthereforethereisnoliberation,intruth.Thisworldappearanceisessentiallyunrealandisofthenatureofajuggler'strick.Theomnipresent, infiniteselfcanneverbeboundsohowisittobeliberated?Allthisconfusionarisesonaccountoftheignoranceofthetruth:whenthetruthisknownthisconfusion vanishes,liketheimaginarysnakeintherope. VASISTHA*continued: Youareawiseman,ORama*:befirmlyestablishedinegolessnessandremainunpollutedlikespace.Whentheegoisnonexistent,howcannotionslike'Theseare myrelatives'arise?Theselfisnotinvolvedinsuchnotions,norinnotionsofpleasureandpain,goodandevil.Befreefromfearanddelusioncausedbyworld appearance.

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Toonewhoisunborntherearenorelatives,orsorrowcausedbysuchrelatives! Ifyourealisethatyouhavebeensomeonebefore,youaresomeonenowandyouwillbesomeonelateron,andifyourealisethatthisistrueevenofalltheserelatives, youwillbefreefromdelusion.Ifyoufeelthatyouwerebefore,youarenow,butthatyouwillnotbehereaftereventhenyouneednotgrieve,forthatistheendof thisworldappearance.Hence,itisfoolishtogrievehereinthisworlditisbettertobehappyatalltimesandtobeeverengagedinappropriateactions.However,O Rama*,yieldneithertoexultationnortosorrow,butremaininabalancedstateofmind.Youaretheeternalinfinitelight,pureandextremelysubtle. Thisworldappearanceexistslateritwillvanishandreappear:butthisisonlyfortheignorant,notfortheenlightened.Thisworldappearancehassorrowforits nature:ignoranceexpandsandaggravatesit.Butyouarewise,ORama*,thereforebyhappy.Illusoryappearanceisnoneotherthanillusiondreamisnoneotherthan adream!Allthisisthepoweroftheomnipotentandtheappearanceisjusttheappearance. Whoisarelativehereandtowhom,andwhoisanenemytowhom:bythewishoftheLordofallbeings,allarealltoallatalltimes!Thisriverofrelationshipis flowingonconstantly.Whatisontopproceedstowardsthebottom,andwhatisbelowrisesup,likethecartwheel.Theywhoareinheavenlatergotohellandthey whoareinhellgotoheaven.Theygofromonespeciestoanother,fromonepartoftheuniversetoanother.Thebravebecomecowardsandcowardsbecomebrave. Thereisnothinginthisuniversewhichisunchanging,ORama*.Theywhowererelativesgoawayafterawhile.Friend,foe,relative,stranger,I,youarewords withoutcorrespondingsubstance.'Heisfriend'and'Heisnotarelative'suchthoughtsariseinameanperson:inthemagnanimouspersonsuchdistinctiondoesnot arise.ORama*,allbeingsareyourrelatives,forinthisuniversetheredoesnotexistabsoluteunrelatedness.Thewiseknowthat'ThereisnowherewhereIamnot' and'Thatisnotwhichisnotmine':thustheyovercomelimitationorconditioning.

TheStoryofPunya*andPavana*
V:19 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,inthisconnectionthereisanancientlegendwhichIshallnarratetoyou. InthecontinentknownasJambudvipa*thereisagreatmountainknownasMahendra.Intheforestsontheslopesofthatmountain

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manyholymenandsageslived.TheyhadinfactbroughtdownontothatmountaintheriverVyomaGanga*(orAkasa*Ganga*)fortheirbath,drinking,etc.Onthe bankofthisrivertherelivedaholymannamedDirghatapa*whowas,ashisnameimplies,theveryembodimentofceaselessausterity. ThisascetichadtwosonsnamedPunya*andPavana*.OfthesePunya*hadreachedfullenlightenment,butPavana*,thoughhehadovercomeignorance,hadnotyet reachedfullenlightenmentandhencehehadsemiwisdom. Withtheinexorablepassageofinvisibleandintangibletime,thesageDirghatapa*(whohadfreedhimselffromeveryformofattachmentandcraving)hadgrowninage and,evenasabirdfliesawayfromitscage,abandonedthebodyandreachedthestateofutterpurity.Usingtheyogicmethodshehadlearntfromhim,hiswife,too, followedhim. AtthissuddendepartureoftheparentsPavana*wassunkingriefandhewailedaloudinconsolably.Punya*,ontheotherhand,performedthefuneralceremoniesbut remainedunmovedbythebereavement.Heapproachedhisgrievingbrother,Pavana*. PUNYA*said:Brother,whydoyoubringthisdreadfulsorrowuponyourself?Theblindnessofignorancealoneisthecauseofthistorrentialdownpouroftearsfrom youreyes.Ourfatherhasdepartedfromherealongwithourmothertothatstateofliberationorthehigheststate,whichisnaturaltoallbeingsandistheverybeingof thosewhohaveovercometheself.Whydoyougrievewhentheyhavereturnedtotheirownnature?Youhaveignorantlyboundyourselftothenotionsof'father'and 'mother'andyetyougrieveforthosewhoareliberatedfromsuchignorance!Hewasnotyourfather,norwassheyourmother,norwereyoutheirson.Youhavehad countlessfathersandmothers.Theyhavehadcountlesschildren.Countlesshavebeenyourincarnations!And,ifyouwishtogrieveoverthedeathofparents,whydo younotgrieveforallthosecountlessbeingsunceasingly? Nobleone,whatyouseeastheworldisonlyanillusoryappearance.Intruththereareneitherfriendsnorrelatives.Hence,thereisneitherdeathnorseparation.All thesewonderfulsignsofprosperitythatyouseearoundyouaretricks,someofwhichlastforthreedaysandothersforfivedays!Withyourkeenintelligenceenquire intothetruth:abandonnotionsof'I','you'etc.,andof'Heisdead','Heisgone'.Alltheseareyourownnotions,nottruth. PUNYA*continued: V:20

Thesefalsenotionsoffather,mother,friend,relative,etc.,aresweptasidebywisdomasdustissweptawaybywind.Theserelatives

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arenotbasedontruth,theyarebutwords!Ifoneisthoughtofasafriend,heisafriendifheisthoughtofastheother,heistheother!Whenallthisisseenastheone omnipresentbeing,whereisthedistinctionbetweenthefriendandtheother? Brother,enquirewithinyourselfthisbodyisinertanditiscomposedofblood,flesh,bones,etc.whatisthe'I'init?Ifyouthusenquireintothetruth,youwillrealise thatthereisnothingwhichisyounoranythingwhichis'I':whatiscalledPunya*orPavana*isbutafalsenotion. However,ifyoustillthink'Iam',thenintheincarnationspastyouhavehadverymanyrelatives.Whydoyounotgrievefortheirdeath?Youhadmanyswanrelatives whenyouwereaswan,manytreerelativeswhenyouwereatree,manylionrelativeswhenyouwerealion,manyfishrelativeswhenyouwereafish.Whydoyou notweepforthem?Youwereaprince,youwereadonkey,youwereapeepultreeandthenabanyantree.Youwereabrahmana*,youwereaflyandalsoa mosquito,youwereanant.Youwereascorpionforhalfayear,youwereabee,andnowyouaremybrother.Inthesemanyotherembodimentsyouhavetakenbirth againandagaincountlesstimes. Evenso,Ihavehadverymanyembodiments.Iseethemall,andyourembodimentstoo,throughmysubtleintelligencewhichispureandclearvisioned.Iwasabird, acrane,afrog,atree,acamel,aking,atigerandnowIamyourelderbrother.FortenyearsIwasaneagle,forfivemonthsIwasacrocodileandforahundred yearsIwasalion:nowIamyourelderbrother.IrememberalltheseandmanymoreembodimentsIhavepassedthroughinastateofignoranceanddelusion.Inall theseembodimentstherewerecountlessrelatives.WhomshallImourn?Consideringthis,Idonotgrieve. Allalongthispathofliferelativesarestrewnlikedryleavesonaforestpath.Whatcanbethepropercauseforgrieforjoyinthisworld,brother?Letustherefore abandonalltheseignorantnotionsandremainatpeace.Abandonthenotionoftheworldwhicharisesinyourmindasthe'I'.And,bestill,neithergoingupnorfalling down!Youhavenounhappiness,nobirth,nofather,nomother:youaretheselfandnaughtelse.Thesagesperceivethemiddlepath,theyseewhatisatthemoment, theyareatpeace,theyareestablishedinwitnessconsciousness:theyshinelikealampindarkness,inwhoselighteventshappen(withoutthelampbeinginvolved). V:21 VASISTHA*continued:

Thusinstructedbyhisbrother,Pavana*wasawakened.Bothofthemremainedasenlightenedbeings,endowedwithwisdomanddirectrealisation.Theyroamedthe forestdoingwhattheypleased

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butwithoutblemish.Incourseoftimetheyabandonedtheirembodimentandattainedfinalliberation,asalampwithoutfuel. Cravingistherootofallsorrow,ORama*:andtheonlyintelligentwayistorenounceallcravingscompletelyandnottoindulgethem.Evenasfireburnsallthemore fiercelywhenfedwithfuel,thoughtsmultiplybythinking:thoughtsceaseonlybytheextinctionofthinking.Hence,ascendthechariotofnonthinkingandwitha compassionateandlimitlessvisionbeholdtheworldssunkinsorrow.Arise,ORama*. ThisindeedistheBrahmic*statepure,freefromcravingandfromillness.Attainingthisevenonewhohasbeenafoolisfreedfromdelusion.Hewhoroamsthe earthwithwisdomashisfriendandawarenessasthefemalecompanion,doesnotbecomedeluded. Thereisnothingofvalueinthethreeworlds,nothingthatonemaywishtohavewhichcannotbehadbythemindfreefromcraving.Theywhoarecuredofthefeverof cravingdonotsubjectthemselvestothesuccessiveriseandfallinherentinembodiedexistence.Themindattainsfulfilmentonlybyutterdispassion,notbyfillingitwith desiresandhopes.Tothosewhoaredevoidofanyattachmentorcraving,thethreeworldsareaswideasthefootprintofacalfandawholeworldcycleisbuta moment.ThecoolnessoftheicepackontopoftheHimalayasisnothingcomparedtothecoolnessofthemindofthesagefreefromcraving.Thelightofthefullmoon isnotasbrightnoristheoceanasfullnorthefaceofthegoddessofprosperityasradiantasthemindfreefromcraving. Whenallthedesiresandhopeswhicharelikethebranchesofthetreeofthemindarecutdown,themindresumesitsownnature.Ifyouresolutelydenyrefugeto thesehopesandcravingsinyourmind,thenthereisnofearforyou.Whenthemindisfreefrommovementsofthought(whicharemotivatedbyhopesorcravings) thenitbecomesnomind:andthatisliberation.Thethinkingthatisbroughtaboutbyhopesandcravingsisknownas'vrtti*'(movementofthought)whenhopesand cravingsaregivenup,thereisnovrtti*either.Whentheaggravatingcauseisremoved,theeffectceasestobe.Hence,forrestoringpeacetothemind,removethe disturbingcause,whichishopeorcraving.

TheStoryofBali
VASISTHA*continued: V:22

Or,ORama*,bringaboutatransmutationofthemindevenaskingBalidid.IshallnarratetoyouthestoryofBali,listeningto

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whichyouwillgainknowledgeoftheeternaltruth. Inanotherpartoftheworld(jagat)thereiswhatisknownasPatala*(thenetherworld).Initarefoundextremelybeautifuldemonesses,strangereptileswithmany heads,demonswithenormousbodies,hugeelephants,placeswhichareheavilypollutedandwhereaterrible'katakata*'noiseconstantlyfillstheair,cavesordeep minesfullofpreciousgems,placeswhichhavebeenhallowedorsanctifiedbythedustofthedivinefeetofthesageKapila(Californiaisregardedbysometobe Kapilaaranya*,theforestinhabitedbyKapila!)andplacessanctifiedbylordHatakesvara*whoisadoredbycelestialdamsels. ThedemonkingBali,sonofVirocana,ruledoverthisregion.TheLordoftheuniverse,Sri*Hari,himselfwastheprotectorofthiskinghence,eventhekingof heaven,Indra,adoredhim.BytheheatoftheveryradianceofthiskingBali,theoceansgotdriedup,asitwere.Hiseyesweresopowerfulthatbyamerelookhe couldmovemountains.Baliruledforaverylongtimeoverthenetherworld. Incourseoftime,intensedispassionovercamekingBaliandhebegantoenquirethus: HowlongshouldIruleoverthisnetherworld,howlongshallIwanderinthethreeworlds?WhatshallIgainbyrulingoverthiskingdom?Whenallthatisinthethree worldsissubjecttodestruction,howcanonehopetoenjoyhappinessthroughallthis? Againandagain,thesamedisgustingpleasuresareexperiencedandthesameactsarerepeateddayafterdayinthisworld:howisitthatevenawisemanisnot ashamedofthis?Thesamedayandthesamenight,againandagain,lifeinthisworldrevolveslikeawhirlpool. Doingallthiseveryday,howcanonereachthatstateinwhichthereiscessationofthisrepetitiveexistence?Howlongshouldwecontinuetorevolveinthiswhirlpool andofwhatuseisit? Whilehewasthusreflecting,heremembered: Ah,IrememberwhatmyfatherVirocanaoncetoldme.Ihadaskedhim:''Father,whatisthedestinationofthisworldappearanceorrepetitiveexistence?Whenwillit cometoanend?Whenwillthedelusionofthemindcease?Gainingwhatshalloneattaintotalsatisfaction,seeingwhatshalloneseeknaughtelse?Iseethatitis impossibletoattainthisbymeansofexperienceoftheworldlypleasuresoractions.For,theyonlyaggravatethedelusion!Pray,tellmethemeansbywhichIshallrest foreverinsupremepeace.'' V:23 VIROCANAsaidtoBali:

Myson,thereisavastrealm,wideenoughtoengulfthethreeworlds.Inittherearenolakes,nooceans,nomountains,noforests,

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norivers,noearth,nosky,nowinds,nomoon,nogods,nodemons,nodemigods,novegetation,noheaven,nohighandlow,nowordsnotme,northegodslike Visnu*.Onlyoneisthereandthatisthesupremelight.Heisomnipotent,omnipresent,heisallandheremainssilent,asifinactive.Promptedbyhim,theking,his ministerdoeseverythingwhathasnotbeenhebringsaboutandwhatis,healters.Thisministerisincapableofenjoyinganything,nordoesheknowanything:though ignorantandinsentienthedoeseverythingforthesakeofhismaster,theking.Thekingremainsalone,establishedinpeace. BALIasked: Father,whatisthatrealmwhichisfreefrompsychosomaticillnesses?Whoisthatministerandwhoisthatking?Thestoryiswonderfulandunheardof.Kindlyexplain allthistomeindetail. VIROCANAreplied: Allthegodsanddemonsputtogetherandevenaforcemanytimestheirstrengthcannotevenchallengetheminister.HeisnotIndrathekingofthegods,northegod ofdeath,northegodofwealth,noragodnorademonwhomyoucaneasilyconquer.ThoughitisbelievedthatthegodVisnu*killedthedemons,itwasindeedthis ministerwhodestroyedthem.Infact,eventhegodslikeVisnu*wereoverpoweredbyhimandmadetotakebirthhere.Cupidderiveshispowerfromthisminister. Angerderivesitspowerfromhim,too.Itisbecauseofhiswishthatthereisunceasingconflictbetweengoodandevilhere. Thisministercanonlybedefeatedbyhisownmaster,thekingbynooneelse.Wheninduecourseoftimetherearisessuchawishintheheartoftheking,this ministercanbeeasilydefeated.Heisthemostpowerfulinallthethreeworldsandthethreeworldsarebuthisexhalation!Ifyouhavetheabilitytoconquerhim,then, indeed,youareahero. Whentheministerarises,thethreeworldsaremanifested,evenasthelotusblossomswhenthesunrises.Whenheretires,thethreeworldsbecomedormant.Ifyou canconquerhim,withyourmindutterlyonepointedandcompletelyfreeofdelusionandignorance,thenyouareahero.Ifheisconquered,thenalltheworldsand everythinginthemareconquered.Ifheisnotconquered,thennothingisconquered,evenifyouthinkyouhaveconqueredthisorthatinthisworld. Hence,myson,inordertoattainabsoluteperfectionandeternalbliss,strivewithallyourmightandineverypossiblemanner,whateverbethedifficultiesand obstacles,toconquerthatminister.

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V:24

BALIasked:Father,bywhateffectivemeanscanthatpowerfulminister beconquered?

VIROCANAreplied: Thoughthisministerisalmostinvincible,myson,Ishalltellyouhowtoconquerhim.Heisovercomeinamomentifonegraspshimbymeansofintelligentactionin theabsenceofsuchintelligentaction,heburnseverythinglikeavenomoussnake.Onewhoapproacheshimintelligently,playswithhimasoneplayswithachildand playfullysubdueshimsuchaonebeholdsthekingandisestablishedinthesupremestate.For,oncethekingisseen,theministercomescompletelyunderone's controlandwhentheministerisunderone'scontrol,thekingisseenclearly.Untilthekingisseen,theministerisnotreallyconqueredanduntiltheministeris conquered,thekingisnotseen!Whenthekingisnotseen,theministerplayshavocandspreadssorrowthentheministerisnotconquered,thekingremainsunseen. Therefore,one'sintelligentpracticehastobesimultaneouslytwofold:tobeholdthekingandtosubduetheminister.Byintenseselfeffortandbysteadypractice,you cangainboththeseandthenyouwillenterthatregionandneveragainexperiencesorrow.Thatistheregioninhabitedbyholymenwhoareforeverestablishedin peace. Myson,Ishallnowmakeallthisexplicittoyou!TheregionIhavereferredtoisthestateofliberation,whichistheendofallsorrow.Thekingthereistheselfwho transcendsallotherrealmsandstatesofconsciousness.Theministeristhemind.Itisthemindthathasmadeallthisworld,likeapotfromclay.Whenthemindis conquered,everythingisconquered.Rememberthatthemindisalmostinvincible,exceptthroughintelligentpractice. BALIasked:Father,kindlytellmewhatintelligentpracticewillenablemetoconquerthemind. VIROCANAreplied: Theverybestintelligentmeansbywhichthemindcanbesubduediscompletefreedomfromdesire,hopeorexpectationinregardtoallobjectsatalltimes.Itisby thismeansthatthispowerfulelephant(themind)canbesubdued.Thismeansisbothveryeasyandextremelydifficult,myson:itisverydifficultforonewhodoesnot engagehimselfinseriouspractice,butveryeasyforonewhoisearnestinhiseffort.Thereisnoharvestwithoutsowing:themindisnotsubduedwithoutpersistent practice.Hence,takeupthispracticeofrenunciation.Untiloneturnsawayfromsensepleasurehere,onewillcontinuetoroaminthisworldofsorrow.Evenastrong manwillnotreachhisdestinationifhedoesnotmovetowardsit.Noonecanreachthestateoftotaldispassionwithoutpersistentpractice.

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VIROCANAcontinued: Onlybyrightexertioncandispassionbeattainedthereisnoothermeans.Peopletalkofdivinegraceorfatebutinthisworldweperceivethebody,notagod.When peoplespeakofgodtheyimplywhatisinevitable,whatisbeyondtheircontrolandtheeventsofnaturalorder.Evenso,whateverbringsabouttotalequanimityand thecessationofjoyandsorrowisalsoreferredtoasdivinegrace.Divinegrace,naturalorderandrightselfexertion,allofthemrefertothesametruththedistinction isduetowrongperceptionorillusion. Whateverthemindconceivesofthroughrightselfexertioncomestobeinitsfruition,andwhenthemindapprehendssuchfruitionthereisexperienceofjoy,etc.The mindisthedoer,andwhateveritconceivesofthenaturalorder(niyati)createsandmanifests.Themindisalsoabletoruncountertothenaturalorderhenceitmay evenbesaidthatmindistheprompterofthenaturalorder. Evenaswindmovesinspace,thejiva*(theindividual)functionsinthisworld,doingwhathastobedonewithinthenaturalorder,thoughsuchactionappearstobe selfishoregotistic.Promptedbynature,heseemstomoveorstandstillbothofwhicharemereexpressionsorfalsesuperimpositions,evenasthemovementoftrees onamountaintopmakesitlookasifthepeakisswaying. Hence,aslongasthereismindthereisneithergodnoranaturalorderwhenthemindhasceasedtobe,lettherebewhateveris! BALIasked: Lord,tellme,howcanthecessationofcravingforpleasurebefirmlyestablishedinmyheart? VIROCANAsaid: Myson,selfknowledgeisthecreeperthatyieldsthefruitofcessationofcravingforpleasure.Itisonlywhentheselfisseenthatthehighestformofdispassion becomesfirmlyrootedintheheart.Hence,oneshouldsimultaneouslybeholdtheselfthroughintelligentenquiry,andtherebygetridofthecravingforpleasure. Whentheintelligenceisstillunawakened,oneshouldfilltwoquartersofthemindwithenjoymentofpleasure,onepartwithstudyofscripturesandtheotherwith serviceoftheguru.Whenitispartiallyawakened,twopartsaregivenovertotheserviceoftheguruandtheothersgetoneparteach.Whenitisfullyawakened,two partsaredevotedtoserviceoftheguruandtheothertwotothestudyofscriptures,withdispassionastheconstantcompanion. VIROCANAcontinued: Onlywhenoneisfilledwithgoodnessisonequalifiedtolistentotheexpositionofthehighestwisdom.Hence,oneshouldconstantly

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endeavourtoeducatethemindwithpurifyingknowledge,andnourishthemindwiththeinnertransformationbroughtaboutbythestudyofscriptures.Whenthemind hasthusbeentransformed,itisabletoreflectthetruthwithoutdistortion.Thenwithoutdelayoneshouldendeavourtoseetheself.Thesetwoselfrealisationand cessationofcravingshouldproceedhandinhand,simultaneously. Truedispassiondoesnotariseinonebyausterity,charity,pilgrimage,etc.,butonlybydirectlyperceivingone'sownnature.And,thereisnomeansfordirectself realisationexceptrightselfexertion.Hence,oneshouldgiveupdependenceuponagodorfateandbyrightselfexertionfirmlyrejecttheseekingofpleasure.When dispassionmatures,thespiritofenquiryarisesinoneself.Thespiritofenquirystrengthensdispassion.Thetwoareinterdependent,evenastheoceanandtheclouds are.Thesetwoandalsoselfrealisationareallintimatefriendsandalwaysexisttogether. Hence,firstofall,oneshouldabandonalldependenceonextraneousfactors(likegod)and,grindingone'steethandwithintenserightselfexertion,cultivate dispassion.Onemay,however,earnwealthwithoutviolatinglocaltraditionsandcustomsandwithoutdefyingone'srelatives,etc.Oneshouldutilisethiswealthto acquirethecompanyofgoodandholymenendowedwithnoblequalities.Suchcompanyofholymengeneratesdispassion.Thentherearisesthespiritofenquiry, knowledgeandthestudyofscriptures.Bystages,onereachesthesupremetruth. Whenyouturncompletelyawayfromthepursuitofpleasure,thenyouattaintothesupremestatethroughthemeansofenquiry.Whentheselfiscompletelypurified, thenyouwillbefirmlyestablishedinthesupremepeace.Youwill'neveragainfallintothemireofconceptualisationwhichisthecauseofsorrow.Thoughyoucontinue tolive,youwillremainfreedfromallhopesandexpectations.Youarepure!Salutationstoyou,Oembodimentofauspiciousness!! Inaccordancewiththeprevailingsocialtradition,acquirealittlewealthandwiththatacquirethecompanyofsaints,andadorethem.Bytheircompanyyouwillgain contemptfortheobjectsofpleasure.Andbytherightenquiryyouwillgainselfknowledge. V:25,26 BALIsaidtohimself:

Luckily,Irememberedallthatmyfathersaidtome.Nowthatcravingforpleasurehasceasedinme,Ishallattaintothestateoftranquilitywhichislikenectar.Iam reallyandtrulytiredofrepeatedlyearningwealth,fulfillingmydesiresandenjoyingsexualpleasures.Delightfulisthestateofpeaceinutterinnertranquility

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allpleasuresandpainsceasetobeofvalue. Lifeisonecontinuousroundofrepetitiveexperiencesnothingnewiseverexperienced.Ishallgiveupeverythingandwithmymindcompletelywithdrawnfromthe pursuitofpleasure,Ishallremainhappilyestablishedintheself.Thisuniverseisbutthecreationofthemind:whatislostbyabandoningit? Enoughofeventhisrepentance!For,theimportantthinginacureistheimmediatetreatmentoftheillness.'WhoamI?''Whatisallthis?'Ishallsubmitthesequestions tomyguruSukra*. VASISTHA*continued: Havingthusresolved,Balicontemplatedtheguruofthedemons,Sukra*.Onaccountoftheinfiniteconsciousnesshewasestablishedin,Sukra*wasomnipresentand knewthathisdiscipleneededhispresence.Instantly,hematerialisedhisbodyinfrontofthekingBali. Intheimmediatepresenceoftheguru,Balishonewithaspecialradiance.Hereceivedtheguruwithduehonoursandworshippedtheguru'sfeetwithgreatdevotion. Then, BALIaskedSukra*:Lord,itisthereflectionofyourowndivineradiancethatpromptsmetoplacethisproblembeforeyou.IhavenodesireforpleasureandIwish tolearnthetruth.WhoamI?Whoareyou?Whatisthisworld?Pleasetellmeallthis! SUKRA*replied:Iamonmywaytoanotherrealm,OBali:butIshallgiveyouinafewwordstheveryquintessenceofwisdom.Consciousnessaloneexists, consciousnessaloneisallthis,allthisisfilledwithconsciousness.I,you,andallthisworld,arebutconsciousness.Ifyouarehumbleandsincere,youwillgain everythingfromwhatIhavesaidifnot,anattemptatfurtherexplanationwillbelikepouringoblationsintoaheapofashes(i.e.,uselesstheoblationsaremeaningful onlywhenpouredintothesacredfire).Theobjectivity(conceptualisation)ofconsciousnessisknownasbondageandtheabandonmentofsuchobjectivityis liberation.Consciousnessminussuchobjectivityistherealityofeverything:thisistheconvictionofallphilosophies.Whenyouareestablishedinthisvision,youwill alsoattaintheinfiniteconsciousness.Ishallnowdeparttodotheworkofthegodsforaslongasthisbodylasts,oneshallnotabandonappropriateaction. AfterSukra*left,BALIreflectedthus: V:27

Whatmypreceptorsaidtomewasindeedcorrectandappropriate.Surely,allthatisisconsciousnessandthereisnaughtelse.Itiswhenthatinfiniteconsciousness entertainstheconcept'Thisissun'thatthesunisdistinguishedfromdarkness:itisconsciousnessthatdistinguisheslightfromdarkness.Itisconsciousnessthatcognises

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earthasearth,thedirectionsinspaceassuchdirectionsandthewholeworldastheworld.Ifconsciousnessdidnotrecogniseamountain,woulditexistasa mountain? Consciousnessitselfisallthis:includingthesenses,thebody,thedesiresthatariseinthemind,whateveriswithinandwhateverisoutside,spaceandevenchanging phenomena.ItisindeedonaccountofthatconsciousnessthatIamabletocomeintocontactwiththeobjectsandexperiencethem,notbecauseofthebodyitself. Regardlessofthebody,Iamconsciousness,whichistheselfoftheentireuniverse. Sinceconsciousnessexistsonewithoutasecond,whoismyfriendandwhoismyenemy?EveniftheheadofthebodyknownasBaliiscutoff,doestheinfinite consciousnessloseitshead?Evenhateandothersuchqualitiesarebutmodificationsofconsciousness.Hence,again,thereisneitherhatenorattachment,neithermind noritsmodificationssincetheconsciousnessisinfiniteandabsolutelypure,howcanperversionsariseinit?Consciousnessisnotitsname,itisbutaword!Ithasno name. Iamtheeternalsubjectfreefromallobjectandpredicate.Isalutethatomnipresentconsciousnesswhichisfreefromthetemptingconceptofobjects,andhence eternallyfree.Isalutemyselfwhichistheconsciousnessfreeofthesubjectobjectdivision,whichactsappropriatelywithoutdivisionandwhichisthelightwhichis reflectedinallappearances.Iamthatconsciousnessinwhichthecravingforexperiencehasceased.IamlimitlesslikespaceIamuntouchedbyhappiness, unhappinessandthelike.Letthemthereforedowhattheyliketome,forIamnondifferentfromthem.Movementofenergyinonesubstanceisneitherlossnorgain. Whenconsciousnessaloneiseverything,thoughtsoritsexpansionsdonotmakethatconsciousnessexpandorcontract.Hence,IshallcontinuetobeactivetillIreach absolutequiescenceintheself. VASISTHA*continued: Havingthusreflected,Bali,utteringthesacredwordOMandcontemplatingitssubtlesignificance,remainedquiet.Freedfromalldoubts,fromperceptionofobjects andwithoutthedivisionbetweenthinker,thoughtandthinking(meditation,meditatorandtheobjectofmeditation),withallintentionsandconceptsquietened,Bali remainedfirmlyestablishedinthesupremestatewithamindinwhichallmovementofthoughthadceased,likealampinawindlessplace.Thushelivedfora considerabletime. V:28,29 VASISTHA*continued:

Allthedemons(followersorsubjectsofthekingBali)rushedtothepalaceandsurroundedthekingwhowasseatedindeep

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contemplation.Unabletounderstandthemystery,theythoughtoftheirpreceptor,Sukra*.TheybeheldSukra*infrontofthem.Sukra*sawthatBaliwasinasuper consciousstate.Hesaidtothedemons,withasmileradiatingjoy: "Itisindeedwonderful,Odemons,thatthiskingBalihasattainedsuchperfectionbydintofhisownresoluteenquiry.Lethimremainestablishedinhisownself.The mentalactivitythatgivesrisetotheperceptionoftheworldhasceasedinhim:hencedonottrytotalktohim.Whenthedarknightofignorancecomestoanend,the sunofselfknowledgearises:suchishisstatenow.Incourseoftimehehimselfwillcomeoutofthatstate,whentheseedofworldperceptionbeginstosproutinhis consciousness.Hence,goaboutdoingyourworkasbefore:hewillreturntoworldconsciousnessinathousandyearsfromnow." Hearingthis,thedemonsreturnedtotheirpostsofdutyandcarriedontheworkoftherealm.Afterathousandcelestialyearsofsuchcontemplation,thekingBaliwas awakenedbythemusicofthecelestialsanddivinities.Asupernaturallightthatradiatedfromhimilluminedtheentirecity. Evenbeforethedemonscouldreachhimagain,BALIreflectedthus: ItwasindeedawondrousstateinwhichIremainedforabriefmoment.Ishallcontinuetoremaininthatstate:whathaveItodowiththeaffairsoftheexternalworld? Supremepeaceandblissreigninmyownheartnow. (Inthemeantime,thedemonsrushedtowherehesatafterlookingatthem,Balicontinuedtoreflectthus:) Iamconsciousnessandinmetheredoesnotexistanyperversion.Whatisthereformetoacquireortoabandon?Whatfun:Ilongforliberation,butwhohasbound me,whenandhow!WhydoIlongforliberationthen?Thereisnobondageandnoliberation:whatshallIgainbymeditationorbynotmeditating?Freedfrom delusionofmeditationandnonmeditation,letbewhathastobe:thereisneithergainnorlosstome.Idonotdesireeithermeditationornonmeditation,neitherjoy nornonjoy,Idonotdesirethesupremebeingortheworld.IamneitheralivenordeadIamneitherrealnorunreal.Salutationstomyself,theinfinitebeing!Letthis worldbemykingdom,IshallbewhatIam:letthisworldbenotmykingdom,IshallbewhatIam.WhathaveItodowithmeditationandwhathaveItodowiththe kingdom?Letbewhathastobe.Ibelongtononeandnonebelongstome.ThereisabsolutelynothingthathastobedonebywhatisknownasmethenwhyshouldI notdothatactionwhichisnatural?

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Thushavingreflected,thekingBaliturnedhisradiantgazetowardstheassembleddemons,evenasthesungazesuponalotus. VASISTHA*continued: KingBalithereafterruledthekingdom,doingeverythingspontaneouslywithoutpremeditation.Heworshippedthebrahmanas*,godsandtheholyones.Hetreatedhis relativeswithdeference.Herewardedhisservantsamplyandgaveincharitymorethanwhattheywhosoughtithadexpected.Hefondlysportedwiththewomenfolk. Thewishtoperformasacredriteroseinhisheart.Quicklyheassembledthemenandmaterialsneededforit.Heconductedtheriteintheappropriatemanner.Itwas duringthisritethatlordVisnu*v,wishingtosnatchtherulershipofthethreeworldsfromBaliandbestowituponIndra,tooktheformofadwarfandcheatedBaliinto givingawaytherulershipoftheworldtoVisnu*incharity. ORama*,thisBaliwillbethenextIndrahencehedwellsinthenetherworld(towhichhehadbeensentbylordVisnu*himself)asaliberatedandenlightenedsage, awaitingthetimewhenheshallruletheheaven.Heistotallyunconcernedwhetherheisvisitedbyprosperityoradversity.Hisconsciousnessdoesnotexperience elationordepressioninhappinessorunhappiness.Hehadruledthethreeworldsforbillionsofyearsbutnowhisheartisatrest.Onceagainhewillrulethethree worldsasIndraforaverylongtime. But,heisnotexcitedattheprospectofbecomingIndranorwashedepressedwhenhelosthispositionandwashurledintothenetherworld.Hewelcomeswhatever comestohimunsoughtandisatpeacewithinhimself. ThushaveItoldyouthestoryofkingBali,ORama*.Gainsuchavisionashehadandenjoysupremefelicity.Abandonthedesirefortheessencelessanduseless sensepleasureinthisworld.Theattractiveobjectsthattemptyouheredonotdeserveyouradmirationanymorethanrockfiguresseenatadistance.Establishyour mind,whichflitsfromonethingtoanother,firmlyinyourheart. Youarethelightofconsciousness,ORama*inyouaretheworldsrooted.Whoisyourfriendandwhoisother?Youaretheinfinite.Inyouarealltheworldsstrung likebeadsofarosary.Thatbeingwhichthouartisneitherbornnordoeshedie.Theselfisrealbirthanddeathareimaginary.Enquireintothenatureofallthe illnessesthatbesetlife,andlivewithoutcraving.YouarethelightandtheLord,Rama*:andthisworldappearstobeinthatlight.Ithasnorealandindependent existence. Formerly,youhadrepeatedlyentertainedthewrongnotionsofthedesirableandtheundesirable:giveupthesetoo.Thenyouwill

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enjoyequanimity:andthewheelofbirthwillcometoahalt.Inwhateverthemindtendstosink,retrieveitfromitanddirectittowardsthetruth.Thuswillthewild elephantofthemindbetamed.Donotbeledastraybythelongwindedemptystatementsofthewickedselfappointedteacherswhohavenodirectexperience:you willsurelyattainenlightenmentbylisteningtomydiscourse.

TheStoryofPrahlada*
VASISTHA*continued: V:30,31

ORama*,Ishallnarratetoyouanotherstorywhichillustratesthepathtoenlightenmentwhichisfreefromobstacles. InthenetherworldtherewasamightydemonkingknownasHiranyakasipu*.HehadwrestedthesovereigntyofthethreeworldsfromIndra(Hari?).Heruledthe threeworlds.Hehadmanysons.AmongthemwasthefamousPrahlada*whoshonelikeabrilliantdiamondamongjewels. Thedemonkingwhothusenjoyedthelordshipofthethreeworlds,theblessingofamightyarmyandgoodchildren,becameproudandarrogant.Hisaggressiveways andhisruleofterrorgreatlyworriedthegodswhoprayedtothecreatorBrahmatofindawayoutoftheirpredicament.Inanswertotheirprayer,thelordHari assumedtheformofNarasimhaanddestroyedthedemonking.Narasimha'sbodywasenormousandpowerful.Hehadsharpanddreadfulteethandnails.Hisear ringswerelikefirebrands.Hisabdomenwasmountainous.Hehadpowerfularmswhichcouldshakethewholecreation.Hisbreathrockedmountains.Thehairson hisbodywereliketonguesofflames.Hisverylimbswereterriblemissiles.UnabletoendurethefierygazeofNarasimha,thedemonsfledinalldirections.Theinner apartmentsofthepalacehadbeenreducedtoashes. Prahladawhoselifehadbeensparedperformedthefuneralriteofhisfallenrelations.Heconsoledthewoundedones.Stunnedbythemagnitudeofthedestruction,he andtheotherswhoremainedalivestoodimmobileforawhile. PRAHLADA*mused:Whoistheretohelpusnow:theveryseedsofthedemonfamilieshavebeendestroyedbyHari.Alas,ourenemyhasswiftlyreachedthepeak ofmilitaryvictory.Thegodswhousedtobowdownhumblytothefeetofmyfatherhaveoccupiedourrealm.Myownrelationshavebecomelustreless,unemployed, withoutenthusiasm,destituteandmiserable.Thedemonswhowerestrongandpowerfulonce,areweakandtimidnowlikethegods:indeed,mysteriousisthedestiny. Atimiddeerwhenitistakeninto

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astrangevillage,takesfrightatthesoundofafallingleaf:evensothedemonesses,whohaveseenthevalouroftheenemy,panicatanything. Thegodshavetakenbackthewishfulfillingtree.Evenasthedemonsdelightedtolookatthefacesofthegoddessesbefore,thegodsdelighttolookatthe demonessesnow.Thedemigoddessesandotherswhoenjoyedlifeintheinnerapartmentsofthedemonshaveescapedandhavegoneawaytotheforestsofthe mountMeruandlivelikebirdsoftheforest.Myownmothers(thequeens)aretheveryimagesofgrief.Alas,myfather'sfanservesIndranow.BythegraceofHari, wehavebeensubjectedtoincomparableandinexpressibleadversity,theverythoughtofwhichmakesusmiserableanddesperate. PRAHLADA*continuedtomuse: EvenasthesnowcladpeaksoftheHimalayas*areneversubjectedtothescorchingheatofthesun,thegodswholiveintheshadeoftheprotectionofVisnu*arenot subjectedtooppression.Evenasalittlemonkeyseatedonthebranchofatreeannoysapowerfuldogstandingontheground,thesegodsenjoyingthesecurityofthe protectionofVisnu*harassthedemons. ItisVisnu*thatprotectsthewholeuniverseandupholdsit.EvenifVisnu*abandonstheuseofweapons,noonecanfacehim(Narasimhadidnotuseconventional weapons).Healoneistherefugeofallbeingsinthisworld,thereforebyallmeansoneshouldtakerefugeinhimthereisnootherway.Nooneissuperiortohimand healoneisthecauseofthecreation,preservationanddissolutionoftheuniverse.FromthisverymomentIshallalsobedevotedtoVisnu*andliveasiffilledwithhis presence.Theholymantra'NamoNarayanaya*'dedicatedtohimiscapableofbestowingeveryblessingonthedevotee:mayitneverleavemyheart. However,onewhoisnotVisnu*doesnotderiveanybenefitbyworshippingVisnu*.OneshouldworshipVisnu*bybeingVisnu*.HenceIamVisnu*.Hewhois knownasPrahlaldaisnoneotherthanVisnu*:thereisnoduality.Visnu's*vehicleGaruda*nowbearsme.Hisinsigniaadornmylimbs.Laksmi*,hisconsort,is standingnexttome.AllthedivinesplendourofVisnu*hasbecomemine. Theconch,thediscus,themaceandswordwhicharethesymbolsthatareinvariablyassociatedwithVisnu*arewithmenow.Thelotusthatbearsonitthecreator Brahma*springsfrommynavel.Theentireuniversewhichrepeatedlyappearsanddisappearsisinmyabdomen. MycolourisnowthecolourofVisnu*,whichisblue.IamdressedintheyellowgarmentofVisnu*.IamVisnu*.Whocanbemyenemy

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andwhocanchallengemenow?SinceIamVisnu*,hewhoishostiletomehassurelyreachedtheendofhislifespan.Thesedemonswhostandinfrontofmefindit difficultorimpossibletoendurethedazzlingbrilliancethatradiatesfromme.Andthosegodsarereallysingingmyownpraise,asIamVisnu*. IhavetranscendedallsenseofdualityandthereforeIhavemyselfbecomeVisnu*.Heinwhoseabdomeneverabidesthethreeworlds,hewhosubduesallevilforces intheuniverseandhewhodispelstheanxietiesandfearsofallheamIandIsalutehim. VASISTHA*continued: V:32,33

HavingthustransfiguredhimselfintotheveryimageofVisnu*,Prahlada*thoughtofworshippingVisnu*.Hethought,''HerestandsanotherVisnu*whoisalsoseated onhisvehicleGaruda*,whoisendowedwithallthedivinequalitiesandpowers,whobearsalltheinsigniarelativetothestatusofVisnu*.Ishallnowworshiphim accordingtothetraditionrelatingtosuchworship,butmentally.'' Havingthusresolved,Prahlada*mentallyworshippedVisnu*,withallthematerialsordainedbytraditionandscripturalinjunctions.Afterthishealsoworshipped Visnu*withexternalritesandrituals.Uponcompletionofthisworship,Prahlada*rejoiced. Fromthattime,Prahlada*worshippedVisnu*inthatmannereveryday.Seeinghimandfollowinghisexample,allthedemonsinthekingdomalsobecamestaunch devoteesofVisnu*.And,therumourspreadlikewildfireinheaventhatthedemonswhohadtilllatelybeenenemiesofVisnu*,hadsuddenlybecomehisdevotees! Thegodsinheavenwerebewildered:howcoulddemonsbecomedevotees!TheyquicklyapproachedVisnu*andaskedhim. THEGODSsaid: Lord,whatisthismystery?Thedemonsareyourtraditionalenemies.Thattheyshouldturnintoyourdevoteesappearstobeunrealandatrick.Whereisthediabolical natureofthedemonsandwhereisdevotiontoyouwhicharisesonlyduringthelastincarnationofajiva*?Goodanddivinequalitiesjustdonotgowiththesedemons: itsoundssoincongruous.Surely,thequalitiesofabeingarealwaysinaccordancewiththefundamentalnatureofthatbeing.Tohearthatthesedemonshavebecome yourdevoteesovernightisalmostpainful.Ifitweresaidthattheyhadgraduallyevolvedintohigherstatesofbeing,cultivatedgoodqualitiesandthenbecomeyour devotees,wecouldverywellunderstandit.Butthatsomeonewhohasbeenofwickeddispositionhasallatoncebecomeyourdevotee,isincredible. THELORDreplied: Ogods,donotsufferdoubtanddespair.Prahlada*hasbecomemy

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devotee.Thisisindeedhislastbirthandhedeservestobeliberatednow.Theseedsofhisignorancehavebeenburnthewillnotbebornanymore.Itismeaningless andpainfultohearthatagoodmanhasbecomeevilminded.Itisappropriateandgoodtohearthatonewhohashadnogoodqualitieshasbecomegood.Prahlada's *changeisforyourgood.(Alternativemeaning:Itisimpropertosaythatonewhoislimitedandconditionedbecameunconditioned:butitistruetosaythatthe unconditionedbeingwithoutqualitiesappearstobeconditioned.) VASISTHA*continued: Afterthusreassuringthegods,Visnu*disappeared.And,thegodsreturnedtotheirrespectiveabodes.TheybecamefriendlytowardsPrahlada*. EverydayPrahlada*thusworshippedthelordVisnu*bythought,wordanddeed.Astheimmediatefruitofsuchworship,allthenoblequalitieslikewisdomand dispassiongrewinhim.Hedidnotseekpleasureevenhisminddidnotcontemplatepleasure.Havingabandonedcravingforpleasure,hismindwasdanglingwithout support.LordVisnu*cametoknowofthestateofPrahlada*.HetravelledalongthenetherworldtowherePrahlada*wasworshippinghim.SeeingthatlordVisnu* himselfhadcometothepalace,Prahlada*rejoicedevenmoreandworshippedVisnua*gain. PRAHLADA*prayed: ItakerefugeintheLordinwhomthethreeworldsrejoice,whoisthesupremelightwhichdestroysthedarknessofeverykindofignoranceandimpurity,whoisthe refugeofthehelplessdestitute,whoaloneistheLordwhoserefugeisworthseeking,theunborn,thesurestsecurity.Youareradiantlikethebluelotusortheblue jewelyourbodyisbluelikethezenithoftheclearwinterskyandyouholdyourdivineinsigniainyourhandsItakerefugeinyou.Itakerefugeinhimwhosevoice isthetruth(theholyscriptures),whosenavellotusistheseatofBrahma*thecreatorandwhodwellsintheheartsofallbeings.Itakerefugeinhimtheradianceof whosenailssparklesasthestarsintheheaven,whosesweetsmilingfaceisthemoon,inwhoseheartthereisajewelfromwhichraysemanateandflowastheholy riverGanga*andwhoiscladinthepureautumnalsky.Itakerefugeinhiminwhomthisextensiveuniverserestswithoutdiminution,whoiseverunbornand unchanging,whosebodyiscomposedofalltheauspiciousqualitiesandwhorestsonabanyanleaf.ItakerefugeinhimwhohasgoddessLaksmi*athisownside,the beautyofwhosebodyislikethebeautyofthesettingsun.ItakerefugeintheLordwhoislikethesununtothelotusofthethreeworlds,whoislikealampuntothe darknessofignorance,

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whoisofthenatureofinfiniteconsciousness,andwhodestroysthesufferinganddistressofallbeingsintheuniverse. THELORDsaid: V:34

OPrahlada*,youareanoceanofgoodqualitiesandyouareindeedthejewelamongthedemons.Askofmeanyboonofyourchoicewhichisconducivetothe cessationofthesorrowofbirth. PRAHLADA*said: Lord,youaretheindwellerofallbeingsandyougrantthefruitionofallourwishes.Pray,grantmethatboonwhichyouconsidertobelimitlessandinfinite. THELORDsaid: Prahlada*,mayyoubeendowedwiththespiritofenquirytillyourestintheinfiniteBrahman,sothatallyourdelusionsmightcometoanendandyoumayattainthe highestfruit(blessing). VASISTHA*continued: Havingsaidthus,theLorddisappeared.Prahlada*concludedhisworshipandaftersinginghymnsinpraiseoftheLord,begantoreflectinthefollowingmanner. PRAHLADA*contemplated: TheLordhadcommanded"Becontinuallyengagedinenquiry"hence,IshallengagemyselfinenquiryintotheselfWhatamIwhospeaks,walks,standsand functionsonthiselaboratestageknownastheworldIshouldfindthisouttobeginwith. Surely,Iamnotthisworldwhichisoutsideandwhichisinert,composedoftrees,shrubsandmountains.NoramIthebodywhichwasbornonaccountofthe movementofthelifebreath,andwhichseemstoliveforaverybriefmoment.Iamnotsound(wordornameorexpression)whichisapprehendedbytheinert substanceknownastheear,whichisbutamomentarymovementofairandwhichisdevoidofformanddevoidofexistence.Iamnotthesenseorexperienceof touch,whichisalsomomentaryandwhichisabletofunctiononlyonaccountoftheinfiniteconsciousness.NoramIthesenseoftastebasedontheeverchangingand restlesstongueeverdevotedtoitsobjects.Iamnotthesenseofsight(orform)whichtooismomentaryandwhichisbutaperversionoftheunderstandingoftheseer. NoramIthesenseofsmell,whichisanimaginarycreationofthenoseandwhichhasanindeterminateform. Hence,Iamdevoidofalltheseimaginaryqualities.Ihavenothingwhatsoevertodowiththefunctionsofthesesenses.Iampureconsciousness.Iampeacebeyond thought. PRAHLADA*continuedtocontemplate: Iamtheallpervadingrealitywhichisdevoidofobjectivityandthereforeperceptsandconcepts.Iampureconsciousness.Itisby

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thisconsciousnessthatallthings,fromalittlepottothemightysun,areperceived.Ah,InowrecollectthetruththatIamtheselfwhichisomnipresent,inwhichthereis noconceptualisation.Itisbythatselfthatallthesensesandtheirexperiencesaremadepossible,foritistheinnerlight.Itisbecauseofthatinnerlightthatthese objectsacquiretheirapparentsubstantiality. Itisthankstothatinnerlightofconsciousness,whichisutterlyfreefromallmodifications,thatthesunishot,themooniscool,themountainisheavyandwateris liquid.Itisthecauseofalltheeffectsthatmanifestasthiscreation,butitisitselfuncaused.Itisonaccountofthatinnerlightofconsciousnessthatthecharacteristic natureofthediverseobjectsarises.Becauseitisformlessandbecauseitisthecauseofalleffects,thisuniversehasariseninit,withallitsdiversity.Italoneisthe causeofthemanifestationofthetrinity(Brahma*thecreator,Visnu*thepreserverandSivatheredeemer)butitisnotitselfcaused. Isalutethisselfwhichisitsownlight,freefromthedualityofknowerandknown,subjectandobject.Initexistallthingsofthisuniverseandintoittheyenter. Whateverthisinnerselfthinksof,thathappenseverywhereapparentlyasanexternalreality.Whenthoughtofbythisconsciousness,thesethingsseemtocomeinto beingwhenthoughtofasnonexistent,theyreachtheirend.Thus,alltheseinfiniteobjectsappearinthelimitlessspaceofconsciousness.Theyappeartogrowand theyappeartodiminish,evenasashadowseemstogrowandtodiminishinthelightofthesun. Thisselforinnerlightofconsciousnessisunknownandunseen:itisattainedbythosewhohavepurifiedtheirheart.Butbytheholyonesitisseeninthesupremely purecosmicspace(dimension)ofconsciousness. ThisselfexistsinanundividedstateinthethreeworldsfromBrahma*thecreatortothebladeofgrass,astheinfiniteandselfluminousconsciousness.Itisone, withoutbeginningandenditexistsastheall,astheinnerexperiencingofallmobileandimmobilebeings. PRAHLADA*continuedtocontemplate: Theoneself,whichisthesoleexperiencing,isthereforetheexperiencerinall:hencetheselfissaidtohaveathousandhandsandathousandeyes.Withthisbeauteous bodyofthesun,thisselfwhichis'I'roamsthespace,asalsointhebodyofair.Itisthesamewiththeselfembodiedasthedeityholdingtheconch,discus,mace,etc., whoisadoredinthisworld.Itwasthisselfor'I'thatwasbornastheonewhoiseverseatedinthelotus(thecreatorBrahma*).Itistheselfagainthatshalldissolve thiscreationorwithdrawit

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frommanifestationattheendoftheworldcycle. TheselfreferredtoastheIembodiedinIndraprotectstheworld.Iamwoman,Iamman,Iamtheyouth,Iamthesenileoldmanandonaccountofembodiment,I amapparentlybornhere.Iamtheomnipresent.FromthegroundoftheinfiniteconsciousnessIraisetreesandplants,beingpresentinthemastheirveryessence. Evenasclayinthehandsofaplayfulchild,thisworldappearanceispervadedbymeformyowndelight.Theworldderivesitsrealityfromtheself(me),itfunctionsin andthroughmeandwhenIabandonitorceasetocomprehendit,itceasestohaveanyreality.For,thisworldexistsinme,theselforinfiniteconsciousness,evenasa reflectionseemstoexistinamirror. Iamthefragranceinflowers,Iamtheradianceinflowersandleaves,IamthelightintheradianceandeveninthatlightIamtheexperience.Whatevermobileand immobilebeingsexistinthisuniverse,Iamtheirsupremetruthorconsciousnessfreefromconceptualisation.Iamtheveryessenceinallthingsintheuniverse.Justas butterexistsinmilkandjustasliquidityexistsinwater,evensoastheenergyofconsciousnessIexistinallthatexists.Thisworldappearanceofthepast,thepresent andthefutureexistsintheinfiniteconsciousnesswithoutthedistinctionofobjectivity.Thisomnipresent,omnipotentcosmicbeingistheselfwhichisindicatedbythe'I'. Thiscosmickingdomknownastheuniversehascometomeunsoughtandispervadedbyme.AstheselfortheinfiniteconsciousnessIpervadetheentireuniverse, evenastheonecosmicoceanpervadesthecosmosafterthecosmiccreationhasbeendissolved.Evenasalame(incapacitated)aquaticcreaturefindsthecosmic oceaniswithoutlimits,Ifindnoendtotheextentofmyself,whichisinfinite.Thisworldappearanceislikeadustparticleintheinfiniteconsciousness:itdoesnot satisfyme,evenasatinyfruitdoesnotappeaseanelephant'shunger.Hence,theformwhichbegantoexpandinthehouseofthecreatorBrahma*evennow continuestoexpand. PRAHLADA*continuedtocontemplate: Truly,itwasbuttheinfiniteconsciousnessthatexisted:howhasthisfinite,limitedegosenseariseninit,withoutanyjustificationandsupport?Whathasgivenriseto thedelusionwhichexpressesitselfinstatementslike'Thisisyou'and'ThisIam'?Whatisthisbodyandwhatisbodilessness,wholivesandwhoisitthatdies?Surely,' myancestorswereoflittleunderstandinginthattheyabandonedthisinfiniteconsciousnessandroamedthislittleearth.Whatcomparisonistherebetweenthevisionof theinfiniteandthisfearfulvanityknownasworldlyglory,whichisfullofdreadful

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desiresandcravings?Thisvisionoftheinfiniteconsciousnessispureandisofthenatureofsupremepeace:anditissurelytheverybestamongthevisionsthatare possibleinthisuniverse. Isalutemyownselfwhichistheindwellerinallbeings,whichistheconsciousnessfreedfromobjectivityorconceptualisationandwhichistheintelligenceinallbeings. Iamtheunborninwhomtheworldappearancehasvanished.Ihavegainedwhatisworthgaining.IhavetriumphedandIlivetriumphantly.Ifindnodelightinreigning overakingdom,.abandoningthissupremefelicityofcosmicconsciousness.Fieuponthosewickeddemonswhorevelinthefilthofthisworldlylife. Alas,howfoolishandignorantofmyfathertohaveremainedsatisfiedandpleasedwiththisphysicalexistence!Whathashegainedbylivingalonglifeandbyreigning overthislittlemudballcalledtheearth?Thedelightsofevencountlesssuchworldsisnothingcomparedtotheblissoftheself.Hewhohasnothingbuthasthisself knowledgehaseverything.Hewhoabandonsthisandseeksotherthingsisnotamanofwisdom.Whatcomparisonistherebetweenthismortalphysicalexistence (liketheariddesert)andtheblissofenlightenment(likeadelightfulpleasuregarden)?Thesovereigntyoftheworldasalsoallthingsinthethreeworldsexistin consciousness:whydopeoplenotexperiencethetruththatthereisnothingoutsideofconsciousness? Everything,everywhereandatalltimesiseasilyobtainedthroughconsciousnesswhichisomnipresentandundifferentiated.Thelightthatshinesinthesunandthe moon,theenergythatanimatesthegods,theintrinsiccharacteristicofthemindandtheelements,thequalitiesandthefacultiesthatexistinnature(likethatinspace whichpermitsaircrafttomoveinit)andtheinfinitevarietyofthemanifestationsofenergyandintelligencearealltheexpansionsandthefunctionsoftheonecosmic consciousness,whichinitselfisundividedandunmodified.Evenasthesunshinesonallthingswithoutdistinction,thiscosmicconsciousnessilluminesallthingswithout distinction,instantlyandspontaneouslyastheveryselfofallthingsintheuniverse. PRAHLADA*continuedtocontemplate: Theinfiniteconsciousnesssimultaneouslypervadesthethreeperiodsoftimeandexperiencestheinfiniteworlds.Itenvelopsall,itseesallandbecauseitisundisturbed andunmodified,italoneremainsatalltimes.Thisconsciousnessexperiencessimultaneouslywhatissweetandwhatisbitteritistranquilandatpeace.Becausethis consciousnessisinitselffreefromallmodifications(conceptsandpercepts),andbecauseitissubtleandexperiencesallthingsat

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thesametime,itiseveratpeaceandhomogeneous,evenwhileapparentlyexperiencingthediversityofdiversephenomena. Whentheapparentlytransformedbecomingresortstoorrestsonthatbeingwhichhasnotundergoneanymodification,theformerisfreedfromsorrow:andwhen whatisisseenbywhatisnot(orbythemindinwhichthereisnomovementofthought)thatwhichis,abandonsitswickedness. Whenconsciousnessabandonstheperceptionofthethreemodesoftime,whenitisfreedfromthebondageofobjectivityorconceptualisation,itrestsinutter tranquility.Itisasifitwereunreal,becauseitisbeyonddescription:hencesomepeopledeclarethattheselfdoesnotexist.Whetherthereistheself(Brahman)ornot, thatwhichisnotsubjecttodissolutionisthesupremeliberation. Onaccountofthemodification(thought),thisconsciousnessisapparentlyveiledandisnotrealised.Theywhoaresunkinthemireofattractionandrepulsionare unabletoreachthisrealisation.Theyarecaughtinthenetofthoughts.Suchhavebeenmyancestors.Onaccountoftheirdesireandhateandthedeludedperception ofduality,theyleadthelifeofvermin. Heinwhomtheghostsofcravingsandhostilityhavebeenlaidandthemirageofignorantthinkingandpsychologicalperversionhasbeendispelledbythecloudoftrue innerawakening,healonelives.For,howcanthereariseconceptsandperceptsintheinfiniteconsciousnesswhichaloneis? Isalutetheself!Salutationstomyselftheundividedconsciousness,thejewelofalltheseenandtheunseenworlds!Youhaveindeedbeenreachedverysoon!You havebeentouched,youhavebeengained,youhavebeenrealised,youhavebeenraisedaboveallkindsofperversions:youarewhatyouare.Salutationstoyou. Salutationstoyoumyself,Siva*,theLordoflords,thesupremeself. Isalutetheselfwhichrejoicesinitsownbody,beingestablishedinitself,infullcontrolofitself,utterlyfreedfromtheveilofselfimposedignorance(thoughtsand concepts). PRAHLADA*continuedtocontemplate: V:35

OMistheonenondualconsciousnessdevoidofallperversion.Whateverthereisintheuniverseistheoneself.Evenwithinthisbodycomposedoffleshandblood, etc.,itistheintelligencethatshines,asitdoesinandthroughlightsourcessuchasthesun,etc.Itmakesthefirehotandittastesthenectarinesweetness:itexperiences allsenseexperiences,asitwere.Standing,itisnotstationarygoing,itdoesnotmoveatrestitiseverbusydynamic,itisunaffected.Inthepast,presentandinthe future,here,there

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andeverywhere,itiseverthesameinallapparentmodifications.Utterlyfearlessanduninhibited,itisthisconsciousnessthatbringsintomanifestationandsustainsthe infinitevarietyofbeings,fromBrahma*thecreatortothebladeofgrass.Itiseverdynamicandactiveyetitismoreinactivethanarockanditismoreunaffectedby suchactivitythaneventhespace. Itisthissell:orconsciousnessthatactivatesthemindevenaswindrustlestheleavesitmakesthesensesfunctionastheriderguidesthehorse.Thoughthesell:isthe lordofthisbody,itiseverengagedindiverseactionsasifitwereaslave. Thisselfaloneistobesought,adoredandmeditatedupon.Itisbyresortingtoitthatonecrossesthisworldappearancewithitscycleofbirthanddeathanddelusion. Itisveryeasilyaccessible,itcanbeeasilywonoverlikeagoodfriend,foritdwellsintheheartlotusofeveryone.Itisattainedinone'sownbody,withouteventhe needtocalluponit:itmanifestsitselfandrevealsitselfevenifitiscontemplatedforaninstant.ThoughitistheLordofallandisendowedwithallexcellences,onewho adoresitisfreefromarroganceandpride. Thisselfdwellsinallbodiesevenasfragranceresidesinflowers.Itisnotrealisedbyallbecausenooneenquiresintothetruthconcerningtheself.Ifitisrealised throughselfenquiry,thereisinstantexperienceof:supremeblissandonegetsanundyingvisionoftruth:allfettersdropaway,allenemiesarequelledandcravingsdo notagitatethemind.Whenitisseen,everythingisseenwhenitisheard,everythingisheardwhenitistouched,everythingistouchedfortheworldisbecauseitis. Itisawakeevenwhenonesleeps,itgoadstheunwiseintowakefulness,itremovesthedistressofthesufferingandbestowsalldesiredobjects.Inthiscreation,it existsasifitisajiva*(livingentity)itappearstoenjoythepleasuresanditseemstoexpandintheobjectsofthisworld. Yet,inallbodies,itexistsastheself,experiencingitselfinuttertranquility.Itistheonesoleandcosmicrealityinthewholeuniverse. PRAHLADA*continuedtocontemplate: Thissell:istheemptinessinspace.Itisthemotioninallthingsmoving.Itisthelightinallthingsluminous.Inallliquidsitistaste.Itissolidityinearth.Itisheatinfire.It iscoolnessinthemoon.ItistheveryexistenceIttheworlds.Evenasallthesecharacteristicqualitiesexistinthecorrespondingsubstances,evensoitexistsasLordin thebody.Justasexistenceexistseverywhereandjustastimeexistsatalltimes,thisselfexistsinallbodies,withallthephysicalandpsychologicalfaculties.

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Thisselfistheeternalexistence.Itenlightenseventhegods.I,theself,aloneam:inmethereisnoperceptorconcept.Evenasspaceisunaffectedbythedust particlesfloatinginit,evenasalotusisuntaintedbywater,evensoIamnotaffectedbyanything.Letthebodybesubjectedtohappinessorunhappiness:howisthe selfaffectedbyit?Justastheflameofalamp(thoughthewickitselfismadeofthreads)cannotbeboundbyapieceofthread,theselfwhichexceedsortranscendsall materialexistenceisnotboundbysuchmateriality.Whatrelationshipcanexistbetweenus(theself)andthecravingswhichspringfromnotionsofexistenceandnon existenceandfromthesenses?Whoorwhatbindsthespaceandbywhomisthemindbound? Evenifthebodyiscutintoahundredpieces,theselfisnotinjuredevenifthepotispulverised,thespacewithinitisnotdestroyed.Evenifthisgoblinmindwhich existsonlyasawordandnotasareality,ceasestobe,whatdowelose?Formerly,therewasamindwhichconsistedofnotionsofhappinessandunhappiness:but nowthatallsuchnotionshaveceasedtobe,whereismymind?Whichfoolwouldentertainsuchnotionsas'Oneenjoysanother','Onegraspsanother','Onesees another','Onesuffersacalamity'?Naturealoneenjoys,themindgraspsorcomprehends,sufferingbelongstothebody,thewickedpersonisafool:butinonewho hasattainedliberationthereisnoneofthese.Ineitherentertaincravingforpleasure,nordoIwishtogetridofit.Whatevercomes,letitcomewhatevergoes,letit go.Letnotionsofdiverseexperienceseitherariseorsetinthebody:Iamneitherinthemnortheyinme. ForsolongIhavebeenenslavedbythedreadedenemyknownasignorancewhorobbedmeofmywealthofwisdom.Butnow,bythegraceoflordVisnu*and throughmyownexcellentselfeffort,Ihaveattainedthatwisdom.Bythemagicspellofselfknowledgethisgoblinegosensehasbeenexpelled.Ridofthedestitution ofdelusion,IremainasthesupremeLord.Allthatisworthknowingisalreadyknown,allthatisworthseeinghasbeenseenIhavenowattainedthatbeyondwhich thereisnaughttobeattained. PRAHLADA*continuedtocontemplate: Luckilyforme,thedeadlyserpentofcravingforsensepleasurehasbeenleftfarbehindandalldelusionsandhopeshavebeenquietened.Ihaveattainedtheplaneof supremetruth.TheLordwhoistheself,hasbeenseenbymebymeansofsinginghymns,salutations,prayer,peaceofmindanddisciplinedliving.Bythegraceoflord Visnu*therealisationofthesupremebeingisfirmlyestablishedinmyheart.

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TillnowIwasharassedbyignorantlimitationsanddelusions.Theforestofignorancehasnumerousanthillsinhabitedbydeadlysnakesintheformofsensecravings, manyblindholesknownasdeathandmanyforestfiresofsorrowinitroamthethievesofviolenceandgreed,asalsothemostdeadlyenemyofegosense.NowI amfreeofthatbythegraceoflordVisnu*asalsobymyownselfeffortandmyintelligencehasbeenfullyawakened.InthelightofthatawakenedintelligenceIdo notperceiveanentitywhichcanbecalledegosense,evenasonedoesnotseedarknesswhenthesunhasarisen.Nowthatthegoblinofegosensehasbeenlaid,I remainatpeacewithinmyself. Whenthetruthisseenandtheegosensehasbeendispelled,whereisroomfordelusion,sorrows,hopes,desiresandmentaldistress?Heavenandhell,asalso delusionsconcerningliberation,existonlyaslongastheegosenseexists:picturesarepaintedoncanvas,notonemptysky!Whentheintelligenceisfreedfromthe cloudofegosenseandfromthethunderstormofcravings,itshineswiththelightofselfknowledge,evenastheskyshinesduringtheautumnalfullmoonnight. Oselffreefromthemireofegosense,salutationstoyou.Oselfinwhomthefearsomesensesandallconsumingmindhaveattainedquiescence,salutationstoyou.O selfinwhomthelotusofblisshasfullyblossomed,salutationstoyou.Osell:whosetwowingsareconsciousnessanditsreflection,andwhodwellsinthelotusofthe heart,salutationstoyou.Oself,thesunthatdispelsthedarknessofignoranceintheheart,salutationstoyou.Oself,thepromoterof:supremeloveandthesustainer ofallthingsintheuniverse,salutationstoyou. Evenassteelcutsthesteelbeamwhichhasbeenheated,Ihavesubduedthemindwithitsownpurifiedstate.Ihavecutasundercravings,ignoranceandfoolishness bytheiropposites.Egolessly,mybodyfunctionswithitsinherentenergy.Thepasttendencies,mentalconditioningandlimitationshavebeencompletelydestroyed.I begintowonder:howwasitthatforsuchalongtimeIwascaughtupinthetrapoftheegosense!Freedfromdependency,fromhabitsofthought,fromdesiresand cravings,fromdeludedbeliefintheexistenceoftheego,fromthecolouringofpleasureseekingtendencyandfromrevelrymymindhasreachedastateofutter quiescence.Withthis,allsorrowhascometoanendandthelightofsupremeblisshasdawned! V:36 PRAHLADA*continuedtocontemplate:

Atlast,thesell:whichisbeyondallstatesormodesofconsciousnesshasbeenrealised.Oself!fortunatelyyouhavebeenrealised

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salutationstoyou.Isaluteyou,Iembraceyou:whobutyouismyfriendandrelativeinthethreeworlds?Youalonedestroy,youaloneprotect,yougive,youpraise andyoumove:now,Oself,youhavebeenseenandattainedwhatwillyoudonowandwherewillyougo?Byyourrealityarealltheworldspervaded,youalone areseeneverywhere,Oself:wherewillyouruntonow? Betweenusstoodthegreatwallofignorancefrombeginninglesstime.Nowthatthatwallhascollapsedyouareseentobenotdistantatall.Salutationstotheself, whohasfullyaccomplishedwhatneedstobeaccomplished,therealdoerofallactions,theLord,theeternalandtheeverpurebeing.SalutationstoVisnu*,toSiva*, andtoBrahma*thecreator.Oself,thedistinctionbetweenyou(theself)andmeisverbal,likethedistinctionbetweenthewordandthesubstanceitreferstothe distinctionisunrealandimaginary,liketheverbaldistinctionbetweenthewaveandthewaterinthewave.Intruth,youalonearespreadoutastheinfinitevarietyof createdobjectsthatappeartobeinthisworld. Salutationstotheseer,theexperiencer.Salutationstotheonethatcreates,totheonethatunfoldsandexpandsasallthings.Salutationstothatwhichistheinnerreality ofall.Salutationstotheomnipresent.Alas,onaccountofyouridentificationwiththeembodiment,you,Oself,had,asitwere,forgottenyourownnature.Hence,you hadtoundergoendlesssufferinginrepeatedbirths,experiencingexternalperceptionswithoutselfknowledge.Thisexternalworldisnothingmorethanearth,wood androck:Oself,thereisnorealityinallthisotherthanyou.Attainingselfknowledge,onedoesnotlongforaughtelse. Now,Lord,youhavebeenseenandreached.Hereafteryouwillnotbedeludedagain:salutationstoyou.Lord,howisitthattheselfwhichistheverylightoftheeyes andwhichfillsthewholebodyastheinnateintelligence,isnotseenorexperienced?Howisitthatthatintelligencewhichfunctioningasthesenseoftouchand experiencingallotherobjectsisitselfnotrealised?Howcanthatintelligencebedistantfromoneselfwhichastheintelligenceinthesenseofhearing,hearsand producesgoosepimples?Howisitthatonedoesnottastethesweetnessofthatintelligencewhichexperiencesthesweetnessorotherwiseoftheobjectsplaced beforeit?Howisitthatonedoesnotdirectlyexperiencethepresenceofthatintelligencewhichenjoysthesenseofsmell?Howisitthattheselfwhosegloryissung bythescripturesandwhoisknowledgeorwisdomitselfforgetsitself?Oself,nowthatyouhavebeenrealised,thesensepleasuresthatIrevelledinbeforeareno longerworthyofmyattention!

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PRAHLADA*continuedtocontemplate: Oself,itisyourownlightofpuritythatshinesinthesunyournectarinecoolnessthatradiatesthroughthemoon.Theheavinessofthemountainsisderivedfromyou, asalsothespeedofthewind.Becauseofyoutheearthisfirmandspaceisempty.Luckily,youhavebeenrealisedbyme:luckily,Ihavebecomeyours.Luckily,O Lord,thereisnodistinctionbetweenyou(theself)andmeyouareI,Iamyou.Whateverisreferredtoasyou(theself)orasI,whicheverbetherootand whicheverbethebranch,tothatIoffermysalutationsagainandagain.Salutationstomyselfwhichisinfiniteandegoless:salutationstotheformlessself. You(self)dwellin'me'inastateofequilibrium,aspurewitnessconsciousness,withoutformandwithoutthedivisionsofspaceandtime.Themindgetsagitated,the sensesbegintostirandtheenergybeginstoexpand,settinginmotionthetwinforcesofprana*andapana*(twomodificationsofthelifeforce).Drawnbythepower ofdesires,thedriver(mind)carriesawaythebodymadeupoffleshandblood,boneandskin.However,Iampureconsciousness,notdependentuponthebodyor anythingelse:letthisbodyriseorfall,inaccordancewiththedesiresthatmoveit. Incourseoftimetheegosensearisesandincourseoftimetheegosenseceasestobe,evenastheuniversedissolvesattheendofthecosmiccycle.But,afteralong timeofsuchcyclic(birthanddeath)existenceinthiscreation,Ihaveattainedthestateofpeaceandrest,evenasthewholecosmoscomestorestattheendofitsown cyclicexistence.Salutationstoyou,myself,whoistranscendentalandwhoisall:salutationstoallofthemthatspeakofus! Thesupremeselfbeingthewitnessconsciousnessisutterlyunaffectedbythefaultsoftheexperiencesrelatedtoit.Theselfisallinalleverywhereandexistsin everything,evenasfragranceexistsinflowersandoilinsesameseeds.Oself,youdestroy,youprotect,yougive,youroarandyoufunctionhere,althoughyouare completelyfreefromegosense:indeedthisisagreatwonder.Beingthelightoftheself,Iopenmyeyes,asitwere,andtheuniversecomesintobeingandIclosemy eyesandtheuniverseceasestobe.You,Oself,arethesupremeatominwhichtheentireuniverseexistsalready,evenasthegreatbanyantreeexistspotentiallyinthe tinybanyanseed.Evenascloudformationsintheskyoftenresemblehorses,elephants.andotheranimals,youyourself,Oself,appearinthecosmicspaceasthe infinitevarietyofobjects.Freefrombeingandnonbeing,theselfexistsasbeingandnonbeingandalsothediversebeings,onedistinctandseparatefromtheother, asitwere.

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PRAHLADA*continuedtocontemplate: Abandonvanity,anger,impurityandviolence:forgreatsoulsarenotovercomebysuchbasequalities.Rememberpastsorrowagainandagainandwithacheerful attitudeofmindenquire'WhoamI?','Howcouldallthishappen?'andbefreefromallthat.Allthatispastispastandallthesorrowsandanxietiesthatburntyouhave ceasedtobe.Today,youarethesovereignofthiscityknownasthebodyandevenasonecannotgetholdoftheskywithhisfist,sorrowisnotabletolayitshand uponyou.Now,youarethemasterofyoursensesandyourmindandyouenjoythegreatestdelight. Lord,Oself,youareeverasleep,asitwere:youareapparentlyawakenedbyyourownenergyforthepurposeofbecomingawareoftheexperiencesbeing undergone.Itisinfactthatenergycomesintocontactwiththeobjectofsuchexperiences:butonaccountofsuchawareness,youassumesuchexperiencesto yourself.Theywhohave,throughtheexerciseofthelifeforces,reached'theapertureofBrahma*'atthecrownofthehead,perceiveeverymomentwhatispastand whatwillbeinthefutureinthecityofBrahma*thecreator. Oself,youarethefragranceintheflowerknownasthebodyyouarethenectarinthemoonknownasthebodyyouaretheessenceintheherbknownasthebody youarethecoolnessintheiceknownasthebody.Justasthereisbutterinmilk,thereisfriendshiporattachmentinthebody.Youdwellinthisbodyevenasfire dwellsinwood.Youarethelightinallluminousobjectsyouaretheinnerlightthatmakesknowledgeofobjectspossible.Youarethestrengthoftheelephantknown asmind.Youareboththelightandtheheatofthefireofselfknowledge. Speechterminatesinyou,Oself!Itreappearssomewhereelse.Evenasdifferentornamentsarefashionedoutofgold,allthecountlessobjectsofcreationhavebeen fashionedoutofyou:thedistinctionisverbal.'Thisisyou,''ThisisI,'suchexpressionsareusedwhenyouyourselfadoreyourselfordescribeyourselfforyourown delight.Evenasahugeforestfiremightmomentarilyassumevariousformsthoughitisbutasingleflame,evensoyournondualbeingappearstobeallthesediverse objectsinthisuniverse.Youarethestringonwhichalltheseworldsarestrung.Youarethegroundoftruthinwhichalltheseworldsabide.Theworldsareforever potentiallypresentinyou:andbyyoutheyaremademanifest,astheflavouroffoodstuffismademanifestbycooking.However,thoughtheseworldsseemtoexist, theywillceasetobeifyouarenot!Youaretheirreality.Eventhisbodywillfalldownlifelesslikealogofwood.Happinessandsorrowcollapsewhen

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theyapproachyou,evenasdarknessdisappearswhenitapproacheslight.However,theexperienceofhappinessetc.,ismadepossibleonlybecauseofthelightof awarenessderivedfromyou. PRAHLADA*continuedtocontemplate: Pleasureandpain,happinessandunhappinessowetheirexistencetoyou,Oself:theyarebornofyouandtheylosetheiridentitywhentheirnonexistence independentofyouisrealised.Evenasanopticalillusioncomesintobeingandvanishesinthetwinklingofaneye,theillusoryexperiencesofpainandpleasureappear anddisappearinthetwinklingofaneye.Theyappearinthelightofawarenessandtheydisappearwhentheyareperceivedasnondifferentfromthatawareness:they arebornthemomenttheydieandtheydiethemomenttheyarebornwhoistheperceiverofallthismystery? Everythingisthuseverchangingallthetime:howthencansuchmomentarycausesproducetangibleandstableresults?Wavesmaylooklikeflowers,butcanone stringthemintoagarland?Ifitiscredibletothinkthatonecanexpectstableeffectstoaccruefromsuchanunstablecauseasthefleetingphenomena,thenitshouldbe possibletostringlightningsintoaluminousgarlandandwearitasanornament!Oself,youenjoypleasureandpainasiftheywerereal,whileyouperceiveandreceive themthroughtheconsciousnessofawiseperson,withouteverabandoningthestateofutterequanimity.But,whatyourexperiencesarewhenthesamethinghappens intheheartofanunwiseorunawakenedperson,itisimpossibleformetodescribe!Oself,youareintruthnonattached,freefromalldesiresandhopes,youareone andhomogeneouswithoutanyparts,youaredevoidofegosense:andyouassumethedoershipofactionsandyouappeartoexperiencethediversity,whetherthisis reallytrueandfactualorunrealandfictitious. Hail,hailtoyou,Oselfwhohasmanifestedasthislimitlessuniverse.Hailtotheselfwhichissupremepeace.Hailtoyou,Oself,whoisbeyondthereachofthe scriptures.Hailtoyou,Oself,whoisthebasisandthegoalofallscriptures.Hailtoyou,Oself,whoisbornandwhodwellsinallcreatures.Hailtoyou,Oself,who isunborn.Hailtoyou,Oself,whoundergoeschangeanddestruction.Hailtoyou,Oself,thatisunchangingandindestructible.Hailtoyou,Oself,thatisexistence: hailtoyou,Oself,thatisnonexistence.Hailtoyou,Oself,thatisconquerable,thatcanbeattained.Hailtoyou,Oself,thatisinvincibleandbeyondreach. Iamdelighted.Iaminastateofutterequilibriumandofsupremepeace.Istandunmoving.Ihavereachedselfknowledge.Iamthevictor.Ilivetoconquer. Salutationstomyselfsalutationstoyou.

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Aslongasyou,Omyself,existasthepureuntaintedreality,whereisbondage,whereismisfortune,whereisgoodfortune,whereisbirthordeath?Ishallrestfor everinsupremepeace. VASISTHA*continued: V:37,38

Afterthuscontemplating,Prahlada*enteredintothestateinwhichthereisnomentalmodificationatall,butwherethereissupremebliss,undisturbedbythe movementofthought.Hesatwherehewas,likeastatue. Averylongtimepassedinthismanner.Thedemonstriedtheirbesttodisturbhim:theycouldnot.Athousandyearswentby.Thedemonsconcludedthathewas dead. Anarchyprevailedinthenetherworld.Hiranyakakasipu*wasdeadandhissonremaineddeadtotheworld.Nooneelseascendedthethrone.Thedemonsroamed thecountryfreely,guidedsolelybytheirwhimsandfancies.Therewasutterdisorderandthestrongoverpoweredtheweak,evenasintheoceanthebigfishswallow thesmallones. Inthemeantime,theprotectoroftheuniverselordVisnu*whowasrecliningonhisserpentcouchintheoceanofmilkcontemplatedthestateoftheuniverse.Inhis ownmindhesawtheheavenandtheearthandsatisfiedhimselfthateverythingwasinorderinthoseregions.Then,hesawthestateofthenetherworld.Heperceived thatPrahlada*wasdeeplyimmersedinthetranscendentalstateofconsciousness.Freedfromharassmentbythedemons,thegodsinheavenenjoyedarunaway prosperity.Seeingthis, LORDVISNU*thought: SincePrahlada*isimmersedinthetranscendentalstateofconsciousness,theleaderlessdemonshavelosttheirpower.Intheabsenceofathreatfromthedemons,the godsinheavenhavenothingtofearandhencenothingtohate.Iftheyhavenothingtofearorhate,theywillsoonrisetothetranscendentalstateofconsciousness, beyondthepairsofopposites,andattainliberation!Then,theearthlingswillfindreligiousritestobemeaningless,sincetherearenogodstopropitiate.Thisuniverse, whichoughttoexisttillthenaturalcosmicdissolution,willthusabruptlyceasetobe.Idonotseeanygoodinthis:hence,Ithinkthatthedemonsshouldcontinueto liveasdemons.Ifthedemonsfunctionastheenemiesofthegods,religiousandrighteousactionsshallprevailinthiscreation:andthuswillthiscreationcontinueto existandflourish,nototherwise. Hence,Ishallpresentlygotothenetherworldandreestablishitasitshouldbe.IfPrahlada*showsnointerestinrulingthatrealm,

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Ishallappointsomeoneelseinhisplace.Surely,thisisthelastincarnationofPrahlada*andheshallliveinthisembodimenttilltheendofthisworldcycle.Suchisthe worldorder.Hence,IshallgotothenetherworldandroartoawakenPrahlada*.Ishallpersuadehimtoruletherealmwhilstenjoyingtheconsciousnessofliberation. ThusshallIbeabletosustainthiscreationtillitsnaturaldissolution. V:39 VASISTHA*continued:

Thusresolved,lordVisnu*quicklyreachedthenetherworld.Inhisradiancethedemonsgainednewstrengthandvitalitybutdazzledbyhisdivinelighttheyranaway. Visnu*approachedwherePrahlada*wasseated,androaredaloud''Nobleone,wakeup!''andatthesametimeblewhisconch.Hearingthisthedemonsfelldown andthegodsrejoiced. ThelifeforcebegantovibrateinthecrownofPrahlada's*head.Thelifeforcethenspreadthroughouthisbody.Thesensesgainedenergyandtheybeganto apprehendtheirrespectiveobjects.Themindbegantofunction.Thenadis*(nerves?)begantovibrate.Themindbegantobecomeawareofitsphysicalencasing,the body.Prahlada*wasfullyawaketohissurroundingsandgazedupontheLord. LORDVISNU*saidtoPrahlada*: Remember,OPrahlada*,youridentityassuch,andastherulerofthenetherworld.Youhavenothingwhatsoevereithertoacquireortoreject:arise.Youhaveto remaininthisbodytilltheendofthisworldcycle:Iknowthisasinevitable,asIknowthelawofthisworldorder.Hence,youhavetorulethisrealmhereandnowas asageliberatedfromalldelusion. Thetimeforcosmicdissolutionisnotyet:whydoyouvainlywishtoabandonthisbody?Thesigns,symptomsandeventsthatnaturallyprecedesuchnaturalcosmic dissolutionarenotyetseen:whydoyouvainlywishtoabandonthisbody? Iexist.Allthisworldandthecreaturesinitexist.Hence,donotthinkofabandoningyourbodyyet. Heisfittodiewhoissunkinignoranceandsorrow.Hewhogrieves,thinking"Iamweak,miserable,stupid"etc.,isfittodie.Hewhoisswayedbycountlessdesires andhopesandhewhosemindisrestlessisfittodie.Hewhoissubjecttothepairsofoppositeslikehappinessandunhappiness,whoisattachedtothisbody,whois distressedphysicallyandmentally,whosehearthasdriedupthroughthefiresoflustandanger,isfittoexperiencedeath.Peopleregardthatasdeathwhenone abandonsthebody! Livingisappropriatetoonewhosemindiswellcontrolledbyhisselfknowledgeandwhoisawareofthetruth.Heshouldlivewho

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doesnotentertainnotionsofegoismandwhoisunattachedtoanything,whoisfreefromlikesanddislikesandhasacalmmind,whosemindhasreachedthestateof nomind.Itisproperthatheshouldlivewhoisestablishedintheperceptionofthetruthandwhofunctionshereasifplayfully,whoisinwardlyneitherelatednor depressedbyexternalevents,whoisfreefromthedesiretoacquireortoreject.He,hearingofwhomorlisteningtowhom,peopleexperiencegreatjoylifealoneis appropriatetohim,andnotdeath. THELORDcontinued: V:40

Thefunctioningortheexistenceofthebodyisknownasthestateofliving,accordingtothepeopleandtheabandonmentofthebodyinordertogetanotherbodyis knownasdeath.Youarefreefromthesetwonotions,OPrahlada*:toyouwhatisdeathandwhatislife!Iwasonlyusingthepopularnotionstoexplainmyselfto you:intruth,youneitherlivenordie.Eventhoughyouareinthebody,sinceyoudonothavethebody,youarebodiless.Youaretheobserverwhichisimmaterial intelligence:justas,thoughairexistsinspaceitisnotattachedtospace,andhenceitisfreefromspatiallimitation.Yet,inamannerofspeakingyouarethebodysince youexperiencesensationsthroughthebody,evenas,inamannerofspeaking,spaceisresponsibleforthegrowthofaplantinasmuchasspacedoesnotarrestsuch growth. Youareenlightened.Whatisabodyorembodimenttoyou?Itisonlyintheeyesoftheignorantthatevenyourformexists.Atalltimesyouaretheall,youarethe supremeinnerlightofconsciousness:whatisbodyorbodilessnesstoyouandwhatcanyouholdorabandon?Whetheritisspringtimeorthedayofcosmic dissolution,theyarenothingtoonewhohastranscendedthenotionsofbeingandnonbeing.For,inallconditions,heisfirmlyestablishedinselfknowledge.Whether allthebeingsintheuniverseliveorperish,ortheyprosper,heremainsfirmlyestablishedinselfknowledge. ThesupremeLorddwellsinthebody,undyingwhenthebodydiesandunchangingwhenthebodychanges.Whenyouhavegivenupthefalsenotions'Ibelongtothe body'or'Thebodybelongstome',thenthereisnomeaninginexpressionslike'Ishallgiveitup'or'Ishallnotgiveitup','Ihavedonethis',and'Ishalldothisnow'. Enlightenedmen,thoughtheybeconstantlyengagedinactivity,donothing:itisnotbymeansofinactionthattheyreachthestateofnonaction!Thisveryfactofnon actionfreesyoufromexperiences:forthereisnoharvestwherethereisnosowing.Whenthusboththenotionsof'Ido'and'Iexperience'haveceased,thereremains onlypeacewhenthatpeaceisfirmlygrounded,thereisliberation.

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Tosuchanenlightenedpersonwhatistheretoacquireortorenounce?Foritisonlywhenthenotionsofsubjectandobjecthaveceasedthatthereisliberation.Such enlightenedpersons(asyouare)liveinthisworldasiftheyareforeverinastateofdeepsleep.Likewise,OPrahlada*,perceivethisworldasifyouarehalfasleep! Enlightenedbeingsdonotexultinpleasurenorgrieveinpaintheyfunctionnonvolitionallyevenasacrystalreflectstheobjectsplacednearitwithoutintendingtodo so.Theyarefullyawakeinselfknowledge,buttheyareasleep,asitwere,inrelationtotheworldtheyfunctioninthisworldlikechildren,withoutegosenseandall therestofitsretinue.OPrahlada*,youhavereachedtheplaneofVisnu*rulethenetherworldforaworldcycle,whichisequaltoadayinthelifeofthecreator Brahma*. V:41 PRAHLADA*said:

Lord,IwasreallyovercomebyfatigueandItookrestforabriefmoment.Byyourgrace,Ihaveattainedtotherealisationinwhichthereisnodistinctionbetween contemplationandnoncontemplation.Youwereseenbymeforalongtimewithinmyself:luckily,youarenowseeninfrontofme.Ihaveexperiencedthetruthofthe infiniteconsciousnesswithinmyself,inwhichthereisnosorrow,nodelusion,noconcernwithdispassion,nodesiretoabandonthebodyandnofearofthisworld appearance.Whentheonesinglerealityisknown,whereissorrow,whereisdestruction,whatisbody,whatisworldappearance,whatisfearoritsabsence?Iwas inthatstateofconsciousnesswhichspontaneouslyaroseinme. 'OhIamdisgustedwiththisworldandIshallabandonit,suchthoughtsariseonlyintheignorant.Onlytheignorantthinkthathereissorrowwhenthereisbodyand thatthereisnosorrowoncehebodyisabandoned.'Thisispleasure','thisispain','thisis','thisisnot'onlythemindoftheignorantswingslikethis,notofthewise. Notionsof'I'andthe'other'existonlyinthemindsoftheignorantwhohaveleftwisdomfarbehind.'Thisistobeacquired'and'Thisistobeabandoned',such thoughtsariseonlyinthemincesoftheignorant.Wheneverythingispervadedbyyou,whereis'another'whichcanbeacquiredorabandoned?Theentireuniverseis pervadedbyconsciousness:whatistobeacquiredandwhatabandoned? Iwasnaturallyenquiringofmyselfinmyself,andrestedjustformomentwithoutanynotionsofbeingornonbeing,ofacquisitionrrejection.Ihaveattainedself knowledgenow:andIshalldowhateverpleasesyou.Pray,acceptmyworshipfuladoration. AfterreceivingPrahlada's*worship,LORDVISNU*saidtohim: Arise,OPrahlada*:Ishallpresentlyanointyoukingofthenether

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worldwhilethegodsandthesageswhoareheresingyourglories.(Afterthuscrowninghimkingofthenetherworld,hecontinued:)Bethourulerofthenetherworldas longasthesunandthemoonshine.Protectthisrealmwithoutbeingswayedbydesire,fearorhateandlookinguponallwithequalvision.Enjoytheroyalpleasures andmayallprosperityattendyou:butactinsuchawaythatneitherthegodsinheavennorthehumansonearthareundulyagitatedorworried.Engageyourselfin appropriateaction,withoutbeingswayedbythoughtsandmotives.Thuswillyounotbeboundbyactions.OPrahlada*,youknoweverythingalreadywhatneed haveyoutobeinstructed?Fromnowthegodsandthedemonswillliveinfriendshipthegoddessesandthedemonesseswillliveinharmony.Oking,keepignorance atagreatdistancefromyouandliveanenlightenedlife,rulingthisworldforaverylongtimetocome. VASISTHA*continued: V:42

Havingsaidthus,lordVisnu*lefttherealmofthedemons.BythegraceandwiththeblessingsoftheLord,thegodsinheaven,thedemonsinthenetherworldandthe humansonearthlivedhappily,withoutdistress. ThusIhavenarratedtoyou,ORama*,theauspiciousstoryofPrahlada*,whichiscapableofdestroyingalltheimpuritiesofone'sheart.Theywhocontemplatethis narrativewillsoonattainahigherstateofconsciousness,eveniftheyhavebeenverywickedandsinful.Evenasimpleinvestigationofthisnarrativewilldestroyallsins butiftheinvestigationisofayogicnature,surelyitwillleadtosupremerealisation.Sinisonlyignoranceanditisdestroyedbyenquiryhenceoneshouldnever abandonenquiry. RAMA*asked: Howwasit,OLord,thatPrahlada*whowasinthehigheststateofnondualconsciousnesswasawakenedbytheconchsound? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,liberationisoftwokinds'withbody'and'withoutbody'.Thatstateofliberationinwhichthemindistotallyunattachedtoanything(neithertoactions involvingacquisitionsnortorenunciation)andinwhichthereisnocravingatall,isknownas'liberationwithbody'.Thatitselfisknownas'liberationwithoutbody' whenthebodydrops. Inthecaseofthe'liberationwithbody',allthetendenciesandmentalconditioningarelikefriedseedsincapableofgivingrisetofutureembodiment:buttherestill remainstheconditioningofsuchpurity,expansivenessandselfknowledge,thougheventhisconditioningisunintentionalandnonvolitional(asinasleepingperson). Aslongasthistraceremains,thesagewhois'liberatedwithbody'

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canbeawakenedtoworldconsciousnessevenafterahundredyearsofinwardcontemplation.SuchwasthestateofPrahlada*andhencehe'awoke'tothesoundof theconch. Moreover,lordVisnu*istheselfofallandwhatevernotionarisesinhimmaterialisesimmediately.Hismanifestationisuncaused,butithasthesolepurposeofcreating theinfinitecreaturesinthisuniverse.Bytheattainmentofselfknowledge,lordVisnu*isrealisedandbytheadorationoflordVisnu*,selfrealisationisattained. ORama*,reachthevisionwhichPrahlada*hadandengageyourselfinceaselessenquiry:youwillreachthesupremestate.Thisworlddeludesoneonlyaslongasthe sunofselfenquirydoesnotariseinone'sheart.WhenoneobtainsthegraceoftheselfandoflordVisnu*,heisnottroubledbytheghostofthisillusoryworld appearance. V:43 RAMA*asked:

Holysir,yousaidthatPrahlada*attainedenlightenmentbythegraceoflordVisnu*.Ifeverythingisachievedbyselfeffort,whywashenotabletoattain enlightenmentwithoutVisnu's*grace? VASISTHA*replied: Surely,whateverPrahlada*attainedwasthroughselfeffort,ORama*,nototherwise.Visnu*istheselfandtheselfisVisnu*:thedistinctionisverbal.Itwastheself ofPrahlada*thatgeneratedinitselfdevotiontoVisnu*.Prahlada*obtainedfromVisnu*,whowashisownself,theboonofselfenquiryandthroughsuchenquiry attainedselfknowledge.Attimesoneattainsselfknowledgethroughselfenquiryundertakenthroughselfeffortattimesthisselfeffortmanifestsasdevotionto Visnu*whoisalsotheself,andthusoneattainsenlightenment. EvenifoneworshipsVisnu*foralongtimewithgreatdevotion,hedoesnotbestowenlightenmentononewhoisnotwisewithselfknowledge.Thus,theforemost meansforselfknowledgeisselfenquirygraceandsuchotherfactorsaresecondarymeans.Hence,attainmasteryoverthesensesandbywholesouledspiritual practiceleadthemindalongthepathofselfenquiry.Resorttoselfeffortandcrossthisoceanofworldappearanceandreachtheothershore. IfyouthinkthatlordVisnu*canbeseenwithoutselfeffort,whydothebirdsandbeastsnotgetupliftedbyhim?Ifitistruethatthegurucanspirituallyupliftone withouttheneedforselfeffort,thenwhydoesagurunotsoupliftacamelorabull.No,nothingwhatsoeverisgainedwiththehelpofgodorguruorwealthorother means,butonlybyselfeffortatacompletemasteryofthemind.Whatcannotbeattainedbytheresolutepracticeofselfmasterycoupled

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withuncolouredness(freedomfromeveryformofmentalconditioning)cannotbeattainedbyanyothermeansinthethreeworlds. Hence,adoretheselfbytheself,worshiptheselfbytheself,beholdtheselfbytheself,andbefirmlyestablishedbytheselfintheself.ThecultofdevotiontoVisnu* hasbeenfoundedwiththeintentionofpossiblyinducingthosepeoplewhohaveturnedawayfromthestudyofscriptures,fromselfeffortandfromselfenquiry,todo somethinggood.Determinedandpersistentselfeffortisconsideredthebest:initsabsence,otherformsofworshipareprescribed.Ifthereiscompletemasteryofthe senses,ofwhatuseisworshipandifthereisnomasteryofthesenses,ofwhatuseisworship?Withoutselfenquiryandtheconsequentinnertranquility,neither devotiontolordVisnu*norselfknowledgeispossible.Hence,resorttoselfenquiryandthepracticeofcessationofdistractionandthusadoretheself:ifyouare successfulinthis,youhaveattainedperfectionifnot,youarenomorethanawilddonkey. VASISTHA*continued: JustasyouperformworshipoflordVisnu*andothers,whydoyounotworshipyourownself?LordVisnu*infactdwellsastheinnermostbeingofall:theyare surelytheworstamongmenwho,abandoningtheindweller,seekVisnu*outside.TheLord'sprimarydwellingistheheartcaveofallbeings:thatishiseternalbody. Theformthatisseenwiththeconch,discus,maceetc.,isthesecondaryformoftheself.Hewhoabandonstheprimarytruthandrunsafterthesecondaryaspectsis likeonewhothrowsawayaprovenremedyandstrugglesinvaintoeffectacurebyothermeans.Hewhoisunabletocontemplatewithonepointedattentionthe indwellingselfandwhoisthereforeunabletoattainwisdomoftheself,mightengagehimselfintheworshipoftheexternalformoflordVisnu*.Bytheveryeffort involvedinsuchpracticethemindwillgraduallybecomepurifiedanduncoloured.Inthecourseoftimewhenthispracticeiscontinuedwithintelligenceandwisdom, therearisesjoyandpeaceintheheartandoneattainsmaturityandripenessforselfknowledge.Infact,thisfruitionthatIhavementionedisderivedfromtheself:the worshipoflordVisnu*(asitiscalled)isbutanexcuseforit. WhateverboonsorblessingsareobtainedfromlordVisnu*areinfactobtainedfromtheselfalonebyonewhopractisesenquiryintothenatureoftheself.Allthese differentpracticesandalltheblessingsthatseemtoaccruefromthemareallbasedontheunderstandingandthemasteryofone'sownmind,evenastheearthisthe basisforallthediversefoodstuff.Infact,evenforploughing

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thesoilorturningarockthereisnowaybutthemasteryofone'sownmind! Onemayrevolveonthewheelofbirthanddeathforathousandlifetimes:thiswillnotceasetillonehasfullymasteredthemindandtillthatmindhascometoastateof supremepeaceandequanimity.Nooneinthethreeworlds,noteventhegodsorthemembersofthetrinity,cansaveamanfromthetormentsofawaywardmind. Hence,ORama*,abandonalltheillusoryappearancesofobjectivephenomena,whethertheyappeartobewithinyouoroutsideyou.Contemplatethesolerealityof consciousnessforthecessationofrepeatedbirth.Tastethepureconsciousness(whichis,intruth,theveryessenceofallthatexists)byresolutelyrenouncing objectivityofconsciousness(alltheconceptsandpercepts)andcontemplatingthechangelessconsciousnesswhichisinfinite.Youwillsurelycrossthisriverofworld appearanceandrebirth.

TheStoryofGadhi*
V:44 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,thiscycleofbirthanddeathisaninterminableonethisMaya*ceasesonlybythemasteryofone'sownheart(mind),nototherwise.Toillustratethis,there isalegendwhichIshallpresentlynarratetoyou. InthisworldthereisaregionknownasKosala.Inittherewasabrahmana*knownasGadhi*.Hewasverylearnedandtheveryembodimentofdharma.Rightfrom hisverychildhoodhewasfilledwiththespiritofrenunciationanddispassion.Oncethisbrahmana*wentawaytotheforestinordertopractiseausterity.Desiringto beholdVisnu*,heenteredthewaterofariverandtherebegantorecitevariousmantras,whichsooncompletelypurifiedhisbeing. Afteraperiodofeightmonths,LORDVISNU*appearedthereandsaidtohim:"Askofmetheboonofyourchoice." TheBRAHMANA*said:"Lord,Iwishtobeholdyourownillusorypower(Maya*)whichdeludesallbeingsandkeepstheminignorance." LORDVISNU*said:"YouwillbeholdmyMaya*andthenyouwillatonceabandontheillusoryperceptionofobjects." AfterlordVisnu*disappeared,Gadhi*rosefromthewater.Hewashighlypleased.ForseveraldaysthereafterGadhi*engagedhimselfinvariousholyactivities, constantlyimmersedintheblisswhichhadresultedfromhisvisionoflordVisnu*. Oneday,hewenttotheriverforhisbath,stillmeditatinguponthewordsoflordVisnu*.Whileheimmersedhimselfinthewater,

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hebeheldhimselfdeadandmournedbyall.Hisbodyhadfallenandhisfacehadbecomepaleandlifeless. Hesawhimselfsurroundedbyverymanyrelativeswhowereallweepingandwailingaloudtheywereinconsolablygriefstricken.Hiswifewassheddingtearsasifa damhadbeenbreached,andshehadcaughtholdofhisfeet.Hismother,besideherselfwithgrief,hadcaughtholdofhisfaceandwasweepingbittertearsandcrying aloud.Hewassurroundedbyanumberofgriefstrickenrelatives. Hesawhimselflyingsilent,asifasleeporindeepmeditationhewastakingalongrest,asitwere.Helistenedtoalltheweepingandwailingoftherelativesand wondered"Whatdoesallthismean?"hewascuriousaboutthenatureoffriendshipandrelationship. Soontherelativescarriedhisbodyawaytothecrematorium.Aftertheperformanceofthefuneralrites,theyplacedthebodyonthefuneralpyre.Theysetthepyre alightandsoonthebodyofGadhi*wasconsumedbythefire. VASISTHA*continued: V:45

ORama*,Gadhi*,whostillremainedimmersedintheriver,thensawthathewasintheregionknownasBhutamandalam*asafoetusinthewombofatribalwoman. Hewassurroundedbyfilthandfleshinthebodyofthatwoman.Incourseoftime,hewasbornasherson.Foratimehewallowedinhisownexcreta.Hewasdarkin colourlikehisparents.Hewaswellbelovedinthefamily. Soonhegrewupintoarobustyoungman.Hewasagoodhunter.Hegotmarriedtoatribeswoman.Heroamedtheforestfreely.Heledanomadiclife,sometimes sleepingunderatree,sometimeshidinghimselfinthebushesandsometimesmakingacavehisabode.And,hebecameafather.Hischildrenwereasviolentand wickedashewas. Hehadalargefamily.Hehadnumerousrelationsandfriends.Hegrewold.Hedidnotdie,butonebyonehelostallhisfriendsandrelativestodeath.Disgusted,he lefthisnativerealmandwanderedawaytoforeignlands.Aimlesslyhewanderedinmanycountries. Oneday,whilethuswanderingfromoneplacetoanother,heenteredakingdomwhichwasobviouslyveryrichandprosperous.Hewaswalkingalongthemainroad ofthecapitalcityofthiskingdom.Hesawinfrontofhimahugeroyalelephantwhichhadbeenrichlycaparisoned. Thisroyalelephanthadamission.Thekingwhoruledoverthatkingdomhadjustdiedwithoutanheir.Inaccordancewiththecustom,theroyalelephanthadbeen commissionedtofindasuitablesuccessor.Itwaslookingforasuitableperson,even

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asajewellermightlookforapreciousgem. Thehunterlookedattheelephantforsometimewithamixtureofcuriosityandwonder.Theelephantpickedhimupwithitstrunkandquicklyplacedhimonitsown back.Atthatverymomenttherearoseinthatcityatumultuoussoundofdrumsandbugles.Thepeopleeverywhereexclaimedingreatjoy"Longlivetheking".The elephanthadchosentheking. Verysoon,thehunterwassurroundedbythemembersoftheroyalcourt.Thebeautifulwomenofthecourtsurroundedhimandbegantodresshimandadornhim withprincelygarmentsandjewels.Theygarlandedhimtheyappliedvariousunguentsandperfumes.Thehuntershoneasaradiantking.Andtheycrownedhimwhile hewasseatedonathroneonthebackofthatveryelephant.ThusatribesmanandhunterbecamethekingofKirapura!*Thereafterheenjoyedalltheroyalpleasures andprivileges. Byandby,theverynatureofhispositiontaughthimtheartofrulingthekingdom:hebecameawellknownkingnamedGavala. V:46 VASISTHA*continued:

Gavala,theking,devoutlyservedbythemaidsofthepalaceandbyhisministers,hadtotallyforgottenhishumbleorigin.Thuseightyearspassed.And,heruledthe kingdomjustlyandwisely,withcompassionandpurity. Onedayheroamedoutofhisinnerapartmentsalone,andunadornedwithregaldressandroyalinsignia:peoplewhoareconsciousoftheirexcellenceignoreexternal adornments.Outsidethepalacehesawagroupoftribesmenwhoweresingingfamiliarsongs.Quietlyhejoinedthemandalsobegantosingwiththem. Anagedtribesmanrecognisedhimandrisingfromthecrowdaddressedhim:"OKatanja*!Doesthekingofthisplacebestowgoodgiftsandpresentsuponyouin recognitionofyourmusicalaccomplishments?Ah,Iamdelightedtoseeyou:whowillnotrejoicetomeetanoldfriendagain?"Gavalaignoredthis:buttheladiesofthe royalhouseholdandthemembersofthecourt,whowerewatchingfromadistance,wereshocked.Thekingquicklyreturnedtothepalace. But,theroyalservantsandthemembersofthecourthadnotrecoveredfromtheshockoftherealisationthattheirkingwasanunworthytribesman,whomtheywould notevenknowinglytouch.Theybegantoavoidhimtheytreatedhimasifhewereaputridcorpse. Thusneglectedbyhisministers,servantsandtheladiesinwaitingwhousedtoadornhim,Gavalabegantoappearinhisrealformasadarkanduglytribesman, hideoustolookat,likeacrematorium.

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Eventhecitizensavoidedhimandranawayathisverysight.Hefeltutterlylonelythoughhewaslivinginthepalace,surroundedbythepeoplehefeltlikeadestitute personthoughhewasking.Evenifhetriedtotalktothem,thepeoplewouldnotrespondoranswerhim! Theleadersofthecommunityheldcounselamongthemselvesandbegantotalk,"Alas,wehavebeenpollutedbythetouchofthistribesmanwholivesonthefleshof dogs.Thereisnoexpiationforthispollution,otherthandeath.Letusraiseahugepyreandthrowoursulliedbodiesintoitandthuspurifyoursouls."Havingdecided thus,theygatheredfirewoodwithwhichtheybuiltahugefuneralpyre.Onebyonetheythrewthemselvesintoit.Withalltheeldersthushavingendedtheirlives,there wasdisorderandanarchyinthecity. ThekingGavalareflected:"Alas,allthiswasbroughtaboutbyme!WhyshouldIcontinuetolive:deathispreferabletolife.Foronewhoisdishonouredbythepeople deathisbetterthanlife."Thusresolved,thekingGavalacalmlyofferedhisbody,too,intothefire.AsfirebegantoconsumethelimbsofGavala,Gadhi*,whowas recitingprayersimmersedinthewateroftheriver,regainedhisconsciousness. (Atthisstage,eveningsetin.Anotherdaycametoanend.) VASISTHA*continued: V:47

Thereafter,Gadhi*hadbecomefreedfromtheillusoryvisionhehad.Onceagainheregainedhisconsciousnessthat'IamGadhi*'.Hecompletedhisreligiousriteand gotoutoftheriver.Hecontinuedtowonder,'WhoamI?WhatdidIsee?Andhow?'Heconcludedthatbecausehewasfatiguedhismindhadobviouslyplayedsome tricksonhim.Evenashewalkedawayfromtheplace,hewasstillcontemplatingthevisionandenquiringintothenatureoftheparents,thefriendsandthepeoplehe hadseeninthatvision.Hethought,"Surely,allthatwasillusory,forIdonotperceiveanythingnow!" Aftersomedays,anotherbrahmana*visitedhimandGadhi*dulyentertainedthehonouredguest.Duringthecourseoftheirconversation,GADHI*askedtheguest: "Sir,whydoyoulooksotiredandwornout?"theGUESTanswered:"Holyone,Ishalltellyouthetruth!ThereisakingdominthenorthknownasKira*.Ispenta monththere,beinglavishlyentertainedbythecitizens.Iheardanextraordinarystoryfromthem.Theysaid,"Atribesmanruledthiskingdomforeightyears.Afterthat hisidentitybecameknown.Onaccountofhimverymanybrahmanas*ofthisplaceperished."WhenIheardthat,ItoofeltpollutedandhenceIwenttotheholyplace knownasPrayaga*andengagedmyselfinsevereausterityandprolongedfasting.Iambreakingthisprolongedfastonlytoday.''

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TheguestspentthenightwithGadhi*andleftthefollowingday. GADHI*contemplatedfurther:''ThatwhichIsawinahallucination,myguestsawasafactualevent!Ah,Ishouldverifythestoryformyself."Havingthusresolved, Gadhi*quicklyproceededfirsttotheplaceknownasBhutamandala*.Menofhighlyevolvedconsciousnesscan,byappropriateselfeffort,attainevenwhatthey mentallyvisualise:Gadhi*thussaw,afterreachingthedestination,whateverhehadseeninhisvision. Therehesawavillagewhichhadbeendeeplyimpressedinhisconsciousness.Hesawtheveryhouseofthetribesman(himself)andhesawtheveryobjectswhich wereusedbyhim.Thehousewasinaverybadshape.Hesawthereskeletonsofanimalswhosefleshhadbeeneatenbythefamily:forsometimehesawthat dreadfulplacewhichlookedtrulylikeacemetery.Fromtherehewenttothenearbyvillageandaskedthevillagers:"Doyouknowanythingaboutthattribesmanwho livedinyonderhouse?" TheVILLAGERSreplied:"Holysir,ofcourseweknow.Therewasadreadfullookingandfiercetribesmaninthathousewholiveduptoaripeoldage.Whenhe hadlostallhiskinsmenhewentawayandbecameakingofKiraandruledforeightyears.Hewasfoundoutandasaresultmanypeoplediedandhetookilled himself.Pray,whydoyouaskabouthim?Washerelatedtoyouordoyouthinkyouaresomehowrelatedtohim?"Hearingthis,Gadhi*wasgreatlypuzzled. V:48 VASISTHA*continued:

Gadhi*recognisedseveralobjectsandplacesconnectedwithhis'life'inthatvillagewherehelayintoxicated,whereheslept,whereheate,thedresshewore,etc. FromthereGadhitravelledtotheKira*kingdom.Hewenttothecapitalcityand'thereheenquiredofthecitizens:"Wasthiscountryruledbyatribesmansometime ago?"Theyrepliedenthusiastically,"Oh,yes:andheruledforeightyears,havingbeenchosenbytheroyalelephant!Whenhisidentitywasdiscovered,hecommitted suicide.Itwastwelveyearsago." Justthenhebeheldthekingcomeoutofthepalacewithhisretinue:andthekingwasdisguisedlordVisnu*Seeingallthis,hewondered:thisindeedisthekingdomof Kira*whichIrulednotsolongago,whichIseenowasifithappenedinapastbirth!Heaskedhimself,"Itwaslikeadream:yet,itappearsinfrontofmeinthe wakefulstate!Alas,Iamsurelycaughtinthenetofsomesortofhallucination.IremembernowthatLordVisnu*hadgrantedmetheboonthatIwouldseehis Maya*.Surely,thisisit."Heleftthecityatonceandwenttoamountaincavenearbyandthereperformedintenseausterity.

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Soon,lordVisnu*appearedbeforehimandaskedhimtochooseanyboonheliked.GADHI*askedtheLord:"ThehallucinationthatIhadasinadream,howisit alsoseeninthewakefulstate?" TheLORDsaid: OGadhi*!Thatwhichyouseenowisanillusion:itistrulynaughtbuttheself,butperceivedbythemindwhichhasnotbeenpurifiedandwhichhasnotrealisedthe truth.Thereisnothingoutsidetheself:justasthetreeisintheseed,allthisisalreadyinthemindandthemindseesitasifitisoutside.Itisthemindalonethat perceivesallthisnow,visualisesallthisasifinthefutureandremembersallthisasifinthepast.Itisthemindalonethatisexperiencedasdream,illusion,illness,etc.In themindarecountless'events'likeflowersonatreeinfullbloom.And,justasanuprootedtreebearsnoflowers,themindfreedofperceptsandconceptsisfreed fromrebirthetc. IsitanywonderthatthemindwhichcontainscountlessthoughtformsshouldbeabletomanifesttheideaIamatribesman"?Evenso,thesamemindmanifestsother ideaslike"Ihaveabrahmanaguest*whotoldmethestory,etc."and"IamgoingtoBhutamandalam*"and"IaminKira*kingdomnow''.Allthiswasbut hallucination!Thus,OHolyone,youhaveseenbothformsofillusion:theonewhichyouyourselfthoughtwasillusionandtheotherwhichyouthinkisrealitybothof whicharehallucinationintruth.Youentertainednoguest,andyoudidnotgoanywhere!Allthis,too,wasbuthallucination.Youhavereallynotbeento Bhutamandalam*ortheKira*kingdomallthesewerealsoillusions.Arise,Osage,engageyourselfinwhateveractionisappropriatehere:forwithoutsuchactivity, onedoesnotattainwhatisworthyinthislife! VASISTHA*continued: V:49

Inordertoreassurehimself,Gadhi*onceagainwentovertoBhutamandalam*etc.Onceagainheheardthesamestoriesfromthepeopleoverthere.Onceagain,he adoredlordVisnu*,whoonceagainappearedbeforehim.GADHI*askedtheLord:"Lord,Iroamedforsixmonthsinthetworealmsandheardthesamestories whichthepeopletherenarrateastrue.Pray,clearthisconfusion." THELORDsaid: OGadhi*,theseincidentsarereflectedinyourmind,thoughtheytookplaceunrelatedtoyou,evenasthereappearstobeacoincidentalconnectionbetweenthe crowalightinguponacocoanuttreeandacocoanutfallingtotheground.Hence,theynarratethesamestorywhichyoubelievetobeyours!Suchcoincidenceisnot uncommon:sometimesthesameillusionisperceivedbymany.Sometimesmanypeoplehavethesamedream:severalpeopleexperiencethesame

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hallucinationandmanydrunkardsmayallofthemsimultaneouslyexperiencethattheworldisrevolvingaroundthem.Severalchildrenplayatthesamegame. Suchconfusionmayariseinthemindsofpeopleinregardtotime,too.Timeisaconceptofthemind.Timeisrelatedtocertainphenomenainamutualcausal relationship. (LordVisnu*disappeared,andGadhi*contemplatedforalongtime.OnceagainheprayedandtheLordappearedbeforehim.GADHI*prayedtohim:"Lord,Iam utterlyconfusedbyyourMaya*.Prayremovethisconfusionbyappropriatemeans."AndtheLordsaid:) WhateveryousawintheBhutamandalam*andKira*werepossiblytrue.ThetribesmanknownasKatanja*wasindeedbornsometimeago.Helosthiskinsmenand becamekingofKira*.Allthiswasreflectedinyourconsciousness.Evenasthemindsometimesforgetswhatitactuallyexperienced,italsothinksithasexperienced whatithasneverseen.Justasoneseesdreamsandvisions,oneexperienceshallucinationsevenduringthewakefulstate.ThoughKatanja*livedseveralyearsago,it appearedtobeinthepresentinyourconsciousness. 'ThisIam'suchaconceptdoesnotariseinthepersonwhohasselfknowledgebutonlyinthemindofanignorantperson.'Iamtheall'knowingthustheknower oftruthdoesnotdrowninsorrowhedoesnotgraspfiniteobjectsproductiveofsorrow.Hence,heisnotswayedbyjoyandsorrow. Becauseyouarenotfullyenlightenedyourmindclingstotheillusionofobjectiveperception,ofconcepts.ThisMaya*isspreadoutinalldirections:hewhoremains establishedinthecentreisfreefromdelusion.Getupandmeditateintenselyfortenyears. (Gadhi*engagedhimselfinintensemeditationthereafterandattainedselfrealisation.Afterthat,helivedasaliberatedsage,freefromfearandsorrow.) V:50 VASISTHA*continued:

Thiscosmicillusion(Maya*)createsgreatdelusionandisofthenatureofdisequilibrium.Itisextremelydifficulttounderstandit.Whatcomparisonistherebetweena hallucinationwhichlastsforthebriefdurationofanhour'sdream,andawholelifetimeasatribesmanwithallthevariedexperiences?Again,howcanwerelatewhat isseeninthathallucinationandwhatisseen'infrontofoureyes'?Or,whatistrulyunrealandwhathasreallyundergoneafactualtransformation?Hence,Itellyou,O Rama*,thiscosmicillusionleadstheunwarymindintoendlessdifficulties. RAMA*asked:But,OHolysir,howcanonerestrainthiswheelofcosmicillusionwhichrevolveswithsuchtremendousforce?

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VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,themindisthehubaroundwhichthisviciouscyclerevolves,creatingdelusioninthemindsofthedeluded.Itisbyfirmlyrestrainingthathubthroughintense selfeffortandkeenintelligence,thatthewholewheelisbroughttoastandstill.Whenthehub'smotionisstopped,thewheeldoesnotrevolve:whenthemindisstilled, illusionceases.Onewhodoesnotknowthistrickanddoesnotpractiseit,undergoesendlesssorrowthemomentthetruthisseen,behold!thesorrowcomestoan end. Thediseaseoftheperceptionofthisworldillusionisnotcuredexceptthroughthemasteryofthemindwhichisitsonlyremedy.Hence,ORama*,abandonallother activitieslikepilgrimage,giftsandausterities,andbringthemindunderyourcontrolforyourultimategood.Thisworldappearanceabidesinthemind,evenasthereis spacewithinthepotifthepotisbroken,theillusorydivisionofspacevanishesandifthemindceasestobe,theconceptofaworldwithinthemindalsoceasestobe. Evenasaninsecttrappedwithinthepotattainsfreedomofmovementwhenthepotisbroken,youwillalsoenjoyfreedomwhenthemindceasestobe,alongwiththe worldillusioncontainedinit. Liveinthepresent,withyourconsciousnessexternalisedmomentarilybutwithoutanyeffort:whenthemindstopslinkingitselftothepastandtothefuture,itbecomes nomind.Iffrommomenttomomentyourminddwellsonwhatisanddropsiteffortlesslyatonce,themindbecomesnomind,fullofpurity.Itisonlyaslongasthe mindcontinuestobeagitatedthatitexperiencesthediversityofitsownprojectionorexpansion,evenasrainfallsonlyaslongasthereareclouds.And,itisonlyas longastheinfiniteconsciousnesslimitsitselfintothefinitemind,thatsuchagitationandexpansiontakeplace.Ifconsciousnessceasestobethefinitemind,thenknow thattheveryrootsofcyclicworldillusion(ofbirthanddeath)areburntandthereisperfection. VASISTHA*continued: Consciousnessfreefromthelimitationsofthemindisknownastheinnerintelligence:itistheessentialnatureofnomind,andthereforeitisnottaintedbytheimpurities ofconceptsandpercepts.Thatisthereality,thatissupremeauspiciousness,thatisthestateknownasthesupremeself,thatisomniscienceandthatvisionisnothad whenthewickedmindfunctions.Wherethereismind,thereflourishhopesanddesires,andtherearisetheexperiencesofpainandpleasure.Theconsciousnesswhich hasbeenawakenedtothetruthdoesnotfallintoconceptsandpercepts:therefore,eventhoughitseemstoundergovariouspsychologicalexperiences,

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itdoesnotgiverisetotheworldillusionandthecycleofworldappearance. Inthecaseofthosewhohavebeenawakenedthroughthestudyofscriptures,companyofholymenandunceasingandvigilantpracticeoftruth,theirconsciousness hasreachedthepurestateofnonobjectiveness.Hence,oneshouldforcefullyupliftone'smindfromthestateofignoranceandvacillationandapplyittothestudyof scripturesandtothecompanyofholysages. Theselfaloneisthesoleaidfortherealisationofthesupremeselfortheinfiniteconsciousness.Itisone'sownselfthatstrivestoabandonone'sownsorrowandfor thistherealisationofone'sownselfbyoneselfistheonlycourse. Hence,ORama*,whileyetremainingactiveinthisworld(talking,takingandleaving,etc.)bewithoutthemindandrealisethatyouarepureconsciousness.Abandon notionssuchas'Thisismine','Thatishe','ThisIam'andbeestablishedintheconsciousnessofundividedoneness.Aslongasthebodylasts,considerthepresentand thefuturewithanequanimousconsciousness.Beforeverestablishedintheconsciousnessoftheselfinallstatesyouth,manhoodandoldage,pleasureandpain,in thewaking,dreamandsleepstates.Abandontheimpurityofobjectiveperception,hopesanddesires:remainestablishedinselfknowledge.Giveupnotionsof auspiciousandinauspicioushappenings,giveupvisionsofthedesirableandundesirable:knowthatyouaretheessenceofconsciousness.Realisethatsubject,object andactionsdonottouchyou:remainaspureconsciousnesswithoutanydisturbanceinit.Know'Iamtheall'andliveinthewakingstateasifindeepsleep.Befreed fromconditionsknownasdualityandnonduality:andremaininastateofequilibriumwhichisastateofpureconsciousnessandfreedom.Realisethatthiscosmic consciousnessisindivisibleinto'I'and'theother'thusremainfirmandunshakable. VASISTHA*continued: Cutoffallthefettersofdesireandhopesolelywiththeintelligencethatisunlimitedandwhichisendowedwithpatienceandperseverance,andgobeyonddharmaand adharma.Whenoneisfirmlyrootedinselfknowledge,eventheworstofpoisonsturnsintoimmortalisingnectar.Itisonlywhenthisselfknowledgeisoverpowered byignorancethatthedelusionofworldappearancearisesinthemindbutwhenoneisfirmlyestablishedinselfknowledgewhichisinfinite,unlimitedand unconditionedthenthedelusionorignorancethatgaverisetoworldappearancecomestoanend.Then,thelightofyourwisdomwillradiateinthefourdirections, throughouttheworld.

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Toonewhothusdrinksthenectarofimmortalityintheshapeofselfknowledge,thedelightsofsensepleasuresbecomepainful.Weresorttothecompanyofonly thosewhohaveattainedselfknowledgetheothersaredonkeysinhumangarb.Evenaselephantsmovewithlongstrides,thesageswhohavereachedthehigher statesofconsciousnessrisetothehigheststatesofconsciousness.Theyhavenoexternalhelpatallandnosunilluminestheirpath:selfknowledgealoneistheirlight. Infact,thesunandtheworldsbecomenonobjectsofperceptiontothemwhohavegonebeyondtherealmofobjectiveperceptionandknowledge,evenaslamps losetheirluminositywhilethemiddaysunshines. Thesageofselfknowledge(theknoweroftruth)issupremeamongstthosewhoareradiant,glorious,strong,greatandendowedwithothercharacteristicswhichare consideredmarksofexcellence.Thesesagesshineinthisworldlikethesun,thefire,themoon,andthestarsallputtogether.Ontheotherhand,theywhohavenot attainedselfknowledgeareworsethanwormsandinsects. Theghostofdelusionafflictsoneonlyaslongasselfknowledgedoesnotariseinhim.Theignorantmanisforeversorrowful,thoughheroamseverywheretogetrid ofit.Heistrulyawalkingcorpse.Onlythesageofselfknowledgeisalivingsentientbeing.Evenaswhendensecloudsformintheskythesun'slightisveiled,when themindbecomesgrosswithimpuritiesandignorance,thelightofselfknowledgeisveiled.Therefore,oneshouldabandoncravingforpleasures(thosethathavebeen experiencedinthepastandothersthathavenotyetbeenexperiencedbutforwhichonecraves)andthusgraduallyweakenthemindbytheabandonmentofataste forthem.Bythecultivationofafalserelationshipwithwhatisnotself,(thebodyandthoserelatedtoitsuchaswife,son,family,etc.)themindbecomesgross.The notionsof'I'and'mine'maketheminddenseandignorant.Thisisfurtheraggravatedbyoldage,sorrow,ambitions,psychologicaldistress,effortstoacquireandto abandon,attachments,greed,lustforwealthandsexandbytheenjoymentofsensepleasures,allofwhicharebasedonignoranceanddelusion. VASISTHA*continued: ORama*,thismindislikeatreewhichisfirmlyrootedintheviciousfieldknownasthebody.Worriesandanxietiesareitsblossomsitisladenwiththefruitsofold ageanddiseaseitisadornedwiththeflowersofdesiresandsenseenjoymentshopesandlongingsareitsbranchesandperversitiesareitsleaves.Cutdownthis deadlypoisonoustree,whichlooksasunshakableasthemountain,withthesharpaxeknownasenquiry.

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ORama*,thismindislikeanelephantwhichroamstheforestknownasthebody.Itsvisioniscloudedbydelusionithasenteredintotheone(conditionedand ignorant)sideitisincapableofrestinginitsownselfblissitisviolentthoughitwishestoperceivethetruthwhichithearsfromwisemen,itiscaughtupinthe perceptionofdiversityanditisconditionedbyitsownconceptsofpleasureandpainitisendowedwiththefiercetusksoflust,etc.ORama*,youarealionamong princes!Tearthiselephanttopiecesbyyoursharpintelligence. ORama*,thismindislikeacrowwhichdwellsinthenestofthisbody.Itrevelsinfilthitwaxesstrongbyconsumingfleshitpiercestheheartsofothersitknows onlyitsownpointofviewwhichitconsidersasthetruthitisdarkonaccountofitsevergrowingstupidityitisfullofeviltendenciesanditindulgesinviolent expressions.Itisaburdenonearth,ORama*:driveitfar,farawayfromyourself. ORama*,thismindislikeaghost.Itisservedbythefemalegoblinknownascravingitrestsintheforestofignoranceitroamsincountlessbodiesoutofdelusion. Howcanoneattainselfknowledgeifonedoesnotlaythisghostwiththehelpofwisdomanddispassion,thegraceoftheguru,selfeffort,chantingofmantras,etc.? ORama*,thismindislikeavenomousserpentwhichhaskilledcountlessbeingsdestroythiswiththehelpoftheeagleoftheappropriatecontemplativeformulaor instruction. ORama*,thismindislikeamonkey.Itroamsfromoneplacetoanother,seekingfruits(rewards,pleasures,etc.)boundtothisworldcycleitdancesandentertains people.Restrainitfromallsidesifyouwishtoattainperfection. ORama*,thismindislikeacloudofignorance:dispelitbytherepeatedrenunciationofallconceptsandpercepts. Evenasaterribleweaponisencounteredanddestroyedbyamorepowerfulweapon,tranquilisethemindwiththehelpoftheminditself.Foreverabandonevery formofmentalagitation.Remainatpeacewithinyourselflikeatreefreedfromthedisturbancecausedbymonkeys.

TheStoryofUddalaka*
V:51 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,donottakeyourstandonconceptsandperceptsofthemind,whicharesubtleandsharpthemindhasbeenputtogetherbytimeandithasgainedgreat strengthincourseoftime.Bringitundercontrolbywisdom,beforetimefellsthiscreeperknown

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asthebody.Bydevoutlycontemplatingmywordsyouwillattainsupremebliss. Ishallnarratetoyou,ORama*,howthesageUddalaka*ofyoreattainedthesupremevisionoftruth. Inacorneroftheearth,thereisagreatmountainknownasGandhamadana*.Ononeofitspeakstherewasagreattree.Inthatregiontherelivedthesage Uddalaka*.Evenwhilehewasayoungboyheaspiredtoattainsupremewisdomthroughhisowneffort.Ofcourse,thenhewasoflittleunderstandingandhehada restlessmind,thoughhehadapureheart.Heengagedhimselfinausterities,inthestudyofscripturesandsoon,andtherearosewisdominhim. Whilesittingaloneoneday,theSAGEUDDALAKA*reflectedthus: Whatisliberation,whichissaidtobetheforemostamongtheobjectstobeattained,uponattainingwhichonedoesnotexperiencesorrowandisnotbornagain? WhenshallIrestpermanentlyinthatstate?Whenwillthementalagitationscausedbydesiresandcravingscease?WhenwillIbefreedfromthoughtslike'ThisIhave done'and'ThisIshoulddo'?Whenwillmymindceasetoundergoperversitiesthoughlivinginrelationshiphere,evenasthelotusthoughlyingonwaterisnottainted byit?WhenwillI,withthehelpoftheboatofsupremewisdom,crosstotheothershoreofliberation?WhenwillIbeabletolookuponthediverseactivitiesof peoplewiththeplayfulnessofachild?Whenwillthemindattainutterquiescence?Whenwilltheillusorydivisionbetweenthesubjectiveandtheobjectiveexperiences ceasethroughtheexperienceoftheinfiniteconsciousness?WhenwillIbeabletobeholdthisconcept,knownastime,withoutbeinginvolvedinit?WhenwillI,living inacavewithamindinuttertranquility,remainlikearockinastateinwhichthereisnomovementofthoughtatall? Thusreflecting,Uddalaka*continuedhispracticeofmeditation.Buthismindcontinuedtobeagitated.Somedays,however,hismindabandonedexternalobjectsand remainedinastateofpurity.Atothertimesitwasgreatlydisturbed.Greatlydistressedbysuchchangingmoods,heroamedtheforest.Onedayhereachedalonely spotintheforestwhichhadnotbeenvisitedbyanyoneelse.Therehesawacavewhichappearedtobemostconducivetotheattainmentofthestateofutter tranquilityandpeace.Itwasdelightfulineverywaywithbeautifulcreepersandflowersaroundit,withamoderateclimate,anditshoneasifithadbeencarvedoutof anemerald. VASISTHA*continued: V:52

Uddalaka*enteredthatdelightfulcaveandsatinameditativeposture.Intentonattainingthestateofmindwithouttheleast

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movementofthought,heconcentratedhisattentiononthelatenttendenciesinthemind,andUDDALAKA*reflectedthuswithinhimself: Omind,whathaveyoutodowiththisworldappearance?Wisemendonotcomeintocontactwithwhatiscalledpleasurewhichturnsintopainlateron.Hewho abandonsthesupremepeacethatlieswithinandgoesinsearchofsensepleasure,abandonsadelightfulgardenandgoesintoafieldofpoisonherbs.Youmaygo whereyoulikeyouwillnevertastesupremepeaceexceptthroughperfectquiescence.Hence,abandonallhopesanddesires.For,alltheseseeminglywondrous objectsofthenatureeitherofbeingorofnonbeing,arenotmeantforyourhappiness. Donotperishlikethedeerwhichistrappedbythesoundofmusicandbells,norlikethemaleelephantwhichistrappedwiththehelpofthefemaleelephant,norlike thefishwhosesenseoftasteleadsittoitsdeathinthehook,norlikethemothwhichisattractedbythesightofaflameandperishesinit,norlikethebeewhosesense ofsmellleadsittotheflower,trappedinwhichitisdestroyedwhentheflowerfoldsupforthenight. Ofoolishmind,alltheseperishbeingsubjectedtojustonesensecraving(thedeerbythesenseofhearing,thebeebythesenseofsmell,themothbythesenseof sight,theelephantbythesenseoftouch,andthefishbythesenseoftaste):butyouareavictimtoallthefivetemptationshowcanyouhavehappiness?Justasthe silkwormspinsitscocoonandgetscaughtinit,youhavewoventhewebofyourownconceptsandarecaughtinit.Ifyoucangetridofallthat,attainpurity, overcomeeventhefearoflifeanddeathandthusattaintototalequanimity,youhaveachievedthegreatestvictory.Ontheotherhand,ifyouclingtothisever changingphenomenoncalledtheworld,youwillsurelyperishinsorrow. WhydoIinstructyouthus,Omind:for,ifoneinvestigatesthetruthhediscoversthatthereisnosuchthingcalledmind!Mindisbutaproductofignorancewhen ignorancewearsout,thenthemindwearsout,too.Hence,youareintheprocessofbeingwornout.Itisunwiseandfoolishtoinstructonewhoisintheprocessof disintegrating!Since,daybydayyouarebecomingweakerandweaker,Irenounceyouwisemendonotteachonewhoistobeabandoned. Omind,IamtheegolessinfiniteandhomogeneousconsciousnessIhavenothingtodowithyouwhoarethecauseoftheego. UDDALAKA*continuedtocontemplatethus: Theinfiniteselfcannotpossiblybesqueezedintothemind,anymorethananelephantcanbesqueezedintoawoodapplefruit.

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Theconsciousnessthat,throughtheprocessofselflimitation,isconfinedtofinitude(andthereforetoconceptsandpercepts)isknownasthemind:thisistheresultof ignoranceandhenceIdonotacceptthis.Theegosenseisonlyachild'sconceptanditisbelievedinbyonewhodoesnotinvestigatethetruth. Ihavecarefullyinvestigated,Ihaveobservedeverythingfromthetipsofmytoestothetopofmyhead:andIhavenotfoundanythingofwhichIcouldsay,'ThisIam'. Whois'I'?Iamtheallpervadingconsciousnesswhichisitselfnotanobjectofknowledgeorknowingandisfreefromselfhood.Iamthatwhichisindivisible,which hasnonameorchange,whichisbeyondallconceptsofunityanddiversity,whichisbeyondmeasure(smallandbig)andotherthanwhichnaughtelseis.Hence,O mind,Iabandonyouwhoarethesourceofsorrow. Inthisbodyinwhichthereisflesh,blood,bone,etc.,whosays'ThisIam'?Motionisthenatureofenergy,thinkingisinherentinconsciousness,oldageanddeathare naturaltothebodywhosays'ThisIam'?Thisisthetongue,theseareears,thisisnose,thisismotionandtheseareeyeswhosays'ThisIam'?Iamnoneofthese, noramIyou,Omind,northeseconcepts:Iambuttheinfiniteconsciousness,pureandindependent.'Iamallthis'or'ThereisnoI'bothareexpressionsofthesame truthnaughtelseistruth. Alas,forsolongIhavebeenvictimisedbyignorance:but,luckily,Ihavediscoveredthatwhichrobbedmeofselfknowledge!Ishallnevermorebethevictimof ignorance.Evenasthecloudsittingontopofahilldoesnotbelongtothehill,thoughIseemtobeassociatedwithsorrowIamindependentofit.Intheabsenceof selfknowledge,therearoseegosense:butnow,Iamfreeofegosense.Letthebody,thesensesandsoonbe,orperishIhavenothingtodowiththem.The senses(theeyes,etc.)existinordertocomeintocontactwiththeirownobjectsfortheirownsake:whoistheIthatisdeludedintothinking'ThisisI',or'Isee',etc.? Theseeyes,etc.seeorexperience,theirobjectsnaturally,withoutbeingimpelledtodosobypreviousconditioning.Hence,ifactionsareperformedspontaneously withoutmentalconditioning,theirexperiencewillbepureandfreefrommemoriesofpasthappinessorunhappiness.Hence,Osenses,performyourfunctionswithout beinghamperedbymemory.Thismemoryormentalconditioningisnotafact,intruth:itisnondifferentfromandnotindependentoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Itcan thereforebeeasilydispelled,merelybynotrevivingitinconsciousness.Hence,Omind,abandonthisperceptionofdiversityandrealisetheunrealityofyourown independencefromtheinfiniteconsciousness:thatisliberation.

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V:53

UDDALAKA*continuedtoreflectthus:

Inreality,consciousnesscannotbeconditioned:itisunlimitedandissubtlerthanthesubtlestatom,hencebeyondtheinfluenceofmentalconditioning.Themindrestsin theegosenseandthereflectedconsciousnessinthesensesandfromthistherearisestheillusionofselflimitationofconsciousness.Whenthisisexperiencedand thoughtofagainandagain,theegosenseandtheillusionofselflimitationacquireafalsevalidity.But,Iamconsciousnesswhichisuntouchedbyanyofthese. Letthebodycontinuetoliveinaworldbroughtintobeingbyitsignorantactivities,orletitabandonit:Iamconsciousnessunaffectedbyanyofthese.Consciousness, beinginfiniteandallpervading,hasnobirth,nodeath,norisitpossessedbyanyone.Ithasnothingtogainby'living'asaseparateentity,sinceitisallpervading.Birth anddeatharementalconcepts:theyhavenothingtodowiththeself.Onlythatwhichentertainsnotionsoftheegosensecanbegraspedandbound:theselfisfree fromtheegosenseandisthereforebeyondbeingandnonbeing. Theegosenseisvaindelusion,themindislikeamirageandtheobjectsoftheworldareinertsubstances:whoisitthatsays'Iam'?Thebodyisanaggregateofflesh, blood,etc.,themindvanishesonenquiryintoitsnature,selflimitationofconsciousnessandsuchotherconceptsareinsentient(nonsense)whatistheego?The sensesexistandareengagedinselfsatisfyingactivityallthetimethesubstancesoftheworldarethesubstancesoftheworldwhereistheego?Natureisnatureand itsqualitiesinteractononeanother(likethesightandlight,hearingandsound,etc.)andwhatisrestsinitselfwhereistheego? Theself,whichisconsciousness,existsasthesupremeselfofall,everywhereinallbodiesatalltimes.WhoamI,whatamImadeof,whatismyform,madeby whom:andwhatshallIacquireandwhatshallIreject?Thereisthusnothingwhichcanbecalled'I'andwhichundergoesbeingandnonbeing:whenthereisnoego senseintruth,howcanthategosenseberelated,andtowhom?Whenthusitisrealisedthatthereisnorelationshipatall,thenthefalsenotionofdualityvanishes. Thus,whateverthereisistheonecosmicbeing(Brahmanortheself)Iamthatreality,whydoIsufferindelusion?Whenonealoneexistsasthepureomnipresent being,howcanthereevenarisesomethingknownastheegosense?Thereisnosubstantialityinanysubstanceintruth,theselfaloneexists:or,evenifoneassumes thesubstantialitytobereal,thereisnorelationshipbetweenthatandtheself.Thesensesfunctionassenses,themindexistsasmind,theconsciousnessisuntouched bythesewhat

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isrelationshipandhowdoesitcomeintobeing?Justbecausetheyexistsidebyside,itisnotrighttoassumearelationship:astoneandanironrodmayliesideby side,totallyunrelatedtoeachother.UDDALAKA*continuedtoreflect: Itisonlywhenthisfalseegosensehasarisenthattheperversenotions'Thisismine'and'Thatishis'arise.And,whenitisseenthatallthesearetricksofthefalseego sense,theseunrealnotionsceasetobe.ThereisintruthnaughtelsebuttheselfhenceIrealisethatallthisistheonecosmicbeingorBrahman.Thedelusionknownas egosenseislikethebluenessofthesky:itisbetternottoentertainthatnotiononceagain,buttoabandonit.Afterhavingabandonedtheveryrootoftheegosense,I restintheselfwhichisofthenatureofpeace. Theegosenseisthesourceofendlesssorrow,sufferingandevilaction.Lifeendsindeathanddeathleadstobirthandwhatisisdisruptedbyitsownendsuch notionsentertainedbytheegosenseleadtogreatsorrow.Theanxietycausedbythoughtslike'Ihavegotthisnow','Ishallgetthattoo'burnstheignorant.'Thisis' and'Thatisnot'suchnotionscauserestlessnessintheegotist.Butiftheegosenseceasestobethentheillusoryworldappearancedoesnotgerminateagainandall cravingscometoanend. Thisuniversehassurelycomeintobeingwithoutanyvalidcauseforitscreation:howcanoneacceptthetruthofacreationwhichhadnocauseorpurpose?Fromtime immemorial,allthesebodieshavebeeninherentinthecosmicbeing,evenaspotsareforeverinherentinclay.Evenasoceanexistsinthepast,presentandfutureas oceanandthesamewatertemporarilyassumestheformofawave,allthisisforeverthecosmicbeingatalltimes.Itisonlyafoolthatentertainsafeeling'ThisIam'in relationtothattemporaryappearanceknownasthebody,etc. Inthesameway,themindwasconsciousnessinthebeginninganditwillbeconsciousnessagainintheend(afteritsnatureandfunctionasmindhaveceased),whyisit thencalleddifferentlyinthemiddle(now)? Allthesephenomenaseemtohaveatransientreality,likedreamexperiences,visionsinastateofdelirium,hallucinationsofadrunkard,opticalillusions, psychosomaticillness,emotionaldisturbancesandpsychoticstates.But,Omind,youhaveconferredapermanentrealityuponthem,evenasaloversuffersfromthe veryimaginationofhisbeloved'sseparation.But,ofcourse,thisisnotyourfaultitismyfaultthatIstillclingtothenotionthatyou,mymind,isarealentity.WhenI realisethatallthesephenomenaareillusoryappearances,thenyouwillbecomenomindandallthe

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memoriesofsenseexperiences,etc.,willcometoanend.Whenconsciousnessrealisesitselfandabandonsitsselflimitingmentalconditioning,themindisfreedfrom itscolouringandrestsinitsessentialnature,whichisconsciousness.Whenthemind,gatheringtoitselfallitslimbs,offersitselfintothefireofpureconsciousness,itis purifiedandattainsimmortality. UDDALAKA*continuedtocontemplate: Whenthemindperceivesthebodyasdistinctfromit,abandonsitsownconditioning(theconcepts)andrecognisesitsowntransientnature,itisvictorious.Mindand bodyareeachother'sfoes:hencesupremehappinessfollowstheirdestruction.For,whentheycometogetherthereisahostofsufferingonaccountoftheirmutual conflict. Themindgivesbirthtothebodythroughitsownthoughtforce:andthroughoutthebody'slifetimethemindfeedsitwithits(themind'sown)sorrow.Thustorturedby sorrowthebodywishestodestroythemind,itsownparent!Thereisnofriendnorenemyinthisworld:thatwhichgivesuspleasureisconsideredourfriendandthat whichcausespainisourenemy! Whenthusthemindandthebodyareconstantlyengagedinmutualdestruction,howcanonehavehappiness?Itisbythedestructionofthemindthattherecanbe happinesshencethebodytrieseveryday(indeepsleep)todestroythemind.However,untilselfknowledgeisattained,oneunwittinglypromotesthestrengthofthe otherandtheyseemtofunctiontogetherforacommonpurposeevenaswaterandfire,thoughopposedtoeachother,worktogetherforacommoncause(e.g., cooking). Ifthemindceasestobe,thenthebodyceasestobe,too,onaccountofthecessationofthoughtforceandmentalconditioning:buttheminddoesnotceasetobe whenthebodydies.Hence,oneshouldstrivetokillthemind.Mindislikeaforestwiththoughtformsforitstreesandcravingsforitscreepers:bydestroyingthese,I attainbliss.Whenthemindisdead,whetherthebody(composedofflesh,blood,etc.,)existsornotdoesnotmattertome.ThatIamnotthebodyisobvious:forthe corpsedoesnotfunction! Wherethereisselfknowledge,thereisneithermindnorthesenses,northetendenciesandhabits(theconceptsandpercepts).Ihaveattainedthatsupremestate.I haveemergedvictorious.Ihaveattainedliberation(nirvana*).Ihaverisenaboveallrelationshipswiththemind,bodyandthesenses,evenastheoilpressedoutofthe seedshasnorelationwiththeseeds.Tomenowthemind,bodyandthesensesareplaythings.Purity,totalfulfilmentofalldesires(hence,theirabsence),friendliness toall,truthfulness,wisdom,

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tranquilityandblissfulness,sweetnessofspeech,suprememagnanimity,lustrousness,onepointedness,realisationofcosmicunity,fearlessness,absenceofdivided consciousness,nonperversitythesearemyconstantcompanions.Sinceatalltimeseverythingeverywherehappensineverymanner,inmethereisnodesireor aversiontowardsanything,whetherpleasantorunpleasant.Sincealldelusionhascometoanend,sincethemindhasceasedtobeandallevilthoughtshavevanished, Irestpeacefullyinmyownself. VASISTHA*continued: V:54

ThesageUddalaka*thensatdowninthelotusposture,withhiseyeshalfclosed,inmeditation.HeutteredtheholywordOMwhichbestowsthehigheststate.He intonedOMinsuchawaythatitsvibrationsfilledhiswholebeingrightuptothecrownofhishead.Asthefirstpartofhispractice,heexhaledhisbreathcompletely. Itwasasifhislifeforcehadabandonedthebodyandwasroaminginthespace(dimension)ofpureconsciousness.Thefirethatarosefromhisheartburntthewhole ofhisbody.(Allthis,Uddalaka*practisedwithouttheviolenceinvolvedinHatha*Yoga:forHatha*Yogagivesrisetopain.) WiththesecondutteranceoftheholywordOM,hereachedthestateofequilibriumandtherehappenedinhimaspontaneousretentionofthebreath(lifeforce) withoutagitationorvibration.Thelifeforcestoodstill,asitwere,neitheroutside,norinside,neitherbelownorabove.Afterreducingthebodytoashes,thefireburnt itselfoutandvanishedonlythepureasheswerevisible.Itwasasiftheveryboneshadturnedintocamphorwhichwasbeingburntinadoration.Theasheswere blownbyapowerfulwindanddispersedinspace.(AllthishappenedwithouttheviolenceofHatha*Yoga:forHatha*Yogagivesrisetopain.) Inthethirdstage,whentheholywordOMreacheditsculminationortranquility,therearosetheinhalationofbreath(thedrawinginofthelifeforce).Duringthisstage thelifeforces,whichwereintheverycentreofthenectarofconsciousness,spreadoutinspaceasacoolbreeze.Theseforcesreachedtheregionofthemoon.There theyspreadoutasauspiciousrayswhichthereuponrainedontheashesthatremainedofthebody. Instantly,therearosefromtheashesaradiantbeingwithfourarmslikelordVisnu*.Uddalaka*shonelikeadivinity,hiswholebeingtransmutedintoadivinity.The lifeforcefilledtheinnerkundalini*whichwasspreadoutlikeaspiral.Uddalaka's*bodyhadthusbeencompletelypurified.Thenhe,whowasalreadyseatedinthe lotusposture,madetheposturefirm,'tiedup'hissensesandproceededtomakehisconsciousnessabsolutelyfreefromtheleastmovement

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ofthought.Withallhisstrengthherestrainedhismindfromdistraction.Hishalfclosedeyeswerestillandmotionless.Withhismindestablishedininnersilence,he equalisedthemovementofthetwinlifeforces,prana*andapana*.Hewithdrewhisinnersensesfromcontactwiththeirobjects,evenasoilisseparatedfromthe seed.Thereuponhebecamedirectlyawareofthementalconditioningcreatedbypastexperiences,andunconditionedtheawarenessandmadeitpure.Then,hefirmly closedhisrectumandtheotheroutletstothebody(theeyes,etc.).Withhislifeforceandawarenessthuspreventedfromexternalisationbyperfectdiscipline,heheld hismindinhisheart. VASISTHA*continued: Uddalaka's*mindhadattainedabsolutetranquilityandnodistractioncouldafflictit.Directlyhebeheldinhisheartthedarknessofignorancethatveiledthelightof selfknowledge.Withthelightofknowledgethataroseinhim,hedispelledeventhatdarkness.Hethenbeheldthelightwithin.However,whenthatlightdimmed,the sageexperiencedsleep.But,thesagedispelledthedullnessofsleep,too.Oncethedrowsinessofsleephadbeendispelled,themindofthesagethrewupdiverse brilliantforms.Thesageclearedhisconsciousnessofthesevisions.Thenhewasovercomebyagreatinertia,likeoneintoxicated.Hegotoverthatinertia,too.After this,hismindrestedinanotherstatewhichwasdifferentfromallthesesofardescribed.Afterrestingforawhileinthisstate,however,hismindawoketothe experienceofthetotalityofexistence.Immediatelyafterthis,heexperiencedpureawareness.Thisawareness,whichtillthenhadbeenassociatedwithotherfactors, hadnowregaineditspurityandindependence:evenaswhenthemuddywaterinanearthenpothascompletelyevaporated,themudbecomesanintegralpartofthe potmadeofthesamesubstance.Evenasthewavemergesintheoceanandbecomesoneandnondifferentfromit,theconsciousnessabandoneditsobjectivityand regaineditsabsolutepurity.Uddalaka*wasenlightened.HeenjoyedthesupremeblissthatgodslikeBrahma*enjoy.Hisstatewasbeyonddescription.Hewasone withtheoceanofbliss. Soon,Uddalaka*beheldgreatsagesinthatinfiniteconsciousness.Heignoredthem.Hecontinuedwiththeexperienceofsupremebliss.Heattainedthestateof'one liberatedwhileliving'.Hebeheldthegodsandthesages,andheevenbeheldthemembersofthetrinity.Hewentbeyondeventhatstate.Hewascompletely transmutedintoblissitselfandhencehehadgonebeyondtherealmofbliss.Heexperiencedneitherblissnornonbliss.Hebecamepureconsciousness.Hewho experiencesthisevenforamomentis

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disinterestedeveninthedelightsofheaven.Thisisthesupremestate,thisisthegoal,thisistheeternalabode.Hewhorestsinthisisnotagaindeludedandisnolonger caughtinthesubjectobjectrelationship.Heisfullyawakenedandneveragainentertainsthenotionofobjectivityorconceptualisation.Ofcoursethisisnotan 'attainment'. Uddalaka*remainedforsixmonthsinthisstate,vigilantlyavoidingthetemptationofpsychicpowers.Evensagesandgodsadoredhim.Hewasinvitedtoascendto heaven:hedeclinedtheinvitation.Totallyfreedfromalldesires,Uddalaka*roamedasasageliberatedwhileliving.Oftenhewouldspenddaysandmonthsin meditationinthecavesofmountains.Thoughatothertimesheengagedhimselfintheordinaryactivitiesofliving,hehadreachedthestateofperfectequilibrium.He lookeduponallwithequalvision.Hisinnerlightshoneatalltimes,neverrisingandneversetting.Withallnotionsofdualitytotallyatrest,heliveddevoidofbody consciousness,establishedinpurebeing. InanswertoRama's*questionconcerningpurebeing,VASISTHA* V:55said:

Whenthemindhasceasedtobebecauseofthetotalabsenceofthenotionsofmaterialexistence,consciousnessexists.initsownnatureasconsciousness:andthatis knownaspurebeing.Whenconsciousnessdevoidofnotionsofobjectivitymergesinitselflosingitsseparateidentity,asitwere,itispurebeing.Whenallexternal (material)andinternal(notional)objectsmergeinconsciousness,thereispurebeingofconsciousness.Thisisthesupremevisionwhichhappenstoallliberatedones, whethertheyseemtohaveabodyortheyarewithoutone.Thisvisionisavailabletoonewhohasbeen'awakened',toonewhoisinastateofdeepcontemplation andtoamanofselfknowledgeitisnotexperiencedbytheignorantperson.Sagesandthemembersofthetrinityareestablishedinthisconsciousness,ORama*. Havingreachedthisstateofconsciousness,Uddalaka*livedforsometime. Incourseoftime,inhismindtherearosethewish,''Letmedropthisembodiment''.Hewenttoamountaincaveandseatedhimselfinthelotusposture,withhiseyes halfclosed.Heclosedoffthenineaperturesofthebody,bypressinghisheelagainsttherectum,etc.Hewithdrewthesensesintohisheart.Herestrainedhislifeforce (prana*).Heheldhisbodyinastateofperfectequilibrium.Hepressedthetipofhistongueagainsttherootofhispalate,hisjawswereslightlypartedfromeach other.Hisinnervisionwasdirectedneitherinwardnoroutward,neitherabovenorbelow,neitherinsubstantialitynorvoid.Hewasestablishedinpureconsciousness andhe

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experiencedpureblisswithinhimself.Hehadreachedtheconsciousnessofpurebeing,beyondthestateofbliss.Hiswholebeinghadbecomeabsolutelypure. Uddalaka*remainedinthistotallypurestateforsometime,likeapaintedpicture.Gradually,daybyday,heattainedperfectquiescenceheremainedinhisownpure being.Hehadrisenabovethecycleofbirthanddeath.Allhisdoubtsweresetatrestperversethoughtshadceasedallimpuritiesofthehearthadbeenwashed awayhehadattainedthatstateofblisswhichisbeyonddescription,inwhichoneregardseventhejoyofthekingofheavenasworthless.Thus,hisbodyremainedfor aperiodofsixmonths. Afterthat,onedayseveralgoddessesledbyParvati*arrivedatthatspotinresponsetotheprayersofadevotee.Thatgoddess,worshippedbythegodsthemselves, sawthebodyofUddalaka*whichhadbeendriedbythescorchingraysofthesunandquicklyplaceditonthecrownofherhead. SuchisthegloriousstoryofthesageUddalaka*,ORama*,whichawakensthehighestwisdomintheheartofonewhotakesshelterinitsshade. V:56 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,livinglikethis,constantlyenquiringintothenatureoftheself,attainpeace.Thisstateofconsciousnesscanbeattainedbythecultivationofdispassion,the studyofscriptures,theinstructionsofaguruandbythepersistentpracticeofenquiry.But,iftheawakenedintelligenceiskeenandsharp,youwillattainiteven withouttheotheraids. RAMA*asked:Holysir,sometherearewhorestinselfknowledge,whoareenlightenedandyetengagethemselvesinactivitiesandthereareotherswhoisolate themselvesandpractisecontemplation(samadhi*).Ofthesewhoisthebetter? VASISTHA*replied: Rama*,thatissamadhi*(contemplationormeditation)inwhichonerealisestheobjectsofthesensesasnotself,andthusoneenjoysinnercalmnessandtranquilityat alltimes.Havingrealisedthattheobjectsarerelatedonlytothemindandthereforeconstantlyrestingininnerpeace,someareengagedinactivitywhileotherslivein isolation.Bothofthemenjoytheblissofcontemplation.Ifthemindofonewhoappearstobeinsamadhi*isdistracted,heisamadman:ontheotherhand,ifthemind ofonewhoappearstobeamadmanisfreefromallnotionsanddistraction,heisenlightenedandheisinunbrokensamadhi*.Whetherheisengagedinactivityorhe livesinisolationinaforest,inenlightenmentthereisnodistinction.Themindwhichisfreefromconditioningisnottaintedevenwhileitis

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engagedinactivity.Thenonactionofthemindisknownasquiescence(samadhana*)itistotalfreedom,itisblessedness. Thedifferencebetweencontemplationanditsabsenceisindicatedbywhetherornotthereismovementofthoughtinthemind:hencemakethemindunconditioned. Theunconditionedmindisfirm,andthatinitselfismeditation,freedomandpeaceeternal.Theconditionedmindisthesourceofsorrowandtheunconditionedmindis anonactorandattainstothesupremestateofenlightenment.Henceoneshouldworktoremoveallmentalconditioning.Thatisknownascontemplationorsamadhi* inwhichallthedesiresandhopesconcerningtheworldhaveceasedandwhichisfreefromsorrow,fearanddesire,andbywhichtheselfrestsinitself. Mentallyrenounceallfalseidentificationoftheselfwithobjectshere:andthenlivewhereyoulike,eitherathomeorinamountaincave.Tothathouseholderwhose mindhasattainedutterquiescencehishouseitselfistheforest.Ifthemindisatpeaceandifthereisnoegosense,evencitiesareasvoid.Ontheotherhand,forests arelikecitiestohimwhoseheartisfullofdesiresandotherevils.Thedistractionsofthemindsubsideindeepsleepenlightenmentattainsenlightenmentdoasyou please. VASISTHA*continued: Hewhoseestheselfasthetranscendentbeingorastheimmanentbeing(astheselfofall)isestablishedinequanimity.Heinwhomlikesanddislikeshaveceased,to whomallbeingsarethesameandwhoperceivestheworldinthewakefulstateasifheperceivesobjectsinadream,heisestablishedinequanimityandlivesina forestevenwhilelivinginavillage.Hewhomovesaboutwithhisconsciousnessturnedinuponitselfviewsacityoravillageasaforest. Hewhohasattainedinnertranquilityandpeacefindspeaceandtranquilityeverywhereintheworld.Hewhosemindisagitatedandrestlessfindstheworldfullof restlessness.For,whatoneexperienceswithin,thataloneheexperiencesoutside.Infact,thesky,theearth,theairandthespace,themountainsandtheriversareall partsoftheinnerinstrument(mind)theyonlyappeartobeoutside.Alltheseexistlikethetreeintheseedandtheyareexternalisedlikethescentofaflower.Truly, thereisnothingeitherinsideoroutside:whatevertheconsciousnessconceivesof,inwhatevermanner,appearsso.Thustheselfaloneisallthis,withinandwithout. Hewhoisfilledwithinnerdelight,whoisnotswayedbyexultationorsorrowandwhoperformsactionsmerelywithhisphysicalbody,heisestablishedinequanimity. Heispureasthesky,heisfreefromdesires,hisactionsareappropriateandspontaneousandinrelation

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toexultationandsorrowhebehavesasifheismadeofwoodorclay.Heisatpeace,heseesallashisownself,heconsidersothers'possessionsasdirtnaturally andnotthroughfear:healoneseesthetruth. Theignorantmandoesnotrealisetheunrealityoftheobjects(bigorsmall),becausehehasnotrealisedthereality. Hewhohasattainedthestateofpurebeingisneversullied,whetherhelivesordies,athomeorelsewhere,inluxuryormendicancy,whetherheenjoysanddances,or herenounceseverythingandisolateshimselfonamountain,whetherhewearsexpensivecreamsandscentsorhewearsmattedlocksorfallsintothefire,whetherhe commitssinsorperformsvirtuousdeeds,whetherhediesorlivestilltheendoftheworldcycle.Forhedoesnothing.Itisonlytheconditionedmindthatistainted, becauseofitsegosenseandthenotionsattachedtoit.Whenallnotionshaveceasedandwisdomhasarisen,theimpuritiesofthemindareremoved,naturally. Theenlightenedsagestandstogainnothingbyeitherdoinganythingorbynotdoinganything.Evenasatreedoesnotspringfromastone,desiresdonotappearinthe lifeofasage.Shouldtheyariseattimes,theyinstantlyvanishlikewritingsonwater.Thesageandtheentireuniversearenondifferentfromeachother. V:57 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,theinfiniteconsciousnessbecomesawareofthepungencyofthechili:andthisgivesrisetotheegosense,withallitsdifferentiationintimeandspace.The infiniteconsciousnessbecomesawareofthesavourinsaltandthatgivesrisetotheegosensewithallthedifferentiationwhichseemstoexistintimeandspace.The infiniteconsciousnessbecomesawareofthesweetnessinsugarcaneandtherebyarisestheawarenessofitsparticularcharacteristic.Similarly,theinfinite consciousness,beingtheindwellingomnipresence,becomesawareofthenatureofarock,amountain,atree,ofwater,ofspaceandthusselfconsciousnessor individualityarises. Thusthenaturalcombinationofatomicparticlesandmolecules(whichisindweltbyconsciousness)apparentlyactsasadividingwall,thusgivingrisetothedivisionsof 'I','you'etc.,andthesethenappeartobeoutsideofconsciousnessasitsobject.Infact,allthesearebutreflectionsintheconsciousnesswhich,becomingawareof themwithinitself,bestowsuponthemtheirapparentindividuality.Consciousnesstastesitself,theawarenessbeingnondifferentfromconsciousness:andthatappears togiverisetotheegosense,etc.,naughtelse.Thecrystalofthisinfiniteconsciousnessreflectsitsownlightofconsciousnesswhichispresentinallthesecombinations

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ofatomicparticles:andtheythengainanapparentselfconsciousnessandthink'Iam',etc. Inreality,becausetheinnerawarenessinallthesecombinationsisnondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousness,thereisnosubjectobjectrelationshipbetweenthem: henceonedoesnotexperiencetheother,gaintheother,orchangeormodifytheother.ORama*,allthatIhavesaidaboveisbutaplayofwordstohelpyour comprehension:thereisnosuchthingas'I'or'theworld'(thecombinationofatomicparticles,etc.).Thereisneithermindnoranobjectofknowledgenortheworld illusion.Justaswateracquirestheappearanceofawhirlpoolwithapersonalityofitsown,consciousnessseemstogivetheappearanceof'I'etc.,withinitself.But consciousnessisconsciousnessonly,whetheritthinksofitselfaslordSiva*orasalittlejiva*! Allthisdiversityof'I','you'etc.,andofthematerialsubstances,arisesforthesatisfactionoftheignorant:whatevertheignorantpersonimaginesintheinfinite consciousnessthatalonehesees.Inthelightofawareness,lifeisseenasconsciousnesswhenitisregardedaslife,lifeappearstobenomorethanlife!Thereisin realitynoessentialdistinctionbetweenlifeandconsciousness.Inthesameway,thereisnorealandessentialdistinctionbetweentheindividual(jiva*)andthecosmic being(Siva*).Knowallthistobeundividedandindivisibleinfiniteconsciousness.

TheStoryofSuraghu
VASISTHA*continued: V:58

Inthisconnection,ORama*,praylistentoaninterestinglegend. IntheHimalayamountainrangethereisamountainknownasKailasa*.AtthefootofthatmountaintherelivedahilltribeknownasHemajata*(yellowhaired). Suraghuwastheirking.Hewasstrong,powerfulandwisehewasendowedwithselfknowledgeandhewashighlyaccomplishedinpoesyandliteraryart.Fatigue wasunknowntohim.Hewasjustinhisrule,blessingandpunishingthosewhodeservedtobethusblessedandpunished.Inallthisactivity,however,hisspiritual visionbecameobscured. Suraghubegantoreflectwithinhimself:"Peopleundergoalotofsufferingonmyaccount.Theirsufferingistrulymysuffering.Ishouldbestowrichesuponthem:they willrejoice,evenasIwouldrejoiceifIbecamewealthy.Theirjoyismyjoy.Alas,byalternatelyblessingandpunishingthepeople,Iammyselfalternatelyenjoying andsuffering."Thinkingthus,thekingwasgreatlydistressed. Oneday,thesageMandavya*cametovisittheking.Suraghu

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welcomedthesage,bowedtohim,worshippedhimandasked:"Lord,IamtormentedbytheanxietiesthattheblessingandthepunishmentthatIinflictuponmy subjectswillreturntome.Pleasehelpmegain equalvisionandsavemefromprejudiceandpartiality." MANDAVYA*said: Allmentalweaknessescometoanendbyselfeffortbasedonthewisdomwhicharisesinonewhoisfirmlyrootedinselfknowledge.Thedistressofthemindisgot ridofbyenquiryintothenatureoftheself.Oneshouldenquireinone'sownmind,"Whatarethesemoodsandmodesandfeelingsthatarisewithinme?"Bysuch enquiry,yourmindexpands.Whenyourealiseyourtruenaturebysuchenquiry,youarenotdisturbedbyexultationanddepression.Themindabandonsthepastand thefuture,andthusitsfragmentedfunctioning.Thenyouexperiencesupremepeace.Whenyouareinthatstateoftranquility,youtakepityonallthosewhorevelin greatwealthandsecularpower.Whenyouhavegainedselfknowledgeandwhenyourconsciousnesshasinfinitelyexpanded,yourmindnolongerfallsintothe cesspoolofthisworld,evenasanelephantdoesnotenterapuddle.Itisonlythelittlemindthatseekslittlepleasureandpower. Themindabandonseverythingwhenthevisionofthesupremeisgained.Hence,oneshouldresolutelyrenounceeverythingtillthesupremevisionisgained.Nottillone renounceseverythingisselfknowledgegained:whenallpointsofviewareabandoned,whatremainsistheself.Thisistrueevenoflifeinthisworld:onedoesnotget whatonedesiresunlesstheobstacletoitisremoved.Itisevenmoresoinselfknowledge. V:59 WhenthesageMandavya*haddepartedaftersayingthis,SURAGHU contemplatedthus:

Whatisitthatisknownas'I'?IamnottheMeru,theMeruisnotmine.Iamnotthehilltribe,northehilltribemine.Thisismerelycalledmykingdom:Iabandonthat notion.Now,thecapitalcityisleft.Iamnotthiscitynorisitmine.Thatnotion,too,isabandoned.EvensoIabandonthenotionsoffamilyrelationshipwife,sons, etc. Letmeenquireintothisbody.IamnottheinertsubstanceslikefleshandbonesnoramItheblood,northeorgansofaction.Alltheseareinertsubstances,butIam sentient.Iamnottheenjoyments,nordotheybelongtomethisintellectandthesenseorgansarenotme,noraretheyminetheyareinertandIamsentient.Iam notthemindwhichistherootcauseofthisignorantcycleofbirthanddeath.IamnotthefacultyofdiscriminationnoramItheegosense,thesebeingnotionsthat ariseinthemind. Now,whatisleft?Whatremainsisthesentientjiva*.But,itis

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involvedinsubjectobjectrelationship.Thatwhichistheobjectofknowledgeorcomprehensionisnottheself.ThusdoIabandonthatwhichisknowableorthe object.Whatnowremainsisthepureconsciousnesswhichisfreefromtheshadowofdoubt.Iamtheinfiniteself,forthereisnolimittothisself.Eventhegodslike Brahmathecreator,Indrathekingofgods,Yamathegodofdeath,Vayu*thegodofwindandallthecountlessbeingsarestrungonthisinfiniteconsciousness. Thiscitsakti*(omnipotentconsciousness)isfreefromthedefectofobjectivity.Itisbeyondbeingandnonbeing,thoughitistherealityinallbeing.Itpervadesall beingsintheuniverse.Itisthebeautyinall,itisthelightofall.Itistheessenceofallformsandallmodifications:yetitisbeyondallthese.Atalltimesitisallinall.Itis itselfspreadoutasthesefourteenplanesofexistence:eventhenotionconcerningthisuniverseisnothingbutthisomnipotentconsciousness. Falsearethefragmentednotionsofpainandpleasure,forthisomnipotentconsciousnessisomnipresentandinfinite.Thatistheself,whenIamawakenedwhenIam deludedthatitselfbecomestheking.Itisbyitsgracethatthebody,themind,etc.function.Itisbyitspowerthateverythinginthewholeuniversedancestoitstunes. Howfoolishofmetohaveexperienceddistressathavingtoblessandpunish!Ihavebeenawakened,Ihaveseenallthatthereistobeseen,Ihaveattainedallthatis worthattainment.Whatareallthese:painandpleasure,happinessandsorrow,blessingandpunishment?AllthisispervadedbyBrahman.Whereisthejustification forgriefanddelusionwhodoeswhat?Itisbuttheinfiniteconsciousnessthatexists.Salutationstoyou,Obeautifulgod,salutationstotheinfiniteself! VASISTHA*continued: V:60,61

Bysuchenquiry,Suraghuattainedtothesupremestateofconsciousness.Neveragaindidhegrievebutfromthattimeonwardsheperformedhisworkeverremaining inabalancedstateofmind.Compassionate,yetnotuncontemptuousnotavoidingthepairsofoppositesandnotjealousneitherintelligentnornonintelligentneither motivatednornonmotivatedhelivedwithequalvisionandinnercalmness.Hehadrealisedthat'Allthisisbutthediversemanifestationofconsciousness':hewas thereforepeacefulinbothpainandpleasure,havingattainedtothefullnessofunderstanding. Thusheruledinthisworldforaconsiderabletime,andthenofhisownaccorddiscardedhisbody.Heattainedonenesswiththeinfiniteconsciousness.ORama*,live andruletheworldthuswithanenlightenedmind.

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RAMA*asked:But,OLord,themindissounsteady.Howcanonereachthestateofperfectequanimity? VASISTHA*continued: ORama*,adialoguewhichisrelevanttothisproblemtookplacebetweenthatverykingSuraghuandthesageParigha.Listentoit. TherewasakinginPersianamedParighawhowasaclosefriendofthekingSuraghu.Once,therewasagreatfamineinthekingdomofParigha.Sorelydistressedat heartattheverysightofhispeople'ssufferingandseeingthatallhisattemptsatbringingrelieftothemprovedfruitless,Parighawentawaytotheforest,unbeknownst tohispeople,toperformausterities.HelivedondriedleavesandearnedthenameParnada*.Afterathousandyearsofpenanceandcontemplation,heattainedself knowledge.Thereafterheroamedthethreeworldsfreely. Oneday,hemetthekingSuraghuwhomhehadknownbefore.Thetwoenlightenedkingsdulyworshippedeachother.Afterthat,PARIGHAaskedSuraghu:"Even asyouattainedselfknowledgethroughtheinstructionsofthesageMandavya*,IreacheditthroughthegraceoftheLordearnedbypenance.Praytellme:isyour mindatperfectrestnow?Areyoursubjectslivinginpeaceandprosperity?Areyoufirmlyestablishedindispassion?" SURAGHUreplied: Whocantrulyunderstandthecourseofthedivinewill?YouandIhadbeenseparatedbyagreatdistancesofarbutnowwehavebeenbroughttogether.Whatis impossibleforthedivine?Wehavebeentrulyblessedbyyourholyvisit.Byyourverypresenceinourmidst,wehaveallbeenridofallsinsanddefectsandIfeelthat allprosperitystandsinfrontofusinyourform.Companyofgoodandholymenisindeedequaltothesupremestateofliberation. V:62,63 PARIGHAsaid:

Oking,allactionsthatareperformedbyonewhoisfirmlyestablishedinequanimityareproductiveofjoy,notthosedonebyothers.Areyouestablishedinthatstate ofsupremepeaceinwhichnothoughtsornotionsariseinyourmind,andwhichisknownassamadhi*? SURAGHUsaid: Holysir,pleasetellmethis:whyisonlythatstateofmindwhichisfreefromthoughtsandnotionscalledsamadhi*?Ifoneisaknoweroftruth,whetherhebeengaged inconstantactionorincontemplation,doeshismindeverlosethestateofsamadhi*?No.Theenlightenedonesareforeverinsamadhi*,eventhoughtheyengage themselvesintheaffairsoftheworld.Ontheotherhand,one

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whosemindisnotatpeacedoesnotenjoysamadhi*bymerelysittinginthelotusposture. Knowledgeoftruth,Lord,isthefirethatburnsupallhopesanddesiresasiftheyaredriedbladesofgrass:andthatisknownbythewordsamadhi*notsimply remainingsilent!Thatisknownasthestateofsamadhi*inwhichthereiseternalsatisfaction,clearperceptionofwhatis,egolessness,notbeingsubjecttothepairsof opposites,freedomfromanxietyandfromthewishtoacquireortoreject.Fromtheverymomentofthedawnofselfknowledge,thestateofsamadhi*becomes permanentinthesage:hedoesnotloseit,neitherisitinterrupted,evenforamoment.Evenastimedoesnotforgettomoveon,themanofselfknowledgedoesnot forgettheself.Evenasamaterialobjectisforevermaterial,thesageofselfknowledgeisforeverasageofselfknowledge. Hence,Iamalwaysawakened,pure,atpeacewithinmyselfandinastateofsamadhi*.Howcanitbeotherwise?Howcantherebeanythingotherthantheself? Whenatalltimesandinallwaystheselfaloneisallinall,howcantherebeastateotherthansamadhi*?Andwhatcanbetermedsamadhi*? PARIGHAsaid:Surely,Oking,youhaveattainedtotalenlightenment.Youshine,radiantwithbliss,withpeace,withsweetnessandwithpurity.Inyouthereisno egosense,desireoraversion. SURAGHUcontinued:Osage,thereisindeednothingwhichisworthdesiringorrenouncing.Foraslongasthesethingsareseenasobjects,theyarenothingbut concepts,perceptsandnotions.Whennothingisworthacquiring,itfollowsthatnothingisworthrenouncing.Goodandevil,greatandsmall,worthyorunworthyare allbasedonthenotionofdesirability.Whendesirabilityhasnomeaning,theothersdonotariseatall.Thereistrulynoessenceinallthatisseeninthisworldthe mountains,theoceans,theforests,themenandwomenandalltheobjects.Hencethereisnodesireforthem.Whenthereisnodesire,thereissupremepeaceat heart. VASISTHA*continued: V:64

Afterthusconsideringtheillusorynatureoftheworldappearanceandaftermutuallyworshippingeachother,SuraghuandParighacontinuedtoengagethemselvesin theirrespectiveduties.Befirmlyestablishedinthiswisdomanddiscardtheimpurenotionofegosensefromyourheart.Whenthepureheartcontemplatestheinfinite space(dimension)ofconsciousnesswhichisthesourceofallblissandwhichiswithineasyreachofall,itrestsinthesupremeself.Themindthatisthusdevotedtothe infiniteconsciousness,whichisintrovertedandwhichisfilledwithselfknowledge,isnotaffectedbysorrow.

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Evenifyouengageyourselfintheactivitiesrelatingtoyourdailylifeandeveniflikesanddislikesariseinyou,yourinnerbeingwillneverbecomeimpure.Evenaslight alonecanremovedarkness,theknowledgethatthisworldisthecreationofignoranceistheonlyremedyforitsills.Oncethisknowledgehasarisen,theignorant perceptionoftheworldassomethingrealceasesonceandforall.Thereafter,evenifyouengageyourselfinactivity,youareunattachedtoitandthereforenottainted byit,evenastheeyesoffisharenotaffectedbyseawater.Youwillneveragainexperiencedelusion. Onlyonthosedaysonwhichthelightofselfknowledgeshinesbrightlyinone'sheartdoesonelivetruly.Allone'sactionsarefullofblissonthosedays.Theyalone arefriends,scripturesanddaysthatgenerateinone'shearttruedispassionandalsoselfknowledge.ORama*,rescueyourjiva*fromthisdreadfulmireofworld appearance.Onceyouhaverealisedthetruthconcerningit,youwillneveragainreturntothismire. ORama*,thecompanyofholysageswillprovideyouwiththeknowledgeofthemeanstoattainselfknowledge.Hence,oneshouldnotliveinsuchplaceswhere suchcompanyisnotavailable.Inthecompanyofsages,themindoftheseekerbecomesquiescentatonce.Oneshouldupliftoneselfandnotrevelinthemireof ignorance.Thewisemanshouldconstantlyenquireintothenatureoftheworld,theself,etc.Inthisneitherwealthnorfriends,norrelations,norscripturesareofany helponlythepuremindwhichisconstantlyengagedinselfenquiryandwhichisendowedwithdispassionenablesonetocrossthisoceanofignorance. Theverymomentonelooksuponthebodyasaninertsubstance,oneattainsselfknowledge.Whenthedarknessofignoranceoregosenseisdispelled,thelightof selfknowledgeshines.Thatstateofselfknowledgeorperfectenlightenmentisbeyonddescription.Justasthesweetnessofsugarisknownonlybydirectexperience, thenatureofenlightenmentisknownonlybydirectexperience.Whenthemindandtheegosensecease,thisselfknowledgearises.Itisreachedbythepracticeof yoga,itiscomparableinsomerespectstodeepsleep:butitistrulyincomparable,indescribable.

TheStoryofBhasa*andVilasa*
V:65,66 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,solongasonedoesnotsubduethemindwiththemind,onecannotattainselfknowledgeandaslongasoneentertainsthefalsenotionsof'I'and'mine',so longsorrowdoesnotcometoan

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anend,evenasthesuninapaintingneversets.Thereisalegendthatillustratesthistruth.Ishallnownarrateittoyou. Thereisagreatmountainwhichisashighasthethreeworldsputtogether.Onitspeaksdwellthegods,inthemiddledwellhumanbeingsandatitsbasedwellthe beingsofthenetherworld.ItisknownasSahya.Itcontainseverything,asitwere.OnitthereisthehermitageofthesageAtri.Inittheredwelttwosagesknownas Brhaspati*andSukra*,eachofwhomhadason,knownasVilasa*andBhasa*respectively.Thetwoboysgrewupintoyoungmen.Theywereverygreatly attachedtoeachotherandwereinseparable. Incourseoftime,thetwoeldersages,Brhaspati*andSukra*,leftthisworld.Griefstricken,thetwoyoungmenperformedtheappropriatefuneralrites.Onaccount ofthelossoftheirfatherstheyfeltdisinterestedinproperty,wealth,etc.,andbothofthemthereuponwentawaytotheforest,eachinadifferentdirection,toleada nomadiclife.Afteraconsiderabletime,onceagaintheymeteachother. VILASA*saidtohisfriendBhasa*: Whatadelighttomeetyouagain,Omydearestfriend.Tellmewhatyouhavebeendoingsinceweparted.Didyourausteritiesbearfruit?Hasyourmindriditselfof theburningfeverofworldliness?Haveyouattainedselfknowledge?Tellme:areyouwellandhappy? BHASA*replied: Iconsidermyselfextremelyfortunatetoseeyouagain,myverydearfriendandbrother.However,howcanwewhoarewanderinginthisworldappearanceeverbe wellandhappyunlessanduntilweattainthehighestwisdom,untilthepsychologicalperversionscease?Untilwecrossthisoceanofworldcycle,howcanwebewell andhappy?Untilthehopesanddesiresbornofthemindhavebeencompletelydestroyed,howcanwebewellandhappy? Untilweattainselfknowledge,weshallreturnagaintothisplaneofbirthanddeathtoundergochildhood,youth,manhood,oldageanddeathagainandagain,we shallengageourselvesinthesameessenselessactionsandexperiences.Cravingsdestroywisdom.Lostinsatisfyingsensualappetites,lifeebbsawayfast.Themind fallsintotheblindwellofsensepleasure.Itisawonderhowandwhythisbody,whichisanexcellentvehicletotakeustotheothershoreofselfknowledge,fallsinto themireofworldliness!Inthetwinklingofaneyethislittlerippleknownasthemindassumesterribleproportions.Manfoolishlyascribestotheselfthesorrowandthe sufferingsthatdonottouchitintheleast,andbecomesmiserable. VASISTHA*continued: V:67

Thusconversingwitheachotherandenquiringintothenatureof

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theworld,theysoonattainedthesupremewisdom.Hence,ORama*,Itellyouthatthereisnowayotherthanselfknowledgeforthecuttingasunderofbondageand forcrossingthisoceanofillusion.Totheenlightenedpersonthisoceanofsorrowislikealittlepuddle.Heviewsthebodyasaspectatorlooksatadistantcrowd. Henceheisnotaffectedbythepainsthatthebodyissubjectedto.Theexistenceofthebodydoesnotdiminishtheomnipresenceoftheselfanymorethanwaves diminishthefullnessoftheocean. Whatistherelationshipofaswan,arockorapieceofwoodtothewaterwhichsurroundsthem?Evenso,thesupremeselfhasnorelationshipwiththisworld appearance.Afallingtreeseemstoraisewavesonthewater:similaristheexperiencebytheselfofthepleasureandpainthatappearonthebody.Evenasbyits proximitytowater,woodisreflectedinthewater,thebodyisreflectedintheself.Butevenasarockfallingintothewaterdoesnotinjurethewaternorisinjuredby it,evensowhenthebodycomesintocontactwithothermaterialsubstances(suchaswife,children,ormaterialobjects)thereisnoinjuryorpaintoanyone. Thereflectionofanobjectinthemirrorcanbesaidtobeneitherrealnorunrealitisindescribable:evensothebodywhichisreflectedintheselfisneitherrealnor unreal,butisindescribable.Theignorantpersonacceptsasrealwhateverheseesinthisworldnotsothewiseone.Evenasapieceofwoodandthewaterinwhichit isreflectedhavenorealrelationship,thebodyandtheselfhavenorealrelationship.Moreover,thereisinfactnodualitywheresuchrelationshipcouldexist.One infiniteconsciousnessaloneexistswithoutsubjectobjectdivision.Inthis,diversityisimaginedandthatwhichisuntouchedbysorrowbelievesitselftobemiserable, evenasonewhothinksheseesaghostseesaghost!Onaccountofthepowerofthoughtthisimaginaryrelationshipassumestheforceofreality.Theselfisever untouchedbypainandpleasurebutthinkingitselftobethebody,itundergoestheexperiencesofthebody.Theabandonmentofthisignorantbeliefisliberation. Theywhoarenotthusovercomebyfalseidentificationorattachmentarefreedatoncefromsorrow.Itisthisconditioningthatistheseedofoldage,deathand delusionwhenitceases,onegoesbeyondtheoceanofdelusion.Theconditionedmindcreatesbondageeveninasceticstheunconditionedmindispureevenina householder.Themindthatisthusconditionedisbondageliberationisfreedomfromconditioning(innercontact,attachmentoridentification).Thisinnercontact (whichpresupposesfictitiousdivision)aloneisthecauseforbondageandliberation.Actionsperformedbytheunconditionedarenonactiontheconditionedmind acts

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evenwhileoutwardlyrefrainingfromit.Actionornonactionisinthemindthebodydoesnothing.Hence,oneshouldresolutelyabandonthisfalseinnerdivision. RAMA*asked: V:68

Whatisconditioning,OLord,andhowdoesitcausebondageandwhatisliberationandhowisitattained? VASISTHA*continued: Convictionintherealityofthebodyinonewhohasabandonedthedistinctionbetweenthebodyandtheselfisknownasconditioning.Hewhobelievesthattheinfinite selfislimitedandthereforeseekspleasure,thusgetsbound.Hewhoenquires,'Allthisisindeedtheself,whatdoIdesireandwhatshouldIrenounce?'isestablished intheunconditionedstateofliberation.Hewhoknows'Iamnot,noristhereanother'or,'Letthesebeornotbe'anddoesnotseekpleasure,isliberated.Heisnot addictedtoinactionnordoeshegetlostintheresultsofactionheisnotgiventoexultationortodepression.Herenouncesthefruitsofactionsbyhismind(notby action!).Itisbytherejectionoftheconditioningthatbondageisgotridofandthehighestgoodgained.Conditioningisthecauseofallsorrow. Conditioningcanbeillustratedbythefollowingexamples:(1)thedonkeyisledbythemaster'sropeand,afraid,itcarriesaheavyburden(2)thetreerootedtothe groundbearsheat,cold,windandrain(3)thewormliesinaholeinearth,bidingitstime(4)thehungrybirdrestsonthebranchofatree,fearfulofpredators(5)the tamedeerpeacefullygoesaboutgrazingandfallsapreytothehunter'sshot(6)numerouspeoplearebornagainandagainaswormsandinsects(7)thecountless creaturesariseandfallinthiscreationlikewavesonthesurfaceoftheocean(8)theweakhumanbeingswho,unableeventomoveabout,dieagainandagain(9) thoseshrubsandcreeperswhichderivetheirnourishmentfromtheearthandgrowonearthand(10)thisveryworldillusionwhichislikeariverthatcarriesinits streamthecountlesssorrowsandsufferings.Allthesearetheexpansionsofconditioning. Conditioning(orinnercontact,attachmentorselflimitation)isoftwokinds:theadorableandthesterileorbarren.Thesterileorbarrenconditioningisseen everywhereinfools:theadorableconditioningisseenamongthosewhoknowthetruth.Thatconditioningwhichexistsinthemindsofthosewhoareignorantofself knowledge,whicharisesfromthingslikethebodyandwhichisconducivetorepeatedbirthanddeath,thatisbarrenandsterile.Theotherformofconditioning,which isfoundinadorablebeingswhohaveselfknowledge,arisesfromtherealisationoftrue

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wisdomthisenablesonetoavoidbirthanddeath. (Theadorableconditioningrecognises'natural'limitations,e.g.,theeyesandtheears,etc.arelimitedintheirperception.Thefool'sisselfimposedconditioningandhe regardstheinfiniteselftobeidenticalwiththephysicalbody.Thewordusedinthetext,viz.samsakttiisusuallytranslated'attachment'.However,attachmentimplies divisionanddualitywhichislimitationoftheinfiniteand conditioningoftheunconditioned.) VASISTHA*continued: Thegodwhoholdsinhishandstheconch,thediscus,etc.,protectsthethreeworlds,onaccountofthe'adorableconditioning'.Itisthankstothesametypeof conditioningthatthesunshinesandthecosmicbodyoftheCreatorcontinuestodirectthisvastcreation.And,lordSiva*,too,shinesasadivinityonaccountofthis typeofconditioning.Thegodsthatsustainthisworldandfunctioninvariouswaysareendowedwiththeirfacultiesbythisadorableconditioningorselflimitation. Ontheotherhand,undertheinfluenceofthesterileorbarrenconditioning,themindfallsapreytothedesireforpleasureinthedeludedbeliefthatsuchexperienceis delightful. Eventhefunctioningofthecosmicelementsisduetoconditioning.Anditisbecauseofitthatthegodsinheaven,thehumansonearthandthedemonsinthe netherworldariseandfall,likewavesontheocean.Evenasintheoceanthebigfisheatthesmallones,allthesecountlessbeingsfeedupononeanotherandare helplesslyblownaroundinspaceonaccountoftheirconditioning.And,thestarsinspacemoveintheirownorbitsbecauseofconditioning.Nowrising,nowsetting, nowbright,nowdark(andsaidtohaveseveralspotsordefects),themooncontinuestorevolvearoundtheearthandisnotabandonedbecauseofconditioning. ORama*,beholdthismysteriouscreationbroughtintobeingbywhoknowswhoinresponsetothementalconceptsofbeings.Thisuniversehasbeenconjuredupin emptyspacemerelybymentalconditioning:itisnotareality.Andinthisuniverse,cravingforpleasuregnawsattheveryvitalsofallbeingswhoareattachedtothe world,thebody,etc.Noonecancounttheirnumberanymorethanthenumberofparticlesofsandalongtheoceanbeaches.TheCreatorofthisuniversehasbrought thisuniverseintobeing,asitwere,onlyinresponsetothementalconditioningofthesecountlessbeings.Thesebeingsareindeedexcellentdryfuelfortheflamingfire ofhellhere.Whateversufferingisfoundinthisworld,knowthatitismeantonlyforthesebeings.Evenasriversflowrapidlytowardstheocean,sufferingflows towardsthosewhoarementally

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conditioned.Thiswholecreationisthuspervadedbyignorance.However,ifonecutsasunderthiscravingforpleasure,thelimitationofmentalconditioningyieldstoa greatexpansion.Mentalconditioning(orattachmenttothefiniteandtheperishable)isburningpaintothelimbs,ORama*:butinfiniteexpansion(ordevotiontothe infinite)isthemagiccurefortheburningpain.Thatmindwhichisunattachedtoanything,whichisestablishedinthepeaceofinfiniteexpansion,isconducivetodelight. Hewhostandsrootedinselfknowledgeisliberatedhereandnow. (Inthischaptertherealsignificanceof'conditioning'isbroughtout,thoughthewordusedagainissamsangam*whichmayalsobetranslatedas'contact'or 'attachment'.Itis'identification'or'conditioning'thatisreallyimplied.) VASISTHA*continued: V:69,70

ORama*,doingwhatisappropriate,atalltimes,themindshouldnotbeattachedtotheaction,thethoughtsortheobject.Neithershoulditbeattachedtothe heavensabove,norwhatisbelownorintheotherdirections.Itshouldnotbeboundtoexternalrelations,tothenaturalmovementoftheinnersenses,nortothelife force.Themindshouldnotrestinthehead,insidethepalate,betweentheeyebrows,atthetipofthenoseorinthemouthoreyes.Itshouldnotreposeeitherinthe darknessorinthelightoreveninthecaveoftheheart.Thestatesofwakefulness,dreamandsleepshouldnotholditandeventhewide,purespaceshouldnotbeits home.Unattachedtothespectrumofcolours,tomovementandsteadiness,tothebeginning,themiddle,theendandelsewhere,themindshouldnotresteitherata distanceornearby,infront,inobjectsorintheself.Senseexperiences,thedeludedstateofhappiness,conceptsandperceptsshouldhavenoholdoverthemind. Themindshouldrestinpureconsciousnessaspureconsciousness,withjustalittleexternalisedmovementofthought,asifawareoftheuttervanityoftheobjectsof thisworld.Whenthusallattachmentshavebeensnapped,thejiva*becomesnojiva*:whateverhappensthereafterhappenswhetheractivityorinactivity.Insucha stateofnonattachmentthejiva*isnotboundtothefruitsofaction.Or,abandoningeventhatstateofalittlecomprehensionoftheobjects,letthejiva*restin supremepeace. Suchaliberatedperson,whetherheappearstootherstobeengagedinactivityornot,isforeverfreefromsorrowandfear.Allthepeopleloveandadorehim.Even ifintheeyesofothersheappearstobeagitated,withinhimselfheisfirmlyrootedinwisdom.Hisconsciousnessiseveruncolouredbyhappinessandunhappiness.He isnotdistractedbytheglamouroftheworld.Havingattained

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selfknowledge,helivesinconstantcontemplationasitwereandthereforeheisunattachedtoanythingintheuniverse.Havingrisenabovethepairsofopposites,he appearstobeasifindeepsleepeveninthewakefulstate. Thatstateinwhichthemindisfreedfromitscharacteristicmovementofthoughtandinwhichthereisonlytheexperienceofpeace,isknownas'deepsleepin wakefulness'.Hewhoisinitlivesanonvolitionallife,freedfromeverytypeofmentaldistractionordistress,unconcernedwithashortoralonglife.Whenthissame stateof'deepsleepinwakefulness'matures,itisknownasturiya*orthefourthstate.Firmlyestablishedinthat,thesageperceivestheuniverseasifitisacosmic playgroundandlifeinitisacosmicdance.Utterlyfreedfromsorrowandfearandfromdelusionofworldappearance,hewhoisestablishedintheturiya*doesnot fallintoerroronceagain.Heisforeverimmersedinbliss.Hegoesevenbeyondthistothegreat,inexpressiblestateofsupremebliss.Thatisconsideredthestate beyondeventuriya*incomprehensibleandindescribable. V:71 VASISTHA*continued:

Itmaybepossibletoputintowordsthestateofonewhoisliberatedwhileyetliving,whichisthestateknownasturiya*or'deepsleepinwakefulness',orthestateof totalfreedom.Thestatebeyondthat(whichisthestateofthosewhohavetranscendedbodyconsciousness)isnotforwordstodescribe.Thisisthe'statebeyondthe turiya*'.ORama*,strivetoreachthat. Butfirstbeestablishedinthestateof'deepsleepinwakefulness'.Remainunconcernedabouttheexistenceorotherwiseofthebody,knowingthatthebodyisbuta productofillusion.Youareamanofwisdom,ORama*andyouhavereachedinnerawakening.Themindofthemanofselfknowledgedoesnottakethe downwardpath.Onlythepureconsciousnessexistshere:hence,letnotthenotionsof'Iamsoandso','Thisismine'ariseinyou.Eventheword'self'isusedonlyin ordertocommunicatethetruthisbeyondallthesedescriptions.Thereisnoduality,therearenobodiesandthereforetherearenorelationshipsamongthemthereare noshadowsinthesun!ThoughIamspeakingtoyouwhileassumingtheapparentduality,intruththereisnosuchdivision. Evenasthereisnorelationshipbetweenlightanddarkness,therecanbenorelationshipbetweenthebodyandtheembodied.Whenthetruthisknown,theerroneous perceptionvanishes.Theselfisconsciousnesspureeternal,selfluminousandfreefromchangethebodyisimpermanentandimpure.Howcanthereexistarelation betweenthetwo?Thebodyisenlivenedbythelifeforceorbythe

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otherelementsthisbodycanhavenorelationshipwhatsoeverwiththeself.Thus,evenifthetwo(selfandbody)areregardedastwodistinctrealities,therecanbeno relationshipbetweenthem:but,ifthisdualityisunreal,thensuchthinkingitselfbecomesirrelevant.Letthistruthbefirmlyestablishedinyouthereisnobondagenor liberationatanytimeforanyoneanywhere. Itisclearthatallthisisbuttheoneinfiniteselforconsciousness.Ifyoulendeartoconceptslike'Iamhappyorunhappy'or'Iamignorant',thentheywillbringyou endlesssorrow.Thebodycameintobeingbecauseofwind(lifebreath),itexistsbecauseofit,itsspeechiscausedbyitandallthesensesfunctionbecauseofit:the intelligenceinitisbuttheindivisibleconsciousness.Thatinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisspreadouteverywhereasspace,etc.,andthelatterarereflectedinthe consciousness,andthisreflectionhascometobeknownasthemind.Whenthemindabandonsitsbodycageandfliesaway,itexperiencestheselfwhichis consciousness.Wherethereisfragrancethereisflowerwherethereismindthereisconsciousness.But,themindaloneisthecausefortheappearanceoftheworld: sincetheconsciousnessisomnipresentandinfinite,thoughitistheultimatecause,itisnotthecauseoftheworldappearance.Hence,truly,thecauseforthisworld appearanceisnoninvestigationintothenatureofrealityignorance.Evenasalampinstantlyremovesdarkness,thelightofselfknowledgedispelsthedarknessof ignoranceinstantly.Henceoneshouldenquireintowhatisknownasjiva*ormindortheinnerpsychologicalfactor. RAMA*asked: Holysir,howhavetheseconceptsandcategoriescometobefirmlyaccepted?Prayenlightenme. VASISTHA*continued: Allthisisindeedtheself.However,evenaswavesriseintheocean,thediversityknownastheuniversearisesinthemind.Hereandthere,theselfappearstobe kineticself.Elsewhere,theselfremainsinastaticstate.Thestaticareinertsubstanceslikerock,andthekineticsubstancesarehumansetc.Inallthese,theomnipotent selfentertainsthenotionofignoranceandthereforeremainsasifignorant.Theinfinitethusclothedinignorance,isknownasthejiva*whoislikethetrapped elephantinthisworldappearance. Becauseitlives,itisknownasjiva*.Becauseofitsegoisticnotion,itisknownastheego.Becauseitdiscriminatesanddetermines,itisknownasthebuddhiorthe discriminatingfaculty.Becauseofitsabilitytoformconceptsandpercepts,itisknownasthemind.Beingnatural,itiscallednature.Ititselfisknownasthebody, because

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itchanges.Itisknownasconsciousness,becauseitsnatureisconsciousness. Thesupremeselfwhichaloneisthetruthisrightinthemiddlebetweentheinertandtheintelligent:thatalonecreatesdiversityandisknownbyallthesediversenames. But,allthesecategorieshavebeeninventedbymenofperverseintellectforthepleasureofpolemicsandfortheconfusionofignorantmen. Thus,ORama*,itisthisjiva*alonewhichisthecauseofthisworldappearance:whatcanthisdeafanddumbbodydo?Ifthebodyperishestheselfdoesnotperish, evenasifaleaffallsthetreedoesnotperish.Onlythedeludedpersonthinksotherwise. Ontheotherhand,ifthemindperishes,everythingperishes,andthereisfinalliberation.Themanwhowails''Iamdying,Iperish'',isfoolishlyclingingtoafalse concept.Hegoesonexperiencingtheworldillusioninsomeotherplaceortime.Thejiva*thatdwellsinmentalconditioningabandonsonebodyandgoeslookingfor another,evenasamonkeyabandonsonetreeinaforestandjumpsontoanother.Thereafter,inamoment,itabandonsthattoo,andseeksyetanother,inanother partofspaceandinanotherperiodoftime.Justasanannytakesthebabyfromoneplacetoanotherinordertodistractit,thismentalconditioning(orthe psychologicalhabitortendency)takesthejiva*hereandthere.Thustiedtotheropeofmentalconditioning,thejiva*goesthroughrepeatedbirthinvariousspecies, enduringinterminablesuffering. (AsthesageVasistha*saidthis,anotherdaycametoanendandtheassemblydispersedfortheireveningprayers.) V:72 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,youarenotbornwhenthebodyisborn,nordoyoudiewhenitdies.Tothinkthatthespacewithinthejarcameintobeingwhenitwasmadeandthe spaceperisheswiththejarissheerfoolishness.Moreover,theindwellingconsciousnessisfreefromnotionsofthedesirableandtheundesirableinrelationtothebody, mindandsenses.Theindwellingconsciousnessseemstocomeintocontactwiththeseevenastravellersmeetinaninnorlogsofwoodmeetandpartinastream: meetingandpartingdonotcausehappinessorunhappinesstotheconsciousness.Whythendopeopleexultorgrieveinthesecircumstances? Theselfonaccountofitsignorantselflimitationasthemindbecomesasiftaintedbytheobjectsoftheworldbut,thesameselfwhenitisawakenedtoitstruenature abandonsitsignorantdelusionandregainsitsselfknowledge.Then,themindseesthebodyasiffromagreatheight.Recognisingthebodyasanaggregateofthe elements,ittranscendsbodyconsciousnessandbecomesenlightened.

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Suchanenlightenedpersonisuntaintedbyworldlinessorignoranceevenwhileactinginthisworld.Heisneitherattractednorrepelledbyanythingintheworld.He knows"Whatisknownas'I'andwhatisknownas'theworld'inthethreeperiodsoftimearebuttheexpansionoftheconjunctionbetweenpureexperiencingandthe experienceitself."Whethertheobjectofexperiencingberealorunreal,itisentirelydependentupontheexperiencing:howthendojoyandsorrowarise?Thefalseis false,thetruthisthetruthamixtureofthesetwoisofcoursefalse!Benotdeluded.Abandonfalseperceptionandbeholdthetruthyouwillneveragainbedeluded. Allthatis,isbuttheexpansionoftherelationshipbetweenpureexperiencinganditsexperience.Thatexperienceistrulythedelightofselfbliss.Itispureexperiencing itself.HenceitisknownasBrahmantheabsolute.Thatdelightwhicharisesinthecontactofthispureexperiencingwithexperienceisthehighest:totheignorant,itis worldliness,andtothewiseitisliberation.Thispureexperiencingisitselftheinfiniteself:whenitisbenttowardsobjects,itisbondage,butwhenitisfree,itis liberation.Whensuchexperiencingisfreefromdecayorcuriosity,itisliberation.Whensuchexperiencingisfreedfromeventhiscontact(thesubjectobject relationship),thentheworldappearanceceasesentirely.Thenarisestheturiya*consciousnessor'deepsleepinwakefulness'. Theselfisneitherthisnorthatittranscendswhateveristheobjectofexperiencinghere.Intheunlimitedandunconditionedvisionoftheknoweroftruth,allthisisbut theoneself,theinfiniteconsciousness,andthereisnothingwhichcanberegardedasthenotself.Thesubstantialityofallsubstancesisnoneotherthantheselforthe infiniteconsciousness. VASISTHA*continued: V:73

ORama*,thereisanotherattitudebywhichyouwillalsogaindivineinsightandremainfirmlyestablishedinselfknowledge.Andthatisasfollows: Iamthespace.Iamthesun.Iamthedirections,aboveandbelow.Iamthegods.Iamthedemons.Iamallbeings.Iamdarkness.Iamtheearth,theoceans,etc.I amthedust,thewind,thefireandallthisworld.Iamomnipresent.Howcantherebeanythingotherthanme?' Byadoptingthisattitudeyouwillrisebeyondjoyandsorrow. Boththeseattitudesareconducivetoliberation:oneis'Iamtheextremelysubtleandtranscendentself'andtheotheris'Iamallandeverything'.Thereisanother attitudewithregardtothe'I',andthatis'Iamthisbody':thisattitudeisthesourceofendlesssorrow.Abandonallthesethreeattitudes,ORama*,andremainaspure

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consciousness.For,thoughtheselfistranscendentalandthoughitisomnipresent,theselfaloneisthelightinallthingsintheworld,thoughtheyareinfactfalse. Thisselfknowledgeis'notgainedbyexplanationsanddescriptions,norbytheinstructionsofothers.Atalltimes,everythingisknownonlybydirectexperience. Whateverisexperiencedandknownhereinthisworld,allthatistheself,theconsciousnessdevoidofthedualityoftheexperiencingandtheexperience.Itistheself alonethatexistseverywhereatalltimes,butbecauseofitsextremesubtlety,itisnotexperienced.Inallbeings,itisthejiva*.Allactivitiestakeplaceinthelightofthe sun,butiftheactivitiescease,thesundoesnotsufferloss:evenso,itisonaccountoftheselfthatthebody,etc.,function,butifthebody,etc.,perish,theselfdoes notsufferloss.Theselfisnotborn,nordoesitdieitdoesnotacquire,nordoesitdesireitisnotbound,norisitliberatedtheselfistheselfofallatalltimes. That(self)isunconditionedbytime,space,etc.howdoesitbecomebound?Whenthereisnobondage,whatisliberation?Suchisthegloryoftheself.Buton accountofignoranceofthenatureoftheself,peopleweepandwailhere.Abandonthesetwofalseconcepts,viz.,thatofbondageandthatofliberation,andlivean enlightenedlifehere.Thereisnoliberationintheskyoronearthorinthenetherworldliberationisbutasynonymforpuremind,correctselfknowledgeandatruly awakenedstate.Thecompleteabsenceofalldesiresandhopesisliberation.Untilonereachesthistrueinnerawakeningorselfknowledge,oneconsidersoneself boundandstrivesforliberation.Abandonthesewrongnotionsofbondageandliberationandbecome'amanofsupremerenunciation',ORama*.Thenliveavery longlifeandrulethewholeworld. V:74 VASISTHA*continued:

Theselfplayfullyseeingabodyentertainsthenotionthatithasbecomethebody.Allthesethatconstitutetheworldillusioncomeintobeinglikeamirageinthedesert. Thisillusionspreadsoutlikewavesintheocean,assumingvariousnameslikemind,thefacultyofdiscrimination,theegosense,thelatenttendenciesandthesenses. Themindandtheegosensearenotinfacttwobutoneandthesame:thedistinctionisverbal.Themindistheegosenseandwhatisknownastheegosenseisthe mind.Onlyignorantpeoplethinkthatoneisbornoftheother,evenasignorantpeoplemightsaythatwhitenessisbornofsnow. Thusofthemindandtheegosenseifoneceasestheotherceasestobe.Hence,insteadofentertainingthenotionofbondageandthatofliberation,abandonall cravingsandthroughwisdomand

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dispassion,bringaboutthecessationofthemind.Ifeventhewish,"MayIbeliberated"ariseswithinyou,themindisrevivedandthemindentertainingothernotions createsabody.Thenthereariseotherconceptslike'Idothis','Ienjoythis'and'Iknowthis'.Alltheseconceptsareunreallikeamirageinthedesert.However,since theirunrealityisnotrealised,theillusionattractsthemindevenasthemiragedeludesandattractsananimal.But,ifitisrealisedasanillusionitdoesnotattractthe mind,evenasamiragedoesnotdeludeonewhoknowsittobeamirage.Justasalamputterlydispelsdarkness,theknowledgeoftruthcompletelyuprootsconcepts andconditioning. Whenonesincerelyquestions,'Thisbodyisbutinertsubstancewhyshouldoneseekpleasureforitssake?',allcravingsdropaway.Whenthusthecravingsdrop away,oneexperiencesgreatblissandsupremepeacewithinoneself.Thesageofselfknowledgeattainscourageandstabilityandshinesinhisownglory.Heenjoys supremesatisfactioninhimself.Heisenlightenedandthisinnerlightshinesbrightlywithinhim.Hebeholdstheselfasselfofall,omnipresent,theLordofalland formless,yetpervadingallforms. Rememberingthepastwhenhewasswayedbylust,helaughsathisownpastignorance.Heisfarfromevilcompany,freedfrommentaldistress,butfirmly establishedinselfknowledge.Heisglorifiedbyall,heissoughtbyall,heisapplaudedbyall,butheremainsindifferent.Heneithergivesnordoeshetake,hedoes notinsultorpraiseanyone,hedoesnotrejoiceorgrieve.Heisasageliberatedwhileliving,whohasabandonedallmotivatedactions,whoisfreefromconditioning andwhohasgivenupalldesiresandhopes.ORama*,abandonalldesiresandremainatpeacewithinyourself.Nodelightintheworldiscomparabletothedelight thatwillfillyourheartwhenyoucompletelyabandonalldesiresandhopes.Notinkingship,norinheaven,norinthecompanyofthebelovedonedoesoneexperience suchdelightaswhenoneisfreefromhope. VASISTHA*continued: Hewhoisendowedwithdesirelessness(hopelessness)treatsthewholeworldasifitwerethefootprintofacalf,thehighestmountainasthestumpofafelledtree, spaceasasmallboxandthethreeworldsasabladeofgrass.Helaughsattheactivitiesoftheworldlymindedpersons.Howcanwecomparesuchaperson,andto what?Howcananyonedisturbhisequanimitywhenheistotallyfreefromthoughtslike"Iwishthishadhappenedtome"?ORama*,itisdesireorhopethatmakes onerevolve,boundtothewheelofworldillusion.

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Whenyouperceivethetruththattheselfaloneisallthisandthatdiversityisjustawordwithoutsubstance,youwillbecometotallyfreefromdesireorhope.Sucha herowhoisendowedwithsupremedispassiondrivesawaythegoblinofillusionbyhisverypresence.Heisnotpleasedbypleasure,heisnottroubledbytroubles. Attractionsdonotdistracthimanymorethanwindcanuprootamountain.Thetwinforcesofattractionandaversiondonoteventouchhim.Helooksuponallwith equalvision. Freefromtheleastattachmentheenjoyswhatevercomestohimunsought,evenastheeyesperceivetheirobjectswithoutdesireorhate.Suchexperiencesdonot thereforeproduceeitherjoyorsorrowinhim.Eventhoughheappearstobeengagedintheperformanceofappropriateactionsinthisworld,hisconsciousnessisnot distractedintheleast.Whatevermaybefallhiminaccordancewiththelawsoftime,spaceandcausation,whetheritispleasantorunpleasant,heremainsinwardly undisturbed. Evenasaropewhichhadbeenmistakenforasnakedoesnotfrightenonewhohasseenthatitisaropeandnotasnake,illusiononcedispelleddoesnotreturnand selfknowledgeonceattainedisneverlost.Canonerestoretothetreethefruitthathasfallenfromit? Theknoweroftruthregardseventhemostbeautifulwomanasapaintedimagethatisthetruth,forbothofthemaremadeofthesamesubstance(earth,water,etc.) Whenthusthetruthisseen,desiretopossessdoesnotariseintheheart.Evenasawomanwhohasalovergoesaboutdoingherhouseworkwithherheartabsorbed incontemplationofthatlover,theenlightenedsagefunctionsinthisworldwhilehisconsciousnessisfirmlyestablishedinthetruth.Inboththesecasesitisimpossible foranyonetopreventsuchbehaviour,i.e.,makethewomanforgetherloverormakethesageforgetthetruth. Theenlightenedsageknowsthathisselfisnotcutwhenthebodyiscut,doesnotweepwhentheeyesshedtears,isnotburntwhenthebodyisburnt,andisnotlost wheneverythingislost.Whatevermaybefallhim,whetherheisdestituteoraffluent,whetherhelivesinapalaceorinaforesttheisinwardlyundisturbed. V:75 VASISTHA*continued:

Verymanysuchliberatedbeingsexistintheuniverse,ORama*.Ishallgiveyouafewinstances.Janakatheemperor,yourownancestortheemperorDilipa*,thefirst ruleroftheworldManu,emperorMandhata*whoengagedhimselfinwars,thedemonkingsBali,Namuci*,Vrtra*(whoevenfoughtwiththekingofgodsIndra), Prahlada*andSambara*,thepreceptorsofthegodsanddemons,as

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alsothetrinity(whoareinvolvedinthecreation,preservationanddissolutionoftheuniverse),sageslikeVisvamitra*andNarada*,aswellasthedeitiespresiding overnaturalelementslikefireandair. Therearethousandsofothers,ORama*,whoexistintheuniverseandwhoareliberated.Someofthemaresages,othersarekings,othersshineasstarsandplanets, othersaredivinitiesandothersaredemons.ORama*,thereareliberatedbeingsevenamongwormsandinsectsandtherearestupidfoolsamongthegods.Theself isinallitexistsasthealleverywhereatalltimesandinallways.TheselfaloneistheLordandallthedivinities.Thereisvoid(space)insubstancesandsubstantiality inthevoidorspace.Whatisinappropriateappearstobeappropriateonenquiry.Peoplearerighteousbecausetheyareafraidoftheconsequencesofsin.Evenwhat isnotleadstowhatis!thecontemplationofthespaceorvoidleadstotheattainmentofthesupremetruth!Whatisnotcomesintobeing,guidedbytimeandspace. Ontheotherhand,whatappearstobestrongandpowerfulreachesitsowndestruction.Thusperceivingthetruth,ORama*,abandonjoyandsorrow,griefand attachment.Theunrealappearstoberealandtherealappearstobeunreal:hencegiveuphopeandhopelessnessandattainequanimity. Inthisworld,ORama*,liberationisathandatalltimeseverywhere.Bytheirownselfeffortmillionsofbeingshaveattainedliberation.Liberationiseithereasyor difficultdependinguponone'swisdomorunwisdomhence,ORama*,kindlethelampofwisdominyourself.Bythevisionoftheselfissorrowbeheaded. Therehavebeencountlessbeingsinthisworldwhohaveattainedselfknowledgeandliberationwhileyetliving:liketheemperorJanaka.Therefore,dothoubecome liberatedhereandnow.Theattainmentofinnerpeacebyutternonattachmenttoanythinghereisknownasliberationthisispossiblewhetherthebodyexistsornot. Hewhoisfreedfromallattachmentsisliberated.Oneshouldwiselyandintelligentlyexertoneselftoattainthisliberationonewhodoesnotexertcannotevenjump overthefootprintofacalf.Hence,ORama*,resorttospiritualheroism,torightexertion,andbytherightselfenquirystrivetoreachtheperfectionofselfknowledge. Foronewhothusstrives,theentireuniverseislikethefootprintofacalf. VASISTHA*continued: V:76,77

Alltheseworlds,ORama*,appearinBrahmantheabsolutebuttheyareapprehendedasanindependent''substantialrealityonaccountofignoranceornonwisdom. Suchanerroneousnotionceasesonthearisingofwisdom.Erroneousperceptionmakesallthisappearas'theworld':rightperceptionbringsaboutthecessation

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ofthiserror.Rama*,thiserrorisnotdispelledexceptbyrightexertionwiththerightattitudeandwisdom.Fieonthatperson,ORama*,whothoughsuchpossibility ofovercomingthiserrorexists,remainssunkinthemireofworldillusion.Blessedareyou,Rama*,thattherightspiritofenquiryhasalreadymanifestedinyourheart. Whenthetruthisrealisedthroughsuchenquiry,strength,intelligenceandradianceincrease. Thesagewhohasrealisedthetruthandwhoisliberatedfromerrorhereandnowbeholdsthisworldashewouldindeepsleep,withouttheleastcraving.Hedoesnot apprehendwithhisinnerintelligenceeventhoseobjectsandexperienceswhichseekhimunsought:forhisownheartiswithdrawnintoitself.Hehasnohopesforthe futureandhedoesnotrecallthepast,nordoesheevenliveinthepresentandyethedoesall.Asleep,heisawakeawake,hesleeps.Hedoesall,yethedoes nothing.Inwardlyhavingrenouncedeverythingthoughoutwardlyheappearstobebusy,heiseverinastateofequilibrium.Hisactionsareentirelynonvolitional. Thesageisunattachedtoanythingoranybody.Hence,hisbehaviourappearstobedevouttothedevoutandharshtotheharsh.Heisachildamongchildren,oldman amongoldmen,heroamongheroes,youthamongyouthandsorrowingamongthesorrowful.Hissoftandsweetwordsarefullofwisdom.Hehasnothingtogain fromnobledeeds,yetheisnoblehehasnolongingforpleasureandhenceisnottemptedbyit.Heisnotattractedtobondageoreventoliberation.Thenetof ignoranceanderrorhavingbeenburntbythefireofwisdom,thebirdofhisconsciousnessfliesawaytoliberation. Heisnotelatedwhenhiseffortsbearfruitnorisheworriediftheydonot.Heappearstotakeandtoabandonwiththeplayfulnessofachild.Heisnotsurprisedifthe moonshineshotorthesunshinescool.Knowingthattheselfwhichistheinfiniteconsciousnesscanbringalltheseabout,heisnotsurprisedevenbysuchwondrous phenomena.Heisnottimidandheisnotgiventooutburstsofanger. Knowingthatbeingsareconstantlybornandthattheydieconstantly,hedoesnotgivewaytojoyorgrief.Heknowsthattheworldarisesinhisownvision,evenas thedreamobjectsarisewhenonedreams,andhencealltheseobjectsareofmomentaryexistence.Therefore,hedoesnotfeelanyjustificationforeitherpityorjoy. Whenallsuchconceptslikepleasureandpain,desirableandundesirablecease,allnotionsinthemindcease.Errordoesnotariseagain,evenasoilisnotobtained fromburntseed.

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VASISTHA*continued:

V:78

ORama*,justaswhenafirebrandisswungaround,anillusorycircleoffireisformed,thereisanillusoryappearanceoftheworldduetothevibrationthatarisesin consciousness.Vibrationandconsciousnessareinseparablyonelikethewhitenessofsnow,theoilinthesesameseed,thefragranceoftheflowerandtheheatoffire. Theirdescriptionasdistinctcategoriesisanerror.Mindandmovementofthoughtareinseparableandthecessationofoneisthecessationofboth. ORama*,therearetwowaysinwhichthiscessationcanbeachieved:oneisthewayofyogawhichinvolvestherestraintofthemovementofthought,andtheotheris thewayofknowledgewhichinvolvestherightknowledgeoftruth. Inthisbody,thatenergy(lit.air)whichcirculatesintheenergychannels(nadi*lit.means'channelofmotion',notnecessarilyanervethoughforconvenienceitmaybe calledso)isknownasprana*.Inaccordancewithitsdiversefunctionsinthebody,itisalsoknownbythenamesapana*,etc.Thisprana*isindistinguishablyunited withthemind.Infact,theconsciousnessthattendstowardsthinking,onaccountofthemovementofprana*,isknownasthemind.Movementofthoughtinthemind arisesfromthemovementofprana*andmovementofprana*arisesbecauseofthemovementofthoughtinconsciousness.Theythusformacycleofmutual dependence,likewavesandmovementofcurrentsinwater. Thewiseonesdeclarethatthemindiscausedbythemovementofprana*andhencebytherestraintoftheprana*,themindbecomesquiescent.Whenthemind abandonsthemovementofthought,theappearanceoftheworldillusionceases.Themovementofprana*isarrestedatthemomentwhenallhopesanddesirescome toanendinone'sheartthroughtheearnestpracticeofthepreceptsofthescripturesandsages,andbythecultivationofdispassioninpreviouslifespansorthrough endeavouringtopractisecontemplationormeditationandreachingastageofdevotiontoasingletruthinasinglemindedway. Themovementofprana*isalsoarrestedbytheeffortlesspracticeofinhalation,etc.,withoutstrain,inseclusion,ortherepetitionofthesacredOMwiththe experienceofitsmeaning,whentheconsciousnessreachesthedeepsleepstate.Thepracticeofexhalation,whenthe.prana*roamsinspacewithouttouchingthe limbsofthebody,ofinhalation,leadingtothepeacefulmovementofprana*,andofretention,bringingittoastandstillforalongtime,allleadtothearrestofthe movementofprana*.Likewisetheclosureoftheposteriornaresbythetipofthetongueastheprana*movestowards

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thecrownofthehead,thepracticeofmeditationwherethereisnomovementofthought,theholdingoftheconsciousnesssteadilyatthepointtwelveinchesfromthe tipofthenose,theenteringoftheprana*intotheforeheadthroughthepalateandupperaperture,thefixingoftheprana*attheeyebrowcentre,thesuddencessation ofthemovementofthought,orcessationofallmentalconditioningthroughmeditationonthespaceintheheartcentreoveralongperiodoftime,alltheseleadtothis arrestofthemovementofprana*. RAMA*asked:Lord,whatistheheartthatisspokenofbyyou? V:79 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,twoaspectsofthe'heart'arespokenofhere:oneisacceptableandtheotheristobeignored.Theheartthatispartofthisphysicalbodyandislocatedin onepartofthebodymaybeignored!Theheartwhichisacceptableisofthenatureofpureconsciousness.Itisbothinsideandoutsideanditisneitherinsidenor outside.Thatistheprincipalheartandinitisreflectedeverythingwhichisintheuniverse,anditisthetreasurehouseofallwealth.Consciousnessaloneistheheartof allbeings,notthepieceoffleshwhichpeoplecalltheheart!Hence,ifthemind,freedofallconditioning,isgatheredintopureconsciousness,themovementofprana* isrestrained. Byanyoneofthesemethods,propoundedbythevariousteachers,themovementofprana*canberestrained.Theseyogicmethodsbringaboutthedesiredresultsif theyarepractisedwithoutviolenceorforce.Whenoneisfirmlyestablishedinsuchpracticewithsimultaneousgrowthindispassionandwhenthementalconditioning comesunderperfectrestraint,thereisfruitionoftherestraintofthemovementofprana*. Duringthepracticeonemayusetheeyebrowcentre,thepalate,thetipofthenose,orthetopofthehead(twelveinchesfromthenose)thustheprana*willbe restrained.Again,ifbysteadyandpersistentpracticethetipofthetonguecantouchtheuvula,themovementofprana*willberestricted.Surely,allthesepractices appeartobedistractionsbutbytheirsteadypractice,onereachestheabsenceofdistractions.Itisonlybysuchsteadypracticethatoneisfreedfromsorrowand experiencestheblissoftheself.Hence,practiseyoga.Whenthroughpracticethemovementofprana*isrestrained,thennirvana*orliberationaloneremains.Initis allfromitisallitisallitiseverywhere:initthisworldappearanceisnot,noristhisfromit,noristheworldappearancelikeit!Hewhoisfirmlyestablishedinitis liberatedwhileliving. Hewhosemindisfirmlyestablishedinpeacethroughthepracticeofyogahastherightvisionofthetruth.Toseethatthesupremeself

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iswithoutbeginningandwithoutend,andthatthesecountlessobjectsareinfacttheselfandnoother,istherightvision.Erroneousvisionleadstorebirthrightvision endsrebirth.Initthereisnosubjectobject(knowerknowable)relationshipfortheself(consciousness)istheknower,knowledgeandtheknowable,too,andthe divisionisignorance.Whenthisisdirectlyseenthereisneitherbondagenorliberation.Whenthesagerestsinhisownself,withhisintelligencefirmlyestablishedinthe innerself,whatpleasurescanbindhiminthisworld? VASISTHA*continued: V:80

Onewhoengageshimselfinenquiryisnottemptedbydistractions.Theeyesbutsee:thenotionspleasant,unpleasant,etc.arise,notintheeyes,butelsewhereitis evensowiththeothersenses.Hence,thesensefunctionsarenotevil.Ifegoisticthoughtislinkedtothesesensefunctions(whichariseandceaseinamoment)thereis mentalagitation. Oeyes!Theobjectsofyourexperienceariseandfall,andtheyarebutappearances.Donotletyourgazelingeronthem,lesttheeternalindwellingconsciousness suffermortality.Beanonlookerthatyoutrulyare.Omind!Countlessscenesareseenbytheeyesinaccordancewiththeirnaturalfunctionwhydoyougetinvolvedin them?Evenifthesescenesarereflectedinthemindandrecognisedbyit,whydoyourespondtotheseastheegosense?Thereis,withoutdoubt,anintimate relationshipbetweentheeyesandtheirobjectsbutwhydoyouofferyourselfastheirsupportandthenendeavourtoapprehendthem?Truly,scene,sightandmind areunrelated,liketheface,mirrorandreflection:yet,somehowtheillusorynotionarisesthat'Iseethis'.Ignoranceisthewaxinwhichthesearesealedtooneanother butselfknowledgeisthefireinwhoseheatthiswaxmeltsaway! Indeed,itisthroughrepeatedthinking,thatthisignorantrelationshipisstrengthenedbutIshallnowdestroyitthroughrightenquiry.Whenignoranceisdestroyed, suchillusoryrelationshipbetweenscene,sightandmindwillneveragainarise.Themindaloneprovidesthesenseswiththeirintelligencehencethismindshouldbe destroyed.Omind,whydoyouvainlygetagitatedthroughthefivesenses?Onlyhewhothinks'Itismymind'isdeludedbyyou.Youdonotexist,Omind.Idonot carewhetheryoustayoryougofromme.Youareunreal,inert,illusory.Onlyafoolisharassedbyyou,notawiseman.Thisunderstandingputsanendtothe darknessofignorance.Getoutofthisbody,Oghost,alongwithyourcravingsandyouremotionslikeanger.Omind,IhaveslainyoutodaybecauseIhaverealised thatyouneverdidexistintruth.

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Foraverylongtime,thisghostofamindgeneratedcountlessevilnotionslikelust,anger,etc.Nowthatthatghosthasbeenlaid,Ilaughatmyownpastfoolishness. Themindisdeadallmyworriesandanxietiesaredeadthedemonknownasegosenseisdead,too:allthishasbeenbroughtaboutthroughthemantraofenquiry.I amfreeandhappynow.Allmyhopesanddesireshavegone.Salutationstomyownself!Thereisnodelusion,nosorrow,noI,noother!Iamnottheself,noramI someoneelse,Iamtheallinall:salutationstomyownself!Iamthebeginning.Iamtheconsciousness.Iamalltheuniverses.Therearenodivisionsinme.Salutations tomyownselfalone!Thatwhichisomnipresentequallyinall,tothatsubtleindwellingomnipresence,thatself,salutations! V:81 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,thushavingreflected,thewisemanshouldproceedfurtherinthefollowingmanner: ''Whentheself(consciousness)aloneisallthisandwhenthemindhasbeencleansedwiththisunderstanding,whatismindmindissurelynonexistent.Whetheritis unseen,oritisnotmind,oritisanillusoryappearance,thismuchiscertaineitheritdoesnotexistoritismereillusion.Nowthatbothwickednessanddelusionhave ceased,Idonotseewhatthemindis. ''Allmydoubtshaveceased.Iamwithoutthefeverofagitation.WhateverIam,Iambutwithoutcraving.Whenthemindceasestobe,thecravingceasestobetoo. Whenthemindisdeadandthecravingisdead,delusionhasvanishedandegolessnessisborn.HenceIamawakenedinthisstateofwakefulness.Whenthereisonly onetruthanddiversityhasnorealityatall,whatshallIinvestigate? "Iamtheeternalselfthatisomnipresentandsubtle.Ihavereachedthatstateofrealitywhichisunreflectedinanything,whichisbeginninglessandendlessandwhichis utterlypure.Whateverisandwhateverisnot,themindandtheinnerrealityarealltheoneinfiniteconsciousness,whichissupremepeacebeyondcomprehensionand bywhichallthisispervaded.Letthemindcontinuetobeorletitdie.Whatisthesenseinenquiringintoallthis,whentheselfisestablishedinutterequanimity?I remainedinaconditionedstateaslongasIwasfoolishlyengagedinthisenquiry.NowthatthroughthisenquiryIhavereachedtheunconditionedbeing,whoisthe enquirer? "Suchthoughtsareutterlyuseless,nowthatthemindisdeadtheymayrevivethisghostknownasthemind.HenceIabandonallthesethoughtsandnotions contemplatingtheOM,Ishallremainintheself,intotalinnersilence."

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Thusshouldawisemaninvestigatethenatureofthetruthatalltimes,whateverhemaybedoing.Onaccountofsuchinvestigation,themindremainsestablishedin itself,freedofallagitationbutperformingitsnaturalfunctions. TheHolyoneswithunconditionedconsciousnessliveandfunctionhere,freedfromprideanddelusion,withtheirhearteverrejoicing,theircountenanceshiningwitha divineradianceandperformingtheirnaturalactions. TheabovelineofenquirywasadoptedbythesageSamvartawhohimselfdescribedittomeonceuponatime.

TheStoryofVitahavya*
VASISTHA*continued: V:82

ThereisanothermodeofenquirywhichwasadoptedbythesageVitahavya*.ThissageusedtoroamtheforestsinthemountainrangesknownasVindhyas.Atone stage,hebecametotallydisenchantedwiththeaffairsoftheworldwhichcreatedelusion:andthroughthecontemplationwhichisfreefromallperversenotionsand thoughts,heabandonedtheworldasawornoutillusion.Heenteredhishermitage,seatedhimselfinthelotuspostureandremainedfirmlikeamountainpeak.Having withdrawnthesensesandhavingturnedtheattentionoftheminduponitself,hebegantocontemplateasfollows: Howfickleismymind!Evenifitisintroverted,itdoesnotremainsteadybutgetsagitatedinamomentlikethesurfaceoftheocean.Tiedtothesenses(likethesight) itbouncesagainandagainlikeaball.Havingbeennourishedbythesenses,themindgraspstheveryobjectsithasgivenupandlikeadementedperson,itrunsafter theverythingsfromwhichithasbeenrestrained.Itjumpsfromoneobjecttotheotherlikeamonkey. Ishallnowconsiderthecharacterofthefivesensesthroughwhichthemindthusgetsdistracted.Osenses,hasthetimenotyetarrivedforyoualltoattainself knowledge?Doyounotrememberthesorrowthatfollowedyourpursuitofpleasure?Then,giveupthisvainexcitement.Truly,youareinertandinsentient:youare theavenuethroughwhichthemindflowsouttoreachobjectiveexperience.IamyourLord,IamconsciousnessandIalonedoalltheseasthepureintelligence.You, Osenses,arefalse.Thereisnoconnectionwhatsoeverbetweenyouandtheconsciousnesswhichistheself.Intheverylightoftheconsciousnesswhichisnon volitional,youfunction,evenaspeopleperformvariousactionsinthelightofthesun.Butdonotentertainthefalsenotion,Osenses,that'Iam

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intelligent',foryouarenot.Eventhenotion'Iamalive'thatyouentertainfalselyisconduciveonlytosorrow. Thereisnothingbutconsciousnesswhichisbeginninglessandendless.Owickedmind,whatthenareyou?Thenotionsthatariseinyou,viz.,'Iamthedoer'and'Iam theenjoyer'whichappeartobegreatrejuvenators,areinfactdeadlypoisons.Donotbesodeluded,Omindyouareneitherthedoerofanythingnorareyouthe experiencerintruth.Youareinertandyourintelligenceisderivedfromsomeothersource.Howarepleasuresrelatedtoyou?Youyourselfdonotexisthowdoyou haverelations?Ifyourealisethat'Iambutpureconsciousness',thenyouareindeedtheself.Thenhowdoessorrowariseinyouwhenyouaretheunlimitedand unconditionedconsciousness? VITAHAVYA*continuedtocontemplate: Omind,Ishallgentlybringhometoyouthetruththatyouareindeedneitherthedoernortheexperiencer.Youareindeedinerthowcanastatuemadeofstone dance?Ifyourintelligenceisentirelydependentupontheinfiniteconsciousness,thenmayyoulivelonginthatrealisation.However,whatisdonewiththeintelligence ortheenergyofanother,isconsideredtobedonebythelatter.Thesickleharvestswiththeenergyofthefarmerandhencethefarmerissaidtobetheharvester. Similarly,thoughitistheswordthatcuts,themanwhowieldstheswordisthekiller.Youareinert,Omindyourintelligenceisderivedfromtheinfiniteconsciousness. Thatselfortheinfiniteconsciousnessknowsitselfbyitself,experiencesitselfinitselfbyitself.TheLordendeavourstoenlightenyoucontinuously,forthewiseshould thusinstructtheignorantinahundredways.Thelightoftheselfaloneexistsasconsciousnessorintelligencethatitselfhascometobeknownasthemind.Ifyou realisethistruth,youwillinstantlybedissolved. Ofool,whenyouareintruththeinfiniteconsciousness,whydoyougrieve?Thatisomnipresent,thatistheall:whenyourealiseit,youbecometheall.Youarenot, thebodyisnot:theoneinfiniteconsciousnessaloneexistsandinthathomogeneousbeingthediverseconceptsof'I'and'you'appeartoexist.Ifyouaretheself,then theselfaloneexists,notyou!Ifyouareinert,butdifferentfromtheself,thenyoudonotexisteither!Fortheselfortheinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisallthereis naughtelse.Thereisnopossibilityfortheexistenceofathirdthing,apartfromtheconsciousnessandtheinertsubstance. Hence,Omind,youareneitherthedoernortheexperiencer.Youhavebeenusedasachannelofinstructionbythewiseonesintheircommunicationwiththe ignorant.But,infact,thatchannelis

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unrealandinerttheselfaloneisthereality.Ifthefarmerdoesnotusethesickle,canitharvest?Theswordhasnopowertokilleither.Omind,youareneitherthe doernortheexperiencer:hencegrievenot.TheLord(consciousness)isnotlikeyouhencedonotgrieveforhim!Hedoesnotgainanythingbyeitherdoingornot doing.Healonepervadesallthereisnaughtelse.Then,whatshallhedoandwhatshallhedesire? Youhavenorelationshiptotheself,exceptasthefragrancetoaflower.Relationshipexistsonlybetweentwoindependentbeingsofsimilarnaturewhentheystriveto becomeone.You,Omind,areeveragitatedandtheselfiseveratpeace.Therecanthusbenorelationshipbetweenyoutwo.If,however,youenterintothestateof samadhi*orutterequanimity,youwillremainfirmlyestablishedinconsciousness,withoutthedistractionofdiversity,withoutthenotionsofeithermanyorone,and realisethatthereisbutoneself,theinfiniteconsciousness,whichshinesasthesecountlessbeings. VITAHAVYA*continuedtocontemplate: V:83

Osenses,Ifeelthatyouhaveallbeendispelledbythelightofmyadmonitions,foryouarebornofthedarknessofignorance.Omind,surelyyouremergenceasan appearanceisforyourowngrief!Seehowwhenyouexist,countlessbeingsgetdeludedandtheyenterintothisoceanofsorrowwithallitsprosperityandadversity, illness,oldageanddeathhowgreedgnawsatallthegoodqualitiesanddestroysthemhowlustordesiredistractsanddissipatestheirenergy. Omind,whenyouceasetobe,allthegoodandnoblequalitiesblossom.Thereispeaceandpurityofheart.Peopledonotfallintodoubtanderror.Thereisfriendship whichpromotesthehappinessofall.Worriesandanxietiesdryup.Whenthedarknessofignoranceisdispelled,theinnerlightshinesbrightly.Mentaldistractionand distresscease,justaswhenthewindceasestoagitateitssurface,theoceanbecomescalm.Therearisesselfknowledgewithinandtherealisationoftruthputsanend totheperceptionoftheworldillusion:infiniteconsciousnessaloneshines.Thereisanexperienceofblissnotgrantedtotheignorantwhoarefullofdesires.Evenas newshootsmayarisefromburntleaves,anewlifemayemergefromthis.However,hewhowouldavoidentanglementindelusiononceagain,restsinselfknowledge constantly.Sucharethefruitsofyourabsence,Omind,andtherearecountlessothers.Omind,youarethesupportofallourhopesanddesireswhenyouceaseto be,allthesehopesanddesirescease.Youcannowchooseeithertobeonewiththerealityortoceasetobeanindependententity.

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Yourexistenceasidenticalwiththeselfandnondifferentfromit,isconducivetohappiness,Omind.Hence,befirmlyrootedintherealisationofyournonexistence. Surely,itisfoolishtoneglecthappiness.Ifyouexistastheinnerbeingorconsciousness,whowillwishforyournonexistence?But,youarenotarealentityhence yourhappinessisdelusion.Youwerenotreal,youcameintobeingthroughignoranceanddelusion,butnowthroughenquiryintoyournatureandthatofthesenses andself,youhaveonceagainceasedtobe.Youexistaslongasonedoesnotundertakethisenquiry.Whenthespiritofenquiryarises,thereistotalequanimityor homogeneity.Youwerebornoftheignorancewhichistheabsenceofwisdomanddiscrimination.Whenthiswisdomarises,youceasetobe.Hence,Isalutewisdom! Omind,youwereawakenedbymanymeans.Nowthatyouhavelostthefalsecharacteristicofamind,youexistasthesupremebeingortheinfiniteconsciousness, freedfromalllimitationandconditioning.Thatwhicharoseinignoranceperishesinwisdom.Inspiteofyourself,Ogoodmind,thisenquiryhasariseninyouthisis surelyfortheattainmentofbliss.Thereisindeednomind,nomind:theselfaloneexists,italoneis,thereisnaughtelse.Iamthatselfhencethereisnaughtotherthan meintheuniverse.Iamtheinfiniteconsciousnesswhosekineticstatealoneappearsastheuniverse. V:84 VASISTHA*continued:

Afterthisenquiry,thesageVitahavya*remainedinastateoftotalquiescence(samadhi*)andevenhisprana*didnotmove.Hisconsciousnesswasneitherfixed withinnordiditperceiveobjectsoutside.Hiseyesweresoftlyfocusedaroundthenose.Withhisbodyhelderect,heappearedtobealivingstatue.Helivedthusfor threehundredyears,withoutabandoninghisbody.Hissamadhi*wasundisturbedbythecountlessnaturaldisturbancesorbythosecausedbyhumanandsubhuman beings.Thushespentthreehundredyearsasifitwereanhour.Thebodywhichwasreflectedintheconsciousnesswasprotectedbyit. Afterthisperiod,hismindbegantomoveinhisheartandtherearoseinitnotionsofacreation.ThenhespentahundredyearsasasageinmountKailasa*.Fora hundredyearshewasademigod.ThenheruledasIndra,thekingofheaven,foraperiodoffiveworldcycles. RAMA*asked:HowwasitpossibletointerferewiththetimetableofgodslikeIndra,OHolyone? VASISTHA*replied: Theenergyoftheinfiniteconsciousnessisomnipresentanditmanifestsaswhateveritlikeswhereveritlikes.Whateverwherever

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andhoweverthisconsciousnessconceivestheorder,sodoesitbecome.Thushesawallthisinhisownheart,whichwasfreefromallconditioning.Onaccountofhis attainmentoftheinfiniteconsciousness,therefore,thesenotionsapparentlyaroseinitnonvolitionally.Afterthis,heservedasanattendantoflordSivaforawhole epoch.AllthistheliberatedsageVitahavya*experienced. RAMA*asked:IfsuchistheexperienceofVitahavya*,aliberatedsage,thenitseemsasifbondageandliberationexistevenforasage! VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,fortheliberatedsagesthisworldexistsinallitspurity,peaceandperfectionasBrahman,theinfinite:howcantherebebondageandliberationforthem? SinceVitahavya*hadbecomeonewiththeinfiniteconsciousness,heexperiencedtheexperiencesofall,andhedoessoevennow! RAMA*asked:Ifthecreationofthesagewasfictitiousandimaginary,howweretheembodiedbeingsinitconsciousandsentient? VASISTHA*replied:IfthecreationofVitahavya*wasfictitious,ORama*,soisthis!Thatandthisarebothpureinfiniteconsciousness,theirappearancebeingthe resultofthedelusionofthemind.Intruth,neitherthatcreationexistednordoesthisexist.Brahmanaloneexistsinthethreeperiodsoftime.Onlytillthistruthis realiseddoestheworldappeartobeasolidreality. RAMA*asked: V:85

Lord,pleasetellmehowVitahavya*revivedhisbodyinthecave. VASISTHA*continued: Thesagehadrealisedtheinfiniteconsciousnessandheknewthatthemind,calledVitahavya*,wasbutatrickoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Whilehewasaservantof lordSiva*,heoncethoughtofseeingthatbodyofVitahavya*.Whenhethoughtthus,inhisownconsciousnesshesawalltheotherembodimentsthathehadhad someofthemhadcometoanendandotherswerestillfunctioning.And,hesawthebodyknownasVitahavya*sunklikeaworminmud. Seeingitthus,hereflected:"Surely,thisbodyofmineisdevoidoflifeforceandisthereforeunabletofunction.Ishallnowenterthesolarorbitandwiththehelpofthe solarpowerknownaspingala*Ishallenterthatbody.Or,shallIabandonitfor,whathaveItodowiththebodyofVitahavya*?Ontheotherhand,thisbodyis neitherworthrevivingnorworthabandoning.Itisthesametome,whetherthebodyisabandonedoritisrevived.Seeingthatthisbodyhasnotdecomposedand returnedtotheelements,Ishallenterintoitandfunctionforawhile."

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Thesage'ssubtlebodythenenteredintotheorbitofthesun.Reflectingonthepurposeofthesage'sentryintohisorbitandtheappropriateactionconcerningthat purpose,thesunordainedhisownenergytoexecutethetask.Thesubtlebodyofthesagethereuponsalutedthesun. Theenergyofthesunledthewayand,asordainedbythesun,itenteredtheregionoftheVindhyaafterdescendingfromthesolarorbit.Itdescendedrightwherethe bodyofthesagewaslyingcoveredinmud,inordertoraiseit.Followingit,thesubtlebodyofVitahavya*alsoenteredthatbody.Thatbodywasinstantlyrevived. Vitahavya*thereuponbowedtothesolarenergy,pingala*,whoreturnedthesalutation. Pingala*returnedtothesolarorbitandthesageproceededtowardsthelakeforhisbathandablution.Havinghadhisbathandhavingworshippedthesun,thesage resumedhislifeasbefore.Helivedanenlightenedlife,withfriendliness,balancedmind,peace,compassionandjoy. V:86 VASISTHA*continued:

Intheeveningthesageonceagainenteredtheforestwithwhichhewasfamiliar,forthepracticeofintensemeditation.Hethought"Ihavealreadyrealisedthefalsityof thesensesanyfurtherenquiryconcerningthemwillbeacontradiction."Havingabandonedallvainimagination('Thisis'and'Thisisnot'),hesatinthelotusposture againandinhimarosetheknowledge'Iamestablishedintheconsciousnessoftotalequanimity.Awake,Iremainasifinsleep.Establishedinthetranscendentalstate ofconsciousness,Ishallcontinuetobe,tillthebodydropsaway.' Thusresolved,hemeditatedforsixdays,whichpassedasifinamoment.Afterthathelivedalongtimeasaliberatedsage.Hewasfreefromexultationandsorrow. Attimes,hewouldaddresshismindthus:"Omind,lookhowblissfulyouare,nowthatyouareinabalancedstate!Remainlikethatallthetime." Hewouldaddresshissensesasfollows:"Osenses!Theselfdoesnotbelongtoyou,nordoyoubelongtotheself.Mayyouallperish!Yourcravingshaveceased. Youwillnolongerbeabletoruleme.Theerrorofyourexistencearosefromignoranceoftheself,evenasthenonperceptionoftheropegivesrisetotheerroneous perceptionofasnake.Alltheseerrorsexistinthedarknessofnonwisdomandinthelightofwisdomtheyvanish. "Osenses!Youaredifferentfromtheself,thedoerofactionsisdifferentfromallthese,theexperiencerofexperiencesisagaindifferentandtheinfiniteconsciousness isagaindifferentfromallthesewhatiswhoseerrorandhowdoesitarise?Itislikethis:

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treesgrowintheforest,ropesaremadeofotherfibreswithwhichthetimberisboundtogether,theblacksmithfashionsaxe,etc.Withallthesethecarpenterbuildsa houseforhisownlivelihood,notbecausehewantstobuildahouse!Thusinthisworldallthingshappenindependentlyofoneanotherandtheircoincidenceis accidentalliketheripecocoanutfallingcoincidentallywhenacrowalightsonit,makingignorantpeoplefeelthatthecrowdislodgedthecocoanut.Whoistoblame forallthese?Whenthistruthisknown,errorremainserror,knowledgebecomesclearknowledge,therealisreal,theunrealisunreal,whathasbeendestroyedis destroyedandwhatremainsremains." Thusreflectingandestablishedinthisknowledge,thesagelivedinthisworldforaverylongtime.Hewasestablishedinthatstatewhichistotallyfreefromignorance anderror,andwhichensuresthathewouldnotbebornagain.Whenevertherewascontactwiththeobjectsofthesenses,heresortedtothepeaceofcontemplation andenjoyedtheblissoftheself.Hisheartwasfreefromattractionandaversionevenwhenallmannerofexperiencescametohimunsought. VASISTHA*continued: Once,thesageVitahavya*feltinclinedtoabandonhisbodyandtoensurethathewouldneveragainreturntoembodiment.HeresortedtoacaveontheSahya mountain,satinthelotuspostureandVITAHAVYA*saidthiswithinhimself: Oattraction,abandonyourforceofattraction.Ohate,abandonhatred.Youhaveplayedlongenoughwithme.Opleasures,salutationstoyouyouhaveindeed sustainedmealltheseyearsandevenmademeforgettheself.Osorrow,salutationstoyouyouspurredmeonmyquestforselfknowledgeanditisbyyourgrace thatIhaveattainedthisselfknowledgehenceyouareindeedthebestowerofdelight. Obody,myfriend,permitmetogotomyeternalabodeofselfknowledge.Suchindeedisthecourseofnatureeveryonehastoabandonthebodyatsometimeor theother.Obody,myfriend,youhavebeenmyrelationforalongtime.Iabandonyounow.Youyourselfhavebroughtonthisseparationbynoblyleadingmetothe realisationoftheself.Howwonderful!Inordertoenablemetoattainselfknowledge,youhavedestroyedyourself. Omothercraving!Givemeleavetogoyouarenowleftalonetowitheraway,becauseIhavereachedthestateofsupremepeace.Olust!Inordertoconqueryou,I befriendedyourenemydispassionforgiveme.Iproceedtofreedomblessme.Omerit!Salutationstoyou,foryourescuedmefromhellandledmetoheaven. Salutations

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todemerit,thesourceofpainandpunishment.SalutationstodelusionunderwhichIlabouredforalongtimeandwhichisnotseenbymeevennow. Ocave,thecompanionofsamadhi*(meditation),salutationtoyou.YouhavegivenmeshelterwhenIwastormentedbythepainsofworldlyexistence.Ostaff,you havebeenmyfriendtoo,protectingmefromsnakes,etc.,andyouhavesavedmefromfallingintoapit,etc.Salutationstoyou. Obody,returntotheelementsofwhichyouarecomposed.Salutationstoactivitieslikebathingsalutationstoalltheactivitiesinthisworld.Salutationstothelife forces(prana*)thathavebeenmycompanions.WhateverIdidinthisworldwasdoneonlywithyou,throughyouandbecauseofyourenergy.Pray,returntoyour ownsource,fornowIshallmergeintheinfiniteconsciousness(Brahman).Allthingsthatcometogetherinthisworldhavetopartonedayortheother.Osenses, returntoyourownsources,thecosmicelements. IshallnowenterintotheselfbytheselfindicatedbytheculminationoftheOMsoundasalampwithoutfuel.Iamfreefromalltheactivitiesofthisworldandfrom allnotionsofperceptionsandexperiences.MyheartisestablishedinthepeaceindicatedbytheresonanceoftheOM.Gonearedelusionanderror. V:87,88 VASISTHA*continued:

Withallthedesiresinthemindutterlysilencedandhavingwellgroundedhimselfintheplaneofnondualconsciousness,sageVitahavya*utteredtheholywordOM. ContemplatingtheesotericsignificanceoftheOM,heperceivedtheerrorofconfusingtherealitywiththeappearance.Bythetotalabandonmentofallconceptsand percepts,herenouncedthethreeworlds.Hebecameutterlyquiescent,aswhenthepotter'swheelcomestorest.BytheutteranceoftheOMhedispelledthewebsof senseorgansandtheirobjects,evenaswinddispersesscent.Afterthis,hepiercedthedarknessofignorance.Hebeheldtheinnerlightforjustasplitsecond,but renouncedthattooimmediately.Hetranscendedbothlightanddarkness.Thereremainedjustatraceofthoughtformthis,too,thesagecutasunderinthetwinkling ofaneye,throughthemind.Nowthesageremainedinthepureinfiniteconsciousness,notmodifiedintheleastitwaslikethestateofconsciousnessofthejustborn infant.Heabandonedallobjectivityofconsciousnessandeventheslightestmovementofconsciousness.Hecrossedthestateknownas'pasyanti*'andreachedthe deepsleepconsciousness.Hecontinuedbeyondthat,too,andreachedthetranscendentalorturiya*consciousness.Itisastateofblissthatisnotitsdescription, which

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isboththe'is'andthe'isnot',bothsomethingandnotsomething,lightanddarkness.Itisfullofnonconsciousnessand(objectless)consciousness,itcanonlybe indicatedbynegation(notthis,notthis).Hebecamethatwhichisbeyonddescription. Thatstateisthevoid,Brahman,consciousness,thePurusa*oftheSankhya*,Isvara*oftheyogi,Siva*,time,Atman*orself,nonself,themiddle,etc.,ofthe mysticsholdingdifferentviews.Itisthatstatewhichisestablishedasthetruthbyallthesescripturalviewpoints,thatwhichisallinthatthesageremainedfirmly established. Whenthesagehadthusbecomeonewiththeinfiniteconsciousness,thebodydecomposedandtheelementsreturnedtotheirrespectivesource. ThushaveItold,ORama*,theauspiciousstoryofthesageVitahavya*.Reflectoverit.WhateverIhavesaidtoyouandwhateverIshallsaytoyounowisbornof directperception,directexperienceanddeepcontemplation. Meditateuponthis,ORama*,andattainwisdom.Liberationisattainedonlybywisdomorselfknowledge.Onlythroughsuchwisdomdoesonegobeyondsorrow, destroyignoranceandattainperfection. WhathasbeendescribedasVitahavya*isonlyanotioninourmindsoamIandsoareyou.Allthesesensesandthewholeworldarenothingbutthemind.What elsecantheworldbe,ORama*? RAMA*asked:Lord,whydowenotseemanyoftheseliberatedsages traversingtheskynow? V:89

VASISTHA*replied:Flyingintheskyandotherpowersarenaturaltosomebeings,ORama*.Theextraordinaryqualitiesandfacultieswhichareobservedinthis worldarenaturaltothosebeingsnottothesagesofselfknowledge.Supernaturalfaculties(likeflyingintheair)aredevelopedbyeventhosewhoaredevoidof selfknowledgeorliberation,bytheutilisationofcertainsubstancesorbycertainpractices.Allthisdoesnotinterestthemanofselfknowledgewhoisutterlycontent inhimself.Theywho,inpursuitofpleasures,acquirethesepowerstaintedbyignorance,aresurelyfullofignorancethesagesofselfknowledgedonotadoptsucha course. Whetheroneisaknoweroftruthorignorantofit,powerslikeflyingintheairaccruetoonewhoengageshimselfinsomepractices.Butthesageofselfknowledge hasnodesiretoacquirethese.Thesepracticesbestowtheirfruitonanyone,forsuchistheirnature.Poisonkillsall,wineintoxicatesall,evensothesepracticesbring abouttheabilitytofly,etc.,buttheywhohaveattainedthesupremeselfknowledgearenotinterestedinthese,ORama*.Theyaregained

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onlybythosewhoarefullofdesiresbutthesageisfreefromtheleastdesireforanything.Selfknowledgeisthegreatestgainhowdoesthesageofselfknowledge entertainanydesireforanythingelse?InthecaseofVitahavya*,however,hedidnotdesirethesepowerstheysoughthimunsought. RAMA*asked:HowisitthatwormsandvermindidnotdestroyVitahavyas*bodywhenitlayabandonedinthecave?And,howwasitthatVitahavya*didnot attaindisembodiedliberationinthefirstplace? VASISTHA*replied:ORama*,theignorantman'sbodyiscomposedanddecomposedonaccountofthestatesofhismentalconditioninginthecaseofonewho hasnosuchconditioning,thereisnomomentumfordecomposition.Again,themindofallbeingsrespondstothequalitiesoftheobjectwithwhichitcomesinto contact.Whenaviolentcreaturecomesintocontactwithonewhohasreachedutterequanimity,italsobecomestemporarilyequanimousandtranquil,thoughitmay returntoitsviolencewhenthiscontactislost.Hence,too,Vitahavyas*bodyremainedunharmed.Thisapplieseventomaterialsubstanceslikeearth,wood,etc.,for consciousnesspervadesall.SinceVitahavyas*consciousnessdidnotundergoanychange,nochangehappenedtohisbody.Sincetherewasnomovementofprana* init,evendecompositioncouldnottakeplace.Thesageisindependentandfreetoliveortoabandonthebody.Thathedidnotabandonthebodyatonetimeanddid solaterispurelycoincidentalitmayberelatedtohiskarma,etc.,butintruthheisbeyondkarma,beyondfate,anddevoidofmentalconditioning.Again,itislikethe crowdislodgingtheripecocoanutpurelycoincidental. V:90 VASISTHA*continued:

WhenthemindofVitahavya*hadbecomeunattachedandtotallyfreethroughthepracticeofenquiry,therearoseinhimnoblequalitieslikefriendliness,etc. RAMA*asked: WhenthemindhasbeendissolvedinBrahmantheabsolute,inwhomdoqualitieslikefriendlinessarise? VASISTHA*answered: ORama*,therearetwotypesof'deathofthemind'.Oneiswheretheformofthemindremainsandtheotheriswhereeventheformceasestobe.Theformer happenswhenthesageisstillaliveandthelatterhappenswhenheisdisembodied.Theexistenceofthemindcausesmiseryanditscessationbringsjoy.Themind thatisheavilyconditionedandcaughtinitsownconditioningbringsaboutrepeatedbirths.Suchamindbringsunhappiness.Thatwhichregardsas

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myown'thequalitiesthatarebeginninglessisthejiva*.Itarisesinthemindwhichhasnoselfknowledgeandwhichisthereforeunhappy. Aslongthereismind,thereisnocessationofsorrow.Whenthemindceases,theworldappearancealsoceasestobe.Themindistheseedformisery. Ishallnowdescribehowthemindceasestobe.Whenbothhappinessandunhappinessdonotdivertamanfromhisutterequanimity,thenknowthathismindisdead. Heinwhomthenotions'ThisIam'and'ThisIamnot'donotarisethuslimitinghisconsciousnesshismindisdead.Heinwhomtheverynotionsofcalamity, poverty,elation,pride,dullnessandexcitementdonotarisehismindisdeadandheisliberatedwhileliving. Theverynatureofthemindisstupidity.Hence,whenitdiespurityandnoblequalitiesarise.Somewisemenreferto'thepuremind'asthatstateofutterpuritythat prevailsinaliberatedsageinwhomthemindisdead.Suchamindoftheliberatedsageis,therefore,fullofnoblequalitieslikefriendliness,etc.Theexistence(satta*) ofsuchnaturalgoodnessinaliberatedsageisknownassatva,purity,etc.Hence,thisisalsocalled'deathofthemindwhereformremains'. Thedeathofthemindwhereeventheformvanishespertainstothedisembodiedsage.Inthecaseofsuchamind,notraceisleft.Itisimpossibletodescribeitina positiveway:initthereareneitherqualitiesnortheirabsence,neithervirtuesnortheirabsence,neitherlightnordarkness,nonotionsatall,noconditioning,neither existencenornonexistence.Itisastateofsupremequiescenceandequilibrium.Theywhohaverisenbeyondthemindandtheintelligence,theyreachthatsupreme stateofpeace. RAMA*asked: V:91

Lord,whatistheseedofthisfearfultreeknownasthemindandwhatistheseedofthatseedandsoon? VASISTHA*replied: Rama*,theseedforthisworldappearanceisthebodywithin,withallitsnotionsandconceptsofgoodandevil.Thatbodyhasaseed,too,andthatisthemindwhich flowsconstantlyinthedirectionofhopesanddesires,andwhichisalsotherepositoryofnotionsofbeingandnonbeingandtheconsequentsorrow.Theworld appearancearisesonlyinthemind,andthisisillustratedbythedreamstate.Whateverisseenhereastheworldisbuttheexpansionofthemind,evenaspotsare transformationsofclay. Therearetwoseedsforthetreeknownasthemindwhichcarrieswithinitinnumerablenotionsandideas:first,movementofprana*

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(lifeforce)andsecond,obstinatefancy.Whenthereismovementofprana*intheappropriatechannels,thenthereismovementinconsciousnessandmindarises. Again,itisthemovementofprana*alone,whenitisseenorapprehendedbythemind,thatisseenasthisworldappearancewhichisasrealasthebluenessofthe sky.Thecessationofthemovementofprana*isthecessationoftheworldappearancetoo.Theomnipresentconsciousnessis'awakened',asitwere,bythe movementofprana*.Ifthisdoesnothappen,thenthereissupremegood. Whenconsciousnessis'awakened'thus,itbeginstoapprehendobjects,ideasariseandthencesorrow.Ontheotherhand,ifthisconsciousnessrestsinitself,asiffast asleep,thenoneattainswhatismostdesirableandthatisthesupremestate.Therefore,youwillrealisetheunbornstateofconsciousnessifyoueitherrestrainthe movementofprana*inyourownpsychologicalground(ofconceptsandnotions),orrefrainfromdisturbingthehomogeneityinconsciousness.Itiswhenthis homogeneityisdisturbedandtheconsciousnessexperiencesdiversitythatthemindarises,andthecountlesspsychologicalconditionsspringupintoactivity. Inordertobringaboutquiescenceofthemind,theyogipractisespranayama*(restraintofthemovementofthelifeforce),meditationandsuchotherproperand appropriatemethods.Greatyogisregardthispranayama*itself:asthemostappropriatemethodfortheachievementoftranquilityofthemind,peace,etc. Ishallnowdescribetoyoutheotherviewpoint,thatofthemenofwisdom,bornoftheirdirectexperience:theydeclarethatthemindisbornofone'sobstinateclinging toafancyordeludedimagination. VASISTHA*continued: When,obstinatelyclingingtoafancy,andthereforeabandoningathoroughenquiryintothenatureoftruth,oneapprehendsanobjectwiththatfancysuch apprehensionisdescribedasconditioningorlimitation.Whensuchfancyispersistentlyandintenselyindulgedin,thisworldappearancearisesinconsciousness. Caughtupinhisownconditioning,whateverthepersonseeshethinksthattoberealandgetsdeluded.Andonaccountoftheintensityoftheconditioningandthe fancy,hediscardshisownnatureandperceivesonlytheworldillusion.Allthishappensonlytotheunwiseperson.That,whoseperceptionisthusperverted,isknown asmind.Whenthismindisconfirmedinitspervertedperception,itbecomestheseedforrepeatedbirth,oldageanddeath. Whennotionsofthedesirableandundesirabledonotarise,thentheminddoesnotariseandthereissupremepeace.Thesealone

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constitutetheformofthemindconception,imagination,thoughtandmemory.Whentheseareabsent,howdoesamindexist?Whenone,establishedinnon becoming,contemplatesthatwhichhasnotchangedintobecomingandwhenonethusperceiveswhatisasitis,thenthemindbecomesnomind.Whenthe psychologicalconditioningorlimitationisnotdense,whenithasbecometransparent,onebecomesaliberatedsagewhoapparentlylivesandfunctionsbypast momentum(evenasapotter'swheelrotatesaftertheinitialimpulsehasbeenwithdrawn),buthewillnotbebornagain.Inhiscase,theseedhasbeenfried,asitwere, andwillnotgerminateintoworldillusion.Whenthebodyfalls,heisabsorbedintotheinfinite. Ofthetwoseedsforthisworldillusion(viz.,movementofprana*andclingingtofancy),ifoneisgotridoftheotheralsogoesawayforthetwoareinterdependent. Themindcreatestheworldillusionandthemindiscreatedbythemovementofprana*inone'sownconditioning.Again,thismovementofprana*alsotakesplace becauseofthementalconditioningorfancy.Thusthisviciouscircleiscompletedonefeedstheother,onespurstheotherintoaction.Motionisnaturaltoprana*and whenitmovesinconsciousness,mindarisesthentheconditioningkeepstheprana*inmotion.Whenoneisarrested,bothfall. Thepsychologicalconditioningorlimitationaloneisthesourceofuntoldpainandsorrowanditistherootofignorance:butwhenitcomestoanend,themindfalls withitinstantly.Evenso,bytherestraintofthemovementofprana*(lifeforce)themindcomestoa standstill,withoutperceivingtheworldthatdwellswithinit. VASISTHA*continued: Rama*,thenotionofanobject(ofknowledge,ofexperience)istheseedforbothmovementofprana*andfortheclingingtoafancy,foritisonlywhensuchdesire forexperiencearisesintheheartthatsuchmovementofprana*andmentalconditioningtakeplace.Whensuchdesireforexperienceisabandoned,boththesecease instantly. Ofcourse,theindwellingconsciousnessistheseedforthisdesireforexperiencing:forwithoutthatconsciousnessthedesireforsuchexperiencewillnotariseatall. However,ithasnoobjectofexperienceeitheroutsideorinsideforitistheconsciousnessitselfthat,onaccountofamovementofthoughtwithinitself,desiresto experienceitselfasanobject.Justasamandreamsofhisowndeathorofhistravelabroad,evensothisconsciousness,byitsowncleverness,experiencesitselfasan object.Whensuchexperiencetakesplace,thisworldappearanceresults,ORama*.Whenthistruthisrealised,theillusionceasestobe.

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Whatisthetruth?Thatallthisisnothingbuttheoneinfiniteconsciousnessandthatthereisnaughtelsebesides.Whateverisseenandwhateverisunseen,allthatisthe infiniteconsciousnessthusshouldthewiseonerealise,sopurifyinghisvision.Unpurifiedvisionperceivestheworldpurifiedvisionperceivestheinfinite consciousnessandthatitselfisliberation.Hence,ORama*,strivetoeradicatethedesireforexperience.Getridofidleness.Freeyourselffromallexperiences. RAMA*asked: Lord,howcanthesetwobereconciled?CanIseekfreedomfromallexperiencesandfreedomfrominactivityatthesametime? VASISTHA*replied: Hewhohasnodesireorhopeforanythinghere,norentertainsawishtorestininactivity,suchaonedoesnotexistasajiva*heisneitherinactivenordoesheseek toexperience.Hewhodoesnotleantowardsexperienceorperceptionofobjects,thoughheisengagedinceaselessactivity,heisneitherinactivenordoeshedo anythingorexperienceanything.Theobjectiveexperiencesdonottouchtheheartatall:hence,hewhoseconsciousnessisnotinactiveisaliberatedsagehereand now. Freedfromallconditioning,fullyestablishedinthestateofunmodifiedconsciousness,theyogiremainslikeachildoradumbperson:inhimthereisbliss,likethe bluenessofthesky.Thisblissisnotanexperience,buttheverynatureofconsciousness.Hence,itdoesnotactasadisturbance,butremainsintegratedinthe consciousness.Thereisfreedomfromallexperiences.Atthesametime,theyogiisconstantlyengagedinaction:hence,thereisfreedomfrominactivity. VASISTHA*continued: Howeverdifficultitmaybetoreachthisstate,Rama*,striveforitandcrossthisoceanofsorrow. Thisdesireforexperiencearisesasathoughtinconsciousnessandbytherepetitionofthisthought,itgainsstrength.Thushavingbroughtabouttheillusorycreation withinitself,consciousnessleadsitselftoitsownliberation.Whateveritconceivesof,thatmaterialises.Thushavingbounditself,havingsubjecteditselftosorrow(like thesilkwormwiththecocoon)induecourseoftimeitattainstoliberation,becauseitsnatureisinfiniteconsciousness.Whatisseenastheuniverseisnothingbutpure consciousness,ORama*. Pureexistencealoneistheseedforthisinfiniteconsciousness.Theyareinseparablelikethesunandhisrays.However,thispureexistencehastwoaspects:one, diversity,andsecond,unity.That

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whichisdescribedas'this'and'that','I'and'you'isknownasdiversity.Whenthisdiversityisabandonedandthereispureexistence,itisregardedasunity.When diversityisabandonedandunityprevails,thereisalsononexperience:andhenceunityisnota'thing'noranobjectofexperience.Thisunityisthereforeeternaland imperishable. Hence,ORama*,abandonallformsofdivisiondivisionintermsoftimeorofpartsorofsubstanceandrestinpureexistence.Thesedivisionsareconduciveto thearisingofconcepts.Theyarenondifferentfromthepureconsciousnesswhatismore,theyarenotfactsassuch.Contemplationofdivisiondoesnotleadtopurity ofvision. Pureexistencealonewithoutanydivisioninitistheseedforallthesethatwehavediscussedthusfar:andthereisnoseedforthispureexistence.Itisthecauseof everythinganditisitselfuncaused.Initareallthesereflected.Allthediverseexperiencesareexperiencedinthispureexistence,evenasdiversetastesaretastedby theonetongue.Aninfinitenumberofuniversesareborn,existanddissolveinitandtheycomeintomutualrelationshipinit. Thatpureexistenceisheavinessinallheavythingsthatislightnessinallthatislight.Thatisgrossnessandthataloneissubtlety.Itisfirstamongthefirst,lastamongthe last.Itisthelightoftheluminousandthedarknessofthedark.Itissubstantialityofallsubstancesanditisthespace,too.Itisnothinganditiseverythingitisanditis not.Itisseenanditisunseen.ThatIamandthatIamnot. ORama*,therefore,byeverymeansinyourpower,strivetogetestablishedinthatsupremestateandthendowhatisappropriate.Theywhoreachthatstate,which ispureandundecayingandwhichisthetruthofone'sownself,attaintosupremepeace.Byreachingit,youwillforeverbefreedfromthefearofthisworldy existence. RAMA*asked: V:92

Holysir,kindlytellme,howmayonequicklydestroyalltheseseedsofdistractionandreachthesupremestate? VASISTHA*said: Theseseedsofsorrow,ORama*,canbedestroyed,eachbythedestructionofthepreviousone.But,ifyoucanatonestrokecutoffallmentalconditioningandby greatselfeffortrestinthestateofpureexistence(ifyourestinthatstateevenforasecond)innotimeyouwillbeestablishedinit.Ifhoweveryouwishmerelytofind yourfootholdinpureexistence,youcanachieveit,byevengreatereffort.Similarly,bycontemplatingtheinfiniteconsciousness,too,youcanrestinthesupremestate: butthatdemandsgreatereffort.

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Meditationisnotpossibleonobjectsofexperience:fortheyexistonlyinconsciousnessortheself.Butifyoustrivetodestroytheconditioning(theconcepts,notions, habits,etc.),theninamomentallyouerrorsandillnesseswillvanish.However,thisismoredifficultthantheonesdescribedearlier.For,untilthemindisfreefromthe movementofthought,cessationofconditioningisdifficult,andviceversaandunlessthetruthisrealised,theminddoesnotceasetofunction,andviceversa.Yet, again,untiltheconditioningceases,theunconditionedtruthisnotrealised,andviceversa.Sincerealisationoftruth,cessationofthemindandtheendingof conditioningareinterwoven,itisextremelydifficulttodealwiththemindividuallyandseparately. Hence,ORama*,byeverymeansinyourpower,renouncethepursuitofpleasureandresorttoallthethreesimultaneously.Ifallthesearesimultaneouslypractised foraconsiderabletime,thentheybecomefruitful,nototherwise.ORama*,thisworldappearancehasbeenexperiencedastruthforaverylongtime:anditneeds persistentpracticeofallthesethreesimultaneouslytoovercomeit. Wiseonesdeclarethattheabandonmentofconditioningandtherestraintofprana*areofequaleffect:hence,oneshouldpractisethemsimultaneously.prana*is restrainedbythepracticeofpranayama*andtheyogaasana*,astaughtbytheguru,orbyothermeans.Whendesires,aversionsandcravingsdonotariseinthe mindeventhoughtheirobjectsareseeninfront,thenitistobeinferredthatmentalconditioninghasweakenedthencewisdomarises,furtherweakeningthe conditioning.Thenthemindceases. Itisnotpossibleto'killthemind'withoutpropermethods.Knowledgeoftheself,companyofholymen,theabandonmentofconditioningandtherestraintof prana*thesearethemeanstoovercomethemind.IgnoringtheseandresortingtoviolentpracticeslikeHatha*Yoga,austerities,pilgrimage,ritesandritualsarea wasteoftime.Selfknowledgealonebestowsdelightonyou.Amanofselfknowledgealonelives.Hence,gainselfknowledge,ORama*. V:93 VASISTHA*continued:

Ifonehasachievedevenalittlebitofcontroloverthemindbyselfenquiry,suchapersonhasattainedthefruitofhislife.Forthatselfenquirywillexpandinhisheart. Whensuchenquiryisprecededbydispassionandhasattainedstabilitybypractice,allthenoblequalitiesresorttoitnaturally.Ignoranceanditsretinuedonotbother onewhoisfullyestablishedinselfenquiryandwhoseeswhatis,withoutdistortion.Whenhehasfoundhisfootholdinthespiritualground,heisnotovercomebythe robbersknownassensepleasures.

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But,sensepleasuresdoovercomeonewhoisnotsoestablished.Hewhoisnotconstantlyengagedinselfenquiryandisnotthusconstantlyconsciousoftheself,he aloneisconsideredadeadman.Hence,ORama*,carryonthisenquiryconstantly.Thisenquiryrevealsthetruthbydispellingthedarknessofignorance.Knowledge ofthetruthinitsturndrivesawayallsorrow.Alongwithknowledgearisestheexperienceofit.Butwhentheinnerlight,kindledbyaproperstudyofthescriptures andenquiryintotheirtruth,illuminesbothknowledgeandtheexperienceofit,theirtotalidentityisrealised.Thisinnerlightitselfisregardedasselfknowledgebythe holyones:andtheexperienceofitisanintegralpartofselfknowledgeandnondifferentfromit.Hewhohasselfknowledgeisforeverimmersedintheexperienceof it.Heisliberatedwhilelivingandliveslikeanemperoroftheworld. Suchasageisnotdistractedbythediverseexperienceshemayapparentlybesubjectto,whethertheyareregardedbyothersaspleasantorunpleasant.Heisnot boundorovercomebypleasurenoristhereacravingforpleasureinhim.Heiscompletelysatisfiedinhisownself.Heisnotattachedtoanythingoranybodyandhe hasnoenmityorhatredinhisheart.Norishefrightenedbytheroarofanenemyortheroarofalionintheforest.Hedoesnotrejoicewhenhevisitsagardennoris hedistressedifhehappenstotravelinadesert.Inwardlyeverfree,yetheengagesindoingconstantlywhateveractionsmaybeappropriateforthemoment.His attitudetowardsbothamurdererandaphilanthropististhesame.Inhiscosmicvisionallthingsgreatandsmallappeartobethesame,forheknowsthattheentire universeisnothingbutpureconsciousness. Hewhoactswithoutattachment,merelywiththeorgansofaction,isnotaffectedbyanything,neitherbyjoynorbysorrow.Hisactionsarenonvolitional.Hesees not,thougheyesseehehearsnot,thoughearshearhetouchesnot,thoughthebodytouches.Surely,attachment(contact,association)isthecauseforthisworld illusionitalonecreatesobjects.Attachmentcausesbondageandendlesssorrow.Therefore,holyonesdeclarethattheabandonmentofattachmentisitselfliberation. Abandonattachment,ORama*,andbealiberatedsage. RAMA*asked:Lord,kindlytellmewhatisthisattachment? VASISTHA*replied: Attachmentisthat,ORama*,whichmakestheconditioningofthemindmoreandmoredense,byrepeatedlycausingtheexperiencesofpleasureandpaininrelation totheexistenceandthenonexistenceoftheobjectsofpleasure,thusconfirmingsuchassociation

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asinevitableandthusbringingaboutanintenseattachmenttotheobjectsofpleasure.Inthecaseoftheliberatedsage,however,thisconditioningisfreedfromthe experiencesofjoyandsorrow:henceitispurified,i.e.,theconditioningisweakenedifnotdestroyed.Evenifitexistsinanextremelyweakenedstatetillthedeathof thebody,theactionsthatspringfromsuchaweakenedandsopureconditioningdonotresultinrebirth. Ontheotherhand,thedenseconditioningwhichexistsintheunwiseisitselfknownasattachment.Ifyouabandonthisattachmentwhichcausesperversenotionsin you,theactionsthatyoumayspontaneouslyperformherewillnotaffectyou.Ifyourisebeyondjoyandsorrowandthereforetreatthemalike,andifyouarefreefrom attraction,aversionandfear,youareunattached.Ifyoudonotgrieveinsorrow,ifyoudonotexultinhappinessandifyouareindependentofyourowndesiresand hopes,youareunattached.Evenwhilecarryingonyouractivitieshere,ifyoudonotabandonyourawarenessofthehomogeneityofthetruth,youareunattached.If youhavegainedselfknowledgeandif,endowedwithequalvision,youengageyourselfinspontaneousandappropriateactioninthehereandnow,youare unattached. Byeffortlesslyremainingestablishedinnonattachment,livehereasaliberatedsagewithoutbeingattractedbyanything.Theliberatedsagelivesintheinnersilence, withoutprideorvanity,withoutjealousyandwithhissensesfullyunderhiscontrol.Evenwhenalltheobjectsoftheworldarespreadoutinfrontofhim,theliberated sage,whoisfreefromcravings,isnottemptedbythem,butengageshimselfinmerenaturalactions.Whateverisinevitableandappropriate,hedoeshisjoyand delight,however,hederivesfromwithin:thusheisfreedfromthisworldappearance.Evenasmilkdoesnotabandonitscolourwhenitisboiled,hedoesnotabandon hiswisdomevenwhenitisseverelytestedbyterriblecalamities.Whetherheissubjectedtogreatpainorheisappointedtherulerofheaven,heremainsinabalanced stateofmind. Hence,ORama*,engageyourselfconstantlyinselfenquiryandrestfirmlyestablishedinselfknowledge.Youwillneveragainbesubjectedtobirthandbondage. (Vicara*intheprecedingpageshasbeentranslated'enquiry'or'selfenquiry'.Thatisthepopulartranslation.However,thewordreallymeansefficientmovementof one'sinnerintelligence'car'insanskritis'tomove'.Itshouldnotbeconfusedwithintellectualanalysis.Itisdirectobservationor'lookingwithin'.)

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PARTSIX ONLIBERATION

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Bhagavan*Ramana*Maharsi*said:
Cidabhasa*isthefeelingoftheselfwhichappearsastheshiningofthemind.Theonebecomesthree,thethreebecomesfiveandthefivebecomesmany thatis,thepureself(satvawhichappearstobeone)becomesthroughcontactthree(satva,rajasandlamas)andwiththosethreethefiveelementscome intoexistence,andwiththosefive,thewholeuniverse.Itisthiswhichcreatestheillusionthatthebodyistheself.Intermsofthesky(akasa)*itis explainedasbeingdividedintothreecategoriesasreflectedinthesoultheboundlessworldofpureconsciousness,theboundlessworldofmental consciousnessandtheboundlessworldofmailer(cidakasa*,cittakasa*andbhatakasa).*Whenmind(cilia)isdividedintoitsthreeaspects,namelymind, intuitionandmakerofthe'I'(manas,buddhiandahamkara),*itiscalledtheinnerinstrumentorantahkarana*.Karanam*meansupakaranam*.Legs, handsandotherorgansofthebodyarecalledbahyakarana*orouterinstruments,whilethesenses(indriyas)whichworkinsidethebodyare antahkaranas*orinnerinstruments.Thatfeelingoftheselforshiningmindwhichworkswiththeseinnerinstrumentsissaidtobethepersonalsoulor jiva*.Whenthemenialconsciousnesswhichisareflectionofthetangibleaspectofpureconsciousness,seestheworldofmatter,itiscalledmenialworld (manoakasa),*butwhenitseesthetangibleaspectofpureconsciousness,itiscalledtotalconsciousness(cinmaya).Thatiswhyitissaid,''Themindisthe causeofbothbondageandliberationforman.''Thatmindcreatesmanyillusions. Ifthesecrettruthmentionedaboveisascertainedbyselfenquiry,themultiplicityresolvesitselfintofive,thefiveintothree,andthethreeintoone. Supposeyouhaveaheadacheandyougetridofitbytakingsomemedicine,youthenremainwhatyouwereoriginallytheheadacheisliketheillusion thatthebodyistheselfitdisappearswhenthemedicinecalledselfenquiryisadministered. Itistruethatitisonlypossibleformatureminds,notforimmatureones.Forthelatter,repetitionofamaniraunderone'sbreath(japa),worshipof images,breathcontrol(pranayama),*visualisingapillaroflightandsimilaryogicandspiritualandreligiouspracticeshavebeenprescribed.Bythose practices,peoplebecomematureandwillthenrealisetheselfthroughthepathofselfenquiry.

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VALMIKI*said:

VI.1:1

ThesageVasistha*hadconcludedtheteachingcontainedintheupasama*prakaranam*.andheutteredthewords,"ORama*,youhaveheardtheupasama* prakaranam*nowhearthesectiondealingwithliberation."AllthekingsandthesageswhowereseatedinthecourtweredeeplyabsorbedinthegreatVasisthas* discoursewiththeirattentiontotallyrivetedonhiswordsandgestures,theyappearedmorelikefiguresinapaintingthanactuallivinghumanbeings.Infact,itseemed thateventhesun,theair,thebirdsandthebeaststheentirenaturewasabsorbedinintentlylisteningtothesage'sdiscoursewiththeirsoulsabsorbedinthesublime expositionofthenatureoftheinnermostself. Asthesunwasabouttosetthepalacesuddenlyresoundedwithdrumsandtrumpets.ForafewmomentsthissounddrownedthevoiceofthesageVasistha*.When thesoundofthedrums,trumpetsandconchesdieddown,thesageaskedRama*thefollowingquestion. VASISTHA*said: Ihavethusprovidedyouwithanetwovenwithwordswhichareindicativeofthehighesttruth:tiedownthebirdofyourmindwiththisnetandletthemindthenrestin yourheart.Thusshallyouattainselfknowledge.ORama*,haveyouabsorbedthistruthimpartedbyme,althoughitismixedwithvariedexpressionsandillustrations, evenastheproverbialswanisabletoseparatemilkfromwaterwhenthesearemixedtogetherandtodrinkthemilkalone? Youshouldcontemplatethistruthagainandagain,frombeginning

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toend,reflectuponitandyoushouldmarchalongthispathnow,Onobleone.Thoughengagedindiverseactivities,youwillnotbeboundifyourintelligenceis saturatedwiththistruthotherwise,youwillfall,evenasanelephantfallsfromthecliff.Again,ifyouconceptualisethisteachingforyourintellectualentertainmentand donotletitactinyourlife,youwillstumbleandfalllikeablindman. Inordertoreachthestateofperfectionorliberationtaughtbymeyoushouldlivealifeofnonattachment,doingwhatisappropriateineverysituationasitreaches you.Restassuredthatthisisthevitalfactorintheteachingsofallscriptures. Givenleavetodepart,allthekingsandthesagesoftheassemblyleftfortheirabode.TheycontemplatedVasisthas*teachingsanddiscusseditamongthemselves, spendingonlyacoupleofhoursinpleasantanddeepsleep. VI.1:2 VALMIKI*continued:

Verysoonthedarknessofthenightbegantorecedeevenasmentalconditioningrecedeswiththeapproachoftheawakeningoftheinnerintelligence.Shaftsoflight fromtheeasternhorizonilluminedtheeasternandthewesternpeaks. Rama*,Laksmana*andalltheothersawokeatthatauspicioushourandperformedtheirmorningreligiousduties.Thentheyproceededswiftlytothehermitageofthe sageVasistha*.Theyofferedhimappropriateworship,prostratedathisfeetandfollowedhimtotheroyalcourt.Theaudiencepackedthecourtbuttherewaspin dropsilence.Thespaceinthecourtwasagainfilledwithcelestialbeingsandsageswhohadattainedperfection.Allofthemtooktheirallottedseatsasontheprevious days.Rama*devoutlygazedatthefaceofthesageVasistha*. VASISTHA*said: Rama*,doyourememberwhatIhavesofarsaidtoyou,thewordswhicharecapableofawakeningaknowledgeoftruthorselfknowledge?Ishallonceagain declaretoyouhowperfectioncanbepermanentlyestablished. Byresortingtodispassion(theunconditionedmind)andaclearunderstandingofthetruth,thisoceanofsamsara*(bondagetolifeanddeath)canbecrossed:hence engageyourselfinsuchendeavour.Whenthetruthisclearlyperceivedandwhenitsmisunderstandinghasbeencompletelyabandoned,uponthedissolutionofallthe latenttendenciesormentalconditioning,thesorrowlessstateisreached. Theoneinfinteabsoluteexistenceorcosmicconsciousnessaloneisanditisnotaffectedbytheconceptsoftimeandspace,norisitsubjecttopolarityordivision.The infinitealoneexistsandhas

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somehowassumedduality.However,wheninfacttheinfinitecannotthusbedivided,howcansuchdualitycomeintobeing?Knowingthis,befreeoftheegosense andrejoiceintheself. Thereisnomind,noignorance,noindividualsoul:theseareallconceptsthataroseinthecreatorBrahma.Whateverobjectstheremaybe,whatevermaybethemind anditsdesiresallthatisindeedtheonecosmicconsciousness.Thatonealoneshinesinthenetherworld,onearthandinheavenasconsciousness. Aslongastheconceptsbornofignorancepersist,aslongasthereisperceptionofthatwhichisnottheinfiniteandaslongasthereishopeinthetrapknownasthe world,solongoneentertainsnotionsofmind,etc.Aslongasoneconsidersthebodyasthe'I'andaslongastheselfisrelatedtowhatisseen,aslongasthereishope inobjectswiththefeeling'thisismine',solongwilltherebedelusionconcerningmind,etc. VASISTHA*continued: Theillusorynotionoftheexistenceofthemind,etc.,persistsonlyaslongasthesublimerealisationofthetruthisnotexperiencedthroughthecompanyofthewise, whoaretotallyunattached,andaslongaswickednesshasnotbeenweakened.Aslongastheexperienceofthisworldasarealityhasnotbeenshakenbytheenergy derivedfromtheclearperceptionofthetruth,solongtheexistenceofthemindetc.,seemstobeselfevident.Suchanotioncontinuesaslongasthereisblind dependence,onaccountofcravingforobjectiveexperience,andaslongastherearewickednessanddelusionasaconsequence. Butinthecaseofonewhoisnotattractedbypleasure,whoseheartiscoolbecauseofitspurityandwhohasshatteredthecageofdesires,cravingsandhopes,the deludednotionoftheexistenceofthemindceasestobe.Whenheseesevenhisbodyasthedeludedexperienceofanonentity,howcanamindariseinhim?He whohasthevisionoftheinfiniteandintowhosehearttheworldappearancehasmerged,doesnotentertainthedeludednotionofajiva*,etc. Whenincorrectperceptionhascometoanendandwhenthesunofselfknowledgearisesintheheart,knowthatthemindisreducedtonaught.Itisnotseenagain, evenasburntdryleaves.Thestateofmindoftheliberatedoneswhoarestilllivingandwhoseeboththesupremetruthandtherelativeappearance,isknownassatva (transparency).Itisimpropertocallitthemind:itisreallysatva.Theseknowersoftrutharemindlessandareinastateofperfectequilibrium:theylivetheirlifehere playfully.Theybeholdtheinnerlightallthetime,eventhoughtheyseemtobeengagedin

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diverseactions.Conceptsofduality,unityorsuchothersdonotariseinthem,fortherearenotendenciesintheirheart.Theveryseedofignoranceisburntinthestate ofsatvaanditdoesnotagaingiverisetodelusion. ORama*,youhavereachedthatstateofsatvaandyourmindhasbeenburntinthefireofwisdom.Whatisthatwisdom?ItisthattheinfiniteBrahmanisindeedthe infiniteBrahman,theworldappearanceisbutanappearancewhoserealityisBrahman.Theappearance(forinstance,yourbodyas'Rama*')isinsentient,isunrealits realityistherealityofitssubstratumwhichisconsciousness.Whythendoyougrieve?However,ifyoufeelthatallthisisconsciousness,thereneednotariseinyouthe notionsofdiversity.Recollectyouressentialnatureastheinfiniteconsciousness.Abandonthenotionsofdiversity.Youarewhatyouare:nay,noteventhatasa conceptbutbeyondityouaretheselfluminousbeing.Salutationstoyou,Ocosmicbeingthatisinfiniteconsciousness. VI.1:3 VASISTHA*continued:

Youarethatoceanofconsciousnessinwhichthereappearcountlesswavesandrippleswhichareknownasuniverses.Youareindeedbeyondthestatesofbeingand nonbeing,bothofwhicharemereconceptsofthemind.Risebeyondsuchconditioningand.thereforebeyondallduality.Howcantendenciesandlimitationsexistin you?Allsuchconcepts('Thisisalatenttendencyorlimitation'and'Thisisajiva*orthelivingsoul')ariseinconsciousness:howthenaretheydifferentfrom consciousnessandiftheyarenot,howcanwesaythattheyariseinconsciousness? ThatwhichisknownasRama*isintruththemagnificentandinfiniteoceanofconsciousnessinwhichnumerousuniversesappearanddisappearlikeripplesand waves.Remaininastateoftotalequanimity.Youareliketheinfinitespace.Fireisinseparablefromheat,fragrancefromthelotus,blacknessfromcollyrium,whiteness fromsnow,sweetnessfromsugarcaneandlightfromaluminary.Evensoexperiencingisinseparablefromconsciousness.Evenaswavesareinseparablefromthe ocean,evensotheuniversesareinseparablefromconsciousness. Experiencingisnondifferentfromconsciousness,theegosenseisnondifferentfromexperiencing,thejiva*isnondifferentfromegosenseandthemindisnon differentfromthejiva*(nondifferentorinseparable).Thesensesarenondifferentfromthemind,thebodyisnondifferentfromthesenses,theworldisnondifferent fromthebodyandthereisnothingbutthisworld.Thiscatalogueofdependentcategorieshasexistedforaverylongtimeyetthishasneitherbeensetinmotionby anyone,norcanwesaywhether

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ithasexistedforaverylongorveryshorttime.Thetruthis,ORama*,allthisisnaughtelsebuttheselfexperiencingoftheinfinite. Thereisemptinessintheempty,BrahmanpervadesBrahman,thetruthshinesinthetruthandfullnessfillsfullness.Thewiseman,thoughfunctioninginthisworld,does nothing,forheseeksnothing.Evenso,ORama*,remainpureatheartlikespace,butoutwardlyengageyourselfinappropriateactioninsituationswhichcould provokeexultationordepression,remainunaffectedbythemlikealogofwood.Hewhoisfriendlyeventoonewhoisabouttomurderhim,isaseeroftruth. Adorationofonewhohasnotthusrisenabovelikesanddislikes(raga*anddvesa*)isfutileeffort.Onlyhewhoisfreefromegoisticorvolitionalactivityandwhois utterlynonattachedtoanythinghereisliberatedevenifheshoulddestroytheworld,hedoesnothing. Heinwhomallconceptsandhabitualtendencieshaveceasedhasovercomeallmentalconditioningandbondage.Heislikealampwhichisnotfedwithoil. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:4,5

ORama*,themind,theintellectandtheegosense,asalsothesenses,arealldevoidofindependentintelligence:wherethendothejiva*andalltherestofitreside? Evenasthemoonisoneyetitappearstobetwoormoreonaccountofdefectivevisionoragitationinthereflectingmedium,theself(innerintelligenceor consciousness)isone,butappearstobemanyonaccountoftheagitationcausedbythethoughts. Justasnightcomestoanendwhendarknessrecedes,ignorancecomestoanendwhenthepoisonofcravingforpleasureceases.Thisdeadlyvirusofcravingfor pleasureisinstantlycuredbythemagicformulaofscripturaldeclarations.Attheveryinstantwhenwickednessorfoolishnesscomestoanend,themindwithallits retinuevanishes,evenaspearlsscatterwhentheconnectingthreadisbroken.Hence,ORama*,theywhoabandonthescriptureshavechosentoliveaswormsand verminfortheirownselfdestruction. Whenwindsubsides,thesurfaceofthelakebecomescalmonceagain:whenagitationcausedbyignoranceceases,theunsteadinessoftheeyescausedbyinfatuation forwifeandotherobjectsofpleasureceases.Obviously,ORama*,youhavereachedthatsteadiness.Youhavelistenedintentlytomywords:andonaccountofthat theveilofignorancehasbeenliftedinyou.Evenordinaryhumanbeingsareprofoundlyinfluencedbythewordsoftheirfamilypreceptor:howthencanitbedifferentin onewhopossessesanexpandedvision,asyoudo? RAMA*said:

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Lord,bylisteningtoyourwordsofwisdom,theworldwhichappearstobeoutsidehaslostitssubstantialityandmymindhasceased.Irestinsupremepeace.I perceivetheworldasitis,astheinfiniteconsciousnessinfinitelydisplayedbeforeme.Allmydoubtshavebeendispelled.Iamfreefromattractionandresistance.Iam establishedinnature,Iamwell(svasthah:Irestintheself)andIamhappy,IamRama*inwhomtheworldsfindtheirrefuge.Salutationstome,salutationstoyou. Thementalconditioninghasvanished.Themindhascometoanend.Iseetheselfastheallinall.WhenIthinkofthepastIsmileatthefoolishideasofdualityIused toentertain.Allthis,thankstotheeffectofyournectarinewordsofspiritualcounsel.WhilestilllivinginthisworldIamalsointheworldoflight.Thankstotheraysof lightthatemanatefromyourilluminedheartintheformofwordsofsupremewisdom,Iamimmersedinsupremeblisshereandnow. VI.1:6 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,youaredeartome:henceIdeclarethetruthtoyouonceagain.Listenattentively.Listen,thoughfordoingso,youhavetoassumetheexistenceof diversity.Yourconsciousnesswillexpand.And,thetruththatIshallexpoundwillsavefromsorroweventheywhoarenotfullyawakened. Whenoneisignorant,oneentertainsthewrongnotionthatthebodyistheselfhisownsensesprovetobehisworstenemies.Ontheotherhand,hewhoisendowed withselfknowledgeandknowsthetruthenjoysthefriendshipofhissenseswhicharepleasedandcontentedtheydonotdestroyhim.Hewhohasnothingbutdisgust forthephysicalbodyanditsfunctionsdoesnotsurelyindulgeitandthusinvitesuffering. Theselfisnotaffectedbythebody,noristhebodyinanywayrelatedtotheself.Theyarelikelightanddarkness.Theself,whichtranscendsallmodificationsand perversions,neithercomesintobeingnordoesitvanish.Whateverhappens,happenstothisbodywhichisinert,ignorant,insentient,finite,perishableandungrateful: letithappen.But,howcanthisbodyevercomprehend(throughthesensesorthemind)theeternalconsciousness?For,wheneitherisseenastherealitytheother ceasestobe.Whenthustheirnatureistotallydifferent,howcantheirexperienceofpainandpleasurebethesame?Whentheydonotandcannothaveany relationshipwhatsoever,howcantheyexisttogether?Wheneitherarisestheotherceases,evenaswhenthedaydawnsthedarknessofnightceasestobe.Self knowledgecanneverbecomeselfignoranceevenastheshadowcanneverbecomehot. Brahman,whichisthereality,canneverbecomeunrealevenwhen

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oneisawareofdiversitynorcanthebodyeveracquirethenatureoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Thoughtheselfisomnipresent,itisunaffectedbythebody,evenas thelotusisnotaffectedbywater.Hence,evenasspaceisnotaffectedbythemovementofairwithinit,thisinfiniteselfisnotaffectedbyconditionsknownasoldage, death,pleasureandpain,existenceandnonexistencewhichpertaintothebody.Eventhoughallthesebodiesareseenbydeludedunderstanding,theyareallinthe infiniteconsciousnessaloneevenaswavesappearontheocean.Thediversityandtheperversityoftheappearancesbelongtothereflectingmedium:thetruthorthe infiniteselfisnotaffectedbyallthis,evenasthesunisnotaffectedbythediversityandtheagitationthatitsreflectionundergoesinseveralmirrorsorotherreflecting media. Whenthetruthconcerningtheselfisthusseen,thenotionofselfignorancevanishesinstantly. VASISTHA*continued: Correctunderstandingofthebodyandtheintelligencethatdwellsinthebodyenablesonetounderstandtheentirecreationinitsmaterialanditsspiritualaspects,as easilyasoneseesobjectsilluminedbyalamp.Itisonlywhenthereisnotthisrightunderstandingthatdeludedandwrongnotionsriseandflourishwithinone'sheart notionswhichareutterlydevoidofsubstance.Befuddledbythesewrongnotionswhichariseintheabsenceofthelightoftrueknowledge,oneisconstantlyand restlesslycarriedhitherandthitherlikeabladeofgrassinwind. Intheabsenceofthe'taste'(directknowledge)ofthecosmicintelligence,thesensesendeavourtoapprehendtheirobjectsandvainlyimaginethatsuchcontactgives risetomeaningfulexperience!Surely,theinfiniteandinexhaustibleintelligence(consciousness)dwellsinallthese:howeveronaccountoftheabsenceofself knowledge,itappearstobeignorantofitselfandthereforelimitedandfinite. Thelifeforceanditsretinuefunctionheremerelytoprovideenergyforthemovementsinherentinliving,notwithanyothermotive.Intheabsenceofselfknowledge, allthetalkingandroaringwhichpeopleindulgeinarelikethesoundproducedbyagun!Theyinevitablyproceedtowardsdestructionanddonotleadtosalutory results.Foolsenjoythefruitsoftheirlabour,notknowingthattheyarerestingandsleepingonarockthatisburninghot. Keepingcompanywithsuchfoolsislikesittinginaforestonatreewhichisabouttobefelled.Whateveryoudoforthesakeofsuchpeopleislikebeatingtheairwith arod.Whatisgiventothemisthrownintomud,andtoconversewiththemisasmeaningful

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asthedogbarkingatthesky. Ignoranceoftheselfisthesourceofalltroublesandcalamities.Tellme,ORama*,isthereasingletroublethatdoesnotspringfromignoranceoftheself?Thisentire creationispervadedbyignorancewhichsustainsit.Onewhoisignorantisvisitedagainandagainbyterriblesorrowandrarelybypleasure.Sourcesofsorrowlike body,wealthandwifedonotceaseinthecaseofonewhoisignorantoftheself.Forthereisnoendtotheignoranceofonewhofirmlybelievesthatthebodyisthe self:howcantrueselfknowledgeariseinhim?Aslongassuchignorancerulesthefoolfallsagainandagain.Hissorrowisunceasing.Eventhecoolraysofthemoon areexperiencedaspoisonousfumesbyhim.Theportalsofhellarewideopen,eagertoreceivesuchafool. VASISTHA*continued: Itisonlyintheeyesofthefoolthatthepoisonouscreeper(woman)bearstheblossomsofrestlesseyesandpearllikesmilingteeth.Foronlyintheheartofthewicked growsthedreadfultreeofinfatuationprovidinganabodeforcountlessbirds(sinfultendencies).Intheforestofhisviciousheartragesthefireofhate.Hismindis floodedwithjealousygivingrisetothegrowthoftheweedsofdestructivecriticismofotherstheonlylotushisheartknowsisenvy,whichissoughtbythebeesof endlessworry. Deathismeantonlyforsuchviciousfools.Birthandchildhoodleadtoyouth,youthleadstooldage,andoldageendsindeathandallthesearerepeatedly experiencedbytheignorant.Theignorantmanislikeapottiedtotheropeknownastheworld,withwhichheisnowloweredintotheblindwellofsamsara*andnow liftedup.Thisveryoceanofworldappearanceislikethefootprintofacalftothewiseandanunfathomableandendlessseaofsorrowtotheignorant.Evenasa cagedbirdisunabletofindfreedom,theignorantmandevotedtothefulfilmentofhisappetitesisunabletofindreleasefrombondage.Hismind,whichisbefuddled withapparentlycountlesstendenciesandconditioning,isunabletoseeclearlytherevolvingwheeloflifeanddeath. Inordertocaptureandtoholdinbondagetheignorantperson,hisowninfatuationspreadsoutthroughouttheworldawholenetworkofillusoryrelationships.Witha smallpieceofflesh(theeyes)thefoolishmanseesalittleparticleofearthwhichheregardsasmountains,lakes,forestsandcities.Ignoranceisamightytreewhichhas spreaditsbranchesinalldirections,creatingcountlessleavesofillusoryobjects.Onthattreedwellnumerousbirds(likeeversomanyexperiencesofpleasureofthe ignorant).Birthsare

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itsleaves,actionsareitsbuds,meritanddemeritarethefruits,wealthandauspiciousnessareitsflowers. Thisignoranceislikethemoonwhichriseswhenthesunofwisdomhassetrepeatedbirthsaretheraysofthemoonandthisignoranceisthelordofdefectsand imperfection.Tendenciesandhabitsarethenectarineraysshoweredbythismoonthebirdsofhopeanddesiredrinkofthisnectar.Inthedarknessofignorance,the foolthinksheexperiencespleasureorhappinessintheobjectsofthisworld. Theexternalappearanceofsweetnessintheobjectsiscausedbyignorance.Foralltheseobjectshaveabeginningandanend,theyarelimited,theyareperishable. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:7

Theywhomyouregardhereasradiantwomendeckedwithpearlsandotherjewelsarebutthecreationofyourowndelusion:theyaretheripplesthatariseinthe oceanoflust.Itisthisdelusionthatseesattractivenessandseductivequalitiesinwhatisbutamodificationofflesh,fat,skin,etc.,andevenmakesthemappear charminganditisonaccountofsuchdelusionthattheirbreastsaredescribedasgoldenpotsandtheirlipsasthesourceofnectar,etc. Itisonaccountofdelusionthatoneseekswealthandprosperitywhicharesweetinthebeginningtothedullwitted,whicharethecauseofthepairsofopposites (happinessandunhappiness,pleasureandpain,successandfailure)inthemiddleandwhichcometoanendverysoon.Fromthepursuitofprosperityarisecountless branchesofpleasureandnumberlessbranchesofunhappiness. Thisdelusionflowslikeariverfrombeginninglesstimeanditismuddledanddarkenedbyuselessactionsandtheirreactions.Itgivesrisetorepeatedbirthsandit swellsmoreandmoreonaccountofthebitterreactionsortheconsequencesofactionscalculatedtobringpleasureorhappiness. Suchactionsarelikeanillwindthatraisesacloudofdustwhoseparticlesarephysicalandmentalillness,oldageandthevariousrelationships.Alltheseleadtodeath (orthepassageoftime)whichhasaninsatiableandvoraciousappetiteandwhichconsumesalltheworldswhentheyareripe,asitwere. Youthishauntedbythegoblinsofworriesandanxietieswhichdancewhenthewisdommoondoesnotshineandyouthproceedstowardsdenserdarknessof delusion.One'stongue(thefacultyofspeech)isoverworkedintheserviceofthecommonandunculturedfolkhereanditgrowsdebilitated. Inthemeantime,povertyspreadsitsthousandsofbranches

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yieldingthefruitsofunhappinessandhardlabour.Yet,greedwhichisemptyandinsubstantialandwhichisdestructiveofone'sownspiritualelevation,continuesto proclaimvictoryinthedarknessofdelusion. Stealthilythecatofsenilitycatchesthemouseofyouth. Thiscreationisessencelessyet,itgainsafalsereality.Itevengrowsthefruitsofdharma(righteousliving)andartha(pursuitofprosperity).Thisworldenvelopedby theskyandendowedwiththeeyesofthesunandthemoonisupheldbythedelusionofitssubstantiality.Inthelakeofthisworldappearanceliliesknownasbodies blossomandtheyareresortedtobythebeesknownaslifeforces. VASISTHA*continued: Thedecadentconceptoftheworldexistenceliesimprisonedinthesenses,boundbyselflimitationandconditioningandbythepowerfulthreadofhopesanddesires. Thisworldappearanceislikeadelicatecreeperwhichconstantlytremblesinthewindofthemovementofprana*orlifeforceandwhichconstantlyshedsallkindsof beings,abandoningthemtotheirdestruction. Therearemanynoblepeoplewhohaverisenabovethequagmireofthishellknownasworldexistenceand,devoidofalldoubt,rejoiceforalittlewhile.Therearethe divinebeingswhodwelllikelotusesintheblueexpanseofthefirmament. Inthiscreation,actionsarelikethelotuswhichispollutedbyvaindesireforthefruitsofsuchactions,whichiscaughtinthenetofpsychologicalconditioningand whichisendowedwiththeperfumeofdynamism.But,thisworldappearanceislikealittlefishwhichcomesintobeinginthisfinitespaceandwhichissoonswallowed bytheobstinateandinvincibleoldvultureknownaskrtanta*(theendorconclusionofaction).Yet,diversescenesariseandceasedayafterday,asripplesandwaves appearanddisappearonthesurfaceoftheocean.Thepotterknownastimekeepsalltheserevolvinglikethepotter'swheel.Innumerableforestsknownascreation havebeenreducedtoashesbytheforestfireknownastime.Suchisthestateofthiscreation.Butsincetheignorantareboundfasttotheirownfalsenotions,neither thetransiencyoftheworldnorthehardblowtheysufferintheirlifeisabletoawakenthem. Thispsychologicalconditioningorselflimitationpersistsduringthewholeworldcycle,likethebodyofthechiefofthegods,Indra.Asifbyaccident,inthemidstof allthisthereoccurdivinemanifestationsinwhomthepurestnatureisrevealed. Whereastheimmobilecreaturesstandcontemplatingthemysteryoftime,asitwere,themobilecreaturesswayedbythetwinforces

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ofattractionandrepulsion,loveandhate,andafflictedbytheterribleillnessknownaspleasureandpain,oldageanddeath,becomedebilitatedanddecadent.Among thelatter,thewormsandverminsilentlyandpatientlyendurethefruitsoftheirownpastevilactions,contemplatingthem,asitwere,allthetime.Buttheimperceptible time(ordeath)whichisbeyondevencontemplationdevoursallandeverything. VASISTHA*continued: Thetreesstand,theverypictureofmisery,havingtoendurecold,windandheat,yetladenwithflowersandyieldingfruits.Caughtinthelotusknownasthisworld, beingslikebeeshumrestlesslyallthetime. Thiswholeuniverseis,asitwere,thebeggingbowlofKali*(suggestiveofthefeminineofkala*whichmeanstimeanddeath!),thegoddesswhosenatureisaction, motion.ThisKa1i*constantlyseekstofillthebowlwithallthecreaturesofthisworldandtoofferthemagainandagaintoherlord. Thisuniversecanbecomparedtoanagedwoman.Thedarknessofselfignoranceisherhair.Thesunandthemoonareherrestlesseyes.Herinternalandexternal natureincludethegodsBrahma*,Visnu*,Indra,theearth,themountains,etc.ThetruthconcerningBrahmantheabsoluteisthetreasurechesthiddeninherchest. Hermotheristheconsciousnessenergy(or,sheisthemotherknownasconsciousnessenergy).Sheisextremelyagitatedandinconstantlikeacloud.Thestarsare herteeth.Dawnandduskareherlips.Thelotusisherpalm.Theskyishermouth.Thesevenoceansareherpearlnecklace.Sheiscladinthegarmentoftheblue firmament.Thepoleishernavel.Theforestsarethehaironherbody.Thisagedwomanisbornagainandagain:shediesagainandagain. Allthistakesplaceinthelightofconsciousness.InthistherearegodswhoarecreatedwithinthetwinklingofaneyebythecreatorBrahma*andtherearebeings whoaredestroyedbytheveryactofBrahma*closinghiseyes.Inthatsupremeconsciousness,thereareRudraswhocommenceandconcludethousandsoftime cycleswithinthetwinklingofaneye.AndthereareotherdeitieswhowithinthetwinklingofaneyecreateanddestroydeitieslikeRudra!Surely,suchmanifestationis infinite.Whatisimpossiblefortheinfiniteconsciousnesstobringaboutininfinitespace?However,allthesearebutimaginationwhichisamanifestationofignorance. Allprosperityandalladversity,childhood,youth,oldageanddeath,asalsosuffering,whatisknownasbeingimmersedinhappinessandunhappinessandalltherest ofit:allthesearetheextensionsofthedensedarknessofignorance.

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VI.1:8

VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,Ishallnownarratetoyouhowthiscreeperknownasignorancecreepsinalldirections.Thiscreeperflourishesintheforestknownasworldappearance anditisrootedinthemountainofconsciousness.Thethreeworldsareitsbodyandtheentireuniverseisitsskin.Pleasureandpain,beingandnonbeing,wisdom andignoranceareitsrootsandfruits.Whenthatignoranceentertainsthenotionofpleasure,pleasureisexperiencedwhenitentertainsthenotionofpain,painis experienced.Whenthenotionofbeingprevailsthereisbeingwhenthenotionofnonbeingprevailsthereisnonbeing.Thatignoranceexpandsbymeansof ignorance,andyieldsgreaterignorancewhenitseekswisdom,itfeedsonwisdomandgrowsintowisdomintheend. Thiscreeperofignoranceismademanifestinitsvariouspastimesandpsychologicalstatesormodes.Somewhereatsometimeitfallson(comesintocontactwith) wisdomandispurifiedbutitgetsattachedagain.Itisthesourceofallemotionsandsenseexperiences.Itssapisthememoryofpastexperiences.Vicara*orenquiry intothenatureoftheselfisthetermitethateatsitaway.Thestarsandtheplanetsthatshineinthefirmamentaretheflowersofthiscreeper. Thiscreeperisshakenbythemind.Itisresortedtobythebirdsofnotions.Thedeadlysnakesofthesensesencircleit.Thepythonofprohibitedactiondwellsinit.It isilluminedbythelightoftheheaven.Itisfilledwiththelivelihoodoflivingbeings.Itcontainsotherthings,too:allthosethingsthatdeludethefoolish,allthosethings thatpromotewisdom,andaninfinitevarietyoflivingbeings.Initaretheywhoareborn,whoareabouttobeborn,whoaredeadandwhoareabouttodie.Itis sometimespartiallysevereditiselsewherecompletelyuncut(inthecaseofthetotallyimmaturepersons)butitisimpossibletodestroyitaltogether.Thepast,present andfutureareinit.Itisadeadlycreeperwhichmakesonesenselessbutitdieswhenitisresolutelyexamined. Thiscreeperitselfismanifestasallthese:thestarsandtheplanets,thelivingbeings,theplants,theelements,heavenandearth,thegodsaswellasthewormsand vermin.Whateverthereisinthisuniverseispervadedbythisignorance.Whenitistranscendedyouwillattainselfknowledge. VI.1:9 RAMA*asked:

Lord,IampuzzledbyyourstatementthateventhegodslikeVisnu*andSiva*arepartofthisignoranceoravidya*.Prayexplainthatstatementfurther. VASISTHA*replied: Thetruthorexistenceconsciousnessblissabsoluteisbeyond

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thoughtandunderstanding,itissupremepeaceandomnipresent,ittranscendsimaginationanddescription.Therearisesnaturallyinitthefacultyofconceptualisation. Thisselfunderstandingisconsideredtobethreefold:subtle,middlingandgross.Theintellectthatcomprehendsthesethreeregardsthemassatva,rajasandtamas. Thethreetogetherconstitutewhatisknownasprakrti*ornature.Avidya*orignoranceisprakrti*ornature,anditisthreefold.Thisisthesourceofallbeings beyonditisthesupreme. Thesethreequalitiesofnature(satva,rajasandtamas)aresubdividedagainintothreeeach,i.e.,thesubtle,middlingandgrossofeachofthese.Thusyouhavenine categories.Theseninequalitiesconstitutetheentireuniverse. Thesages,theascetics,theperfectedones,thedwellersofthenetherworld,thecelestials,thegodsthesearethesatvic*partofignorance.Amongthesethe celestialsandthedwellersofthenetherworldformthegross(tamas),thesagesformthemiddling(rajas)andthegodsVisnu*,Siva*,etc.formthesatvic*part.They whocomeunderthecategoryofsatvaarenotbornagain:hencetheyareconsideredliberated.Theyexistaslongasthisworldlasts.Theothers(likethesages)who areliberatedwhileliving(jivanmukta*)shedtheirbodyincourseoftime,reachtheabodeofthegods,dwellthereduringtheperiodoftheexistenceoftheworldand thentheyareliberated.Thusthispartofavidya*orignorancehasbecomevidya*orselfknowledge!Avidya*arisesinvidya*justasripplesariseintheoceanand avidya*dissolvesinvidya*justasripplesdissolveinthewater. Thedistinctionbetweentheripplesandthewaterisunrealandverbal.Evenso,thedistinctionbetweenignoranceandknowledgeisunrealandverbal.Thereisneither ignoranceherenorevenknowledge!Whenyouceasetoseeknowledgeandignoranceastwodistinctentities,whatexists,aloneexists.Thereflectionofvidya*in itselfisconsideredavidya*.Whenthesetwonotionsareabandonedwhatremainsisthetruth:itmaybesomethingoritmaybenothing!Itisomnipotent,itismore emptythanspaceandyetitisnotemptybecauseitisfullofconsciousness.Likethespacewithinapot,itisindestructibleandeverywhere.Itistherealityinallthings. Justasamagnetmakesironfilingsmovebyitsverypresence,itcausescosmicmotion,withoutintendingtodoso.Hence,itissaidthatitdoesnothingatall. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:10

Thus,allthisworldappearancewithallthemobileandimmobilebeingsinitisnaughtwhatsoever.Nothinghasreallybecomephysicalormaterial.Ifconceptualisation, whichgivesrisetonotionsofbeing

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andnonbeing,iseliminatedthenitisrealisedthatallthesejivas*(theindividualsouls),etc.,areemptyexpressions.Alltherelationshipsthatariseinone'shearton accountofignoranceareseentobenonexistent.Evenwhentheropeismistakenforasnake,noonecanbebittenbythatsnake! Itisabsenceofselfknowledgethatisknownasignoranceordelusion.Whentheselfisknownonereachestheshoresoflimitlessintelligence.Whenconsciousness objectifiesitselfandregardsitselfasitsownobjectofobservation,thereisavidya*orignorance.Whenthissubjectobjectnotionistranscended,alltheveilsthat enveloptherealityareremoved.Theindividualisnothingmorethanthepersonalisedmind.Individualityceaseswhenthatmindceasesitremainsaslongasthenotion ofapersonalityremains.Solongasthereisapotthereisalsothenotionofaspaceenclosedwithinorconfinedtothatpotwhenitisbroken,theinfinitespacealone is,evenwherethepotspacewasimaginedbefore. RAMA*asked:Lord,pleasetellmehowthiscosmicintelligencebecomesthingslikeinsentientrocks. VASISTHA*replied: Inthesesubstanceslikerocks,consciousnessremainsimmobilehavingabandonedthethinkingfacultybutnothavingbeenabletoreachthestateofnomind.Itislike thestateofdeepsleep,farawayfromthestateofliberation. RAMA*askedagain: But,iftheyexistasinastateofdeepsleepwithoutanyconceptsorpercepts,Ithinktheyareclosetoliberation! VASISTHA*replied: Moksa*,liberationortherealisationoftheinfiniteisnotexistenceasanimmobilecreature!Liberationisattainedwhenonearrivesatthestateofsupremepeaceafter intelligentinquiryintothenatureoftheselfandafterthishasbroughtaboutaninnerawakening.Kaivalyaortotalfreedomistheattainmentofpurebeingafterallmental conditioningistranscendedconsciouslyandafterathoroughinvestigation.ThewiseonessaythatoneisestablishedinpurebeingorBrahmanonlyafteronehas investigatedthenatureofthetruthasexpoundedinthescriptures,inthecompanyandwiththehelpofenlightenedsages. VASISTHA*continued: Aslongaspsychologicallimitationandconditioningremainintheheart,evenintheirsubtle'seed'state,itshouldberegardedasthedeepsleepstateitgivesriseto rebirth,evenifastateoftranquilityisexperiencedandevenwhenthemindappearstobeself

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absorbed.Itisaninertstateandisthesourceofunhappiness.Suchisthestateoftheinsentientandimmobileobjectslikerocks,etc.Theyarenotfreeofselflimitation (vasana*)butselflimitationishiddenandlatentinthemevenasflowersarelatentinseeds(whichsprout,growandyieldflowers)andpotsinclay.Wheretheseedof vasana*(selflimitation,conditioningortendency)exists,thatstateislikedeepsleepitisnotperfectionwhenallvasanas*aredestroyedandeventhepotentialityof thevasana*doesnotexist,thatstateisknownasthefourth(beyondwaking,dreamanddeepsleep)andtranscendentalstate.Itbringsaboutperfection.Vasana*, fire,debt,disease,enemy,friendship(orglue),hateandpoisonallthesearebothersomeevenifalittleresidueisleftaftertheirremoval. Ontheotherhand,ifallthevasanas*havebeencompletelyremoved,thenoneisestablishedinthestateofpurebeingwhethersuchaoneisaliveornot,heisnot againafflictedbysorrow.Thecitsakti*(energyconsciousness)liesinimmobilecreatures,etc.,aslatentvasana*.Itisthiscitsakti*thatdeterminesthenatureofeach objectitisthefundamentalcharacteristicoftheverymoleculesofeachobject. Ifthisisnotrealisedasatmasakti*(theenergyoftheselforinfiniteconsciousness)itcreatesthedelusionofworldappearanceifitisrealisedasthetruth,whichis infiniteconsciousness,thatrealisationdestroysallsorrow.Thenonseeingofthistruthisknownasavidya*orignorancesuchignoranceisthecauseoftheworld appearancewhichisthesourceofalltheotherphenomena.Evenasthearisingofthefirstthoughtdisturbssleepandendsit,theslightestawakeningofinner intelligencedestroysignorance.Whenoneapproachesdarknesswithlightinhand,wishingtobeholdit,thedarknessvanisheswhenthelightofenquiryisturnedon ignorance,ignorancedisappears.Whenonebeginstoenquire:''Whatis'I'inthisbodycomposedofblood,flesh,bone,etc.?''atonceignoranceceasestobe.That whichhasabeginninghasanend.Whenallthingsthathaveabeginningareruledout,whatremainsisthetruthwhichisthecessationofavidya*orignorance.You mayregarditassomethingorasnothing:thatistobesoughtwhichISwhenignorancehasbeendispelled.Thesweetnessonetastesisnotexperiencedbyanother: listeningtosomeone'sdescriptionofthecessationofavidya*doesnotgiverisetoyourenlightenment.Eachonehastorealiseit.Inshort,avidya*isthebeliefthat 'ThereexistsarealitywhichisnotBrahmanorcosmicconsciousness'whenthereisthecertainknowledgethat'ThisisindeedBrahman',avidya*ceases.

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DiscourseonBrahman
VI.1:11 VASISTHA*continued:

AgainandagainIrepeatallthis,ORama*,forthesakeofyourspiritualawakeningtherealisationoftheselfdoesnothappenwithoutsuchrepetition(or,spiritual practice).Thisignorance,knownasavidya*orajnana*,hasbecomedensebyhavingbeenexpressedandexperiencedbythesensesinthousandsofincarnations, withinandoutsidethisbody.But,selfknowledgeisnotwithinthereachofthesenses.Itariseswhenthesensesandthemind,whichisthesixthsense,cease. ORama*,liveinthisworldfirmlyestablishedinselfknowledge,evenaskingJanakaliveshavingknownwhatthereistobeknown.Inhiscasethetruthisrealisedall thetimewhetherheisactiveornot,whetherheisawakeornot.LordVisnu*incarnatesinthisworldandtakesonembodimentfullyestablishedinthisself knowledge.Evenso,lordSiva*remainsestablishedinselfknowledgeandlordBrahma*,too,isestablishedinselfknowledge.Beestablishedinselfknowledge,O Rama*,astheyare. RAMA*asked: Lord,praytellmewhatisthenatureoftheselfknowledgeinwhichallthesegreatonesareestablished. VASISTHA*replied: Rama*,youknowthisalready.Yet,inordertomakeitabundantlyclear,youareaskingaboutitagain. Whateverthereisandwhateverappearstobetheworldjugglery,isbutthepureBrahmanortheabsoluteconsciousnessandnaughtelse.ConsciousnessisBrahman, theworldisBrahman,alltheelementsareBrahman,IamBrahman,myenemyisBrahman,myfriendsandrelativesareBrahman,Brahmanisthethreeperiodsof time,forallthesearerootedinBrahman.Evenastheoceanappearstobeexpandedonaccountofthewaves,Brahmanseemstobeexpandedonaccountofthe infinitevarietyofsubstances.BrahmanapprehendsBrahman,BrahmanexperiencesorenjoysBrahman,BrahmanismademanifestinBrahmanbythepowerof Brahmanhimself.BrahmanistheformofmyenemywhodispleasesmewhoamBrahman:whensuchisthecase,whodoeswhattoanother? Themodesofthemindlikeattractionandrepulsion,likesanddislikeshavebeenconjuredupinimagination.Thesehavebeendestroyedbytheabsenceofthoughts. Howthencantheybemagnified?WhenBrahmanalonemovesinallwhichisBrahmanandBrahmanaloneunfoldsasBrahmaninall,whatisjoyandwhatis

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sorrow?BrahmanissatisfiedwithBrahman,BrahmanisestablishedinBrahman.Thereisneither'I'noranother! VASISTHA*continued: AlltheobjectsinthisworldareBrahman.'I'amBrahman.Suchbeingthecase,bothpassionanddispassion,cravingandaversion,arebutnotions.BodyisBrahman, deathisBrahman,too:whentheycometogether,astherealropeandtheunrealimaginarysnakecometogether,whereisthecauseforsorrow?Similarly,bodyis BrahmanandpleasureisBrahmanwhereisthecauseofrejoicingwhenbodyexperiencespleasure?When,onthesurfaceofthecalmocean,wavesappeartobe agitated,thewavesdonotceasetobewater!EvenwhenBrahmanappearstobeagitated(intheworldappearance),itsessenceisunchangedandthereisneither'I' nessnor'you'ness.Whenthewhirlpooldiesinthewater,nothingisdead!WhenthedeathBrahmanovertakesthebodyBrahman,nothingislost. Wateriscapableofbeingcalmandofbeingagitated:evensoBrahmancanbequiescentandrestless.Suchisitsnature.Itisignoranceordelusionthatdividestheone into'Thisissentientjiva*'and'Thisisinsentientmatter':thewiseonesdonotholdsucherroneousviews.Hence,totheignoranttheworldisfullofsorrowtothewise thesameworldisfullofbliss,evenastotheblindmantheworldisdarkandtoonewhohasgoodeyesighttheworldisfulloflight. WhentheoneBrahmanalonepervadesall,thereisnodeathnoristherealivingperson.Theripplesplayonthesurfaceoftheocean,theyareneitherbornnordothey die!Evensodotheelementsinthiscreation.'Thisis'and'Thisisnot'suchdeludednotionsariseintheself.Thesenotionsarenotreallycausednordotheyhavea motivation,evenasacrystalreflectsdifferentcolouredobjectswithoutamotivation. Theselfremainsitselfevenwhentheenergiesoftheworldthrowupendlessdiversitiesonthesurfaceoftheoceanofconsciousness.Therearenoindependententities inthisworldknownas'body'etc.Whatisseenasthebodyandwhatareseenasnotions,theobjectsofperception,theperishableandtheimperishable,thethoughts andfeelingsandtheirmeaningalltheseareBrahmaninBrahmantheinfiniteconsciousness.Thereisdualityonlyintheeyesofthedeludedandignorant.Themind, theintellect,theegosense,thecosmicrootelements,thesensesandallsuchdiversephenomenaareBrahmanonly:pleasureandpainareillusions(theyarewords withoutsubstance).Evenasasinglesoundproducedamongsthillsechoesandreechoesintodiversity,theonecosmicconsciousnessexperiences

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multiplicitywithinitself,withthenotions'ThisisI'and'Thisismind'etc.Theonecosmicconsciousnessseesdiversitywithinitselfevenasadreamerdreamsofdiverse objectswithinhimself. VASISTHA*continued: Whengoldisnotrecognisedassuch,itgetsmixedupwiththeearthwhenBrahmanisnotthusrecognised,theimpurityofignorancearises.TheknowerofBrahman declaresthatsuchagreatoneishimselftheLordandBrahmaninthecaseoftheignorantthenonrecognitionofthetruthisknownasignorance.(Or,itistheopinion oftheknowersofBrahmanthattheverysameLordorsupremebeingisregardedasignoranceintheignorant.)Whengoldisrecognisedassuchit'becomes'gold instantlywhenBrahmanisrecognisedassuchit'becomes'Brahmaninstantly. Beingomnipotent,Brahmanbecomeswhateveritconsidersitselftobewithoutanymotivationfordoingso.TheknowersofBrahmandeclarethatBrahmanisthe Lord,thegreatbeingwhichisdevoidofaction,thedoerandtheinstrument,devoidofcausal'motivationandoftransformationorchange. Whenthistruthisnotrealised,itarisesasignoranceintheignorant,butwhenitisrealised,theignoranceisdispelled.Whenarelativeisnotrecognisedassuch,heis knownasastrangerwhentherelativeisrecognised,thenotionofstrangerisinstantlydispelled.Whenoneknowsthatdualityisillusoryappearance,thereis realisationofBrahmantheabsolute.Whenoneknows'ThisisnotI',theunrealityoftheegosenseisrealised.Fromthisarisestruedispassion.'IamverilyBrahman' whenthistruthisrealisedtheawarenessofthetrutharisesinone,andallthingsarethenmergedinthatawareness.Whensuchnotionsas'I'and'you'aredispelled,the realisationofthetrutharisesandonerealisesthatallthis,whateverthereis,isindeedBrahman. Whatisthetruth?'Ihavenothingtodowithsorrow,withactions,withdelusionordesire.Iamatpeace,freefromsorrow.IamBrahman'suchisthetruth.'Iam freefromalldefects,Iamtheall,IdonotseekanythingnordoIabandonanything,IamBrahman'suchisthetruth.'Iamblood,Iamflesh,Iambone,Iamthe body,Iamconsciousness,Iamthemindalso,IamBrahman'suchisthetruth.'Iamthefirmament,Iamspace,Iamthesunandtheentirespace,Iamallthings here,IamBrahman'suchisthetruth.'Iamabladeofgrass,Iamtheearth,Iamatreestump,Iamtheforest,Iamthemountainandtheoceans,Iamthenondual Brahman'suchisthetruth.'IamtheconsciousnessinwhichallthingsarestrungandthroughwhosepowerallbeingsengagethemselvesinalltheiractivitiesIamthe essenceofallthings'suchisthetruth.

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Thisiscertain:allthingsexistinBrahman,allthingsflowfromit,allthingsareBrahmanitisomnipresent,itistheoneself,itisthetruth. VASISTHA*continued: Thetruthwhichisomnipresentandwhichispureconsciousnessdevoidofobjectivity,isreferredtovariouslyasconsciousness,self,Brahman,existence,truth,order andalsoaspureknowledge.Itispureandinitslightallbeingsknowtheirownself.IamtheBrahmanwhichispureconsciousnessafteritsownappearanceasthe mind,theintellect,thesensesandallothersuchnotionshavebeennegated.IamimperishableconsciousnessorBrahmaninwhoselightalonealltheelementsandthe entireuniverseshine.IamtheconsciousnessorBrahman,sparksfromwhomarisecontinuallyradiatingreflectedconsciousnessthroughouttheuniverse.Evenwhen seenbyapureminditisexpressedinsilence.Thoughitappearstobeincontactwiththeceaselessexperiencesoftheegosenseofcountlessbeingswhothusderive thedelightthatisofBrahman,yetitisbeyondthereachoftheseanduntouchedbythem.For,thoughitistrulytheultimatesourceofallhappinessanddelight,itisof thenatureofdeepsleep(devoidofdiversity),peacefulandpure.InsubjectobjectrelationshipandtheconsequentexperienceofpleasuretheblissofBrahmanis infinitesimallyexperienced. IamtheeternalBrahmanfreefromthewrongnotionsofpleasureandpain,etc.,andthereforepureIamtheconsciousnessinwhichthereistrueandpure experiencing.Iamthatpureconsciousnessinwhichthepureintelligencefunctionswithoutthoughtinterference.IamthatBrahmanwhichistheintelligentenergythat functionsinalltheelements(earth,water,fire,etc.).Iamthepureconsciousnesswhichmanifestsasthecharacteristictaste,etc.,ofthedifferentfruits. IamthechangelessBrahmanwhichisrealisedwhenbothelationathavinggainedwhatonedesiresanddepressionatnothavinggaineditaretranscended.Whenthe sunshinesandtheobjectsoftheworldareseeninthatlight,Iamthepureconsciousnessthatisinthemiddlebetweenthesetwo,andwhichistheveryselfofthelight andoftheilluminedobject.IamthatpureconsciousnessorBrahmanwhichexistsunbrokeninthewaking,dreamanddeepsleepstatesandwhichisthereforethe fourthorthetranscendentaltruth. Evenasthetasteofthejuiceofsugarcanecultivatedinahundreddifferentfieldsisuniformandsame,evensotheconsciousnessindwellingallbeingsisthesamethat consciousnessIam.Iamthatconsciousenergy(citsakti*)whichislargerthantheuniverse

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andyetsubtlerthantheminutestatomicparticleandthereforeinvisible.Iamtheconsciousnessthatexistseverywherelikebutterinmilk,andwhoseverynatureis experiencing. VASISTHA*continued: Evenasornamentsmadeofgoldareonlygold,Iamthepureconsciousnessinthebody.Iamtheselfthatpervadesallthingswithinandwithout.Iamthat consciousnesswhichreflectsallexperienceswithoutitselfundergoinganychangeandwhichisuntouchedbyimpurity. Isalutethatconsciousnesswhichisthebestowerofthefruitsofallthoughts,thelightthatshinesinallluminaries,thesupremegainthatconsciousnesspervadesallthe limbs,everawakeandalert,vibratesconstantlyinallsubstancesandiseverhomogeneousandundisturbedasifitwereindeepsleepthoughwideawake.That consciousnessistherealitythatbestowstheindividualcharacteristiconeachandeverysubstanceintheuniverseandthoughwithinallandsonearesttoall,isfaron accountofitsinaccessibility*tothemindandthesenses.Continuousandhomogeneousinwaking,dreaming,deepsleepandinthefourth(transcendental)stateof consciousness,itshineswhenallthoughtshaveceased,whenallexcitementshaveceasedandwhenallhatehasceased.Isalutethatconsciousnesswhichisdevoidof desireandegosenseandcannotbedividedintoparts. Ihaveattainedthatconsciousnesswhichistheindwellerofallandyetthoughall,isbeyonddiversity.Itisthecosmicnetinwhichtheinfinitenumberofbeingsare caughtlikebirdsinitalltheseworldsmanifest,thoughinfact,nothinghaseverhappened.Thatconsciousnessisofthenatureofbeingandnonbeingandtheresting placeofallthatisgoodanddivine.Itplaystherolesofallbeingsanditisthesourceofallaffectionandpeace,thoughitisforeverunitedandliberated.Itisthelifeof alllivingbeings,theuncreatednectarthatcannotbestolenbyanyone,theeverexistentreality.Thatconsciousnesswhichisreflectedinsenseexperiencesisyetdevoid ofthemandcannotbeexperiencedbythem.Initallbeingsrejoice,thoughititselfispureblissbeyondalljoylikethespacebutbeyondspacegloriousyetdevoidof allexpansionsandglory.Thoughseeminglyitdoesall,itdoesnothing. Allthisis'I'andallthisismine.ButIamnotandIamnot'otherthanI'.Ihaverealisedthis.Letthisworldbeanillusionorsubstantial.Iamfreefromthefeverof distress. VI.1:12,13 VASISTHA*continued:

Establishedinthisrealisationofthetruth,thegreatsageslivedforeverinpeaceandequanimity.Theywerefreefrompsychological

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predispositionandhencetheydidnotseeknorrejecteitherlifeordeath.TheyremainedunshakenintheirdirectexperiencelikeanotherMerumountain.Yet,they roamedtheforests,islandsandcities,theytravelledtotheheavensasiftheywereangelsorgodstheyconqueredtheirenemiesandtheyruledasemperorsthey engagedthemselvesindiverseactivitiesinaccordancewithscripturalinjunctionsastheyrealisedthatsuchwasappropriateconduct.Theyenjoyedthepleasureoflife theyvisitedpleasuregardensandwereentertainedbycelestialdamsels.Theydulyfilfilledthedutiesofthehouseholdlife.Theyevenengagedthemselvesingreatwars. Theyretainedtheirequanimityeveninthosedisastroussituationswhereotherswouldhavelosttheirpeaceandbalancedstateofmind. Theirmindhadfullyenteredthestateofsatvaordivinityandwasthereforeutterlyfreefromdelusion,fromegoisticnotion('Idothis')andfromthedesirefor achievement,thoughtheydidnotrejectsuchachievementortherewardsfortheiractions.Theydidnotindulgeinvainexultationwhentheydefeatedtheirenemiesnor didtheygivewaytodespairandgriefwhentheyweredefeated.Theywereengagedinnaturalactivities,allowingallactionstoproceedfromthemnonvolitionally. Followtheirexample,ORama*.Letyourpersonality(egosense)beegolessandletappropriateactionsspontaneouslyproceedfromyou.Fortheinfiniteindivisible consciousnessaloneisthetruthanditisthatwhichhasputonthisappearanceofdiversity,whichisneitherrealnorunreal.Hencelivecompletelyunattachedto anythinghere.Whydoyougrieveasifyouareanignoramus? RAMA*said: Lord,byyourgraceIamfullyawakenedtothereality.Mydelusionhasvanished.Ishalldoasyoubidmetodo.Surely,Irestpeacefullyinthestateofonewhois liberatedevenwhileliving.Pray,Lord,tellmehowonereachesthisstateofliberationbytherestraintofthelifeforce(prana*)andbytheannihilationofallself limitationsorpsychologicalconditioning. VASISTHA*continued: Theycallityogawhichisthemethodbywhichthiscycleofbirthanddeathceases.Itistheuttertranscendenceofthemindanditisoftwotypes.Selfknowledgeis onetyperestraintofthelifeforceisanother.However,yogahascometomeanonlythelatter.Yet,boththemethodsleadtothesameresult.Tosomeself knowledgethroughenquiryisdifficulttoothersyogaisdifficult.Butmyconvictionisthatthepathofenquiryiseasyforall,becauseselfknowledgeistheeverpresent truth.Ishallnowdescribetoyouthemethodofyoga.

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TheStoryofBhusunda*
VI.1:14,15 VASISTHA*continued:

Intheinfiniteandindivisibleconsciousnessthereisamiragelikeworldappearanceinonecorner,asitwere.ThecreatorBrahma*,whoistheapparentcauseforthis worldappearance,dwellsthere.Iamhismindbornson.OncewhenIwasintheheavenofIndra,IheardfromsageslikeNarada*thestoriesoflonglivedbeings.In thecourseofthisdiscussion,thegreatsageSatatapa*said: "InonecornerofthemountMeruthereisawishfulfillingtreeknownasCuta*,whoseleavesaremadeofgoldandsilver.Onthattreetheredwellsacrowknownas Bhusunda*whoisutterlyfreefromallattractionandaversion.Thereisnoneonearthorinheavenwhohaslivedlongerthanhehas.Heisnotonlylonglivedbutheis alsoanenlightenedandpeacefulperson.Ifanyofyoucanliveashelives,thatshallberegardedasahighlylaudableandmeritoriouslife." Iheardthesewords.Iwasgreatlyinspired.SoonIsetouttomeetthisBhusunda*.InstantlyIreachedthatpeakofthemountMeruwhereBhusunda*lived.The mountainwasradiant,comparabletothelustreoftheyogiwhothroughthepracticeofyogahas'openedthepsychicportalatthecrownoftheheadandattheupper endofthenadi*knownasthesusumna*(itisalsoknownasMeru).Thepeakreachedrightuptoheaven. ThereIsawthetreeknownasCuta*whoseflowersandleaveswereradiantlikejewels.Itwasaheavenscrapingtree.Thecelestialswhodweltonitfilledthe atmospherewiththeirsongs.Perfectedsageswhocouldassumeanyformtheylikedalsodweltonit.Itwasanenormoustreeofimmeasurabledimensions. Isawthedifferenttypesofbirdsthatdweltonthattree.IsawthefamousswanwhichisthevehicleforthecreatorBrahma*.IsawthebirdSuka*whichisthevehicle ofthefiregodandwhichwaslearnedinthescriptures.IsawthepeacockwhichisthevehicleofthegodKartikeya*.IalsosawthebirdknownasBharadvaja*,as alsootherbirds.AndatagreatdistanceonthattreeIsawcrows.AmongthemIsawthegreatBhusunda*whosatthereinuttertranquilityandpeace.Hewas beautiful,radiantandpeaceful. ThiswasthefamousBhusunda*thelonglived.Hehadlivedthroughseveralworldcycles.Herememberedeventhosewholivedaeonsago.Heremainedsilent.He wasfreefromInessandmineness.Hewasthefriendandrelationofall. VI.1:16,17 VASISTHA*continued:

IdescendedrightinfrontofBhusunda*.HeknewthatIwasVasistha*andwelcomedmeappropriately.Byhismerethoughtforcehe

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materialisedflowerswithwhich*heworshippedme.Hemademesitnearhim.Bhusunda*thensaidtome: "Iconsideritagreatblessingthatafteralongtimeyouhavegivenusyourdarsan*(visit).Bathedinthenectarofyourdarsan*(presenceandcompany),wehave beenrenewedlikeagoodtree.Youarethegreatestamongthosewhoareworthyofadoration:andyouhavecomehereonlyasaresultofmyaccumulatedmerit. Praytellmetheimmediatereasonforthisvisit.Surely,inyourheartthereshinesthelightofselfknowledgekindledbycontinuousandintenseenquiryintothenatureof thisunrealworldappearance?Whatisthepurposeofyourvisit?Ah,bytheverysightofyourblessedfeet,Ihavedivinedyourpurpose.Youhavecomeherein pursuitofyourenquiryintothesecretsofextremelongevity.Yet,Iwouldlovetohearthepurposefromyourownlips. "Irepliedasfollows?"Youaretrulyblessedinthatyouenjoythesupremepeaceallaroundyou,inthatyouareendowedwiththehighestwisdom(selfknowledge) andinthatyouarenotcaughtinthenetofillusionknownasworldappearance.Prayenlightenmeinregardtoafewfactsconcerningyourself." Inwhatclanwereyouborn?Howdidyouacquiretheknowledgeofthatwhichalonedeservestobeknown?Whatisyouragenow?Doyourememberanything concerningthepast?Whoisitthatordainedthatyoushallbelonglivedandthatyoushallliveonthistree?" BHUSUNDA*replied: Sinceyouaskthesequestionsconcerningme,Osage,Ishalldulyanswerthem.Praylistenattentively.ThestoryIamabouttonarrateissoinspiringthatitwilldestroy thesinsofthosewhorelateitandthosewholistentoit. Havingsaidthis,ORama*,Bhusunda*beganthefollowingnarration.Hiswordsweregraveandpolite.Theyhadpowerforhehadrisenbeyondalldesiresandthe pursuitofpleasure.Hisheartwaspureforithadreacheditsownfulfilment.Hewasfullyawareofthebirthandtheextinctionofthecreations.Hiswordsweresweet. HehadthedignityofthecreatorBrahma*himself.Hiswordswerelikenectar.Andhecommencedhisdiscoursewhichfollows. BHUSUNDA*said: VI.1:18

InthisuniversethereisagreatdivinityknownasHarawhoisthegodofgodsandwhoisadoredbyallthegodsinheaven.Hisconsortoccupiesonehalfofhisbody. TheholyriverGanga*flowsfromhismattedlocks.Onhisheadalsoshinestheradiantmoon.Adeadlycobraencircleshisneck,apparentlydeprivedofitspoisonby thenectarthatflowsfromthemoon.Hissoleadornmentisthesacred

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ashwhichissmearedalloverhisbody*.Hedwellsincemeteriesorcremationgrounds.Hewearsagarlandofskulls.Hisamuletsandbraceletsaresnakes. Byamereglancehedestroysthedemons.Heisdevotedtothewelfareoftheentireuniverse.Hillsandmountainswhichseemtobeforeverimmersedinmeditation arethesymbolswhichrepresenthim.Hislieutenantsaregoblinsthathaveheadsandhandslikerazorsandthathavefaceslikeabear,acamel,amouse,etc.Heis radiantwiththreeeyes.Thesegoblinsbowdowntohim.And,thefemaledeitieswhofeedonthebeingsinthefourteenworldsdanceinfrontofhim. Thesefemaledeitiesarealsoendowedwithfacesresemblingvariousanimals.Theydwellonthepeaksofmountains,inspace,indifferentworlds,incrematoriumsand inthebodiesofembodiedones.Ofthesefemaledeitieseightareprincipalones:theyareJaya*,Vijaya*,Jayanti*,Aparajita*,Siddha*,Raktta*,Alambusa*and Utpala*.Alltheothersfollowtheseeightdeities.Ofthese,theseventhAlambusa*isthemostfamous.Hervehicleisthecrowwhichisextremelypowerfulandwhich isblueincolour. Onceuponatimeallthesefemaledeitiesassembledinspace.TheydulyworshippedthedivinityknownasTumburu(whichisoneoftheaspectsofRudra)and engagedthemselvesinlefthandedritualwhichrevealsthesupremetruth.TheyadoredTumburuandalsothedeityknownasBhairavaandtheybegantoperform variousritesintoxicated,astheywere,bywine.Soontheybegantodiscussanimportantquestion:howisitthattheLordofUma*(Hara)treatsuscontemptuously? Theymadeuptheirmindthus:"Weshalldemonstrateourprowessinsuchawaythathedoesnotdosohereafter."TheyoverwhelmedUma*bytheirmagicpowers andseparatedherfromherlordHara.Allthefemaledeitiessanganddancedinecstasy.Somedrank,somesang,somelaughed,someroared,someran,somefell andsomeateflesh.Theseintoxicateddeitiesbegantocreatedisorderinthewholeworld. VI.l:19 BHUSUNDA*continued:

Whilethedeitieswerethusbesportingandcelebrating,theirvehicles,too,gotthemselvesintoxicatedandbegantodance.Allthefemaleswansdancedalongwiththe crow(Canda*)whichwasAlambusa's*vehicle.Whilethesefemaleswanswerethusdancing,therearoseinthemthedesiretomate.Onebyone,alltheswansmated withthecrow,astheywerealldrunk.Soontheybecamepregnant. Whenthecelebrationswereover,allthedeitieswentovertothelordHara(Siva*):theyofferedhimthebodyofUma*whichtheyhadconvertedintofoodbytheir magicpower.TheLordknewthetruth

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andwasannoyedwiththedeities.And,theyrecreatedUma*asshewasbeforeandofferedhertotheLord,whoregainedhisconsort.Allthedeitiesreturnedto theirrespectiveabodes.TheswanswhichwerethevehiclesofBrahmi*informedherofeverythingthathappened. ThegoddessBrahmi*saidtothem:''Sinceyouareallbigwithchild,youwillnotbeabletoperformyourduties.Hence,forsometimegowhereyouplease.''Having saidthis,thegoddesssatindeepcontemplation. Theswanslaidtwentyoneeggsatthepropertimeandtheyweresoonhatched.ThustwentyoneofuswereborninthefamilyofCanda*thecrow.Alongwithour mothers,weadoredthegoddessBrahmi*.Byhergraceweattainedselfknowledgeandliberation.Wethenapproachedourfatherwhofondlyembracedusall.Allof usthenworshippedthegoddessAlambusa*. Canada*said:"Children,haveyougonebeyondthedragnetknownastheworldappearanceafterhavingcuttheshacklesofvasana*ormentalconditioning?Orelse, comeletusadorethegoddessbywhosegraceyouwillattainthehighestwisdom." Wereplied:"Father,wehavegainedtheknowledgethatisworthgaining,bythegraceofthegoddessBrahmi*.Weseekasecludedandexcellentplacetodwell." Canda*said:"ThereisanexcellentmountainintheworldknownasMeruwhichisthesupportforthefourteenworldsandforallthebeingsthatdwellinthem.Allthe godsandsagesdwellonit.Onitisthewishfulfillingtree.OnoneofitsbranchesIoncebuiltanest,whilethegoddessAlambusa*wasindeepmeditation.Itis beautifulandexcellentineveryway.Children,gotothatnestandliveinit.Youwillneverencounteranyhindrance." Inaccordancewithourfather'sinstructionsallofuscamehereandtookupourabodeinthatnest. BHUSUNDA*continued: VI.1:20

Therewasaworldindaysofyorewhichisnotfarbeyondourmemory,forwewitnesseditourselves. VASISTHA*asked:Whathappenedtoyourbrothers,forIseeonlyyouhere? BHUSUNDA*continued: Averylongtimehaspassed,Osage,andincourseoftimemybrothersabandonedtheirphysicalexistenceandascendedtotheheavenoflordSiva*>.Indeed,even longlivedpersonswhomaybeholyandsaintlyandstrongareconsumedincourseoftimebyTime(ordeath). VASISTHA*askedagain:Howisitthatyouhaveremained

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unaffectedbytheheatandthecoldandthewindandthefire? BHUSUNDA*continued: Truly,tobeembodiedasacrowheldincontemptbythepeopleisnotahappystate,thoughtheCreatorhasamplyprovidedforthesurvivalofeventhehumblecrow. But,wehaveremainedimmersedintheself,happyandcontented:hencewehavesurvivedinspiteofeversomanycalamities.Wehaveremainedfirmlyestablishedin theself,havingabandonedvainactivitiesthatarebuttormentofthebodyandthemind.Tothisphysicalbodythereismiseryneitherinlifenorindeathhencewe remainasweare,notseekinganythingotherthanwhatis. Wehaveseenthefateoftheworlds.Wehavementallyabandonedidentificationwiththebody.EstablishedinselfknowledgeandremainingonthistreeIseethe passageoftime.Throughthepracticeofpranayama*Ihaverisenabovethedivisionoftime.Hence,IamatpeacewithinmyheartandIamnotaffectedbytheevents oftheworld.Letallbeingsvanishorletthemcomeintoexistencewehavenofearatall.LetallthesebeingsenterintotheoceanknownasTime(ordeath)butwe areseatedontheshoresofthatoceanandarethereforeunaffected.Weneitheracceptnorrejectweappeartobebutwearenotwhatappearstobe.Thusdowe remainonthistree. Thoughweengageourselvesindiverseactivities,wedonotgetdrownedinmentalmodificationsandweneverlosecontactwiththereality. Lord,thatnectarforwhichthegodschurnedtheoceanisinferiortothenectarineblessingthatflowsfromtheverypresenceofsageslikeyou.Iconsidernothingmore praiseworthythanthecompanyofsageswhoarefreefromallcravingsanddesires.Holyone,eventhoughIhavealreadyattainedselfknowledge,Iconsiderthatmy birthhasbeentrulyfulfilled,inthattodayIhaveseenyouandIhaveenjoyedyourcompany. VI.1:21 BHUSUNDA*continued:

Thiswishfulfillingtreeisnotshakenbythevariousnaturalcalamitiesnorbythecataclysmscausedbylivingbeings.Therehavebeenseveralofthelatterwhendemons havetriedtodestroyoroverwhelmtheearth,asalsowhentheLordhasintervenedandrescuedtheearthfromthegripofthedemons.Duringallthesethistreehas remainedunaffected.Eventhefloodandthescorchingheatofthesunattendantuponcosmicdissolutionhavenotsucceededinshakingthistree.Onaccountofthis, wewhodwellonthistreehavealsoescapedharm:evilovertakesonewholivesinanunholyplace.

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VASISTHA*asked: But,attheendofthelifeofthecosmos,wheneverythingisdissolved,howhaveyoumanagedtosurvive? BHUSUNDA*replied: Duringthatperiod,Osage,Iabandonthisnest,evenasanungratefulmanabandonshisfriend.ThenIremainunitedwithcosmicspace,totallyfreefromallthoughts andmentalmodifications.Whenthetwelvecosmicsunspourunbearableheatuponthiscreation,Ipracticethevarunidharana*andremainunaffected.(Varuna*is thelordofwaters:varuni*dharana*iscontemplationofVaruna*.)Whenthewindblowswithsuchforceastouprootevenmountains,Ipracticetheparvatidharana* andremainunaffected.(Parvataismountainandparvati*dharana*iscontemplationofthemountain.)Whenthewholeuniverseisfloodedwiththewatersofcosmic dissolution,Ipractisevayudharana*andremainunaffected.(Vayu*iswindandvayu*dharana*iscontemplationofthewind.)ThenIremainasifindeepsleeptill thebeginningofthenextcosmiccycle.WhenthenewCreatorbeginstocreateanewcosmos,Iresumemyabodeinthisnest. VASISTHA*asked: Whyisitthatothersarenotabletodowhatyouhavedone? BHUSUNDA*replied: Osage,thewillofthesupremebeingcannotbetransgressed:itishiswillthatIshouldbelikethisandthattheothersshouldbeastheyare.Onecannotfathomnor measurewhathastobe.Inaccordancewiththenatureofeachbeing,thatwhichistobecomestobe.Therefore,inaccordancewithmythoughtforceorconception, thistreeisfoundineveryworldcycleatthisplaceinthismanner. VASISTHA*asked: Youenjoysuchlongevityaswouldsuggestthatyouhaveattainedfinalliberation!Andyouarewise,braveandyouareagreatyogi.Pray,tellmewhatextraordinary eventsyouremember,relatingtothisandthepreviousworldcycles. BHUSUNDA*said: Irememberthatonceuponatimetherewasnothingonthisearth,notreesandplants,notevenmountains.Foraperiodofeleventhousandyearstheearthwas coveredbylava.Inthosedaystherewasneitherdaynornightbelowthepolarregion:forintherestoftheearthneitherthesunnorthemoonshone.Onlyonehalfof thepolarregionwasillumined. Thendemonsruledtheearth:theyweredeluded,powerfulandprosperous.Theearthwastheirplayground. Apartfromthepolarregion,therestoftheearthwascoveredwith

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water.Andthenforaverylongtime,thewholeearthwascoveredwithforests,exceptthepolarregion.Thentherearosegreatmountains,butwithoutanyhuman inhabitants.Foraperiodoftenthousandyears,theearthwascoveredwiththecorpsesofthedemons. Atonetime,thegodswhousedtoroamtheskieshadvanishedfromsightonaccountoffear.Andtheearthhadbecomemorelikeasinglemountain!Iremember manysuchevents:butletmenarratetoyouwhatisimportant. DuringmylifetimeIhaveseentheappearanceanddisappearanceofcountlessManus(theprogenitorofthehumanrace).Atonetimetheworldwasdevoidofthe godsandthedemons,butwasoneradiantcosmicegg.Atanothertime,theearthwaspopulatedbybrahmanas*(membersofthepriestclass)whowereaddictedto alcohol,sudras*(servantclass)whoridiculedthegods,andbypolyandrouswomen.Ialsorememberanotherepochwhentheearthwascoveredwithforests,when theoceancouldnotevenbeimaginedandwhenhumanbeingswerespontaneouslycreated.Atanothertimetherewasneithermountainnorearththegodsandthe sagesdweltinspace.Atanothertimetherewereneitherthegodsnorthesages,etc.darknessprevailedeverywhere. Firsttherearosethenotionofcreation.Thenlightandthedivisionoftheuniversearose.Thenoneaftertheotherthediversebeingswerecreated,asalsothestarsand theplanets. IsawthatduringoneepochitwaslordVisnu*(generallyconsideredtheprotector)whocreatedtheuniverse,duringanotheritwasBrahma*whocreatedthe universeandinanotheritwasSiva*whobecamethecreator. VI.1:22 BHUSUNDA*continued:

OfcourseIremembersageslikeyou,goddesseslikeGauri,demonslikeHiranyaksa*,kingslikeSibi*,oftherecentpastandofabygoneage.Osage,thisisthe eighthtimeyouhavetakenbirthassageVasistha,andthisistheeighthtimewemeeteachother.Atonetimeyouwerebornofspace,atanotherofwater,atanother ofwind,atanotherofamountainandthenoffire. Whateverishappeninginthepresentcreationhashappenedexactlyinthesamemannerduringthreepreviouscreations.ButIremembertheeventsoftensuch creations.(NOTE:Thenfollowsalistofmajorworldeventsallofwhichwerenotrepeatedallthetimeineverycreation,accountingforthedifferencesinthenumber oftimesBhusunda*witnessedthem.Afewofthemarereproducedheretoillustratethis.)Ineveryagetherehavebeensageswhopropoundedthetruthandrevealed theVedas.TherehavebeenVyasas*who

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wrotedownthelegends(orprehistorictales).And,timeandagainValmiki*composedthesacredRamayana*.Inadditiontothat,asacredbookofwisdomwhich containsyourinstructionstoRama*hasalsobeenrecordedbyasageknownasValmiki*:originallyitwasofonehundredthousandverses.Inthisage,too,itwill againberecordedbyValmiki*forthetwelfthtime.Therewasanequallygreatscriptureknownas'Bharata'whichhasbeenforgotten. Inordertodestroythedemons,lordVisnu*takesbirthagainandagainasRama*:hewillbeborninthisagefortheeleventhtime.And,lordVisnu*willincarnateas Krsna*forthesixteenthtime. However,allthisisillusoryappearancetheworldassuchisnotareality.Itseemstoberealtothedeludedmind.Itarisesanditceasesinthetwinklingofaneyelike ripplesontheocean.Thethreeworldsweresimilarduringsomeepochsandinotherepochstheywereutterlydissimilar.Onaccountofallthesedifferences,inevery ageIhavenewfriends,newrelatives,newservantsandnewdwellings.SometimesIdwellintheHimalayas,atothertimesintheMalayamountainsandatothertimes, onaccountofinheritedtendencies,Itakemyabodehereinthisnest. Eventhedirectionschangefromagetoage.BecauseIalonehavesurvivedeventhenightofthecreatorBrahmaIknowthetruthaboutthesechanges.Depending uponthepositionofthepolesandthemovementsofthestars,thesunandthemoon,thedirections(north,east,etc.)aredetermined.Whenthesechange,the directionschange.But,Iknowthatthisworldisneitherrealnorunreal.Theonlyrealityisthemovementofenergywithinthecosmicconsciousness.This,onaccount ofdeludedunderstanding,appearsasthiscreationanddisappears:suchdelusionalsocausesconfusionofrelationshipsandduties.Insomeagesthesonbehaveslike thefather,friendlikeanenemyandmanlikewoman.Sometimesin'thedarkage'peoplebehaveasif'thegoldenage'prevailsandviceversa. VASISTHA*asked: VI.1:23

OBhusunda*,howisitthatyourbodyhasnotbeenconsumedbydeath? BHUSUNDA*replied: Osage,youknoweverything,yetyouaskthisquestioninordertocultivatetheeloquenceofyourservant.Ishallansweryourquestionforobedienceisthebestform ofworshippingsaints. Deathdoesnotwishtokillonewhodoesnothaveragadvesa*(attractionandaversion)norfalsenotionsandmentalhabits.Deathdoesnotwishtokillonewho doesnotsufferfrommentalillness,whodoesnotentertaindesiresandhopeswhichgiverisetoanxietiesandworry,whoisnotpoisonedbygreed,whosebodyand mindare

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notburntbythefireofangerandhate,whoisnotchurnedandgroundbythemilloflust,whoisfirmlyestablishedinthepureawarenessofBrahmantheabsoluteand whosemindisnotdistractedlikeamonkey. Osage,theseevilsdonotevenapproachonewhosehearthasfoundthestateofutterquiescenceandtranquility.Nordoillnessesofthebodyandthemindaffecthim. Hisawarenessneitherrisesnorsetseitherindeepsleeporinthewakingstate.Hewhosemindandheartareestablishedinsupremepeaceisnottouchedbythe blindingevilsbornoflustandhate.Heneitherseeksnordoeshespurn,neithergivesupnorgathers,thoughheisconstantlyengagedinappropriateaction.Noneof theevilforcesafflicthim.Alljoyandhappinessandallauspiciousqualitiesflowtowardshim. Hence,Osage,oneshouldremainfirmlyestablishedintheimperishableandeternalselfwhichisfreefromnescienceandfromallseeking.Oneshouldslaytheghostof dualityordivisionandfixtheheartontheonetruth,whichaloneissweetinthebeginning,inthemiddleandintheend. Neitherinthecompanyofthegodsanddemons,norofthecelestialartistesnorheavenlydamsels,istheretobefoundpermanentjoy.Onecannotfindwhatis eternallygoodeitherinheavenoronearthoreveninthenetherworldnowhereinthiscreation.Allactivitiesarebesetwithphysicalandmentalillnessandmany formsofunhappiness:theeternalgoodisnotfoundinthem.Sucheternalgoodisnottobefoundinanyoftheactivitiesofanyofthesenses,fortheirexperiencesare taintedbyabeginningandthusanend. Neitherthesovereigntyofthewholeworldnortheattainmentoftheformofagod,neitherthestudyofscripturesnorengagingoneselfintheworkofothers,neither listeningtonorrecitingstories,neitherlongevitynordeath,neitherheavennorhelliscomparabletothestateofthemindofaholyone. VI.1:24 BHUSUNDA*continued:

Thebestofallstates,Osage,isindeedthevisionoftheoneinfiniteconsciousness.Eventhecontemplationoftheselfwhichisinfiniteconsciousnessbanishessorrow, terminatesthelongdreamvisionoftheworldappearance,purifiesthemindandtheheart,anddispelsworriesandmisfortunes.Thatcontemplationoftheselfis devoidofmentation.Itiseasyforthelikeofyouitisratherdifficultforthelikeofme. Butthiscontemplationoftheselfhascomrades,asitwere,thatcloselyresemblesuchcontemplationamongthemisthecontemplationofthelifeforceorprana*, whichenablesonetoovercome

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sorrowandtopromoteauspiciousness.Ihaveadoptedthiscontemplation. Itisthatcontemplationofprana*thathasbestowedlongevityandalsoselfknowledgeonme.Ishallnowdescribeittoyou. Lord,lookatthisenchantingbodywhichissupportedbythreepillars(thethreebodiesorthethreenadis*?)andendowedwithninegates,andwhichisprotectedby theegosensewhichhaseightconsorts(thepuryastaka*)andseveralrelatives(therootelements). Enclosedrightinthemiddleofthisbodyarethesubtleida*andpingala*.Therearethreelotuslikewheels.Thesewheelsarecomposedofbonesandflesh.Whenthe vitalairwetsthewheels,thepetalsortheradiioftheselotuslikewheelsbegintovibrate.Thevitalairsexpandonaccountoftheirexpansion.Thesenadis*thereupon radiateaboveandbelow.Sagescallthesevitalairsbydifferentnamesprana*,apana*,samana*,etc.,onaccountoftheirdiversefunctions.Thesefunctionsderive theirenergyfromthecentralpsychiccentrewhichistheheartlotus. Thatenergywhichthusvibratesintheheartlotusisknownasprana*:itenablestheeyestosee,theskintofeel,themouthtospeak,thefoodtobedigestedandit performsallthefunctionsinthebody.Ithastwodifferentroles,oneaboveandonebelow,anditisthenknownasprana*andapana*respectively.Iamdevotedto them,whicharefreefromfatigue,whichshinelikethesunandthemoonintheheart,whicharelikethecartwheelsofthemindwhichistheguardianofthecityknown asthebody,whicharethefavouritehorsesofthekingknownasegosense.BeingdevotedtothemIliveasifindeepsleep,foreverinhomogeneousconsciousness. Hewhoadorestheprana*andtheapana*thusisnotreborninthisworldagainandheisfreedfromallbondage. BHUSUNDA*continued: VI.1:25

Prana*isconstantlyinmotioninsideandoutsidethebody:prana*isthatvitalairwhichisestablishedintheupperpart.Apana*issimilarlyandconstantlyinmotion insideandoutsidethebody,butitdwellsinthelowerpart.Pray,listentothepracticeoftheextensionorthecontrolofthislifeforce,whichisconducivetothewelfare ofonewhoisawakeorasleep. Theeffluxofthevitalforcecentredintheheartlotus,ofitsownaccordandwithouteffort,isknownasrecakaorexhalation.Thecontactwiththesourceofthe pranic*forcewhichislocateddownwardtothelengthoftwelve'fingers',intheheartlotus,isknownaspuraka*orinhalation. Whentheapana*hasceasedtomoveandwhentheprana* doesnotariseandmoveoutoftheheart(andtillthesebegintohappen)itis

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knownaskumbhaka(retentionasofafilledpot).Therearesaidtobethreepointsfortherecaka,kumbhakaandpuraka*:(1)outside(thenose)(2)frombelowthe placeknownasdvadasanta*(aboveorinfrontoftheforeheadatadistanceoftwelvefingers)(3)thesourceofprana*(heartlotus). Praylistentothenaturalandeffortlessmovementofthelifeforceatalltimes.Themovementofthevitalairuptotheextentoftwelvefingersfromoneselfconstitutes recaka.Thatstateinwhichtheapanaforce*remainsinthedvadasanta*,liketheunfashionedpotinthepotter'sclay,shouldbeknownasexternalkumbhaka. Whentheoutgoingairmovesuptothetipofthenose,itisknownasrecaka.Whenitmovesuptotheextentofthedvadasanta*itisknownasexternalrecaka.When themovementofprana*hasceasedoutsideitselfandaslongastheapana*doesnotrise,theycallitexternalkumbhaka.When,however,theapana*flowsinwards, withouttheprana*risingwithin,theycallitinternalkumbhaka.Whentheapana*risesinthedvadasanta*andattainsinternalexpansion,itisknownasinternal puraka*.Hewhoknowsthesekumbhakasisnotbornagain. Whetheroneisgoingorstanding,awakeorasleep,thesevitalairswhicharenaturallyrestlessarerestrainedbythesepractices.Thenwhateverhedoesoreats,he whoknowsthesekumbhakasisnotthedoerofthoseactions.Inaveryfewdaysheattainsthesupremestate.Hewhopractisesthesekumbhakasisnotattractedby externalobjects.Theywhoareendowedwiththisvisionwhethertheyarestationaryormoving(activeorinactive)arenotbound:Theyhaveattainedthatwhichis worthyofbeingattained. BHUSUNDA*continued: Whentheimpurityofone'sheartandmindhavebeendestroyedbythusbeingdevotedtoprana*andapana*,oneisfreedfromdelusion,attainsinnerawakeningand restsinone'sownselfevenwhiledoingwhateverhastobedone. Lord,prana*arisesinthelotusoftheheartandterminatesatadistanceoftwelvefingerbreadthsoutsidethebody.Apana*arisesinthedvadasanta*(twelvefinger breadthsfromthebody)andterminatesinthelotusoftheheart.Thusapana*ariseswhereprana*terminates.Prana*islikeaflameanditgoesupandoutapana*is likewateranditgoesdowntowardstheheartlotus. Apana*isthemoonwhichprotectsthebodyfromoutsideprana*is
Note:Dvadasantam*suggestsamagneticfieldaroundthebodytwelvefingerwidthsallround.Thismagneticfieldisalsocomposedofpranaapana*.

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likethesunorthefireandpromotesthebody'sinternalwelfare.Prana*generatesheatintheheartspaceeverymoment,andafterproducingthisheatitgenerates heatinthespaceinfrontoftheface.Apana*,whichisthemoon,nourishesthespaceinfrontofthefaceandthenitnourishesthespaceintheheart. Ifoneisabletoreachthatspacewheretheapana*uniteswiththeprana*,hedoesnotgrieveanymore,norishebornagain. Infact,itisonlyprana*thatundergoesamodificationandappearsasapana*,afterabandoningitsburningheat.Andthen,thesameprana*,havingabandonedthe coolnessofthemoon,gainsitsnatureasthepurifyingfireofthesun.Thewiseonesenquireintothenatureofprana*aslongasitdoesnotabandonitssolarnatureto becomelunar.Onewhoknowsthetruthconcerningtherisingandthesettingofthesunandthemooninone'sownheart,isnotbornagain.HewhoseestheLord,the sun,inone'sheart,seesthetruth. Inordertoattainperfectiononedoesnotpreventnorprotectexternaldarkness,butonestrivestodestroythedarknessofignoranceintheheart.Whentheexternal darknessgoes,oneisabletoseetheworldbutwhenthedarknessofignoranceintheheartisdispelled,therearisesselfknowledge.Henceoneshouldstriveto beholdtheprana*andtheapana*,whoseknowledgebestowsliberation. Apana*terminatesintheheartwhereprana*arises.inhereprana*isborn,thereapana*perisheswhereapana*takesbirth,thereprana*ceases.Whenprana*has ceasedtomoveandwhenapana*isabouttoriseoneexperiencesexternalkumbhakarootedinthisonedoesnotgrieveanymore.Whenapana*hasceasedto moveandwhenprana*hasarisenjustalittle,oneexperiencesinternalkumbhakarootedinthisonedoesnotgrieveanymore. BHUSUNDA*continued: Ifonepracticeskumbhaka(suspensionofbreath)afterexhalingtheprana*toadistancefartherfromwheretheapana*rises(thetwelvefingerbreadthdistance),heis notsubjecttosorrowanymore.Or,ifoneisabletoseethespacewithinoneselfwheretheinhaledbreathturnsintotheimpulseforexhalation,heisnotbornagain. Byseeingwheretheprana*andtheapana*terminatetheirmotionsandbyholdingfasttothatstateofpeace,oneisnotsubjecttosorrowagain. Ifonekeenlyobservestheplaceandtheexactmomentatwhichtheprana*isconsumedbytheapana*,hedoesnotgrieve.Or,ifonekeenlyobservestheplaceand theexactmomentatwhichtheapana*isconsumedbyprana*,hisminddoesnotariseagain.Therefore,beholdthatplaceandthatmomentatwhichprana*is consumedbyapana*andapana*isconsumedbyprana*insideandoutsidethebody.Forthatprecisemomentatwhichtheprana*hasceasedtomoveand

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theapana*hasnotbeguntomove,therearisesakumbhakawhichiseffortless:thewiseregardthatasanimportantstate.Whenthereiseffortlesssuspensionof breath,itisthesupremestate.Thisistheself,itispureinfiniteconsciousness.Hewhoreachesthisdoesnotgrieve. Icontemplatethatinfiniteconsciousnesswhichistheindwellingpresenceintheprana*butwhichisneitherwithprana*norotherthanprana*.Icontemplatethatinfinite consciousnesswhichistheindwellingpresenceintheapana*butwhichisneitherwithapana*norotherthanapana*.ThatwhichISaftertheprana*andtheapana* haveceasedtobeandwhichisinthemiddlebetweenprana*andapana*Icontemplatethatinfiniteconsciousness.Icontemplatethatconsciousnesswhichisthe prana*ofprana*,whichisthelifeoflife,whichaloneisresponsibleforthepreservationofthebodywhichisthemindofthemind,theintelligenceintheintellect,the realityintheegosense.Isalutethatconsciousnessinwhichallthingsabide,fromwhichtheyemerge,whichisallandeverywhereandwhichisallinallandeternal whichisthepurifierofallandwhosevisionismostmeritorious.Isalutethatconsciousnessinwhichprana*ceasestomovebutapana*doesnotariseandwhich dwellsinthespaceinfront(or,attheroot)ofthenose.Isalutetheconsciousnesswhichisthesourceforbothprana*andapana*,whichistheenergyinbothprana* andapana*andwhichenablesthesensestofunction.Isalutethatconsciousnesswhichisinfacttheessenceoftheinternalandtheexternalkumbhakas,whichisthe onlygoalofthecontemplationofprana*,whichenablestheprana*tofunctionandwhichisthecauseofallcauses.Itakerefugeinthatsupremebeing. VI.1:26 BHUSUNDA*continued:

Bytheregularandsystematicpracticeofpranayama*asdescribedbyme,IhavegainedthestateofpurityandIamnotdisturbedevenwhenthemountMeru(orthe northpole)isshaken.Thisstateofsamadhi*ortotalequanimityisnotlostwhetherIamwalkingorstanding,whetherIamawake,asleepordreaming.Withmyvision turnedupontheself,Irestintheself,withtheselfinallconditionsoflife,whateverchangesmaytakeplaceintheworldorintheenvironment.ThushaveIlivedright fromthetimeofthepreviouscosmicdissolution.Idonotcontemplateeitherthepastorthefuture:myattentionisconstantlydirectedtothepresent.Idowhathasto bedoneinthepresent,withoutthinkingoftheresults.Withoutconsiderationsofbeingornonbeing,desirableandundesirable,Iremainintheself:henceIamhappy, healthyandfreefromillness. Mystateisthefruitofcontemplationofthemomentofunion

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oftheprana*andtheapana*(whentheselfisrevealed)Idonotentertainvainnotionslike,''IhaveobtainedthisandIshallgainthat,too.''IdonotpraisenordoI censureanyone(neithermyselfnorothers)oranythingatanytimemyminddoesnotexultongainingwhatisconsideredgoodnordoesitbecomedepressedon obtainingwhatisconsideredevilhencemystateofhappinessandhealth.Iembracethesupremerenunciation,havingrenouncedeventhedesiretolivethusmymind doesnotentertaincravingsbutispeacefulandbalanced.Ibeholdtheonecommonsubstratuminallthings(apieceofwood,abeautifulwoman,amountain,ablade ofgrass,iceandfireandspace)andIamnotworriedbythoughtslike,"WhatshallIdonow?"nor"WhatshallIgettomorrowmorning?"Iamnotbotheredby thoughtsofoldageanddeath,orbylongingforhappiness,nordoIregardsomeas"mine"andothersas"notmine".Iknowthateverythingatalltimes,everywhere,is buttheonecosmicconsciousness.Thesearethesecretsofmystateofhappinessandhealth.Idonotthink,"Iamthebody,"evenwhileengagedinphysicalactivityas Iknowthisworldappearancetobeillusoryandliveinitasiffastasleep.Iamdisturbedneitherbyprosperitynorbyadversitywhentheyaregrantedtome,asI regardthemwithequalvision(evenasIlookuponbothmyarmsasarms).WhateverIdoisuntaintedbydesireorthemudofegosensethusIdonotlosemyhead whenIampowerfulorgobeggingwhenIampoorIdonotlethopesandexpectationstouchmeandevenwhenathingisoldandwornoutIlookuponitwithfresh eyesasifitwerenew.Irejoicewiththehappyonesandsharethegriefofthegriefstricken,forIamthefriendofall,knowingIbelongtononeandnonebelongsto me.IknowthatIamtheworld,alltheactivitiesinitanditsintelligence.Thisisthesecretofmylongevity. VASISTHA*said: VI.1:27,28

ThereuponIsaidtoBhusunda*,"Marvellousindeedisthis,yourautobiography,OLord.Blessedindeedaretheywhocanbeholdyou.Youarelikeasecondcreator. Rareindeedarepeoplelikeyou.Ihaveearnedgreatmeritbyseeingyou.Mayyoucontinuetobeblessed.Givemeleavetodepart." ORama*,onhearingthisBhusunda*worshippedmeand,inspiteofmyremonstrances,accompaniedmeforsomedistanceholdingmyhandtightlyinagestureof friendship.Thenweparted:andpartingoffriendsisindeedadifficultevent.Allthiswasintheprevious(Krta*)ageandnowitisTretaage*. SuchisthestoryofBhusunda*,ORama*:youtoo,practisethepranayama*describedbyBhusunda*andendeavourtolivelikehim. RAMA*asked:Lord,bytheraysoflightshedbyyouthegloomof

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darknesshasvanished.Weareallspirituallyawakened,wearedelighted,wehaveenteredintoourownself,weareyourownreplica,asitwere,havingknownwhat thereistobeknown. InthatinspiringaccountofBhusunda*thatyounarrated,youmadementionofabodywhichhasthreepillars,ninegates,etc.Praytellme:howdiditariseinthefirst place,howdoesitexistandwhodwellsinit? VASISTHA*said: ORama*,thishouseknownasthebodyhasnotbeenmadebyanyoneinfact!Itisonlyanappearance,likethetwomoonsseenbyonesufferingfromdiplopia.The moonisreallyonlyone,thedualityisopticalillusion.Thebodyisexperiencedtoexistonlywhenthenotionofaphysicalbodyprevailsintheminditisunreal,but sinceitappearstobewhenthenotionarises,itisconsideredbothrealandunreal.Dreamsarerealduringthedreamstate,thoughtheyareunrealatothertimes ripplesarerealwhentheyareseentoexist,notatothertimes.Evensothebodyisrealwhenitisexperiencedasarealsubstance.Itisonlyanillusoryappearance, eventhoughitappearstobereal. Thenotionof'Iamthisbody'arisesinrelationtowhatistrulyapieceoffleshwithbones,etc.,becauseofamentalpredispositionitisanillusion.Abandonthis illusion.Therearethousandsofsuchbodieswhichhavebeenbroughtintobeingbyyourthoughtforce.Whenyouareasleepanddreaming,youexperienceabodyin it:Wheredoesthatbodyariseorexist?Whiledaydreaming,youimagineyouareinheaven,etc.:whereisthatbody?Whenallthesehaveceased,youengage yourselfindiverseactivities,playingdifferentroles:whereisthebodywithwhichyoudothese?Whenyoubesportwithyourfriendsandenjoytheircompanyinself forgetfuldelight,wheredoesthatbodyabide?Thus,ORama*,thebodiesarebuttheproductsofthemind:hencetheyareregardedasrealandunreal.Theirconduct isdeterminedbythemind,theyarenondifferentfromthemind. VASISTHA*continued: 'Thisiswealth','Thisisbody'and'Thisisanation'allthesearenotions,ORama*,whicharethemanifestationoftheenergyofthemindandwhichareotherwise illusory.Knowthistobealongdream,oralongstandinghallucination,ordaydreaming,orwishfulthinking.When,bythegraceofGodortheselfyouattain awakening,youwillthenseeallthisclearly.Theexistenceofaworldindependentofyouorthemindisbutthejuggleryofthemind,itisnothingbuttherecognitionof anotionasifitwereasubstance. IremarkedthatIwasbornofthemindoftheCreator:evensothe

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worldarisesinthemindasanotion.Infact,eventheCreatorisbutanotioninthecosmicmindtheworldappearance,too,isanotioninthemind.Thesenotionsgain strengthinthemindbybeinginvestedrepeatedlywiththemantleoftruthand,therefore,theyariseagainandagain,creatingtheillusoryworldappearancewiththem. Ifamanresolutelyseeksthesourceofthenotions,herealisesconsciousnessotherwiseheexperiencestheillusoryworldappearanceagainandagain.Forby continuallyentertainingnotionssuchas'Thisisit','Thisismine'and'Thisismyworld'suchnotionsassumetheappearanceofsubstantiality.Thepermanencyofthe worldisalsoanillusion:inthedreamstatewhatisreallyabriefmomentisexperiencedbythedreamerasalifetime.Inamirageonlytheillusory'water'isseenand notthesubstratum:evenso,inastateofignoranceoneseesonlytheillusoryworldappearancebutnotthesubstratum.However,whenonehasshedthatignorance, theillusoryappearancevanishes.Eventhemanwhoisnormallysubjecttofearisnotafraidofanimaginarytigerthewisemanwhoknowsthatthisworldisnaughtbut anotionorimaginationisunafraidofanything.Whenoneknowsthattheworldisnothingbuttheappearanceofone'sself,ofwhomneedhebeafraid?Whenone's visionispurifiedbyenquiry,one'sdeludedunderstandingconcerningtheworldvanishes. Itisbyclearperceptionandunderstandingthatone'snatureispurifiedandthenitdoesnotbecomeimpureagain.Whatisthatrightunderstanding?Itistorealisethat thisworldisnothingbutthereflection(andthereforeappearance)ofpureconsciousnessandthusitisneitherrealnorunreal.Birth,death,heaven,knowledgeand ignoranceareallreflectionsofconsciousness.I,you,thetendirectionsandallthis,areconsciousness:suchisrightunderstanding.Whenthereisrightunderstandingthe minddoesnotarisenordoesitset,butitattainssupremepeace.Itdoesnotindulgeinpraiseandcensure,inexultationanddepression,butitisevercoolandrestsin truth. VASISTHA*continued: Whenonerealisesthatdeathisinevitabletoall,whywillhegrieveoverthedeathofrelativesortheapproachofone'sownend?Whenonerealisesthateveryoneis sometimesprosperousandotherwiseatothertimes,whywillhebeelatedordepressed?Whenoneseesthatlivingbeingsappearanddisappearlikeripplesonthe surfaceofconsciousness,whereisthecauseforsorrow?Whatistrueisalwaystrue(whatexistsalwaysexists)andwhatisunrealiseverunrealwhereisthecause forsorrow?

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The'I'isnot,wasnotandwillneverbe.Thebodyhasrisenfromamysteriousdelusionandappearstoexist.Whereisthecauseforsorrow?Whenthereisright understandingofthetruththatevenifthebodyisreal,'I'isdifferentfromitandthat'I'isbutthereflectionoftheinfiniteconsciousness,thereisnosorrow. Hence,oneshouldnotpinone'sfaith,hopeandaspirationonthatwhichisunrealforsuchhopeisbondage.ORama*,dothouliveinthisworldwithoutentertaining anyhope.Whathastobedonehastobedoneandwhatisinappropriateshouldbegivenup.Livehappilyandplayfullyinthisworldwithoutconsiderationsof desirableand.undesirable. Theinfiniteconsciousnessaloneexistseverywhereatalltimes.Whatappearstobeisbutanappearance.Whentheappearanceisrealisedasappearance,thatwhich IS,isrealised.Eitherrealisethat'Iamnotandtheseexperiencesarenotmine'orknowthat'Iameverything':youwillbefreefromthelureofworldappearance.Both theseattitudesaregood:adopttheonethatsuitsyou.Youwillbefreedfromattractionandaversion(ragadvesa*). Whateverthereisintheworld,inthefirmamentandinheavenisattainedbyonewhohasdestroyedthetwinforcesofattractionandaversion.Whatevertheignorant mandoespromptedbytheseforcesleadshimtoinstantsorrow.Onewhohasnotovercometheseforces,evenifheislearnedinthescriptures,isindeedpitiableand despicable.Hisconversationsare'Ihavebeenrobbedbyanother'or'Ihaveabandonedwealthandpleasure'.Wealth,relativesandfriendscomeandgothewiseone doesnotseekthemnorabandonthem.Thatwhichhasabeginningandanendisnotworthyoftheattentionofthewise.Inthisworldsomeoneproducessomething (likeadaughter)andsomeoneelse(likethebridegroom)enjoysitwhoisdeceivedbythis? ORama*,foryourspiritualawakeningIdeclareagainandagain:thisworldappearanceislikealongdream.Wakeup,wakeup.Beholdtheselfwhichshineslikea sun.Youareindeedawakenedbythisshowerofnectarinewords:youhavenothingtodowithbirth,sorrow,sinanddelusion.Abandonallthesenotionsandrestin theself. VI.1:29 VASISTHA*,whosuddenlybecamesilentwhenhefoundthatRama* wascompletelyabsorbedintheself,resumedhisdiscourseafteran intervalandafterRama*hadreturnedtonormalconsciousness:

ORama*,youarethoroughlyawakenedandyouhavegainedselfknowledge.Remainforeverinthisexaltedstatedonotgetinvolvedinthisworldappearance.This wheelofworldappearance(thewheel

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ofbirthanddeathofallthings)hasideas,thoughtsornotionsforitshub.Whenthesearearrestedtheworldappearanceceases,too.Ifoneuseshiswillforceto arrestthewheel,itcontinuestorevolveifthedistractionscausedbythoughtsdonotcease.Hence,oneshouldrestrainthehub(thethoughtsandnotions)havingresort tosupremeselfeffort,strength,wisdomandcommonsense.Whatisnotachievedbysuchconcertedactionisnotachievedbyanyothermeans.Hence,oneshould abandonthefalsedependenceondivineinterventionwhichisinfactthecreationoftheimmaturechildishmindand,withone'sintenseselfeffort,oneshouldgain masteryoverthemind. ThisworldappearancecommencedwiththethoughtforceoftheCreator.But,itisfalse.Initthesebodiesbornofthenaturalcharacteristicsofvariouselements wanderabout.Hence,oneshouldneveragainentertainthenotionthatthebodyexistsandthatpleasureandpainarefactualstates. Theignorantmanwhothinksheissufferingandwhosefaceisstreamingconstantlywithtears,isworsethanapaintingorastatue,forthelatterisfreefromexperience ofsorrow!Noristhestatuesubjecttoillnessanddeath.Thestatueisdestroyedonlywhensomeonedestroysit,butthehumanbodyiscertainlydoomedtodie.Ifthe statueiswellprotectedandpreserveditlastsalongtimeingoodcondition:butevenwhenwellprotectedandpreserved,thehumanbodydecaysfromdaytodayand doesnotremainingoodcondition.Hencethestatueisbetterthanthebodycreatedbythoughtsandnotions.Whowillentertainanyhopesbasedonsuchahuman body? Thebodyisworsethaneventhebodyonedreamsabout.Thedreambodyiscreatedbyashortlivednotion(thedream)andhenceitisnotsubjectedtolong standingsorrowbutthewakefulbodyistheproductoflongstandingideasandnotionsandhenceitistormentedbylongstandingsorrowforalongtime.Whether youthinkthatthebodyisrealorunreal,itiscertainthatitistheproductofthoughtsandnotions.Hence,thereneedbenosorrowinrelationtoit. Evenaswhenastatueisbroken,nolifeislost,whenthebodybornofthoughtsandnotionsisdead,nothingislost.Itislikethelossofthesecondmoonwhenoneis curedofdiplopia.Theselfwhichisinfiniteconsciousnessdoesnotdienordoesitundergoanychangewhatsoever. VASISTHA*continued: ORama*,amanridingthemerrygoroundseestheworldwhirlingintheoppositedirection:evenso,manwhirlingonthewheelof

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ignorancethinksthattheworldandthebodyarerevolving.Thespiritualhero,however,shouldrejectthis:thisbodyistheproductofthoughtsandnotionsentertained byanignorantmind.Thecreationofignoranceisfalse.Hence,evenifthebodyseemstobeactiveanddoingallkindsofactionsitisstillunreal,evenastheimaginary snakeintheropeisforeverunreal.Whatisdonebyaninertobjectisnotdonebyitthoughappearingtodo,thebodydoesnothing. Theinertbodydoesnotentertainanydesire(tomotivateitsactions)andtheself(whichistheinfiniteconsciousness)hasnosuchdesireeitherhencethereisintruth nodoerofactionbutonlythewitnessingintelligence.Evenasalampinawindlessplaceshinesspontaneouslyandnaturally,beingalamp,thusshouldoneremainthe selfinallconditions.Evenasthesun,restingalwaysinhimselfandinhisownessentialnatureconstantlyengageshimselfintheaffairsoftheday,youtoo,restingin yourownselfengageyourselfintheaffairsofthestate. Oncethedeludednotionthatthisfalsebodyisarealityhasarisen,thenlikeaghostimaginedbyalittleboy,therearisesthegoblinofegosenseorthemind.Thisfalse mindoregosensethenroarsaloudinsuchawaythatevengreatmen,frightenedbyit,withdrawthemselvesindeepmeditation.Hewhohoweverlaystheghostknown asthemind(oregosense)inthebody,dwellswithoutfearinthevoidknownastheworld. Itisstrangethatevennowpeopleliveconsideringtheselftobethebodycreatedbytheillusoryghostknownasthemind.Theywhodiewhiletheyareyetinthegrip oftheghostknownasthemind,theirintelligenceisignorance!Hewhotrustsinthehousehauntedbytheghostknownasmindandlivesinitisagoblinandheis indeeddeluded,forthathouse(thebody)isimpermanentandunstable.Hence,ORama*,giveupthissubserviencetotheghostknownasegosenseandrestinthe selfwithoutbestowingasecondthoughtontheegosense. Theywhoareundertheevilinfluenceoftheghostknownasegosensearedeludedandinfacttheyhaveneitherfriendsnorrelatives.Adeeddonewiththeintelligence overpoweredbytheegosenseispoisonousandityieldsthefruitofdeath.Thefoolwhoisdevoidofwisdomandcourageandwhoisweddedtotheegosenseis alreadydead.Heislikethefirewoodreadytobeconsignedintothefireknownashell. Letthisghostknownasegosenserestinordepartfromthebody.Donotletyourmindevenlookatit,ORama*! VASISTHA*continued: Whentheegosenseisstrippedofitscoverings,ignoredand

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abandonedbytheawakenedintelligence,itisincapableofdoingyouanyharm.Theselfisinfiniteconsciousness.Eveniftheegosensedwellsinthisbody,howisthe selfaffected? ORama*,itisimpossibletocataloguethecalamitiesthatvisitonewhoisundertheinfluenceofthemind.Allthisweepingandwailing'Alas,Iamdead','Alas,Iam burning'thatonehearsinthisworldallthisisnothingmorethantheplayoftheegosense.However,evenastheallpervadingspaceisnotpollutedbyanything,the selfwhichisomnipresentisnotaffectedbytheegosense. Whateveramandoeswiththebodyisreallydonebytheegosensewiththehelpofthereinsknownasinhalationandexhalation.Theselfisindirectlyregardedasthe causeofallthis,evenasspaceisindirectlyresponsibleforthegrowthofplantsinasmuchasit(thespace)doesnotpreventtheplantfromextendingintospace.Even asalampisconsideredresponsibleforthevisionofanobject,theselfisregardedasresponsiblefortheactionsofthebody,mind,etc.,whichfunctioninthelightof theself.Otherwise,thereisnoconnectionwhatsoeverbetweentheinertbodyandtheconsciousself.Itisonlybecauseoftheenergyoftheself(prana*)whichis constantlyvibrating,creatingagitationeverywhere,thatthemindisconfusedwiththeself. Youaretheself,ORama*,notthemind.Whathaveyoutodowiththemind?Abandonthisdelusion.Thegoblinmindresidinginthebodyhasnothingtodowiththe self,yetitquietlyassumes'Iamtheself'.Thisisthecauseofbirthanddeath.Thisassumptionrobsyouofcourage.Giveupthisghost,ORama*,andremainfirm. Neitherscripturesnorrelativesnoreventhegurusorpreceptorscanprotectthemanwhoisutterlyoverpoweredbytheghostknownasthemind.Ontheotherhand, ifonehaslaidthisghost,theguru,thescripturesandrelativescaneasilyaidhim,evenasonecaneasilyrescueananimalfromamudpuddle.Theywhohavelaidthis ghostarethegoodpeoplewhorendersomeservicetothisworld.Hence,oneshouldupliftoneselffromthisignorance,bylayingthisghostknownasegosense.O Rama*,donotwanderinthisforestofworldlyexistencelikeananimalinhumangarb.Donotwallowinthismudknownasfamilyrelationshipforthesakeofthis impermanentbody.Thebodywasbornofsomeone,itisprotectedbytheegosenseandinithappinessandsorrowareexperiencedbysomeoneelse:thisindeedisa greatmystery. Evenastheessentialnatureofapotandthatofapieceofclotharenondifferent,evensotheessentialnatureofthemindandthatoftheinfiniteconsciousnessare nondifferent.Inthisconnection,Ishallnarratetoyoutheteachingthatwasimpartedtomebylord

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Siva*himself:thevisionrevealedinthatteachingwilldestroyeventhegreatestdelusion.

DescriptionoftheLord
VASISTHA*continued: ThereistheabodeoflordSiva*knownasKailasa*.Ilivedthereforsometime,worshippinglordSiva*andpractisingausterities.Iwassurroundedbytheperfected sagesinwhosecompanyIusedtodiscussthetruthsofthescriptures. OneeveningIwasengagedintheworshipoflordSiva*.Theentireatmospherewasfilledwithpeaceandsilence.Inthatforestthedarknesswassodensethatit appearedtobesolidenoughtobecutwithasword. AtthattimeIsawagreatlightintheforest.WiththeexternalsightIsawthatlightandwithmyinsightIenquiredintoitsnature.IsawthatitwaslordSiva*himself whowaswalkingalongholdinghisconsortParvati*withonehand.InfrontofhimwalkedhisvehicleNandi,makingwayfortheLord.Imadethedivinepresence knowntothedisciplesassembledaroundmeandproceededtowheretheLordwas. IsalutedtheLordandofferedhimdueworship.Iremainedforaconsiderabletimefeastingmyeyesonthedivinevision.LordSiva*thensaidtome:"Isyourausterity proceedingsatisfactorily,withoutanyobstacles?Haveyouattainedthatwhichisworthyofattainmentandhaveyourinternalfearsceased?" Inresponse,IsaidtotheLord:"SupremeLord,theywhoarefortunatetobedevotedtotheefindnothingdifficultofattainmentandtheydonotexperiencefearatall. Everyoneintheworldsalutesandprostratestothosewhoaredevotedtoyouandwhoconstantlyrememberyou.*Onlytheyarecountries,theyarecities,theyare directionsandmountains,wherepeoplewhoaresolelyandwholeheartedlydevotedtoyoudwell.Yourremembranceisthefruitofmeritsacquiredinthepastbirths anditisalsotheguaranteeofstillmoreblessednessinthefuture.Yourconstantremembrance,OLord,islikethepotofnectarandistheeveropendoortoliberation. Lord,wearingthepreciousandradiantjewelofyourremembranceIhavetrampledunderfootallthecalamitiesthatmightotherwisetormentmeinthefuture. "Lord,thoughbyyourgraceIhavereachedthestateofself
*

Onlytheydeservetobetakennoticeofascountries,cities,etc.,wheretheLord'sdevoteesdwell.

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fulfilment,Iameagertoknowmoreaboutonething.Prayenlightenme.WhatisthemethodofworshippingtheLordwhichdestroysallsinsandpromotesall auspiciousness?" THELORDsaid: Doyouknowwho'god'is?GodisnotVisnu*,Siva*orBrahma*notthewind,thesunorthemoonnotthebrahmana*orthekingnotInoryounotLaksmi*nor themind(intellect).Godiswithoutformandundivided(notintheobjects)thatsplendour(devanam)whichisnotmadeandwhichhasneitherbeginningnorendis knownasgod(deva)orlordSiva*whichispureconsciousness.Thataloneistobeworshippedandthataloneisall. IfoneisunabletoworshipthisSiva*thenheisencouragedtoworshiptheform.Thelatteryieldsfiniteresultsbuttheformerbestowsinfinitebliss.Hewhoignoresthe infiniteandisdevotedtothefiniteabandonsapleasuregardenandseeksthethornybush.However,sagessometimesworshipaformplayfully. Nowforthearticlesusedintheworship:wisdom,selfcontrolandtheperceptionoftheselfinallbeingsaretheforemostamongthosearticles.Theselfaloneislord Siva*whoisfittobeworshippedatalltimeswiththeflowersofwisdom. (IaskedtheLord:"Praytellmehowthisworldistransmutedintopureconsciousnessandalsohowthatpureconsciousnessappearsasthejiva*andotherthings". TheLORDcontinued:) Indeedonlythatcidakasa*(theinfiniteconsciousness),whichaloneexistsevenafterthecosmicdissolution,existsevennow,utterlydevoidofobjectivity.The conceptsandnotionsthatareilluminedbytheconsciousnesswithinitselfshineasthiscreation,onaccountofthemovementofenergywithinconsciousness,precisely asdreamsariseduringsleep.Otherwise,itistotallyimpossibleforanobjectofperceptiontoexistoutsideoftheomnipresentinfiniteconsciousness. Allthesemountains,thewholeworld,thefirmament,theself,thejiva*ortheindividualityandalltheelementsofwhichthisworldisconstitutedallthesearenaught butpureconsciousness.Beforethesocalledcreationwhenonlythispureconsciousnessexisted,wherewereallthese(heaven,etc.)?Space(akasa*),supremeor infinitespace(paramakasam*),absolutespace(brahmakasam*),creation,consciousnessaremerewordsandtheyindicatethesametruthevenassynonymsdo. Evenasthedualityexperiencedindreamisillusory,thedualityimpliedinthecreationoftheworldisillusory.Evenastheobjectsseemtoexistandfunctionintheinner worldofconsciousnessinadream,objectsseemtoexistandfunctionintheouterworldofconsciousnessduringthewakefulstate.Nothing

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reallyhappensinboththesestates.Evenasconsciousnessaloneistherealityinthedreamstate,consciousnessaloneisthesubstanceinthewakefulstatetoo.Thatis theLord,thatisthesupremetruth,thatyouare,thatIamandthatisall. VI.1:30 TheLORDcontinued:

TheworshipofthatLordistrueworshipandbythatworshiponeattainseverything.Heisundividedandindivisible,nondualandnotfashionedorcreatedbyactivity heisnotattainedbyexternalefforts.Hisadorationisthefountainsourceofjoy. Theexternalworshipofaformisprescribedonlyforthosewhoseintelligencehasnotbeenawakenedandwhoareimmaturelikelittleboys.Whenonedoesnothave selfcontrol,etc.,heusesflowersinworshipsuchworshipisfutile,evenasadoringtheselfinanexternalformisfutile.However,theseimmaturedevoteesderive satisfactionbyworshippinganobjectcreatedbythemselvestheymayevenearnworthlessrewardsfromsuchworship. Ishallnowdescribetoyouthemodeofworshipappropriatetoenlightenedpeoplelikeyou.TheLordfittobeworshippedisindeedtheonewhoupholdstheentire creation,whoisbeyondthoughtanddescription,whoisbeyondtheconceptsofeventhe'all'andthe'collectivetotality'.Healoneisreferredtoas'God'whois undividedandindivisblebyspaceandtime,whoselightilluminesalltheobjects,whoispureandabsoluteconsciousness.Heisthatintelligencewhichisbeyondallits parts,whichishiddeninallthatis,whichisthebeinginallthatisandwhichrobsallthatisoftheirbeing(i.e.,whichveilsthetruth).ThisBrahmanisinthemiddleof beingandnonbeing,itisGod,andthetruththatisindicatedas'OM'.Itexistseverywhereliketheessenceinaplant.Thatpureconsciousnesswhichisinyou,inme andinallthegodsandgoddessesaloneisGod.Holyone,eventheothergodsendowedwithformareindeednothingbutthatpureconsciousness.Theentireuniverse ispureconsciousness.ThatisGod,that'all'Iameverythingisattainedfromandthroughhim. ThatGodisnotdistantfromanyone,OHolyone,norishedifficulttoattain:heisforeverseatedinthebodyandheiseverywherelikespace.Hedoeseverything,he eats,heholdseverythingtogether,hegoes,hebreathes,heknowseverylimbofthebody.Heisthelightinwhichalltheselimbsfunctionandallthediverseactivities takeplace.Hedwellsinthecaveofone'sownheart.Hetranscendsthemindandthefivesensesofcognitionthereforehecannotbecomprehendednordescribedby themyetforthepurposeofinstruction,heisindicatedas'consciousness'.Hence,thoughitappearsasthoughhedoeseverything,hedoesnothing.That consciousness

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ispureandseeminglyengagesitselfintheactivitiesoftheworldtothesameextentasthespringdoesinthefloweringoftrees. TheLORDcontinued: Somewherethisconsciousnessfunctionsasspace,somewhereasajiva*,somewhereasaction,somewhereassubstanceandsoforth,butwithoutintendingtodoso. Evenasallthe'different'oceansarebutoneindivisiblemassofwater,thisconsciousness,thoughdescribedindifferentways,isbutonecosmicmassofconsciousness. Inthebody,whichislikealotus,itisthesameconsciousnessthatimbibestheexperiencewhichislikehoneygatheredbytherestlessmindwhichislikethebee.Inthis universeallthesevariousbeings(thegods,thedemons,mountains,oceansandsoforth)flowwithinthisinfiniteconsciousnessevenaseddiesandwhirlpoolsappearin theocean.Eventhewheelofignorance,whichcausesthewheeloflifeanddeathtorevolve,revolveswithinthiscosmicconsciousnesswhoseenergyisinconstant motion. Itwasconsciousness,intheformofthefourarmedVisnu*,thatdestroyedthedemons,evenasathunderstormequippedwiththerainbowquenchestheheatthat risesfromtheearth.ItisconsciousnessalonewhichtakestheformofSiva*andParvati*,ofBrahma*thecreatorandthenumerousotherbeings.Thisconsciousness islikeamirrorwhichholdsareflectionwithinitself,asitwere,withoutundergoinganymodificationthereby.Withoutundergoinganymodificationinitself,this consciousnessappearsasallthesecountlessbeingsinthisuniverse. Theinfiniteconsciousnessislikeacreeper.Itissprinkledwiththelatenttendenciesofcountlessjivas*.Desiresarethebuds.Pastcreationsarethefilaments.The sentientandtheinsentientbeingsarepartsofthecreeper.Theoneappearsasmany,butishasnotbecomemany. Itisbythisinfinite.consciousnessthatallthisisthoughtof,expressedanddone.Itistheinfiniteconsciousnessalonewhichshinesasthesun.Itistheinfinite consciousnesswhichappearsasthebodieswhichareinfactinertandwhichcomeintocontactwithoneanotherandderivevariousexperiences.Thisconsciousnessis likethetyphoonwhichisunseeninitselfbutinwhichsandparticlesanddustriseanddanceasifbythemselves.Thisconsciousnesscastsashadowinitself,asitwere, andthatisregardedastamasorinertia. Inthisbody,thoughtsandnotionsgenerateactioninthelightofthisveryconsciousness.Surely,butforthisconsciousnessevenanobjectwhichisimmediatelyinfront ofoneselfcannotbeexperienced.Thebodycannotfunctionnorexistbutforthis

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consciousness.Itgrows,itfalls,iteats.Thisconsciousnesscreatesandmaintainsallthemovableandtheimmovablebeingsintheuniverse.Theinfiniteconsciousness aloneexists,naughtelseexists.Consciousnessalonehasariseninconsciousness. VASISTHA*continued: ThereuponIaskedtheLord:''Ifthisconsciousnessisomnipresent,howthendoesonebecomeinsentientandinertinthisworld?Howisitpossiblethatonewhois endowedwithconsciousnesslosesconsciousness?'' TheLORDapplaudedthequestionandreplied: Theomnipresentconsciousness,whichisallinall,existsinthisbodybothasthechangingandastheunchangingandunmodifiedone.Justasawomandreamsherself tobeanotherwithanotherasherhusbandinthatdream,thesameconsciousnessbelievesitselftobeofanothernature.Justasthesamemanwhenheisunderthe influenceofuncontrollableragebehavescompletelydifferently,evensoconsciousnessassumesanotheraspectandfunctionsdifferently.Bystages,itbecomes insentientandinert. Consciousnessthusbecomesitsownobject,creatingspaceandthenairandtheirrespectivequalities.Atthesametime,itevolveswithinitselftimeandspace,and becomesajiva*followedbyindividualisedfiniteintellectandmind.Fromthisarisesthecyclicworldappearanceandnotionslike'Iamanuntouchable',etc.The infiniteconsciousnessitselfthusbecomesapparentlyinert,justaswaterbecomescrystal.Thereafterthemindbecomesdeluded,entertainscravings,fallsapreytolust andanger,experiencesprosperityandadversity,sufferspainandpleasure,clingstohope,enduresterriblesufferingandisfilledwithlikesanddislikesthatperpetuate thedelusion.Thoroughlydeluded,itgoesfromerrortoerror,fromignorancetogreaterignorance. Inchildhood,thisdeludedconsciousnessistotallydependentonothers,inyouthitrunsafterwealthandisfilledwithworry,inoldageitissunkinsorrowandindeath itisledbyitsownkarma.Inaccordancewiththatkarma,itisborninheavenorinhell,inthenetherworldoronearthashuman,subhumanorinanimatebeing.Itisthe sameconsciousnessthatappearsasVisnu*,Siva*,Brahma*andothers.Itisthesameconsciousnessthatfunctionsasthesun,themoon,thewind,thefactorsthat causechangesinseasons,dayandnight.Itisthesameconsciousnessthatisthelifeforceinseedsandthecharacteristicsofallmaterialsubstances.Thisconsciousness whichisconditionedbyselflimitationisafraidofitself!Suchisthetruthconcerningthejivaconsciousness*Itisalso

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knownaskarmaatma*(theselfthatiscaughtinthewheelofactionandreaction). Beholdthepowerofignoranceandinertia!Merelybytheforgetfulnessofone'sowntruestate,theconsciousnessundergoesgreattroublesandsorrowsand experiencespitiabledownfall. TheLORDcontinued: VI.1:31

Consciousnessthinks(feelsorimagines)falsely'Iamunhappy'evenasadementedwomanmightthinksheismiserable.Justasonewhoisnotdeadwailsaloud"Alas, Iamdead",andwhensheisnotlostsheweeps"Alas,Iamlost",onaccountofperverseunderstanding,evensotheconsciousnessfalselyimaginesitismiserableor limited.Suchimaginationisirrationalandunfounded.Duetothefalseassumptionoftheegosensetheconsciousnessthinksthattheworldappearanceisindeedreal.It isthemindalonethatistherootcauseofexperiencingtheworldasifitwererealbutitcannotbetrulyconsideredsuchacausesincetherecanbenomindotherthan pureconsciousness.Thus,ifitisrealisedthattheperceivingminditselfisunreal,thenitisclearthattheperceivedworldisunrealtoo. Evenasthereisnooilinarock,inpureconsciousnessthediversityofsight,seerandscene,orofdoer,actandaction,orofknower,knowledgeandknowndoesnot exist.Similarly,thedistinctionbetween'I'and'you'isimaginary.Thedistinctionbetweentheoneandthemanyisverbal.Allthesedonotexistatallevenasdarkness doesnotexistinthesun.Oppositeslikesubstantialityandunsubstantiality,voidandnonvoidaremereconcepts.Onenquiry,allthesedisappearandonlythe unmodifiedpureconsciousnessremains. Consciousnessdoesnottrulyundergoanymodificationnordoesitbecomeimpure.Theimpurityitselfisimaginaryimaginationistheimpurity.Whenthisisrealised, theimaginationisabandonedandimpurityceases.However,eveninthosewhohaverealisedthis,theimpurityarisesunlesstheimaginationisfirmlyrejected.Byself effortthisimaginationcanbeeasilyrejected:ifonecandropapieceofstraw,onecanwithequaleasealsodropthethreeworlds!Whatisitthatcannotbeachieved byone'sselfeffort? Thisinfiniteconsciousness,whichisunmodifiedandnondual,canberealisedbyoneinthesingleselfluminousinnerlight.Itispureandeternal,itiseverpresentand devoidofmind,itisunmodifiedanduntainted,itisalltheobjects.Infact,itisnonmovingconsciousnesswhichexistsasifwitnesstoall,evenaslightshinesbutshining isnotitsaction.Whilepure,thisconsciousnessappears

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tobetaintedininertmaterialitisnoninertenergy.Itisomnipresentwithoutbeingdividedbytheparticularsconstitutingtheall. Thisinfiniteconsciousness,whichisdevoidofconceptsandextremelysubtle,knowsitself.Inselfforgetfulnessthisconsciousnessentertainsthoughtsandexperiences peception,thoughallthisispossiblebecauseoftheverynatureoftheinfiniteconsciousness:evenasonewhoisasleepisalsoinwardlyawake! TheLORDcontinued: Byidentificationwithitsownobject,consciousnessseemstoreduceitselftothestateofthinkingorworrying:evenasimpuregoldlookslikecopperuntilitispurified, whenitshineslikegold.Byselfforgetfulnessonthepartoftheinfiniteconsciousnessthenotionoftheuniversearises,butthisunrealityceaseswhenthereisself knowledge. Whenconsciousnessbecomesawareofitselfwithinitself,theegosensearises.Withjustalittlemovementthough,thisegosense(whichintruthisnothingotherthan consciousness)fallsdownasarockrollsdownthemountainside.However,eventhenitisconsciousnessalonethatistherealityinallformsandallexperiences.The movementofthevitalairsbringsaboutvisionwithinandanobjectwhichisapparentlyoutside.Buttheexperiencingofsight(theseeingitself)isthepure(supreme) consciousness!Theapparentlyinertvitalairwhichisthetactilesensationcomesintocontactwithitsobjectandthereisthesenseoftouch.Buttheawarenessofthe tactilesensationisagainpureconsciousness.Inthesamewayitisthevitalair(prana*)thatenablesthenosetosmellthescentswhicharemodificationsofthesame energy,whiletheawarenessofthesmellispureconsciousness.Ifthemindisnotassociatedwiththesenseofhearing,nohearingispossible.Again,itispure consciousnessthatistheexperienceofhearing. Actionspringsfromthought,thoughtisthefunctionofthemind,mindisconditionedconsciousness,butconsciousnessisunconditioned!Theuniverseisbutareflection inconsciousness(likethesceneryreflectedinacrystalball)butconsciousnessisnotconditionedbysuchreflection.Jiva*isthevehicleofconsciousness,egosenseis thevehicleofjiva*,intelligenceofegosense,mindofintelligence,prana*ofthemind,thesensesofprana*,thebodyofthesensesandmotionisthevehicleofthe body.Suchmotioniskarma.Becauseprana*isthevehicleforthemind,wheretheprana*takesitthemindgoes.Butwhenthemindismergedinthespiritualheart, prana*doesnotmove.Andiftheprana*doesnotmove,themindattainsaquiescentstate.Wheretheprana*goesthemindfollowsit,evenastheridergoeswhere thevehiclegoes.

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Thereflectionofconsciousnesswithinitselfisknownaspuryastaka*.Mindaloneispuryastaka*,thoughothershavedescribeditmoreelaborately(ascomposedof thefiveelements,theinnerinstrumentmind,buddhi,egosenseandcittaprana*,theorgansofaction,thesenses,ignorance,desire,andkarmaoraction).Itisalso knownasthelingasarira*,thesubtlebody.Sincealltheseariseinconsciousness,existinconsciousnessanddissolveinconsciousness,thatconsciousnessaloneisthe reality. TheLORDsaid: VI.1:32

Butforthemindandprana*thebodyisaninertmass.Justasapieceofironmovesinthepresenceofamagnet,evensothejiva*movesintheverypresenceof consciousnesswhichisinfiniteandomnipresent.Thebodyisinertanddependentitismadetofunctionbytheconsciousnesswhichbelievesitselfto.besimilartothe vitalairs(prana*).Thus,itisthekarmaselfortheactiveself(karmatma*)thatkeepsthebodyinmotion.Itis,however,thesupremeselfitselfthathasordainedboth themindandtheprana*asthepromotersoflifeinthebody.Itistheconsciousnessitself,assuminginertia,whichridesthemindasthejiva*. Oncethislimitationisestablished,thenotherconsequencesfollow.Theyarethephysicalandmentaldiseases!Thisislikewavesfirstarisingonthesurfaceofthe oceanandthencreatingripplesandsoforth.Theconsciousnessasjiva*becomesdependent,havingabandonedtheselfknowledgeasconsciousness.Labouring underathickveilofignorance,itisfoolishlyunabletorecognisetheharmthatithasbroughtuponitself,evenasadrunkardwieldingaswordcutshisownleg. However,evenasthedrunkardcansoonbecomesober,thisconsciousnesscansoonregainselfknowledge. Whenthemindisdivestedofitssupport,itremainsaloneintheself.Whenthepuryastaka*(thesubtlebody)isridofallitssupports,itattainsastateofquiescence andfallsmotionless.Whenconsciousness,onaccountofobjectification,becomesdeluded,thelatentpsychologicaltendenciesbecomeactiveidentifyingwiththese, consciousnessforgetsitsessentialnature. Whenthelotusoftheheartunfolds,thepuryastaka*functionswhenthatlotusfolds,thepuryastaka*ceasestofunction.Aslongasthepuryastaka*functionsinthe body,thebodyliveswhenitceasestofunction,thebodydies.Thiscessationcanbecausedbysomeformofinnerconflictbetweentheimpuritiesandinner awakening.Ifonlypurevasanas*ortendenciesfillone'sheartallconflictsceaseandthereareharmony,liberationandlongevity.Otherwise,whenthepuryastka* ceasestofunction,thebodydiesandthesubtlebodychoosesanothersuitedtofulfilthehidden

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vasanas*.Duetothesevasanas*,thepuryastaka*forgesnewlinkswiththenewsubtlebody,forgettingitsnatureaspureconsciousness.However,since consciousnessisinfiniteandomnipresent,themindridingthepuryastaka*roamseverywhere.Bodiesaretakenupandabandonedbythejiva*evenastreessprout newleavesanddiscardoldones.Wisemendonotsetanystorebythesechanges. Vl.1:33 InresponsetoVasistha's*questions:(i)intheinfiniteconsciousness howdiddualityariseand(ii)howdoesthatdualitywhichhasbeen strengthenedbyaeonsofconfirmation,cease,theLORDcontinued:

Sincethatomnipresentinfiniteconsciousnessaloneispresentatalltimes,diversity(duality)isabsurdandimpossible.Theconceptofoneariseswhenwhereisa conceptoftwoandviceversa:whenthediversityisrealisedasofconsciousness,thediversityisalsothat!Thecauseandeffectareoneintheiressence.Thisessence isindivisible.Consciousnessbeingitsownobject,isconsciousnessatalltimesthemodificationsarebutvainthinking.(ToassertthattherearewavesUPONthe surfaceoftheoceanislikesaying'Mountainsmadeofwaterfloatuponthesurfaceoftheocean'.Arethewavesoutsidetheocean?)Consciousnessaloneis'that', 'this'and'inthemiddle'(thefactorthatperceivesthemodification).ItistheoneinfiniteconsciousnessthatisvariouslyknownasBrahman,truth,god,Siva*,void,one andsupremeself. Thatwhichisbeyondalltheseformsandstatesofconsciousness,thatwhichisthesupremeself,thatwhichisindicatedbythepureI'thatisnotforwordsto describe.Thatwhichisperceivedhereisitselfindivisible.Whenthisconsciousnessinvestsitselfwithasecondaryvision(upanayanaalsomeansthesacredthreadof vediclearning!)thenitperceivesduality.Itisboundbyitsownignorantimagination.Thisimaginationgivesrisetosubstantiality,andtheexperienceofobjectsgives risetotheconfirmationoftherealityofthatobject.Theegosensegainscredencethereafterandisfirmlyestablished,assumingtheroleofthedoerofactionsandthe experiencerofotherexperiences.Thus,whatwasaccidentalcoincidencetobeginwithsoonbecomesanestablishedfact. Beliefintheexistenceofthegoblincreatesit.Beliefintheduality(diversity)establishesit.Whenthenondualbeingisknown,thedualityvanishesinstantly.Belief(or imagination)gaverisetodiversitywhenthatbeliefisdropped,diversitygoes.Thought,imaginationorbeliefgivesrisetosorrowtoabandonsuchthinkingisnot painful!Itisfeedingthesethoughtsandbeliefsthathasbroughtaboutthissorrowandthiscomestoanendbynotentertainingthosethoughtsandbeliefs:whereisthe difficultyinthis?Allthoughtsandbeliefsleadtosorrow,whereasnothoughtand

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nobeliefarepurebliss.Therefore,withthehelpofthefireofwisdom,vaporisethewatersofyourbeliefsandbecomepeaceful,supremelyblissful.Beholdtheone infiniteconsciousness. Itisonlyaslongasthekingremainsforgetfulofthefact'Iamking'thatheismiserable.Onceheregainsthatknowledge,thatsorrowvanishes.Evenasaftertherainy season,whenthewinterseasonhasset,in,theskyisunabletocollectcloudstoveilitself,oncetheinfiniteconsciousnessisrealised,thecloudsofignoranceare banishedforever. TheLORDsaid: VI.1:34

Thusdoestheuniverseexistasbothrealandunrealthedivine,beingfreeofduality,unitesthem,transcendsthemandisthereforebothofthem.Manifest consciousnessistheuniverse,andtheunmanifestuniverseisconsciousness.Byentertainingthenotion'Iamthis',consciousnessisboundbythisveryknowledgeitis freed.Objectification(orconceptualisation)leadstoselfforgetfulness.However,eveninthestateofdiversityandactivity,consciousnessistrulyundivided.Foritis onlythatsupremelypeacefulBrahmanthatisapparentlymanifestastheuniversethroughtheinstrumentalityofthemindanditsthreemodes(satva,rajasandtamas,or waking,dreamingandsleeping). When,however,themindisdestroyedbythemind,theveilisrentasunderandthetruthoftheworldjuggleryisseen,thenotionofworldappearanceandthe existenceofajiva*aredestroyed.Themindisthenclear,havinggivenuprepeatedlyrevivingthenotionsofobjectiveperception.Thisstateisknownas'pasyanti*'. Thenthemindwhichispureabandonsconjuringupimagesofobjects.Itattainsastatelikedeepsleeportheconsciousnessofhomogeneity,thusgoingbeyondthe possibilityofbirthagain.Itrestsinsupremepeace.Thisisthefirststate. Nowlistentothesecondstate.Consciousnessdevoidofmindisalllight,freefromdarknessandbeautifullikespace.Theinfiniteconsciousnessfreesitselftotallyfrom allmodificationordualityandremainsasifindeepsleeporasafigureinuncutmarble.Itabandonseventhefactorsoftimeandspaceandtranscendsbothinertness andmotionitremainsaspurebeingbeyondexpression.Ittranscendsthethreestatesofconsciousnessandremainsasthefourthorthestateofundividedinfinite consciousness. Nowcomesthethirdstate.Thisisbeyondevenwhatistermed'Brahman','theself',etc.Itissometimesreferredtoasturiyaatita*(beyondthefourthorturiya* state).Itissupremeandultimate.Itdefiesdescription,foritisbeyondthepracticeswhicharedescribedbythosewhoundertakethem.

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Osage,remainforeverinthatthirdstate.ThatistherealworshipoftheLord.Thenyouwillbeestablishedinthatwhichisbeyondwhatisandwhatisnot.Nothing hasbeencreatedandthereisnothingtovanish.Itisbeyondtheoneandthetwo.Itistheeternal,beyondtheeternalandthetransientitispuremassof consciousness.Initthereisnoquestionofdiversity.Itisall,itissupremeblessednessandpeace,itisbeyondexpression.ItispurestOM.Itistranscendent.Itis supreme. (VALMIKI*said:"Havingsaidthis,thelordSiva*remainedinsilentanddeepcontemplationforsometime.")

DevaPuja*
VI.1:35 Afterthusremainingimmersedinhimselfforsometime,theLORD openedhiseyesandcontinued:

Osage,abandonthehabitofapprehendingtheobjectswithyourmind.Theknowersofthat(self)haveseenwhatisworthseeing.Whatmoreistheretobeseenor nottobeseen?Beholdtheself.Beaswordwhichsunderswhatisregardedaspeaceandwhatisregardedasrestlessness.Or,resortingtojustalittleextroversionof attention,listentowhatIamgoingtosaytoyou.Nothingisgainedbymerelykeepingquiet! Thisbodyiskeptaliveandactivebythelifeforceorprana*.Withoutthatlifeforcethebodyisinert.Theenergythatmovesthebodyisprana*.Theintelligencethat experiencesthroughallthisisconsciousness.Thisconsciousnessisformlessandpurerthaneventhesky.Whentherelationshipbetweenthelifeforceandbody ceases,onlythelifeforceisseparatedfromthebody.Consciousness,whichispurerthanspace,doesnotperish. Apuremirrorreflectswhatisinfrontofit,butthereflectionisnotseenifthemirroriscoveredwithdirt.Evenso,thoughthebodyisseen,whentheprana*hasleftthe bodytheintelligencedoesnotreflecttheobjects. Theconsciousnessthoughinfiniteandomnipresentisabletobecomeawareofthemovementofthemindandthebody.Whenthisdefectofobjectification (conceptualisation)isremoved,thatitselfshinesasthesupremebeing.ItisitselfthecreatorBrahma*,Visnu*,Siva*,Indra,thesun,themoonandthesupremeLord. SomeofthesedivinitieslikeBrahma*,Visnu*andSiva*arenotdeceivedbythecosmicillusion.Theyareindeedpartsoftheinfiniteconsciousnesssharingitstrue nature:likeredhotironwhichsharesthenatureoffire.However,noneofthesehasactuallybeencreatedbytheinfiniteconsciousnessandnoneoftheseexistsapart fromit.These

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arenomorethannotionssomenotionsbeingmoredensethantheothers.Itisimpossibletodescribetheextentofsuchnotionswhichhaveariseninignorance. Inamannerofspeaking,thesupremebeing(theinfiniteconsciousness)isthefatherofBrahma*,Visnu*,Siva*andothers.Thatinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisfitto beadoredandworshipped.However,thereisnouseinvitingitfortheworshipnomantrasareofanyuseinitsworshipforitisimmediate(closest,one'sownself) andhencedoesnotneedtobeinvited.Itistheomnipresentselfofall.Therealisationofthisinfiniteconsciousness(whichistotallyeffortless)isalonethebestformof worship. TheLORDsaid: VI.1:36

Thus,theysaythatlordRudraisthepure,spontaneousselfexperiencewhichistheoneconsciousnessthatdwellsinallsubstances.Itistheseedofallseeds,itisthe essenceofthisworldappearance,itisthegreatestofactions.Itisthecauseofallcausesanditistheessenceinallbeings,thoughinfactitdoesnotcauseanythingnor isittheconceptofbeing,andthereforecannotbeconceived.Itistheawarenessinallthatissentient,itknowsitselfasitsownobject,itisitsownsupremeobjectand itisawareofinfinitediversitywithinitself. Itisconsciousnessinallexperiencesbutitispureandunconditioned.Itisabsolutetruthandthereforenottruthasaconcept.Itisnotlimitedtothedefinitionsoftruth orfalsehood.Itisinfacttheveryend(terminus)ofthesupremetruthortheprimordialreality.Itispureabsoluteconsciousness,naughtelse. Yet,ititselfbecomescolouredwithdesireorattractionforpleasure.Ititselfbecomestheexperiencerofpleasure,thepleasureexperienceandtheimpurityortaint causedbyit.Thoughitislikethesky,unconditionedandundivided,soonitbecomeslimitedandconditioned.Inthisinfiniteconsciousnesstherehavebeenmillionsof miragesknownasworldappearanceandtherewillalsoarisemillionsmoremiragesknownasworldappearance.Yet,nothingreallyhascomeintobeingindependent oftheinfiniteconsciousness:lightandheatseemtocomeoutoffirebuttheyarenotindependentoffire. Thisinfiniteconsciousnesscanbecomparedtotheultimatesubatomicparticlewhichyethideswithinitsheartthegreatestofmountains.Itencompassesthespanof countlessepochs,butitdoesnotletgoofamomentoftime.Itissubtlerthanthetipofasinglestrandofhair,yetitpervadestheentireuniverse.Noonehasseenits limitsorboundaries. Itdoesnothing,yetithasfashionedtheuniverse.Sustainingtheentireuniverse,itdoesnothingatall.Allsubstancesarenondifferent

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fromit,yetitisnotasubstancethoughitisnonsubstantialitpervadesallsubstances.Thecosmosisitsbody,yetithasnobody.Itistheeternal'now',yetitisthe tomorrow(morning).Oftenapparentlymeaninglesssoundsbecomemeaningfulandareregardedasmeaningfulwhilecommunicatingwithoneanother:evensothat infiniteconsciousnessisandisnot.Itisevenwhatitisnot.Allthesestatementsaboutwhatisandwhatisnotarebasedonlogic,andtheinfiniteconsciousnessgoes beyondtruth,beyondlogic. VI.1:37 TheLORDcontinued:

Itisthisinfiniteconsciousnessthatmakestheseedsproutwiththehelpofearth,water,time,etc.,andbecomefood.Itmakesflowersblossomandmakesthenose smelltheirfragrance.Inthesameway,itisabletocreateandsustainthesubstancesintheworldandtheircorrespondingsenseorgans,withthehelpofsuitablemeans whicharealsobroughtintobeingbythesameconsciousness.Theenergyofthisconsciousnessisabletocreatetheentireuniverseandthen,entertainingthenotion 'Thisisnot',reduceseverythingtoastateofvoid. Thisapparentcreationisbutareflectionofconsciousnesswithinitself,whichhasapparentlyacquiredabodyincourseoftime.Thetrinityisthemanifestationofand alsoisthatcosmicpowerorenergythatdetermines'Soitshallbe,anditshallnotbeotherwise.'Yet,consciousnessdoesnotcreateanythingitislikealampthat illuminestheroominwhichactionstakeplace. VASISTHA*asked: Lord,whatareenergiesofthisSiva*(consciousness)andwhataretheirpowersandtheiractivities? TheLORDreplied: Thesupremebeingisformless,andyetthefollowingfiveareitsaspectswill,space,'time,order(ordestiny)andthecosmicunmanifestnature.Ithascountless powersorenergiesorpotencies.Chiefamongthemareknowledge,dynamics,actionandnonaction. Allthesearebutpureconsciousnessbecausetheyarecalledthepotenciesofconsciousness,theyareapparentlyregardedasdistinctfromconsciousness,thoughin facttheyarenot. Thisentirecreationislikeastageonwhichallthesepotenciesofconsciousnessdancetothetuneoftime.Theforemostamongtheseisknownas'order'(thenatural orderofthingsandsequences).Itisalsoknownasaction,desireorwilltodo,time,etc.Itisthispotencythatordainsthateachthingshouldhaveacertain characteristicfromthebladeofgrasstothecreatorBrahma*.Thisnaturalorderisfreefromexcitementbutnotpurifiedofitslimitation:that(thenaturalorder)is whatdancesadancedramaknownastheworld

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appearance.Itportraysvariousmoods(compassion,anger,etc.),itproducesandremovesvariousseasonsandepochs,itisaccompaniedbythecelestialmusicand theroaringoftheoceans,itsstageisilluminedbythesunandthemoonandthestars,itactorsandactressesarethelivingbeingsinalltheworldssuchisthedanceof thenaturalorder.TheLordwhoistheinfiniteconsciousnessisthesilentbutalertwitnessofthiscosmicdance.Heisnondifferentfromthedancer(thecosmicnatural order)andthedance(thehappenings). TheLORDcontinued: VI.1:38

SuchistheLordwhoisfittobeworshippedconstantlybyholyones.Itisheindeedwhoisworshippedbywisemeninvariouswaysandinvariousformssuchas Siva*Visnu*,etc.Nowlistentothewaysinwhichheistobeworshipped. Firstofall,oneshouldabandonthebodyidea(thenotionthat'Iamthisbody').Meditationaloneistrueworship.HenceoneshouldconstantlyworshiptheLordof thethreeworldsbymeansofmeditation.Howshouldonecontemplatehim?Heispureintelligence,heisasradiantasahundredthousandsunsrisentogether,heis thelightthatilluminesalllights,heistheinnerlight,thelimitlessspaceishisthroat,thefirmamentishisfeet,thedirectionsarehisarms,theworldsaretheweaponshe bearsinhishands,theentireuniverseishiddeninhisheart,thegodsarehairsonhisbody,thecosmicpotenciesaretheenergiesinhisbody,timeishisgatekeeper andhehasthousandsofheads,eyes,earsandarms.Hetouchesall,hetastesall,hehearsall,hethinksthroughallthoughheisbeyondthinking.Hedoeseverythingat alltimes,hebestowswhateveronethinksofordesires,hedwellsinall,heistheall,healoneistobesoughtbyall.Thusshouldonecontemplatehim. ThisLordisnottobeworshippedbymaterialsubstancesbutbyone'sownconsciousness.Notbywavingoflampsnorlightingincense,norbyofferingflowersnor evenbyofferingfoodorsandalpaste.Heisattainedwithouttheleasteffortheisworshippedbyselfrealisationalone.Thisisthesuprememeditation,thisisthe supremeworship:thecontinuousandunbrokenawarenessoftheindwellingpresence,innerlightorconsciousness.Whiledoingwhateveroneisdoingseeing, hearing,touching,smelling,eating,moving,sleeping,breathingortalkingoneshouldrealiseone'sessentialnatureaspureconsciousness.Thusdoesoneattain liberation. Meditationistheoffering,meditationisthewaterofferedtothedeitytowashhishandsandfeet,selfknowledgegainedthroughmeditationistheflowerindeedall thesearedirectedtowards

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meditation.Theselfisnotrealisedbyanymeansotherthanmeditation.Ifoneisabletomeditateevenforthirteenseconds,evenifoneisignorant,oneattainsthemerit ofgivingawayacowincharity.Ifonedoessoforonehundredandoneseconds,themeritisthatofperformingasacredrite.Ifthedurationistwelveminutes,the meritisathousandfold.Ifthedurationisofaday,onedwellsinthehighestrealm.Thisisthesupremeyoga,thisisthesupremekriya*(actionorservice).Onewho practisesthismodeofworshipisworshippedbythegodsandthedemonsandallotherbeings.However,thisisexternalworship. VI.1:39 TheLORDcontinued:

Ishallnowdeclaretoyoutheinternalworshipoftheselfwhichisthegreatestamongallpurifiersandwhichdestroysalldarknesscompletely.Thisisofthenatureof perpetualmeditationwhetheroneiswalkingorstanding,whetheroneisawakeorasleep,inandthroughallofone'sactions.Oneshouldcontemplatethissupreme Lordwhoisseatedintheheartandwhobringsabout,asitwere,allthemodificationswithinoneself.Oneshouldworshipthe'bodhalingam*'(themanifest consciousnessorselfawareness)whichsleepsandwakesup,goesaboutorstands,toucheswhatistobetouched,abandonswhatshouldbeabandoned,enjoysand abandonspleasures,engagesinvariedexternalactivities,lendsvaluetoallactionsandremainsaspeaceinthevitalorgansinthebody(dehalingam*inthetextmay alsorefertothethree'lingams*'associatedwiththepsychiccentres).Thisinnerintelligenceshouldbeworshippedwithwhatevercomestooneunsought.Remaining firmlyseatedinthestreamoflifeanditsexperiencesafterhavingbathedinselfknowledge,oneshouldworshipthisinnerintelligencewiththematerialsofself realisation. OneshouldcontemplatetheLordinthefollowingmanner:heisthelightilluminedbythesolarforceaswellasthelunarforce,heistheintelligencethateternallylies hiddeninallmaterialsubstances,heistheextrovertawarenessthatflowsthroughthebodilyavenuesontotheexternalworld,heistheprana*thatmovesinone'sface (nose),hetransformscontactsofthesensesintomeaningfulexperiences,heridesthechariotcomposedofprana*andapana*,hedwellsinsecretinthecaveofone's heart.Heistheknoweroftheknowableandthedoerofallactions,theexperiencerofallexperiences,thethinkerofallthoughts.Itishewhoknowsallpartsorlimbs thoroughly,whoisrecognisedbybeingandnonbeingandwhoilluminesallexperiences. Heiswithoutpartsbutheistheall,hedwellsinthebodybutheisomnipresent,heenjoysanddoesnotenjoy,heistheintelligence

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ineverylimb.Heisthethinkingfacultyinthemind.Herisesinthemiddleofprana*andapana*.Hedwellsintheheart,inthethroat,inthemiddleofthepalate,the middleoftheeyebrowsandatthetipofthenose.Heistherealityinallthethirtysixelements(ormetaphysicalcategories),hetranscendstheinternalstates,heisthe onethatproducestheinternalsounds,andhebringsintobeingthebirdknownasmind.Heistherealityinwhatisdescribedasimaginationandnonimagination.He dwellsinallbeingsasoildwellsintheseed.Hedwellsintheheartlotusandagainhedwellsthroughoutthebody.Heshinesaspureconsciousness.Heisimmediately seeneverywhere,forheisthepureexperiencinginallexperiences,whoapparentlypolariseshimselfwhenapprehendingtheobjectsofsuchexperiences. TheLORDcontinued: OneshouldcontemplatethattheLordistheintelligenceinthebody.Thevariousfunctionsandfacultiesinthebodyservethatintelligenceasconsortsservetheirlord. ThemindisthemessengerwhobringsandpresentstotheLordtheknowledgeofthethreeworlds.Thetwofundamentalenergies,viz.,theenergyofwisdom(jnana* sakti*)andtheenergyofaction(kriya*sakti*),aretheconsortsoftheLord.Diverseaspectsofknowledgearehisornaments.Theorgansofactionarethegates throughwhichtheLordenterstheoutsideworld.'IamthatinfiniteselfwhichisindivisibleIremainfullandfinite,'thustheintelligencedwellsinthebody. Hewhocontemplatesinthismannerisequanimityitself,hisbehaviourisequanimous,guidedbyequalvision.Hehasreachedthestateofnaturalgoodnessandinner purityandheisbeautifulineveryaspectofhisbeing.HeworshipstheLordwhoistheintelligencethatpervadeshisentirebody. Thisworshipisperformeddayandnightperpetually,withtheobjectsthatareeffortlesslyobtained,andareofferedtotheLordwithamindfirmlyestablishedin equanimityandintherightspirit(fortheLordisconsciousnessandcaresonlyfortherightspirit).TheLordshouldbeworshippedwitheverythingthatisobtained withouteffort.Oneshouldnevermaketheleastefforttoattainthatwhichonedoesnotpossess.TheLordshouldbeworshippedbymeansofalltheenjoymentsthat thebodyenjoys,througheating,drinking,beingwithone'sconsortandsuchotherpleasures.TheLordshouldbeworshippedwiththeillnessesoneexperiencesand witheverysortofunhappinessorsufferingoneexperiences.TheLordshouldbeworshippedwithallofone'sactivities,includinglifeanddeathandallofone'sdreams. TheLordshouldbeworshippedwithone'spovertyandprosperity.TheLordshouldbeworshipped

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evenwithfightsandquarrelsaswellaswithsportsandotherpasttimes,andwiththemanifestationsoftheemotionsofattractionandaversion.TheLordshouldbe adoredwiththenoblequalitiesofapiousheartfriendship,compassion,joyandindifference. TheLordshouldbeworshippedwithallkindsofpleasuresthataregrantedtooneunsought,whetherthosepleasuresaresanctionedbythescriptures,etc.,or forbiddenbythem.TheLordshouldbeworshippedwiththosewhichareregardedasdesirableandotherswhichareregardedasundesirable,withthosethatare consideredappropriateandothersthatareconsideredinappropriate.Forthisworship,oneshouldabandonwhatislostandoneshouldacceptandreceivewhathas beenobtainedwithouteffort. TheLORDcontinued: Oneshouldengageoneselfinthisworshipatalltimes,establishedinsupremeequanimityinregardtoalltheperceptswhethertheybepleasantorunpleasant.One shouldregardeverythingasgoodandauspicious(oroneshouldregardeverythingasamixtureofgoodandevil).Realisingthateverythingistheoneself,oneshould worshiptheselfinthisspirit.Oneshouldlookwithequalvisionuponthatwhichispleasantandbeautifulthroughandthroughandthatwhichisunendurablyunpleasant. Thusshouldoneworshiptheself. Oneshouldabandonthedivisivenotionsof'ThisIam'and'ThisIamnot'andrealisethat'AllthisisindeedBrahman',theoneindivisibleandinfiniteconsciousness.In thatspiritoneshouldworshiptheself.Atalltimes,inallformsandtheirmodifications,oneshouldworshiptheselfinandthroughallthatoneobtains.Oneshould worshiptheselfafterhavingabandonedthedistinctionbetweenthedesirableandtheundesirable,orevenwhilerelyingonsuchadistinction(butusingthemasthe materialsfortheworship). Withoutcravingandwithoutrejecting,thatwhichiseffortlesslyandnaturallyobtainedmaybeenjoyed.Oneshouldnotgetexcitedordepressedwhenfacedwith insignificantorsignificantobjects,justasneitherskynorspaceissoaffectedbythediverseobjectsthatexistandgrowinit.Oneshouldworshiptheself,without psychologicalperversion,witheveryobjectthatisobtainedpurelyonaccountofthecoincidenceofthetime,placeandactivitywhethertheyarepopularlyknownas goodorasnotgood. Inthisprocedurefortheworshipoftheself,whateverarticlehasbeenmentionedasbeingnecessaryfortheworshipisofthesamenatureasallothers,thoughthe expressionsusedaredifferent.Equanimityissweetnessitselfandthissweetnessisbeyondthesensesandthemind.Whateveristouchedbythatequanimityin

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stantlybecomessweet,whateveritsdescriptionordefinitionmaybe.Thataloneisregardedasworshipwhichisperformedwhenoneisinastateofequanimitylike thatofspace,whenthemindhasbecomeutterlyquiescentwithouttheleastmovementofthought,whenthereiseffortlessabsenceofperversity.Establishedinthis stateofequanimity,thewisemanshouldexperienceinfiniteexpansionwithinhimselfwhilecarryingouthisnaturalactionsexternallywithoutcravingorrejection.Such isthenatureoftheworshipperofthisintelligence.Inhiscase,delusion,ignoranceandegosensedonotariseevenindream.Remaininthisstate,Osage,experiencing everythingasachilddoes.WorshiptheLordofthisbody(theintelligencethatpervadesit)withallthatisbroughttoyoubytime,circumstanceandenvironment,and restinsupremepeace,devoidofdesire. TheLORDcontinued: VI.1:40

Whateveryoudoandwheneveryoudoit(orrefrainfromdoingit)allthatisworshipoftheLordwhoispureconsciousness.Byregardingallthatastheworshipof theselfwhoistheLordheisdelighted. Likesanddislikes,attractionandaversionarenotfoundintheselfindependentofitsessentialnaturetheyaremerewords.Eventheconceptsindicatedbywordslike 'sovereignty','poverty','pleasure','pain','one'sown'and'others',areinfactworshipoftheself,fortheconceivingintelligenceistheself.Knowledgeofthecosmic beingaloneistheproperworshipofthecosmicbeing. Itisthatselforcosmicconsciousnessalonewhichisindicatedbyexpressionslike'thisworld'.Oh,whatamysteriouswonderitisthattheselfwhichispure consciousnessorintelligencesomehowseemstoforgetitsownnatureandcomestoregarditselfasthejiva*(theindividual).Infact,inthatcosmicbeingwhichisthe realityineverything,thereisnoteventhedivisionintoworshipper,worshipandtheworshipped.Itisimpossibletodescribethatcosmicbeingwhichsupportsthe entireuniversewithoutdivisionitisimpossibletoteachanotherconcerningit.And,wedonotconsiderthemworthyofbeingtaughtbyus,whoconsiderthatgodis limitedbytimeandspace.Hence,abandoningallsuchlimitedconcepts,abandoningeventhedivisionbetweentheworshipperandtheworshipped(Lord),worship theselfbytheself.Beatpeace,pure,freefromcravings.Considerthatallyourexperiencesandexpressionsaretheworshipoftheself. (InreplytoVasistha's*requestforafullerexplanationofSiva*,Brahman,selfwhytheyaresocalledandhowsuchdifferencesarose,theLordcontinued:) Therealityisbeginninglessandendlessanditisnotevenreflected

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inanything:thatisthereality.However,sinceitisnotpossibletoexperienceitthroughthemindandthesenses,itisevenregardedasifitwerenonbeing. (InreplytoVasistha's*question.''Ifitisbeyondthemind,howisitrealised?''theLORDreplied:) Inthecaseoftheseekerwhoiseagertoattainfreedomfromignoranceandwhoisthereforeequippedwithwhatistermed'satvic*avidya*'(subtleignorance),this satvic*avidya*,withthehelpofwhatareknownasscriptures,removestheignorance,justasawashermanremovesdirtwiththehelpofanotherformofdirt(soap). Bythiscatalyticactiontheignoranceisremoved,theselfrealisestheselfandtheselfseestheselfonaccountofitsownselfluminousnature. VI.1:41 TheLORDcontinued:

Whenachildisplayingwithcharcoal,hishandsbecomeblack.Ifhewasheshishandsbutimmediatelyplaysagainwithcharcoal,hishandsbecomeblackagain. However,ifhedoesnothandlecharcoalagainafterwashing,hishandscanremainclean.Evenso,ifoneenquiresintothenatureoftheselfandatthesametime refrainsfromthoseactionsthatpromoteavidya*orignorance,thedarknessofignorancevanishes.However,itisonlytheselfthatbecomesawareoftheself. Donotlookuponthisdiversityastheself.Donotentertainthefeelingthatselfknowledgeistheresultoftheteachingofapreceptor.Theguruorthepreceptoris endowedwiththemindandthesensestheselforBrahmanisbeyondthemindandthesenses.Thatwhichisattainedonlyaftertheotherceases,isnotattainedwith itshelpwhileitstillexists.However,thoughtheinstructionsofapreceptorandalltherestofitarenotreallythemeansfortheattainmentofselfknowledge,theyhave cometoberegardedasthemeansforit. Theselfisnotrevealedeitherbythescripturesorbytheinstructionsofapreceptor,andtheselfisnotrevealedwithouttheinstructionsofapreceptorandwithoutthe helpofthescripture.Itisrevealedonlywhenallthesecometogether.Itisonlywhenthescripturalknowledge,instructionsofapreceptorandtruediscipleshipcome togetherthatselfknowledgeisattained. ThatwhichISafterallthesenseshaveceasedtofunctionandallnotionsofpleasureandpainhavevanishedistheselforSiva*whichisalsoindicatedbyexpressions like'that','truth'or'reality'.However,thatwhichISwhenalltheseceasetobeexistsevenwhenallthesearepresent,likethelimitlessspace.Outoftheircompassion fortheignorantdeludedones,inanefforttoawakenthemspirituallyandtoawakeninthemathirstforliberation,theredeemersoftheuniverse(knownasBrahma, Indra,Rudraandothers)havecomposedscriptureslikethevedasandthepuranas*(thelegends).Inthese

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scripturestheyhaveusedwordslike'consciousness','Brahman','Siva*','self','Lord','supremeself',etc.Thesewordsmayimplyadiversity,butintruththereisno suchdiversity. Thetruthindicatedbythewordslike'Brahman',etc.,isindeedpureconsciousness.Inrelationtoiteventhelimitlessspaceisasgrossandsubstantialasagreat mountain.Thatpureconsciousnessappearstobetheknowableobjectandgivesrisetotheconceptofintelligenceorconsciousness,though,beingtheinnermostselfit isnotanobjectofknowledge.Onaccountofamomentaryconceptualisation,thispureconsciousnessgivesrisetotheegosense('Iknow'). TheLORDcontinued: Thisegosensethengivesrisetothenotionsoftimeandspace.Endowedwiththeenergyofthevitalair,itthenbecomesjiva*ortheindividual.Theindividual thenceforwardfollowsthedictatesofthenotionsandslipsintodenseignorance.Thusisthemindborninconjunctionwiththeegosenseandthedifferentformsof psychologicalenergy.Allthesetogetherareknownasthe'ativahika*'body,thesubtlebodywhichmovesfromoneplanetoanother. Afterthis,thesubstances(theobjectsoftheworld)correspondingtothesubtleenergiesoftheativahika*bodywereconceivedof,andthuswerethevarioussenses (sight,touch,hearing,tasteandsmelling),theircorrespondingobjectsandtheirconnectingexperiencesbroughtintobeing.Thesetogetherareknownasthe puryastaka*andintheirsubtlestatetheyarealsoknownastheativahika*body. Thuswereallthesesubstancescreatedbutnothingwascreatedinfact.Allthesearebutapparentmodificationsintheoneinfiniteconsciousness.Evenasdream objectsarewithinoneself,allthesearenondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousness.Evenaswhenonedreamsthoseobjects,theyseemtobecometheobjectsof one'sperception,allthese,too,appeartobeobjectiverealities. Whenthetruthconcerningthemisrealised,alltheseshineastheLord.However,eventhatisuntrue,forallthesehaveneverbecomematerialsubstancesorobjects. Onaccountofone'sownnotionsoftheirbeingsubstanceswhichoneexperiences,theyappeartohaveasubstantiality.Thus,conjuringupasubstantiality,the consciousnessseesthesubstantiality. Conditionedbysuchnotionsitseemstosuffer.Conditioningissorrow.Butconditioningisbasedonthoughtsandnotions(orsensualandpsychologicalexperiences). However,thetruthisbeyondsuchexperienceandtheworldisanappearancelikeamirage!Inthatcase,whatispsychologicalconditioning,whoconditionswhatand

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whoisconditionedbysuchconditioning?Whodrinksthewaterofthemirage?Thus,whenallthesearerejected,therealityaloneremainsinwhichthereisno conditioning,naughtconditioned.Itmaybestyledthebeingorthenonbeing,butitaloneis.Mentalconditioningisillusorynonbeing,likeaghostwhenitislaid,the illusionofcreationalsovanishes.Hewhotakesthisegosenseandthismirageknownascreationtobereal,heisunfittobeinstructed.Preceptorsinstructonlyaman endowedwithwisdom,notfoolishmen.Thelatterpintheirfaithandhopeontheworldappearance,liketheignorantmanwhobestowshisdaughterinmarriagetothe manseenonlyinhisdream! VI.1:42 TheLORDcontinued:

Thejiva*perceivesalltheseelementsasconstitutingitsbodyinthevoid,evenasthedreamingpersonperceivesdiverseobjectswithintheinnervoid.Thisistrue eventodaythecosmicconsciousnessorthecosmicbeingperceivestheuniverseofdiversitywithinitselfevenasthedreamerperceivesdiversitywithinhimself. Thejiva*thinksofitselfasBrahma,Visnu*,etc.,butallthisisnothingmorethanthoughtform.However,thisthoughtformconceivesandperceivesotherthought formsandexperiencesthem.Thesolerealityinalltheseperceptsistheprimaryconceptknownastheegosense,whicharisestheveryinstantconsciousnessconceives ofanobjectwithinitselfandthinksitperceivesit(obviouslyasitsobject).Thatinstantitselfistheepochandallthemultiplesanddivisionsofepochs.Ineveryatomof existencethisdramaofselfveilingandselfknowledgeisenactedallthetime,allofwhichisnothingmorethanthoughtformcreatedbycosmicconsciousness.Yet, nothingiscreatedbyorincosmicconsciousness,foritremainsunchangedandunmodified. Themountainseeninadreamonlyappearstoexistintimeandspace.Itdoesnotoccupyanyspacenordoesittaketimetoappearanddisappear.Evensoisthe casewiththeworld.Inwhatevermannertheomnipotentdeitycomesintobeing,inexactlythesamemannerawormalsocomesintobeingwithinthetwinklingofan eye.FromthelordRudradowntothebladeofgrass,allthebeingsoneseesintheuniversehavecomeintobeinginthesamemanner,whethertheyaremicro organismsorcolossalpersonalities. Ifonethusenquiresintothenatureofthissamsara*(worldappearance),theperceptionofdiversitydisappearssimultaneouslywiththedawnofselfknowledgeor godrealisation.Iftherealnatureoftheinfiniteconsciousnessisallowedtoslipevenforonehalfofahundredthpartofasecond,thenalltheseunfortunate

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illusorycreationstakeplace.Bytheexpression'Brahman'thewisesagesindicatethatstateinwhichoneremainsforeverfirmlyestablishedintheinfiniteconsciousness. Whenthisisdisturbedoneentertainsthenotionoftheworldasreal,andthisgivesrisetoanendlesssequenceofdiversitygods,demons,humansandsubhumans, plantsandworms.However,ifonedoesnotslipfromthatstateofcosmicconsciousness,onerealisesthatthetruthiseverpresenteverywhere. VASISTHA*said: ORama*,havingsaidthus,lordSiva*receivedmyadorationandafterblessingme,departedwithhisconsort,Parvati*.Havingimbibedhisteaching,Iabandonedmy previousmodeofworshipandcommencedtheworshipoftheomnipresentnondualself. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:43

ORama*,theunrealjiva*perceivestheunrealworldonaccountoftheunrealinfluenceoftheunreality.Inallthiswhatcanbeconsideredasrealandwhatasunreal? Animaginaryobjectisimaginativelydescribedbysomeoneandoneunderstandsinone'sownimaginationandimaginesthatheunderstandsit.Justasliquidityisin liquids,motioninwind,emptinessinspace,evensoisomnipresenceintheself. FromthetimetheLordinstructedme,Ihavebeenperformingtheworshipoftheinfiniteself.Bythegraceofsuchworship,thoughIamconstantlyengagedinvarious activitiesIamfreefromsorrow.Iperformtheworshipoftheself,whoisundividedthoughapparentlydivided,withtheflowersofwhatevercomestomenaturallyand whateveractionsarenaturaltome. Tocomeintorelationship(topossessandtobepossessed)iscommontoallembodiedbeingsbuttheyogisareforevervigilant,andsuchvigilanceistheworshipof theself.Adoptingthisinnerattitudeandwithamindutterlydevoidofanyattachment,Iroaminthisdreadfulforestofsamsara*(worldappearance).Ifyoudoso,you willnotsuffer. Whengreatsorrow(likethelossofwealthandrelations)befallsyou,enquireintothenatureoftruth,inthemannerdescribed.Youwillnotbeaffectedbyjoyor sorrow.Younowknowhowallthesethingsariseandhowtheycease,andyoualsoknowthefateofthemanwhoisdeludedbythem,whodoesnotenquireintotheir realnature.Theydonotbelongtoyouyoudonotbelongtothem.Suchistheunrealnatureoftheworld.Donotgrieve. DearRama*,youarepureconsciousnesswhichisnotaffectedbytheillusoryperceptionofthediversityofcreation.Ifyouseethis,

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howwillnotionsofthedesirableandtheundesirableariseinyou?Realisingthus,ORama*,remainestablishedintheturiya*(transcendental)stateofconsciousness. RAMA*said: Lord,Iamfreefromthedirtofduality.IhaverealisedthatallthisisindeedBrahman.Myintelligencehasbeenpurified,ridofdoubtsanddesiresandevenquestions.I donotdesireheavennordoIdreadhell.Iremainestablishedintheself.Byyourgrace,OLord,Ihavecrossedthisoceanofsamsara*(worldappearance).Ihave realisedthefullnessofdirectselfknowledge. VI.1:44 VASISTHA*continued:

Thatisnotconsideredaction,ORama*,whichyouperformmerelywiththeorgansofaction,withanunattachedmind.Thedelightderivedfromsensualexperienceis fleeting.Arepetitionofthatexperiencedoesnotaffordarepetitionofthesamedelight.Whobutafoolwillentertaindesireforsuchamomentaryjoy?Moreover,an objectgivesyoupleasureonlywhenitisdesired.Sothepleasurebelongstothedesirehencegiveupdesireorcraving. Ifinthecourseoftime,youattaintotheexperienceofthat(theself),donotstoreitinyourmindasamemoryoregosensetoberevivedasdesireonceagain.For, whenyourestonthepinnacleofselfknowledge,itisunwisetofallintothepitofegosenseagain.Lethopesceaseandletnotionsvanish,letthemindreachthestate ofnomindwhileyouliveunattached.Youareboundonlywhenyouareignorant.Youwillnotbeboundifyouhaveselfknowledge.Hence,strivebyeverymeansto remainvigilantinselfknowledge. Whenyoudonotengageyourselfinsenseexperiencesandalsowhenyouexperiencewhatevercomestoyouunsought,youareinastateofequanimityandpurity, freefromlatenttendenciesormemories.Insuchastate,likethesky,youwillnotbetaintedevenbyathousanddistractions.Whenknower,knownandknowledge mergeintheoneself,thepureexperiencerdoesnotonceagaingenerateadivisionwithin. Withtheslightestmovementinthemind(whenthemindblinks)thesamsara*(worldappearance)arisesandceases.Makethemindunwinking(freefrommovement ofthought)bytherestraintoftheprana*andalsothelatenttendencies(vasana*).Bythemovement(blinking)ofprana*,thesamsara*arisesandceasesbydiligent practicemaketheprana*freefromsuchmovement.Bytheriseandcessationoffoolishness(ignorance),selfbindingactionarisesandceasesrestrainitbymeansof selfdisciplineandtheinstructionsofthepreceptorandthescriptures.Thisworldillusionhasarisenbecauseofthemovementofthought

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inthemindwhenthatceasestheillusionwillcease,too,andthemindbecomesnomind.Thiscanalsobeachievedbytherestraintofprana*.Thatisthesupreme state.Theblissthatisexperiencedinastateofnomind,thatblisswhichisuncaused,isnotfoundeveninthehighestheaven.Infact,thatblissisinexpressibleand indescribableandshouldnotevenbecalledhappiness!Themindoftheknowerofthetruthisnomind:itispuresatva.Afterlivingwithsuchnomindforsometime, therearisesthestateknownasturiyaatita*(thestatebeyondthetranscendental,ortheturiya*state).

TheStoryoftheWoodapple
VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:45

Inthisconnection,ORama*,thereisaninstructiveparablewhichIshallpresentlynarratetoyou. Thereisawoodapplefruitwhichisimmeasurablylargeandwhichdoesnotdecaynorperishthoughithasexistedforcountlessaeons.Itisthesourceandsupportof thenectarofimmortalityandindestructibility.Itistheabodeofsweetness.Thoughitismostancient,itisevernew,likethenewmoon.Itistheverycentreorheartof theuniverse,itisunmovinganditisnotshakenevenbytheforcesofcosmicdissolution.Thiswoodapplefruit,whichisimmeasurablylarge,istheoriginalsourceof thiscreation. Evenwhenitisfullyripe,itdoesnotfallfromitsplace.Itisforeverfullyripebutitdoesnotbecomeoverripe.EventhecreatorBrahma,Visnu*,Rudraandtheother godsdonotknowtheoriginofthiswoodapplefruit.Noonehasseentheseednorthetreeonwhichthisfruitgrows.Theonlythingthatcanbesaidaboutitisthat thisfruitexists,withoutbeginning,withoutmiddleandwithoutend,withoutchangeandwithoutmodification.Evenwithinthisfruitthereisnodiversityitiscompletely fullwithoutemptiness.Itisthefountainsourceofalljoysanddelights,fromthedelightofanordinarymantothatofthehighestofdivinities.Thus,thisfruitisnone otherthanthemanifestationoftheenergyofinfiniteconsciousness. Thisenergyoftheinfiniteconsciousness,withoutevenforamomentabandoningitsowntruenature,hasmanifestedthiscreation,asitwere,bymerelywillingitinits ownintelligence.Infact,eventhis(i.e.,thatitwilledso)isnotreallytrue!Theegosensethatisimpliedinsuch.willingisitselfunrealbutoutofthishaveproceededall theelementsandtheircorrespondingsubjectivesenses.Intruth,thatenergyoftheinfiniteconsciousnessitselfisspace,time,naturalorder,expansionofthought, attractionandrepulsion,Iness,

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younessanditness,above,below,theotherdirections,themountains,thefirmamentandthestars,knowledgeandignoranceall,whateveris,wasandwillever be.Allthatisnothingbuttheenergyoftheinfiniteconsciousness. Thoughitisone,itisconceivedofasdiversebeingsitisneitheronenormany.Itisnotevenit!Itisestablishedinreality.Itisofthenatureofsupreme,allinclusive peace.Itistheoneimmeasurablygreatcosmicbeingorself.Itis(cosmic)energyofthenatureof(cosmic)consciousness.

TheStoryoftheRock
VI.1:.46 VASISTHA*continued:

Thereisyetanotherparable,ORama*,toillustratethisfurther.Ishallnownarratethattoyou. Thereisagreatrockwhichisfulloftendernessandaffection,whichisobviousandeverclearlyperceived,whichissoft,whichisomnipresentandeternal.Withinit countlesslotusesblossom.Theirpetalssometimestouchoneanother,sometimesnot,sometimestheyareexposedandsometimestheyarehiddenfromview.Some facedownwards,somefaceupwardsandsomehavetheirrootsintertwined.Somehavenorootsatall.Allthingsexistwithinitthoughtheydonot. ORama*,thisrockisindeedthecosmicconsciousnessitisrocklikeinitshomogeneity.Yetwithinit,allthesediversecreaturesofthisuniverseappeartobe.Justas oneconceivesorimaginesdifferentformswithintherock,thisuniverseisalsoignorantlyimaginedtoexistinthisconsciousness.Evenifasculptor'creates'different formsintherock,itisstillrock:evensointhecaseofthiscosmicconsciousnesswhichisahomogeneousmassofconsciousness.Evenasthesolidrockcontains potentiallydiversefigureswhichcanbecarvedoutofit,thediversenamesandformsofthecreaturesofthisuniverseexistpotentiallyincosmicconsciousness.Evenas rockremainsrock,carvedoruncarved,consciousnessremainsconsciousnesswhethertheworldappearsornot.Theworldappearanceisbutanemptyexpression itssubstanceisnaughtbutconsciousness. Infact,eventhesemanifestationsandmodificationsarebutBrahman,thecosmicconsciousnessthoughnotinthesenseofmanifestationormodification.Eventhis distinctionmodificationinthesenseofmodification,oranyothersenseismeaninglessinBrahman.WhensuchexpressionsareusedinrelationtoBrahman,the meaningisquitedifferent,likewaterinthemirage.Sincetheseeddoesnotcontainanythingotherthantheseed,eventheflowers

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andthefruitsareofthesamenatureastheseed:thesubstanceoftheseedisthesubstanceofsubsequenteffects,too.Evenso,thehomogeneousmassofcosmic consciousnessdoesnotgiverisetoanythingotherthanwhatitisinessence.Whenthistruthisrealised,dualityceases.Consciousnessneverbecomesun consciousness.Ifthereismodification,thattooisconsciousness.Hence,whatevertheremaybe,whereverandinwhateverformallthisisBrahman.Alltheseexist foreverintheirpotentialstateinthemassofhomogeneousconsciousness. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:47

Time,spaceandotherfactorsinthissocalledcreation(whichisintruthanotheraspectofthesameconsciousness)arenoneotherthanconsciousness.Whenitis realisedthatallthesearebutthoughtsandnotionsandthattheselfisoneandindivisible,howthenaretheseregardedasunreal?Intheseedthereisnothingbutthe seednodiversity.Atthesametimethereisthenotionofpotentialdiversity(offlowers,fruits)supposedlypresentintheseed.Evenso,cosmicconsciousnessisone, devoidofdiversityyettheuniverseofdiversityissaidtoexistonlyinnotion. Thestoneissinglethenotionofnumerouslotusesarisesonlyinrelationtothatsinglestone.Evensothenotionofdiversityarisesinconsciousnesswithoutcausing diversity.Butjustaswaterinmirageisandisnotsimultaneously,evensoisdiversityinrelationtotheinfiniteconsciousness.AllthisisindeedBrahman,theinfinite consciousness.Evenasthenotionoftheexistenceoflotusesinthestonedoesnotdestroythestone,Brahmanisunaffectedbyworldappearancewhichexistsasthe verynatureofBrahmaninBrahman.ThereisnoessentialdifferenceintruthbetweenBrahmanandtheworld:theyaresynonyms.Whentherealityisthusseen, Brahmanaloneisseen. Evenasallthatisseenaswaterintheworldisnaughtbuthydrogenandoxygengases,evensotheworldappearanceisbutBrahmanalone.Theoneconsciousness appearsasthemind,themountains,etc.,evenasthemulticolouredfeathersandthewingsofthepeacockarepresentintheeggofthepeacock.Thispowerorfaculty ispotentiallypresentintheinfiniteconsciousness.Whateverisnowseenasthediverseobjectsoftheuniverse,ifitisseenwiththeeyeofwisdom(theeyethatis wisdom),thenonlyBrahmanortheinfiniteconsciousnesswillbeseen.Forthatisnondualthoughapparentlydiverse,justlikethenotionofdiversityinthefluidinthe peacock'segg.ThenotionofBrahmanandtheworldisthereforebothdualandnondual.Thatwhichisthesubstratumforallthesenotionsofunityanddiversitythat isthesupremestate.

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Theinfiniteconsciousnesspervadestheentireuniverse,andtheuniverseexistsintheinfiniteconsciousness.Therelationshipisoneofdiversityandnondiversityjust asthenumerouspartsofthepeacockareintheone'eggsubstance.Whereisthediversityinallthis? VI.1:48 VASISTHA*continued:

Allthesetheegosenseandthespace,etc.haveacquiredthenatureofrealsubstancesthoughtheyhavenotbeencreatedatall.Wherenothinghasarisen(been created)thereeverythingisseen.Evenso,thesages,godsandtheperfectedonesremainintheirtranscendentalconsciousness,tastingtheblissoftheirownnature. Theyhaveabandonedtheillusionofdualityoftheobserverandtheobject,andtheconsequentmovementofthought.Theirgazeisfixedandunwinking. Thoughthesesagesareactivehere,theydonotentertaintheleastnotionofillusoryexistence.Theyarefirmlyrootedintheabandonmentoftherelationshipbetween theknowerandtheknown(subjectandobject).Theirlifeforceisnotagitated.Itisasiftheywerepaintedpicturestheirminddoesnotmove,evenasthemindof paintedfiguresdoesnotmove.For,theyhaveabandonedtheconceptualisingtendencyoftheconsciousness. Theyengagethemselvesinappropriateactivitybyalittlemovementofthoughtinconsciousness(evenastheLorddoes).However,suchmovementofthoughtandthe experiencingofthecontactoftheobserverwiththeobjectalsoproducegreatjoyinthem.Theirconsciousnessisabsolutelypure,purifiedofallimages(conceptsand notions). Suchastateofpurityoftheself,thetruenatureoftheinfiniteconsciousness,isnotavision(anexperienceofthemindandthesenses).Itisincapableofbeingtaught. Itisnotveryeasynorisitfardistantorimpossible.Itisattainedbydirectexperiencealone. Thataloneexists,naughtelse:neitherthebodynorthesensesandlifeforce,neitherthemindnorthestorehouseofmemoryorlatenttendencies,neitherthejiva*nor evenamovementinconsciousness,neitherconsciousnessnortheworld.Itisneitherrealnorunrealnorsomethinginbetween,neithervoidnornonvoid,neithertime norspacenorsubstantiality.Freefromalltheseandfreefromahundredveilsintheheart,oneshouldexperiencetheselfinallthatisseen. Itisneitherthebeginningnortheend.Becauseitiseverpresenteverywhere,itistakenforsomethingelse.Thousandsarebornandthousandsdie:buttheselfwhichis everywhere,insideandoutside,

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isnotaffected.Itremainsinallthesebodies,etc.,asifitwerejustalittledifferentfromtheinfinite. Thoughradiantlyengagedindiverseactivities,remainfreefromthesenseofInessandmineness.ForwhateverisseeninthisworldisBrahman,freefrom characteristicsandqualitiesitiseternal,peaceful,pureandutterlyquiescent. RAMA*asked:IfBrahmandoesnotundergoanymodificationatall, howdoesthisworldappearance,whichisandisnotreal,ariseinit? VI.1:49

VASISTHA*replied: Truemodification,ORama*,isatransformationofasubstanceintoanotherlikethecurdlingofmilk,inwhichcasethecurdcannotonceagainreturntoitsmilkstate. SuchisnotthecasewithBrahmanwhichwasunmodifiedbeforetheworldappearanceandwhichregainsitsunmodifiedstateaftertheworlddisappearance.Bothin thebeginningandintheend,itisunmodifiedhomogeneousconsciousness.Themomentaryandapparentmodificationinthisisbutamilddisturbanceofconsciousness, notamodificationatall.InthatBrahmanthereisneitherasubjectnoranobjectofconsciousness.Whateverathingisinthebeginningandintheend,thataloneitis.If itappearstobesomethingelseinthemiddle,thatappearanceisregardedasunreal.Hence,theselfistheselfinthebeginningandintheendandthereforeinthe middle,too!Itneverundergoesanytransformationormodification. RAMA*askedagain:Inthatselfwhichispureconsciousness,howdoesthismilddisturbancearise? VASISTHA*replied: Iamconvinced,ORama*,thatthatinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisrealandthatthereisnodisturbanceatallinitsnature.Weusewordslike'Brahman'justforthe sakeofcommunicationorinstruction,nottoraisenotionsofoneandtwo.You,IandallthesethingsarepureBrahman:thereisnoignoranceatall. RAMA*askedagain:Butattheendoftheprevioussection,youexhortedmetoenquireintothenatureofthisignorance! VASISTHA*replied: Yes,atthattimeyouwerestillnotfullyawakened.Suchexpressionsas'ignorance','jiva*',etc.,havebeeninventedasaidstoinstructingtheunawakened.Oneshould usecommonsenseandsuitableaids(yukttialsocommonlymeans'trick')toawakentheseekerbeforeimpartingtheknowledgeofthetruth.Ifonedeclares,"Allthisis Brahman"toanunawakenedperson,itislikeamanpetitioningatreeforrelieffromhissuffering.Itisbysuitableaids

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thattheunawakenedisawakened.Theawakenedisenlightenedbythetruth.Thus,nowthatyouareawakened,Ideclarethetruthtoyou. YouareBrahman,IamBrahman,thewholeuniverseisBrahman.Whateveryouaredoing,realisethistruthatalltimes.ThisBrahmanortheselfaloneistherealityin allbeings,evenasclayistherealsubstanceinthousandsofpots.Evenaswindanditsmovementarenondifferent,consciousnessanditsinternalmovement(energy) whichcausesallthesemanifestationsarenondifferent.Itistheseedofnotionfallingonthesoilofconsciousnessthatgivesrisetoapparentdiversity.Ifitdoesnotso fall,minddoesnotsprout. VI.1:50 RAMA*said:

Whatistobeknownisknown,whatistobeseenisseen,weareallfilledwiththesupremetruth,thanksindeedtothenectarinewisdomofBrahman,impartedby you.Thisfullnessisfilledwithfullness.Fullnessisbornfromfullness.Fullnessfillsfullness.Infullnessfullnessiseverestablished.However,forthefurtherexpansionof awareness,Iaskagain:praybearwithme.Thesenseorgansareobviouslypresentinall:yethowisitthatthedeadpersondoesnotexperiencesensations,though whilelivingheexperiencedtheirobjectsthroughthoseorgans? VASISTHA*continued: Apartfromthepureconsciousnessthereareneitherthesenses,northemind,noreventheirobjects.Itisthatconsciousnessalonewhichappearsastheobjectsin natureandasthesensesintheperson.Whenthatconsciousnesshasapparentlybecomethesubtlebody(puryastaka*),itreflectstheexternalobjects. Theeternalandinfiniteconsciousnessisindeedfreeofallmodificationsbutwhentherearisesthenotionof'Iam'init,thatnotioninknownasthejiva*.Itisthatjiva* thatlivesandmovesinthisbody.Whenthenotionof'I'arises(ahambhavana*),itisknownasegosense(ahamkara*).Whentherearethoughts(manana),itisknown asmind(manas).Whenthereisawareness(bodha),itisintelligence(buddhi).Whenseen(drs*)bytheindividualsoul(indra)itisknownasthesense(indriya).When thenotionofbodyprevailsitappearstobebodywhenthenotionofobjectprevailsitappearstobethediverseobjects.However,throughthepersistenceofthese notions,thesubtlepersonalitycondensesintomaterialsubstantiality.Thesameconsciousnessthereafterthinks'Iamthebody','Iamthetree',etc.Thusselfdeludedit risesandfalls,untilitattainsapurebirthandisspirituallyawakened.Thenbybeingdevotedtothetruth,itattainsselfknowledge. Ishallnowtellyouhowitperceivestheobjects.Isaidthaton

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accountofthenotionof'Iam',consciousnessabidesasjiva*inthebody.Whenitssensesdescenduponsimilarbodiesoutsideitself,thereiscontactbetweenthe twoandthereisdesiretoknow(tobecomeonewith)them.Whenthereisthiscontacttheobjectisreflectedwithinoneselfandthejiva*perceivesthisreflection, thoughitbelievesthatthereflectionisoutside!Thejiva*knowsonlythisreflection,whichmeansitknowsitself.Thiscontactisthecauseoftheperceptionofexternal objectshenceitispossibleonlyinthecaseoftheignorantonewhosemindisdeludedandnotinthecaseoftheliberatedsage.Ofcourse,sincethejiva*(whichis buta'notion')andalltherestofitareinertandinsentient,thereflectionthusseenandexperiencedisinfactanopticalillusionorintellectualperversion.Theselfisall inallallthetime.

TheStoryofArjuna
VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:51

Justasthecosmicbody(composedoftheintelligenceenergyandthecosmicelements)orthefirstpuryastaka*(cosmicsubtlebody)aroseintheinfinite consciousnessasanotion,alltheotherbodies(puryastaka*)alsoariseinthesamemanner.Whateverthejiva*(whichisthepuryastaka*orthesubtlebody) conceivesofwhilestillinthewomb,thatitseesasexistent.Justasinthemacrocosmthecosmicelementsevolve,evensointhemicrocosmthesensescorresponding tothoseelementsevolve.Ofcourse,theyarenotactuallycreated.Theseexpressionsanddescriptionsareusedmerelyforthesakeofinstruction.Theseideaswhich areusedininstructionaredispelledbytheenquirywhichtheyinitiallypromoteandprompt. Evenwhenyouobservethisignoranceverycarefullyandkeenlyyoudonotseeit:itvanishes.Theunrealisrootedinunreality.Weonlytalkofwaterinthemirage. Thewaterinthemirage,beingunreal,hasneverbeenwateratall.Inthelightoftruth,therealityofallthingsisrevealed,anddelusionorillusoryperceptionvanishes. Theselfisreal.Jiva*,puryastaka*(thesubtlebody)andalltherestofitareunreal,andtheenquiryintotheirnatureisnodoubtenquiryintotheirunreality!Itisin ordertoinstructoneintherealnatureoftheunrealitythatsuchexpressionsas'jiva*',etc.,areused. Thisinfiniteconsciousnesshas,asitwere,assumedthenatureofthejiva*,andobliviousofitstruenatureitexperienceswhateveritthinksofasbeing.Evenas,tothe childtheunrealghostitvisualisesatnightistrulyreal,thejiva*conceivesofthefiveelementswhichitseesasexisting.Thesearenothingbutnotionsofthejiva* however,thejiva*seesthemasiftheyareoutsideit.Itthinks

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thatsomearewithinandothersareoutsideofit.Andsoitexperiencesthem. Knowledgeisinherentinconsciousness,evenasvoidisinspace.However,consciousnessnowbelievesknowledgetobeitsownobject.Thediverseobjectsare limitedbytimeandspacewhicharethemselvesbutthenotionaldivisioninconsciousnessbroughtaboutbythisdivision(ofconsciousnessandknowledgeassubject andobject)withinitself.Suchdivisiondoesnotexistintheself,whichtranscendstimeandspace. However,theinfiniteconsciousnesswiththeknowledgeinherentinitconceivesofdiversecreatures.Suchisitspower,whichnoonecanchallenge.Theinertspaceis unabletoreflectitselfwithinitself.Butbecauseitsnatureisinfiniteconsciousness,Brahmanreflectsitselfwithinitselfandconceivesofitselfasaduality,thoughitis bodiless. VASISTHA*continued: Whateverthisconsciousnessthinksof,thatitseesasexistingitsconceptsandnotionsareneverbarren.Inagoldenbracelet,therearethesetwogoldandbracelet, onebeingthereality(gold)andtheotherbeingtheappearance(ofbracelet).Evenso,intheselftherearebothconsciousnessandthenotionofmaterial(inert) substantiality.Sinceconsciousnessisomnipresent,itiseverpresentinthemindinwhichthenotionarises. Thedreamerdreamsofavillagewhichoccupieshismindandinwhichhelivesforthetimebeingalittlelaterhedreamsofanothersituationandhethinkshelives there.Evenso,thejiva*goesfromonebodytoanotherthebodyisbutthereflectionofthenotionentertainedbythejiva*.Theunreal(body)alonediesanditisthe unrealthatisbornagainapparentlyinanotherbody.Justasinthedreamoneexperiencesthingsseenandunseen,evensointhedreamofthejiva*itexperiencesthe worldandevenseeswhatistocomeinthefuture. Evenasanerrorofyesterdaycanberectifiedandturnedintoagoodactionbyselfefforttoday,thehabitsofthepastcanbeovercomebyappropriateserfeffort. However,thenotionofjivahood*andoftheexistenceandfunctioningoftheeyes,etc.,cannotbeabolishedexceptbytheattainmentofliberation.Tillthen,they becomealternatelylatentandpatent. Anotionentertainedbyconsciousnessappearsasthebody.Ithasacorrespondingsubtlebody(ativahika*,whichisalsoknownaspuryastaka*)composedofmind, intellect,egosenseandthefiveelements.Theselfisformless,butthepuryasaka*roamsinthiscreationinsentientandinsentientbodiesuntilitpurifiesitself,lives

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asifindeepsleepandattainsliberation.Thesubtlebodyexistsallthetime,duringdreamsandduringsleep.Itcontinuestoexistininsentient'bodies'(likeinanimate objects)asifitwereindeepsleep.Allthesearealsoexperiencedinthis(human)body.Itsdeepsleepisinertandinsentient,itsdreamstateistheexperienceofthis creation,itswakingstateistrulythetranscendental(turiya*)consciousnessandtherealisationofthetruthisliberation.Thestateofliberationwhilelivingisitselfthe turiya*consciousness.BeyondthatisBrahmanwhichisturiyaatita*(beyondturiya*).Ineveryatomofexistencethereisnaughtelsethanthesupremebeing wherevertheworldisseen,thatisbutanillusoryworldappearance.Thisillusion,andthereforebondage,issustainedbypsychologicalconditioning.Suchconditioning isbondageanditsabandonmentisfreedom.Denseandheavyconditioningisexistenceasinertobjects,middlingconditioningasanimalsandthinconditioningas humans.Butenoughofperceptionofdivision:thewholeuniverseisbutthemanifestationoftheenergyofinfiniteconsciousness. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:52

Whatisknownasthissamsara*(worldappearance)isbuttheoriginaldreamofthejiva*(thefirstperson).Thedreamofthejiva*isnotlikethedreamofaperson: theformer'sdreamisexperiencedasthewakefulstate.Henceitisthatthewakefulstateisconsideredadream.Thejiva's*longdreamisinstantlymaterialised,though itisunrealandunsubstantial.Thejiva*goesfromonedreamtoanotherwithinthatdreamandasthismisconceptionofthedreamastherealitybecomesdenser,itis experiencedasifitwererealandtherealisignoredasunreal.BewiseandlivelikeArjunawhowillbecomeenlightenedthroughtheLord'sinstruction. Theentireuniverseappearsintheoneoceanofcosmicconsciousnessinthatuniversedwellfourteentypesofbeings.ThisuniversehasalreadyhadYama,Candra, Suryaandothersasitspresidingdeities.Theyhaveestablishedthetenetsofrightconduct.However,whenthepeoplebecomepredominantlysinful,Yamathegodof deathsometimesengageshimselfinmeditationforsomeyears,duringwhichthepopulationincreasesandexplodes. Thegods,frightenedbythispopulationexplosion,resorttovariousdevicestoreduceit.Allthishashappenedagainandagaincountlesstimes.Thepresentruler (Yama)isVaivasvata.He,too,willhavetoperformmeditationforsometime.When,onaccountofthatthepopulationoftheearthwillmultiplyveryfast,allthegods willappealtolordVisnu*tocometotheiraid.HewillincarnateaslordKrsna*,alongwithhisalteregonamedArjuna. HiselderbrotherwillbeYudhisthira*orthesonofDharma,who

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willbetheembodimentofrighteousness.Hiscousin,DuryodhanawillfightaduelwithBhima*,Arjuna'sbrother.Inthisbattlebetweencousins18divisionsofarmed forceswillbekilledandthuswillVisnu*disposeoftheburdenontheearth. Krsna*andArjunawillplaytherolesofsimplehumanbeings.WhenArjunaseesthatthearmiesonbothsidesarecomposedofhisownkinsmen,hewillbecome despondentandwillrefusetofight.Atthattime,lordKrsna*willinstructhiminthehighestwisdomandbringaboutaspiritualawakeninginhim.HewilltellArjuna: ''This(self)isneitherbornnordoesitdieitiseternalandisnotkilledwhenthisbodyiskilled.Hewhothinksthatitkillsorthatitiskilled,heisignorant.How,why andbywhomisthisinfinitebeing,whichisonewithoutasecondandwhichissubtlerthanspace,destroyed?Arjuna,beholdtheselfwhichisinfinite,unmanifest, eternalandwhichisofthenatureofpureconsciousnessanduntainted.Youareunbornandeternal!'' VI.1:53 TheLORDcontinuestoinstructArjuna:

Arjuna,youarenotthekillergiveupthisvainegotisticnotion.Youaretheselfwhichisdevoidofoldageanddeath.Hewhoisfreefromegosenseandwhose intelligenceisnotattachedtoanything,hedoesnotkillnorisheboundevenifhedestroysthewholeworld.Henceabandonthewrongnotionsof'ThisIam'and'This ismine'.Itisonlybecauseofthesewrong.notionsthatyouthink'Iamdestroyed,'andsuffer.Itisonlytheegotisticandignorantpersonwhothinks'Idothis',whereas allthisisdonebythedifferentaspectsoftheoneselforinfiniteconsciousness. Lettheeyessee,lettheearshear,lettheskinfeel,letthetonguetaste.Whereisthe'I'inallthis?Evenwhenthemindcontinues'toentertainvariousnotions,thereis naughtwhichcanbeidentifiedas'I'.Whereasallthesefactorsareinvolvedinanaction,the'I'assumesdoershipandthensuffers.Theyogisperformactionmerelyby theirmindandsenses,forselfpurification.Hewhoispollutedbytheegosense,whetherheisalearnedscholaroronesuperioreventothat,heindeedisawicked man.Ontheotherhand,hewhoisfreefromtheegosenseandfromthesenseofpossessionandwhoisequanimousinpleasureandpain,heisnotboundwhetherhe doeswhatisapprovedorwhatisforbidden. Hence,OArjuna,yourdutynowasawarrior,thoughitinvolvesviolence,isproperandnoble.Theperformanceofactionappropriatetoyouevenifitisdespicable andunrighteousisthebest.Byitsdueperformancebecomeimmortalhere.Evenafool'snaturalactionisnobleinhiscase.Howmuchmoreisthisvalidinthecase ofagood

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man!Engageyourselfinaction,establishedinthespiritofyogaandunattachedtotheactionthusyoushallnotbebound. Beatpeace,evenasBrahmanispeace.AndmakeyouractionofthenatureofBrahman.ThusdoingeverythingasanofferinguntoBrahman,youwillinstantly becomeBrahman.TheLorddwellsinall.Byperformingallyouractionsasanofferinguntohim,shineastheLordadoredbyall.Becomeatruesanyasi*(renunciate) byfirmlyabandoningallthoughtsandnotionsthusyoushallliberateyourconsciousness. ThecessationofallthoughtsandnotionsormentalimagesandthecessationofheavypsychologicalconditioningarethesupremeselforBrahman.Strivingtowards thisendisknownbothasyogaandaswidsom(jnana*)theconvictionthatBrahmanaloneisall,includingtheworldandthe'I',isknownas'offeringeverythingto Brahman'(Brahmarpanam*). TheLORDinstructsArjuna: Brahmanisemptywithinandemptywithout(undifferentiatedandhomogeneous).Itisnotanobjectofobservation,norisitdifferentfromtheobserver.Theworld appearancearisesinitasaninfinitesimalpartofit.Becausethe'world'isinfactonlyanappearance,itisinrealityemptiness,voidandunreal.Mysteriously,there arisesinallthisafeeling'I'whichisinfinitesimalcomparedeventotheworldappearance!Theinfiniteisundividedbyanyofthis,yetitappearstobedividedon accountofthis'I'feeling.Evenasthe'I'isnondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousness,evensomaterialobjectslikeapotandlivingbeingslikeamonkeyarenon differentfromoneanother.Whowouldliketohangontothis'I'?Whynotclingtotheinfiniteconsciousness,whichaloneappearsasallthisbyitsownmysterious energy?Suchanunderstanding,andtheconsequentabsenceofcravingfortheenjoymentofthefruitsofone'snaturalactivities,isknownas'renunciation'(sanyasa*). Renunciationisrenunciationofhopesandaspirations.WhenonefeelsthepresenceoftheLordinallappearancesandmodificationsandwhenoneabandonsall delusionofduality,thatisregardedassurrendertotheLord,orofferingofselfandalltotheLord. Iamhope*,Iamtheworld,Iamaction,Iamtime,IamtheoneandIamalsothemany.Hence,saturateyourmindwithme,bedevotedtome,serveme,saluteme. Thusconstantlyunitedwithme,andwithmeasyoursupremegoal,youwillreachme. Ihavetwoforms,OArjuna:theordinaryandthesupreme.Theordinaryformisthatwhichisendowedwithhands,etc.,andwiththeconch,thediscus,themace,etc. Thesupremeformiswithout

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beginningandwithoutend,onewithoutasecond.ItisknownvariouslyasBrahman,self,supremeself,etc.Aslongasoneisnotfullyawakenedspiritually,oneshould worshipthecommonform.Bysuchworshiponeisspirituallyawakenedandonewillknowthesupremeform,knowingwhichhewillnotbebornagain. Iconsiderthatyouhavebeenawakenedbymyinstructions.Beholdtheselfinallandallintheself,remainingforeverfirmlyestablishedinyoga.Hewhoisthus establishedisnotbornagainthoughhemaycontinuetoperformhisnaturalactionshere.Theconceptofunityisusedtocanceltheconceptofthemanytheconceptof self(infiniteconsciousness)isusedtocanceltheconceptualisationofunity.Theselfcanneitherbeconceivedofasexistenceornonexistence,itiswhatitis. Theinnerlightthatshinesaspureexperiencinginallbeings,thataloneistheselfwhichisindicatedbytheword'I':thisisforcertain. TheLORDcontinuestoinstructArjuna: Thepureexperienceoftastethatexistsinallsubstancesintheworldistheself.Thefacultyofexperiencingthatexistsinallcreatures,thatistheomnipresentself.It existsinallevenasbutterexistsinmilk. Evenasinacollectionofathousandpotsthereisspacewithinandoutsideofallthepots,undividedandindivisible,evensotheselfexistspervadingallbeingsinthe threeworlds.Evenasinanecklaceofpearlstheconnectingthreadmayremaininvisible,evensothisselfconnectsallandkeepsalltogether,itselfremaininginvisible. ThattruthorrealityisknownastheselfwhichpervadesallthingsrightfromBrahma*thecreatortothebladeofgrass. InthatBrahmanthereisalittlemanifestationwhichisalsoBrahman:andthatisknownhereastheIamnessandtheworldonaccountofignoranceanddelusion. Whenallthisisbuttheoneself,OArjuna,whatisthemeaningofexpressionslike'Thisiskilled'and'Hekills'asalso'good','notgood','unhappiness'etc.?Hewho knowsthattheselfisthewitnessofallthesechangesandthattheselfisunchangedandunaffectedbythesechanges,heknowsthetruth. ThoughIuseexpressionssuggestiveofdiversity,therealityisnondual.Allthesecomingsandgoings,creationanddissolution,arenondifferentfromtheself.Theself istheverynatureofthetotalityofexistence,evenashardnessisthecharacteristicofarockandliquiditythenatureofwaves. Hewhoseestheselfinallandallintheselfandhewhoseesthattheselfisnondoer(beingnondual),heseesthetruth.Justasgoldistherealityinalltheornaments madeofgold,whateverbetheir

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shapeandsizejustaswateristherealityinallthewavesandripplesontheocean,whateverbetheirshapeorsize,evensothesupremeselfortheinfinite consciousnessaloneistherealityinwhatappearstobeaworldofdiversecreatures. Whythendoyouvainlygrieve?Whatisthereinallthesechangingphenomenathatyourheartshouldbedevotedto?Thusquestioningthemselves,theliberatedones roamthisworldintotalfreedomandinperfectequilibrium.Theirdesireshavingturnedbackonthemselves(desires),theirdelusionhavingbeenshed,unattachedto anythingbutfirmlyestablishedinselfknowledge,freedfromallsenseofdualityknownashappinessandunhappiness,thesagesreachthesupremestate. VI.1:54 TheLORDcontinuestoinstructArjuna:

HearagainwhatIamgoingtotellyou.Isaythistoyouforyourowngoodbecauseyouaredeartome. Endurewhateverpleasureandpain,heatandcoldyouaresubjectedtotheycomeandgo.Theydonotpertaintotheselfwhichisbeginninglessandendlessand whichisfreefromparts.Senseexperienceisbornofthedelusionofcontactwiththeillusoryelements.Hewhoknowsthisandisundisturbed,isearmarkedfor liberation.Whentheselfaloneexists,whereisroomforpleasureandpaintoarise?Asthesupremeselfaloneisomnipresent,pleasureandpaindonotexist.The unrealhasnoexistenceandtherealdoesnotceasetobe. Theselfdoesnotrejoiceinpleasurenordoesitgrieveinpain!Itistheinertmindthat,dwellinginthebody,experiencespain.Ifthebodydecays,theselfisnot affected.Thereisnosuchthingasbody,etc.,noristhereanentityknownaspain,etc.,independentoftheself.Then,whatisexperiencedbywhom?Hence,onewho isfullyawakenedisfreefromsuchdelusion.Evenasthedelusionofasnakeintheropevanishesuponrightunderstanding,evensothedelusionofbody,etc.,and sorrow,etc.,vanishesuponspiritualawakening.Rightunderstandingorspiritualawakeningis,thattheuniversalBrahmanisneitherbornnordoesitdie. Destroytheforcesofdelusionlikepride,sorrow,fear,desireasalsopainandpleasure.Suchpairsofoppositesareillusory.Beestablishedinoneness.Youarethe singleoceanofconsciousness.Painandpleasure,gainandloss,victoryanddefeatarebornofignorance.Henceremainunaffectedbythem.Whateveryoudo,eat, offerinworshipandgiveallthatistheself.Whateveryourinnerbeingis,thatyoushallcertainlyattain.Hence,inordertoattaintherealisationofBrahman,fillyour entirebeingwithBrahman. Hewhoseesactionininactionandinactioninaction,heiswise

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andheaccomplishesall.Benotattachedtothefruitsofactionnortoinaction.Attachmentisreal'doership'itisalso'nondoership'(onemayegotisticallythink'Ido' or'Idonotdo').Boththeseareaspectsoffoolishness:henceabandonfoolishness.Abandontheconceptofdiversityevenwhilebeingengagedindiverseactions.You arenotthedoerofactions.Heisregardedasawisemanwhoseactionsareburntinthefireofselfknowledgeandarethereforefreefromdesire.Hewhorestrains thephysicalorgansbutindulgesinmentalexperienceofpleasureisahypocrite.Buthewho,restrainingthesensesbythemind,workswithhisphysicalbody,free fromattachment,heisasuperiorperson.Heinwhoseheartthedesiresthatariseareturneduponthemselvesasriversflowintotheocean,heisatpeace,nottheman ofdesire. VI.1:55 TheLORDcontinuestoinstructArjuna:

Withoutrenouncingaughtandwithouttheegotisticfeeling'Ienjoy'or'Isuffer',oneshouldremaininanequanimousstateinallnaturalsituations.Donotentertainthe feelingof'Thisisselforconsciousness'towardswhatisnotself(nonconsciousness).Whenthebodyperishes,nothingislost.Theselfisneverlost!Theselfisby definitiontheindestructibleandinfiniteconsciousness.Neverleteventhethought'Theselfisperishable'enteryourmind.Whatperishes,whatchangesisnaughtother thanthenotions'Thisislost'and'Thishasbeengained'.Theselfwhichiseternalandinfinitedoesnotceasetobethereality,andtheunrealhasnoexistence whatsoever.Theselfthatpervadesalleverywhereisimperishable.Thebodieshaveanend,buttheself(theinfiniteconsciousness)iseternal.Theselfortheinfinite consciousnessisoneandnondual.Whatremainswhenallsenseofdualityhasbeenabandoned,thatistheself,thatisthesupremetruth. ARJUNAasks: Then,OLord,whatisknownasdeath,andwhatareknownasheavenandhell? TheLORDreplies: Thejiva*orthelivingsoulorpersonalitylivesinthenetwovenbytheelements(earth,water,fire,airandspace)andalsobythemindandtheintellect.Andthatjiva* isdraggedbythelatenttendencies(pastimpressions,memory,etc.),imprisonedasitisinthecageknownasthebody.Incourseoftimethebodygetsoldthejiva* getsoutofthatbodyevenasjuicefromaleafwhenpressed.Takingwithitthesensesandtheminditleavesthebodyandgoesforth,evenasscentleavesitssource andgoes.Thejiva's*bodyisnoneotherthanthevasana*ortheresidualimpressionsgainedinthebody.Whenthejiva*hasleftthebodyitbecomesinert:itisthen knownas'dead'.

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Whereveritroamsinspace,thejiva*,whichisofthenatureofprana*orlifeforce,seeswhateverformsareconjuredupbyitspreviousvasanas*orimpressions. Thesepreviousimpressionsaredestroyedonlybyintenseselfeffort.Evenifthemountainswerepulverisedandtheworldsdissolved,oneshouldnotgiveupself effort.Evenheavenandhellarebuttheprojectionoftheseimpressionsorvasanas*. Thisvasana*aroseinignoranceandfoolishness,anditceasesonlyonthedawnofselfknowledge.Whatisjiva*exceptvasana*ormentalconditioning,whichagain isvainimaginationorthoughtform?Hewhoisabletoabandonthisvasana*whileyetlivinginthebodyinthisworldissaidtobeliberated.Hewhohasnot abandonedvasana*isinbondage,evenifheisagreatscholar. TheLORDcontinuestoinstructArjuna: VI.1:56

Thusabandoningmentalconditioning,bealiberatedsoul.Becalmandcoolwithinandgiveupsorrowcausedbyrelationship.Abandoneventheleastdoubt concerningoldageanddeath,havevisionasexpansiveasthesky,befreefromattractionandhencefromaversion,too.Whateveractionisnaturaltoyou,dothat. Nothingperisheshere.Thisisthenatureofaliberatedsage.Itisonlythefoolwhothinks,'Ishalldothisnow'and'Ishallabandonthisnow'. Thesensesofaliberatedsagearenaturallyandfirmlyestablishedinhisownheart.Itisthemind(heart)thatpaintsthepictureknownasthethreeworldsonthecanvas oftheomnipresentbeing.Themindcreatesfragmentationanddivision.Infactthereisnosuchfragmentation,butthefragmentationthatisobservedinthiscreationis butthemind'sownpainting.Spaceisabsoluteemptiness.However,inthemindtheworldappearancerisesandfallsinthetwinklingofaneye!Sincetheself(on whichtheworldispaintedbythemind)pervadesthewholecreation,creationappearstobereal.But,onrightinquiry,itdissolvesintheself. Neitherdo'they'existnordoyouexist.Whythendoyougrieve?Inpurespacethereisnoactionormotion,forsuchmotionoractionisitselfvoid.Hence,purespace isuntaintedbysuchconceptsastime,action,etc.Allthisisonlyinthemindwhoseideaisspreadastheseimages.Thepurespaceisempty.Thatspacecannotbe dividedatanytime. Nowthatfanciedcreationhasbeendissolved,OArjuna.Itcameintobeingbymomentarydelusion.Itisunrealyet,themindiscapableofcreatingthisfantasyina moment.It(themind)makesamomentappearlikeanepoch,itmakesalittlelooklikeverymuch,itmakestheunrealappearrealinstantly:thushasthisdelusion arisen.Itisthatmomentarydelusionthatseemstohaveremained

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astheillusionknownastheworld,whichintheeyesoftheignorantisanundeniableandsolidreality. However,sincethisworldappearanceisbasedontherealityoftheinfiniteconsciousness,argumentsconcerningitsrealorunrealnatureareoflittleconsequence.Itis indeedagreatwonderthatthisworldofdiversityappearsintheindivisibleinfiniteconsciousness.Yet,itisnomorethanthepaintingofadancer,withallthe phenomenaasthedifferentpartsandthegodsandthedemonsandotherbeingsasherlimbs.Alltheseareindeednothingbuttheirsubstratumwhichhasnever undergoneanychange.Itistheinfinite,indivisibleconsciousness. VI.1:57,58 TheLORDcontinuestoinstructArjuna:

Thisindeedisagreatwonder:firstthereappearsthepictureandthentherearisesfragmentation.Thepictureexistsonlyinthemind.Whateverisdoneisdoneby emptinessinemptiness(space)emptinessdissolvesinemptinessemptinessenjoysemptinessemptinesspervadesemptiness.Whateverappearstobeispervadedby vasanas*(psychologicalconditioningormentalimage).Theworldappearanceisillusory.ItexistsinBrahmanasanimageexistsinamirrorintangibleandwithout holes(breaks)anddivisionsbeingnondifferentfromBrahman.Evenwhatisknownasvasana*isessentiallybasedontheinfiniteconsciousnessandnondifferent fromit. Hewhoisnotfreefromthebondsofvasana*isfirmlyboundtoitsillusion.Evenifoneisleftwithjustatraceofthisvasana*ormentalconditioning,itwillsoongrow intoamightyforestofsamsara*(worldappearanceorcycleofbirthanddeath).But,ifthroughconstantendeavourthisseedofvasana*isburntbythefireofcorrect understandingandselfknowledge,thenthatburntseedwillnotgiverisetofurtherbondage.Onewhosevasanas*arethusburntdoesnotgetlostinpainandpleasure helivesinthisworldasalotusleafinwater. ARJUNAsays: Lord,mydelusionisgone.Ihaveattainedanawakeningofintelligencethroughyourgrace.Iamfreefromalldoubts.Ishalldothybidding. TheLORDconcludeshisteaching: Ifthementalmodificationsarepacified,thenthemindisatpeace.Satvaarises.Thentheconsciousnessisfreedfromtheobject.Thereispureinnerconsciousness.It isallanditisomnipresent.Itispureandfreefrommovementofthought.Itistranscendental.Itisnotattainedunlessallthevasanas*havebeenpurified.Evenasheat meltssnow,thispureconsciousnessdissolvesignoranceanddispels

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it.Thatwhichiseverythingintheunverse,thatwhichisdevoidofeverythingintheuniverse,thatwhichisinexpressible,thatwhichisthesupremetruthbywhatname canitbecalled?! VASISTHA*continued: WhentheLordwillthusinstructArjuna,thelatterwillremainsilentforafewmomentsandthenwillsay:"Lord,inthelightofthesunofyouradmonitions,thelotusof theintelligenceinmyhearthasfullyunfolded."Havingsaidthis,Arjunawillinstantlypickuphisweaponsandengagehimselfintheconductofthewar,asifinaplay. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:59

Equipyourselfwithsuchanattitude,ORama*,andremainunattached,endowedwiththespiritofrenunciationandwiththerealisationthatwhateveryoudooryou experienceisanofferingtotheomnipresentbeing,Brahman.Thenyouwillrealisethetruth,andthatistheendofalldoubts. Thatisthesupremestate,itistheguruofallgurus,itistheself,itisthelightthatilluminestheworldfromwithin.Itistherealityinallsubstances,thatwhichendowsthe substanceswiththeiressentialcharacteristic.Thenotionof'world'arisesonlywhenthespiritofenquiryisabsent.But,'I'ambeforetheworldwas.Howthendothe notionsofworld,etc.,bindme?Hewhohasthusrealisedthetruthisfreefromallbeginningsandallends.Hewhoisthusequippedwiththespiritofnonduality(asif heisindeepsleep,thoughawake)isnotdisturbedthoughactivelyengagedinlife.Suchapersonisliberatedhereandnow. Whatappearstobetheworldhereistrulythemagic(thework)oftheinfiniteconsciousness.Thereisnounityhere,noristhereduality.Myinstructions,too,areof thesamenature!Thewords,theirmeaning,thedisciple,thewish(ortheeffortofthedisciple)andtheguru'sabilityintheuseofthewordsallthesearealsotheplay oftheenergyoftheinfiniteconsciousness!Inthepeaceofone'sowninnerbeing,consciousnessvibratesandtheworldvisionarises.Ifthatconsciousnessdoesnot vibrate,therewillbenoworldvision. Themindisbutthemovementinconsciousness.Thenonrealisationofthistruthisworldvision!Nonrealisationofthistruthintensifiesandaggravatesthemovement ofthoughtinconsciousness.Thusacycleisformed.Ignoranceandmentalactivityareperpetuatedbyeachother. Whentheinnerintelligenceisawakened,thecravingforpleasure
NOTE:TheveryessenceoftheBhagavadGitaisfoundinthesechaptersandmanyversesarequotedverbatim.

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ceases:thisisthenatureofthewise.Inhimthiscessationofcravingforpleasureisthereforenaturalandeffortless.Heknowsthatitistheenergyoftheselfthat experiencestheexperiences.Hewho,inordertopleasethepublic,refusestoexperiencewhatistobeexperienced,heindeedbeatstheairwithastick!Oneattains selfknowledgebysometimesusingappropriatemeans. Desireforliberationinterfereswiththefullnessoftheselfabsenceofsuchdesirepromotesbondage!Hence,constantawarenessistobepreferred.Thesolecausefor bondageandliberationisthemovementinconsciousness.Awarenessofthisendsthismovement.Theegosenseceasestheverymomentoneobservesit,forithasno supportanylonger.Thenwhoisboundbywhomorwhoisliberatedbywhom? VI.1:60 VASISTHA*continued:

Suchisthenatureofthesupremebeingwhichistheinfiniteconsciousness.TheywhoareendowedwithmacrocosmicformslikeBrahma*thecreator,Visnu*vand Siva*,areestablishedinthatsupremebeingandtheyfunctionhereasthelordsorkingsoftheworld.Establishedinit,theperfectedsagesroamtheheavens.Having attainedit,onedoesnotdienordoesonegrieve.Thesagewhodwellsevenforthetwinklingofaneyeinthatpurebeing,whichisofthenatureoftheillimitableand infiniteconsciousnessandwhichisalsoknownasthesupremeself,isnotagainafflictedeventhoughhecontinuestoengagehimselfintheactivitiesofthisworld. RAMA*asked: Whenthemind,theintellectandtheegosensehaveallceasedtofunction,howdoesthatpurebeingorinfiniteconsciousnessappearhere? VASISTHA*continued: Brahman,whichdwellsinallbodiesandexperiencesexperienceseats,drinks,speaks,gathersanddestroys,butisfreefromthedivisionofconsciousnessandits awareness.Thatwhichisomnipresentandwhichiswithoutbeginningandendandwhichispure,unmodified,undifferentiatedbeingthatisknownasexistence (vastutattvam)orreality. Thatexistsasspaceinspace,assoundinsound,astouchintouch,asskininskin,intasteastaste,informasform,intheeyesassight,insmellassmell,inscentas scent,inthebodyasstrength,inearthastheearth,inmilkasmilk,inwindaswind,infireasfire,inintelligenceasintelligence,inmindasmind,intheegosenseas egosense.Itrisesascittaormindinthemind.Itistreeinthetree.Itisimmobilityintheimmovableandmobilityinthemovingbeings.Itisinsentienceintheinsentient andintelligenceinthesentient.Itisthedivinityof

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godsandhumanityinhumanbeings.Inanimalsitisbestialnatureandinwormsitiswormhood.Itistheveryessenceoftimeandtheseasons.Itisdynamisminaction andorderinorder.Itisexistenceintheexistentanddeathintheperishable.Itischildhood,youthandageandalsodeath. Itisundividedandindivisible,foritistheveryessenceofallthings.Diversityisunreal,thoughitisrealintheabovesense(thatthediversityisconceivedofand pervadedbytheinfiniteconsciousness).Realise:"AllthisispervadedbymeforIamomnipresentanddevoidofbodyandsuchotherlimitation"anddwellinpeace andsupremehappiness. VALMIKI*said: AsthesageVasistha*saidthis,thedaycametoanendandtheassemblydispersedfortheireveningprayers. RAMA*asked: VI.l:61

Osage,evenasthecities,etc.,thatweseeduringourdreamareunreal,theworldwhichisthedreamofBrahma*,thecreator,isinfactunrealandillusory.Buthowis itthatithasacquiredsolidfirmnessinourvision? VASISTHA*replied: TheveryfirstcreationofBrahmaisobservedbyuseventodayasifitwerereal!Becauseconsciousnessisinfinite,thecreationofjiva*alsotakesplaceeverywhere. Thiscreationisnodoubtbornofignoranceandthebeliefincreationdestroystrueperception.Thoughthiscreationisunreal,yetonaccountoftheemergenceofthe egosenseitappearstobesolidlyreal.Thedreamerdoesnotrealisetheevanescenceoftheobjectsseeninthedreamevenso,itisinthecaseofthiscosmicdreamof theCreator.Thedreampartakesofthecharacteristicofthedreamer.Thatwhichisbornoftheunrealmustbeunreal,too.Hence,thoughthisworldappearstobe real,asitisbornoftheunrealconcept(thedreamoftheCreator),itshouldbefirmlyrejected. Intheselfwhichistheinfiniteconsciousnessthiscreationappearsbutmomentarily.Duringthatmomentitselftheillusorynotionthatitisofaverylongdurationarises. Thecreationthenappearstobesolidlyreal.EvenasthisuniverseexistsasadreamintheconsciousnessoftheCreator,itisexperiencedasalongperiodinthe consciousness(dream)ofallthebeingswhoarethedreamobjectsoftheCreator. Whateverisseeninwhateverforminthatdream,thatitbecomes.Surely,whenthemindisinadementedorconfusedstate,thereisnothinginthisworldwhichthat mindcannotexperience.Foreveninthisworldsomanyextraordinaryphenomenaareseen:fire

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burnsinthemiddleofwater,waterremainssuspendedinthesky,livingbeingsarefoundintheheartofarock,insentientmachinesfunctionindifferentways.Onecan alsoseewhatisobviouslyunreal,evenasitispossibleforonetodreamone'sowndeath. Thereisnaughtwhichisrealnoristhereaughtwhichisunrealallismadepossibleeverywhereinthisdreamknownascreation!Justasonewhoisimmersedinthe dreamseesthedreamasutterlyreal,onewhoisimmersedinthiscreationthinksthatitisutterlyreal.Justasonegoesfromonedreamtoanother,onegoesfromone delusiontoanotherdelusionandthusexperiencesthisworldasutterlyreal. VI.1:62 VASISTHAcontinued:

InthisconnectionIshallnarratealegendtoyou,ORama*,towhichpleaselendyourear. Thereoncelivedamendicantwhowasdevotedtomeditation.Hismind,havingbeenpurifiedbysuchmeditation,cametopossessthepowertomaterialiseits thoughts. Oneday,beingtiredofcontinuousmeditation,yethavinghismindfullyconcentrated,hethoughtofdoingsomething.Hefanciedbirthasonewhowasilliterateandof anonbrahmana*family.Instantly,hehadbecome,asitwere,atribesman:therearoseinhimthefeeling'IamJivata*'.Thisdreambeingroamedforsometimeinthe cityalsobuiltofdreamobjects.Onedayhegotdrunkandslept.Hedreamtthathewasabrahmana*endowedwithknowledgeofthescriptures.Whilehewasliving arighteouslife,onedaythisbrahmana*dreamtthathewasapowerfulking.Hedreamtthathewasamightyemperorofunequalledglory.Onedayheindulgedin royalpleasuresandafterthatsleptanddreamtofacelestialnymph. Similarly,thisnymphonedaydreamtthatshewasadeer.Andthisdeerdreamtthatitwasacreeper.Surely,evenanimalsbeholddreams,forsuchisthenatureofthe mindwhichcanrecollectwhathasbeenseenandwhathasbeenheard.Thedeerbecameacreeper.Theinnerintelligenceinthecreepersawinitsownheartabee.It becameabeeandthebeebegantodrinkthenectarintheflowersonthecreeper.Itbecameattachedtothenectarinoneofthoseflowers,surelyforitsown destruction! Atnightanelephantapproachedthiscreeperandpluckedit,alongwiththebee,andcrusheditinitsmouth.However,thebee,havingseentheelephant,contemplated theelephantandbecameanelephant.Theelephantwascapturedbyaking.Onedayitsawahiveofbeesandonaccountofthememoryofitsownpastbirthit becameabee.Itbegantodrinkthenectaroftheflowersinwildcreepers.Itbecameacreeper.Thecreeperwasdestroyedbyan

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elephant,butbecausethecreeperhadseenswansinthenearbylake,itbecameaswan. Onedaythisswanwasroaminginthecompanyofmanyotherswans.Whilethemendicantwasmeditatinguponthisswan,hewasovercomebydeath.His consciousnessthereforebecameembodiedintheswan.

TheStoryoftheHundredRudras
VASISTHA*continued: VI.l:63

ThatswanoncebeheldlordRudraandinitshearttherearosetheconviction'IamRudra'.InstantlyitabandoneditsbodyasswanandbecameRudra.AndthatRudra dweltintheabodeofRudra.However,sinceRudrawasendowedwithtrueknowledge,herememberedallthathadtakenplace! RUDRArecollectedthus: Behold!HowmysteriousisthisMaya*whichdeludesalltheworlds:thoughitisunrealitappearstobereal.Firstofall,inthatinfiniteconsciousnesswhichwasmyself therearosethemindwithobjectiveconsciousness,thoughyetcosmicandomniscient.ThenaccidentallyIhappenedtobethejiva*whichfeltattractedtoandcharmed bythefinestpartofthecosmicelements.ThereforeduringacertaincreationcycleIbecamethemendicantwhoremainedtotallyunagitated.Hewasabletoovercome alldistractionsandremainimmersedinthepracticeofcontemplation. However,everysubsequentactionismorepowerfulthanapreviousact.ThemendicantconsideredhimselfJivata*andsodidhebecome.Afterthathebethoughthe wasabrahmana*.Surelythemorepowerfulthoughtformoverwhelmstheweakerone.Thenincourseoftimeandonaccountofpersistentcontemplation,hebecame aking:surely,waterimbibedbytheplantbecomesitsfruit!Associatedwithroyalpleasuresarenymphscontemplatingthem,thekingbecameanymph.Purelyon accountofinfatuationthisnymphbecameadeer.Thedeerbecameacreeperwhichwasobsessedwiththeideathatitwouldbepiercedandaholewouldbemade. Contemplatingthebee,itbecameabeewhichthenpiercedaholeinthecreeper.Thebeebecameanelephant. IamRudrawhohasbeenaRudraduringthepastonehundredcreationcycles,andIroamthisworldappearancewhichisnothingmorethanapsychological delusion.InonecreationcycleIwasJivata*,inanotherIwasthebrahmana*,inanotherIwasthekingandinyetanotherIwastheswan.ThushaveIbeenrevolving inthiswheelknownasthemindandthebody.

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ItisaeonssinceIslippedfromthatsupremeselforinfiniteconsciousness.SoonafterthatfallIwasthatmendicantwhowasstillendowedwithknowledgeofthetruth. Thenafterpassingthroughverymanyincarnations,throughthegraceofRudrawhomIhappenedtobehold,IhavebecomeRudra.Whenthejiva*bycoincidence comesintocontactwithanenlightenedperson,thenitsimpurevasanas*(tendencies)turnaway.Thishappenstothatpersonwhoconstantlylongsforsuchcontact withanenlightenedperson.Suchconstantlonging(orabhyasa*)itselfmaterialisesandbecomesanaccomplishedfact. RUDRAcontinuedtorecollectthus: Surelyitisbecauseofone'sinnerconviction'Thisbodyismyself'thatthisunrealperceptionexpands.Ifoneweretoenquireintoitstruenature,onewouldfindthat nothingremained!Enoughofevensuchenquiry,whichleadstonothing.Thisworldisanopticalillusionlikethebluenessofthesky.Itisignorance.Enoughofeventhis efforttopurifythatignorance!Ifthisworldappearancewhichisunrealcontinuestoappear,letit:itcandonoharm.Ishallretracethechainofimaginary transformationsandrestoretheirunderlyingunity. VASISTHA*continued: Thushavingresolved,Rudrawenttowherethebodyofthemendicantlay.Heawakeneditandinspiredittorememberallthathadtakenplace.Themendicantsaw Rudraashisownselfandalsorecollectedallthathadhappened. ThenbothofthemwenttowhereJivata*livedinthesameinfiniteconsciousness.Theyrevivedhisbody.Thethreewereindeedone.Thesethreewhowere wonderstruckatthismystery,thenproceededtotheplaceofthebrahmana*whowasasleepembracedbyhiswife.Theyawakenedhisconsciousness.Thenthey wenttowherethekingwasasleepinhisroyalbedchambersurroundedbynymphs.Theyawakenedhisintelligence,too.Hetoowasamazedattherealisationofthe truth.ThustheywenttowheretheswanlivedtheswanthatbecameRudra. TheyroamedtheworldoftheonehundredRudrasofthepast.Theyrealisedthatitwasalloneinfiniteconsciousnessinwhichallthesediverseillusoryeventshad apparentlytakenplace.Theoneformhadbecomemany,asitwere.TheseonehundredRudraspervadedtheentireuniverseandwereomnipresent. Onaccountofthefactthatthejiva*issurroundedonallsidesbytheworldthatarisesfromit,theunawakenedjivas*donotseeoneanother,donotunderstandone another.Justasallwavesareofthesamesubstanceandarethereforeone,theawakenedjivas*realise

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theironenessandthusunderstandoneanother.Eachjiva*hasitsownillusoryworldappearance.However,evenasonefindsemptyspacewhereveronedigsthe ground,whenthisworldappearanceofthejivas*isenquiredintoitinvariablyleadstothesameinfiniteconsciousness. Differentiatedconsciousnessisbondage:liberationisitsabsence.Whateverpleasesyou,affirmthatandbefirminthat.Thereisnodifferencebetweenthetwo,for awarenessisthesameinboth.Whowillbemoanthelossofwhatexistsonlyinignorance?Thatwhichisgainedby'beingstill',thatexistsalreadyandhastherefore alreadybeen'gained'! VASISTHA*continued: VI.l:64

AllofthemattainedawakeningoftheirspiritualconsciousnessalongwithlordRudra.RealisingthattheywerepartofRudra,theyerehappy.Rudrasawtheplayof Mayaasitaroseandheinspiredheotherstoplaytheirrolesinitonceagain,commandingthemtoreturntohimaftersuchseeminglyindependentexistenceand assuringthemthatattheendoftheworldcycletheywouldreachthesupremestate.Rudrathenvanishedfromsight,andJivata*andtheothersreturnedtotheirown respectiveabodes. RAMA*asked: WereJivata*andtheothersnotmeredreamobjects(imaginaryentities)ofthemendicant?Howcouldtheybecomerealentities? VASISTHA*replied: Abandonthenotionthatimaginationissomethingreal!Whenthustheillusorinessofillusionisabandoned,whatexistsexistsintheinfiniteconsciousness.Whatisseen indreamandwhatisimaginedtobereal,theyappearassuchatalltimes,evenastoatravellerthetemporalandspatialexperiencesarerealrelativetothedifferent places.Intheheartofthatinfiniteconsciousnesseverythingexistsandoneexperienceswhatoneseesinit. Thedreamlikenatureofthoughtformisrealisedonlybytheintensepracticeofyoga,nototherwise.ItisbysuchpracticethatlordSiva*andothersperceive everythingeverywhere.Thatwhichisinfrontofyouandatthesametimeapprehendedbyyourmind,isnotrealisedifthereismisapprehensioninsuchperceptionor insuchexistence.Onlywhensuchmisapprehensiondoesnotexistcanthatobjectbeknownandrealised.Whateveronewishesisobtainedonlywhenone'sinner beingiswhollyandsolelydevotedtoit.Hewhoisthustotallydevotedtowhatisinfrontofhimknowsitperfectlyhewhoistotallydevotedtoanimaginaryobject knowsitperfectly.Ifsuchonepointeddevotionisnotthere,thenhedestroysthatobject(isnotawareofit).Itwasthus(bysuchonepointeddevotion)that

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themendicantbecameRudraandalltherestofit.Eachofthemhadhisownworld:hence,untiltheRudraconsciousnesswasawakenedinthem,theywereunaware ofoneanother.ItwasinfactbythewillofRudrathattheywerethusveiled,thattheybecameofdifferentformsandnature. Itisbyonepointedcontemplationof'MayIbecomeacelestial'or'MayIbecomealearnedman'andasthefruitofsuchcontemplationthatoneisenabledtobecome oneormanyoranignoramusoramanofknowledge.Itispossiblebyconcentrationandmeditationtobecomeadivinityorahumanbeingandfunctionaccordingly. VI.1:64,65 VASISTHA*continued:

Theinfiniteconsciousnesswhichisthetrueselfofallisendowedwithomnipotence,butthejiva*(whichisessentiallynondifferentfromtheself)isendowedwithone faculty(appropriatetoitsnotion).Hence,dependinguponthenatureofthejiva*itenjoysendlesspowersorlimitedpowers.Theinfiniteconsciousnessisfreefrom expansionandcontraction:itisthejiva*thatgetswhatitseeks.Theyogiswhohaveacquiredvariousfacultiesexistandmanifestsuchfacultieshereandalso elsewhere.However,sincetheyareenjoyedhereandthereandindifferentplaces,suchexperiencesappeartobemanyandvariedevenasthefamousKartavirya* generatedfearintheheartsofmany,thoughheremainedathome!(Amodernexampleistheradio:withoutleavingthestudio,thespeakerorsingerenterscountless drawingrooms.S.V.) Similarly,lordVisnu*,withoutleavinghisabode,incarnatesasahumanbeingonearth.Similarly,Indra(whopresidesoversacredrites),withoutleavinghisheavenly abode,ispresentinathousandplaceswheresuchritesareperformed.Inresponsetothecallofthedevotees,lordVisnu*whoisonebecomesthousandsand appearsbeforethedevotees.Evenso,Jivata*andtheotherswhowerebutthecreaturesofthemendicant'simaginationorwishandwhowereanimatedbyRudra consciousnesswenttotheirvariousabodesandfunctionedasifindependently.Theyplayedtheirdifferentrolesforsometimeandthenreturnedtotheabodeof Rudra. Allthiswasnothingbutamomentarydelusionwhicharoseintheconsciousnessofthemendicant,thoughitwasseenasifitwereindependentofthemendicant.Even sothebirthanddeathofcountlessbeingstakesplaceintheoneinfiniteconsciousness,asitwere.Theyimaginediversityinthisworldappearanceandthentheyseek unityintheself.Atthetimeoftheirdeaththeyimagineanotherstateofexistencewithinthemselveswhichappearstothemasifoutside!Untiltherealisationof liberation,theembodiedbeingundergoesunfathomablesorrow.Itoldyouthestorytoillustrate

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thistruth.Thisisthefatenotonlyofthemendicantbutofallbeings.Thatbeingwhoforgetshisinseparabilityfromthesupremeselfimagineshisownnotionstobe independentandutterlyrealandsubstantial.Fromonesuchdreamhegoesontoanotherdreamuntilheabandonsthefalsenotion'Iamthebody'. RAMA*asked: Owhatawonderfulstory!Lord,yousaidthatallthingsthatareconceivedtoberealarerealandexperiencedasreal.Pray,tellme,doesthismendicantalsoexist somewhere? VASISTHA*replied: Ishallcontemplatethisquestionandreplylater.(Theassemblyrosefortheirnoonprayers,atthisstage.) VASISTHA*continued: VI.l:66

Oking,ORama*!Withthehelpofmyeyeofwisdom,Isearchedforthemendicant.Ienteredintodeepmeditationwishingtoseethatmendicant.Isearchedforhim inthisuniverse,butcouldnotfindhim.Howdoesone'simaginationappearoutsidealsoasifreal? ThenIproceedednorthtothelandoftheJinas*.Ontopofananthillthereexistsavihara(shrine?orBihar)inhabitedbypeople.There,inhisowncottage,wasa mendicant(bhiksu*)knownasDirghadrsa*whoseheadwasyellowincolour.Hewasindeepmeditation.Evenhisattendantsdidnotenterhiscottage,afraidto disturbhismeditation.Itwasthetwentyfirstdayofsuchmeditation.Itwasdestinedtobehislastday. Thoughfromonepointofview,hehadbeeninmeditationforonlytwentyonedays,fromanotherpointofviewthousandsofyearshadpassed.For,suchwasthe notionthataroseinhismind.Iknewthatsuchamendicanthadlivedinanotherepochandeveninthisepochheisthesecondsuchmendicant.However,otherthan thesetwo,Icouldnotseeathirdmendicant.WithallthewitsatmydisposalandallthefacultiesIcouldcommand,Ienteredintotheveryheartofthiscreation, lookingforthethirdmendicant. AtlastIfoundhim,buthewasnotinthisuniverse.Hewasinanotheruniversewhich,however,wasalmostexactlylikethisuniverse,thoughcreatedbyanother Brahma*.Evensohavetherebeen(andtherewillbeinthefuture)countlessbeings.Inthisveryassemblytherearesagesandholybrahmanas*whowillthusentertain notionsofotherbeingswhowillthereuponappeartobe.SuchisthenatureofMaya* Someofthesebeingswillbeofnaturessimilartotheonethatimaginesthem.Otherswillbequitedissimilar.Yetotherswillpartlyresemblethem.Thusisthegreat Maya*whichbafflesevengreatmen.Butitdoesnotexistnordoesitfunctionhereforitisonlydelusion

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thatcausesallthesetoappearanddisappear!Else,whereisashortperiodoftwentyonedaysandwhereisawholeepoch?Itisfrighteningeventothinkoftheplay ofthemind. Allthisisbutappearancewhichunfoldslikethelotusinthemorningandrevealsdiversitylikeafullblownlotus.Allthisarisesintheinfiniteconsciousnesswhichis pureyettheappearanceappearstobetaintedbyimpurity.Eachthingappearsasiffragmentedandattheendofthatfragmentedexistenceitundergoesotherstrange fragmentationallthisisrelativelyreal,nottotallyunreal.AllofthemmanifestintheAllthecauseisinthecause! VI.l:67 DASARATHA*said:

O.sage,tellmewherethatmendicant(bhiksu*)ismeditatingandIshallatoncedespatchmysoldierstowakehimupfromhismeditationandbringhimhere. VASISTHA*replied: Oking,thatmendicant'sbodyhasalreadybecomelifelessanditcannotberevived.Hisjiva*hasattainedenlightenmentandliberation:itcannotbesubjectedtothe experienceofthisworldappearanceanymore.Hisownattendantsstandoutsidehiscottagewaitingtoopenthedoorattheendofonemonthasinstructedbyhim. Theywillfindthatbythattimehehasabandonedhisbodyandwilltheninstallsomeoneelseinhisplace. ThisMaya*(orworldappearanceordelusion)isofthenatureoflimitedandlimitingqualitiesandattributes.Itissaidtobeimpossibletocrossitbyignorance,butby theknowledgeoftruthitiseasilycrossedover. Itiswrongperceptionthatseesabraceletingold.Themereappearancebecomesthecauseforsuchwrongperception.ThisMaya*(unrealappearance)isbutafigure ofspeech,theappearancehasthesamerelationtothesupremeselfthatawavehastotheocean.Whenoneseesthistruth,theappearanceceasestobeadelusion.It isonaccountofignorancethatthislongdreamworldappearanceappearstobereal:thusdoesthejiva*comeintobeing.Butwhenthetruthisrealised,itisseenthat allthisistheself. Whateverbethenotionthatoneentertains,itistheselfalonethatappearsasthatnotion.Thisuniverseistheresultofthenotionsthusentertainedbycountlesssuch individuals.TheoriginalnotionentertainedbyBrahma*hascometobeexperiencedbythejiva*asasolidreality.Butwhenoneattainsthepurityofconsciousness similartothatofBrahma*,oneseesallthisasalongdream. Itisthenotionoftheobjectthatbecomesthemindandthusslipsfrominfiniteconsciousness.Itthenundergoesvariedexperiences.Butisthismindindependentofthe supremeself,isnotthesupreme

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selfthemind,too?Thejiva*,thebodyandalltherestofitarebutreflectionsorappearancesofthesupremeself!Allthesemovements,etc.,happenintheoneinfinite consciousnesswhichisforeverinfiniteandconsciousness,naughtelse:movements,etc.,areimaginaryexpressions.Thereisneithermotionnornonmotion,neither onenormanywhatisisasitis.Diversityarisesintheunawakenedstateanditvanisheswhenonecommencesone'senquiry.Theenquirerexistsbutwithoutany doubt,whichindeedisthesupremestate.PeaceisknownastheworldpeacealoneISasthisworldappearance.Ignoranceisunreal:thereisneithertheseer,the seennorthesight!Themindimaginesadefectinthemoonitisnotthereasdefect.Theinfiniteconsciousnesshasconsciousnessaloneasits'body'ormanifestationor appearance. VASISTHA*continued: VI.l:68

ORama*,remainforever,firmlyestablishedinthatstateofutterfreedomfrommovementofthought,resortingtothesilenceofdeepsleep. RAMA*said: Sir,Ihaveheardofsilenceofspeech,silenceoftheeyesandothersensesandIhavealsoheardoftherigidsilenceofextremeasceticism.Butwhatisthissilenceof deepsleep? VASISTHA*replied: Rama*,therearetwotypesofmuni(asagewhoobservesmounaorsilence).Oneistherigidasceticandtheothertheliberatedsage.Theformerforciblyrestrainshis sensesandengageshimselfindry(devoidofwisdom)kriyas*(activities)withfanaticism.Theliberatedsage,ontheotherhand,knowswhatiswhat(thetruthastruth andtheunrealasunreal),heisendowedwithselfknowledgeandyethebehavesasanyordinarypersonhere.Whatisregardedassilenceormounaisbasedonthe natureandthebehaviourofthesemunis. Fourtypesofsilencehavebeendescribed:(1)silenceofspeech,(2)silenceofthesenses(eyes,etc.),(3)violentrestraint,asalso(4)thesilenceofdeepsleep.There isanotherknownassilenceofthemind.However,thatispossibleonlyinonewhoisdeadoronewhopractisestherigidmouna(kastha*mauna)orthesilenceof deepsleep(susupti*mauna).Ofthesethefirstthreeinvolveelementsoftherigidmouna.Itisthefourththatisreallyconducivetoliberation.Hence,evenattheriskof incurringthedispleasureofthosewhoresorttothefirstthreetypesofmouna,Isaythatthereisnothinginthosethreewhichisdesirable. Thesilenceofdeepsleepisconducivetoliberation.Inittheprana*orlifeforceisneitherrestrainednorpromoted,thesensesareneitherfednorstarved,the perceptionofdiversityisneitherexpressednor

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suppressed,themindisneithermindnornonmind.Thereisnodivisionandhencenoeffortatabolishingititiscalledthesilenceofdeepsleepandonewhois establishedinitmayormaynotmeditate.ThereisknowledgeofwhatISasitisandthereisfreedomfromdoubt.Itisutteremptiness.Itissupportless.Itisofthe natureofsupremepeaceofwhichitcanneitherbesaidthatitisrealnorthatitisunreal.Thatstateinwhichoneknows''Thereisno'I',noranother,nomindnor anythingderivedfromthemind'',inwhichoneknows"'I'isbutanideainthisuniverse,anditisreallypureexistence"thatisknownasthesilenceofdeepsleep.In thatpureexistencewhichisinfiniteconsciousness,whereis'I'or'another'? VI.1:69 RAMA*asked:

HowdidtheonehundredRudrascomeintobeing,Osage? VASISTHA*replied: Themendicant(bhiksu)dreamtalltheonehundredRudras.Whatevertheywhosemindsarepureandunobscuredbyimpurities,imagineorwillintobeing,thatalone theyexperienceasbeingreal.Whateverthoughtformthusarisesintheoneinfiniteconsciousnessappearstobeso. RAMA*askedagain: Whyisit,Osage,thatlordSiva*chosetoappearasoneunclad,inhabitingthecremationground,garlandedwithhumanskulls,smearedwithashesandasonewhois easilyovercomebylust? VASISTHA*replied: Theconductofthegods,theperfectedbeingsandtheliberatedsagesisnotdeterminedbyrulesandcodesofconducttheseareinventedbyignorantpeople.Yet, sincethemindoftheignorantisheavilyconditioned*,iftheyarenotgovernedbysuchrulesofconduct,therewillthenarisedisorderinwhichthebigfishwilleatthe smallfish.Themanofwisdom,ontheotherhand,doesnotdrownhimselfinwhatisdesirableandwhatisundesirablebecausehehashissensesnaturallyincontrol andbecauseheisawakeandalert.Helivesandworkswithoutintendingtodoso,withoutreactingtoeventsonacausalbasis,hisactionsbeingpureandspontaneous (asthecocoanutfallingwithoutanycausalrelationwiththealightingofthecrowonit)orhemaynotdoanythingatall! Thushaveeventhemembersofthetrinity(Brahma*,Visnu*andSiva*)engagedthemselvesinincarnation.Inthecaseoftheenlightenedones,theiractionsare beyondpraiseandreproach,beyondacceptanceandrejection,fortheyhavenonotionof'Thisismine'and'Thisisother'.Theiractionsarepureliketheheatoffire. Ididnotwishtoelaborateontheotherformofmouna,knownasthesilenceofthedisembodied,foryouarestillembodied.However,

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Ishallbrieflydescribeitnow.Theywhoarefullyawakenedandwhoareconstantlyengagedinsamadhi*andwhoarethoroughlyenlightenedareknownassamkhya yogis*.Theywhohavereachedthestateofbodilessconsciousnessthroughpranayama*,etc.,areknownasyogayogis.Indeed,thetwoareessentiallythesame.The causeofthisworldappearanceandbondageisindeedthemind.Boththesepathsleadtothecessationofthemind.Hence,bythedevotedanddedicatedpracticeof eitherthecessationofthemovementofprana*orthecessationofthought,liberationisattained.Thisistheessenceofallscripturesdealingwithliberation. RAMA*asked: Osage,ifthecessationofthemovementofprana*isliberation,thendeathisliberation!Andallpeopleattainliberationatdeath! VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,whenprana*isabouttoleavethebodyitalreadymakescontactwiththoseelementswithwhichthenextoneistobefashioned.Theseelementsareindeed thecrystallisationofthevasanas*(psychologicalconditioning,memorystore,pastimpressionsandpredisposition)ofthejiva*,thereasonwhythejiva*clingstothose elements.Whentheprana*leavesthebodyittakeswithitallthevasanas*ofthejiva*. Notindeeduntilthesevasanas*havebeendestroyedwillthemindbecomenomind.Theminddoesnotabandonthelifeforcetillselfknowledgearises.Byself knowledgethevasanas*aredestroyedandthusthemind,tooitisthenthattheprana*doesnotmove.Thatindeedisthesupremepeace.Itisbyselfknowledgethat theunrealityoftheconceptsconcerningworldlyobjectsisrealised.Thisputsanendtovasanas*andtothelinkbetweenthemindandthelifeforce.Vasanas* constitutemind.Mindistheaggregateofthevasanas*andnaughtelseifthelattercease,thatitselfisthesupremestate.Knowledgeistheknowledgeofthereality. Vicara*orenquiryitselfisknowledge. Totaldedicationtoonething,restraintofprana*andthecessationofthemindifoneofthesethreeisperfected,oneattainsthesupremestate.Thelifeforceandthe mindarecloselyrelatedlikeafloweranditsfragrance,orsesameseedandoil.Hence,ifthemovementofthoughtinthemindceases,themovementofprana*ceases, too.Ifthetotalmindisonepointedlydevotedtoasingletruth,themovementofmindandthereforeoflifeforceceases.Thebestmethodisbyenquiringintothe natureoftheselfwhichisinfinite.Yourmindwillbecompletelyabsorbed.Thenboththemindandtheenquirywillcease.Remainfirmlyestablishedinwhatremains afterthat.

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Whentheminddoesnotcraveforpleasureitisabsorbedintotheself,alongwiththelifeforce.Ignoranceisnonexistence:selfknowledgeisthesupremestate!Mind aloneisignorancewhenitappearstobearealitytherealisationofitsnonexistenceisthesupremestate.Ifthemindremainsabsorbedevenforaquarterofanhourit undergoesacompletechange,forittastesthesupremestateofselfknowledgeandwillnotabandonit.Nay,evenifthemindhastasteditforasecond,itdoesnot returntothisworldlystate.Theveryseedsofsamsara*(worldappearanceorcycleofbirthanddeath)arefried.Withthem,ignoranceisdispelledandthevasanas* areutterlypacifiedonewhohasreachedthisisrootedinsatva(truth).Hebeholdstheinnerlightandrestsinsupremepeace.

TheStoryoftheVampire
VI.l:70,71 VASISTHA*continued:

Thatisknownasmoksa*orliberationwhenignoranceceasesthroughselfenquiry,whenthejiva*becomesnojiva*instantlyandwhenthemindbecomesnomind. Sincetheegosense,etc.,arebutlikewaterinthemirage,theyceasewhenthelightofenquiryisdirectedtothem.Inthisconnection,ORama*,listentothefollowing inspiringandenlighteningquestionsaskedbyavampire. TherelivesavampireintheVindhyaforests.Onceitenteredacertainterritory,desirousofappeasingitshunger.However,itwouldnotkillanyoneevenwhenitwas hungry,unlessthevictimdeservedsuchtreatment.Findingnosuchpersonintheforest,itenteredacityandmettheking. TheVAMPIREsaidtotheking: Oking,Ishallnotkillyouandeatyouunlessyoudeserveit.Youaretherulerandyoufulfilthewishesoftheneedy.Pray,fulfilmydesire.Ishallaskyouafew questions.Givemethecorrectanswerstothem. Whatisthatsuntheparticlesofwhoseraysaretheseuniverses?Inwhatmightywinddoesthismightyspacemanifest?Onegoesfromonedreamtoanotherdreamad infinitum,yetonedoesnotabandontheself,thoughconstantlyabandoningthedreamreality.Whatistheself?Thestemofabananatree,whenitisopened,reveals layerafterlayeruntilyoureachthepith.Whatisthatsubtleessencewhenthisworldappearanceissimilarlyenquiredinto?Ofwhichatomaretheuniversesthemselves minuteratoms?Inwhatformless'rock'arethethreeworldshidden(likeanunsculptedfigureinarock)?Answerthesequestions.Ifyoudonotyoucertainlydeserve tobeeatenbyme!

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TheKINGanswered: Ovampire!Thisuniversewasonceenvelopedbyaseriesofcoverings,evenasafruitisenvelopedbyitsskin.Therewasabranchonwhichtherewerethousandsof suchfruits.Therewasatreewiththousandsofsuchbranches,aforestwiththousandsofsuchtrees,ahillwiththousandsofsuchforests,acountrywiththousandsof suchhills,acontinentwiththousandsofsuchcountries,aspherewiththousandsofsuchcontinents,anoceanwiththousandsofsuchspheres,abeingwiththousands ofsuchoceanswithinhimandasupremepersonwhowearsthousandsofsuchbeingsasagarland.Thereisasuninwhoseraysthousandsofsuchsupremepersons arefound:thatsunilluminesall.Thatsunisthesunofconsciousness,Ovampire!Inthatlightofthatsun,theseuniversesarebutminutestatomicparticles.Itisbecause ofthelightofthatsunthatalltheseotherthingsenumeratedappeartobereal.

TheStoryofBhagiratha*
TheKINGsaid: VI.l:72,73

Inthesupremeselfshineasdustparticlessubstances(conceptsorrelativerealities)knownastime,spaceandmotionwhichareconscious(movementinandof consciousness)andpureintelligence.TheselforBrahmanthoughappearingtomigratefromonedreamworldtoanotherdoesnotinfactabandonitsownessential nature,norisiteverignorantofitself. Evenaswhenthestemofabananaispeeled,everylayerasitispeeledoffrevealsanothersimilarlayer,whenthisworldappearanceisenquiredintoitisseenasnone otherthanBrahman.ThisBrahmanisreferredtopositivelyasthetruth,Brahman,etc.,andsinceitisbeyonddescriptionitisalsonegativelyindicatedasemptinessand indescribable,etc.Whateverisexperiencedasrealisthereality.Thoughitsparticularformisputtogetherbytheexperience,itisnaughtbutpureconsciousness evenasthebananastemisnothingbutbananastemandeverylayerofitisofidenticalnature. Theselfisconsideredtobeofatomicnaturebecauseitisextremelysubtleandintangibleyetsincetheselfaloneis,itistheinfiniteanditistheveryrootoftheentire existence.Itisformlessthoughitappearsinallforms. Thisworldappearanceisbutthefleshinwhichthetruthwhichispureconsciousnessisclothed. VASISTHA*continued: Havingheardthisanswerfromthelipsoftheking,thevampirebecamesilentanddeeplycontemplative.Itforgotitsgreathunger

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andenteredintoprofoundmeditation. ThushaveItoldyou,ORama*,thetaleofthevampirewhichillustratesthetruthconcerningthesubtleinfiniteconsciousness.Theuniverseisbutanenvelopeoraveil ofthisconsciousnessanditisrentasunderbyadiligentenquiryintoitsrealnature.Itisinfactasrealasthe'body'ofthevampire! Rama*,expandthemindwiththemind.Remainatpeacewithinyourself,seeingtheoneinfinitebeinginall.LikethekingBhagiratha*youwillachievetheimpossibleif youareabletoremainfirminyourknowledgeofthetruthandifyouengageyourselfinappropriateactioninalifecharacterisedbyeffortlessexperiencingofthe naturalcourseofevents. VI.1:74 AtRama*request,VASISTHA*narratedthefollowingstory:

OnceuponatimetherewasakingnamedBhagiratha*whowasdevotedtodharma.Hegaveliberalgiftstothepiousandholyonesandhewasterrortotheevil doers.Heworkedtirelesslytoeradicatetheverycausesofpoverty.Whenhewasinthecompanyoftheholyoneshisheartmeltedindevotion. Bhagiratha*broughttheholyriverGanga*fromtheheavensdowntotheearth.InthishehadtoencountergreatdifficultiesandpropitiatethegodsBrahma*and Siva*andalsothesageJahnu.Inallthishesufferedfrequentfrustrationsanddisappointments. He,too,wasendowedwithdiscriminationanddispassionevenatanearlyage,ORama*.Onedaywhileremainingalonehereflectedthus:"Thisworldlylifeisreally essencelessandstupid.Dayandnightchaseeachother.Peoplerepeatthesamemeaninglessactionsagainandagain.Iregardonlythatasproperactionwhichleads totheattainmentbeyondwhichthereisnothingtobegainedtherestisrepeatedfoulexcretion(asincholera)."HeapproachedhisguruTritalaandprayed,"Lord, howcanoneputanendtothissorrowandtooldage,deathanddelusionwhichcontributetorepeatedbirthhere?" TRITALAsaid: Sorrowceases,allthebondagesarerentasunderanddoubtsaredispelledwhenoneisfullyestablishedintheequanimityoftheselfforalongtime,whenthe perceptionofdivisionhasceasedandwhenthereistheexperienceoffullnessthroughtheknowledgeofthatwhichistobeknown.Whatistobeknown?Itistheself whichispureandwhichisofthenatureofpureconsciousnesswhichisomnipresentandeternal. BHAGIRATHA*asked: Iknowthattheselfaloneisrealandthebody,etc.,arenotreal.Buthowisitthatitisnotperfectlycleartome?

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TRITALAsaid: Suchintellectualknowledgeisnotknowledge!Unattachmenttowife,sonandhouse,equanimityinpleasureandpain,loveofsolitude,beingfirmlyestablishedinself knowledgethisisknowledge,allelseisignorance!Onlywhentheegosenseisthinnedoutdoesthisselfknowledgearise. BHAGIRATHA*asked: Sincethisegosenseisfirmlyestablishedinthisbody,howcantbeuprooted? TRITALAreplied: Byselfeffortandbyresolutelyturningawayfromthepursuitofpleasure.Andbytheresolutebreakingdownoftheprisonhouseofshame(falsedignity),etc.Ifyou abandonallthisandremainfirm,theegosensewillvanishandyouwillrealisethatyouarethesupremebeing! VASISTHA*continued: VI.l:75,76

Havingheardthepreceptsofthepreceptor,Bhagiratha*decidedtoperformareligiousriteasapreludetototalrenunciationoftheworld.Inthreedayshehadgiven awayeverythingtothepriestsandtohisownrelatives,whethertheywereendowedwithgoodnatureornot.Hisownkingdomhehandedovertohisenemiesliving acrosstheborders.Cladinasmallpieceofloincloth,heleftthekingdomandroamedincountriesandforestswherehewastotallyunknown. Verysoon,hehadattainedthestateofsupremepeacewithinhimself.AccidentallyandunknowinglyBhagiratha*enteredhisownpreviouskingdomandsolicitedalms fromthecitizensthere.Theyrecognisedhim,worshippedhimandprayedthatheshouldbetheirking.Butheacceptedfromthemnothingbutfood.Theybewailed, "ThisiskingBhagiratha*,whatasadplight,whatanunfortunateturnofevents!"Afterafewdaysheleftthekingdomagain. Bhagiratha*onceagainmethispreceptorandthetwoofthemroamedthecountryallthetimeengagedinspiritualdialogue:"Whydowestillcarrytheburdenofthis physicalbody?Ontheotherhand,whyshoulditbediscarded?Letitbeaslongasitwillbe!"Theyweredevoidofsorrowandofrejoicing,norcouldtheybesaidto adheretothemiddlepath.Evenifthegodsandsagesofferedthemwealthandpsychicpowers,theyspurnedthemasbladesofdrygrass. Inacertainkingdomthekinghaddiedwithoutanheirandtheministerswereinsearchofasuitableruler.Bhagiratha*,cladinaloincloth,happenedtobeinthat kingdom.Theministersdecidedthathewasthepersonfittoascendthethrone,andsurroundedhim.Bhagiratha*mountedtheroyalelephant.Soonhewascrowned king.

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Whilehewasrulingthatkingdom,thepeopleofhispreviouskingdomapproachedhimonceagainandprayedthatheshouldrulethatkingdomalso.Bhagiratha* accepted.Thushebecametheemperorofthewholeworld.Remainingatpeacewithinhimself,withhismindsilenced,freefromdesiresandjealousy,heengaged himselfindoingappropriateactionincircumstancesastheyarose. OnceheheardthattheonlywaytopropitiatethesoulsofhisdepartedancestorswastoofferlibationwiththewatersoftheGanga*.Inordertobringtheheavenly Ganga*downtoearth,herepairedtotheforesttoperformausterities,havingentrustedtheempiretohisministers.Therehepropitiatedthegodsandthesagesand achievedthemostdifficulttaskofbringingtheGanga*downtoearthsothatallthepeopleforalltimetocomemightofferlibationstotheirancestorswiththewaters oftheholyGanga*.ItisonlyfromthattimethatthissacredGanga*whichadornedthecrownoflordSiva's*headbegantoflowontheearth.

TheStoryofSikhidhvajaandCudala*
VI.l:77 VASISTHA*continued:

Evenso,Rama*,remaininastateofequanimitylikekingBhagiratha*.And,likeSikhidhvaja*,havingrenouncedeverything,remainunmoved.Ishallnarratetoyou thestoryofSikhidhvaja*.Pray,listen.Oncethereweretwoloverswhowerereborninalaterageonaccountoftheirdivineloveforeachother. RAMA*asked: Osage,howisitpossiblethatthecouplewholivedtogetherashusbandandwifeinoneageisbornagaintobehusbandandwifeinalaterage? VASISTHA*replied: Suchisthesubtlenatureoftheworldorder,ORama*.Somethingsappearinabundanceandonceagaintheymanifestinabundance.Othersarebornnow,having neverbeenbeforeandhavingbeennowtheyarenotbornagain.Otherswhichhavebeenbeforereappearinthesameformnow.Itislikethewavesontheocean: therearesimilaronesandtherearedissimilarones. IntheMalva*kingdomtherewasakingnamedSikhidhvaja*.Hewasendowedwitheverykindofroyalexcellence.Hewasrighteousandnoble,courageousand courteous.Helosthisfatherveryearlyinlife.Thoughyoung,hewasabletoasserthissovereigntyandheruledthekingdomassistedbyhisableministers. Thespringseasonsetin.Therewasromanceintheair.Theyoungkingbegantodreamofapartner.Dayandnighthisheartlongedfor

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thebeloved.Thecleverandwiseministersdivinedthestateoftheirking'sheart.TheywenttotheSaurastra*kingdomandsoughtthehandofaprincessfortheir king.Soon,thekingSikhidhvaja*marriedCudala*. Sikhidhvaja*andCudala*weresogreatlydevotedtoeachotherthattheywereonejiva*intwobodies.Theysharedmanycommoninterestsandtheyplayed togetherinthepleasuregardens.Evenasthesunsendsdownhisraystomakethelotusunfold,thekingshoweredhisbelovedwithhisloveandtriedtopleaseherin everyway. Theysharedtheirknowledgeandtheirwisdomwitheachothersothatbothofthembecamehighlylearnedinallbranchesofknowledge.Eachdweltinallradiancein theother'sheart.Infact,itappearedasifthelordVisnu*andhisconsorthadcomedownonearthinordertoaccomplishaspecialmission! VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:78

ThusSikhidhvaja*andCudala*enjoyedthemselvesforanumberofyearswithoutadullmoment.Noonecanarrestthepassageoftime.Lifeappearsanddisappears likeajuggler'strick.Pleasure,whenpursued,fliesbeyondreachevenasanarrowwhichhasleftthebow.Sorrowpreysuponthemindevenasvulturespreyupona carcass."Whatisthereinthisworldhavingattainedwhichthemindisneveragainsubjectedtosorrow?"Reflectingthus,theroyalcoupleturnedtheirattentiontothe studyofspiritualtexts. Theycametotheconclusionthatselfknowledgealonecanenableonetoovercomesorrow.Theydevotedthemselvestoselfknowledgewiththeirheartandsoul. Theyresortedtothecompanyofsagesofselfknowledgeandadoredthem.Theyengagedthemselvesconstantlyindiscussingselfknowledgeandinpromotingself knowledgeineachother. Havingthusconstantlycontemplatedthemeansofselfknowledge,thequeenbegantoreflectthus: "NowIseemyselfandenquire'WhoamI?'Howcouldignoranceofself,anddelusionarise?Thephysicalbodyissurelyinertanditiscertainlynottheself.Itis experiencedonlyonaccountofthemovementofthoughtinthemind.Theorgansofactionarebutpartsofthebodyandhencetheytooareinert,beingpartsofthe bodywhichisinert.Thesenseorgansareinert,too,fortheydependuponthemindfortheirfunctioning.Iconsidereventhemindtobeinert.Themindthinksand entertainsnotions,butitispromptedtodosobytheintellectwhichisthedeterminingagent.Eventhisintellect(buddhi)issurelyinertforitisdirectedbytheegosense. Eventhisegosenseisinert,foritisconjuredupbythejiva*,justasaghostisconjuredupbytheignorantchild.Thejiva*isbutpureconsciousness

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clothed,asitwere,bythelifeforceanditdwellsintheheart. "Loandbehold!Ihaverealisedthatitistheselfwhichispureconsciousnessthatdwellsasthejiva*becausetheconsciousnessbecomesawareofitselfasitsown object.Thisobjectisinsentientandunrealandbecausetheselfidentifiesitselfwiththisobjectitapparentlyclothesitselfwithinsentience,havingapparently(butnotin truth)abandoneditsessentialnatureasconsciousness.For,suchisthenatureofconsciousness:whateveritconceivesitselftobe,whetherrealorimaginary,thatit becomes,apparentlyhavingabandoneditsownnature.Thus,thoughtheselfispureconsciousness,itimaginesitselftobeinsentientandunrealonaccountofits perceptionofobjects." Contemplatingthusforaconsiderabletime,Cudala*becameenlightened. VASISTHA*continued: Delightedbythisselfdiscovery,thequeenexclaimed:"AtlastIhaveattainedthatwhichistobeattained(known).Nowthereisnoloss.Eventhemindandthesenses arebutthereflectionsofconsciousness,thoughtheyareunrealindependentofconsciousness.Thissupremeconsciousnessaloneexists.Itisthesupremetruth, untaintedbyanyimpurity,foreverinastateofperfectequilibriumanddevoidofegosense.Oncethistruthisrealised,itshinesconstantlywithoutsetting. "ItisthisconsciousnessthatisknownbyvariousnamesBrahman,supremeself,etc.Initthereisnodivisionintosubjectobjectandtheirrelation(knowledge). Consciousnessbecomesconsciousofitsownconsciousnessitcannotberealisedotherwise(asanobjectofconsciousness).Itisthisconsciousnessalonethatis manifestasthemind,intellectandthesenses.Thisworldappearance,too,isbutconsciousnessapartfromwhichnothingis.Consciousnessdoesnotundergoany change:theonlyapparentchangeistheillusoryappearance,whichisillusoryandthereforenotreal!Inanimaginaryocean,imaginarywavesarise.Themindstuffitself istheoceanandthewavesareofthemindstuff,too.Evensotheworldappearancearisesinconsciousnessandisthereforenondifferentfromit. "Iampureconsciousness,devoidofegosenseandallpervading.Thereisneitherbirthnordeathforthisconsciousness.Itisnotsubjecttodestruction,foritislike space.Itcannotbecutorburnt.Itispurelightofconsciousness,withoutdefect. "Iamfreefromalldelusion.Iamatpeace.Allthesegods,demonsandnumerousbeingsareessentiallyunmade,fortheyarenondifferentfromtheconsciousness. Theappearanceisillusory,even

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assoldiersmadeofclayareclay,notsoldiers. "Theseer(subject)andtheseen(object)areinrealitytheonepureconsciousness.Howhasthisdelusionwhichgivesrisetoconceptslike'Thisisoneness'and'There isduality'comeintobeing?Inwhomdoesthatdelusionexist?Whoseisit?Irestinnirvana*(liberationorenlightenment),withouttheleastmentalagitation,having realisedthatallthatis(whethersentientorinsentient)ispureconsciousness.Thereisno'this'nor'I'nor'theother'thereisnobeingnornonbeingAllthisispeace." Havingthusrealised,Cudala*restedinsupremepeace. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:79

Daybyday,thequeengrewmoreandmoreintroverted,rejoicingmoreandmoreintheblissoftheself.Shewasutterlyfreefromcravingandfromattachment. Withoutabandoninganythingandwithoutseekinganything,shewasnaturalinherbehaviourandspontaneousinheractions.Allherdoubtswereatrest.Shehad crossedtheoceanofbecoming.Sherestedinanincomparablestateofpeace. Thuswithinaveryshorttimeshehadreachedtherealisationthatthisworldappearancewillalsodisappearinthesamewayinwhichitcameintobeing!Sheshone radiantinthelightofselfknowledge. Seeingherthusradiantandpeaceful,Sikhidhvaja*askedher:"Youappeartohaveregainedyouryouthfulnessandyoushinewithanextraordinaryradiance,my beloved.Youarenotdistractedbyanythingatall,andyouhavenocraving.Yet,youarefullofbliss.Tellme:isitthatyouhavequaffedthenectarofthegods?Surely, youhaveattainedsomethingwhichisextremelydifficulttoattain?" CUDALA*replied: Ihaveabandonedthisemptinesswhichhasassumedsomesortofaform.Iremainrootedinthatwhichistruth,notintheappearance.HenceIamradiant.Ihave abandonedalltheseandIhaveresortedtosomethingotherthanthese,whichisbothrealandunreal.HenceIamradiant.Thatissomethingandthatisalsonot something.Iknowthatasitis.HenceIamradiant.IdelightinthenonenjoymentofpleasuresasifIhaveenjoyedthem.Igivewayneithertojoynortoanger.Hence Iamradiant.Iexperiencethegreatestjoyinremainingestablishedintherealitythatshinesinmyheart.Iamnotdistractedbytheroyalpleasures.HenceIamradiant. EvenwhenIaminthepleasuregardens,Iremainfirmlyestablishedintheself,neitherintheenjoymentofpleasurenorinshyness,etc.HenceIamradiant. Iamtheruleroftheuniverse.Iamnotthefinitebeing.Idelightintheself.HenceIamradiant.ThisIam,Iamnot,intruthIam

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noramIIamtheall,Iamnaught.HenceIamradiant.Iseeknotpleasurenorwealthnorpovertynoranyotherformofexistence.Iamhappywithwhateveris obtainedwithouteffort.HenceIamradiant.Isportwithattenuatedstatesofattractionandrepulsion,withtheinsightsgainedthroughthescriptures.HenceIam radiant.WhateverIseewiththeseeyesandexperiencewiththesesenses,whateverIbeholdthroughmymindIseenothingbuttheonetruthwhichisseenclearlyby mewithinmyself. VI.1:80 Unabletounderstandthequeen'swords,SIKHIDHVAJA* laughedatthemandsaid:

Youarechildishandignorant,mydear,andsurelyyouareprattling!Havingabandonedsomethingfornothing,havingabandonedrealsubstancesandattainedthe stateofnothingnesshowdoesoneshineresplendent?Evenasanangrymanrejectsabed,ifoneabandonspleasuresboasting,''Idelightinunenjoyedpleasures'',it isnotconducivetodelight!Whenoneabandonseverything(pleasures,etc.)andthinkshedelightsinemptiness,thatdoesnotmakeanysense.Nordoesitmakeany senseifonethinksheishappyafterhavingrenouncedclothes,food,bed,etc.'Iamnotthebody','NoramIanythingelse','Nothingiseverything'whatelseare thesestatementsbutsheerprattle?'IdonotseewhatIsee'and'Iseesomethingelse'thesetooarenothingbutprattle. Nevermind:enjoythepleasuresthatareaffordedtoyou.Ishallcontinuetosportwithyouenjoyyourself. VASISTHA*continued: Havingsaidthis,thekingwentawayfromtheinnerapartments.Cudala*thought,"Itisapitythatthekingisunabletounderstand"andshecontinuedtogoabouther work.Thustheycontinuedtoliveforaconsiderabletime.ThoughCudala*hadnodesires,awisharoseinhertomoveaboutinspace.Inordertoacquirethispower, shesoughtsolitudeandthereexercisedthevitalairwhichhasanupwardtendency. Therearethreetypesofattainablegoalsinthisworld,ORama*:desirable,detestableandignorable.Whatisdesirableissoughtwithgreateffortwhatisdetestableis abandonedbetweenthesetwoisthattowardswhichoneisindifferent.Normally,oneregardsthatasdesirablewhichpromoteshappiness,itsoppositeisconsidered undesirableandoneisindifferenttothosewhichbringneitherhappinessorunhappiness.However,inthecaseoftheenlightenedonesthesecategoriesdonotexist. Fortheylookuponeverythingasamereplayandhencetheyareutterlyindifferenttoeverythingseenorunseen. Ishallnowdescribetoyouthemethodofgainingwhatisattainable

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(siddhiorpsychicpowers)towardswhichthesageofselfknowledgeisindifferent,whichthedeludedpersonconsidersdesirableandwhichonewhoisintentonthe cultivationofselfknowledgeiskeentoavoid. VASISTHA*continued: Allachievementsaredependentuponfourfactors:time,place,actionandmeans.Amongtheseactionoreffortholdsthekeybecause,surely,allendeavourstowards theachievementarebasedonactionoreffort. Someperversepracticesalsoprevailandtheyaresaidtomakeachievementspossible.Especiallyinthehandsofimmaturepracticantstheyareconducivetogreat harm.Tothiscategorybelongthemagicpillorunguentorwand,asalsotheuseofgems,drugs,selfmortificationandmagicformulae.Thebeliefthatthemere dwellinginholyplaceslikeSrisaila*orMeruenablesonetoattainspiritualperfectionisalsodefective. Hence,inthecontextofthestoryofSikhidhvaja*Ishalldescribethetechniqueofpranayama*ortheexerciseofthelifeforceandtheachievementsitbringsabout. Kindlylisten. Inpreparation,oneshouldabandonallhabitsandtendenciesthatareunrelatedtowhatonewishestoachieve.Oneshouldlearntoclosetheaperturesinthebodyand alsolearnthepracticeofthedifferentpostures.Thedietshouldbepure.Oneshouldcontemplatethemeaningofholyscriptures.Rightconductandthecompanyof holyonesareessential.Havingrenouncedeverything,oneshouldsitcomfortably.Ifthenonepractisespranayama*forsometimewithoutallowinganger,greed,etc., torisewithinoneself,thelifeforcecomesunderone'sperfectcontrol. Rightfromsovereigntyovertheearthtototalliberationeverythingisdependentuponthemovementofthelifeforce.Henceallsuchachievementsarepossible throughthepracticeofpranayama*. Deepwithinthebody,thereisanadi*knownastheantravestika*.Itrestsinthevitalsanditisthesourceofahundredothernadis*.Itexistsinallbeingsgods, demonsandhumans,animalsandbirds,wormsandfish.Itiscoiledatitssource.Itisincontactwithalltheavenuesinthebody,fromthewaistrightuptothecrown ofthehead. Withinthisnadi*dwellsthesupremepower.Itisknownaskundalini*,becauseitiscoiledinappearance.Itisthesupremepowerinallbeingsanditistheprime moverofallpower.Whentheprana*orlifeforcewhichisintheheartreachestheabodeofthekundalini*,thereariseswithinoneselfanawarenessoftheelementsof nature.Itiswhenthekundalini*unfoldsandbeginstomovethatthereisawarenesswithinoneself. Alltheothernadis*(radiatingflowofenergy)aretiedtothe

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kundalini*,asitwere.Hencethekundalini*istheveryseedofconsciousnessandunderstandingorknowledge. RAMA*asked: Isnottheinfiniteconsciousnessforeverindivisible?Ifsohowdoesthiskundalini*ariseandmanifestitself,thusrevealingthisconsciousness? VASISTHA*continued: Indeed,thereistheinfiniteconsciousnessaloneeverywhereatalltimes.However,itmanifestsastheelementshereandthere.Thesunshinesoneverything,butitis reflectedinaspecialwaywhenitsraysfallonamirror.Similarly,thesameinfiniteconsciousnessappearstobe'lost'insome,clearlymanifestinsome,attheheightof itsgloryinyetothers. Evenasspaceis(empty)spaceeverywhere,consciousnessisconsciousnessandnaughtelse,whatevertheappearancemaybe.Itdoesnotundergoanychange.This consciousnessitselfisthefiverootelements.Youbeholdwithyourconsciousnessthesameconsciousnesswhichisthefiverootelements,asifyouwereseeing anotherwithinyourself,evenaswithonelampyouseeahundredlamps. Onaccountofaslightmovementofthought,thesamerealitywhichisconsciousnessseemstobecomethefivefoldelementsandthencethebody.Inthesameway,the sameconsciousnessbecomeswormsandothercreatures,metalsandminerals,earthandwhatisonit,waterandotherelements.Thusthewholeworldisnothingbut themovementofenergyinconsciousnesswhichappearsasthefivefoldelements.Somewherethisenergyissentientandelsewhereitappearsasinsentient,evenas waterwhenexposedtocoolwindhardensandbecomessolid.Thusisnatureformed,andallthingsconformtonature. However,allthisisbutaplayofwords,afigureofspeech.Whatelseisheatandcold,iceandfire?Again,thesedistinctionsariseonaccountofconditioningand thoughtpatterns.Thewisemanthereforeenquiresintothenatureofsuchconditioning,whetheritislatentorpatent,goodorevil.Suchisfruitfulquestvain argumentationislikeboxingwithspace. Latentconditioningproducesinsentientbeingspatentconditioninggivesrisetogods,humans,etc.Insomethereisdenseconditioningconducivetoignorancein othersthereisattenuatedconditioningconducivetoliberation.Conditioningaloneisresponsibleforthediversityincreatures. Forthiscosmictreeknownascreation,thefirstthoughtformistheseed,withthevariousspheresforvariouspartsofthetreeand

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thepast,presentandfutureasthefruits.Thefivefoldelementsofwhichthetreeisformedariseoftheirownaccordandceaseoftheirownaccord.Oftheirown accordtheydiversifyandinduecoursetheybecomeunifiedandtranquil. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:81

Kundalini*functionsinthebodycomposedofthefivefoldelements,intheformofthelifeforce.Itisthissamekundalini*whichisknownvariouslyasconditioningor limitation,asthemind,jiva*,movementofthought,intellect(orthedeterminingfaculty)andegosense,foritisthesupremelifeforceinthebody.Astheapana*it constantlyflowsdownward,assamana*itdwellsinthesolarplexusandasudana*thesamelifeforcerisesup.Onaccountoftheseforces,thereisbalanceinthe system.If,however,thedownwardpullisexcessiveandthedownwardforceisnotarrestedbyappropriateeffort,deathensues.Similarly,iftheupwardpullis excessiveanditisnotarrestedbyappropriateeffort,deathensues.Ifthemovementofthelifeforceisgovernedinsuchawaythatitneithergoesupnordown,there isanunceasingstateofequilibriumandalldiseasesareovercome.Otherwise,ifthereismalfunctionofordinary(secondary)nadis*oneissubjecttominorailments andiftheprincipalnadisareinvolvedthereisseriousailment. RAMA*asked: Whatarevyadhis*(illnesses)andwhatareadhis*(psychicdisorders)andwhatarethedegenerativeconditionsofthebody?Pray,enlightenmeonthese. VASISTHA*continued: Adhiandvyadhiaresourcesofsorrow.Theiravoidanceishappinesstheircessationisliberation.Sometimestheyarisetogether,sometimestheycauseeachotherand sometimestheyfolloweachother.Physicalmaladyisknownasvyadhi,andpsychicdisturbancecausedbypsychologicalconditioning(neuroses)isknownasadhi. Boththesearerootedinignoranceandwickedness.Theyendwhenselfknowledgeorknowledgeoftruthisattained. Ignorancegivesrisetoabsenceofselfcontrolandoneisconstantlyassailedbylikesanddislikesandbythoughtslikeandhavegainedthis,Ihaveyettogainthat'.All thisintensifiesdelusionallthesegiverisetopsychicdisturbances. Physicalailmentsarecausedbyignoranceanditsconcomitanttotalabsenceofmentalrestraintwhichleadstoimpropereatingandlivinghabits.Othercausesare untimelyandirregularactivities,unhealthyhabits,evilcompany,wickedthoughts.Theyarealsocausedbytheweakeningofthenadis*orbytheirbeingclutteredor cloggedup,thuspreventingthefreeflowoflifeforce.Lastly,theyarecaused

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byunhealthyenvironment.Alltheseareofcourseultimatelydeterminedbythefruitsofpastactionsperformedeitherinthenearorinthedistantpast. VASISTHA*continued: Allthesepsychicdisturbancesandphysicalailmentsarisefromthefivefoldelements.Ishallnowtellyouhowtheycease.Physicalailmentsaretwofold:ordinaryand serious.Theformerarisefromdaytodaycausesandthelatterarecongenital.Theformerarecorrectedbydaytodayremedialmeasuresandbyadoptingthe propermentalattitude.Butthelatter(serious)ailments,asalsothepsychicdisturbances,donotceaseuntilselfknowledgeisattained:thesnakeseenintheropedies onlywhentheropeisagainseenasrope.Selfknowledgeendsallphysicalandpsychicdisturbances.However,physicalailmentsthatarenotpsychosomaticmaybe dealtwithbymedication,prayersandbyrightaction,asalsobybaths.Allthesehavebeendescribedinmedicaltreatises. RAMA*asked: Pray,tellmehowdoesphysicalailmentarisefrompsychicdisturbanceandhowcanitbedealtwithbymeansotherthanmedical. VASISTHA*continued: Whenthereismentalconfusion,onedoesnotperceiveone'spathclearly.Unabletoseethepathinfrontofoneself,onetakesawrongpath.Thelifeforcesare agitatedbythisconfusionandtheyflowhaphazardlyalongthenadis*.Asaresult,somenadisaredepletedofenergyandothersareclogged. Thentherearisesdisturbanceinthemetabolism,indigestion,excessiveappetiteasalsoimproperfunctioningofthedigestivesystem.Foodeatenturnsintopoison.The naturalmovementoffoodinandthroughthebodyisarrested.Thisgivesrisetovariousphysicalailments. Thuspsychicdisturbanceleadstophysicalailments.Justasmyrobalaniscapableofmakingthebowelsmove,evensocertainmantraslikeya,ra,la,va,canalso remedythesepsychosomaticdisorders.Othermeasuresarepureandauspiciousactions,serviceofholymen,etc.Bythesethemindbecomespureandthereisgreat joyintheheart.Thelifeforcesflowalongthenadisastheyshould.Digestionbecomesnormal,diseasescease. Bythepracticeofpuraka*orinhalation,ifthekundalini*atthebaseofthespineis'filled'andmadetorestinastateofequilibrium,thebodyremainsfirm.When throughtheretentionofthebreathallthenadisarewarmedup,thekundalini*risesuplikeastickanditsenergiesfloodallthenadisofthebody.Onaccountofthis thenadisarepurifiedandmadelight.Thentheyogiisabletotravelinspace.

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Whenthekundalini*arisesthroughthebrahmanadi*andreachesthespotknownasdvadasanta*(twelvefingerbreadthsfromthecrownofthehead)duringthe recakaorexhalation,ifthekundalini*canbeheldthereforanhour,theyogiseesthegodsandperfectedbeingswhotravelinspace. RAMA*asked: Howisitpossibleforthesemortaleyestobeholdthecelestials?VASISTHA*said: Indeed,nomortalcanbeholdthecelestialswiththesemortaleyes.Butthroughtheeyesofpureintelligencethecelestialsareseen,asinadream.Thecelestialsare abletofulfilone'sdesires.Visionofcelestialsisnondifferentfromdream,infact,theonlydifferencebeingthattheeffectofthevisionislasting.Again,ifoneisableto holdthelifeforceinthedvasasanta(twelvefingerbreadthsfromthebody)foraconsiderabletimeafterexhalation,thelifeforceisabletoenterotherbodies.This powerisinherentinthelifeforcethoughbynatureunsteady,itcanbesteadied.Sincetheignorancewhichenvelopseverythingisinsubstantial,suchexceptionsare oftenseeninthemovementofenergyinthisworld.Surely,allthisisindeedBrahmanthediversityanddiversefunctionsaremerefiguresofspeech. RAMA*asked: Inordertoenterintominutespaces(nadis*)andtheninordertofilltheinnerspacewiththelifeforce,one'sbodyhastobemadebothatomicandsolidatthesame time!Howisthismade? VASISTHA*said: Whenwoodandthesawcometogether,woodissplit.Butwhentwopiecesofwoodcometogether,thereisfire!Allthisispartofnature.
*

Inthisphysicalbody,twoforcescometogetherintheabdomen.Togethertheyformahollowstick.Initreststhekundalini*.Thiskundalini*standsmidwaybetween heavenandearthandisevervibrantwithlifeforce.Dwellingintheheartitexperiencesall.Itkeepsallthepsychiccentresinastateofconstantvibrationormotion.It digestsordevourseverything.Itmakesthepsychiccentrestremblebythemovementofprana*.Itsustainsthefireinthebodytillalltheessenceshavebeen exhausted. Bynatureitiscool,butbecauseofitthebodybecomeswarm.Itisspreadthroughoutthebody,thoughitdwellsintheheartwhereitiscontemplatedbytheyogi.Itis ofthenatureofjnana*(knowledge)and (

*

The'it'inthisparagraphmayrefertothegastricfire,lifeforceoreventhekundalini*.Vasistha*issurelynotterriblykeenonmakingandsustainingsuchdistinctions!!)

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initslightadistantobjectisseenasifnear.Whateveriscoolisthemoon,theselffromthismoonarisesfire.Thebodyismadeofthismoonandthisfire.Infact,the entireworldismadeofthesetwo,thecoolmoonandthewarmfire.Or,youmayconsiderthatthisworldisthecreationofknowledgeandignorance,therealandthe unreal.Inwhichcase,consciousness,lightandknowledgeareconsideredthesunorthefire,andinertness,darknessandignoranceareconsideredasthemoon. VASISTHA*continued: Fireandthemoonexistinamutualcausalrelationship(inthebody).Inaway,theirsistherelationshipofseedandtree,onegivingbirthtotheotherinaway,itislike lightanddarknessinwhichonedestroystheother.(Onewhoquestionsallthis,saying"Sincethereisnodesiremotivation,suchcausalityandsuchactivityare illogical",shouldbequicklydismissed.Forsuchactivityisobviousandistheexperienceofall.) The(fire)prana*drinksthenectarinecoolnessatthemouthofthecoolmoon,fillingtheentirespacewithinthebody.(Itistheyogi'stheorythatnectarflowsfromthe palate,whichisconsumedbythegastricfireinthesolarplexusthusthecoolmoonisthecauseoftheburningfireandheprescribestheviparitakarani*toprevent thislossofnectar.S.V.)Firediesandbecomesthemoon,evenasdayendsandnightarrives. Atthejunctionofthefireandthemoon,atthejunctionoflightanddarkness,ofnightandday,thereistherevelationofthetruthwhicheludestheunderstandingof evenwisemen. Evenasadayconsistsofdayandnight,thejiva*ischaracterisedbyconsciousnessandinertia.Fireandthesunsymboliseconsciousnessandthemoonsymbolises darknessorinertia.Evenaswhenthesunisseeninthesky,darknessvanishesonearth,whenthelightofconsciousnessisseen,thedarknessofignoranceandthe cycleofbecomingcometoanend.And,ifthemoon(thedarknessofignoranceorinertia)isseenforwhatitis,consciousnessisrealisedastheonlytruth.Itisthelight ofconsciousnessthatrevealstheinertbody.Consciousness,beingnonmovingandnondual,isnotgrasped.Howeveritcanberealisedthroughitsownreflection,the body. Consciousness,whenitbecomesawareofitself,gainstheworld.Whensuchobjectificationisabandoned,thereisliberation.Prana*isheat(fire),apana*isthecool moon,andthetwoexistlikelightandshadeinthesamebody.Thelightofconsciousnessandthemoonofdescriptiontogetherbringaboutexperience.The phenomenacalledthesunandthemoon,whichhadexistedfromthebeginningofworldcreation,alsoexistinthebody.

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ORama*,remaininthatstatewherethesunhasabsorbedthemoonintoitself.Remaininthatstateinwhichthemoonhasmergedwiththesunintheheart.Remainin thatstatewherethereistherealisationthatthemoonisbutthereflectionofthesun.Knowthejunctionofthesunandthemoonwithinyourself.Theexternal phenomenaareutterlyuseless. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:82

NowIshalldescribetoyouhowtheyogismadetheirbodiesatomic,asalsoenormous. Thereisasparkoffirethatburnsjustabovetheheartlotus.Thisfireisquicklyaugmented,butsinceitisofthenatureofconsciousness,itarisesasthelightof knowledge.Whenitthusgrowsinmagnitudeinamoment,itisabletodissolvetheentirebodyeventhewaterelementinthebodyisevaporatedbyitsheat.Then, havingabandonedthetwobodies(thephysicalandthesubtle),itisabletogowhereitlikes.Thekundalinipower*risesuplikesmokefromfireandismergedinthe space,asitwere.Holdingfastthemind,buddhiandtheegosense,thiskundalini*shinesradiantlyasaparticleofdust.Thissparkorthisparticleisthenabletoenter intoanythingwhatsoever.Thenthiskundalini*releasesthewaterandtheearthelementsthathadpreviouslybeenabsorbedintoitselfandthebodyresumesitsoriginal shape.Thus,thejiva*isabletobecomeassmallasanatomandasbigasamountain. Ihavethusdescribedtoyoutheyogicmethod,andshallnowdealwiththewisdomapproach. Thereisbutoneconsciousnesswhichispure,invisible,thesubtlestofthesubtle,tranquil,whichisneithertheworldnoritsactivities.Itisawareofitself:hencethis jivahood*arises.Thisjiva*perceivesthisunrealbodyasreal.Butwhenthejiva*perceivesitinthelightofselfknowledge,thisdelusionvanishes.Andthebodyalso becomesutterlytranquil.Thenthejiva*doesnotperceivethebody.Theconfusionofthebodywiththeselfisthegreatestdelusion,whichthelightofthesuncannot dispel. Whenthebodyisconsideredreal,itbecomesarealbody.Whenitisperceivedwiththeknowledgethatitisunreal,itismergedinspace.Whatevernotionisfirmly heldconcerningthebody,thatitbecomes. Anothermethodisthepracticeofexhalationwherebythejiva*israisedfromtheabodeofthekundalini*andmadetoabandonthisbody,whichthenbecomesinert likealogofwood.Thenthejiva*canenterintoanyotherbody,movingornonmoving,andundergothedesiredexperience.Afterthushavingacquiredthe experience,itcanreenterthepreviousbodyoranyotherbodyatitswillandpleasure.

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Or,itmayremainastheallpervadingconsciousnesswithoutenteringintoanyparticularbody.

TheStoryofthePhilosopher'sStone
VI.1:83 VASISTHA*continued:

Thus,thequeenCudala*cametobeendowedwithallthepsychicpowers(liketheabilitytomakeoneselfatomicandenormous).Shetraversedtheskyandentered intothedeepestoceansandroamedtheearth,withouteverleavingthecompanyofherhusband.Sheenteredintoeverytypeofsubstancewood,rock,mountain, grass,skyandwater,withoutanyhindrance.Shemovedwiththecelestialsandwiththeliberatedsagesandconversedwiththem. Thoughshemadeeveryendeavourtoenlightenherhusbandalso,hewasnotonlyunresponsivebuthelaughedatherfoolishness.Heremainedignorant.Shefeltit unwisetoexhibitherpsychicpowersbeforehim. RAMA*asked: IfevensuchagreatsiddhayoginiasCudala*couldnotbringaboutthespiritualawakeningandtheenlightenmentofkingSikhidhvaja*,howdoesoneattain enlightenmentatall? VASISTHA*said: Theinstructionofadisciplebyapreceptorisbutatradition:thecauseofenlightenmentisbutthepurityofthedisciple'sconsciousness.Notbyhearingnorby righteousactsisselfknowledgeattained.Onlytheselfknowstheself,onlythesnakeknowsitsfeet!Yet,... TherewasawealthyvillagerintheVindhyahills.Oncewhenhewaswalkingintheforesthelostacoppercoin(onecent).Hewasamiserandsohebegantosearch foritinthethickbush.Allthetimehewascalculating,"WiththatonecentIshalldosomebusiness,itwillbecomefourcentsandtheneightcentsandsoon".Forthree dayshesearched,unmindfulofthetauntsofspectators.Attheendofthosethreedays,hesuddenlyfoundapreciousstone!(Itwasaphilosopher'sstone.)Takingit withhim,hereturnedhomeandlivedhappily. Whatwasthecauseofthismiser'sfindingthephilosopher'sstone?Surely,hismiserlinessandhissearchingthebushforthelostcent!Evenso,inthecaseofthe preceptor'sinstructions,thedisciplelooksforsomethingbutobtainssomethingelse!Brahmanisbeyondthemindandthesensesitcannotbeknownthroughsomeone else'sinstruction.Yet,withouttheinstructionofthepreceptoritisnotknowneither!Themiserwouldnothavefoundthepreciousstoneif

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hehadnotsearchedthebushforhisonecent!Hencetheinstructionofthepreceptorisconsideredthecauseofselfknowledge,andyetitisnotthecause!Lookat thismysteryofMaya*,ORama*:oneseekssomethingandobtainssomethingelse! VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:84

Devoidofselfknowledge,thekingSikhidhvaja*becameblindedbydelusion.Hewassunkingriefwhichnothingintheworldcouldassuage.Soonhebegantoseek solitude,likeyou,ORama*,doingjustthoseroyaldutieswhichhisministersmadehimdo.Hegaveplentyincharity.Heperformedvariousausterities.Buttherewas nochangeinthedelusionandinthesorrow.Afterconsiderabledeliberation,oneday SIKHIDHVAJA*saidtothequeen: Mydear,IhaveenjoyedsovereigntyforalongtimeandIhaveenjoyedalltheroyalpleasures.Neitherpleasurenorpain,neitherprosperitynoradversityisableto disturbthemindoftheascetic.HenceIwishtogototheforestandbecomeanascetic.Thebelovedforestwhichresemblesyouineveryrespect(herehegivesa romanticdescriptionoftheforest,comparingittothelimbsofthequeen)willdelightmyheartevenasyoudo.Sogivemeleavetogo,foragoodhousewifedoesnot obstructherhusband'swishes. CUDALA*replied: Lord,thatactionaloneshinesasappropriatewhichisdoneattheappropriatetime:flowersareappropriatetospringandfruitstothewinter.Forestlifeisappropriate tooldage,notforpeopleofyourage.Atyouragethehouseholdlifeisappropriate.Whenwegrowold,bothofusshallleavethishouseholdlifeandgototheforest! Moreover,yoursubjectswillgrieveoveryouruntimelydeparturefromthekingdom. SIKHIDHVAJA*said: Mydear,donotplaceobstaclesonmypath.KnowthatIhavealreadyleftfortheforest!Youarebutachildanditisnotproperthatyoushouldgototheforest,too, andleadthehardasceticlife.Hence,remainhereandrulethekingdom. VASISTHAcontinued: Thatnight,whilethequeenwasstillasleep,thekingleftthepalaceonthepretextofpatrollingthecity.Herodeawholedayandreachedadenseforestonthe Mandaramountain.Itwasfar,farfromhabitationandthereweresignsthattheplacehadbeeninhabitedpreviouslybyholybrahmanas*.Therehebuiltacottagefor himselfandequippeditwithwhateverheconsiderednecessaryfortheasceticlifelikeastickmadeofbamboo,eatingutensil(plate),watervessel,atrayfor flowers,akamandalu*,arosary,agarmenttoprotecthim

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fromthecold,adeerskin.Therehecommencedhisasceticlife.Thefirstpartofthedayhespentinmeditationandjapa(repetitionoftheholymantra).Thesecond partofthedayhespentingatheringflowers,andthiswasfollowedbybathandworshipofthedeity.Thereafter,hetookafrugalmealconsistingoffruitsandroots. Therestofthetimehespentinjapaortherepetitionofthemantra.Thushespentalongtimeinthatcottagewithouteverthinkingofhiskingdom,etc. VI.1:85 VASISTHA*continued:

Cudala*awokewithafrightwhenshediscoveredthatherhusbandhadleftthepalace.Shefeltunhappyanddecidedthatherplacewasbyherhusband'sside. Quicklyshealsogotoutofthepalacethroughasmallwindowandflewinthesky,lookingforherhusband.Soonshefoundhimwanderingintheforest.But,before alightingnearhim,sheconsideredfutureeventsthroughherpsychicvision.Shesaweverythingasitwasdestinedtohappen,tothesmallestdetail.Bowingtothe inevitable,shereturnedtothepalacebythesameaerialrouteshehadtaken. Cudala*announcedthatthekinghadleftthepalaceonanimportantmission.Fromthenon,sheherselfconductedtheaffairsofthestate.Foreighteenyearsshedwelt inthepalaceandheintheforest,withouttheirseeingeachother.Hehadbeguntoshowsignsofoldage. Atthattime,Cudala*'saw'thatherhusband'smindhadripenedconsiderablyandthatitwastimeforhertohelphimattainenlightenment.Havingthusdetermined,she leftthepalaceatnightandflewtowherehewas.Shebeheldthecelestialsandtheperfectedsagesintheheavens.Sheflewthroughclouds,inhalingtheheavenly perfumeandlookingforwardwithgreateagernesstoherreunionwithherhusband.Shewasexcitedandhermindwasagitated.Becomingawareofthismentalstate, shesaidtoherself:''Ah,surelyaslongasthereislifeinthebody,one'snaturedoesnotceasetobeactive.Evenmymindisagitatedsomuch!Or,perhaps,Omind, youareseekingyourownconsort.Ontheotherhandmyhusbandhassurelyforgottenallabouthiskingdomandme,afteralltheseyearsofasceticism.Itthatcaseit isfutileonyourpart,Omind,togetexcitedattheprospectofmeetinghimonceagain....Ishallrestoreequilibriumtotheheartofmyhusbandinsuchawaythathe willreturntothekingdom,whereweshalldwelltogetherhappilyforalongtime.Thatdelightwhichishadinastateofutterequilibriumissuperiortoallother happiness.'' Thinkingthus,Cudala*reachedtheMandaramountain.Stillremaininginthesky,shesawherhusbandasifhewereanotherperson,forthekingwhowasalways clothedinroyalrobesnow

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appearedasanemaciatedascetic.Cudala*wasdepressedatthisheartbreakingsightofherhusbandcladincoarsegarment,withmattedlocks,quietandlonely,with hiscolourdarkenedconsiderablyasifhehadhadabathinariverofink.Foramomentshethought:"Alas,thefruitoffoolishness!Foronlythefoolishreachsucha conditionasthekinghasreached.Surely,itisonaccountofhisowndelusionthathehasthussecludedhimselfinthishermitage.Hereandnow,Ishallenablehimto attainenlightenment.Ishallapproachhiminadisguise." VASISTHA*continued: AfraidthatSikhidhvaja*mightonceagainspurnherteaching,consideringthatshewasanignorantgirl,Cudala*transformedherselfintoayoungbrahmana*ascetic anddescendedrightinfrontofherhusband.Sikhidhvaja*sawtheyoungasceticandwasdelighted.Thetwoviedwitheachotherinspiritualradiance.Theyoung asceticwasinfactincomparablyradiant,sothatSikhidhvaja*tookhimtobeacelestial.Heworshippedtheasceticappropriately.Cudala*appreciativelyaccepted theworshipandremarked:"IhavetravelledaroundtheworldbutneverhaveIbeenworshippedwithsuchdevotion!Iadmireyourtranquilityandyourausterity.You havechosentotreadtherazor'sedgeinasmuchasyouhaveabandonedyourkingdomandresortedtotheforestlife." Sikhidhvaja*replied:"Surely,youknoweverything,Osonofthegods!Byyourverylookyouareshoweringnectaruponme.Ihavealovelywifewhoisjustnow rulingmykingdomyouresembleherinsomeways.AndtheflowersIhaveofferedyouinworshipmaytheybeblessed.One'slifeattainsitsfruitionbytheworship oftheguestwhoarrivesunsolicitedtheworshipofsuchaguestissuperioreventotheworshipofthegods.Pray,tellmewhoyouareandtowhatIowethisblessing ofyourvisittome?" THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)said: ThereisaholysageinthisuniverseknownasNarada*.OncehewasengagedinmeditationinacaveonthebankoftheholyriverGanga*.Attheendofhis meditation,heheardthesoundofbraceletsapparentlybelongingtosomepeopleengagedinwatersports.Outofcuriosityhelookedinthatdirectionandsawafew oftheforemostcelestialnymphssportinginwater,naked.Theywereindescribablybeautiful.Hisheartexperiencedpleasureandhismindmomentarilylostits equilibrium,overcomebylust. SIKHIDHVAJA*asked: Holyone,thoughhewasasageofgreatlearningandaliberatedoneatthat,thoughhewasfreefromdesireandfromattachmentandthoughhisconsciousnesswasas limitlessasthesky,how

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wasitthathewasovercomebylust? THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)said: Oroyalsage,allbeingsinthethreeworlds,includingthegodsinheaven,haveabodythatissubjecttothedualforces.Whetheroneisignorantoroneiswise,aslong asoneisembodiedthebodyissubjecttohappinessandunhappiness,pleasureandpain.Byenjoyingsatisfyingobjects,oneexperiencespleasure,andbydeprivation (hunger,etc.)oneexperiencespain.Suchisnature. THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)continued: Iftheselfwhichistherealityandwhichispureisforgottenevenforamoment,theobjectofexperienceattainsexpansion.Ifthereisunbrokenawareness,thisdoes nothappen.Evenasdarknessandlighthavecometobefirmlyassociatedwithnightandday,theexperienceofpleasureandpainhasconfirmedtheexistenceofthe bodyinthecaseoftheignorant.Inthewise,however,evenifsuchanexperienceisreflectedinconsciousness,itdoesnotproduceanimpression.Asinthecaseofa crystal,thewisemanisinfluencedonlybytheobjectwhenitisactuallyandphysicallypresentnearby.Buttheignorantpersonissoheavilyinfluencedthathebroods ontheobjecteveninitsabsence.Sucharetheircharacteristics:thinnedoutvulnerabilityisliberation,whereasdensecolouringofthemindisbondage. (InresponsetoSikhidhvaja's*question:"Howdopleasureandpainariseevenintheabsenceoftheconcernedobject?"thebrahmana*said:)Thecauseisthe impressionreceivedbytheheartthroughthebody,theeyes,etc.Laterthisexpandsbyitself.Whentheheartisagitated,thememoryagitatesthejiva*initskundalini abode*.Thenadis*whichbranchoutthroughoutthebodyareaffected.Pleasureexperiencesandpainexperiencesaffectthenadisdifferently.Thenadisexpandand blossom,asitwere,inpleasure,notinpain. Whenthejiva*doesnotthusenterintotheagitatednadis,itisliberated.Bondageisnoneotherthansubjectionofthejiva*topleasureandpain:whensuchsubjection doesnotexistthereisliberation.Thejiva*getsagitatedatthevery'sight'ofpleasureandpain.However,ifthroughselfknowledgeitrealisesthatpainandpleasure donotexistintruth,thenitregainsitsequilibrium.Or,ifitrealisesthatthesedonotexistinitselfnordoesit(thejiva*)existinthem,itrealisestotalfreedom.Ifit realisesthatallthisisnothingbuttheoneinfiniteconsciousness,thenagainitattainsequilibrium.Likealampwithoutfuel,itdoesnotgetagitatedagain,forthejivaitself isthenrealisedasanonentityanditisreabsorbedintheconsciousnessofwhichitisbutthefirstthoughtemanation. (AskedbySikhidhvajatoelaborateonhowthepleasureexperience

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leadstothelossofenergy,thebrahmana*said:)AsIsaid,thejiva*agitatesthelifeforce.Themovementofthelifeforceextractsthevitalenergyfromtheentire body.Thisenergythendescendsastheseminalenergywhichisdischargednaturally. (Askedwhatisnature,thebrahmana*said:)Originally,BrahmanaloneexistedasBrahman.Initinnumerablesubstancesappearedlikeripplesonthesurfaceofthe ocean.Thisisknownasnature.ItisnotcausallyrelatedtoBrahman,butithappenedlikeacocoanutaccidentallyfallingwhenacrowhappenedtoalightonit.Inthat naturearefounddiversecreaturesendowedwithdiversecharacteristics. THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*continued: VI.1:86,87

Itisbysuchnatureoftheselfthatthisuniverseisborn.Itissustainedbyselflimitationorconditioningonaccountofalternatingorderanddisorder.Whensuchself limitationandsuchconflictbetweenorderanddisordercease,thebeingswillnotbebornagain. (ContinuingthestoryofNarada*,thebrahmana*said:)Soon,Narada*regainedhisselfcontrol.Hegatheredtheseedwhichhadbeenspilt,inapotmadeofcrystal. Hethenfilledthepotwithmilkproducedbyhisthoughtforce.Induecourse,thatpotgavebirthtoaninfantwhichwasperfectineveryrespect.Narada*christened thebabyandincourseoftimeimpartedthehighestwisdomtoit.Theyoungboywasapeertohisfather. Later,Narada*tooktheboytoBrahmathecreator,thefatherofNarada*.Brahma*conferredupontheboy(whosenamewasKumbha*)theblessingofthehighest wisdom.Itisthatboy,thatKumbha*,thatgrandsonofBrahma*,whoisstandingbeforeyou.Iroamtheworldplayfully,forIhavenothingtogainfromanyone. WhenIcomeintothisworld,myfeetdonottouchtheearth. (AsVasistha*saidthis,theseventeenthdaycametoanend.) SIKHIDHVAJA*said: ItistrulybythefruitionofthegooddeedsdoneinmanypastincarnationsthatIhaveobtainedyourcompanytodayandamabletodrinkthenectarofyourwisdom! Nothingintheworldgivesthatpeacewhichthecompanyoftheholyonesbestowsonman. THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)said: Ihavetoldyoumylifestory.Pray,nowtellmewhoyouareandwhatyouaredoinghere.Howlonghaveyoubeenhere?Tellmeeverythingtruthfully,forreclusesdo notspeakanythingbutthetruth. SIKHIDHVAJA*replied: Osonofthegods,youknoweverythingasitis.WhatelseshallItellyou?Idwellinthisforestonaccountofmyfearofthissamsara*

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(worldcycleorthecycleofbirthanddeath).Thoughyouknowallthis,Ishallbrieflyrelatemystorytoyou.IamkingSikhidhvaja*.Ihaveabandonedmykingdom. Idreadthissamsara*inwhichonerepeatedlyandalternatelyexperiencespleasureandpain,birthanddeath.However,thoughIhavewanderedeverywhereand thoughIperformintenseausterities,Ihavenotfoundpeaceandtranquility.Mymindisnotatrest.IdonotindulgeinactivitiesnordoIseektogainanything,Iam alonehereandunattachedtoanythingyetIamdryanddevoidoffulfilment.Ihavepractisedallthekriyas*(yogicmethods)uninterruptedly.ButIonlyprogressfrom sorrowtogreatersorrowandevennectarturnsintopoisonforme. THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)said: Ionceaskedmygrandfather,"Whichissuperior,kriya*(action,thepracticeofatechnique)orjnana*(selfknowledge)?"And,hesaidtome: "Indeed,jnana*issupremeforthroughjnana*onerealisestheonewhichaloneis.Ontheotherhand,kriya*hasbeendescribedincolourfulterms,asapastime.If onedoesnothavejnana*thenoneclingstokriya*:ifonedoesnothavegoodclothestowear,heclingstothesack. "Theignorantaretrappedbythefruitsoftheiractionsonaccountoftheirconditioning(vasana*).Whenthelatterisgivenup,actionbecomesnoaction,whetheritis conventionallyregardedasgoodorevil.Intheabsenceofselflimitationorvolition,actionsdonotbearfruit.Actionsbythemselvesdonotgeneratereactionor'fruit' itisthevasana*orthevolitionthatmakesactionbearfruit.Justasthefrightenedboythinksofaghostandseesaghost,theignorantmanentertainsthenotionof sorrowandsufferssorrow. "Neitherthevasana*(selflimitationorconditioning)northeegosenseisarealentity!Theyarisebecauseoffoolishness.Whenthisfoolishnessisabandoned,thereis therealisationthatallthisisBrahmanandthereisnoselflimitation.Whenthereisvasana*,thereismindwhenthevasana*ceasesinthemind,thereisself knowledge.Onewhohasattainedselfknowledgeisnotborn." Thus,eventhegods,Brahma*andothers,havedeclaredthatselfknowledgealoneissupreme.Whythendoyouremainignorant?Whydoyouthink,"Thisisthe kamandalu"and"Thisisastick"andremainimmersedinignorance?Whydoyounotenquire"WhoamI?",''Howhasthisworldarisen?"and''Howdoesallthis cease?"?Whydoyounotreachthestateoftheenlightenedbyenquiringintothenatureofbondageandliberation?Whyareyouwastingyourlifeinthesefutile austeritiesandotherkriyas*?Itisbyresortingtothe

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companyofholyones,byservingthemandenquiringofthem,thatyouwillattainselfknowledge. SIKHIDHVAJA*said: Aha,Ihavetrulybeenawakenedbyyou,Osage.Iamfreedoffoolishness.YouaremyguruIamyourdisciple.Prayinstructmeinwhatyouknow,knowingwhich onedoesnotgrieve. THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)replied: Oroyalsage,Ishallinstructyouifyouareinareceptivemoodandcherishmywords.Ifoneplayfullyinstructsanothermerelyinanswertoaquery,whenthelatter doesnotintendtoreceive,cherishandassimilatetheteaching,itbecomesfruitless.(AfterreceivingsuchanassurancefromSikhidhvaja*,Cudala*said:)Listen attentively:Ishallnarratetoyouastorywhichresemblesyours.

TheStoryofCintamani*
THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)said: VI.1:88

Therewasamaninwhomtherewasthealmostimpossiblecombinationofwealthandwisdom.Hewasendowedwithallexcellences,hewascleverinhisdealings,he achievedallhisambitions,buthewasunawareoftheself.Hebegantoengagehimselfinausteritieswiththedesireofacquiringthecelestialjewelknownascintamani* (thephilosopher'sstonewhichissupposedtobecapableoffulfillingallthedesiresofitspossessor).Hiseffortwasintense.So,withinaveryshortperiodoftime,this jewelappearedbeforehim.Indeed,whatisimpossibleforonewhostriveshisutmost!Onewhoapplieshimselftothetaskhehasundertaken,unmindfuloftheeffort andthedifficulties,reachesthedesiredendevenifheispoor. Thismansawthejewelinfrontofhim,withinhiseasyreach.Buthewasunabletoreachanycertaintyconcerningit.Hebegantomusewithamindconfusedby prolongedstrivingandsuffering:"Isthisthecintamani*?Orisitnot?ShallItouchitornot?Perhaps,itwilldisappearifItouchit?Surely,itcannotbeobtainedwithin soshortaperiodoftime!Thescripturessaythatitcanonlybeobtainedafterawholelifetimeofstriving.Surely,becauseIamapovertystricken,greedyman,Iam merelyhallucinatingtheexistenceofthisjewelbeforeme.HowcouldIbesoluckyastogetitsosoonTheremaybesomegreatoneswhomightobtainthisjewel withinashorttime,butIamanordinarypersonwithjustalittleausteritytomycredit.Howisitpossibleformetogetthissosoon?" Thusconfusedinhismind,hedidnotmakeanyefforttotakethejewel.Hewasnotdestinedtogetit.Onegetsonlywhathedeserves,

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whenhedeservesit.Evenifthecelestialjewelstandsinfrontofhim,thefoolignoresit!Thejewel,thusignored,disappeared.Psychicattainments(siddhis)bestow everythingononewhomtheyseek:afterhavingdestroyedhiswisdomtheygoaway.Andthemanengagedhimselffurtherinausteritiesfortheattainmentofthe cintamani*.Theindustriousdonotabandontheirundertaking.Aftersometime,hesawaglasspiecethrownplayfullyinfrontofhimbythecelestials.Hethoughtit wasthecintamani*.Thusdeludedhegreedilypickeditup.Confidentthathecouldgetwhateverhesoughtwithitshelp,hegaveupallhiswealth,family,etc.,and wentawaytoaforest.Onaccountofhisfoolishnesshesufferedthere.Greatcalamities,oldageanddeatharenothingincomparisontothesufferingcausedby foolishness.Infact,foolishnessadornstheheadofallsufferingsandcalamities!

TheStoryoftheFoolishElephant
VI.1:89 THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)continued:

Listen,Oking,toanotherstorywhichalsoresemblesyours.IntheVindhyaforeststherewasanelephantwhichwasextremelystrongandequippedwithstrongand powerfultusks.Theriderofthiselephanthad,however,imprisoneditinacage.Bythisandtherepeatedusebytheriderofweaponslikethegoad,theelephantwas subjectedtogreatpain. Whiletheriderwasawaytheelephantstruggledtofreeitselffromthecage.Thiseffortwentonforthreewholedays.Eventuallyitshatteredthecage.Justatthistime, theridersawwhattheelephanthaddone.Whiletheelephantwasmakinggooditsescape,theriderclimbedupatreefromwhichheplannedtothrowhimselfonits backandthussubdueitonceagain.However,hemissedtheelephant'sheadashefellandlandedrightinfrontofit.Theelephantsawitsenemy(therider)fallenin frontofit:yetitwasovercomebypityandthereforedidnotharmhim.Suchcompassionisseeneveninbeasts.Theelephantwentaway. Theridergotup,notseriouslyinjured.Theevildoer'sbodydoesnotbreakdowneasily!Theirevildeedsseemtostrengthentheirbody.Therider,however,was unhappyatthelossoftheelephant.Hecontinuedtosearchtheforestforthelostelephant.Afteraverylongtime,hesawtheelephantstandinginathickforest.He gatheredotherelephanttamersandwiththeirhelpdugahugepitandcovereditwithfoliage,eagertorecapturethatelephant. Withinthenextfewdays,thatmightyelephantfellintothatpit.

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Thusrecapturedandboundbythewickedrider,theelephantstillstandsthere! Theelephanthadneglectedtokillitsenemythoughhehadfallenrightinfrontofit,andhenceithadtoundergofreshsuffering.Onewhodoesnot,onaccountofhis foolishness,actappropriatelywhentheopportunityoffersitselfandthusremovealltheobstacles,invitessorrow.Bythefalsesatisfaction'Iamfree'theelephantfell intobondageagain:foolishnessinvitessorrow.Foolishnessisbondage,Oholyone!Onewhoisboundthinksheisfreeinhisfoolishness.Thoughallthatexistsinall thethreeworldsisbuttheself,toonewhoisfirmlyestablishedinfoolishness,allthatisbuttheexpansionoffoolishness. SIKHIDHVAJA*said: VI.1:90

Holyone,explainthesignificanceofthesestories! THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)said: Thewealthylearnedmanwhowentinsearchofthecelestialjewelisyou,Oking!Youhaveknowledgeofthescriptures,yetyouarenotatrestwithinyourselfasa stonerestsinwater.Cintamani*isthetotalrenunciationofeverything,whichputsanendtoallsorrow.Bypuretotalrenunciationeverythingisgained.Whatisthe celestialjewelincomparison?Inasmuchasyouwereabletoabandontheempire,etc.,youhaveexperiencedsuchtotalrenunciation. Afterrenouncingeverything,youhavecometothishermitage.However,onethingstillremainstoberenouncedyouregosense.Iftheheartabandonsthemind(the movementofthought),thereisrealisationoftheabsolute:butyouareovercomebythethoughtoftherenunciationwhichyourrenunciationhascreatedinyou.Hence, thisisnottheblissthatarisesfromtotalrenunciation.Onewhohasabandonedeverythingisnotagitatedbyworry:ifwindcanswaythebranchesofatree,itcannot becalledimmovable. Suchworries(ormovementsofthought)aloneareknownasmind.Thought(notion,concept)isanothernameforthesamething.Ifthoughtsstilloperate,howcanthe mindbeconsideredtohavebeenrenounced?Whenthemindisagitatedbythoughts(worries,etc.)thethreeworldsappeartoitinstantly.Aslongasthoughtsarestill there,howcantherebepureandtotalrenunciation?Hence,whensuchthoughtsariseinyourheart,yourrenunciationleavesyourheart(likethecintamani*leavingthe man).Becauseyoudidnotrecognisethespiritofrenunciationandcherishit,itleftyoutakingwithitfreedomfromthoughtsandworries. Whenthusyouwereabandonedbythejewel(spiritoftotalrenunciation),youpickeduptheglasspiece(austeritiesandallthe

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restofit).Youbegantocherishitonaccountofyourdelusion.Youhavereplacedtheunconditionedandunattachedinfiniteconsciousnesswiththefutile performanceofausteritieswhichhasabeginningandanend,alas,foryourownsorrow.Onewhoabandonsinfinitejoywhichiseasilyattainedandengageshimselfin theacquisitionoftheimpossible,issurelyapigheadedfoolandsuicidal.Youfellintothetrapofthisforestlifeanddidnotstrivetosustainthespiritoftotal renunciation.Youabandonedthebondagetokingdomandalltherestofit,butyouhavebecomeboundagainbywhatisknownastheasceticlife.Nowyouareeven moreworriedthanbeforebycold,heat,wind,etc.,andhencemorefirmlybound.Foolishlythinking,"Ihaveobtainedthecintamani*",youhavereallygainednot evenapieceofcrystal! Thisisthemeaningofthefirstparable. VI.l:91 THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)continued:

Nowlistentothesignificanceofthesecondparable. WhatwasdescribedastheelephantintheVindhyahills,thatyouareonthisearth.Thetwopowerfultusksareviveka(discrimination,wisdom)andvairagya* (dispassion)whichyoupossess.Theriderwhoinflictedpainontheelephantisignorancewhichcausedyousorrow.Thoughpowerful,theelephantwasovercomeby therider:thoughexcellentineveryway,youareovercomebythisignoranceorfoolishness. Theelephant'scageisthecageofdesiresinwhichyouareimprisoned.Theonlydifferenceisthattheironcagedecaysincourseoftimebutthecageofdesiregrows strongerwithtime.Evenastheelephantbrokeoutofitscage,youabandonedyourkingdomandcamehere.However,psychologicalabandonmentisnotaseasyas breakingoutofamaterialcage. Evenastheriderwasalertedbytheescape,theignoranceandthefoolishnessinyoutremblewhenthespiritofrenunciationmanifestsinyou.Whenthewiseman abandonsthepursuitofpleasure,ignorancefleesfromhim.Whenyouwenttotheforest,youhadseriouslywoundedthisignorance,butyouhadfailedtodestroyitby theabandonmentofthemindormovementofenergyinconsciousness,evenastheelephantfailedtokilltherider.Therefore,thisignorancehasarisenonceagainand, rememberingthewayinwhichyouoverpoweredthepreviousdesires,ithastrappedyouinthepitknownasasceticism. Ifyouhaddestroyedthisignoranceonceandforallwhenyourenouncedyourkingdom,youwouldnothavebeentrappedbythisasceticism. Youarethekingoftheelephants,endowedwiththepowerful

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tuskofvivekaorwisdom.However,alas,inthisdenseforestyouhavebeentrappedbytheriderknownasignorance,andyoulieimprisonedintheblindwell,known asasceticism. Oking,whydidyounotlistentothewisewordsofyourwife,Cudala*,whoisindeedaknowerofthetruth?Sheistheforemostamongtheknowersoftheselfand thereisnocontradictionbetweenherwordsandherdeeds.Whatevershesaysistrueandisworthputtingintopractice.However,evenifyoudidnotinthepastlisten toherwordsandassimilatethem,whydidyounotabandoneverythingintotalrenunciation? SIKHIDHVAJA*said: VI.1:92

Ihaverenouncedthekingdom,thepalace,thecountryandmywife,too.HowisitthenthatyouthinkthatIhavenotrenouncedeverything? THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)replied: Wealth,wife,palace,kingdom,theearthandtheroyalumbrellaandyourrelativesarenotyours,Oking:renouncingthemdoesnotconstitutetotalrenunciation!There issomethingelsewhichseemstobeyoursandwhichyouhavenotrenounced,andthatisthebestpartofrenunciation.Renouncethattotallyandwithoutanyresidue andattainfreedomfromsorrow. SIKHIDHVAJA*said: Ifthekingdomandallthatwasinitarenotmine,thenIabandonthisforestandallthatisinit.(Sosaying,Sikhidhvaja*mentallyrenouncedtheforest,etc.) (Onbeingtoldbythebrahmana*,"Allthesethingsarenotyours,hencethereisnomeaninginrenouncingthem",Sikhidhvaja*said:)Surely,thishermitageis everythingformerightnow,itismine.Ishallabandonthat,too.(Thusresolved,Sikhidhvaja*cleansedhisheartoftheveryideathatthehermitagewashis:)Surely, nowIhavecompletelyrenouncedeverything! THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)repeated: Surely,allthesetooarenotyours.Howthendoyourenouncethem?Thereissomethingwhichyouhavenotrenouncedandthatisthebestpartofit.Byrenouncing that,attainfreedomfromsorrow. SIKHIDHVAJA*said: Ifthese,too,arenotmine,thenIshallabandonmystaff,thedeerskin,etc.,andmycottage,too. VASISTHA*said: Sosaying,hesprangupfromhisseat.Whilethebrahmana*waspassivelylookingon,Sikhidhvaja*collectedwhatevertherewasinthecottageandmadeabonfireof it.Hethrewawayhisrosary:"Iamfreedfromthedelusionthattherepetitionofamantraisholyand

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soIhavenoneedforyou".Hereducedthedeerskintoashes.Hegaveawayhiswaterpot(kamandalu*)toabrahmana*(orthrewitintothefire). Hesaidtohimself,"Whateveristoberenouncedmustberenouncedallatonceandforever,otherwiseitexpandsonceagainandisgatheredonceagain.Hence,I shallonceandforallburneverythingup." Thushavingresolved,Sikhidhvaja*,whohaddecidedtogiveupallactivitiessacredandsecular,collectedallthosearticlesthathehadusedtillthenandburntthemall up. VI.1:93 VASISTHA*continued:

Then,Sikhidhvaja*setfiretothecottagewhichhehadbuiltunnecessarily,guidedbyhisownprevious(false)notions.Afterthat,systematicallyheburntwhatever therewasandwhateverwasleft.Heburntorthrewawayeverything,includinghisownclothes.Frightenedbythisbonfireeventheanimalsranawayfromthatplace. SIKHIDHVAJA*thensaidtothebrahmana*: Awakenedbyyou,Osonofthegods,IhaveabandonedallthenotionsIhadentertainedforsuchalongtime.Iamnowestablishedinpureandandblissful knowledge.Fromwhateverprovestobethecauseofbondagethemindturnsawayandrestsinequilibrium.Ihaverenouncedeverything.Iamfreefromallbondage. Iamatpeace.Iamblissful.Iamvictorious.ThespaceismydressspaceismyabodeandIamlikespace.Isthereanythingbeyondthissupremerenunciation,Oson ofthegods? THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)replied: Youhavenotrenouncedeverything,Oking:hence,donotactasifyouareenjoyingtheblissofsupremerenunciation!Youhavesomething,asitwere,whichyou havenotrenounced,thatisthebestpartofrenunciation.Whenthatisalsoutterlyabandonedwithoutleavingaresidue,thenyouwillattainthesupremestate,freefrom sorrow. Aftersomethought,SIKHIDHVAJA*said: Thereisonlyonemorethingleft,Osonofthegods:andthatisthisbodywhichistheabodeofthedeadlysnakesknownasthesenses,andwhichiscomposedof blood,flesh,etc.Ishallnowabandonthattooanddestroyit,andthusachievetotalrenunciation. Ashewasabouttoexecutehisresolve,THEBRAHMANA*said: Oking,whydoyouvainlyendeavourtodestroythisinnocentbody?Abandonthisangerwhichischaracteristicofthebullthatsetsouttodestroyacalf!Thisascetic bodyisinertanddumb.Youhavenothingtodowithit.Therefore,donotattempttodestroyit.Thebodyremainswhatitis,inertanddumb.Itismotivatedand

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madetofunctionbysomeotherpowerorenergy.Thebodyisnotresponsiblefortheexperienceofpleasureandpain.Further,destroyingthebodydoesnotmean totalrenunciation.Ontheotherhand,youarethrowingawaysomethingwhichisanaidtosuchrenunciation!Ifyouareabletorenouncethatwhichfunctionsthrough thisbodyandwhichagitatesthisbody,thenyouhavetrulyabandonedallsinandevilandthenyouwillhavebecomeasupremerenouncer.Ifthatisrenounced, everything(includingthebody)isrenounced.Otherwise,thesinandevil,eveniftheyremainsubmergedtemporarily,willariseagain. THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)said: Thataloneistotalrenunciationwhichistherenunciationofthatwhichisall,whichisthesolecauseofalltheseandinwhichalltheseabide. SIKHIDHVAJA*prayed: Holysir,pleasetellmewhatthatiswhichshouldberenounced. THEBRAHMANA*(CUDALA*)said: Onobleone!Itisthemind(whichalsogoesbythenames'jiva*','prana*',etc.)orthecitta,whichisneitherinertnornoninertandisinastateofconfusionwhichis the'all'.Itisthiscitta(mind)whichisconfusion,itisthehumanbeing,itistheworld,itisall.Itistheseedforthekingdom,forthebody,wifeandalltherestofit. Whenthisseedisabandonedthereittotalrenunciationofallthatisinthepresentandeveninthefuture! Allthesegoodandevil,kingdomandforestcausedistressintheheartofonewhoisendowedwiththecitta,andgreatjoyinonewhoismindless.Justasthetree isagitatedbythewind,thisbodyisagitatedbythemind.Thediverseexperiencesofbeings(oldage,death,birthandsoon)andalsothefirmnessoftheholysages alltheseareverilythemodificationsofthemind.Itisthismindalonewhichisreferredtovariouslyasbuddhi,thecosmos,egosense,prana*,etc.Hence,its abandonmentaloneistotalrenunciation.Onceitisabandoned,thetruthisexperiencedatonce.Allnotionsofunityanddiversitycometoanendthereispeace. Ontheotherhand,byrenouncingwhatyouconsidernotyours,youarecreatingadivisionwithinyourself.Ifonerenounceseverything,theneverythingexistswithin thevoidoftheoneinfiniteconsciousness.Whenonerestsinthatstateoftotalrenunciationlikethelampwithoutfuel,heshineswithsupremebrilliancelikealampwith fuel.Evenafterrenouncingthekingdometc.,youexist.Similarly,evenafterthemindhasbeenrenounced,thatinfiniteconsciousnesswillexist.Evenwhenallthese havebeenburnt,youhavenotundergoneanychangeevenwhenyouhavetotally

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abandonedthemind,therewillbenochange.Onewhohastotallyrenouncedeverythingisnotafflictedbyfearofoldage,deathandsuchothereventsinlife.That aloneissupremebliss.Allelseisterriblesorrow.OM!Thusassimilatethistruthanddowhatyouwishtodo.Inthattotalrenunciationdoesthehighestwisdomorself knowledgeexist:theutteremptinessofapotiswherepreciousjewelsarestored.ItisbysuchtotalrenunciationthattheSakya*Muni(Buddha)reachedthatstate beyonddoubtinwhichhewasfirmlyestablished.Hence,Oking,havingabandonedeverything,remaininthatformandinthatstateinwhichyoufindyourself. Abandoneventhenotionof"Ihaverenouncedall"andremaininastateofsupremepeace. VI.1:94 SIKHIDHVAJA*said:

Pray,tellmetheexactnatureofthiscitta(mind)andalsohowtoabandonitsothatitdoesnotariseagainandagain. KUMBHA*(THEBRAHMANA*CUDALA*)replied: Vasana*(memory,subtleimpressionsofthepast,conditioning)isthenatureofthiscitta(mind).Infacttheyaresynonyms.Itsabandonmentorrenunciationiseasy, easilyaccomplished,moredelightfulthaneventhesovereigntyoverakingdom,andmorebeautifulthanaflower.Itiscertainlyverydifficultforafoolishpersonto renouncethemind,evenasitisdifficultforasimpletontorulethekingdom. Theutterdestructionorextinctionofthemindistheextinctionofsamsara*(thecreationcycle).Itisalsoknownastheabandonmentofthemind.Therefore,uproot thistreewhoseseedisthe'I'idea,withallitsbranches,fruitsandleaves,andrestinthespaceintheheart. Whatisknownas'I'arisesintheabsenceoftheknowledgeofthemind(selfknowledge)this'I'istheseedofthetreeknownasmind.Itgrowsinthefieldofthe supremeselfwhichisalsopervadedbytheillusorypowerknownasMaya*.Thus,adivisioniscreatedinthatfieldandexperiencearises.Withthis,thedetermining facultyknownasthebuddhiarises.Ofcourseithasnodistinctform,asitisbuttheexpandedformoftheseed.Itsnatureisconceptualisationornotionalanditisalso knownasthemind,jiva*andvoid. Thetrunkofthistreeisthebody.Themovementofenergywithinitthatresultsinitsgrowthistheeffectofpsychologicalconditioning.Itsbranchesarelongandthey reachouttogreatdistancestheyarethefinitesenseexperienceswhicharecharacterisedbybeingandnonbeing.Itsfruitsaregoodandevil(pleasureandpain, happinessandunhappiness). Thisisavicioustree.Endeavoureverymomenttocutdownits

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branchesandtouprootit.Itsbranches,too,areofthenatureofconditioning,ofconceptsandofpercepts.They(thebranches)areendowedwiththefruitsofall these.Ifyouremainunattachedtothem,unconcernedaboutthemandwithoutidentifyingyourselfwiththem,throughthestrengthofyourintelligence(consciousness) thesevasanas*aregreatlyweakened.Youwillthenbeabletouprootthetreealtogether.Thedestructionofthebranchesissecondarytheprimarythingistouproot it. Howisthetreetobeuprooted?Byengagingoneselfintheenquiryintothenatureoftheself"WhoamI?"Thisenquiryisthefireinwhichtheveryseedandthe veryrootsofthetreeknownascitta(mind)areburntcompletely. SIKHIDHVAJA*said: IknowthatIampureconsciousness.Howthisimpurity(ignorance)aroseinit,Idonotknow.IamdistressedbecauseIamunabletogetridofthisimpuritywhichis notselfandunreal. KUMBHAasked: Tellmeifthatimpurity(ignorance),onaccountofwhichyouareanignorantmanboundtothissamsara*,isrealorunreal? SIKHIDHVAJA*replied: Thatimpurityisalsotheegosenseandtheseedforthisbigtreeknownascitta(mind).Idonotknowhowtogetridofit.Itreturnstomeevenwhenitisrenouncedby me! KUMBHA*said: Theeffectarisingfromarealcauseisselfevidentatalltimeseverywhere.Wherethecauseisnotreal,theeffectissurelyasunrealasthesecondmoonseenin diplopia.Thesproutofsamsara*hasarisenfromtheseedofegosense.Enquireintoitscauseandtellmenow. SIKHIDHVAJA*replied: Osage,Iseethatexperienceisthecauseofegosense.But,tellmehowtogetridofit. KUMBHA*askedagain: Ah,youareabletofindthecausesofeffects!Tellmethenthecauseofsuchexperience.Ishallthentellyouhowtogetridofthecause.Whenconsciousnessisboth theexperiencingandtheexperience,andwhentherewasnocausefortheexperienceastheobjecttoarise,howdidtheeffect(experience)arise? SIKHIDHVAJA*replied: Surelyonaccountoftheobjectivereality,suchasthebody?Iamunabletoseehowsuchobjectiverealityisseenasfalse. KUMBHAsaid: Ifexperiencerestsontherealityofobjectslikethebody,thenif

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thebody,etc.,areprovedtobeunreal,onwhatwillexperiencerest?Whenthecauseisabsentorunreal,theeffectisnonexistentandtheexperienceofsuchan effectisdelusion.What,then,isthecauseofobjectslikethebody? SIKHIDHVAJA*asked: Thesecondmoonissurelynotunrealbecauseithasacausewhichiseyedisease.Thebarrenwoman'ssonisneverseenandthatisunreal.Why,isnotthefather thecausefortheexistenceofthebody? KUMBHA*replied: But,then,thatfatherisunreal:thatwhichisbornofunrealityisunreal,too.IfonesaysthatthefirstCreatoristheoriginalcauseofallsubsequentbodies,infacteven thatisnottrue!TheCreatorhimselfisnondifferentfromtherealityhencehisappearanceasotherthanthereality(thiscreation,etc.)isdelusion.Therealisationofthis truthenablesonetogetridoftheignoranceandegosense. VI.1:95 SIKHIDHVAJA*asked:

IfallthisfromtheCreatortothepillarisunreal,howhasthisrealsorrowcomeintobeing? KUMBHA*replied: Thisdelusionoftheworldexistenceattainsexpansionbyitsrepeatedaffirmation:whenwaterisfrozenintoablockitservesasaseat!Onlywhenignoranceis dispelleddoesonerealisethetruthonlythendoestheoriginalstatemanifestitself.Whentheperceptionofdiversityisattenuated,thenthissamsara*ceasestobe experiencedandyoushineinyourownoriginalglory. Thus,youarethesupremeprimordialbeing.Thisbody,thisform,etc.,havecomeintobeingonaccountofignoranceandmisunderstanding.Allthesenotionsofa creatorandofacreationofdiversebeingshavenotbeenprovedtobereal.Whenthecauseisunprovenhowcanonetaketheeffecttobereal? Allthesediversecreaturesarebutappearances,likewaterinthemirage.Suchadeceptiveappearanceceasesonbeingenquiredinto. SIKHIDHVAJA*asked: Whycanitnotbesaidthatthesupremeselfortheinfiniteconsciousness(Brahman)isthecausewhoseeffectistheCreator? KUMBHA*replied: Brahmanorthesupremeselfisonewithoutasecond,withoutacauseandwithoutaneffect,forithasnoreason(motivationorneed)todoanything,tocreate anything.Itisthereforenotthedoer,neitheristhereanyaction,instrumentnorseedforsuchactivity.HenceitisnotthecauseforthiscreationortheCreator. Hence,thereisnosuchthingascreation.Youarethereforeneitherthedoerofactionsnortheenjoyerofexperiences.Youaretheall,

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everatpeace,unbornandperfect.Sincethereisnocause(reasonforcreation),thereisnoeffectknownastheworldtheworldappearanceisbutdelusion. Whenthustheobjectivityoftheworldisseentobeunreal,whatisexperienceandofwhat?Whenthereisnoexperience,thereisnoexperiencer(theegosense). Thus,youarepureandliberated.Bondageandliberationaremerewords. SIKHIDHVAJA*said: Lord,bythewiseandwellreasonedwordswhichyouhaveutteredIhavebeenfullyawakened.Irealisethat,sincethereisnocause,Brahmanisnotthedoerof anythingnorthecreatorofanything.Hence,thereisnomindnoranegosense.Suchbeingthecase,Iampure,Iamawakened.Isalutemyself,thereisnaughtwhich istheobjectofmyconsciousness. VASISTHA*continued: VI.l:96

Thusawakenedspiritually,Sikhidhvaja*enteredintodeepmeditationfromwhichhewasplayfullyawakenedbyKumbha*,whosaid:''Oking,youhavebeenduly awakenedandenlightened.Whathastobedonenowhastobedone,regardlessofwhetherthisworldvisionceasesordoesnotcease.Oncethelightoftheselfhas beenseen,youareinstantlyfreedfromtheundesirableandfrommentalmodificationsandyouremainasoneliberatedwhilestillliving.'' Sikhidhvaja*whowasnowradiantwithselfknowledgeaskedthebrahmana*Kumbha*'forfurtherunderstanding':"Whentherealityisoneindivisible,infinite consciousness,howcouldthisapparentdivisionoftheseer,theseenandsightariseinit?" KUMBHA*replied: Wellasked,Oking.Thisisallthatremainsforyoutoknow.Whateverthereisinthisuniversewillceasetobeattheendofthisworldcycle,leavingonlythe essencewhichisneitherlightnordarkness.Thatispureconsciousnesswhichissupremepeaceandinfinite.Itisbeyondlogicandintellectualcomprehension.Itis knownasBrahmanornirvana*.Itissmallerthanthesmallest,largerthanthebiggestandthebestamongtheexcellent.Inrelationtoit,whatnowappearstobeisbut anatomicparticle! ThatwhichshinesastheIconsciousnessandwhichistheuniversalselfiswhatexistsasthisuniverse.Thereisindeednorealdistinctionbetweenthatuniversalselfand theuniverse,asthereisnodistinctionbetweenairanditsmovement.Onemaysaythatbetweenthewavesandtheoceanthereisacausalrelationshipintermsoftime andspace:butintheuniversalselforinfiniteconsciousnessthereisnosuchrelationshipandhencetheuniverseiswithoutacause.Inthatinfiniteconsciousnessthis universefloatsasaparticle

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ofdust.Inittheword'world'comestobeendowedwithsubstantialityorreality. That(infiniteconsciousness)aloneistheessencehere.Itpervadesall.Itisone.Itisconsciousness.Itholdseverythingtogether.Yet,onecannotsayitisonebecause ofthetotalabsenceofdivisibilityorduality.Hence,itissufficienttoknowthattheselfaloneisthetruthandnotletthenotionofdualityarise.Thataloneiseverywhere atalltimesinallthediverseforms.Itisnotseen(notexperiencedthroughthesensesandthemind)norisitanobjecttobeattained.Hence,itisneitherthecausenor theeffect.Itisextremelysubtle.Itispureexperiencing(neithertheexperiencernortheexperience).Thoughitisthusdescribed,itisbeyonddescription.Henceone cannotsayitisnorthatitisnot.Howthencanitbethecauseofthiscreation? KUMBHA*said: Thatwhichhasnoseed(cause)andwhichisindescribableisthereforenotthecauseofanothernaughtisbornofthat.Hence,theselfisneitherthedoernorthe actionnortheinstrument.Itisthetruth.Itistheeternalabsoluteconsciousness.Itisselfknowledge.ThereisnocreationinthesupremeBrahman.Onemay theoreticallyestablishthearisingandtheexistenceofawaveintheoceanonthebasisoftime(ofitsarising)andspace(inwhichitseemstoexistasawave).But,who hastriedtoestablishevensucharelationshipbetweenBrahmanandthecreation?For,inBrahmantimeandspacedonotexist.Thus,theworldhasnobasisatall. SIKHIDHVAJA*said: Surely,onecanrationalisetheexistenceofwavesintheocean.ButIdonotunderstandhowitisthattheworldandtheegosenseareuncaused. KUMBHA*said: Nowyouhavecorrectlyunderstoodthetruth,Oking!Thatisbecausethereisinfactnorealitywhichcorrespondstothewords'world'and'egosense'.Justas emptiness(orthenotionofdistance)exists,nondifferentfromspace,evensothisworldappearanceexistsinthesupremebeingorinfiniteconsciousnesswhetherin thesameformorwithanotherform. Whenthustherealityofthisworldiswellunderstood,thenitisrealisedasthesupremeself(Siva*).Whenrightlyunderstood,evenpoisonturnsintonectar.Whenitis notthusrightlyunderstood,itbecomesevil(aSivam*),theworldofsorrow.Forwhateverthisconsciousnessrealisesitselftobe,thatitbecomes.Itisbecauseof

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aconfusionintheselfthatthisconsciousnessseesitselfasembodiedandastheworld. Itisthatsupremeselfalonethatshineshereasthesupremebeing(Sivam*).Hence,theveryquestionsconcerningtheworldandtheegosenseareinappropriate. Surelyquestionsareappropriateonlyconcerningthosesubstancesthatarereal,notwithregardtothosewhoseexistenceisunproved.Theworldandtheegosense havenoexistenceindependentofthesupremeself.Sincethereisnoreasonfortheirexistence,thetruthisthatitisthesupremeselfalonethatexists.Itistheenergyof Brahman(Maya*)thathascreatedthisillusionbythecombinationofthefiveelements.Butconsciousnessremainsconsciousnessandisrealisedbyconsciousness diversityisperceivedbythenotionofdiversity.Theinfiniteraisesinfinitywithinitself,theinfinitecreatesinfinity,infiniteisbornofinfinityandinfinityremainsinfinite. Consciousnessshinesasconsciousness. KUMBHA*said: VI.l:97

Inthecaseofgold,itmaybesaidthatatacertaintimeandatacertainplaceitgaverisetoanornament.Butfromtheself(whichisabsolutepeace)nothingiscreated andnothingeverreturnstoit.Brahmanrestsinitself.Hence,itisneithertheseednorthecauseforthecreationoftheworldwhichisamatterofmereexperience. Apartfromthisexperiencenothingexistswhichcouldbereferredtoastheworldortheegosense.Therefore,theinfiniteconsciousnessaloneexists. SIKHIDHVAJA*said: Irealise,Osage,thatintheLordthereisnoworldnortheegosense.Buthowdotheworldandtheegosenseshineasiftheyexist? KUMBHA*replied: Indeed,itistheinfinitewhich,beginninglessandendless,existsaspureexperiencingconsciousness.Thataloneisthisexpandeduniversewhichisitsbody,asitwere. Thereisnoothersubstanceknownastheintellect,noristhereanoutsidenorvoid.Theessenceofexistenceispureexperiencingwhichisthereforetheessenceof consciousness.Justasliquidityexistsinseparablefromwater,consciousnessandunconsciousnessexisttogether.Thereisnorationaleforsuchexistence,forwhatisis asitis. Sincethereisneitheracontradictionnoradivisioninconsciousnessitisselfevident. Iftheinfiniteconsciousnessisthecauseofsomethingelse,thenhowcanitberegardedasindescribableandincomparable?Hence,Brahmanisnotacauseoraseed. Whatthenshallweregardastheeffect?Itisthereforeinappropriatetoassociatethecreationwith

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Brahmanandtoassociatetheinertwiththeinfiniteconsciousness.Ifthereappearstobeaworldoregosense,thesearebutemptywordsmeanttoentertain. Consciousnessisnotdestroyed.However,ifsuchdestructioncanbecomprehended,theconsciousnessthatcomprehendsitisfreefromdestructionandcreation.If suchdestructioncanbecomprehended,itissurelythetrickofconsciousness.Henceconsciousnessaloneexists,neitheronenormany!Enoughofthisdiscussion. Whenthusthereisnomaterialexistence,thinkingdoesnotexisteither.Thereisneitheraworldnortheegosense.Remainwellestablishedinpeaceandtranquility,free frommentalconditioning,whetheryouareembodiedordisembodied.WhentherealityofBrahmanisrealised,thereisnoroomforworryandanxiety. VI.1:98 SIKHIDHVAJA*said:

Holyone,prayinstructmeinsuchawaythatitwillbeperfectlycleartomethatthemindisnonexistent. KUMBHA*said: Oking,indeedthereisnotandtherehasneverbeenanentityknownasthemind.ThatwhichshineshereandisknownasthemindisindeedtheinfiniteBrahman (consciousness).Itisignoranceofitstruenaturethatgivesrisetothenotionofamindandtheworldandalltherestofit.Wheneventheseareinsubstantialnotions, howcan'Iyou',etc.beconsideredreal?Thus,thereisnosuchthingasthe'world',andwhateverappearstobeisuncreated.AllthisisindeedBrahman.Howcan thatbeknownandbywhom? Eveninthebeginningofthepresentworldcyclethisworldwasnotcreated.Itwasdescribedascreationbymeonlyforyourcomprehension.Inthetotalabsenceof anycausativefactors,allthesecouldnothavebeencreatedatall.Therefore,whateverthereisisBrahmanandnaughtelse.ItisnotevenlogicaltosaythattheLord whoisnamelessandformlesscreatedthisworld!Itisnottrue.Whenthusthecreationofthisworldisseentobefalse,thensurelythemindthatentertainsthenotionof suchacreationisfalse,too. Mindisbutabundleofsuchnotionswhichlimitthetruth.But,then,divisionimpliesdivisibility.Whentheinfiniteconsciousnessisincapableofdivision,thereisno divisibilityandhencethereisnodivision.Howcanmind,thedivider,bereal?WhateverappearstobehereisperceivedinBrahman,byBrahman,andsuch perceptionis,bycourtesy,knownasthemind!Itistheinfiniteconsciousnessalonethatisspreadoutastheuniverse.Whythencallittheuniverse?Inthisplaneor dimensionofinfiniteconsciousnesswhateverslightappearancethereseemstobeisbutthereflectionofconsciousnessinitself:hencethereisneitheramindnorthe world.Onlyin

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ignoranceisallthisseenas'theworld'.Hencethemindisunreal. Onlycreationisnegatedbythis,notwhatis.Therealitythatisseenasthisworldisbeginninglessanduncreated.Hence,thescripturaldeclarationsandone'sown experiencesconcerningtheappearanceandthedisappearanceofsubstancesherecannotbeconsideredinvalid,exceptbyanignoramus.Onewhodeniesthevalidity ofsuchdeclarationsandexperiencesisfittobeshunned.Thetranscendentalrealityiseternaltheworldisnotunreal(onlythelimitingadjunct,themind,isfalse). Therefore,allthisistheindivisible,illimitable,namelessandformlessinfiniteconsciousness.ItistheselfreflectionofBrahmanwhichisofinfiniteformsthatappearsto betheuniversewithitscreationdissolutioncycle.ItisthisBrahmanitselfwhichknowsitselfforamomentasthisuniverseandappearstobesuch.Thereisnomind. SIKHIDHVAJA*said: VI.1:99

Mydelusionisgone.Wisdomhasbeengainedbyyourgrace.Iremainfreefromalldoubts.Iknowwhatthereistobeknown.Theoceanofillusionhasbeencrossed. Iamatpeace,withoutthenotionof'I'butaspureknowledge. KUMBHA*said: Whentheworlddoesnotexistassuch,whereis'I'or'you'?Hence,remainingatpeacewithinyourself,engageyourselfinnonvolitionalactionsasareappropriate frommomenttomoment.AllthisisbutBrahmanwhichispeace'I'and'theworld'arewordswithoutsubstance.Whentheinsubstantialityofsuchexpressionsis realised,thenwhatwasseenastheworldisrealisedasBrahman. ThecreatorBrahma*isbutanideaornotion.Evensois'self'or'I'.Intheirrightorwrongcomprehensionliesliberationorbondage!Thenotion'Iam'givesriseto bondageandselfdestruction.Therealisation'Iam(is)not'leadstofreedomandpurity.Bondageandliberationarebutnotions.Thatwhichisawareofthesenotions istheinfiniteconsciousnesswhichaloneis.Thenotion'Iam'isthesourceofalldistress.Theabsenceofsuchafeelingisperfection.Realise'Iamnotthategosense' andrestinpureawareness. Whensuchpureawarenessarises,allnotionssubside.Thereisperfection.Inthepureawareness,perfectionortheLord,thereisneithercausalitynortheresultant creationorobjects.Intheabsenceofobjects,thereisnoexperiencenoritsconcomitantegosense.Whentheegosenseisnonexistent,whereissamsara*(thecycle ofbirthanddeath)?Whenthussamsaradoesnotexist,thesupremebeingaloneremains.Inittheuniverseexistsascarvingsinuncarvedstone.Hewhothusseesthe universe,withouttheinterventionofthemindandthereforewithoutthenotionofauniverse,he

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aloneseesthetruth.Suchavisionisknownasnirvana*. Evenastheoceanaloneexistswhentheword'wave'isdeprivedofitsmeaning,Brahmanaloneexistswhentheword'creation'isseenasmeaningless.Thiscreationis BrahmanBrahmanaloneisawareofthiscreation.Whenthewordmeaningof'creation'isdropped,thetruemeaningof'creation'isseenastheeternalBrahman. Whenoneenquiresintotheword'Brahman',theALLiscomprehended.Whenonesimilarlyenquiresintotheword'creation',Brahmaniscomprehended.However, thatconsciousnesswhichisthebasisandthesubstratumforallsuchnotionsandtheirawarenessisknownbytheword'Brahman'.Whenthistruthisclearlyrealised andwhenthedualityofknowledgeandknownisdiscarded,whatremainsissupremepeacewhichisindescribableandinexpressible. VI.l:100 SIKHIDHVAJA*said:

Ifthesupremebeingisrealandtheworldisreal,thenIassumethatthesupremebeingisthecauseandtheworldtheeffect! KUMBHA*replied: Onlyifthereiscausalitycantheeffectbeassumed.But,wherethereisnocausality,howcantheeffectarisefromit?ThereisnocausalrelationshipbetweenBrahman andtheuniverse:whateverthereishereisBrahman.Whenthereisnoseedeven,thenhowissomethingborn?WhenBrahmanisnamelessandformless,thereis surelynocausality(seed)init.Hence,Brahmanisnondoerinwhomcausalitydoesnotexist.Therefore,thereisnoeffectwhichcanbecalledtheworld. BrahmanalonethouartandBrahmanaloneexists.WhenthatBrahmaniscomprehendedbyunwisdom,itisexperiencedasthisuniverse.Thisuniverseis,asitwere, thebodyofBrahman.Whenthatinfiniteconsciousnessconsidersitselfasotherthanitreallyis,thatissaidtobeselfdestructionorselfexperience.Thatself destructionisthemind.Itsverynatureisthedestruction(veiling)ofselfknowledge.Evenifsuchselfdestructionismomentary,itisknownasthemindthatlastsfora worldcycle. Suchanotionalexistenceceasesonlybythedawnofrightknowledgeandthecessationofallnotions.Sincethenotionalexistenceisunrealitceasesnaturallywhenthe truthisrealised.Whentheworldexistsonlyasawordbutnotasarealindependentsubstance,howthencanitbeacceptedasarealexistence?Itsindependent existenceislikewaterinthemirage.Howcanthatbereal?Theconfusedstateinwhichthisunrealityappearstoberealisknownasthemind.Noncomprehensionof thetruthisignoranceorthemindrightcomprehensionisselfknowledgeorselfrealisation.

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Evenastherealisation'Thisisnotwater'bringsabouttherealisationofthemirageasmirage,therealisationthat'Thisisnotpureconsciousnessbutkinetic consciousnesswhichisknownasthemind'bringsaboutitsdestruction. Whenthusthenonexistenceofthemindisrealised,itisseenthattheegosense,etc.,donotexist.Onealoneexiststheinfiniteconsciousness.Allnotionscease.The falsitywhicharoseasthemindceaseswhennotionscease.Iamnot,noristhereanother,nordoyounordotheseexistthereisneithermindnorsenses.Onealone isthepureconsciousness.Nothinginthethreeworldsiseverbornordies.Theinfiniteconsciousnessaloneexists.Thereisneitherunitynordiversity,neither confusionnordelusion.Nothingperishesandnothingflourishes.Everything(eventheenergythatmanifestsasdesireanddesirelessness)isyourownself. KUMBHA*(CUDALA*)said: VI.l:101

Ihopethatyouhavebeeninwardlyawakenedspiritually,andthatyouknowwhatthereistobeknownandseewhatthereistobeseen. SIKHIDHVAJA*replied: Indeed,Lord,byyourgraceIhaveseenthesupremestate.Howwasitthatiteludedmyunderstandingsofar? KUMBHA*said: Onlywhenthemindisutterlyquiet,whenonehascompletelyabandonedalldesireforpleasureandwhenthesenseshavealsobeenridoftheircolouringorcovering, arethewordsofthepreceptorrightlycomprehended.(Thepreviouseffortswerenotwasted,for)Thevariouseffortsmadesofarhaveattainedfruitiontodayandthe impuritiesinthebodieshavedroppedaway.Whenthusoneisfreedfrompsychologicalconditioningandtheimpuritieshavebeenremovedorpurified,thewordsof theguruenterdirectlyintotheinnermostcoreofone'sbeingjustasanarrowentersthestalkofthelotus.Youhaveattainedthatstateofpurityandthereforeyou havebeenenlightenedbymydiscourseandyourignorancehasbeendispelled. Byoursatsanga*(holycompany)yourkarmas(actionsandtheirresidualimpressions)havebeendestroyed.Tillthisveryforenoonyouwerefilledwiththefalse notionsof'I'and'mine'onaccountofignorance.Nowthatonaccountofthelightofmywordsthemindhasbeenabandonedfromyourheart,youhavebeen awakenedfully,forignorancelastsonlysolongasthemindfunctionsinyourheart.Nowyouareenlightened,liberated.Remainestablishedintheinfinite consciousness,freedfromsorrow,fromstrivingandfromallattachment.

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SIKHIDHVAJA*said: Lord,isthereamindevenfortheliberatedperson?Howdoesheliveandfunctionherewithoutamind? KUMBHA*replied: Truly,thereisnomindintheliberatedones.Whatisthemind?Thepsychologicalconditioningorlimitationwhichisdenseandwhichleadstorebirthisknownasmind: thisisabsentintheliberatedsages.Theliberatedsageslivewiththehelpofthemindwhichisfreefromconditioningandwhichdoesnotcauserebirth.Itisnotmindat allbutpurelight(satva).Theliberatedonesliveandfunctionhereestablishedinthissatva,notinthemind.Theignorantandinertmindismindtheenlightenedmindis knownassatva.Theignorantliveintheirmind,theenlightenedonesliveinsatva. VI.l:101,102 KUMBHA*continued:

Youhaveattainedtothestateofsatva(theunconditionedmind)onaccountofyoursupremerenunciation.Theconditionedmindhasbeentotallyrenounced,ofthisI amconvinced.Yourmindhasbecomelikepureinfinitespace.Youhavereachedthestateofcompleteequilibriumwhichisthestateofperfection.Thisisthetotal renunciationinwhicheverythingisabandonedwithoutresidue. Whatsortofhappiness(destructionofsorrow)doesonegainthroughausterities?Supremeandunendinghappinessisattainedonlythroughutterequanimity.What sortofhappinessisthatwhichisgainedinheaven?Hewhohasnotattainedselfknowledgetriestosnatchalittlepleasurethroughtheperformanceofsomerituals. Onewhodoesnothavegoldclingstocopper! Oroyalsage,youcouldeasilyhavebecomewisewiththehelpofCudala*.Whydidyouhavetoindulgeinthisuselessandmeaninglessausterity?Ithasabeginning andanend,andinthemiddlethereisanappearanceofhappiness.However,yourausterityhasinawayledtothisspiritualawakening.Nowremainrootedin wisdom. Itisintheinfiniteconsciousnessthatalltheserealitiesandeventheunrealnotionsariseandintoittheydissolve.Evenideaslike'Thisistobedone'and'Thisisnotto bedone'aredropletsofthisinfiniteconsciousness.Abandoneventheseandrestintheunconditioned.Allthese(austerity,etc.)areindirectmethods.Whyshouldone notadoptthedirectmethodofselfknowledge? Thatwhichhasbeendescribedassatvashouldberenouncedbythesatvaitselfthatis,bytotalfreedomfromitorbynonattachmenttoit.Whateversorrowarises inthethreeworlds,Oking,arisesonlyfrommentalcraving.Ifyouareestablishedinthatstateofequanimitywhichtreatsofbothmovementandnonmovementof thoughtasnondifferent,youwillrestintheeternal.

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Thereisonlyoneinfiniteconsciousness.ThatBrahmanwhichispureconsciousnessisitselfknownassatva.Theignorantseeitastheworld.Movement(agitation)as alsononmovementinthatinfiniteconsciousnessareonlynotionsinthemindofthespectator:thetotalityoftheinfiniteconsciousnessisallthesebutdevoidofsuch notions.Itsrealityisbeyondwords! VASISTHA*continued: Havingsaidthis,Kumbha*vanishedfromsightevenwhilethekingwasabouttoofferflowersinadoration.ReflectingoverthewordsofKumbha*,Sikhidhvaja* enteredintodeepmeditation,completelyfreefromalldesiresandcravingsandfirmlyestablishedintheunconditionedstate. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:103

WhileSikhidhvaja*wasthusengagedindeepmeditationutterlyfreefromtheleastmentalmodificationormovementinconsciousness,Cudala*abandonedher disguise,returnedtothepalaceandinherownfemaleformconductedtheaffairsofthestate.ShereturnedtowhereSikhidhvaja*wasafterthreedaysandwas delightedtoseethathewasstillabsorbedinmeditation.Shethought,"Ishouldmakehimreturntoworldconsciousnesswhyshouldheabandonthebodynow?Let himrulethekingdomforsometimeandthenbothofuscansimultaneouslyabandonthebody.Surely,theinstructionsIhavegivenhimwillnotbelost.Ishallkeephim alertandawakethroughthepracticeofyoga." Sheroaredlikealionagainandagain.Stillhedidnotopenhiseyes.Shepushedthebodydown.Yetheremainedimmersedintheself.Shethought,"Alas,heis completelyabsorbedintheself.HowshallIbringhimbacktobodyconsciousness?Ontheotherhand,whyshouldIdoso?Lethimreachthedisembodiedstateand Ishallalsoabandonthisbodynow!" Whileshewasgettingreadytoabandonherbody,sheagainthought,"BeforeIabandonmybody,letmeseeifthereistheseedofmind(vasana*)somewhereinhis body.Ifthereis,hecanbeawakenedandthenbothofuscanliveasliberatedbeings.Ifthereisnotandifhehasattainedfinalliberation,Ishallalsoabandonthis body."Sheexaminedhisbodyandfoundthattheseedofindividualitywasstillpresentinhim. RAMA*asked: Lord,whenthebodyofthesagelieslikealogofwood,howcanoneknowthatthereisstillatraceofsatva(purifiedmind)inhim? VASISTHA*said: Inhisheart,unseenandsubtle,thereisthetraceofsatvawhichisthecausefortherevivalofbodyconsciousness.Itisliketheflower

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andthefruitwhicharepotentiallypresentintheseed.Inthecaseofthesagewhosemindistotallyfreefromthemovementofthought,whoisdevoidoftheleastnotion ofdualityorunity,whoseconsciousnessisutterlyfirmandsteadylikeamountainhisbodyisinastateofperfectequilibriumanddoesnotshowsignsofpainor pleasureitdoesnotriseorfall(liveordie)butremainsinperfectharmonywithnature.Itisonlyaslongastherearenotionsofdualityorunitythatthebody undergoeschangesastheminddoes.Itisthemovementofthoughtthatappearsasthisworld.Becauseofthatthemindexperiencespleasure,angeranddelusion whichthusremainirrepressible.Butwhenthemindisfirmlyestablishedinequanimity,suchdisturbancesdonotariseinone.Heislikepurespace. VASISTHA*continued: Whenthesatvaisinastateoftotalequilibrium,thennophysicalorpsychologicaldefectsareexperienced.Itisnotpossibletoabandonsatva,itreachesitsendin courseoftime.Whenthereisneitherthemindnoreventhesatvainthebody,then,likesnowmeltingintheheat,thebodydissolvesintheelements.Sikhidhvaja's* bodywasfreefromthemind(movementofthought)butwasendowedwithatraceofsatva.Thereforeitdidnotthusdissolveintotheelements.Noticingthis, Cudala*decided,"Ishallenterintothepureintelligencewhichisomnipresentandendeavourtoawakenbodyconsciousnessinhim.IfIdonotdoso,hewillsurely awakenaftersometime.But,whyshouldIremainalonetillthen?" Cudala*thereuponleftherbodyandenteredintothepuremind(satva)ofSikhidhvaja*.Sheagitatedthatpuremindandquicklyreenteredherownbodywhichshe instantlytransformedintothatoftheyoungasceticKumbha*.Kumbha*begantosingtheSama*Vedichymnsgently.Listeningtothis,thekingreturnedtobody consciousness.HesawKumbha*onceagaininfrontofhim.Hewashappy.HesaidtoKumbha*:"Luckily,wehaveonceagainariseninyourconsciousness,O Lord!Andyouhavecomehereagainmerelytoshoweryourblessingsonme!" KUMBHA*said: SincethetimeIleftyouandwentaway,mymind(heart)hasbeenherewithyou.Thereisnodesiretogotoheavenbutonlytobenearyou.Idonothavearelative, friend,trustworthypersonordisciplelikeyouinthisworld. SIKHIDHVAJA*replied: Iconsidermyselfsupremelyblessedthat,thoughyouareperfectlyenlightenedandunattached,youwishtobewithme.Pray,dostaywithmehereinthisforest!

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KUMBHA*asked: Tellme:didyourestinthesupremestateforawhile?Haveyouabandonednotionslike'Thisisdifferent','Thisisunhappiness',etc.?Hasyourcravingforpleasure ceased? SIKHIDHVAJA*replied: Byyourgrace,Ihavereachedtheothershoreofthissamsara(worldappearance).Ihavegainedwhatthereistobegained.Thereisnaughtbuttheselfneitherthe knownnorwhatisyettobeknown(unknown),neitherattainmentnorwhatisrenouncedandwhatshouldberenounced,neitheranentitynortheothernorevensatva (apuremind).Likethelimitlessspace,Iremainintheunconditionedstate. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:104

Afterspendinganhouratthatplace,thekingandKumbha*wentintotheforestwheretheyroamedfreelyforeightdays.Kumbha*suggestedthattheyshouldgoto anotherforestandthekingconsented.Theyobservedthenormalrulesoflifeandperformedappropriatereligiousritestopropitiateancestorsandthegods.False notionslike'Thisisourhome'and'Thisisnot'didnotariseintheirhearts.Sometimestheywerecladingorgeousrobes,atothersinrags.Sometimestheywere anointedwithsandalpaste,atotherswithashes.Afterafewdays,thekingalsoshonewiththesameradianceasKumbha*. Seeingtheradianceoftheking,Kumbha*(Cudala*)begantothink:''Hereismyhusbandwhoisnobleandstrong.Theforestisdelightful.Weareinastateinwhich fatigueisunknown.Howthendoesdesireforpleasurenotariseintheheart?Theliberatedsagewelcomesandexperienceswhatevercomestohimunsoughtifheis caughtupinconformity(rigidity)itgivesrisetofoolishness(ignorance).Shewhosepassionsarenotarousedintheproximityofhernobleandstronghusbandwhen theydwellsurroundedbyagardenofflowers,isasgoodasdead!Whatdoestheknowerofthetruthorthesageofselfknowledgegainbyabandoningwhatis obtainedwithouteffort?Ishouldmakeitpossibleformyhusbandtoenjoyconjugalpleasureswithme.''Havingthusdecided,Kumbha*saidtoSikhidhvaja*:"Today isanauspiciousdaywhenIshouldbeinheaventoseemyfather.GivemeleavetogoandIshallreturnthisevening." Thetwofriendsexchangedflowers.Kumbha*left.SoonCudala*abandonedthedisguise,wenttothepalaceanddischargedtheroyalduties.Shereturnedtowhere Sikhidhvaja*was,againinthedisguiseofKumbha*.NoticingachangeinKumbha's*facialexpression,thekingasked:"Osonofthegods,whydoyoulookso unhappy?Holyonesdonotallowanyexternalinfluencetodisturbtheirequilibrium."

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KUMBHA*said: Theywho,thoughremainingestablishedinequilibrium,donotlettheirorgansfunctionnaturallyaslongasthebodyisalive,areobstinateandstubbornpeople.Aslong asthereissesamethereisoilaslongasthereisthebodytherearethedifferentmoodsalso.Hewhorebelsagainstthestatesthatthebodyisnaturallysubjecttocuts spacetopieceswithasword.Theequilibriumofyogaisforthemindnotfortheorgansofactionandtheirstates.Aslongasthebodylasts,oneshouldlettheorgans ofactionperformtheirproperfunction,thoughtheintellectandthesensesremaininastateofequanimity.Suchisthelawofnaturetowhicheventhegodsaresubject. VI.1:105 KUMBHA*continued:

Now,Oking,pleaselistentowhatmisfortunehasbefallenme.For,ifoneconfideshisunhappinesstoafriend,itisgreatlyamelioratedevenastheheavyanddark cloudbecomeslightbysheddingrain.Themindalsobecomesclearandpeacefulwhenafriendlistenstoone'sfate,evenaswaterbecomesclearwhenapieceof alumisdroppedintoit. AfterIleftyouIwenttoheavenandperformedmydutiesthere.Aseveningapproached,Ileftheaventoreturntoyou.InspaceenrouteIsawthesageDurvasa* flyinginhastetobeintimeforhiseveningprayers.Hewasclad,asitwere,inthedarkcloudsandadornedwithlightning.Thismadehimlooklikeawomanrushingto meetherlover.Isalutedhimandsaidso,infun.Enragedatmyimpudence,hecursedme:"Forthisinsolence,youwillbecomeawomaneverynight."Iamgrievedat theverythoughtthateverynightIshallbecomeawoman.Itisindeedatragedythatthesonsofgodwhoareeasilyovercomebylustthussuffertheconsequencesof insultingholysages.However,whyshouldIgrieve,forthisdoesnotaffectmyself. SIKHIDHVAJA*said: Whatistheuseofgrief,Osonofthegods?Letcomewhatmay,fortheselfisnotaffectedbythefateofthebody.Whateverbethejoyorsorrowthatisallottedto oneaffectsthebody,nottheindweller.Ifevenyouyieldtogrief,whatabouttheignorantpeople!Or,perhaps,whilenarratinganunfortunateincidentyouaremerely usingappropriatewordsandexpressions!! VASISTHA*continued: Thustheyconsoledeachotherfortheywereinseparablefriendsnow.Thesunhadsetandthedarknessofthenightwascreepingonearth.Theyperformedtheir eveningprayers.Soon,Kumbha's*bodybegantoshowacreepingchange.Fightingbackhistearsand

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inachokedvoice,hesaidtoSikhidhvaja*:"Alas,see,Ifeelasifmybodyismeltingawayandthatitispouringdownonearth.Mychestissproutingbreasts.My skeletalstructureundergoeschangesappropriatetoawoman.Look,dressandornamentsappropriatetoawomanspringfromthebodyitself.OwhatshallIdo,how shallIhidemyshame,forIhavetrulybecomeawoman!" Sikhidhvaja*replied:"Holyone,youknowwhatthereistobeknown.Donotgrieveovertheinevitable.One'sfateaffectsonlythebody,nottheembodiedone." Kumbha*alsoagreed:"Youareright.Idonotnowfeelanysorrow.Whocandefytheworldorderornature?" Thusconversing,theywenttobed(sleptinthesamebed).ThusCudala*livedwithherhusband,asayoungmaleasceticduringthedayandasawomanatnight. VASISTHA*continued: VI.l:106

Afterafewdaysofsuchcompanionship,Kumbha*(Cudala*indisguise)saidtoSikhidhvaja*:"Oking,listentomysubmission.ForsometimenowIhavebeena womanbynight.Iwishtofulfiltheroleofawomanatnight.IfeelthatIshouldliveasthewifeofaworthyhusband.Inthethreeworldsthereisnonewhoisasdearto measyouare.Hence,Iwishtomarryyouandenjoyconjugalpleasureswithyou.Thisisnatural,pleasantandpossible.Whatfaultisthereinit?Wehavegivenup bothdesireandrejectionandwehavetotalequalvision.Hence,letusdowhatisnatural,withoutdesireandaversion." Sikhidhvaja*replied:"Ofriend,Idonotseeeithergoodorevilindoingthis.Therefore,Owiseone,dowhatyouwishtodo.Becausethemindrestsinperfect equilibrium,Iseeonlytheselfeverywhere.Hencedowhatyouwishtodo." Kumbha*replied:"Ifthatishowyoufeel,Oking,thentodayitselfisthemostauspiciousday.Thecelestialbodiesshallwitnessourwedding." Bothofthemthengatheredallthearticlesnecessaryfortheweddingrite.Theybathedeachotherwithholywaterinpreparationforthesacredrite.Theyoffered worshiptotheancestorsandgods. Bythistime,thenighttimehadarrived.Kumbha*becametransformedintoalovelywoman.'He'saidtotheking:"Odearfriend,nowIamawoman.Mynameis Madanika*.Isaluteyou.Iamyourwife."Sikhidhvaja*thenadornedMadanika*withgarlands,flowersandjewels.Admiringherbeauty,thekingsaid:"O Madanika*,youareradiantlikegoddessLaksmi*.Maywebeblessedtolivetogetherlikethesunandtheshadow,Laksmi*andNarayana*,Siva*andParvati*. Maywebeblessedwithallauspiciousness."

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Thecouplethemselvestendedthesacredfireandperformedthenuptialrite,instrictaccordwiththeinjunctionsofthescriptures.Thealtarhadbeendecoratedwith flowerycreepersandwithpreciousandsemipreciousstones.ItsfourcornersweredecoratedwithcocoanutsandtherewerealsopotsfullofholywateroftheGanga *.Inthecentrewasthesacredfire.Theywentroundthisfireandofferedtheprescribedoblationsintoitwiththeappropriatesacredhymns.Evenwhiledoingsothe kingfrequentlyheldMadanika's*handthusrevealinghisfondnessforherandhisjoyonthatoccasion.Theythencircumambulatedthesacredfirethrice,performing whatisknownastheLaja*Homa.Thentheyretiredtothenuptialchamber(acavespeciallypreparedfortheoccasion).Themoonwasshoweringcoolrays.The nuptialbedwasmadeoffragrantflowers.Theyascendedthisbedandconsummatedtheirwedding. VI.l:107 VASISTHA*continued:

Asthesunrose,Madanika*becameKumbha*.Thus,thispairlivedasfriendsduringthedayandashusbandandwifeduringthenight.WhileSikhidhvaja*was asleeponenight,Kumbha*(Cudala*indisguise)slippedawaytothepalaceanddischargedtheroyaldutiesthereandquicklyreturnedtotheking'sbedside. ForamonththeylivedinthecavesoftheMahendramountain.Theythenroamedindifferentforestsandmigratedfromonemountainsidetoanother.Forsometime theylivedinthegardenofthegodsknownastheParijata*forestonthesouthernslopesoftheMainaka*mountain.TheyalsoroamedtheKuruterritoryandthe Kosalaterritory. Aftertheyhadenjoyedthemselvesinthismannerforanumberofmonths,Cudala*(disguisedasKumbha*)thought:"Ishouldtestthematurityofthekingbyplacing beforehimthepleasuresandthedelightsofheaven.Ifheisunaffectedbythem,surelyhewillneveragainseekpleasure." Havingthusdecided,Cudala*createdbyhermagicpowerstheillusioninwhichSikhidhvaja*sawthechiefofthegods(Indra)accompaniedbythecelestialsstanding rightinfrontofhim.Unruffledbytheirsuddenappearance,thekingofferedthemdueworship.ThenheaskedIndra:"Pray,tellme:whathaveIdonetodeservethis, thatyouhavetakenallthistroubletocomeheretoday?" Indrareplied:"Holyone,wehaveallcomeheredrawnirresistiblytoyourpresence.Wehaveheardyourgloriessunginheaven.Come,cometoheaven:havingheard ofyourgreatnessthecelestialslongtoseeyou.Pray,acceptthesecelestialinsigniawhichwillenableyoutotraversethespaceevenastheperfectedsagesdo.Surely, Osage,liberatedbeingslikeyoudonotspurnhappinessthatseeksthem

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unsought.Mayyourvisitpurifytheheaven."Sikhidhvaja*said:"Iknowtheconditionsthatprevailinheaven,OIndra!Buttomeheaveniseverywhereandalso nowhere.IamhappywhereverIambecauseIdesirenothing.However,Iamunabletogotothekindofheavenwhichyoudescribeandwhichislimitedtoone place!HenceIamunabletofulfilyourcommand.""But,"saidIndra,''Ithinkitisproperthatliberatedsagesshouldsuffertoexperiencethepleasuresallottedtothem." Sikhidhvaja*remainedsilent.Indrawasgettingreadytoleave.Sikhidhvaja*said,"Ishallnotcomenowfornowisnotthetime." HavingblessedthekingandKumbha*,Indraandallhisretinuedisappeared. VASISTHA*continued: VI.1:108

Afterwithdrawingthatmagicaldisplay,Cudala*saidtoherself:"Luckily,thekingisnotattractedbytemptationsofpleasure.EvenwhenIndravisitedhimandinvited himtoheaven,thekingremainedunaffectedandpurelikespace.Ishallnowsubjecthimtoanothertesttoseeifheisswayedbythetwinforcesofattractionand repulsion." Thatverynight,Cudala*createdbyhermagicpowersadelightfulpleasuregardenandanextraordinarilybeautifulbedinit.Shecreatedayoungman,physicallymore attractivethanevenSikhidhvaja*.Thereonthatbedsheappearedtobeseatedwithherloverincloseembrace. Sikhidhvaja*hadconcludedhiseveningprayersandhelookedforhiswifeMadanika*.Aftersomesearch,hediscoveredthesecrethidingplaceofthiscouple.He sawthemcompletelyimmersedintheirloveplay.Herhairencircledhim.Withherhandssheheldhisface.Theirmouthswerejoinedtoeachotherinaferventkiss. Theywereobviouslyveryexcitedwithpassionateloveforeachother.Witheverymovementoftheirlimbstheyexpressedtheirextremeloveforeachother.Ontheir facesdancedthedelightoftheirhearts.Thechestofonewasbeatingagainstthechestoftheother.Theywereutterlyobliviousoftheirsurroundings. Sikhidhvaja*sawallthisbutwasunmoved.Hedidnotwishtodisturbthemandsoturnedtogo.Buthispresencehadbeennoticedbythecouple.Hesaidtothem, "Pray,letmenotdisturbyourhappiness." Afteratime,Madanika*cameoutofthegardenandmetSikhidhvaja*feelingashamedofherownconduct.Butthekingsaid:"Mydear,whydidyoucomeawayso soon?Surelyallbeingsliveinordertoenjoyhappiness.Anditisdifficulttofindinthisworldacouplewhoareinsuchharmony.IamnotagitatedonthisaccountforI

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knowverywellwhatpeoplelikeverymuchinthisworld.Kumbha*andIaregreatfriends,Madanika*isbutthefruitofDurvasa's*curse!" Madanika*pleaded:"Suchisthenatureofwomen,Olord!Theyarewaveringintheirloyalty.Theyareeighttimesaspassionateasmen.Theyareweakandso cannotresistlustinthepresenceofadesirableperson.Hence,pleaseforgivemeanddonotbeangry."Sikhidhvaja*replied:'Iamnotatallangrywithyou,mydear. ButitisappropriatethatIshouldhenceforthtreatyouasagoodfriendandnotasmywife."Cudala*wasdelightedwiththeking'sattitudewhichconclusivelyproved thathehadgonebeyondlustandanger.SheinstantlyshedherpreviousformasMadanika*andresumedheroriginalformasCudala*. VI.l:109 SIKHIDHVAJA*said:

Whoareyou,Olovelylady,andhowdidyoucomehere?Howlonghaveyoubeenhere?Youlookverymuchlikemywife! CUDALA*,replied: Indeed,IamCudala*.ImyselfassumedtheformofKumbha*andothersinordertoawakenyourspirit.Imyselfalsoassumedtheformofthissmallillusoryworld withallthisgarden,etc.,whichyousawjustnow.Fromtheverydayyouunwiselyabandonedyourkingdomandcameheretoperformausterities,Ihavebeen endeavouringtobringaboutyourspiritualawakening.ItisI,assumingtheformofKumbha*,whoinstructedyou.Theformsyouperceived,ofKumbha*andothers, werenotreal.Andnowyouhavebeenfullyawakenedandyouknowallthatthereistoknow. VASISTHA*continued: Sikhidhvaja*enteredintodeepmeditationandinwardlysawallthathadhappenedfromthetimeheleftthepalace.Hewasdelightedandhisaffectionforhiswife increasedgreatly.ComingbacktobodyconsciousnessheembracedCudala*withsuchfervourthatisimpossibletodescribe.Theirheartsoverflowingwithlovefor eachothertheyremainedforsometimeasifinasuperconsciousstate. SIKHIDHVAJA*thensaidtoCudala*: Ohhowsweetistheaffectionofadearwifewhichissweeterthannectar!Towhatdiscomfortandpainyouhavesubjectedyourselfformysake!Thewayinwhich youhaveredeemedmefromthisdreadfuloceanofignorancehasnocomparisonwhatsoever.Traditionhasgivenusseveralgreatwomenwhohavebeenexemplary wives,buttheyarenothingcomparedtoyou.Youexcelthemallinallthevirtuesandnoblequalities.Youhavestruggledhardandbroughtaboutmyenlightenment. HowshallIrecompenseyouforthis?Indeed,lovingwivesthusstrivetoliberatetheirhusbandsfromthisoceanofsamsara*.Inthistheyachievewhateventhe scriptures,

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guruandmantraareunabletoachieve,onaccountoftheirlovefortheirhusbands.Thewifeiseverythingtoherhusbandfriend,brother,wellwisher,servant,guru, companion,wealth,happiness,scripture,abode(vessel),slave.Hence,suchawifeshouldatalltimesandinallwaysbeadoredandworshipped. MydearCudala*,youareindeedthesupremeamongwomeninthisworld.Come,embracemeagain. VASISTHA*said: Havingsaidso,Sikhidhvaja*againfondlyandferventlyembracedCudala*. CUDALA*said: Lord,whenIsawthatyouwereperformingmeaninglessausterities,myheartwasgreatlypained.Irelievedmyselfofthatpainbycominghereandstrivingtoawaken you.Itwasindeedformyownjoyanddelight.Idonotdeserveanypraiseforthat! SIKHIDHVAJA*replied: Fromnowonmayallthewivesfulfiltheirownselfishendsbyawakeningtheirhusbands'spirit,asyouhavedone! CUDALA*said: Idonotseeinyounowthepettycravings,thoughtsandfeelingsthattormentedyouyearsago.Pray,tellme,whatareyounow,inwhatareyouestablishedandwhat doyousee. SIKHIDHVAJA*replied: Mydear,Irestinthatwhichyou,withinme,bringabout.Ihavenoattachment.Iamliketheinfinite,indivisiblespace.Iampeace.Ihaveattainedthatstatewhichis difficultevenforthegodslikeVisnu*andSiva*toreach.Iamfreefromconfusionanddelusion.Iexperienceneithersorrownorjoy.Icannotsay"Thisis"or"The otheris".IamfreedofallcoveringsandIenjoyastateofinnerwellbeing.WhatIamthatIamitisdifficulttoputintowords!Youaremyguru,mydear:Isalute you.Byyourgrace,mybeloved,Ihavecrossedthisoceanofsamsara*Ishallnotonceagainfallintoerror. CUDALA*asked: Inthatcase,whatdoyouwishtodonow? SIKHIDHVAJA*answered: Iknownoprohibitionsnorinjunctions.Whateveryoudo,thatIshallknowasappropriate.DowhatyouthinkappropriateandIshallfollowyou. CUDALA*said: Lord,wearenowestablishedinthestateofliberatedones.Tousbothdesireanditsoppositearethesame.Ofwhatuseisthedisciplineofprana*orthepracticeof infiniteconsciousness?Hence,weshouldbewhatweareinthebeginning,inthemiddleandintheendand .

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abandontheonethingthatremainsafterthis.Wearethekingandthequeeninthebeginning,inthemiddleandintheend.Theonethingtobeabandonedisdelusion! Hence,letusreturntothekingdomandprovideitwithawiseruler. SIKHIDHVAJA*asked: Then,whyshouldwenotacceptIndra'sinvitationtoheaven? CUDALA*replied: Oking,Idonotdesirepleasurenortheglamourofakingdom.IremaininwhateverconditionIamplacedbymyverynature.Whenthethought'Thisispleasure'is confrontedbythethought'Thisisnot',theybothperish.Iremaininthatpeacethatsurvivesthis. Thetwoliberatedonesthenspentthenightinconjugaldelight.

TheStoryofKaca
VI.l:ll0 VASISTHA*continued:

Atdaybreakthecouplearoseandperformedtheirmorningduties.Cudala*materialisedbyherthoughtpoweragoldenvesselcontainingthesacredwatersofthe sevenoceans.Withthesewaters,shebathedthekingandcrownedhimemperor.Shesaid:"Mayyoubeendowedwiththelustreoftheeightdivineprotectorsofthe universe." Inhisturn,thekingreestablishedCudala*ashisqueen.Hesuggestedtoherthatsheshouldcreateanarmybyherthoughtpower.Shedidso. Headedbytheroyalcouplemountedonthemoststatelyelephant,theentirearmymarchedtowardstheirkingdom.Ontheway,Sikhidhvaja*pointedouttoCudala* thevariousplacesassociatedwithhisasceticlife.Theysoonreachedtheoutskirtsoftheircitywheretheyweregivenarousingwelcomebythecitizens. AssistedbyCudala*,Sikhidhvaja*ruledthekingdomforaperiodoftenthousandyears,afterwhichheattainednirvana*(liberation,likealampwithoutoil)from whichthereisnorebirth.Afterenjoyingthepleasuresoftheworldbecausehewastheforemostamongkings,afterhavinglivedforaverylongtime,heattainedthe supremestatebecauseinhimtherewasbutalittleresidueofsatva.Evenso,ORama*,engageyourselfinspontaneousandnaturalactivity,withoutgrief.Arise.Enjoy thepleasuresoftheworldandalsofinalliberation. ThushaveItoldyou,ORama*,thestoryofSikhidhvaja*.Pursuingthispath,youwillnevergrieve.RuleasSikhidhvaja*ruled.Youwillenjoythepleasuresofthis worldandattainfinalliberation,too.EvensodidKacawhowasthesonofBrhaspati*,thepreceptorofthegods. RAMA*asked:

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Lord,pleasetellmehowKaca,thesonofBrhaspati*,attainedenlightenment. VASISTHA*said: LikeSikhidhvaja*,Kacaalsoattainedenlightenment.Oneday,whilehewasstillyoung,hewaseagertoattainliberationfromsamsara*.Hewenttohisfather Brhaspati*,andasked:"Lord,youknoweverything.Pleasetellmehowcanonefreeoneselffromthiscageknownassamsara*." BRHASPATI*said: I.1:111

Liberationfromthisprisonhouseknownassamsara*ispossibleonlybytotalrenunciation,myson! VASISTHA*continued: Hearingthis,Kacawentawaytotheforest,havingrenouncedeverything.Brhaspati*wasunaffectedbythisturnofevents.Wiseonesremainunaffectedbyunionand separation.Aftereightyearsofseclusionandausterity,Kacahappenedtomeethisfatheronceagainandaskedhim:"Father,Ihaveperformedausteritiesforeight yearsafterrenouncingeverythinghowisitIhavenotattainedthestateofsupremepeace?" Brhaspati*merelyrepeatedhispreviouscommandment,"Renounceeverything,"andwentaway.Takingitasahint,Kacadiscardedeventhebarkwithwhichhe coveredhisbody.Thushecontinuedhisausteritiesforthreeyears.Againhesoughtthepresenceofhisfatherandafterworshippinghim,asked:"Father,Ihave renouncedeventhestickandclothes,etc.Ihavestillnotgainedselfknowledge!" Brhaspati*thereuponsaid:"By'total'ismeantonlythemind,formindistheall.Renunciationofthemindistotalrenunciation."Havingsaidso,Brhaspati*vanished fromsight.Kacalookedwithininanefforttofindthemindinorderthatitmightberenounced.Howevermuchhesearched,hecouldnotfindwhatcouldbecalledthe mind!Unabletofindthemind,hebegantothink:"Thephysicalsubstanceslikethebodycannotberegardedasmind.Why,then,doIvainlypunishtheinnocent body?Ishallgobacktomyfatherandshallenquireintothewhereaboutsoftheterribleenemyknownasthemind.Knowingit,Ishallrenounceit." Havingthusresolved,Kacasoughthisfather'spresenceandasked,"PleasetellmewhatthemindissothatImayrenounceit."Brhaspati*replied:"Theywhoknow themindsaythatthemindisthe'I'.Theegosensethatariseswithinyouisthemind.""But,thatisdifficult,ifnotimpossible,"saidKaca.Brhaspati*responded:"Onthe otherhand,itiseasierthancrushingaflowerwhichisinyourhand,easierthanclosingyoureyes!Forthatwhichappearstobe

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becauseofignoranceperishesatthedawnofknowledge.Intruththereisnoegosense.Itseemstoexistonaccountofignoranceanddelusion.Whereisthisegosense, howdiditarise,whatisit?Inallbeingsatalltimesthereisbuttheonepureconsciousness!Hence,thisegosenseisbutaword.Giveitup,myson,andgiveupself limitationorpsychologicalconditioning.Youaretheunconditioned,neverconditionedbytime,space,etc."

TheStoryoftheDeludedMan
VI.l:ll2,113 VASISTHA*continued:

Thusinstructedinthehighestwisdom,Kacabecameenlightened.Heremainedfreefromegosenseandpossessiveness.Livelikehim,ORama*.Theegosenseis unreal.Donottrustitanddonotabandonit.Howcantheunrealbegraspedorrenounced?Whentheegosenseisitselfunreal,whatarebirthanddeath?Youarethat subtleandpureconsciousnesswhichisindivisible,freefromideationbutwhichencompassesallbeings.Itisonlyinthestateofignorancethattheworldisseenasan illusoryappearanceinthevisionoftheenlightened,allthisisseenasBrahman.Abandontheconceptsofunityanddiversityandremainblissful.Donotbehavelike thedeludedman,andsuffer! RAMA*said: Iderivesupremeblissfromyournectarinewords.Iamnowestablishedinthetranscendentalstate.Yet,thereisnosatiety.ThoughIamsatisfied,againIaskyou,for noonewillbesatisfiedwithnectar.Whoisthedeludedmanyoureferredto? VASISTHA*said: Listentothishumorousstoryofthedeludedman,ORama*.Thereisamanwhowasfashionedbythemachineryofdelusion.Hewasborninadesertandgrewupin thedesert.Therearoseadeludednotioninhim:"Iambornofspace,Iamspace,thespaceismine.Ishouldthereforeprotectthatspace."Havingthusdecided,he builtahousetoprotectspace.Seeingthespacesafelyenclosedinthehousehewashappy.Butincourseoftime,thehousecrumbled.Heweptaloud,"Omyspace! Wherehaveyougone?Alasitislost." Thenhedugawellandfeltthatthespaceinitwasprotected.It,too,waslostintime.Oneaftertheother,hebuiltapot,apitandalsoasmallgrovewithfoursal trees.Eachofthemperishedafterashorttime,leavingthedeludedmanunhappy. Listentothemeaningofthisstory,ORama*.Themanfashionedbydelusionistheegosense.Itarisesasmotionarisesinwind.ItsrealityisBrahman.Notknowing this,theegosenselooksupon

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spacearounditasitselfanditspossession.Thusitidentifiesitselfwiththebody,etc.,whichitdesirestoprotect.Thebody,etc.,existandperishaftersometime.On accountofthisdelusion,theegosensegrievesrepeatedly,thinkingthattheselfisdeadandlost.Whenthepot,etc.,arelost,thespaceremainsunaffected.Evenso, whenthebodiesarelost,theselfremainsunaffected.Theselfispureconsciousness,subtlerthanevenspace,ORama*.Itisneverdestroyed.Itisunborn.Itdoes notperish.AnditistheinfiniteBrahmanalonethatshinesasthisworldappearance.Knowingthis,behappyforever. VASISTHA*continued: VI.l:ll4

FromthesupremeBrahman,themindfirstarosewithitsfacultyofthinkingandimagination.AndthismindremainsassuchinthatBrahman,evenasfragranceina flower,aswavesintheoceanandasraysoflightinthesun.Brahman,whichisextremelysubtleandinvisible,wasforgotten,asitwere,andthusarosethewrong notionoftherealexistenceoftheworldappearance. Ifonethinksthatthelightraysaredifferentanddistinctfromthesun,tohimthelightrayshaveadistinctreality.Ifonethinksthatabraceletmadeofgoldisabracelet, tohimitisindeedabraceletandnotgold. Butifonerealisesthatthelightraysarenondifferentfromthesun,hisunderstandingissaidtobeunmodified(nirvikalpa).Ifonerealisesthatthewavesarenon differentfromtheocean,hisunderstandingissaidtobeunmodified(nirvikalpa).Ifonerealisesthatthebraceletisnondifferentfromgold,hisunderstandingissaidto beunmodified(nirvikalpa). Hewhoseesthedisplayofsparksdoesnotrealisethatitisbutfire.Hismindexperiencesjoyandsorrowasthesesparksflyupandscatterontheground.Ifhesees thatthesparksarebutfireandnondifferentfromit,heseesonlyfireandhisunderstandingissaidtobeunmodified(nirvikalpa). Hewhoisthusestablishedinthenirvikalpaisindeedagreatone.Hisunderstandingdoesnotdiminish.Hehasattainedwhateverisworthattaining.Hisheartdoesnot getenmeshedintheobjects.Hence,ORama*,abandonthisperceptionofdiversityorobjectificationandremainestablishedinconsciousness. Whatevertheselfcontemplatesismaterialisedonaccountoftheinherentpowerintheconsciousness.Thatmaterialisedthoughtthenshinesasifindependent!Thus, whateverthemind(whichisendowedwiththefacultyofthought)contemplatesmaterialisesinstantly.Thisistheoriginofdiversity.Hence,thisworldappearanceis neitherrealnorunreal.Evenassentientbeingscreateand

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experiencediverseobjectsintheirowndaydreams,thisworldappearanceisthedaydreamofBrahman.WhenitisrealisedasBrahman,thentheworldappearance isdissolvedforfromtheabsolutepointofviewthisworldisnonexistent.BrahmanremainsasBrahmananditdoesnotcreatesomethingwhichwasnotalreadyin existence! ORama*,whateveryoudo,knowthatitisnothingbutpureconsciousness.Brahmanaloneismanifesthereasallthis,fornaughtelseexists.Thereisnoscopefor 'this'andthe'other'.Therefore,abandoneventheconceptsofliberationandbondage.Remaininthepure,egolessstateengagingyourselfinnaturalactivity.

TheStoryofBhrngisa*
VI.l:115 VASISTHA*continued:

Giveupallyourdoubts.Resorttomoralcourage.Beasupremedoerofactions,supremeenjoyerofdelightandsupremerenouncerofall!Suchatripledisciplinewas taughtindaysofyorebylordSiva*toBhrngisa*bywhichthelatterattainedtotalfreedom.Bhrngisa*wasamanofordinaryortraditionalselfknowledge.He approachedlordSivaandasked:''Lord,Iamdeludedbythisworldappearance.Pray,tellmetheattitudeequippedwithwhichIshallbefreedfromthisdelusion." LORDSIVA*replied: Giveupallyourdoubts.Resorttomoralcourage.Beamahabhoktta*(greatenjoyerofdelight),mahakarta*(greatdoerofactions)andmahatyagi*(perfect renouncer). Heisamahakarta*(greatdoerofactions)whoisfreedofdoubtsandperformsappropriateactionsinnaturalsituationswhethertheyberegardedasdharma(right)or adharma(wrong),withoutbeingswayedbylikesanddislikes,bysuccessandfailure,withoutegosenseorjealousy,remainingwithhismindinastateofsilenceand purity.Heisunattachedtoanythingbutremainsasawitnessofeverything,withoutselfishdesiresormotives,withoutexcitementorexultationbutwithamindat peace,withoutsorroworgrief,indifferenttoactionandinaction,whoseverynatureispeaceandequilibriumorequanimitywhichissustainedinallsituations(inthe birth,existenceorannihilationofallthings). Heisamahaboktta*(greatenjoyer)whodoesnothateanythingnorlongforanythingbutenjoysallnaturalexperiences,whodoesnotclingtonorrenounceanything evenwhileengagedinactions,whodoesnotexperiencethoughexperiencing,whowitnessestheworldplayunaffectedbyit.Hisheartisnotaffectedbypleasureand

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painthatariseinthecourseoflifeandthechangesthatcauseconfusion,andheregardswithdelightoldageanddeath,sovereigntyandpovertyandevengreat calamitiesandfortunes.Hisverynatureisnonviolentandvirtuous,andheenjoyswhatissweetandwhatisbitterwithequalrelish,withoutmakinganarbitrary distinction'Thisisenjoyable'and'Thisisnot'. Heisamahatyagi*(greatrenouncer)whohasbanishedfromhismindconceptslikedharmaandadharma,painandpleasure,birthanddeath,alldesires,alldoubts, allconvictions,whoseesthefalsityintheexperienceofpainbyhisbody,mind,etc.,whohasrealised'Ihavenobody,nobirth,norightandnowrong',whohas completelyabandonedfromhisheartthenotionofworldappearance. VASISTHA*continued: ThusdidlordSiva*instructBhrngisa*whothenbecameenlightened.Adoptthisattitude,ORama*,andtranscendsorrow. RAMA*asked: I.1:116,117

Lord,youknowallthetruthsWhentheegosenseisdissolvedinthemind,bywhatsignsdoesonerecognisethenatureofsatva? VASISTHA*said: Suchamind,ORama*,isuntouchedbysinslikegreedanddelusionevenundertheworstofprovocation.Virtueslikedelight(intheprosperityofothers)donotleave thepersonwhoseegosensehasbeendissolved.Theknotsofmentalconditioningandtendenciesarecutasunder.Angerisgreatlyattenuatedanddelusionbecomes ineffective.Desirebecomespowerless.Greedflees.Thesensesfunctiononanevenkeel,neithergettingexcitednordepressed.Evenifpleasureandpainarereflected onhisface,theydonotagitatethemindwhichregardsthemallasinsignificant.Theheartrestsinequanimity. Theenlightenedmanwhoisendowedwithallthesevirtueseffortlesslyandnaturallywearsthebody.Beingandnonbeing(likeprosperityandadversity)whenthey followeachothercreatingdiverseandevengreatcontradictions,donotgeneratejoyandsorrowintheholyones. Woeuntohimwhodoesnottreadthispathtoselfknowledgewhichiswithinreachifhedirectshisintelligenceproperly.Themeansforcrossingthisoceanof samsara*(worldappearanceorthecycleofbirthanddeath)andfortheattainmentofsupremepeaceareenquiryintothenatureoftheself(WhoamI?)andofthe world(Whatisthisworld?)andofthetruth(Whatistruth?). Yourownancestor,Iksvaku*,evenwhilehewasrulinghiskingdom,reflectedwithinhimselfoneday:"Whatmaybetheoriginofthisworldwhichisfullofdiverse sufferingsoldage,death,painand

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pleasureanddelusion?"Hecouldnotarriveatananswer.So,afterhavingdulyworshippedhisfatherManu,thesonofBrahma*,heaskedhim:"Lord,yourownwill promptsmetoplaceaproblembeforeyou.Whatistheoriginofthisworld?HowcanIbefreefromthissamsara*?" Manureplied:"Whatyouseeheredoesnotexist,myson,noneofit!Noristhereanythingwhichisunseenandwhichisbeyondthemindandthesenses.Thereisbut theselfwhichiseternalandinfinite.Whatisseenastheuniverseisbutareflectioninthatself.Onaccountoftheenergyinherentinthecosmicconsciousnessthat reflectionisseenhereasthecosmosandelsewhereaslivingbeings.Thatiswhatyoucalltheworld.Thereisneitherbondagenorliberation.Theoneinfinite consciousnessaloneexists,neitheronenormany!Abandonallthoughtofbondageandliberationandrestinpeace." VI.1:118,119,120 MANUcontinued:

Itiswhenpureconsciousnessgivesrisetoconceptsandnotionswithinitselfthatitassumesanindividuality(jiva*).Suchindividualswanderinthissamsara*(world appearance).Inaneclipsewhatwasunseenearlierisseen:evensoitispossibletoperceivethroughtheindividual'sexperiencesthepureexperiencingwhichisthe infiniteconsciousness.Butthisselfknowledgeisnotgainedbystudyofscripturesorwiththehelpofaguruitcanonlybegainedbytheselfforitself. Regardyourbodyandsensesasinstrumentsforexperiencing,notasself.Thenotion'Iamthebody'isbondagetheseekershouldavoidit.'Iamnothingbutpure consciousness'suchunderstandingwhenitissustainedisconducivetoliberation.Itisonlywhenonedoesnotrealisetheselfwhichisfreefromoldage,death,etc., thatonewailsaloud,"Alas,IamdeadorIamhelpless".Itisbysuchthoughtsthatignoranceisfortified.Freeyourmindfromsuchimpurethoughtsandnotions.Rest intheselffreefromsuchnotions.Thoughengagedindiverseactivitiesremainestablishedinastateofperfectequilibriumandrulethiskingdominpeaceandjoy. TheLordsportsinthisworldappearanceandthenwithdrawsitintohimself.Thepowerorenergythatcreatesandbringsaboutbondageisalsothepowerorthe energythatdissolvescreationandliberates.Justasthetreepervadesallitspartsandleaves,thisinfiniteconsciousnesspervadestheentireuniverse.Alas,theignorant persondoesnotrealiseitthoughitisineverycellofhisbeing.Hewhoseesthattheselfaloneisallenjoysbliss. Oneshouldgainthisunderstandingthroughstudyofscripturesandcompanyofholyones.Thisisthefirststep.Reflectionorenquiryisthesecond.Nonattachmentor psychologicalfreedomisthethird.

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Thefourthissnappingofthebondsofvasanas*(conditioningandtendencies).Theblissthatisderivedfrompureawarenessisthefifthinittheliberatedsagelivesas ifinhalfsleep.Selfknowledgeisthesixthinwhichthesageisimmersedinamassofblissandlivesasifindeepsleep.Theseventhstatewhichisknownasturiya* (thetranscendental)isitselfliberationinitthereisperfectequanimityandpurity.Beyondthis(stilltheseventhstate)istheturiyatita*whichisbeyonddescription.The firstthreestatesare'waking'states.Thefourthisthedreamstate.Thefifthisthedeepsleepstatebecauseitisfullofbliss.Thesixthistheturiya*orthenondual consciousness.Theseventhisindescribable.Onewhohasreachedthisisestablishedinpurebeingdevoidofsubjectobjectdivision.Heisnoteagertodienortolive. Heisonewithall.Heisfreefromindividuation.* MANUcontinued: VI.1:120,121,122

Theliberatedsagemaybeonewhohasformallyrenouncedtheworldorhemayliveahouseholder'slife.Butknowing'Idonothing'hegrievesnot.Knowingthat'I amuntouchedandmymindisuncolouredandfreedfromallconditioning,Iampureandinfiniteconsciousness'hegrievesnot.Freedfromnotionsof'I'and'theother' theenlightenedonedoesnotgrieve.Whereverheisandinwhateversociety,heknowsthatallthatisisasitisanddoesnotgrieve.Heknowsthatallthedirections arefilledwiththeradianceoftheself,whichiseternal.Itisindeedonaccountofignorantselflimitationthatoneexperiencesjoyandsorrowinalternating circumstances.Whensuchignorantselflimitationiseitherweakenedordestroyed,thereisneitherexcitementnorgrief.Thatactionwhichproceedsfromsuch weakenedvasana*orconditioningisnonactionwhoseseedsdonotgerminate!Heperformshisactionsmerelywiththelimbsofthebody,butwithhismindandheart atrestinsupremepeace. Allotherfacultiesthatoneacquiresperishwhennotrepeatedlyused.Butthisselfknowledge,onceacquired,growsdaybyday. Individuality(jivahood*)existsonlyaslongasdesireforpleasurelasts.Eventhisdesireisbornofignorance!Whenselfknowledgearises,desiredropsawayandwith ittheselfabandonsthenotionofindividualityandrealisesitsinfinitenature.Theywhoentertainsuchnotionsas'Thisismine'and'Iamthis'fallintothepitofignorance theywhohaveabandonedsuchnotionswiththeirheartandmindascendhigherandhigher.Beholdtheselfluminousselfwhichpervadeseverything.Theverymoment thatthisomnipresence
*

NOTE:Thereseemstobesomeconfusioninthisparagraph.However,itisclarifiedinchapter126ofthissection.

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ofconsciousnessisrealised,onecrossestheoceanofsamsara*. KnowthatwhateverisdonebyBrahma*,Visnu*,etc.,isdonebyyou.Whateverisseenatanytime,allthatistheselfortheinfiniteconsciousness.Youarethat infiniteconsciousness.Withwhatcanthatbecompared?Youareneitherthevoidnornonvoid,neitherconsciousnessnorunconsciousness,neithertheselfnor another!Restinthisknowledge.Thereisneitheraplacecalledliberationnoranother!Whentheegosensedies,ignoranceperishesandthatisknownasliberation. Hewhohasattainedthisselfknowledgegoesbeyondthecastesystemandtheregulationsconcerningtheordersoflifeandthescripturalinjunctionsandprohibitions, evenasthelionbreaksoutofitscage.Hisactionsarenotmotivatedandarenonvolitional:henceheisnottaintedbytheirmerit.Heisbeyondpraiseandcensurehe doesnotworshipnorreceiveworship.Heisnotagitatedbyothershedoesnotagitateothers.Healoneisfittobeworshipped,glorifiedandsaluted.Notbyritesand ritualsbutbytheworshipofsuchsagesalonedoesoneattainwisdom.

TheStoryofIksvaku*
VI.1:123,124 VASISTHA*continued:

ThusinstructedbyManu,Iksvaku*attainedenlightenment.Adoptsuchanattitude,ORama*. RAMA*asked: Ifsuchbethenatureoftheenlightenedperson,whatissoextraordinaryandwonderfulinit? VASISTHA*continued: Ontheotherhand,whatissoextraordinaryandwonderfulabouttheattainmentofpsychicpowersliketheabilitytoflyintheair?Thenatureoftheignorantisthe absenceofequanimity.Thecharacteristicoftheenlightenedoneispurityofmindandabsenceofcraving.Theenlightenedoneisnotcharacterisedbycharacteristics. Heisdevoidofconfusionanddelusion.Samsara*hascometoanend.Andlust,anger,grief,delusion,greedandsuchdisastrousqualitiesaregreatlyweakenedin him. TheLordassumesindividuality(jiva*).Theelementsariseinthecosmoswithoutanyreasonwhatsoever.TheindividualwhichemanatedfromtheLordexperiences theelements(objects)asiftheywerecreatedbyhim.Thusdoalljivas*ariseandfunctionfornoobviousreason.Butfromthenon,theirownindividualactions becomethecausesfortheirsubsequentexperienceofpleasure

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andpain.Thelimitationofone'sownunderstandingisthecausefortheindividual'sactions. One'slimitedunderstandingandone'sownnotionsarethecauseofbondage,andliberationistheirabsence.Henceabandonallnotions(sankalpa*).Ifyouare attractedbyanythinghere,youareboundifyouarenotattractedatallyouarefree.Whateveryoudoandwhateveryouenjoy,youdonotreallydo,nordoyou enjoy.Knowthisandbefree. Allthesenotionsexistinthemind.Subduethemindbythemind.Purifythemindbythemind.Destroythemindbythemind.Expertwashermenwashdirtwithdirt.A thornisremovedbyanotherthorn.Poisonantidotespoison.Thejiva*hasthreeforms,thedense,thesubtleandthesupreme.Thephysicalbodyisthedenseform. Themindwithitsnotionsandlimitationsisthesubtlebody.Abandonthesetwoandresorttothesupremewhichistherealitypure,unmodifiedconsciousness.Thisis thecosmicbeing.Remainestablishedinit,havingfirmlyrejectedtheformertwo. RAMA*asked: VI1:124,125

Pray,describethestateofturiya*whichrunsthroughthewaking,dreamanddeepsleepstateswithoutbeingrecognised. VASISTHA*continued: Thatpureandequanimousstatewhichisdevoidofegosenseandnonegosense,oftherealandtheunreal,andwhichisfreeisknownasturiya*(thefourthstate).Itis thestateoftheliberatedsage.Itistheunbrokenwitnessconsciousness.Itisdifferentfromthewakingandthedreamingstateswhicharecharacterisedbymovement ofthoughtitisdifferentfromthedeepsleepstatewhichischaracterisedbyinertiaandignorance.Whentheegosenseisabandoned,therearisesthestateofperfect equilibriuminwhichtheturiya*manifestsitself. Ishallnarrateaparable,hearingwhichyouwillbecomeenlightenedevenifyouarealreadyenlightened!Inacertainforesttherewasagreatsage.Seeingthis extraordinarysage,ahunterapproachedhimandaskedhim:''Osage,adeerwhichhadbeenwoundedbymyarrowcamethisway.Tellmewhichwayitwent."The sagereplied:"Weareholymenwhodwellintheforestandournatureispeace.Wearedevoidofegosense.Theegosenseandthemindwhichmaketheactivitiesof thesensespossiblehavecometoarest.Idonotknowwhatareknownaswaking,dream,anddeepsleep.Iremainestablishedintheturiya*.Initthereisnoobject tobeseen!"Thehuntercouldnotgraspthemeaningofthesage'swords.Hewenthisway.

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Hence,Itellyou,ORama*,thereisnaughtbytheturiya*.Theturiyaisunmodifiedconsciousnessandthataloneexists.Waking,dreamandsleeparestatesofthe mind.Whentheycease,theminddies.Satvaaloneremainswhichtheyogisaspiretoreach. Thisistheconclusionofallscriptures:thereisnoavidya*(ignorance)andnoMaya*(illusion)inrealityBrahmanaloneexists.Somecallitthevoid,otherspure consciousness,otherstheLordandtheyargueamongthemselves.Abandonallthesenotions.Restinnirvana*withoutmovementofthought,withthemindgreatly 'weakened'andtheintelligenceatpeacerestintheselfasifyouaredeaf,dumbandblind.Inwardlyabandoneverythingexternallyengageyourselfinappropriate action.Theexistenceofthemindaloneishappiness,theexistenceofthemindaloneisunhappiness.Byremainingunawareofthemindletallthesecease.Remain unaffectedbywhatisattractiveandwhatisunattractivebyjustthismuchofselfeffort,thissamsara*isovercome!Byremainingunawareofpleasureandpainandof eventhatwhichliesbetweenthetwo,youriseabovesorrow.Justbythislittleselfeffortyouattaintheinfinite. VI.1:126 RAMA*asked:

Howdoesonetreadthesevenstatesofyogaandwhatarethecharacteristicsofthesesevenstates? VASISTHA*continued: Maniseitherworldaccepting(pravrtta*)orworldnegating(nivrtta*).Theformerquestions,"Whatisallthisliberation?Formethissamsara*andlifeinitarebetter" andengageshimselfintheperformanceofhisworldlyduties.Afterverymanybirthshegainswisdom.Herealisesthattheactivitiesoftheworldareameaningless repetitionanddoesnotwishtowastehislifeinthem.Hethinks,"Whatisthemeaningofallthis?Letmeretirefromthem."Heisconsiderednivrtta*. "HowshallIcultivatedispassionandthuscrossthisoceanofsamsara*?"thusheenquiresconstantly.Daybydaythisthoughtitselfgeneratesdispassioninhimand therearisepeaceandjoyinhisheart.Heisdisinterestedintheactivitiesofthemarketplacebutengageshimselfinmeritoriousactivities.Heisafraidtosin.Hisspeech isappropriatetotheoccasion,soft,truthfulandsweet.Hehassethisfootonthefirstyogabhumika*(stateofyoga).Heisdevotedtotheserviceofholyones.He gathersscriptureswheneverandwhereverhefindsthemandstudiesthem.Hisconstantquestisthecrossingoftheoceanofsamsara*Healoneisaseeker.Others areselfish. Hethenentersthesecondstateofyogaknownasvicara*,enquiry.Heeagerlyresortstothecompanyofholyoneswhoarewellversed

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inthescripturesandinspiritualpractices.Heknowswhatistobedoneandwhatisnottobedone.Heabandonsevilslikevanity,jealousy,delusionandgreed.From thepreceptorshelearnsallthesecretsofyoga.* Easilythereafterhegraduatestothethirdstateofyogaknownasasamsanga*,nonattachmentorfreedom.Heroamstheforestsinseclusionandstrivestoquieten themind.Adherencetothescripturesandtovirtuousconductbestowsuponhimthefacultyofseeingthetruth.Thisnonattachmentorfreedomisoftwotypes,the ordinaryandthesuperior.Onewhopractisesthefirsttypeoffreedomfeels,"Iamneitherthedoer,northeenjoyer,neitherdoIafflictothersnoramIafflictedby others.Allthishappensonaccountofpastkarmaundertheaegisofgod.Idonothingwhetherthereispainorpleasure,goodfortuneorcalamity.Allthese,asalso meetingandparting,psychicdistressandphysicalillness,arebroughtaboutbytimealone."Thusthinking,heinvestigatesthetruth.Heispractisingordinarynon attachmentorfreedom. VASISTHA*continued: Bythediligentpracticeofthisyogicmethod,byresortingtothecompanyoftheholyonesandtheavoidanceofevilcompany,thetruthisclearlyrevealed.Whenthus onerealisesthesupremewhichistheonlyessenceortruthbeyondthisoceanofsamsara*,herealises"Iamnotthedoerbutgodaloneisthedoernoteveninthe pastdidIdoanything."Heabandonsvainandmeaninglesswordsandremainsinwardlyandmentallysilent.Thisissuperiornonattachmentorfreedom.Hehas abandonedalldependency,aboveandbelow,withinandwithout,tangibleandintangible,sentientandinsentient.Heshineslikesupportlessandlimitlessspaceitself. Thisissuperiorfreedom.Initheenjoyspeaceandcontentment,virtueandpurity,wisdomandselfenquiry. Thefirststageofyogapresentsitselftoonebyaccidentalcoincidence,asitwere,afteronehasledapurelifefullofvirtuousdeeds.Onewhosetshisfootonitshould cherishitandprotectitwithgreatzeal,diligenceandeffort.Thusheshouldproceedtothenextstate,enquiry.Bydiligentlypractisingenquiryheshouldascendtothe thirdstate,freedom. RAMA*asked: Howisitpossibleforanignorantpersonborninawickedfamilyandwhodoesnotenjoythecompanyofholyonestocrossthisoceanofsamsara*?Also,ifonedies whileyetinthefirstorthe
*

NOTE:Ofcourse,vicara*means'directobservationorlookinginto'.

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secondorthethirdstateofyoga,whathappenstohim? VASISTHA*said: Afterverymanylives,theignorantmanisawakenedbyaccidentalcoincidence.Tillthenheexperiencesthissamsara*.Whendispassionarisesinhisheart,then samsararecedes.Evenanimperfectpracticeofthisyogadestroystheeffectsofpastsins.Ifoneleavesthebodyduringthepractice,heascendstoheavenandisthen bornincircumstancesfavourabletothepursuitofhispractice.Verysoonheascendstheladderofyogaagain. Thesethreestatesareknownas'wakingstate'becauseinthemthereisdivisioninconsciousness.However,thepractitionerbecomesanadorableperson(arya*). Seeinghim,theignorantareinspired.Hewhoengageshimselfinrighteousactionsandavoidsevilisadorable(arya*).Thisadorableholinessisinaseedstateinthe firststateofyoga,itsproutsinthesecondandattainsfruitioninthethird.Onewhodiesafterthushavinggainedthestatusofanadorableone(arya*)andwhohas obviouslycultivatednoblethoughts,enjoysthedelightsofheavenforalongtimeandthenheisbornasayogi.Bythediligentpracticeofthefirstthreestatesofyoga, ignoranceisdestroyedandthelightofwisdomarisesinone'sheart. VASISTHA*continued: Inthefourthstateofyoga,theyogisbeholdtheoneinallwithamindthatisfreefromdivision.Divisionhasceasedandunityissteady,andthereforetheybeholdthe worldasifitwereadream. Inthefifthstate,onlytheundividedrealityremains.Henceitislikenedtodeepsleep.Hewhohasreachedthisstate,thoughheisengagedindiverseexternalactivities, restsinhimself. Afterthusproceedingfromonestatetoanother,hereachesthesixthwhichistheturiya*.Inthisherealises,"Iamneitherrealnorunreal,norevenegoless.Iam beyonddualityandunity.Alldoubtsareatrest."Heremainslikeapaintingofalamp(hence,thoughhehasnotreachednirvana*lampwithoutfuelheislikea lampwithoutfuelasthelampisonlyapaintedfigure).Heisvoidwithin,voidwithout,voidlikeanemptyvesselatthesametimeheisfullwithinandfullwithout,likea fullvesselimmersedinthesea. Theywhoreachtheseventhstateareknownas"thedisembodiedliberatedbeings".Theirstateisnotforwordstodescribe.Yet,theyhavebeendescribedvariously. Theywhopracticethesesevenstatesdonotcometogrief.Butthereisaterribleelephantroaminginaforestworkinghavoc.Ifthatelephantiskilled,thenmanattains successinallthesesevenstates,nototherwise.Desireisthatelephant.Itroamsintheforestknownasthebody.Itismaddenedbysensuousness.Itisrestlesswith

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conditioningandtendencies(vasana*).Thiselephantdestroyseverybodyinthisworld.Itisknownbydifferentnamesdesire,vasana*>(tendencyormental conditioning),mind,thought,feeling,attachment,etc.Itshouldbeslainbytheweaponknownascourageordeterminationbornoftherealisationofoneness. Onlyaslongasonebelievesinobjectiveexistencedoesdesirearise!Thisaloneissamsara*:thefeeling'Thisis'.Itscessationisliberation(moksa*).Thisisthe essenceofjnana*orwisdom.Recognitionof'objects'givesrisetodesire.Nonrecognitionofobjectsendsdesire.Whendesireends,thejiva*dropsitsself limitation.Thegreatmanthereforeabandonsallthoughtsconcerningwhathasbeenexperiencedandwhathasnotbeenexperienced.Ideclarewithupliftedarmsthat thethoughtfree,notionlessstateisthebest.Itisinfinitelysuperiortothesovereigntyoftheworld.Nonthinkingisknownasyoga.Remaininginthatstate,perform appropriateactionsordonothing!Aslongasthoughtsof'I'and'mine'persist,sorrowdoesnotcease.Whensuchthoughtscease,sorrowceases.Knowingthis,do asyouplease.* VALMIKI*saidtoBharadvaja*: VI.1:127

Havingheardthisquintessenceofthehighestwisdomandhavingbeenoverwhelmedbysaktipata*,Rama*remainedimmersedintheoceanofblissforawhile.He hadceasedtoaskquestions,requestanswersandendeavourtounderstandthem.Hehadbecomeestablishedinthehigheststateofselfknowledge. BHARADVAJA*asked: Opreceptor!ItisindeedadelighttohearthatthusRama*attainedthesupremestate.Buthowisitpossibleforuswhoarefoolishandignorantandwhoareofsinful dispositiontoattainthatstatewhichisdifficultevenforgodslikeBrahma*toreach? VALMIKI*said: IhavenarratedtoyouinfullthedialoguebetweenRama*andVasistha*.Consideritwell.Forthatisalsomyinstructiontoyou. Thereisnodivisioninconsciousnesswhichcanbecalledtheworld.Ridyourselfofthenotionofdivisionbythepracticeofthesecretsrevealedtoyou.Bothwaking andsleepstatesarepartsofthiscreation.Enlightenmentischaracterisedbythepureinnerlight.Thiscreationemergesfromnothing,itdissolvesinnothing,its

*

NOTE:Forthewords'thinking'and'nonthinking'inthisparagraph,thetextusesthewords'samvedanam'and'asamvedanam'whichimplymuchmorethanmerethinking. Cognition,comprehension,feeling,experienceandknowledgearealsoimpliedby'samvedanam'.

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verynatureisvoid,itdoesnotexist.Onaccountofbeginninglessandfalseselflimitationthiscreationappearstoexist,creatingcountlessconfusions.Youaredeluded becauseyoudonotrecollectrepeatedlyandfrequentlythetruthconcerningtheinfiniteconsciousness,butyoupartakeofthepoisonofselflimitationandthe consequentpsychologicalconditioning. Thisdelusioncontinuestillyoureachthefeetoftheenlightenedsagesandgaintherightknowledgefromthem.Dearone,thatwhichdidnotexistinthebeginningand willnotexistintheenddoesnotexistevennow.Thisworldappearanceislikeadream.Thesolerealityinwhichitappearsanddisappearsistheinfinite consciousness.Intheoceanofsamsara*orignorancetherearisesthenotionof'I',onaccountofthebeginninglesspotentialofselflimitation.Thereupon,the movementofthoughtgeneratesothernotionslike'mineness','attraction'and'repulsion',etc.Oncethesenotionsstrikerootinone'sconsciousness,oneinevitablyfalls apreytoendlesscalamitiesandsorrow. Divedeepintotheinnerpeace,notintotheseaofdiversity.Wholives,whoisdead,whohascomewhydoyougetlostinsuchfalsenotions?Whentheoneself aloneisthereality,whereisroomfor'another'?ThetheorythatBrahmanappearsastheworld(justasropeappearsassnake)ismeantonlyfortheentertainmentof thechildishandignorant.Theenlightenedonesrestforeverinthetruthwhichdoesnotevenappeartobedifferent. VALMIKI*continued: Ignorantpeoplewhodislikeseclusionaresunkinsorrowandoccasionallytheymaysmile.Theknowersofthetruthontheotherhandarehappyandsmilingatall times.Thetruthortheselfissubtleandhenceitappearstobeveiledbyignorance.Butevenifyoubelieveintheatomicsubstantialityoftheworld,theselfdoesnotgo away.Whythendoyougrieve?Theunreal(ignorance,etc.)doesnotcomeintobeingatanytime,nordoestherealityortheselfeverceasetobe. However,onaccountofvariousreasons,confusionarises.Inordertoovercomethis,worshiptheLordwhoisthepreceptorofthewholeuniverse.Yourevilkarmas havenotfallenawayfromyoubuttheyhavebecomethenoosewithwhichyouarebound.Tillyourmindbecomesnomind(satva),adopttheadorationofnameand form.Afterthatyouwillbeestablishedinthecontemplationoftheabsolute.Thenbehold,evenforaninstant,theinnerselfwiththeself,intheinnerlight. ThesupremeisattainedbyonewhothroughselfeffortandrightactionshasearnedthegraceoftheLord.Pasthabitsandtendencies

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areverystrong.Hencemereselfeffortisinadequate.Eventhegodsareunabletodefytheinevitable(fate).Everyoneissubjecttothisworldorder(niyati)whichis beyondthoughtandexpression. Butthespiritualheroshouldfirmlybelievethatevenafterseveralincarnations,enlightenmentiscertain.Byevilactionsoneisboundtothissamsara*andbyright actionsoneisliberated!Bythepresentrightactiontheeffectsofpastevilactionsareweakened.IfyousurrenderallyouractionstoBrahman,youwillneveragain whirlonthiswheelofsamsara*. Behold,ignorantpeopleinthisworldaremadetoplaydifferentrolesinthisworldbythedirector,Time!Timecreates,preservesanddestroys.Whydoyoubecome agitatedbythelossofwealth,etc.,andwhydoyouyourselfbegintodance?Bestillandwitnessthiscosmicdance!Theywhoaredevotedtothegods,totheholy brahmanas*andtotheguru,andwhoadheretothetenetsofthescriptures,earnthegraceofthesupremeLord. BHARADVAJA*said: Lord,Ihaveknownallthatthereistobeknown.Iknowthatthereisnogreaterfriendthandispassion(vairagya*)andnogreaterenemythansamsara*.Iwishtohear fromyoutheveryessenceoftheteachingsoftheholysageVasistha*. VALMIKI*replied: OBharadvaja*,listentowhatIamgoingtosay.Bymerelylisteningtoityouwillneveragaindrowninthissamsara*. VALMIKI*continued: VL.1:128

Oneshouldbeatpeacewithinwiththemindundercontrol,havingabandonedforbiddenandselfishactionsandalsopleasureswhicharisefromsensecontacts.One shouldendowoneselfwithfaith.Heshouldthensitonasoftseatinacomfortablepostureconducivetoequilibrium.Heshouldthenrestraintheactivitiesofthemind andthesenses.HeshouldthenrepeatOMtillthemindgainsperfectpeace. Thendopranayama*forthepurificationofthemind,etc.Gentlyandgraduallywithdrawthesensesfromtheircontactwiththeexternalobjects.Investigatethat methodbywhichyouknowthesourceofthebody,thesenses,themind,andthebuddhi(intelligence)andletthemreturntotheirsource.Firstrestinthecosmic manifestbeing(virat*).Afterthisrestintheunmanifestandtheninthesupremecauseofall. Thisishowallthesefactorsreturntotheirsource.Thephysicalbody(theflesh,etc.)isearthy,soreturnstotheearth.Blood,etc.,areliquidandtheyreturntowater element.Thefire(heat)andthelightinthebodybelongtothefireelement,theyreturntoit.

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Theairisofferedtothecosmicair.Spacemergesinspace. Similarly,thesensesreturntotheirsource:thesenseofhearingtospace,thesenseoftouchtoair,thesenseofsighttothesun,thesenseoftastetowater.Thelife breathisreturnedtoair,thepowerofspeechtofire,thehandstoIndra,thepoweroflocomotiontoVisnu*,thereproductiveorgantoKasyapa*,theexcretory organtoMitra,themindtothemoonandthebuddhitoBrahmanforthesearethedeitiespresidingovertherespectiveorganswhichwerenotcreatedbyoneself (the'I').Thushavingreturnedthemalltotheirsource,seeyourselfasthecosmicbeing(virat*).TheLordwhoashermaphrodite(consciousnessenergy)dwellsinthe heartoftheuniverseisitssupport. Inthisuniverseearth,water,fire,airandspaceareeachofthemtwicethemagnitudeoftheprecedingone.Dissolvetheearthinwater,waterinfire,fireinairandair inspace.Spaceshouldbemergedinthecosmicspacewhichisthecauseforall.Remainingthereforaninstantinhissubtlebody,theyogishouldfeelthat'Iamthe selfofall',havingabandonedallselflimitation.Thatinwhichthisuniverserestsandwhichisdevoidofnameandformisknownasprakrti*(nature)bysome,as Maya*(illusion)byothersandassubatombyothers.Itisalsoknownasavidya*(ignorance).Allofthemareconfusedbypolemics.Inthis,allthingsexistintheir unmanifeststate,withoutanyrelationshipamongthem.Theyarisefromitandexistassuchduringtheworldcycle.Ether,air,fire,waterandearth:thisistheorderof creation.Dissolutiontakesplaceinthereverseorder.Bytheabandonmentofthethreestates(waking,dreamandsleep)theturiya*isattained.Inmeditationeventhe subtlebodyismergedinthesupreme. BHARADVAJA*said: Lord,IamnowfreefromthesubtlebodyandIamswimmingintheoceanofbliss.Iamtheindivisibleselfwhichisthesupremeselfandwhichitselfpossessesthetwo powersofconsciousnessandunconsciousness.Justasfirethrownintofirebecomesindistinguishablyfire,justasstraw,etc.,whicharethrownintotheseabecome salt,thisinsentientworldwhenitisofferedintotheinfiniteconsciousnessbecomesonewithit.Justasasaltdollthrownintotheseaabandonsitsnameandformand becomesonewiththeocean,justaswatermixeswithwaterandgheemixeswithghee,evensoIhaveenteredintothisinfiniteconsciousness. 'IamthatsupremeBrahmanwhichiseternal,omnipresent,pure,peaceful,indivisibleandfreefrommotion,whichisdevoidofgatheringandscatteringbutwhose thoughtsmaterialise,whichisfreefrommeritanddemerit,whichisthesourceofthisuniverse,and

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whichisthesupremelight,onewithoutasecond'.Thusshouldonecontemplate.Thusdoesthemindceasetobeagitated.Whenthemovementofthemindhasceased theselfshinesbyitsownlight.Inthatlightallsorrowcomestoanendandthereistheblisswhichtheselfexperiencesinitself.Thereisdirectawarenessofthetruth, 'Thereisnonebuttheself'. VALMIKI*said: Dearfriend,ifyouwishthatthisdelusionknownassamsara*shouldcometoanend,thengiveupallactionsandbecomealoverofBrahman. BHARADVAJA*said: Oguru,yourenlighteningdiscoursehascompletelyawakenedme,myintelligenceispureandtheworldappearancedoesnotstretchoutinfrontofme.Iwishto knowwhatthemenofselfknowledgedo.Dotheyhaveanydutiesornoneatall? VALMIKI*said: Theywhodesireliberationshouldengagethemselvesonlyinsuchactionswhicharefreefromdefectsanddesistfromselfishandsinfulactions.Whenthequalitiesof themindareabandoned,ittakesonthequalitiesoftheinfinite.Thejiva*isliberatedwhenonecontemplates,'Iamthatwhichisbeyondthebody,mindandsenses', whenoneisfreefromnotionsof'Iamthedoer'and'Iamtheenjoyer'asalsofromnotionsofpainandpleasure,whenonerealisesthatallbeingsareintheselfandthe selfisinallbeings,whenoneabandonsthewaking,dreamanddeepsleepstatesandremainsinthetranscendentalconsciousness.Thatisthestateofblisswhichis infiniteconsciousness.Immerseyourselfinthatoceanofnectarwhichisfullofpeacedonotdrownindiversity. ThushaveInarratedtoyouthediscourseofthesageVasistha*.Steadyyourmindbypractice.Treadthepathofwisdomandofyoga.Youwillrealiseeverything. VALMIKI*continued: SeeingthatRama*hadbecometotallyabsorbedintheself,Visvamitra*saidtothesageVasistha*:''OsonoftheCreator,Oholyone,youareindeedgreat.You haveprovedthatyouarethegurubythissaktipata*(directtransmissionofspiritualenergy).Heisaguruwhoisabletogiverisetogodconsciousnessinthedisciple byalook,byatouch,byverbalcommunicationorbygrace.However,theintelligenceofthediscipleisawakenedwhenthedisciplehasridhimselfofthreefold impuritiesandtherebyacquiredakeenintellect.But,Osage,pleasebringRama*backtobodyconsciousnessforhehasstillmanythingstodoforthewelfareofthe threeworldsandofmyself." AlltheassembledsagesandothersbowedtoRama*.ThenVasistha*

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saidtoVisvamitra*:"Pray,tellthemwhoRama*isintruth."Visvamitra*saidtothem:"Rama*isthesupremepersonalityofgodhead.Heisthecreator,protector andredeemer.HeistheLordandthefriendofall.Heismanifestvariously,sometimesasafullyenlightenedbeing,sometimesasifignorant.Intruth,heisthegodof godsandallthegodsarebuthispartmanifestations.BlessedisthiskingDasaratha*whosesonislordRama*himself.BlessedisRavana*whoseheadwillfallatthe handsofRam*.OsageVasistha*,kindlybringhimbacktobodyconsciousness." Vasistha*saidtoRama*:"ORama*,thisisnotthetimetorest!Getupandbringjoytotheworld.Whenpeoplearestillinbondage,itisnotproperfortheyogito mergeintheself."Rama*remainedobliviousofthesewords.Vasistha*thereuponenteredtheheartofRama*throughthelatter'ssusumnanadi*.Therewas movementofprana*inRama*andthemindbegantofunction.Thejiva*whichisoftheformofinnerlightsheditslustreonallthenadis*ofthebody.Rama*slightly openedhiseyesandbeheldVasistha*infrontofhim.Rama*saidtoVasistha*:"ThereisnothingIshoulddoorshouldnotdo.However,yourwordsshouldalways behonoured."Sayingso,Rama*placedhisheadatthesage'sfeetandthenproclaimed:"Listenallofyou!Thereisnothingsuperiortoselfknowledge,nothing superiortotheguru.'' AlltheassembledsagesandcelestialsshoweredflowersonRama*andblessedhim.Theydepartedfromtheassembly. ThushaveItoldyouthestoryofRama*,OBharadvaja*.Bythepracticeofthisyoga,attainsupremebliss.HewhoconstantlylistenstothisdialoguebetweenRama* andVasistha*isliberated,whateverbethecircumstancesofhislife,andattainsknowledgeofBrahman. VI.2:1 RAMA*asked:

Whenoneabandonsactionandthewilltoperformactions,thebodyfallsaway.Howthenitispossibleforalivingbeingtoliveinsuchastate? VASISTHA*replied: Theabandonmentofmentalconditioningandnotionsisappropriateonlytothelivingcreature,nottoonethatisdead.Whatiskalpana*(notionormentalactivity)?It isonlytheegosense.Whenthatisrealisedtobevoidthereisabandonmentoftheegosense.Thenotioncreatedwithinoneselfbytheexternalobjectisknownas kalpana*.Whenthatnotiontakesonthecharacteristicofvoidorspace,thereistheabandonmentofthenotion.Memoryiskalpana.*Hencethewisesaythatnon rememberingisthebest.Memoryencompassesthatwhichhasbeenexperiencedaswellasthatwhichhasnotbeenexperienced.Abandon'remembering'whathas been

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experiencedandwhathasnotbeenexperiencedandremainestablishedintheself,likeababywhoishalfawake. Evenasthepotter'swheelkeepsrevolvingonaccountofpastmomentum,continuetoliveandactherewithoutentertaininganynotions,withouttheoperationofthe mindwhichhasnowbeentransformedintopuresatva.Ideclarewithupliftedarms:"Theabandonmentofnotionsisthesupremegood."Whydopeoplenotlisten? Howpowerfulisdelusion!Underitsinfluenceonewhoholdsthepreciousgemofvicara*(serfenquiry)onhispalmdoesnotabandonhisdelusion.Thisaloneis one'ssupremegood:thenonperceptionofobjectsandthenonarisingofnotions.Thisshouldbeexperienced. Ifyourestpeacefullyinyourownself,youwillknowthatincomparisoneventhestateofanemperorislikeabladeofgrass.Whenonehasmadeuphismindtogoto acertainplace,hisfeetfunctionwithoutanymentalactivity.Functionlikethosefeet,andperformactionhere.Acthereafterabandoningdesireforrewardorthefruits ofactions,withoutthemotivationofpleasureorprofit.Thentheobjectsofthesenseswillbedevoidofattractionbutwillbewhattheyare.Evenwhensensationof pleasurearisesoncontactwiththeobjectsletitleadyouinwardtotheself.Donotlongforthefruitsofactiondonotbeinactiveeither.Or,bedevotedtobothor neither,asitmighthappen.For,itisthewilltodoornottodothatbinds,anditsabsenceisliberation.Thereisinfactneitheramustnoramustnot:allthisispure being.Letyourintelligencenotrecogniseanyofthese.Remainforeverwhatyouareintruth.Theawarenessof'I'and'mine'istherootofsorrowitscessationis emancipation.Dowhatappealstoyou. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:2

Justasanarmyfashionedwithclayisnothingbutclayfigurines,theentireuniverseispureselfandnondual.Sincethisnondualselfaloneexists,whatisobjectandby whomisitperceived?Apartfromthatsupremeselfthereisnothingwhichcanbereferredtoas'I'oras'mine'. RAMA*said: Ifthatisso,Lord,whyshouldevilactionbeabandonedandwhyshouldonebedevotedtogoodaction? VASISTHA*said: But,firsttellme,ORama*,whatisaction.Howdoesactionarise,whatisitsrootandhowisthatroottobedestroyed? RAMA*said: Surely,Lord,thatwhichhastobedestroyedmustbecompletelyuprootedanditsveryrootsdestroyed.Aslongasthebodylasts,

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thereisaction.Itisrootedinthissamsara*,worldappearance.Inthatbody,actionsspringfromthelimbs(organsofaction).Vasana*ormentalhabitistheseedfor theorgansofaction.Thismentalhabitfunctioningthroughthesensesiscapableofcomprehendingthatwhichisatagreatdistance.Thesesensesthemselvesare rootedinthemind,themindisrootedinthejiva*whichisconditionedconsciousness,andthisinturnisrootedintheunconditionedwhichisthereforetherootofall. BrahmanistherootofthisunconditionedandBrahmanhasnoroots.Thusallactionsarebasedonconsciousnesswhichobjectifiesitselfandthusgeneratesactions.If thisdoesnothappen,thatitselfisthesupremestate. VASISTHA*said: Inthatcase,ORama*,whatistobedoneandwhatistobeabandoned?Themindcontinuestoexistaslongasthebodycontinuestolive,whethertheembodied personisenlightenedorignorant.Howcanoneabandonwhatisknownasthejivahood*(individuality)?Butoneshouldabandonthatwrongnotionof'Ido'andbe engagedintheperformanceofappropriateaction.Ontheawakeningoftheinnerintelligencetheworldperceptionceasesandtherearisespsychologicalfreedomor nonattachment.Thatisknownasemancipation.Whentheobjectiveorconditionedperceptionisabandoned,thereispeacewhichisknownasBrahman.Perception orawarenessofobjectsisknownasactionwhichexpandsintothissamsara*orworldappearancecessationofsuchawarenessisknownasemancipation. Therefore,ORama*,abandonmentofactionisinappropriateaslongasthebodylives.Suchabandonmentgivesactionavaluethatwhichisvaluedcannotbe abandoned. VI.2:3 RAMA*asked:

Sincethatwhichiscannotceasetobeandsincewhatisnotcannotexist,howcanawareness(experience)bemadenonawarenessornonexperience? VASISTHA*replied: Itistruethatthatwhichisceasesnotandthatwhichisnotdoesnotexist.Experienceandnonexperiencearealsothatsimpleandeasyofaccomplishment.Forthe word'experience'andwhatisindicatedbyitarebornoffalsehoodordelusion.Hence,theygiverisetosorrow.Abandonthisawarenessof'experience'andremain establishedintheawarenessofthehighestwisdom.Thelatterisnirvana*. Goodandevilactionsceasewhenitisrealisedthattheydonotexistinreality.Hence,oneshouldenquireintotherootofactiontillthatrootisdestroyed.Forjustas everythingthatspringsfromtheearthisnondifferentfromtheearth,evensoallthatarisesout

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ofconsciousnessisnondifferentfromconsciousness.Liquidityisnondifferentfromliquidinthesameway,inBrahmanthereisnodivisionevenbetweenthemind andconsciousness.Theactivityknownasawarenessariseswithoutacauseinthatconsciousnesshenceitisasgoodasnonexistent,beingnondifferentfrom consciousness. Actionisrootedinthebodywhichisrootedintheegosense.Iftheapprehensionoftheegosenseisabandoned,itceases.Thusistherootofactiondestroyed.Theyin whomactionhasthusceasedareeagerneithertorenouncenortopossess.Theyremainestablishedinwhatisandtheiractionsarespontaneousinfact,theydo nothing.Asobjectsbornedownbyafloodmovenonvolitionally,theyworkmerelywiththeirorgansofaction.Whenthemindabandonsitsconditioning,theobjects losetheirtemptation. Suchanunderstandingorawakeningofintelligencealoneistheabandonmentofaction.Whatistheuseof'doing'orof'desisting'?Itisthecessationoftheawareness ofactionandofexperience,thegivingupofconditioningandthustheattainmentofpeaceandthestateofequilibriumthatisknownbytheexpression'abandonmentof action'.Whennonabandonment(orfalseabandonment)ismistakenforabandonment,thedeludedoneswhoarelikeignorantanimalsarepossessedbythegoblinof abandonmentofactivity.Fortheywhohaverightlyunderstoodthetruthconcerningabandonmentofactionhavenothingwhatsoevertodowithactivitynorwith inactivity.Theyenjoysupremepeacewhethertheyliveintheirhouseorinaforest.Tothepeacefulahouseislikeaforestandtotherestlessevenaforestislikea crowdedcity.Toonewhoisatpeace,theentireworldisapeacefulforest.Toonewhoisrestlesswithathousandthoughts,itisanoceanofsorrow. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:4

ORama*,whentheegosenseisquietedtheworldappearancevanishes.Thereisthenspontaneousabandonmentofobjectiveperception,evenasalampwithoutfuel goesout.Renunciationisnotofactivity.Truerenunciationisbasedonunderstanding.Whenthelampofunderstandingisnotfedwiththefueloftheegosenseand possessiveness,whatremainsisselfknowledge.Onewhohasnotthusabandonedtheegosenseandminenessknowsneitherrenunciationnorwisdomnorpeace. OnecaneasilygiveupthenotionofInessbyreplacingitwiththeunderstanding'Theegosenseisnot',withoutanyhindrance.Whereistheneedtodoubtthis? Allthesenotionslike'Iamthis'and'Iamnotthis'arenotindependentofconsciousness.Consciousnessislikespace,avoid.Howcandelusionexistinit?Hence, thereisneitherdelusionnorthe

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deluded,neitherconfusionnortheconfused.Alltheseseemtoarisebecauseonedoesnotclearlyperceivethetruth.Seethis.Remainatpeaceinsilence.Thisis nirvana*. Theverythingwithwhichyouentertainthenotionofegosenseenablesyouinthetwinklingofaneyetorealisethenonexistenceoftheegosense.Thenyouwillgo beyondthisoceanofsamsara*.Heattainsthehigheststatewhoisablethustoconquerhisownnature.Heisahero.Hewhoisabletoovercomethesixenemies (lust,anger,greed,etc.)isagreatmanothersaredonkeysinhumangarb.Hewhoisabletoovercomethenotionsthatariseinthemindisaman(purusa*).Heisa manofwisdom. Asandwhentheperceptionofanobjectariseswithinyou,meetitwiththeunderstanding'Iamnotthis'.Suchignorantperceptionwillimmediatelycease.Infact,there isnothingtobeknowninallthis:thereisneedonlytogetridofconfusionordeludedunderstanding.Ifthisdelusionisnotrepeatedlyrevived,itceasestobe. Whatevernotionarisesinyou,evenasmovementarisesinwind,realisethat'Iamnotthis'andthusdepriveitofsupport. Hewhohasnotgainedavictoryovergreed,shame,vanityanddelusionderivesnobenefitbyreadingthisscripture:itisauselesswasteoftime. Theegosensearisesintheselfjustasmovementarisesinwind.Henceitisnondifferentfromtheself.Theegosenseseemstoshineonaccountoftheselfwhichisthe realityorthesubstratum.Theselfdoesnotariseatanytimenordoesitset.Thereisnothingotherthantheself.Hencehowcanonesaythatitisorthatitisnot?The supremeselfisinthesupremeself,theinfiniteintheinfinite,thepeaceinpeace.Thatisallthereisneither'I'nor'theworld'nor'themind'. VI.2:4,5 VASISTHA*continued:

Nirvana*(emancipation)isnirvana*.Inpeacethereispeace.Inthedivinethereisdivinity.Nirvana*(emancipation)isalsoanirvana*(nonemancipation)associated withspace,andalsonotsoassociated.Whentherightunderstandingconcerningtheunrealityoftheegosensearises,thereisnodifficultyinenduringattackswith weaponsorillness,etc.Forwhentheseedfortheworldappearance(whichistheegosense)hasbeendestroyedtheworldappearancegoeswithit.Evenasthe mirrorgetsmistedbymoisture,theselfisveiledbytheunrealegosense.Thisegosensegivesrisetoalltherestofthisworldappearance.Whenitgoes,thentheself shinesbyitsownlight,evenasthesunshineswhentheveilingcloudisblownaway.Justasanobjectthrownintotheoceandissolvesintheocean,theegosensewhich enterstheselfisdissolvedinit.

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Aslongastheegosenselasts,thesameBrahmanortheinfiniteconsciousnessshinesasthediverseobjectswithdifferentnames.Whentheegosenseisquieted,then Brahmanshinesasthepureinfiniteconsciousness.Theegosenseistheseedforthisuniverse.Whenthatisfried,thereisnosenseinwordslike'world','bondage'or 'egosense'.Whenthepotisbrokenonlytheclayremains:whentheegosensegoes,diversityisdissolved.Justastheobjectsoftheworldareperceivedwhenthesun rises,thediversityofworldappearanceariseswiththerisingoftheegosense.ORama*,Idonotseeanyalternativetoselfknowledgewhichistherealisationofthe unrealityoftheegosense.Nothingelsecanensureyourtruewelfare.Hence,firstabandontheindividualisedegosenseandbeholdyourselfastheentireuniverse.Then realisethattheentireuniverseistheselforBrahmanandnaughtelse.Befreefromallagitationcausedbyworldnotions. Hewhohasnotconqueredthisegosensedoesnotreachthesupremestate.However,ifhisheartispuretheninstructionconcerningspiritualunderstandingisableto penetrateitlikeadropofoiloncleancloth.InthisconnectionIshallnarratetoyouanancientlegend.Long,longagoIquestionedBhusunda*:"Whomdoyouregard asignorantanddeludedinthisworld?" BHUSUNDA*replied: Therewasacelestialwholivedonahilltop.Hewasignorantanddevotedtosensepleasure,buthehadadoptedsucharighteouslifestyleaswouldensureavery longlife.Afteraverylongtime,theunderstandingaroseinhimthatheshouldattainthatstateinwhichtherewasnobirthnordeath.Havingthusmadeuphismind,he cametome.Havingdulyworshippedme,thecelestialaskedme:"Thesesenses,OLord,areconstantlyagitatedwithcravingforgratificationandtheyarethesource ofendlesspainandsuffering.IhaverealisedthisandhenceItakerefugeinyourfeet." THECELESTIALcontinued: VI.2:6

Pleasetellmeofthatwhichislimitlessandwhichisfreefromgrowthanddecayandwhichispureandbeginninglessandendless.ForuptothistimeIhavebeen asleep,asitwere,andnowbythegraceoftheselfIhavebeenawakened.Kindlysavemefromthisterriblefireofdelusion. Beingsarebornandtheydieafterbeingwornouthere:allthisisneitherfordharmanorforemancipation.Theredoesnotseemtobeanendtothiswanderingin delusion.Thepleasurecentresinthisworldonlyintensifythisdelusionandareeverchanging.Idonotdelightinthem.Ihaveseenandenjoyedallthepleasuresofthe heaven.Thedesireforsuchenjoymenthasbeenreducedtoashesby

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thefireofdiscriminationnow.Iclearlyunderstandthehavoccausedbythesensesofsight,hearing,smelling,tastingandtouch.WhatshallIdowiththeserepetitive enjoyments?Evenafterathousandyearsoftheirenjoyment,nooneisreallysatisfied.Evenifoneenjoysthesovereigntyoftheworldwithallthepleasuresthatcome withit,whatissoextraordinaryaboutit?Forallthesearesubjecttodestructionanddeath.Pray,tellme,whatthereistogainfromwhichIshallattaineternal satisfaction. Ihavenowclearlyunderstoodthepoisonousnatureofthesesenseexperienceswhichonlyintensifymysufferinghere.Healoneistherealherointhisworldwhois determinedtogivebattletothisformidablearmyknownasone'ssenses.Thisarmyiscommandedbytheegosense.Itisendowedwithhorsesknownassense experiences.Ithascompletelyencircledthecityknownasthisbody.Eventheholyoneshavetobattlewiththesesenses.Onlytheywhocomeoutvictoriousinthis aretrulygreattheothersarefleshyautomatons(machines). Thereisnoremedyforthediseaseknownassensecravingotherthanthefirmabandonmentofdesireforpleasure:nomedicines,nopilgrimage,nomantrasareofany use.Ihavebeenwaylaidbythesesensesasrobberswaylayalonetravellerinadenseforest.Thesesensesarefilthyandtheyleadtogreatmisfortune.Theygenerate greed.Theyaredifficulttoovercome.Theybringaboutrebirth.Theyaretheenemiesofthemenofwisdomandthefriendsofthefoolish.Theyareresortedtobythe fallenonesandtheyareshunnedbythenoblemen.Theyroamaboutfreelyinthedarknessofignorancelikegoblins.Theyareemptyandvaluelessandlikedry bamboo,fitonlytobeburnt. Lord,youarethesolerefugeofthesupplicant.Youarehisredeemer.Pray,savemefromthisterribleoceanofsamsara*byyourenlighteningadmonitions.Devotion tosageslikeyouinthisworldisthesurestdestroyerofsorrow. VI.2:7,8 BHUSUNDA*replied:

Youareindeedblessed,Ocelestial,thatyouarespirituallyawakeandyouwishtoupliftyourself.Yourintelligenceisfullyawakened.HenceIfeelthatyouwill understandmyinstructioneffortlessly.PleaselistentowhatIamabouttosay.WhatIsayisbornoflongexperience. Whatappearstousas'I'and'theother'isintruthnotyourself.Forwhenyoulookfortheseyoucannotseethem.Theconvictionthatneither'I'nor'you'nor'the world'existsisconducivetohappiness,nottosorrow.Theoriginofignorancecannotbedetermined.Evenafterconsiderableenquiryweareunabletodetermine

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whethertheworldappearancearisesfromignorance,orignoranceisbornoftheworldappearance.Thetwoareinfacttwoaspectsofthesamething.Whatever existsistheoneinfiniteconsciousnessorBrahmantheworldappearanceislikeamirage,ofwhichitcanbesaid'Itis'and'Itisnot'. Theseedforthisworldappearanceistheegosense,forthistreeofworldappearancegrowsfromtheegosense.Thesensesandtheirobjects,thevariousformsof conditioning,heavenandearthwithitsmountains,oceans,etc.,thedivisionsoftimeandallthenamesandformsaredifferentpartsofthistreeofworldappearance. Whenthatseedisburntitgivesrisetonothing.Howisthisseedburnt?Whenyouenquireintothenatureoftheegosense,yourealisethatitisnottobeseen.Thisis knowledge.Bythisfireofknowledgeistheegosenseburnt.Byentertainingthenotionofegosense,itappearstobeandtogiverisetotheworldappearance.When thisfalsenotionisabandoned,theegosensedisappearsandselfknowledgearises. Intheverybeginningofthisworldappearancetheegosensedidnotexistasareality.Thenhowcanwebelieveintheexistenceoftheegosense,intherealityof'I'and 'you'andindualityornonduality?Theywhoseriouslyandearnestlystrivetorealisethetruth,afterhavingdulyreceiveditfromthelipsofapreceptorandhaving studieditinthescriptures,easilyattainthisselfknowledge. Whatappearstobetheworldistheexpansionofone'sownnotionsorthoughts(sankalpa*).Itisbasedonconsciousness.Itisanopticalillusionwhichhas consciousnessforitssubstratum.Hence,itisregardedasbothrealandunreal.Inthebracelet,goldisthetruthandbraceletisbutanideaornotion.Thus,boththe appearanceanddisappearanceofthisworldillusionarebutthemodificationsoftheidea.Hewhohasrealisedthisisdisinterestedinthedelightsofthisworldor heaven:thisishislastincarnation. BHUSUNDA*continued: VI.2:9,10

Ocelestial,giveupthinkingoftheobjectsofthisworldappearanceasbeingthemanifestationoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Remaininthepureself.Inertiaarisesin consciousnessbecauseofitsownmanifestation,thoughsuchinertiaseemstobedissimilartoconsciousness.Justasthesamewindthatfansthefirecanalsoputitout, thesameconsciousnesspromotesconsciousnessaswellasinertia.Hence,letyourconsciousnessoryourawakenedintelligencerealisethattheegosense('I')isnot, andthenbewhatyouare.Thenyourconsciousnessmergesinconsciousnessabsolute,withoutgivingrisetotheobjectofconsciousness:thatisBrahmanwhichis incomparable.

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Thewholeuniverseisfilledwiththisinfiniteandundividedconsciousness.Realisethisanddoasyouplease.Itisonlywhentheeyesareblindedbyignorancethatone perceivestheworldofdiversity.Butintruthallthesediverseobjectsareasrealasatreeseeninspacebyonewithdefectivevision. Thisinertuniverseisnondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousness,evenasfirereflectedinwaterisnondifferentfromit.Evensothereisnorealdistinctionbetween knowledgeandignorance.SinceBrahmanisendowedwithinfinitepotencies,inertiaorunconsciousnessmanifestsinconsciousness.Thisinertiaexistsasapotentiality inBrahmanevenasfuturewavesandripplesexistonthecalmsurfaceofwater.Waterhasnomotivationtothrowupripples.NordoesBrahmanhaveanymotivein 'creating'theworld.Hence,itisrighttosaythat,intheabsenceofavalidcause,creationhasnottakenplace.Itisbutanappearancelikethemirage.Brahmanalone exists.BrahmanispeaceanduncreatednordoesBrahmancreateanything. Ocelestial,youarethatBrahmanwhichishomogeneousandundividedandindivisible,likespace.Youareaknower.Whetheryouknowsomethingordonot,remain freefromdoubt.Whenyourealisethatyouaretheunborn,infiniteconsciousness,thenallignoranceandfoolishnessceaseandthisworldappearanceceases. WhereverthesupremeBrahmanexists(anditisinfiniteandexistseverywhere)therearisesthisworldappearance.Inabladeofgrass,wood,waterandinallthingsin theuniversethesameBrahman,theinfiniteconsciousness,exists.ThenatureofBrahmanisindescribableandindefinable.Initthereisnootherandhenceitis incomparable.Hence,itisinappropriateeventotalkofthenatureofBrahman.ThatwhichisexperiencedwhenthisegosenseceasesisthesameBrahmanwhichis attainedbyoneinwhomtheegosenseprevailswhenthatoneenquiresintothenatureoftheegosense.Itthereupondissolvesinconsciousness. VI.2:11,12 BHUSUNDA*continued:

Heinwhomthecontactofsharpweaponsandthecontactofanakedwomanproducethesameexperienceheisestablishedinthesupremestate.Oneshould diligentlyengageoneselfinspiritualpracticeuntilonereachesthestateinwhichone'scontactwiththeobjectsprovokesthesamereactionthatitwouldifonewere asleep.Theknoweroftheselfistotallyunaffectedbymentalillnessorpsychologicaldistress. Justaspoison,whenswallowedbyone,producesphysicalailmentwithoutlosingitsidentityaspoison,theselfbecomesthejiva*withoutabandoningitsnatureasthe selforundividedconsciousness.Evenso,consciousnesstakesonthenatureofunconsciousnessorinertia.

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SomethingseemstohaveariseninBrahmanthoughitisinfactnondifferentfromBrahman.Poison,withoutceasingtobepoison,becomespoisonousinthebody.In thesamewaytheselfisneitherbornnordoesitdieandfromanotherpointofviewitcomesintobeinganddies. Onlywhenone'sintelligencedoesnotgetdrownedinobjectiveperceptionisoneabletocrossthisoceanofsamsara*asifitwerethefootprintofacalfitisnot achievedwiththehelpofgodorbyothermeans.Intheselfwhichisomnipresentandwhichdwellsinall,howcanthemindortheegosenseariseatall?Thereis neithergoodnorevilanywheretoanyoneatanytime,thereisneitherpleasurenorpain,neitheradversitynorprosperity.Nooneisthedoerandnooneistheenjoyer ofanything. Tosaythattheegosensehasarisenintheselfislikesayingthatspace(distance)hasbeenbroughtintobeinginspace.Theegosenseisbutadelusion,andunreal.In spacethereisonlyspatialityevenso,consciousnessaloneexistsinconsciousness.Thatwhichiscalledtheegosense('I')Iamneitherthatnornotthat.This consciousnessexistslikeamountainwithineveryatombecauseitisextremelysubtle.Thisextremelysubtleconsciousnessentertainsnotionsof'I'and'this'andthese notionsappeartoexistastherespectivesubstances.Evenasawhirlpool,etc.,arebutnotionalformsofwater,theegosenseandspace,etc.,arenotionsthatarisein consciousness.Thecessationofsuchnotionsisknownascosmicdissolution.Thusalltheseworlds,etc.,comeintobeingandceasetobeasnotionsandnothing more.Consciousnessdoesnotundergoanychangeinallthese.Inconsciousnessthereisnoexperienceofpleasureorpain,nordoesanotionariseinitas'ThisIam'. Consciousnessdoesnotentertainqualitieslikecourage,pleasure,prosperity,fear,memory,fameorresplendence.Theyarenotperceivedintheselfanymorethan thefeetofasnakeareperceivedindarkness. BHUSUNDA*continued: ThereisashowerofnectarfromBrahmanandthisisconsideredcreation.However,sincetimeandspacedonotexistinreality,suchcreationisunrealandwhat appearstobeisnondifferentfromtheLord.Justasitiswaterthatappearsasawhirlpoolandjustassmokeseenfromadistancehastheappearanceofacloud, evensowhenconsciousnessbecomesawareofitself,thusgivingrisetoanotion(whichisinert),betweenthetwo(consciousnessandnotion)therearisesthethird factorwhichisknownascreation.Thiscreationisbutanappearance,likeaplantaintreereflectedinapillarorcrystal.Butwhenrightlyinvestigatedthisnotionof realityintheunrealappearancevanishes.

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Thisworldappearanceislikeanempirepaintedonacanvas.Justasthecanvasismadeattractivebytheuseofdifferentcolours,thisworldappearanceseemstobe attractivewithdiversesenseexperiences.Thisappearanceisdependentupontheseer,theegosense,whichitselfisunreal.Hence,itisnondifferentfromthe supremeself,evenasliquidityisinseparablefromwater. Thelightofconsciousnessistheself.Itiswhenthenotionof'I'arisesinitthatthiscreationcomesintobeing.Otherthanthisnotion,thereisneitheracreationnora creator.Motionbeingtheinherentnatureofwater,thereisnoflowofwaterinrelationtoitself(itisasitisflowingwater).Evenso,consciousnessisvastandstable likespaceandisthereforenotawareofaspacewithinitself.Whenthesamewaterisseenatadifferenttimeandplace,thenotionofmotionarises.Evenso,the awarenessthatarisesinconsciousnessinconjunctionwiththenotionsoftimeandspacegivesrisetothenotionofcreation.(Thoughinfact,sincetimeandspaceare unreal,suchcreationisimpossibleandthecomparisonofconsciousnesswithwaterisinadequate.)Knowthatallthatyouexperienceinthenameofmind,egosense, intellect,etc.,isnothingbutignorance.Thisignorancevanishesthroughselfeffort.Halfofthisignoranceisdispelledbythecompanyoftheholyones,onefourthofit isdestroyedbythestudyofscripturesandtheotheronefourthbyselfeffort. (InresponsetoRama's*question,)VASISTHA*explained: Oneshouldresorttothecompanyofthewiseandintheircompanyoneshouldexaminethetruthconcerningthiscreation.Oneshoulddiligentlysearchfortheholyone andadorehim.Fortheverymomentsuchaholyoneisfound,halftheignoranceceasesinhiscompany.Anotheronefourthisdispelledbythestudyofscriptureand thelastpartbyselfeffort.Thecompanyoftheholyoneputsanendtocravingforpleasureandwhenitisfirmlyrejectedbyselfeffort,ignoranceceases.Allthese mayhappentogetheroroneaftertheother. VI.2:13 BHUSUNDA*continued:

Amansionvisualisedinspacedoesnotneedthesupportofrealpillars.Evenso,theimaginaryorillusoryworldappearancedoesnotdependuponrealtimeand space.Time,spaceandworldappearanceareallbutnotional.Thisworldappearanceisextremelysubtleanditisbuiltmerelybymentalactivityorthemovementof thought:itislikescentintheair.However,unlikesuchscentintheairthisworldappearanceisexperiencedonlybythemindthatconceivesit,whereasscentcanbe experiencedbyothersalso.Justasone'sdreamisexperiencedonlybythedreamer,this

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creationisexperiencedonlybytheoneinwhoseminditarises. InthisconnnectionthereisanancientlegendwhichtellshowIndra,thekingofthegods,hidhimselfwithinthebowelsofasubatomicparticle. Somewhereatsometimesomekindofanimaginarywishfulfullingtreeexisted.Ononeofitsbranchesthereappearedafruitwhichisthisuniverse.Thisfruitwas uniqueandcompletelydifferentfromallotherfruits.Likewormswithinthisfruitdweltalltypesofbeingsgods,demons,etc.Itcontainedtheearthaswellasthe heavenandthenetherworlds.Itwasenormousinsizebecauseitwasamanifestationoftheinfiniteconsciousnessanditwasattractivebecauseitcontainedinitselfthe infinitepotentialitiesofdiverseexperiences.Itwasradiantwithintelligenceandinitscorewastheegosense.Initwereallkindsofbeingsfromthedullestandthe ignoranttotheonethatwasclosesttoenlightenment. Indra,thekingofthegods,wasalsointhatfruit.OncewhenthelordVisnu*andothershadretired,thisIndrawasassailedbypowerfuldemons.Pursuedbythese demons,Indraraninthetendirections.Hewaseventuallyovercomebythedemons.Whentheattentionofthedemonswasdistractedforamoment,Indra,taking advantageofthesituation,assumedasubtleandminuteform(byabandoningthenotionthathewashugeandbyentertainingthenotionthathewassubtleandminute) andenteredintoasubatomicparticle. Inithefoundrestandpeace.Heforgotthewarwiththedemons.Inithevisualisedapalaceforhimself,thenacity,thenawholenationwithothercitiesandforests, andthenhesawinitthewholeworldanentireuniversewithheavenandhell.HethoughtthathewasIndra,thekingofthatheaven.Tohimwasbornasonwhomhe namedKunda.AftersometimethisIndraabandonedhisbodyandattainednirvana*,likealampwithoutfuel. KundabecameIndraandruledthethreeworlds.Hetoowasblessedwithasonequalinvalourandradiance.Thushisprogenymultipliedandeventodayoneofhis descendantsrulestheheaven.Thus,inthatsubatomicparticletherearemanysuchkingsrulingtheirownkingdoms. BHUSUNDA*continued: VI.2:14

Inthatfamilywasbornonewhobecametherulerofheaven,butwhowasdeterminedtoputanendtothecycleofbirthanddeath.Hegainedwisdomfromthe instructionsofthepreceptorofthegods(Brhaspati*).Heengagedhimselfintheperformanceofappropriateactionsinsituationswhicharosewithouthisseeking.Thus heperformedreligiousritesandevenfoughtwiththedemons. Inhismindtherearoseawish:''Ishouldperceivethereality

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concerningBrahmantheabsolute.''Heenteredintodeepmeditation.Hewasatpeacewithinhimself,remaininginseclusion.Therehesawthesupremeselfor Brahman,omnipotent,allpervasiveall,whoiseverything,everywhereatalltimes,towhomallfeetandhandsbelongthatBrahmanwhoseeyesandheadsandfaces areeverythingfreefromthesensesyettheveryessenceofallthesensestotallyfree(unattached)thoughupholdingeverythingsimultaneouslyfreefromandendowed withallthequalitieswithinandwithoutallcreatures(movingandnonmoving)thatBrahmanwhoisfarandnearyetunknownbecauseofitsextremesubtlety.Heis thesunandthemoonandtheearthelementeverywhere,therealityinthemountainandoceantheveryessenceofall.ThatBrahmanisofthenatureofthiscreation andworld,yettheemancipatedself,theprimordialconsciousness.Thoughheistheall,heisyetdevoidofallthesethings. He(Indra)sawBrahmaninthepot,cloth,tree,monkey,man,sky,mountain,water,fireandair,manifestingdifferentlyandfunctioningvariously.Herealisedthatthat istherealityinthisworldappearance.ThuscontemplatingBrahmanwithhisownpureandpurifiedconsciousness,thisIndrabecameimmersedinmeditation.Realising thatBrahmanwasthecelestialsovereigntyinIndra,heruledtheuniverse. JustasthisIndraruledthewholeuniversewhileremainingwithinthesubatomicparticle,evensotherehavebeencountlessIndrasanduniverses.Aslongasone experiencestheperceivedobjectassomethingrealandsubstantial,thisworldappearancecontinuestoflow.Thismaya*(worldappearance)willcontinuetoflow witheverchangingappearanceuntilthetruthisrealised,andonlythenwillmaya*ceasetooperate.Whereverthismaya*functionsinwhatevermanner,rememberitis onlybecauseoftheexistenceoftheegosense.Immediatelythetruthconcerningtheegosenseisinvestigatedandunderstood,thismaya*vanishes.Fortherealityorthe infiniteconsciousnessistotallyfreefromthesubjectobjectdivision,fromtheleasttraceofgrosssubstantialityitispurevoid,withtheinfinite,unconditioned consciousnessaloneasitsreality. VI.2:15,16 BHUSUNDA*continued:

JustasthewholeuniversecameintobeingintheveryheartofthesubatomonaccountofIndraentertainingthenotionofsuchacreation,wherevertheegosense arises,theretheworldmanifestsitself.Theegosenseisthefirstcauseofthisworldillusionwhichiscomparabletothebluenessofthesky. ThistreeofworldappearancegrowsinspaceonthehillknownasBrahmanonaccountofthelatenttendenciesornotions.Itsseedistheegosense.Thestarsareits flowers.Theriversareitsveins.

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Themountainsareitsleaves.Theveryessenceofnotionsandlimitationsisitsfruits.Thisworldisbuttheexpansionofthenotionofitsexistence. Thisworldappearanceislikethevastexpanseofwater.Theworldsappearinthisoceanlikeripplesandwaves.Itexpandsonaccountofdelusionwhichobstructs selfknowledgeandthereforeemancipation.Itseemstobeattractiveandbeautifulonaccountoftheconstantlychangingpanoramaofbeingscomingintoexistence andperishinginit. Ocelestial,thiscreationcanalsobecomparedtothemovementofwind.Egosenseisthewindanditsmovementistheworld.Justassuchmovementisnondifferent fromthewind,asscentisinseparablefromtheflower,evensothisegosenseisinseparablefromtheworld.Theworldexistsintheverymeaningof'egosense'andthe egosenseexistsintheverymeaningoftheword'world'.Theyarethusinterdependent.Ifoneisabletoremovetheegosensebymeansofone'sawakenedintelligence, hecleansesfromhisconsciousnesstheimpurityknownasworldappearance. Ocelestial,infact,thereisnosuchthingasegosense.Ithassomehowmysteriouslyarisenwithoutanycauseandwithoutsubstantiality.Brahmanalonepervades everything.Theegosenseisfalse.Sincetheegosenseitselfisfalse,surelytheworldwhichappearstoberealtotheegosenseisunreal,too.Whatisunrealisunreal: whatremainsiseternalandpeace.Youarethat. WhenIsaidthistothecelestialheenteredintodeepmeditation. Heattainedthesupremestate.(VASISTHA*saidtoRama:"Iftheteachingfallsonaqualifiedheart,itexpandsinthatintelligence.Itdoesnotstayintheunqualified heart.Fromtheegosensearisesthenotion'Thisismine'andthisexpandsintotheworldappearance.") Thus,Osage,inthismannersometimesevenanignorantpersonbecomesimmortallikethiscelestial.Immortalityisattainedonlybytheknowledgeofthereality. Thereisnoothermeans. VASISTHA*continued:ORama*,afterthisIreturnedtotheplacewheretheothersageshadgatheredinaconference.ThushaveInarratedtoyouthestoryofthe celestial'seasyemancipation.SinceIheardthisfromthelipsofBhusunda*elevenworldcycleshavepassed. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:17,18

Thismightytreeknownascreationwhichyieldsthesweetandbitterfruitsofhappinessandunhappiness(orgoodandevil)ceasesthemomenttheegosenseisknown tobefalse.Hewhoknowstheegosensetobefalseandwhotherebygainsthestateofperfect

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equanimityneveragaincomestogrief.Whenselfknowledgedispelstheignorantnotionoftheegosense,theegosensewhichtillthenwasbelievedtobeasolidreality disappearsandonedoesnotknowwhereitgoes.Neitherdoesoneknowwheretheprimemoverofthebody,whichhadalsobeenassumedtobeasolidreality, goes.Theleaf(body)drawstoitselfthemoisture(egosense)fromtheearth,butthesun(selfknowledgeinwhichtheegosenseisseentobefalse)evaporatesitand turnsitintosubtlewatervapour(Brahman).Intheabsenceoftheselfknowledge,however,theseedofegosenseexpandsintoamightytreeinthetwinklingofaneye, forintheseedishiddentheentiretreewithallitsinnumerablebranches,leaves,flowersandfruits.Themenofwisdomperceivethattheentirecreationishiddeninthe egosense. Evendeathdoesnotputanendtoallthis.Whenthenotionofrealityistransferredfromonesubstancetoanotherthatisknownasdeath.Beholdrightinfrontofyou nowcountlesscreationsofcountlessbeingswhichexistwithinthosebeings.Thereismindwithinprana*orlifeforce,andtheworldexistsinthemind.Atthetimeof death,thisprana*leavesthebodyandentersintospace.Itiswaftedhereandtherebythecosmicair.Beholdthesepranas*(jivas*)withalltheirnotions(worlds) hiddenwithinthemfillingtheentirespace.Iseethemhereinfrontofmewithmyinnereyeofintelligence. Theairintheentirespaceisfilledwiththepranas*ofthedepartedones.Mindexistsinthosepranas*.Andtheworldexistswithinthemindlikeoilinseeds.Justas thelifeforce(prana*)iswaftedinthewindinspace,alltheseworldsarewaftedinthemind,likethescentofflowersiswaftedbyair.Theseareseenonlybytheeye ofintelligence,notbythesephysicaleyes,ORama*.Theseworldsexisteverywhereatalltimes.Theyaresubtlerthanevenspacefortheyareofthenatureofthe essenceofnotions.Henceinfacttheyarenotwaftednormovedfromoneplacetoanother.Buttoeachjiva*(whichiscomposedoftheprana*,mindandnotion combined)thenotionitentertainsoftheworldofitsowncreationisreal,forthatjiva*firmlybelievesinthesubstantialityofthatcreation.Whentheobjectsonthe bankofafastflowingriverareseenreflectedinthewater,theseobjectsappeartobeagitated,too,thoughinfacttheyarenot.Evenso,theseworldswithinthejivas* maybesaidtobeinmotionorunmoving.Butintheselfwhichisinfiniteconsciousnessthereisnosuchmovementatall,evenaswhenapotismovedfromoneplace toanother,thespacethatisinitdoesnotmovefromoneplacetoanother.So,thisworldonlyappearstobeonaccountofthedeludedbeliefinitsexistence:inreality itisBrahmanonlyanditisneithercreatednordestroyed.

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VASISTHA*continued: Evenifitisconsideredthatthisworldarisesincosmicspaceitisnotexperiencedassuchbythosewhodwellinit.Thepassengersinaboatmovewithitbutonewho isseatedintheboatdoesnotseeanothermoving.Justasanefficientartistcreatestheillusionofdistanceinhispaintingorcarving,evensowithinasubatomicparticle themindentertainsthenotionsofimmeasurabledistance.Again,thereisperversionofexperienceinregardtothesmallnessorlargenessofobjects.Similarly,thereis theunrealexperienceofthisworldandwhatisknownastheotherworld,thoughallthesearefalse.Outofallthisarisefalsenotions,suchas'Thisisdesirable'and 'Thisisundesirable'. Asentientbeingexperiencestheexistenceofhisownlimbswithinhimselfbymeansofhisowninnerintelligenceevenso,thejiva*(thecosmicbeinginthiscase) perceivestheexistenceoftheworldofdiversitywithinitself.Theinfiniteconsciousnessisunbornanddividedlikespacealltheseworldsareitslimbs,asitwere.A sentientballofironmayvisualisewithinitselfthepotentialexistenceofaknifeandaneedle,etc.Evenso,thejiva*seesorexperienceswithinitselftheexistenceofthe threeworldsthoughthisisnomorethanadelusionorfalseperception.Evenintheinsentientseedthereisthepotentialtreewithallitsnumerousbranches,leaves, flowersandfruitsthoughnotassuchdiverseobjects.Evenso,alltheseworldsexistinBrahmanthoughnotassuch,butinanundifferentiatedstate.Inamirror (whetheryouregarditassentientorinsentient)thecityisreflected(thoughyoumayalsotruthfullysaythatthereisnosuchreflectioninthemirror)anditisseenand alsonotseensuchistherelationshipbetweenthethreeworldsandBrahman.Whatisknownastheworldisnothingbuttime,space,motionandsubstantiality,andall thesearenondifferentfromtheegosenseonaccountoftheirmutualinterdependence. Whatisseenhereastheworldisbutthesupremeselfwhichappearsastheworldwithoutundergoinganychangeinitsowntruenature.Itappearstobethatwhich oneconceivesittobeataparticulartimeandplace.Alltheseapparentappearancesariseinthemindasnotionsminditselfisnothingbutconsciousness.Hence,the appearancesariseinthemindasnotionsminditselfisnothingbutconsciousness.Hence,theappearanceisfalseandnotreal.Conceptsornotions(sankalpa*),latent conditioning(vasana*)andalivingbeing(jiva*)arenondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousnesseveniftheyareexperienced,theyarestillunrealexceptastheone realitywhichistheinfiniteconsciousness.Therefore,whentheunrealnotionisdoneawaywith,thereisemancipationormoksa*>.However,one

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cannottrulysaythattheseworldsarewaftedinairhereandthere,forallthesearebutfalsenotionswiththeinfiniteconsciousnessastheirsubstratumandsolereality. VI.2:19 RAMA*asked:

Osage,kindlytellmetheform,thenature,thelocationofthejiva*anditsrelationtothesupremeself. VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,itistheinfiniteconsciousnessthatisknownasthejiva*whenitbecomesawareofitselfastheobjectonaccountofthenotionitentertainsofitself.Itisalso knownascitorpureconsciousness.Thisjiva*isneitherasubatomicparticle,norisitgrossandphysical,norvoidnoranythingelse.Theomnipresentpure consciousnessisknownasjiva*whenitexperiencesitsownbeing.Itismoreminutethananatomandlargerthanthelargest.Itisallanditispureconsciousness.That isknownasthejiva*bythewise.Whateverobjectisexperiencedhereisbutitsownreflectionsoexperiencedbyit.Whateveritthinksoffrommomenttomoment, thatitexperiencesthenandthere.Suchexperiencingistheverynatureofthejiva*,evenasmotionisthenatureofwind.Whensuchexperiencingceases,thejiva* becomesBrahman. Onaccountofitsnatureasconsciousness,whenthejiva*entertainsthenotionofegosense,itbuildstime,space,motionandsubstanceandfunctionsinandthrough thebody.Itthenperceivesalltheseunrealitieswithinitselfasiftheywerereal,evenasapersondreamsofhisowndeath.Forgettingitstruenature,itthenidentifies itselfwithitsownfalsenotions.Itassumesanaccidentalrelationshipwiththefivesensesandexperiencestheirfunctionasifsuchexperiencewereitsown.Itshinesas thepurusa*(indwellingpresence)andvirat*(cosmicperson),endowedwiththesefivefaculties.Thisisstillthesubtleandmentalbeingandthisisthefirstemanation fromthesupremebeing. Thispersonarisesofhisownaccord,grows,decays,expandsandcontracts,thenceasestobe.Heisofthenatureofmind(notionorthought)andbeingsubtleis knownasthepuryastaka*(theeightfoldcity).Thissubtlebeingissmallandlarge,manifestandunmanifest,andpervadeseverythinginsideandout.Hislimbsare eightthefivesensesandmindforthesixth,theegosenseandbeingcumnonbeing.Allthevedashavebeensungbyhim.Byhimhavethemodesorrulesofconduct beenlaiddown.Alltheseprevaileventoday. Hisheadisthehighestofall,hisfeetarethenetherworld,spaceishisbelly,alltheworldshisside,waterhisblood,themountainsandtheeartharehisflesh,therivers arehisbloodvessels,thedirectionsarehisarms,thestarsarehishairs,thecosmicwindshisprana*,

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hislifesparkisthelunarsphereandhismindistheaggregateofallnotions.Hisselfisthesupremeself. Fromthiscosmicpersonorjiva*otherjivas*ariseandaredistributedthroughoutthethreeworlds.Brahma*,Visnu*,Rudraandothersareitsmentalcreations.The manifestationsofitsthoughtformsarethegodsandthedemonsandthecelestials.Thejiva*arosefromconsciousnessandthatisitslocation.Thousandsofsuch virat*havearisenandwillariseinthefuture. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:20,21

Thecosmicpersonishimselfofthenatureofanotion(orconcept,thought,etc.).Whatevernotionisentertainedbyhimappearstobeembodiedinthefiveelementsin thecosmicspace.Hence,ORama*,whateverappearstohavebeencreatedisregardedbythewiseastheexpansionofnotions.Thecosmicpersonistheoriginal causeforallthisworldappearancetheeffectisofthesamenatureasthecause. However,allthistakesplaceinconsciousness,notinunconsciousness.Allthesediversecreatures(fromawormtothegodRudra)havearisenfromtheoriginal notion,justasamightytreegrowsoutofasmallseed.Thoughtheuniversehasthusexpandedfromaminutesubatom,theexpansionorevolutionisrootedin intelligence,notinertia.Justasthecosmicpersonhascometobemanifestasthiscosmos,evensohaveallthingscomeintobeing,rightdowntotheminutestatom. Butintruththereisnothinglargenorminute.Whatevernotionarisesintheselfisexperiencedasifitwerereal.Themindarisesinthelunarelement,andthemoonis createdbythemind.Inthesameway,onejiva*givesrisetootherjivas*.Thewiseconsiderjiva*tobetheessenceinthesperm.Initishiddentheblissoftheself whichitexperiencesasifindependentofitself.Therearisesinititsidentificationwiththefiveelementsfornoapparentreason.Yetthejiva*continuestobejiva*,not reallylimitedbytheseelementsitisinsideandoutsidetheseelementsandtheircompositionknownasthebody.Butveiledbyitsidentificationwiththeelementsit doesnotseeitstruenature,evenasamanbornblinddoesnotseehisway.Emancipationormoksa*isthedestructionofthisignoranceandtherealisationofthe independenceofthejiva*fromtheseelementsandtheegosense. ORama*,oneshouldstrivetobeajnani*(manofwisdomordirectexperience)andnotajnanabandhu*,apseudojnani*.Whoisapseudojnani*?Hewhostudies thescriptureforpleasureorprofitlikeasculptorstudyingart,andwhodoesnotliveuptotheteaching,isapseudojnani*.Hisscripturalknowledgeisnotreflectedin hisdailylife.Heismoreinterestedinapplyingscripturalknowledgetopromotehisphysicalwelfareandsensualhappiness.Hence,I

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regardanignorantmanassuperiortothepseudojnani*. Jnana*orwisdomisselfknowledgeotherformsofknowledgearebutitspalereflections.Oneshouldworkinthisworldasmuchasisneededtoearnanhonest living.Oneshouldlive(eat)inordertosustainthelifeforce.Oneshouldsustainone'slifeforceonlyforthesakeofacquiringknowledge.Oneshouldenquireintoand knowthatwhichfreeshimfromsorrow. VI.2:22 VASISTHA*continued:

Heisajnani*whoisunawareof(orobliviousof)theconsequencesofactions,becauseheisestablishedinselfknowledgeandignoresboththeindividualisedmind anditsobjects.Heisajnani*whosepsychologicalconditioninghasbeenutterlyremoved.Hisintelligenceisfreefromperversion.Hisknowledgeissuchasdoesnot leadtorebirth.Heengageshimselfinthesimpleactsofeatinganddressingandinsuchspontaneousandappropriateactionswhicharefreefromdesireandmental activity.Heisknownasapandita*. Thediversecreatureshavenopurposeforcomingintobeingorfortheircontinuedexistence.Theyarenotrealentitiesthoughtheyappeartobeso.Thecausal relationshipisbroughtinlateroninordertorationalisethisunrealcreation.Isthereapurposefortheappearanceofamirage?Theywhotrytofindthereasonforthe appearanceoftheseopticalillusionsaretryingtorideontheshouldersofthegrandsonofthebarrenwoman'sson.Theonlycausefortheseopticalillusionsorillusory appearancesisnonperception,fortheydisappearwhenlookedinto.Whenrightlyinvestigatedandperceived,theyarefoundtobethesupremeselfbutwhenthey areperceivedthroughthemind,theconditionedjiva*arises.Thisjiva*whencorrectlyinvestigatedandlookedinto,isinfactthesupremeself.Whenitisgraspedby themind,thenitappearstobethejiva*subjecttoallsortsofchange,birth,decay,etc.Theywhohavethedirectexperienceofthecosmicbeingdonotperceivethe diversity,evenwhentheireyesbeholdtheworld.Intheirmind,evenwhileitfunctions,thereisnodisorderlymovementofthoughtormovementindifferentdirections theirmindisthereforenomindinwhichthereisnonmovementofthought.Theirbehaviourisnonvolitionallikeadryleafinwind. Theignorantfoolwhoisboundtopsychologicalconditioningextolsscripturallyenjoinedactionbecauseheisnotspirituallyawakened.Hissensespreyupontheir objects.Thewiseone,however,restrainsthesensesandremainscentredintheself.ThereisnoformlessgoldnorBrahmantotallydevoidofmanifestation.However, emancipationistheremovaloftheconceptofcreationormanifestation.Attheconclusionofthiscosmicworldcyclethereis,duringtheperiodofdissolution,oneutter darknesscoveringtheentirecreationevenso,

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intheeyesofthewiseonesthewholeuniverseisenvelopedbytheonerealityofBrahman.Theoceanisonehomogeneousunitinspiteofdiversityandmotionwithin itselfthereisbutoneBrahmanwhichincludesallthisdiversityandmotion.Thereistheworldwithintheegosenseandegosensewithinthiscreationthetwoare inseparable.Thejiva*seesthiscreationwithinitself,withoutanycauseormotivation.Thebraceletisgoldwhenthebraceletisnotseenasbracelet,itceasesand goldaloneis.Thus,theseersoftruthdonotlivethoughliving,donotdiethoughdying,donotexistthoughexisting.Theiractionsarenonvolitionalfunctionsofthe body. VASISTHA*continued: Ineverybodythejiva*existslikeasnowflake,apparentlyheavyandlargeinheavyandlargebeings,andlightandsubtleinsmallbeings.The'I'entersintothetriangle initsownconceptionandbecauseitisawareofitself,itbelievesitselftobeabody,thoughthisisunrealandonlyappearstobereal.Inthattrianglewhichisthe sheathofkarma,thejiva*whichisoftheveryessenceofthespermexistsinthatbodyjustasfragranceexistsinaflower.Evenasthesun'sraysspreadthroughoutthe earth,thisjiva*whichisinthespermandwhichhasenteredthetrianglespreadsitselfthroughoutthebody. Thoughthisjiva*iseverywhereinsideandoutside,yetithasaspecialidentificationwiththisvitalenergy(sperm)whichisthereforeconsidereditsspecialabode.Thus itexistsintheveryheartofbeingswhateveritconceivesofwhilethusexistinginthebeingsistheveryexperienceitexperiences.Butuntilitabandonsallmovementof thoughtinconsciousnessanduntilitbecomesofnomind,itdoesnotattainpeaceanditdoesnotceasetoentertainthefalsenotionof'Iamthis'.Hence,ORama*, thoughyoumaystillcontinuetoentertainthoughtsandfeelings,iftheInessoregosenseceasesinyou,youwillremainlikethespaceandtherewillbepeace. Therearesagesofselfknowledgewholiveandfunctioninthisworldasiftheyweresculpturedimages.Theirorgansofactionfunctionhere,thoughtheworlddoes notproducetheleastdisturbanceintheirconsciousness.Hewholiveslikespacehere(whichisunaffectedbytheactivitythatgoesonwithinit)isfreedofallbondage andisliberated. Hewhodoesnotabandonhisconfirmedconvictionintheexistenceofdiversityisnotabandonedbysorrow.Hewhoishappywithwhateverdressisputonhim,with whateverfoodheisfedandwithwhateverrestingplaceisofferedtohimshineslikeanemperor.Thoughheappearstoliveaconditionedlife,heisreally unconditionedforinwardlyheisfreeandvoid.Thoughappearingtobeactive,hedoesnotstrivebutfunctionslikeoneindeepsleep.Thereisreally

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nodifferencebetweentheignorantandthewise(theknowerofthetruth)exceptthatthelatterisfreefromtheconditionedmind.Whatappearsastheworldtothe conditionedmindisseenbytheunconditionedasBrahman. Whateverappearstobehereexists,perishesandcomesintobeingagainbutyouarethat,ORama*,thathasneitherbirthnordeath.Onceselfknowledgehas ariseninyouthisworldappearanceispowerlesstomakeanyimpressioninyou,evenasaburntseeddoesnotgiverisetoaplant.Suchaonerestsintheselfwhether heisactiveorinactive.Onlyheinwhomthecravingforpleasurehasutterlyceasedexperiencessupremepeace,notonewhohasgainedpeaceofmindbyother means. VI.2:23 VASISTHA*continued:

ORama*,devoidofdesireormentalcolouringandfreefrommentalconditioning,ariseandproceedtowardsthesupremestate,evenasManki*did. YourforbearAjahadinvitedmetoareligiousceremony.AsIdescendedfromtheairtoattendthisceremony,Ienteredadenseforestwhichwasdustyandhot. WhilstIwastryingtogothroughthatforest,Iheardawayfarerwail:"Alas,justasthissunburnseverything,thecompanyofthewickedisproductiveonlyofsorrow andsin.Letmegotothatvillageyonderandfindsomerelieffromfatigue." Ashewasthusabouttoenterthenextvillage,Isaidtohim:"Welcome,Owanderer,whohasnotfoundtherightpath!Youcannotfindeternalsatisfactioninthisplace inhabitedbytheignorantanymorethatyoucanquenchyourthirstbydrinkingsaltywater,whichwillonlyworsenyourthirst.Theignorantwanderaimlesslyandtake tothewrongpaths.Theydonotengagethemselvesinselfenquirynordotheydisengagethemselvesfromwickedaction.Theyfunctionlikemachineshere.Itisbetter tobeasnakeinadarkcaveitisbettertobeaworminarockitisbettertobealamedeerinadesert(mirage)thantoremaininthecompanyofignorantpeople. Theircompanygivesrisetomomentarypleasurebutisdestructiveofself.Itispoisonous." Onmysayingso,hesaidtome:"Lord,whoareyou?Youareradiantlikeanemperorthoughyoudonothaveanything.Haveyouquaffednectar?Youaredevoidof everythingandyetyouareperfectlyfull.Whatisthisformofyours,Osage,whichseemstobenothingandyeteverything,transcendentalthoughseemingtoreston theearth?Youarefreefromalldesireandhopeandyetyouappeartoentertaindesireandhope.Inyourconsciousnessdifferentconceptsornotionsarisein accordancewithyourownwish,andthisentireuniverserests

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inyoulikeaseedinafruit.Iamapilgrim,bynameManki*.IhavewanderedfarandIdesiretoreturntomyownabode.ButIdonothavetheenergyneededto returnhome.Lord,thegreatonescultivatefriendshipatfirstsight.IfeelthatIamunabletoovercomethisworldillusionpray,enlightenme.'' Irepliedtohim:"Opilgrim,IamVasistha*.Donotfear.Youhaveindeedreachedthedoortoemancipation.YouhavesoughtthecompanyofMan(whois characterisedbyselfenquiry)andthereforeyouhavealmostreachedtheothershoreofthisworldappearance.Hence,inyourminddispassionhasarisenandthereis peace.Whentheveilsthathidethetruthareremoved,thetruthshinesbyitself.Pray,tellmewhatyouwishtoknow.Howdoyouproposetodestroythisworld illusion?" MANKI*said: VI.2:24

Lord,Ihavesearchedinthetendirectionsforonewhocouldremovemydoubts,buttillnowIhavenotfoundsuchaperson.TodaybyyourcompanyIhave obtainedthehighestblessingthatfallstothelotofthemostfortunateamongbeings. Inthisworldallthingscomeintobeingandperishandthereforethereisrepeatedexperienceofsorrow.Allthepleasuresoftheworldinevitablyendinsorrow.I thereforeconsiderthatsorrowispreferabletopleasurewhichleadstosorrow.Beingsubjectedtotherepeatedexperienceofpleasureandpain,mymindisfilledwith perversenotionsanditdoesnotreflecttheinnerlightofawakenedintelligence.Tiedtothelatenttendenciesbornofsuchanignorantlife,themindonlyleadsmeto sinfulexistenceandactivity.ThushaveIwastedmydays.Thiscravingforpleasureneverattainsfulfilment,neverfindssatisfactionand,thoughallitsaspirationsendin failure,it(thecraving)itselfdoesnotcometoanend.Inautumntheleavesdryupandfallaway,butthedesireforpleasuredoesnotnordoestheanxietythatarises intheheartandwhichsubjectsmetoterriblecalamities.Evenhewhoisendowedwithmanyblessingsandwhoenjoysprosperityisreducedtoamiserablestateof existence:suchprosperityisoftenseentobeabaittotraptheunwaryoneinthepitofsorrow. Sincemyheartisthustaintedwithsinfultendenciesandrestlessness,thewiseones,seeingthatIamonlyinterestedinsensegratification,takenonoticeofme.Inspite ofallthis,mymindstillpursuesitsdestructivecoursesinceithasnotbeenovercomebydeath.Thedarknessofmyignoranceinwhichtheegosensethriveshasnotyet beendispelledbythemoonlightofthestudyofscripturesandcompanyofenlightenedbeings.Theelephantofignoranceinmehasnotyetmetwiththelionof knowledge.Thegrassofmykarma

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hasnotencounteredthefireofitsdestruction.Thesunofselfenquiryhasnotriseninmetodispelthedarknessofmentalconditioning. Osage,thatwhichIintellectuallyunderstandtobenothingstillappearstometobearealentityorsubstance.Mysensesareeatingmeaway.Eventheknowledgeof thescripturesseemstoformonemoreveilinsteadofhelpingmedestroytheexistingveils. Thus,Iambesiegedbyignoranceandconfusion.Lord,tellmewhatistrulygoodforme. VI.2:25 VASISTHA*replied:

Experience,thinking(entertainingnotions,etc.),mentalconditioningandimaginationaremeaninglessandareproductiveonlyofpsychologicaldistress.Allthesorrows andmisfortunesoflifearerootedin,andrestin,senseexperienceandthinking.Thispathoflifeorsamsara*istwistedandtortuoustotheonewhoisruledby psychologicalconditioningorlatenttendencies.Inthecaseoftheawakenedone,however,thissamsara*ceasesalongwiththecessationofhismentalconditioning. Thereisnothingotherthanpureconsciousnessevenasthereisnothingbutpurevoidinspace.Thatthereissomethingknownasexperiencerotherthanthispure consciousnessisignorancewhoseexpansionisthissamsara*(worldappearance).Thatwhicharisesintheabsenceofobservationdisappearswhenthelightof observationisdirectedtowardsit.Evenso,thisfictitiousexperiencingself,whichisbutthereflectionofthetrueself,vanisheswhenitstruenatureisexamined. Thedivisioncreatedbyobjectiveconsciousnessceaseswhentheknowledgeoftheindivisibilityofconsciousnessarises.Potsdonotexistindependentlyofclayfor potsarebutmodificationsofclay.Objectsareofconsciousnesstheyarenotdifferentfromconsciousnessas'objectsofconsciousness'.Thatwhichisknownthrough knowledgeisnondifferentfromthatknowledgetheunknownisnotknown!Consciousnessisthecommonfactorinthesubject,thepredicate(knowing)andthe object:hencethereisnothingotherthanknowledgeorconsciousness.Ifitwereotherwisetherecouldbenocomprehension(i.e.,oftwototallydifferentsubstances). Henceevenwoodandstoneareoftheessentialnatureofconsciousness,otherwisetheycouldnotbeapprehended.Whateverthereisinthisworldispure consciousness.Thoughtheobjects(likewoodandwax)mayappeartobedifferent,theyarenondifferentfromtheobserver'sviewpointsinceitisthesameobserver thatobservesbothofthem,andtheobserverisconsciousness. Theegosensethatperceivesthediversityisthecreatorofthe

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division.Theegosenseisbondageanditscessationisliberation.Itissosimple.Whereisthedifficulty?Thedivision'hasarisen'justasthevisionoftwomoonsarises indiplopia.Inthatcase,howcanitbesaidtohave'arisen'?Itisfalse.Consciousnessandinertnesscannotberelatedtoeachother.Consciousnesscannotbecome unconsciousness.Itisconsciousnessalonewhichsomehowthinksitisinert,andthenthelimitationbouncesdownintotheconceptionofmateriality,likearockfroma hilltop. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:26

Whenonethusfallsintothisillusionofworldappearance,heisatoncepreyeduponbycountlessotherillusionswhichariseintheoriginalillusion,justlikeinsectsarise aftertherain.Themindislikeaforestinspring.Itissodensewithverymanynotionsandconcepts,thatdensedarknessprevailsinit.Onaccountofselflimitationor ignorance,peopleundergocountlessexperiencesofpleasureandpaininthisworld. Thereisnodifferencebetweenthesageandthemoon:bothofthemradiatejoy.Theyarepeaceful,coolandtranquil,fullofimmortalisingnectar,andtheyenableone tosee.Thereisnodifferencebetweentheignorantandthechild:theyaremotivatedintheirlivesbywhimsandfancies,theydonotreflectwhatwasnorwhatwillbe, andtheyaredevoidofrightconduct. Noone,fromtheCreatordowntothesmallestinsect,canattainsupremepeaceunlessheacquiresperfectcontrolofthemind.Bythemereinvestigationofthenature ofbondage,itceasestobind,evenastheobstaclesonthepathdonothinderonewhoexaminesthemcarefully.Ghostsdonothauntonewhoiscarefulandwhois awake.Ifyoucloseyoureyesthevisionoftheexternalworldisblottedout:ifyouremovethenotionoftheworldfromyourconsciousness,pureconsciousnessalone exists.Thispureconsciousnessaloneexistsevennowtheworldisanunrealappearancebroughtaboutbyjustalittleagitationinit.Itisthecreationofthecosmic mind,asitwere.Thiscosmicmindmerelyentertainsthenotionofsuchacreationforitdoesnothavethematerialsubstancesneededformaterialcreation!Theworld isapaintingontheBrahmancanvaswithoutcoloursandwithoutinstruments.Howthencanitbesaidthatthisworldhasreallybeencreatedbywhom,how,when andwhere?! Thenotion'Iamhappy'experienceshappinessandthenotion'Iamunhappy'experiencesunhappiness.Allthesenotionsarebutpureconsciousness.Asnotionsthey arefalse.Sincetheselfortheinfiniteconsciousnessisunlimitedandunconditioned,thereisnoagitationormovementitit.Therearenodesires,noattachment (dependence)andthereforenorestlessnessormovementintheself.Dependence

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aloneisbondagenondependenceisfreedomoremancipation.Hewhorestsinwhatisindicatedbythe'All','Infinite'or'Fullness',doesnotdesireanything.When thephysicalbodyisasunrealasthebodyseeninadream,whatwillthewisemandesireforitssake? Inthespirituallyawakenedandenlightenedstatethesagerestsintheselfallhisdesiresreachtheirfulfilment.ORama*,Manki*heardallthisandenteredintodeep contemplation,havingabandonedhisdelusion.Helivedperformingspontaneousandappropriateactions(pravahapatitam*karyam*:inevitableaction,lit.:theactionof onefalleninastream.) VI.2:27,28 VASISTHA*continued:

Intheselfisunityanddiversity,yetnotunityordiversityasopposedtoeachother.Howcanoneassertdiversityinit?Theoneselfexistssubtleandomnipresent likespace.Itisundividedbythebirthanddeathofbodies.'Iamthebody'isdelusion,nottruth.Youarethepureselforundividedconsciousness.Thesubject (observer),theobject(observed)andthepredicate(observation)arebutthemodificationsofthemind.Thetruthortheselfisundividedbythisdivisionandhenceitis beyondcontemplation(dhyana*).AllthisisoneindivisibleBrahmanandthereisnosuchthingastheworld.Howcanillusionariseorexistatall?Thedeludedfeeling thatthereisaworld(eitherasarealityorasanillusion)hasbeendispelledbymyinstruction:thereisnoreasonnowforyoutosufferbondage.Inprosperityand adversity,befreeandlivewithoutegosenseanddesire. RAMA*said: Iwishtohearfromyouonceagainthetruthconcerningkarmaorwhatisknownasthedivinewill(fate). VASISTHA*replied: Divinewill(fatedaivam)andkarmaarebutconceptsthetruthisthattheyaremovementsinconsciousness.Whenthereissuchmovement,theworldappearance ariseswhenthemovementceases,theworldappearancealsoceases.Thereisnottheleastdistinctionbetweenthemovementandconsciousness.Thereisnotthe leastdistinctionbetweenapersonandhiskarma(action).Acreatureisknownbyitscharacteristicactionandsuchactionrevealsthecharacterofthecreature:they areinseparable.Hence,thewordsorconcepts'divine'(daiva),'action'(karma)and'person'(nara)arebutexpressionswhichdenotemovementinconsciousness. Thismovementinconsciousness,alongwiththeselflimitationinconsciousness,servesastheseedforeverything,butthereisnocauseorseedforthemovementin consciousness.Thereisnodistinctionbetweentheseedandthesprout:thereforeallthis(body,etc.)isbutmovementinconsciousness.Thismovementisobviously

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omnipotentandhenceisabletomanifestthegodsandthedemonsandothercreatures,mobileandimmobile,sentientandinsentient.Theywhoassertthataperson andhisactions(karma)aredifferentanddistinctareanimalsinhumansemblance:salutationtothem. Theseedwhichsproutsastheworldistheselflimitationorconditioninginconsciousness.Burnthatseedbynonattachmentorfreedom.Nonvolitionalaction(non actioninaction)isknownasnonattachmentorfreedom.Or,theuprootingofconditioning(vasana*)isknownasnonattachmentorfreedom.Attainthisfreedomby anymeans.Thatmeansbywhichyouareabletodestroytheseedofvasana*isthebest.Inthisnothingbutselfeffortisofanyavail. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:29

ORama*,regardallactionseverywhereaspureconsciousnessandlivewithyourvisionintroverted.Insorrowandincalamity,indiredistressandinpain,remainfree fromsorrowwithinyourself,butbehaveasifinsorrowinaccordancewithproprietyandinaccordancewithlocaletiquette,evensheddingtearsandwailingand seeminglyexperiencingpleasureandpain.Whileenjoyingthecompanyofyourwifeandparticipatinginfestivals,etc.,manifestdelightasifyouweresubjecttomental conditioning.Engageyourselfinfuneralritesandeveninwarasonewithlimitedunderstandingandignorant.Acquirewealthanddestroyyourenemiesasignorant peopleoflimitedunderstandingdo.Becompassionatetowardsthesuffering.Adoretheholyones.Rejoiceinhappiness.Grieveinsorrow.Beaheroamongheroes. Withyourgazeturnedinward,swimmingintheblissoftheselfandwithyourheartandmindatpeace,whatyoudoyoudonotdo. Whenyouthusrestintheself,eventhesharpestweaponcannotcutyou(theselfknowledge).Thisselfknowledgeisnotcutbyweaponsnorburntbyfire,neither wettedbyrainnordriedbywind.Clingtothepillarofserfknowledge,knowingtheselftobefreefromoldageanddeath.Thusrootedinselfknowledgethough activeexternally,youwillnotonceagainfallintotheerrorofserflimitation,vasana*.Leadanactivelifethoughremaininginwardlyasifinthedeepsleepstate. Abandonallnotionofdivision.Restinserfknowledgewithyourawarenessextendingjustalittleoutside.Thus,youareutterlyatrestasifindeepsleepwithin yourself,whetheryouareactiveexternallyornotsoactive,whetheryouholdontosomethingorabandonsomething.Youwillthenbetotallyfreefromalldisharmony sinceyourealisethenondistinctionbetweenthewakingandthedeepsleepstates.Thus,bythepracticeofselfawarenesswhichisbeginninglessandendless,youwill graduallyreachthatsupreme

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stateofconsciousnessinwhichthereisnodualityandwhichisbeyondallmateriality.Initthereisneitherunitynordiversitybutsupremepeace. RAMA*asked: Ifsuchbethetruthconcerningtheegosense,Osage,howdoyouappearherebeingcalledVasistha*?(WhenRama*saidthis,Vasistha*becametotallysilent.The membersoftheassemblywereconcerned.Seeingthis,Rama*askedagain:)Whyareyousilent,Osage?Thereisnothinginthewholeworldwhichaholysageis unabletoanswer. VASISTHA*replied: IwassilentnotbecauseIcouldnotanswerbutbecausesilenceistheonlyanswertoyourquestion. VASISTHA*continued: Therearetwotypesofquestioners:theenlightenedandtheignorant.Oneshouldanswertheignorantfromthepointofviewoftheignorantandthewisefromthepoint ofviewofthewise.Tillnowyouwereignorantandhenceyoudeservedonlyintellectualanswers.Nowyouknowthetruthandyourestinthesupremestate,hence intellectualandlogicalanswerswillnolongerdoforyou.ORama*,allverbalstatements(whethertheyareverboseorbrief,whethertheirpurportissubtleor transcendental)arealllimitedbylogic,bydualityanddivision. Suchtaintedanswersarenotworthyofyou,mydearone:andwordsareincapableofformingapureanduntaintedstatement.Toonesuchasyou,oneshould transmitthepuresttruthandthepuresttruthisexpressedonlybycompletesilence.Thatsilencewhichisfreefromrationalenquiryandmentalactivityisthesupreme statehence,thatalonewastheappropriateanswertoaquestionbyawiseonelikeyou.Again,allexpressionistheexpressionofthenatureofonewhoexpressesit. Iamfirmlyestablishedinthepurenondualandindivisibleconsciousnesswhichisthesupremestate.HowcanIsubjectmyselftotheimperfectionofexpressingthe inexpressible?HenceIdidnotattempttoreducetheinfinitetowordswhichspringfrommentalactivity. RAMA*said: Irealisethatallexpressionsaretaintedwithdualityandlimitation.Makingdueallowanceforthis,tellmewhoyouare. VASISTHA*replied: Iamthepurespacelikeconsciousnessdevoidofobjectiveexperienceandbeyondallmentalactivityorthought.Iamthepureandinfiniteconsciousness.Evensoare you.Thewholeworldisthat,too.Everythingisthepure,indivisibleconsciousness.Iampureconsciousnessandnothingbutthat.Sincethereisnothingapart

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fromthat,Idonotknowhowtodescribethat.Itiswhenoneendeavourstogiveexpressiontoone'sselfthattheegosenseandalltherestofitarise,evenifone's attemptistoattaintotalfreedom.Theycallitthesupremestateinwhichonethoughalivebehavesasifheweredead. Itisabsurdfortheegosensetoseekthisemancipation,foritcannevercomprehendthetruth.Theinfiniteconsciousnesssurelystandsinnoneedofrealisingtheinfinite consciousness!Eitherway,itislikethebornblindendeavouringtoseeapainting.Thatisnirvana*(emancipationorfreedom)inwhichonestandsfirmlikearock whetherornotthereisagitationormovementinconsciousness.Heseesno'other'.Heisfreefromalldesiresandcravings.Inhimthereisno'I','you'orthe'other'.It isalone(all+one). VASISTHA*continued: Theawarenessoftheinfiniteconsciousnessofitselfisthemind.Thisitselfissamsara*andbondagewhichleadtopsychicdistress.Whentheinfiniteconsciousness remainsitselfasifunawareofitself,thatismoksa*orliberation.Mind,intellect,etc.,arebutmodificationsofpureconsciousness,fortheyaremerewords.Infactthe pureundividedconsciousnessaloneexists.Whenpureconsciousnessaloneexists,pervadingeverythinginsideandout,howdoesthenotionofdivisionarise,and where? Isthereadifferencebetweenpureconsciousnessanduttervoid?Evenifthereis,itisimpossibletoputitintowords.Iamthepure(spaceof)consciousness,ifthe notionofselflimitation(mentalconditioning)ceases.Howeversincesuchlimitationisbutanotion,itcannotlimittheinfinite.Whenthisunderstandingarisesinone, thoughthereisselfawareness,eventhatceasesforthereisnodivisionbetweentheobserverandtheobserved.Itisasifvoidistheultimatetruth! Ignorancepointstothehiddenwisdom.Wisdomthendestroysthatignoranceandeventuallythat,too,comestorest.Thatisthesupremestate.Thewisemuni(one whoisinwardlysilent)becomesamanava*(Man)byselfknowledge.(Or,manbecomesmuni.)Beingignorant,theignorantbecomeanimalsandtrees.'Iam Brahman'and'Thisistheworld'aredeludednotions.Theyarenotseenonenquiryorinvestigation.Whenlightgoesinsearchofdarkness,darknessvanishes.The peacefulmanofrightunderstandingpossessesallthesenses,butsinceheisnotswayedbyfalsenotions,hedoesnotsubjecthimselftotheirexperiences.Helivesasif indeepsleep. Alldreamsendindeepsleep,similarlydeepsleependsinsamadhi*alltheobjectsofperceptionmergeinknowledgeandeverythingisthenseenastheoneself.One whoseesthatalltheseobjectsare

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experiencedonlyintheconditionedstateofthemindrealisesinstantlythattheselfisunconditioned.Sinceintheunconditionedthereisneitherdoershipnor enjoyership,thereisinrealitynosorrowandnopleasure,novirtue,nosin,nolosstoanyone.Allthisispurevoid.Eventhenotionofegosenseandminenessisvoid. Allappearanceisillusionanditdoesnotexistinus.Onewhoseesthisengageshimselfinnonvolitionalactionorremainsincompletesilence(kastha*maunaorthe silenceofalogofwood).HeisBrahman.Fortheattainmentofsupremepeacetheembodiedbeinghasnoothermeans. VI.2:30 VASISTHA*continued:

Thenotionof'I'isutterignoranceitblocksthepathtonirvana*orliberation.Yetthefoolishmanendeavourswiththehelpofthisdarknessofignorancetofindthe lightoftruth!Theinvestigationoftheegosenserevealsitslimitationandconditionednatureoritstotalabsence.Itisfoundonlyintheignorantandnotintheknowerof truth.Theknoweroftruth,ontheotherhand,existsintheembodiedordisembodiedstatewithouttheleastanxietyorsorrow,havingtotallyabandonedthenotionof theego.Thereisnofearofdestructioninthebattlepaintedonacanvas:evensowhentheknoweroftruthisestablishedininnerequanimity,activitydoesnotaffect him.Inthecaseoftheliberatedsageeventhemanifestationsofconditionedbehaviourareapparent,notreal.Asinthecaseofthemantleofagaslamp,whichretains itsformandshapethoughithasreallybeenburnttoashes,theliberatedsage'spersonalityisnopersonality,hismindisnomindandhisconditioningistruly unconditioned.ItisBrahmanandnaughtelse.Hewhorestsintotalpeacewithinthoughapparentlyengagedindiverseactivitiesexternallyisaliberatedone. Theelephantsandchariotswhichfloatintheskyarebutthecloudformationswhicharecloud.Theworldsthatseemtoexistaresimilarlynothingbutthesupremeself orBrahman.Thecauseofsorrowisthereforetheacceptanceoftheunrealasthereal,whicharisesfrommisunderstandingordeludedunderstandingofthereal.The truthisthatonaccountoftheegosensetheignorantpersonexperiencestheexistenceoftheworldwithinit,thoughinrealityheistheinfiniteconsciousness.Justasa firebrandwhenitiswhirledaroundcreatesillusoryformsinspace,whereastheonlyrealityisthesinglesparkoffireattheendofthestick,evensoallthesediverse formsarebuttheapparentappearanceoftheoneindivisibleBrahmanorinfiniteconsciousness.Letallthis(thebeginningandtheend,therisingandthefalling,space andtime)existasitpleases.Oneshouldrestintheinnerpeace.

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Theinertwaterisabletosustaintheshipthatcarriesaloadacrossthewaterandthusovercometheobstaclecreatedbyitself(thewater)evenso,thisinertworld itselfenablesamantocrossthisapparentworldappearance.Thatwhichiscreatedbythoughtcanalsobedestroyedbythought.Hence,attainfearlessnessby realisingthatthereisneither'I'nor'theother'.Fornothingcalled'I'isdiscoveredwhenoneinvestigatesthebody,mind,etc.Abandonthepursuitofpleasure,engage yourselfinenquiryandbedevotedtoselfeffort. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:31

Theinfiniteconsciousnessreflectsitselfastheinfiniteandunconditionedconsciousnessinall,andthataloneistrulyexperiencedinall.Butwhenthenotionofanobject arisesandwhenthatnotionisconfirmedbyrepetition,thisconsciousnessmanifestsastheobjectlikethedreamobjectswhich,thoughwithinoneself,appearin thatdreamtobeobjects.Whenadreamobjectperishesnothingislost:when'theworld'or'theI'islost,nothingislost.Thereisnosenseevenincondemningthis worldandtheegosense.Whowillextolorcondemnanhallucination?Investigationaloneisappropriatehere.Whatremainsisthetruth.Remainfirmlyestablishedinit. Thisworldappearanceisbutanotionanditisutterlydispelledbyenquiry.WhatremainsthenisBrahman.Toaccepttherealityofthisworldappearanceislike trustingthewordsofthebarrenwomen'sson.Theindividualpersonalityisvasana*ormentalconditioningwhichdisappearsoninvestigation.However,inastateof ignorance,whenonefailstoobserveit,thisworldappearancearises. Thebodyistheresultofthepermutationandcombinationofthefiveelementsandisinert.Eventhemind,theintellectandtheegosensearealsoofthesameelements. Whenoneisabletoabandontheinertmaterialityofthemind,theintellectandtheegosense,oneattainsthepureunconditionedbeing.Thisisliberation. The'object'arisesinthe'subject'buthasnoindependentexistence.Hence,even'theconditionedstateorbeing'isbutanotion:itisnotreal.Therefore,itvanishes whenenquiredinto.Itisbesttorejectthenotionandstopitfromarisingagainbyneverthinkingofitagain.Thereisneitherthesubject(seer)noranexperiencer, neithertherealnortheunreal.Thereisthesupremepeacealone.Onewhoisestablishedinthispeaceisfreefromlikesanddislikesthoughengagedinactivity.Orhe maynotengagehimselfinactivity.Whenthemindisfreedofallnotionsthatlimittheunconditionedconsciousness,howdoesthesageactinadualisticway?Freefrom love,hateandfear,heexistsastheimmutableselffirmlyestablishedinthesupremepeace.

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Thenotionof'object'whicharisesinthe'subject'isthenexperiencedbythelatterasdifferentfromit.Infact,thetwo(likethedreamerandthewakefulperson)are indistinguishablyone,likemilkthatiskeptintwocups.Thesupremeselfisfreefromallnotions.Notionsgiverisetoobjectsandwhenthenotionsareabandonedthe objectsceasetobe. VI.2:32 VASISTHA*continued:

Whenthereismovementintheinfiniteconsciousness,thenotionsof'I'and'theworld'arise.Theseinthemselvesareharmlessifonerealisesthatinfacttheyarenon differentfromtheselfortheinfiniteconsciousness.But,whentheyareconsideredrealinthemselvesandtheworldisperceivedasrealthenthereisgreatmisfortune. Eventhismovementintheunconditionedisnotarealentity.Ifitisunreal,howmuchmoreunrealarethenotionsthatariseonaccountofsuchmovement!Itisastrue asthedancingofthebarrenwoman'sson.Suchmovementarisesinignoranceitisignorance.Inthelightofrightunderstandingitceases. Inthesameway,theegosenseariseswhenitsexistenceisconceived.Whenthatconceptisrejected,theegosenseceasestobe.Thisisknownasdhyana* (meditation)andsamadhi*(superconsciousstate).Itistheunconditionedconsciousness.Pray,donotfallintothenetofdualityandnonduality,etc.Allsuch controversyandpolemicsonlyleadtosorrowanddespair.Whenonepursuestheunrealorimpermanent,thereissorrow.Whentheconditioningofconsciousness dropsawaythereisnosorrow,evenasinsleepthereisnosorrow.Theconsciousnessthatabandonsconditioningrealisesitsunconditionednature.Thatisliberation. Withthehelpofmyinstructionsifyourealisethatthe'I'doesnotexist,thenyourunderstandingisfirmandunshakable.Theworldandthe'I'existonlyasnotions,not asfactnorasreality.Theyceasetobewhenoneenquires''WhoamI?"and"Howhasthisworldarisen?"Therealisationofthenonexistenceofthe'I'isnirvana*or liberation.Thelightofthisrealisationdispelsthedarknessofignorance.Therefore,oneshouldenquiretilltheendofone'slife:"WhoamI?","Howdidthisworld arise?","Whatisjiva*ortheindividualpersonality?''and"Whatislife?"asinstructedbytheknowersofthetruth.Whenyoubetakeyourselftothecompanyofthe knowersoftruth,thelightoftheirselfknowledgedispelsthedarknessofignoranceanditsretinue,includingtheegosense.Hence,keeptheircompany. Resorttotheseknowersoftruthinprivacy,notinpublic.Forwhendifferentpeopleexpressdifferentpointsofview,yourunderstandingmaybestuntedorperverted. Thewisemanshouldapproachthe

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knoweroftruthinprivacy,learnthetruthandcontemplatethattruth.Thiscontemplationdispelsthecloudofconceptsandnotionswhichcastashadowon consciousness. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:33

Whenonehasattainedwisdomthroughselfeffortandwiththehelpofthecompanyoftheholyones,thisworldappearancedoesnotexpandinhisconsciousness. Notionsariseinone'sconsciousnessand,whenacounternotionisraised,theformerundergoradicalmutation.Thetotalabandonmentofallnotionsorideasis liberationandsuchanabandonmentispossiblewhenthepursuitofpleasureisabandoned.Notionsandideasgraduallyceasetoariseandtoexpandinonewho resolutelyrefrainsfromassociatingwordswithmeanings,inhisownmindwhetherthesewordsareutteredbyothersortheyariseinone'sownmind. Theabandonmentofegosenseisthecessationofignorancethisandnothingelseisliberation.Whetherthisworldexistsordoesnotexist,itsapprehensionor recognitionbythemindleadstosorrowitsnonrecognitionisbliss.Forallembodiedbeingstherearetwoformsofdisease:thefirstrelatestothisworldandthe secondrelatestotheotherworld.Forillnesseswhicharerelatedtolifeinthisworld,ignorantpeopletrytofindaremedybeforetheirlivescometoanend.Butthere arenosuchremediesfortheproblemsconnectedwiththelifebeyond.Onecannothopetoremedythemintheotherworld,forsuchremediesdonotexistintheother world.Ifoneisunabletofindaremedyforthedreadfuldiseaseknownasignorancehereinthisworld,onecansurelynotfindaremedyafterleavingthisworld. Therefore,donotwasteyourtimeintryingtofindfutileremediesfortheproblemsconnectedwithyourlifeinthisworld.Byselfknowledgeridyourselfofthe problemsconnectedwiththelifehereafter.Thereisnotimetolose,forlifeisebbingawayallthetime. Ifyoudonotupliftyourselffromthemireofpleasure,youcannotfindanyotherremedy.Thefoolwhorevelsinpleasureinvitessorrowandmisfortune.Justasthe strengthofmanhoodmanifestsintheenergyofchildhood,thefullnessofperfection(nirvana*)beginswiththeeffectivenessofselfdisciplineortheabandonmentofthe pursuitofpleasure.Thelifestreamoftheknoweroftruthflowsinharmony,whilethelifestreamoftheignorantisfullofwhirlpools. Universesariseintheinfiniteconsciousnesslikebubblesonthesurfaceoftheocean.Buttheyarenondifferentfromtheunconditionedexistence.Brahmanisbeyond alldescriptionanddoesnotevenhavea'nature'whichcanbeconceivedofhence,itisunwisetosuggestthatthemanifestationoftheuniversesisitsnature!Creation,

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world,movementofconsciousness,etc.,aremerewordswithoutsubstance.Whensuchideasareabandoned,the'world'andthe'I'ceasetobeandconsciousness aloneexists,pureandimmutable.Thisunconditionedconsciousnessaloneis,naughtelseisnoteventhenatureofdiverseobjectshere.Allsuchnotions(concerning thenatureofdiverseobjects)aretheoffshootsofdelusion. VI.2:34 VASISTHA*continued:

Thatwhichisannihilatedbyhappinessorunhappinessinlifeissoannihilatedbutthatwhichisnotannihilatedisnotannihilated.Thisistheessenceofthescriptural teachings.Onewhohasdesiresundergoespleasantandunpleasantexperiences.Ifonewishestogetridofthediseaseofsuchexperiences,theonlythingtodoisto getridofthedesires. Thereisnodelusioninthesupremeselfthatthe'I'and'theworld'exist.Whohasinventedtheseexpressionsandsuperimposedthemonthepurevoidwhichis supremepeace?Thereisneitheran'I',northe'world'noreven'Brahman'.Allthesearewords.Theonlyrealityissupremepeace.Sincethisistheall,thereisno divisioninitnoradoernoranexperiencer.Forthesakeofinstruction,definitionsarecoined.Thatistheonlytruththattheselfandtheselfaloneis.But,justasthe dreamexperiencesoftwopeoplesleepingsidebysidearenotthesameandonedoesnotknowwhattheotherisdreamingabout,one'sunderstandingandinner experiencearepersonalandunique. Surely,itisconsciousnessastheselfthatisawareofeverythingintheuniverse.Hence,IamthatconsciousnessI,theworldandallthingsinitarenondifferentfrom it.Itistheoneselfthatappearsasthemany,butbecauseofignoranceandbecauseoftheextremesubtletyoftheself,thisisnotseenassuch.Itistheselfthatsees thisuniversewithinitselfasiftheuniversehadaform,thoughinfactithasnoform.Alldistinctionslikesentient,insentient,etc.,thoughtheyarenotrealareintended onlyfortheinstructionofseekers. Thenotion'I'arisesinBrahmanaccidentally(likethecrowalightingonthecocoanuttreeandthecocoanutfallingdownwithoutcausalrelationship).Intruth,Iam Brahman,theworldisBrahman,thereisneitherabeginningnoraceasing.Hence,whereisthereasontorejoiceortogrieve?BecausetheLordisomnipotentsome thingsappeartobesentientandothersinsentient.ButtherearenosuchdivisionsinBrahman.ThiscreationappearstobealimboftheLordandthereappearstobea causalrelationship,butthisisnottrue,forinBrahmantheredoesnotexistanythingwhichcanbereferredtoasitsnature. Dualisticexperienceisbondageandliberationisitsabandonment.

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Ifsuchexperienceisabandoned,alldivisionsbetweentheseer(subject)andtheseen(object),theobserverandtheobservedcease.Movementinconsciousnessis consideredcreationandwhenthatmovementisseentobefalseandnonexistent,thereisnirvana*.Brahmanisunconditionedandunmodified.Theentireuniverseis absoluteBrahman,withoutanydivisionwhatsoever. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:35

Theinfiniteconsciousness,ORama*,iseverywhereandhenceitseemstogofromonepartoftheuniversetoanotherinthetwinklingofaneye.Whateverbethe activityyouareengagedin,remainestablishedintheunconditionedself.Thecharacteristicofignoranceisthatitisnotfoundonenquiryorinvestigationifitcanbe seenorobserved,thenitwillbecomeknowledge.When,thus,ignorancedoesnotexist,thensurelythereisnodivisioninconsciousness. Brahmanaloneexistsasifitweretheworld,theoneasifdivided,thepureasifimpure,thefullasifvoid,thevoidasiffull,movementasifstableandviceversa,the unmodifiedasifmodified,thetranquilasifrestless,therealityasifnonexistent,consciousnessasifinert,theselfasiftheobject,thenotselfasiftheself,theeternal asifperishable,theunknowableasifknowable,theobviousasifshroudedindarknessandthoughitisallexistence,itisdifficulttoseeit. Theinfiniteisunconditionedandthereforeitdoesnotseemtoexistanywhereinparticular.Initthereisnodivisionasdoer,action,instrumentandcause.Itexistsasall everywhereatalltimes.Itisinvisiblebuteverinfrontofyou.Thereisnodistinctioninitbetweenconsciousnessandinertia.IamandIameventhenotion'Iamnot'if thereisanother,thattooIam. Alltheseuniversesappeartobeintheinfiniteconsciousness,thoughnosuchappearanceordivisionispossibleinit.Itisasifthisconsciousnesswishedtoseeitself andthusbecameitsownmirrorinwhichitreflecteditselfwithoutanysuchintention.Thusthepurebeingbecomesitsowninertreflectiontheuniverse.Theinfinite consciousnessitselfisknownastheworld. Allthesubstancesormaterialcreaturesariseinittheyshineinitandtheyareabsorbedintoit.Thewholeworldisapaintingandthisconsciousnessitselfisthepure andcolourlesspaintwithwhichtheworldhasbeenpainted.Theobjectsseemtobesubjecttocreationanddestruction,butconsciousnessiseternaland unconditioned.Thoughthousandsofworldsappeartoariseinthisconsciousness,itremainsatpeace,forinitthereisnointentiontocreate,evenasamirrorremains unaffectedbythemanyreflectionsseeninit.Thisinfiniteconsciousnessistheunintentionalandnonvolitional(non)causeoftheappearanceoftheworldnowandof theworldtocome.

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Whenitopensitseyestheworldsariseandwhenitclosesitseyestheworldsdisappear. VI.2:36 VASISTHA*continued:

Justasachild'shallucinationisnotexperiencedbymebutisrealforthechild,thereisnocreationinmyconsciousness.Sincetheforms,thevisionandtheintelligence whichcomprehendsthemarepureconsciousness,onlythatexists,nottheuniverse.Idonotperceivetheegosense,etc.,butIrealisetheexistenceofthepure consciousnessorabsolutepeace.Knowthateventhesewordsofminearepureconsciousnessandthatthisdialogueexistsintheplaneofyourownconsciousness. Thatisknownasthesupremestateinwhichnodesirearises.Thesagewhoisfreefromdesirefunctionshereasifheweremadeofwood.Heexperiencespurevoid withinandpurevoidwithouttohimtheworldislikeanemptyreed.Hewhoisnotenamouredofthisworldandwhoseheartdelightsinthecosmicbeingalone,isat peaceandhehasovercomethisoceanofsamsara*.Havingovercomedesireandabandonedlatenttendenciesormentalconditioning,speakwhatistobespoken, touchwhatistobetouched,tastediverseflavours,seediversescenes,andsmelldiversescents. Itisonlybythusunderstandingtheessencelessnessoftheobjectsofexperiencethatonebecomesfreefromthediseaseofdesire.Thearisingofdesireissorrowand thecessationofdesireissupremejoythereisnosorrowandnojoycomparabletothemeveninhellandinheaven.Themindisdesireandthecessationofdesireis moksa*(liberation):thisistheessenceofallscriptures.Ifthisdesirecannotbeovercomebyselfeffort,thensurelyitispowerfulandnootherremedyisofanyuse!If youcannotovercomedesirecompletely,thendealwithitstepbystep.Thewayfarerdoesnotdespairatthesightofthelongroadaheadbuttakesonestepatatime. Desirealoneissamsara*ortheworldappearancewhichisanextensionorprojectionofone'sdesireitsnoncognitionisliberation.Hence,oneshoulddiligentlystrive toovercomedesireallelseisvain.Whydoesonevainlystudythescripturesandheartheinstructionsofthepreceptors?Thereisnosamadhi*withoutthecessation ofdesire!Ifonefindsthatitisimpossibletoovercomedesirebyhisownwisdom,thenofwhatuseisthestudyofscripturesortheinstructionofthepreceptor?Once thisrestlessnesscausedbydesireisrestrained,thenverylittleeffortisneededtoattainselfknowledge.Hence,leteveryonestrivebyeverymeanstoovercomedesire whichistheseedforbirth,oldageanddeath.Withthearisingofdesire,bondagearisesandwiththecessationofdesire,bondageceases.Let,therefore,theseedof desirebeburntinone'sownheart

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bythefireofpeace,equanimityandselfcontrol. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:37

Yogaisgettingridofthepoisonofdesire.IhavealreadydealtwithitandIshalltellyouagainsothatitmaybeveryclear. Evenifyoudesiretohavesomething,thereisnothingotherthantheself.Whatwouldyoudesire?Consciousnessissubtlelikespaceandindivisiblethatitselfisthis world.Howdoyoudesireandwhat?Therearenoobjectswhichcanbedesired.Wedonotsee,either,ifthereisadistinctionandrelationshipbetweengain(ofan object)anditspossessor.Howisanunrealsubstancegained?Whohasobtainedablackmoon?Whenthusthenatureofthegainanditspossessorisclearly understood,wedonotknowwheretheydisappear! Whenthedistinctionbetweentheseer,sightandthesceneisalsoseentobenonexistent,theegosense,etc.,aremergedintheselforconsciousness.Innirvana*or liberationthereisnoseer,norsightnorscenewhenthelatterexistthereisnonirvana*.Theillusoryappearanceofobjectsisofnopracticaluse:ashellthatlookslike silverhasnocashvalue.Whenyouaffirmtherealityoftheillusoryappearance,youinviteunhappinesswhenitsunrealityisrealisedthereisgreathappiness. Thereisnotevenacauseandeffectrelationshipbetweenanytwothingshere,becausetheoneinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisreal.'Cause'and'effect'arewords whichindicatenothing.Whatisthecuaseoftheliquidityofwaterormovementofair?Thereisnosorrow,nohappiness,sincethewholeworldistheLord.Thereis nothingotherthanunconditionedconsciousness.Howthencandesirearise? RAMA*asked: IfallthatisisBrahmanortheinfiniteconsciousness,thensurelydesireisalsothat!Whereisthejustificationforinjunctionsandprohibitions? VASISTHA*replied: Oncethetruthisrealised,thendesireisBrahmanandnothingelse.But,ORama*,asandwhenselfknowledgeortheknowledgeofthetrutharises,atthatvery momentdesireceases,evenasdarknessvanishesattheverymomentthesunrises.Whenthesunofselfknowledgearises,thesenseofdualityceasesalongwith vasana*ormentalconditioning.Howcandesireexistinthatstate?Inthemanofselfknowledgethereisneitheranaversiontoobjects,norattractionnordesirefor themtheabsenceoftasteforthemisnatural. VASISTHA*continued: Ifthemanofselfknowledgeentertainsanydesireatall,itis

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accidentalandcauselessoritisattherequestofothers.SuchdesireisBrahman.However,thismuchiscertain:adesiredoesnotariseinthewiseman.Injunctions andprohibitionsdonotapplytothemanofselfknowledge.Whowillwishtogivewhatinstructiontooneinwhomalldesireshaveceased?Infact,thesearethesigns bywhichone.recognisestheknoweroftruth:inhimdesirehasbeengreatlyweakenedandheisdevotedtothehappinessandjoyofall. Whentheobjectsareunderstoodtobeessencelessandthereisnotasteforpleasure,desiredoesnotariseandthatisliberation.Whentheenlightenedpersongoes beyondthenotionsofunityandduality,hetreatsdesireandnondesireasequalanddivine.HeisfreefromagitationandrestsintheLordinpeace.Heisnot interestedindoinganythingnoristhereanythingforhimtogainbyrefrainingfromdoingsomething.Nothingmattersanymore:desireornondesire,truthorfalsehood, selforanother,lifeordeath.Insuchapersonnodesirearisesandifadesiredoesarise,itisBrahman. Hetowhomthereisneitherjoynorsorrow,whorestsinpeaceandwhoisinwardlyunagitated,heisenlightened.Heisabletotransformevensorrowintojoy.When oneisfirmlyestablishedintherealisationofthetruth,thenspacerestsinspace,peaceinpeace,auspiciousnessinauspiciousness,voidinvoid,theworldinBrahman. Thefalseegosensevanishes. Iftheworldappearstobe,itissurelylikethecitywhichappearsintheimaginationofsomeoneelse.Itisanillusoryappearance.Theegosenseisunrealthoughit appearstobereal.Thisworldappearanceisneitherrealnorunreal:itisindescribable.Hence,thoughitistruethattheknoweroftruthisnotaffectedbydesireorby nondesire,Ithinkitispreferablethateveninhiscasethedesiredoesnotarise.Forthemindismovementinconsciousnessasitbecomesawareofitselfthatitselfis samsara*andalsodesire.Tobefreefromitisliberation.Knowingitthus,letdesirebeabandoned. Intruth,however,whetherthereisdesireornodesire,whetherthereiscreationorcosmicdissolution,thereisnolossofanythingtoanyonehere.Desireandnon desire,truthandfalsehood,existenceandnonexistence,happinessandsorrowallthesearebutnotionswhichariseinspacebutwhichdonotgiverisetoanything. Butheisregardedasacandidateforliberationinwhomdesireisweakeneddayafterday.Nootherremedyintheworldcanremovethedreadfulpaincausedinthe heartbydesire. VASISTHA*continued: Noremedyotherthanselfknowledgeortheknowledgeofthetruthiseffectiveingettingridofdesire:itisvaintodealwithitwith

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thehelpofremedieswhicharethemselvesbasedonfalsehood(liketheegosense,etc.). Consciousnessappearstobecomeinertmatteronaccountoftheegosense.Thusarisethemindandthebody.Yet,becauseitisconsciousness,itexperiencesitself (thoughnowasthebody)withoutabandoningitsrealityasconsciousness.Hence,thiscreation(oftheworld,thebody,etc.)isneithertruenorfalse. Theearthisvoid,themountainsarevoid,thesolidsubstancesarevoid,theworldsarevoid,movementisvoidandeventheexperienceofthiscreationisvoid.Hence, thisworldappearancedoesnotarisenorcease.Inthisoceanofinfiniteconsciousness,worldsarelikewavesandripples,nondifferentthoughappearingtobe different,arisingwithoutanyreasonorcausewhatsoeverandyetnotarisingintruthnoreverceasingtobe.Intheinfiniteconsciousnessitisimpossibleforanobject otherthanitselftoariseatall. Theyogisortheperfectedbeingscanmakethewholeworldavoidandalsoconvertthevoidintotheworldinthetwinklingofaneye,withthehelpofthemagic potionknownasconsciousness.Therearecountlesssuchworldscreatedbythesesiddhas(perfectedbeings)inspace,countlesscreations,allofwhicharebutpure, infiniteconsciousness.Enlightenedyogiseventravelfromonesuchcreationtoanother. Allsuchcreationisnondifferentfromconsciousness,likefragranceandflower,yettheyappeartobedifferent.Theirappearanceintheinfiniteconsciousnessis illusory.Sincetheyareapprehendedbythenotionsthatariseineveryobserver,theyareexperiencedinaccordancewiththosenotions.Intheyogisthesenotionsare greatlyweakenedand,therefore,theyseethetruthandtheirstatementsareclosetotruth.Inthecaseoftheothers,theirdeclarationsarecolouredbytheirown notionsormentalconditioning. ORama*,timesetstheworldsinmotionandinthemthefictitious'I','you','they','there'and'thus'.Allthisisonepureinfiniteconsciousnesswhichissupremepeace, uncreatedandundecaying.ThisistheLord,theself.Howandinwhomdodesireandalltherestofitarise? VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:38

Consciousnessseesinitselfitsownselfasifitwereitsownobject.ThoughcreationisregardedastwofoldthecreationbyBrahma*andthecreationbyone's mindtheyareessentiallythesamebecausebothofthemspringfromtheselforinfiniteconsciousness.Itistheawarenessinherentinconsciousnessthatmakesthis notionofcreationappeartobeoutsideofconsciousness.Hence,weseeno

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differencebetweensubjectiveidealismandabsoluteidealism. Allthesediverseobjectsariseintheinfiniteconsciousness,existinitandarenondifferentfromit.Itisbecauseofthistruththatexperienceofthesediverseobjects arises.Sinceboththesubjectandtheobjectofexperienceareconsciousness,theobjectmergesinthesubjectlikewaterwithwater.Therebyexperiencearises. Otherwise,ifthiswerenotsotherecouldbenoexperience,asbetweentwopiecesofwood.Intheobjectthereexistthevariouselements(earth,water,etc.).Inthe subjectthereexistlifeforce,mind,jiva*,etc.Butthesearenotpureconsciousness.Theyaretheapparentappearancesthatariseinconsciousness.Hence,theyarein factunreal.Sincetheunrealcanhavenoexistence,itisclearthattherealityortheinfiniteconsciousnessorBrahmanaloneexists. Whenthedreamobjectsofthepersonsleepingnexttoyoucometoanendonaccountofthedreamerwakingup,youdonotloseanything.Totheonewhohasrisen abovetheegosense,thewholeuniverseappearstobeworthlessthanabladeofgrass.Suchapersonisnottemptedbyanythinginthethreeworldsandtohimthe statusofeventhegodsisworthlessthanthatofapieceofhair.Untohimdualityordiversityisunrealandfalse. Whenthusthewholeuniverseisvoidintheeyesofthewiseman,howdoesdesireariseinhisheart?Tohimevenlifeanddeatharenondifferent.Onexamination, eventhebody,etc.,areseentobeunrealandfalse.Wheneventhemindhasceasedwiththecessationofnotionsconcerningthebodyandtheworld,theselforthe infiniteconsciousnessaloneremains. Theegosenseseemstoariseonlyintheabsenceofsuchinvestigationintothenatureoftruthwhenoneenquiresintoit,theegosenseceasesandthereispure,infinite consciousness.Themindisfreedfromobjectification.Dailylifeistransmutedintodivinelife.Whateveryoudo,whateveryouenjoyallthatbecomesdivine. Desirelessandfreefromdelusion,remainestablishedinselfknowledge.Sincetherearenoothermotivations,letthescripturesguideyourconduct. VI.2:39 VASISTHA*continued:

Heinwhomtheveilofignorancehasbeenrentasunderandinwhomthereisnodesireshineswiththelightofpureintelligence.Allhisdoubtsareatrestandhe illuminesallaroundhim.Hewhocomesintocontactwithhimwhoisfreefromdoubtandwhoisindependent(freefromalldependence),isalsopurifiedandillumined. Thenotionoftherealityoftheobjectsofthisworldarisesonlyinignorance.Ifitisrealisedthattheobjectsareunreal,howdoesdesireforthemarise?Even'creation' and'liberation'arewords

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withoutmeaning.Butthisworldisconsciousnessifthatwerenotso,neither'I'nor'that'couldbecomprehended. Realpeaceisattainedwhenonedoesnotapprehendegosenseandalltherestofitsretinue,includingsorrow.Indeepsleeptherearenodreamsandthestateofdeep sleepisnotexperiencedduringdreams.Evenso,theapprehensionofegosense,sorrow(bornofthenotionofworldappearance)andpeace(bornofnirvana*)do notexistatthesametime.Allthesearebutnotions:intruth,thereisneithercreationnornirvana*,neithersleepnordreams.Whenallthesearerejectedthereisreal peace. Confusionordelusionisunrealandtheunrealdoesnotexist.Thatwhichisnotfoundoninvestigationdoesnotexist.Whatisrealisedoninvestigationisone'strue naturewhichaloneexistsandthereisnodiversityinit.Whenonemovesawayfromone'srealnaturethereisgreatsorrowwhenonerestsintheselfthereisgreat peaceandselfcontrol. Theelements(thesenses,mind,etc.)actonlywiththehelpoftheirownothercounterparts(light,space,etc.).Theselfortheinfiniteconsciousnessdoesnotdo anythingandisnotinvolvedinactivities.Theywhoconsiderthisworldrealdonothaveselfknowledgeandtothemweare'unreal'.Inmethereispureawarenessof theonecosmicconsciousnessandeventheactivitiesoftheworldappearnondifferentfromitjustasmovementisnondifferentfromthewind.Intheirmindmy bodyseemstoberealbuttomyilluminedintelligencetheirphysicalexistenceisunreal,asitistoasleepingperson.MyrelationshipwiththemisalsoBrahmanwhich existsinBrahman.Whateverbetheirvision,letitbesothatisallrightforme.SinceallthisispervadedbyBrahman,Idonotexistas'I'.Eventhesewordsapparently arise,foryoursake.Intheheartofsuchaknoweroftruth,thereisneitherdesireforpleasurenordesireforliberation.Neitherliberation,norwealth,etc.,isofanyuse tohimwhoisestablishedintherealisationthat'Iamnot,noristheworld'. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:40,41

ORama*,thatiscalledtheself(svarupam*)whichknowsexternalformsandinternalpsychologicalstates.Whenthenotselfisweakenedandselfnatureexpands,in thelightthatthenarisestheworldisrealisedasamereexperience.Whenoneisfullyestablishedintheself,thenthisworldappearanceceaseslikeadreamduring deepsleep. Knowingthatpleasuresaredreadeddiseases,thatrelativesarebondage,andwealth(artha)isthesourceofunhappiness(anartha),oneshouldrestintheself.The notselfissamsara*andrestingintheselfissupremegood.Hence,oneshouldbeoneself,asthevoid

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ofconsciousness.Iamnottheself,northeobjects,northeworldappearanceIamBrahman,thesupremepeaceintowhichIhaveentered.Youaloneareawareof the'you'Iseeonlythesupremepeace.TheBrahmanconsciousnessdoesnotknowthecreationconsciousnessandviceversa,evenasthedreamerdoesnotknow thesleepstateandoneasleepdoesnotexperiencethedreamstate.TheenlightenedpersonseesbothBrahmanandtheworldasthewakingandthedreamingstates. Hence,heknowsalltheseastheyare. Assurelyasitisacertaintythatwherethereissunlightthereisillumination,wherethereisexperienceoftheessencelessnessoftheworldlyobjects,thereoccurs spiritualawakening.Theonlyrealityhereisthatthesupremeessenceofcosmicconsciousnessdancesineveryatomofexistence.Whocanmeasuretheimmeasurable orcounttheinfinite?Thisdelightfulcosmicdancethatyouseeinfrontofyou,ORama*,isbuttheplayoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Thesleepingpersonwhenheis notindeepsleepbecomesthefieldfortheplayofdreamsinthesamemanner,theselfwhenitisnotinselfknowledgeappearstobecometheseedforthisworld appearance.Contemplatetheselfandliveinthewakingstateasiffastasleep,freefrompsychologicaldistress. Whenoneisspirituallyawakenedandwhenoneliveswithhiswakefulstateresemblingdeepsleep,thestateinwhichheis,isknownassvabhava*(selfnature)and thisstateleadsonetoliberation.OnewhoisestablishedinBrahmanandwhodoesnotseeadistinctionbetweenBrahmanandthe'world',livesinthisworld,too, withoutcreatingadivisionbetweensubject,objectandpredicateandthereforewithoutasenseofdoership.Inhiseyeseverythingappearsasitisandthereisneither unitynordiversity. Animaginarycityisimagination,notacity.Thisworldappearanceisappearance,nottheworld.TherealityisinfiniteconsciousnessorBrahman. VI.2:42 VASISTHA*continued:

Theworldappearancearisesinignoranceandwisdomputsanendtoit.Butallthisismeaninglesstotherealityitself,whichneitherarisesnorceases.Thatrealityis theindivisible,infiniteconsciousness,apartfromwhichnothingis.Thatseemstoundergopolarisationwithinitself,thusbecomingawareofitselfasitsownobjectthis seemstocreateadivisionandpartialknowledgewhichis

NOTE:Cidakasa*issaidtobethe'voidofconsciousness'becauseitisdevoidoftheegosense.

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ignorance.Suchawarenessisinherentinconsciousnessbutitisnondifferentfromconsciousness. ThedistinctionbetweentheworldanditsLordisverbalandfalse.Intheindivisible,infiniteconsciousnessnosuchdistinctionismeaningful.Onaccountoftheillusory notionsoftimeandspace,somewhereatsometimegoldappearstohavebecomeabraceletevensodoesthenotionofacreationariseinconsciousness.Whenthus evendualityisnonexistent,investigationintothecausalrelationshipbetweentheCreatorandthiscreationbecomesmeaningless. Whenwhatexistsisrealisedasitis(i.e.,astheindivisibleconsciousness),theworldappearanceceases.Remainfirmlyestablishedlikearockintherealisationofthis truth,whilefunctioningasanintelligentbeinghere.WorshiptheselfwhichisthesupremeLordwithallyournaturalactionsandexperiences,includingyourwisdom. Worshippedwiththesearticles,theselfinstantlybestowsuponyoutheboonofspiritualunfoldmentincomparison,theworshipofgodslikeRudraandVisnu*is worthless.TheselfwhichistheLordimmediatelyconfersmoksa*orfinalliberationwhenworshippedwithenquiryintothenatureoftheself,withselfcontroland satsanga*(companyofthewise). Perceptionoftherealityisthebestformofworship.WhentheLordexistsastheself,onlyafoolworshipsothers.Worshipofthegods,pilgrimage,austerity,etc.,are saidtoconfertheirblessingsiftheyareperformedwithwisdomorviveka.Surely,itisthiswisdomthatisvitalinallthese.Isitnotsufficientthentoworshiptheself withvivekaitself?Withthiswisdomgetridofbodyconsciousnessandalongwithitshame,fear,despair,pleasureandpain.Wisdomrevealsconsciousnessasthe self,butintheabsenceofobjectslikebody,etc.,thisconsciousnessentersintosupremepeacewhichisindescribable.Todescribeitistodestroyit.Andtorest contentwiththeknowledgegainedfromthescriptures,consideringoneselftobeenlightened,islikethevainimaginationofthebornblind.Whentheunrealityofthe objectsisunderstoodanditisrealisedthatconsciousnessisnottheobjectofknowledge,thenthereisenlightenmentwhichisbeyonddescription. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:43

Thecharacteristicofonewhoisfreefromthefeverofignoranceandwhoseheartiscalmandcoolonaccountofselfknowledge,isthatheisnottemptedbypleasure. Enoughofallthistalkaboutknowledgeandwisdomwhicharewordsandthenotionsindicatedbythosewords,withoutacorrespondingtruth.Nirvana*orliberation isthenonexperienceofegosense.Letthistruthbeclearlyunderstood.

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Justasthemanwhoisawakedoesnotderiveanypleasurefromtheobjectshesawduringhisdream,wedonotderiveanypleasurefromtheobjectsofthisworld appearance.Justasvampiresandgoblinsariseinadarkforest,allthesefourteenworldsariseinthedarknessofignoranceanddelusion.Whenthetruthis investigated,thegoblinisseennottoexistandwhenthetruthconcerningthesefourteenworldsisinvestigated,theyareseentobepureconsciousness.Theobjects surelydonotexistindependentlyandhencetheyareunrealtheyarepervadedbytheconsciousnesswhichisthesubject.But,then,sincethereisnoobjectinrelation towhichconsciousnesscanbeconsideredthesubject,thelattertoocanbesaidtobenonexistentasthesubject.Somethingwhichcannotbedescribedexists. Remainasthepureconsciousness.Drinktheessenceofselfknowledge.Restfreefromalldoubtsinthegardenofnirvana*orliberation.Whydoyou,Omen,roam thisforestofsamsara*whichisdevoidofanyessence?Odeludedpeople,donotrunafterthismirageknownashopeanddesireforhappinessinthisworld. Pleasuresarepainindisguise.Whydoyounotseethattheyarethesourcesofyourowndestruction?Donotbedeludedbythisillusoryworldappearance.Behold thisdelusionandenquireintoit.Youwillthenrestinyourownselfwhichisbeginninglessandendless. Theignorantregardthissamsara*asreal.Inrealityitdoesnotexistatall.Whatdoesexistafterthisappearanceisrejected,isinfactthetruth.Butithasnoname! Likealion,breakawayfromthiscageofignoranceandriseaboveeverything.Toabandonthenotionsof'I'and'mine'isliberationnothingelseisliberation. Liberationispeace.Liberationisextinctionofallconditioning.Liberationisfreedomfromeverykindofphysical,psychologicalandpsychicdistress. Thisworldisnotseenbytheignorantandbythewiseinthesamelight.Toonewhohasattainedselfknowledgethisworlddoesnotappearassamsara*butasthe oneinfiniteandindivisibleconsciousness.Themanofselfknowledgeisawaketothatwhichisnonexistenttotheignorant.Thatwhichisrealtothelatterisnon existenttotheenlightened. VASISTHA*continued: Theknoweroftruthexperiencestheworldjustasthemanbornblind'sees'theworldinhisdreamsandseesnothingindeepsleep.Hisheartandmindarecoolwith theextinctionofthefireofdesire.Sincethemindoftheknoweroftruthisfreedfromattraction,itisinastateofperfectequilibriumevenwhenheisnot'practising

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meditation',evenasthewatersofapoolremainundisturbedwhentherearenooutlets. Theobjectis(externalised)mentalactivity,andmentalactivityistheimpressionformedinintelligencebytheobject.Justasthesamewaterflowsindifferentstreams withdifferentnamestillitreachestheocean,thesameconsciousnessisboththediverseobjectsandthecorrespondingmentalaction.Theobjectandthemindarethus nondifferent.Wheneitherisnot,bothofthemcease.Bothofthemareessenceless.Thereforewhentheyceasethereispeace.Theknoweroftruthabandonsthem, thoughbythishelosesnothing,for'object'and'mind'arebutwordswithoutcorrespondingentities.WhatisIStheinfiniteconsciousness. Tothemanofselfknowledgewhattheignorantmanthinksreal(time,space,matter,etc.)arenonexistent.Justasintheeyesofabravemanthereisnogoblin,inthe eyesofthewisemanthereisnoworld.Buttotheignorantmaneventheknoweroftruthisignorant. ORama*,donotgetinvolvedinnotionsofmatterandmindfortheyarefalse.Restinyourownself.Itisconsciousnessalonewhichassumestheseapparent'forms', liketheseedwhichgrowsintothediversepartsofthetree.Whentheseobjectsaredropped,whatremains(consciousness)isindescribable,fortocallit 'consciousness'istolimitit. Matterandmindareidenticalandbotharefalse.Youaredeludedbythisfalseappearance.Selfknowledgewilldispelthisdelusion.Bothselfknowledgeandthe cessationofworldappearancearethecharacteristicsofwisdom(hodhamorawakening).Theegosense,whicharisesintheabsenceoftheextinctionofdesire,is conducivetosorrow. Rightfromtheroots,theentiretreewithallitsbranches,leaves,flowersandfruitsisbutoneandthesametree.Inthesameway,consciousnessaloneisall,indivisible andunmodified.Justasgheebyitsverynaturehardenslikestone(whenfrozen),consciousness'freezes'intomatter.However,intheinfiniteandunmodifiedor unconditionedconsciousnesssuchmodificationisimpossible:theconditioningisbutafalsenotion.Therefore,itmeltsawayintheheartofonewhohasselfknowledge andwhoisfreefromdelusionandegosense. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:44

Ishallnowdescribethetreeknownassamadhana*(equanimity)whichgrowsintheforestknownastheheartofthewise. Itsseedisaturningawayfrom'theworld',whetherthisiscausednaturallyorotherwisebytheexperienceofsorrow.Mindisafield.

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Itisploughedbyrightaction,itiswatereddayandnightbyrightfeeling,itisnourishedbythepracticeofpranayama*.Onthisfieldknownasthemindtheseed knownassamadhi*(turningawayfromtheworld)fallsofitsownaccordwhenoneisaloneintheforestknownaswisdom.Thewisemanshouldendeavour constantlytokeepthisseedofmeditationwateredandnourishedbyintelligentmethods. Oneshouldseekthecompanyofthewisewhoareone'sownrealwellwishersandwhoarepureandfriendly.Thenoneshouldwatertheseedofsamadhi*or meditationbymeansofhearing,reflectingonandcontemplatingthescriptureswhichbringabouttotalinneremptinessandwhicharefullofwisdom,pureandcoollike nectar.Beingawareofthepreciousseedofmeditationorsamadhi*thathasfalleninthefieldofone'smind,thewisemanshouldcarefullycherishandnourishitby meansofausterities,charity,etc. Whenthisseedbeginstosprout,itshouldbefurtherprotectedbypeaceandcontentment.Atthesametime,oneshouldguarditagainstthebirdsofdesire,attachment tofamily,pride,greed,etc.,withthehelpofcontentment.Withthebroomofrightandlovingactionthedirtofrajasic*restlessnessmustbesweptaway,whereasthe darknessoftamasic*ignorancemustbedrivenawaybythelightofrightunderstanding. Thelightningknownasprideofwealthandthethunderstormknownaspursuitofpleasurestrikethefieldanddevastateit.Theseshouldbepreventedwiththetrident ofmagnanimity,compassion,japa,austerity,selfcontrolandcontemplationofthesignificanceofthepranava*(OM). Ifitisthusprotected,thisseedgrowsintowisdom.Withittheentirefieldofthemindshinesbeautifully.Thesproutgrowstwoleaves.Oneisknownasstudyof scripturesandtheotherissatsanga*(companyofthemenofwisdom).Soonitwillgrowthebarkknownascontentmentwiththesapknownasdispassionor uncolourednessofmind.Fedbytherainofscripturalwisdom,itwillsoongrowintoatree.Thenitisnoteasilyswayedevenifitisshakenbythemonkeysknownas ragadvesa*(attractionandaversion).Thenthereariseinitthebranchesknownaspureknowledgewhichreachoutfarandwide.Clarityofvision,truthfulness, courage,uncloudedunderstanding,equanimity,peace,friendliness,compassion,fame,etc.,areitsotherbranchesthatarisewhenoneisfullyestablishedindhyana*or meditation. VASISTHA*continued: Thetreeofmeditationcastsacoolshadeinwhichalldesiresandcravingscometoanendandalltheburningdistressceases.

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Meditationexpandstheshadeofselfcontrolwhichpromotessteadinessofthemind. Adeerknownasthemind,whichhadbeenwanderinginthewildernessofcountlessconcepts,notionsandprejudicesandwhichsomehowfindstherightpath,takes shelterunderthistree.Thisdeerispursuedbyitsmanyenemieswhocovetitshideorcovering.Ithidesitselfinthornybushesknownasthebodyinanattempttosave itself.Allthiseffortwearsoutitsenergies.Runninghitherandthitherintheforestofsamsara*,harassedbythewindsknownasvasana*orlatenttendenciesand scorchedbytheheatofegosense,thedeerisafflictedbyinterminabledistress. Thisdeerisnoteasilysatisfiedwithwhatitgets.Itscravingsmultiplyanditcontinuestogooutfarinsearchofsatisfactionofthosecravings.Itgetsattachedtothe manypleasurecentresknownaswife,children,etc.,anditwearsitselfoutinlookingafterthem.Itiscaughtinthenetofwealth,etc.,anditstrugglestofreeitself.In thisstruggleitfallsdownagainandagainandinjuresitself.Bornedownbythecurrentofcraving,itiscarriedfaraway.Itishauntedandhuntedbyinnumerable ailments.Itisalsotrappedbythedifferentsenseexperiences.Itisbewilderedbyitsalternaterisetotheheavenlyregionsanditsfallintothehell.Itiscrushedand woundedbythestonesandrocksknownasmentalmodificationsandevilqualities.Toremedyallthese,itconjuresupbyitsownintellectvariouscodesofconduct, whichproveineffectual.Ithasnoknowledgeoftheselfortheinfiniteconsciousness. Thisdeerknownasthemindismadeinsensiblebythepoisonousexhalationofthesnakeknownasworldlypleasureandcravingforsuchpleasure.Itisburntbythe fireofanger.Itisdriedupbyworriesandanxieties.Itispursuedbythetigerknownaspoverty.Itfallsintothepitofattachment.Itsheartisbrokenbythefrustration ofitsownpride. Atsomestage,thisdeerturnsawayfromallthisandseekstherefugeofsometreealreadydescribed(thetreeofmeditation)andthereitshinesbrightly.Supreme peaceorblissisnotattainedinanyotherconditionbuttheunconditionedstateofconsciousness,andthisisattainedonlyintheshadeofthetreeknownassamadhi* ormeditation. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:45

Thushavingobtainedrest,thedeer(mind)delightsitselfthereanddoesnotseektogoelsewhere.Aftersometime,thetreeknownasmeditationorsamadhi*begins toyielditsfruit,whichistherevelationofthesupremeself.Theminddeerbeholdsthatfruitaboveitselfonthetreeofmeditation.Thereuponitabandonsall

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otherpursuitsandclimbsthattreetotasteitsfruits.Havingascendedthattree,theminddeerabandonstheworldlythoughtpatternsanditdoesnotcontemplatethe baserlifeagain.Evenasthesnakeabandonsitsslough,thisminddeerabandonsitsprevioushabitssothatismightascendthetreeofmeditation.Whenevermemory ofitsownpastarises,itlaughsaloud,''HowwasitthatIremainedsuchafooltillnow!''Havingdiscardedgreed,etc.,itrestsonthattreelikeanemperor. Daybyday,itscravingsdecrease.Itdoesnotavoidwhatitgetsunsoughtnordoesitlongforwhatitdoesnotobtaineffortlessly.Itsurroundsitselfwiththe knowledgeofthescripturesthatdealwiththeinfiniteconsciousnessortheunconditionedbeing.Itperceivesinwardlyitsownpaststatesofignoranceandlaughs.It seesitsownwifeandchildren,etc.,andlaughsatthem,asiftheywereeitherrelativesinapreviouslifespanorpeopleseeninadream.Alltheactivitiesthatare basedonattachmentandaversion,fearandvanity,prideanddelusion,appeartoitasiftheywereallplayacting.Lookingatthemomentaryexperiencesinthisworld, itlaughsderisively,knowingthattheyareliketheexperiencesofamadman. Beingestablishedinthatextraordinarystate,it(theminddeer)doesnotentertainanyworryoranxietyconcerningwife,children,etc.Itbeholdswithanenlightened visionthatwhichaloneis(thereality)inthatwhichaloneis(theinfinite).Withitsvisionfullyconcentrated,itascendsthetreeofsamadhi*.Itrejoiceseveninwhatit previouslyconsideredmisfortunes.Itengagesitselfinthenecessaryactivitiesasifithadjustbeenawakenedfordoingjustthatwork,afterwhichitreturnstothestate ofmeditation.Butnaturallyitseekstobeinthestateofsamadhi*allthetime.Itistotallyfreefromegosensethough,becauseitisalsobreathinglikeothers,itappears tobealivetotheegosense.Eveninthecaseofsuchpleasuresthatseekitunsought,itentertainsnozestitsheartnaturallyturnsawayfromallpleasure.Itisfull.Itis asleeptoworldlyactivitiesandpursuits.Whoknowsinwhatstateitexists!Itdrawscloserandclosertothesupremefruitofmoksa*orliberation.Lastly,itabandons eventhebuddhiorintellectandentersintotheunconditionedconsciousness. VASISTHA*continued: Thatisknownastheattainmentofthehighestinwhichoneabandonsthenotionsoftheexistenceofobjectsandinwhichonerestsinone'sownpureself.Whenall divisionsaregivenup,theindivisiblealoneremains.Itispure,one,beginninglessandendless.ThisisknownasBrahman.Onewhohasgivenupdesiresforwealth, wifeandworldlyobjectsrestsinthesupremeself.Wheneventhe

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divisionbetweenthemindandtheinfiniteconsciousnessdropsaway,thenalldivisionmeltsintonothingness.Afterthis,oneexistsinthesupremebeingevenasthe unsculptedimageexistsinthemarbleslab. Theignorantpersoncannotmeditate:norisitdesirableforhimtodoso.Theenlightenedpersonisalreadyestablishedintheself!Heisanenlightenedpersonwhois totallydisinterestedintheobjectsofperception,butthisisnotpossibleforanignorantperson.Whentheawarenessoftheobjectisseenasthepureconsciousness whichiseternal,itisknownassamadhana,thestateofequanimity.Whenthesubjectandtheobjectmerge,themindissaidtobeinthestateofsamadhana*.Resting intheselfimpliesthedisinterestednessoftheselfintheobjects.Ontheotherhand,ignoranceisthemovementoftheselftowardstheobjects.Surelysuchmovement takesplaceonlyintheignorant:noonewhohastastednectarisinterestedinbitterthings.Hence,inthecaseofthewise,meditationbecomesnaturalandeffortless. Whenthereisnocraving,theselfisneverabandoned.Or,whenthemindexpandstoincludetheentireuniverse,again,theselfisnotabandoned.Thismuchiscertain: untiloneattainsselfknowledge,thereisneedtostriveforsamadhi*.Hewhoisestablishedinsamadhi*isBrahmaninhumanform.Salutationstohim. Whenthereisdisinterestednessintheobjects,noteventhegodscandisturbone'smeditation.Hence,oneshouldcultivatefirmmeditation(vajradhyanam*).The meanstothisare(1)scriptures,(2)companyofholyonesand(3)meditation.Ignoranceisnotdispelledbyhalfknowledge,evenasthereisnorelieffromcoldwhen onesitsnearapaintingoffire.Theignorantseestheworldasaphysicalreality,thewiseasconsciousness.Tothewisethereisneitheregosensenortheworld.His visionoftheworldisindescribablywonderful.Totheignoranttheworldisoneofdrywoodandstone.Onewhoisenlightenedseestheworldasoneselftheignorant doesnotseeitastheoneself.Theignorantengageshimselfinendlessarguments.Theenlightenedisfriendlywithall.Turiyaorsamadhi*isthenaturalstatewhichis whatexistsinandthroughthewakeful,dreamandsleepstates.Conditioningaloneisthemind,whichceaseswhenenquiredinto. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:46

Whenthefruitofthesupremetruthhasbeengainedandithasbecomeliberation,evenawarenessbecomesnonexistent,asitwere,sincethemindisabsorbedinthe supremetruth.Thedeernessofthedeermindvanishes,likealampwithoutfuel.Thesupremetruthaloneremains.Themindwhichhasattainedthefruitofmeditation, whichisselfknowledge,isfirmlikeathunderbolt(vajra).The

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characteristicmotionorrestlessnessofthemindgoesaway,whoknowswhere.Illuminationaloneremainsaspureconsciousnesswithoutdisturbanceordivision. Inthatstate,thereiseffortlessdroppingawayofalldesires,andeffortlessmeditationaloneremains.UnlessanduntilBrahmanisrealised,onecannotrestintheself untilthenmeditationisimpossiblemerelybythinkingabouttheself,etc.Whenthesupremetruthisrealised,themindgoesaway,whoknowswhereandwhoknows howvasana*ormentalconditioning,karma,asalsojoyanddespairdisappear.Theyogiisthenseentobeinastateofcontinuousandunbrokenmeditation,firmly establishedinadamantinemeditationorsamadhi*(vajrasamadhana*),likeamountain. Whentheyogiisdisinterestedinpleasure,whenhissensesareutterlypeacefulandcontrolled,whenherestsdelightedintheself,whenallhismentalmodifications haveceasedwhatelseistheretobedoneinthenameofsamadhi*?Whentheyogiisunawareoftheworldasanobjectofobservation,onaccountoftheabsence ofmentalconditioning,hecannothelpremaininginvajrasamadhi*(adamantinemeditation),asifcompelledbysomeotherpower.Themindisnotdistractedfromit. Whenthemindisatpeacebecauseitisdisinterestedinworldlyobjects(havingknownthetruth)thatissamadhi*,notelse.Firmrejectionofpleasureismeditation whenitreachesfruitionitisvajrasara*(adamantine).Sincethisisalsothestateofperfectknowledge,itisknownasnirvana*ortheblissfulstate. Ifthereiscravingforpleasure,whatistheuseofsomethingcalledmeditation?Ifsuchcravingdoesnotexist,whatistheuseofsomethingcalledmeditation?When thereisperfectknowledgeandatthesametimedisinterestednessinpleasure,unconditionedconsciousness(nirvikalpasamadhi*)followsnaturallyandeffortlessly.He whoisnotswayedbycravingforpleasureisknownasperfectlyenlightened(sambuddha*).Suchperfectenlightenmentarisesfromcompleteturningawayfromthe pursuitofpleasure.Hewhorestsintheselfdoesnotexperiencecravingatall.Desireforpleasureexperienceonlyariseswhenthereismovementawayfromtheself. Attheconclusionofthestudyofscripture,japa,etc.,oneentersintosamadhi*afterthepracticeofsamadhi*,oneshouldstudy,dojapa,etc.ORama*,restinthe stateofnirvana*atalltimes. VI.2:47 VASISTHA*continued:

Whenoneisknockedaboutbythetroublesandtribulationsofearthlyexistenceandis'tiredofallthis',heseeksrefugefromallthis.Ishalldescribetoyouthe progressivestagesbywhichsuchapersonreachesrestandpeace.Eitheronaccountofanimmediatecauseorwithoutone,heturnsawayfromworldlypursuits(the pursuitsof

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pleasureandwealth)andseekstheshelterofthecompanyofawiseperson.Heavoidsbadcompanyfromaverygreatdistance. Theblessingsthatflowfromthecompanyofholymenareincomparabletoanyotherblessings.Theholyman'snatureiscoolandpeacefulhisbehaviourandactions arepure.Thereforehiscompanypromotespeaceandgoodnessineveryonewhoseeksit.Inhiscompanyonelosesfear.Sinfulnesscomestoanendandonegrows inpurity.Eventheloveandaffectionthatthegodsandtheangelspossessarenothingcomparedtothelimitlesslovethatflowsfromtheholyones. Whenoneengagesoneselfintheperformanceofrightaction,hisintelligencerestsinpeaceandreflectsthetruthlikeaperfectmirror.Itisthenthatthemeaningofthe scripturaldeclarationsbecomesabundantlyclear.Thewisemanradiateswisdomandgoodness.Thenseekingtofreehimselffromthecageofignorance,hefliesaway frompleasuretowardstheunconditionedbliss. Itisagreatmisfortunetopursuepleasures.Althoughthewisemanrejectsthem,theycreatesomeuneasinessinhisheart.Heissupremelyhappy,therefore,whenhe doesnotfindhimselfinpleasurablesituations.Thesagesoryogisandperfectedonesapproachsuchawiseman.Butthewisemandoesnotvalueeventhegiftsof psychicpowersorknowledgethattheybestowuponhim.Heseeksthecompanyofenlightenedbeings.Intheircompanyhedivesintothetruthsofthescriptures.Itis thecharacteristicoftheseenlightenedonestoraiseotherstotheirownlevel. Thewisepersongraduallyabandonsallselfishactionsandtheendeavourtogainwealthorpleasure.Hegiveseverythingawayinselfsacrificingcharity.ORama*, rememberthatevenhellisnotsopainfulasthesufferingcausedbyselfishactivity.Wealthisthesourceofendlessmisfortune,prosperityisperpetualadversity, enjoymentofpleasureisenduringdisease.Allthesearemisunderstoodbytheperverseintellect.Inthisworldcontentmentaloneisthebestmedicine,thebesttonic andthegreatestgoodfortune.Thecontentedheartisreadyforenlightenment.Firstturnawayfromworldliness,thenresorttosatsanga*,enquireintothetruthofthe scripturesandcultivatedisinterestednessinpleasureandyouwillattainthesupremetruth. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:48

Whenthemindisestablishedindispassionandinholycompany,andwhenthroughthestudyofthescripturesthereisdisinterestednessinthepursuitofpleasure,one doesnotlongforwealthandtreatseventhewealththatonehasasdrydung.Hetreatshisrelativesandfriendsascopilgrimsandservesthemappropriatelyatthe

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propertimes.Heisnotattachedtoseclusion,gardens,holyplacesorhisownhome,tofunandfrolicwithfriendsorscripturaldiscussions,andhedoesnotspendtoo muchtimeinanyofthese. Herestsinthesupremestate.Thesupremestateisthatwhichis.Diversioninitiscreatedbyignoranceandthisignoranceisfalseandnonexistent!Hewhoisfirmly establishedintheselfandwhoisundisturbedlikeasculptedfigure,isnotswayedbysenseobjects.'I'and'theworld',timeandspace,knowledgeorvoidthese, thoughtheymaycontinuetobe,arenotexperiencedbytheknoweroftruth.Oneshouldsalutethatsuninhumanformwhosepersonalityisdevoidofrajas(restless actionorimpurity),whohastranscendedevensatvaorpurityandinwhomthedarknessofignorancehasnoplaceatall.Thestateofonewhohastranscendedall divisionandwhosemindhasbecomenomindisbeyonddescription.Adoredbyhimdayandnight,theLordbestowsuponhimthesupremestateofnirvana*. TheLordisneitherfarnorinaccessible.One'sownilluminedselfistheLord.Fromhimareallthingsandtohimtheyreturn.Allthingshereworshipandadorehimat alltimesintheirowndiverseways.Bythusbeingadoredindiverseformsbysomeone,birthafterbirth,theselfispleased.Thuspleased,theselfsendsamessenger forone'sinnerawakeningandenlightenment. Themessengerthussentbytheselfisvivekaorwisdom.Itdwellsinthecaveofone'sheart.Itisthiswisdomthatbringsaboutthegradualawakeningofonewhois conditionedbyignorance.Theonethatisthusawakenedistheinnerself,thatisthesupremeselfwhose'name'isOM.Heistheomnipresentbeing.Theuniverseishis body,asitwere.Allheads,eyes,hands,etc.,belongtohim.Heispleasedwithjapa,charity,ritualworship,study,andsuchpractices.Whenthisselfawakenswith thehelpofwisdomorviveka,thereisaninnerunfoldment,themindvanishesandthejiva*disappears,too.Inthisterribleoceanofsamsara*,wisdom(viveka)alone istheboatwhichenablesonetocrossit. Theselfishighlypleasedwiththediverse(doasyouplease)formsofworshiponeadoptedbefore.Itbestowsononethepuremessengerknownasviveka(wisdom). Bymeansofholycompany,studyofscripturaltruthandilluminationitbringsthejiva*closertothepure,primordialstateofoneness. VI.2:49 VASISTHA*continued:

Whenthisvivekaorwisdomisstrengthenedandconfirmedandwhentheimpurityofconditioningiswashedaway,theholyoneshineswithanextraordinaryradiance. Boththeinnernotionandtheexternalperceptionoftheworldceaseforhim.But,then,sinceall

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thesewerebornofignorancewhichisfalse,nothingrealceasestobe.Theworldisbutanappearance:itisneithernotselfnorisitgrossandphysical.Theseelements areunrealneithertheworldnorthevoidisreal.BrahmanaloneisspreadoutandBrahmanaloneshines. Theworldisnotmaterialthevoidisnotseen.Themindhascometonaught.Whatremainsisthetruth,indescribablebutnotnonbeing.Theintellectisbaffledby conflictingstatements,butwhenthetruthisinvestigatedbypropermethods,itisrealised.Hewhoseintelligenceisawakenedisknownastheknoweroftruth.Heis establishedinnondualconsciousnessandhedoesnotperceivetheworldas'theworld'. Theworldappearancearisesonlywhentheinfiniteconsciousnessseesitselfasanobject:itwerebetterthatthisdidnothappen.Butoncethishasarisen,itis externalisedandmaterialised.Theawarenessofthematteristhemindandthemindbindsitselftothebody.Butallthesearebutnotionsandverbaldescriptionsand thesedistinctionsarenotionalandimaginary.Theselfwhichisconsciousnessdoesnoteverbecomeanobjectormaterial.Whenoneisestablishedinselfknowledge even'consciousness'and'unconsciousness'becomemeaninglesswords. Thematerialbodyarisesfromthesubtlementalbody,onaccountofpersistentthinking.Hencematterisunreal.Byconstantlythinking"Iamconfused,Iammad"one becomesmadbyrealising"Iamnotmad"oneregainshismentalbalance.Whenthedreamisrealisedasdreamoneisnotfooledbyit.Justasthesubtlebody becomesagrossmaterialbodybypersistentthinking,theprocesscanbereversedbyrightknowledge.Oneshouldleadbypersistentrightcontemplation,eventhe subtlebodytoitsrealstateasthejiva*andthentoBrahman. Unlessanduntilboththese(matterandmind,thegrossandthesubtle)arerealisedtobetheoneinfiniteconsciousness,thewiseseekershouldendearourtopurify themandtoinvestigatetheirrealnature.Hewhoisestablishedinselfknowledgeisunshakenbytheworstcalamitieseveniftherewereashoweroffireand brimstone,ortheearthdisintegratedandvanishedintothinairorthegreatfloodswallowedeverything.Onewhoisendowedwithsupremedispassionenjoysthe adamantinesamadhi*(vajrasamadhi*).Theinnerpeacethatensuesfromsuchdispassionisincomparabletothatwhicharisesfromausterities,etc. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:50

Allthesediversebeingsseeninthetendirectionsbelongtooneortheotherofthefollowingcategories:someareinthedreamwakefulstateothersareinanotional wakefulstatesomeareina

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purewakefulstateothersareinalongwakefulstatesomeareinagrosswakefulstateothersareinthestateofwakefuldreamyetothersareinadecreasing wakefulstate. ORama*,inacertainpreviousworldcycle,inacertaincornerofcreation,somebeingsremainedinastateofdeepsleep,thoughalive.Thedreamsthattheydream arewhatappearsasthisuniverse.Theyareinwhatisknownasthedreamwakefulstate.Wearealltheirdreamobjects.Onaccountofthefactthattheirsisavery longdream,itappearstobearealandwakefulstatetous.Andthedreamerscontinuetobethejivas*inallthis.Becausetheomnipresentisomniscient consciousness,everythingexistseverywhere.Therefore,weexistasthedreamobjectsofthedreamsofthoseoriginaldreamers. Inthisdreamworldifonerejectsdelusion,oneisliberatedor,inaccordancewithonesideaofoneself,oneconsidersoneselftobeanotherbody.Theworld appearancethatarisesbysuchanotionisexperiencedbythem. Inacertainpreviousworldcycleatsomeplace,somebeingslivedinthewakefulstateentertainingdifferentnotionswhichgaverisetodiversecreatures.Thesearein thenotionalwakefulstate.Becauseoftheperseveranceofthenotionsthatgaverisetothemtheyarefirmlyestablishedinit.Evenwhenthenotionscease,they continuetoexistonaccountoftheirownpastnotions. TheywhoaroseinthebeginningintheexpandedconsciousnessofBrahma*,whentherewasneithersleepnordream,areknownasthosewhoexistinthepure wakefulstate.Theythemselves,whentheycontinuetoexistinsubsequentembodiments,areinthelongorcontinuedwakefulstate.Whentheyareinadensestateof consciousnesswhichisunconsciousnesstheyaresaidtobeinagrosswakefulstate. Afterlisteningtothescripturalexpositions,theywholookuponthewakefulstateasdreamareinthestateofwakefuldream.Whentheyarefullyawakenedandwhen theyrestinthesupremestate,theirperceptionoftheworldinthewakingstatedecreasesingrossnessandtheywhoareinsuchadecreasingwakefulstatereachthe turiya*orthefourthstateofconsciousness. Thesearethesevenstatesinwhichdiversebeingsexist.Infact,evenasthesevenoceansarebutonemassofwater,allthesearebutoneoceanofconsciousness. VI.2:51 RAMA*asked:

Lord,howdoesthepurewakefulstateariseandhowdobeingsexistinsuchastatewithoutanycauseormotivationwhatsoever?

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VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,withoutacausenoeffectisproduced.Therefore,thepurewakefulstatedoesnothappennordoesalltherestofthisapparentcreationcomeintobeingat all.Nothingiscreatedandnothingperishes:allthesedescriptionsareincidentaltoinstruction. RAMA*askedagain: Whoisitthatcreatesthebodies,themind,etc.,andwhodeludesallthesebeingswithbondageknownasfriendship,likes,etc.? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,noonecreatesthesebodiesatanytimeandnoonedeludesbeingsatanytime.Consciousnessisbeginninglessandeternal,anditaloneexistsasallthese diversebeings.Nothingisoutsideofthisconsciousness,thoughitappearstobeoutsideitself.Thisappearance,too,ariseswithinitself,likeasproutfromaseed.This universeexistswithinconsciousnessevenasafigureexistsinamarbleslab.Thisconsciousnesswhichiseverywhere,withinandwithout,spreadsitselfastheworld appearanceonaccountoftimeandspace,justlikethefragranceofaflowerspreadsout.Thisitselfistheotherworld.Lettherebeanendtothemental conditioningthatcreatestheotherworld.Whenthenotionoftheotherworldhasbeengivenup,fromwheredosuchnotionsarise? Theselfaloneisreal,devoidoftheconceptsoftime,spaceandsuchothernotionstheselfisnotavoid.Thistruthisrealisedonlybythosewhoareestablishedinthe supremestate,notbythosewhorestintheegosense.Toonewhohasrealisedthetruth,thefourteenworldsarehisownlimbs.Inhisvision,thedivisionbetween dreamstateandwakefulstateceasestoexist.Whenthisworldappearanceisseentobepureconsciousness,itbecomessimilartoadream.Justasallthatisthrown intothefirebecomesone(ash),allthestatesandtheworldappearancearereducedtoonenessbythefireofwisdom. Consciousnessaloneappearsasthisgrossuniverse.Whenthisisrealised,thebeliefintheexistenceofmatterceases.Withitceasesdesiretopossesssuchmatter. Thenoneremainsinonesowninnerpeace.Whentheselfisrealisedasneithertheworldnorthevoid,everythingremainsasittrulyis.Thesageofselfrealisationhas crossedthissamsara*andhasreachedtheendofallkarma. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:52

Thenotionoftheexistenceoftheworldarisesintheignorantjustastheawarenessofitsvariouslimbsmayariseinthemindofatree!Thisillusoryapprehensionof theobjectiveworld,whichgoesbythenameavidya*orignorancedoesnotinfactexist:itis

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asrealaswaterinthemirage(soundwithoutsubstance).However,justforthesakeofclearunderstanding,takethisignoranceasrealandlisten!Thenyouwill yourselfunderstandthatitdoesnotexistinfact. Whateverappearstobehereperishesattheendoftheworldcycle.Noonecanavertthistotaldestruction.Brahmanaloneexiststhen.Thisrealisationisnotlike druginducedexperience:weknowwithcertaintythatthebodyislikeadreamobjectandthatconsciousnessaloneisreal.Thisworldappearanceperishesagainand again.Whathasperishedandhowdoesitcomeintobeingagainandagain?Ifitissaidthatalltheseobjectsremainedhiddeninspace,thenonehastoadmitthatthey werenotdestroyedeveninthecosmicdissolution. Thereissimilaritybetweencauseandeffect.Sincethereisnocauseforthisworldappearance,itisnotaneffect.Onealoneis.Thenumerousbranches,leaves, flowersandfruitsofatreearebuttheexpansionofthesingleseed.Thereisnoneedtoinventacausalrelationship.Theseedaloneisthereality.Whenthetruthis investigated,werealisethattheoneconsciousnessaloneremainsasthetruth. Attheendoftheworldcycle,alltheseobjectsofperceptionceasetobe.Theoneselfwhichisconsciousnessaloneremains,andthisisindescribable,beingbeyond thoughtanddescription.Onlythesageofselfknowledgeexperiencesthis:othersmerelyreadthesewords.Foritisneithertimenormind,neitherbeingnornonbeing, neitherconsciousnessnorunconsciousness.Ihavethusdescribeditnegativelybecausethescriptureshavedoneso.Inmyvision,itispureandsupremepeace.Inthis thereareinfinitepotentialitieslikefiguresinanuncutmarble.Thusthesupremeselfisatthesametimediverseandnondiverse.Itiswhenyoudonothavedirectself knowledgethattherearisesinyoudoubtconcerningthis. Theperceptionofdiversityisduetothedivisionthatarisesintheself.However,theselfisdevoidofanydivisionintotime,space,etc.Theselfistheverysubstratum andundividedrealityoftime,space,etc.,justastheoceanisofthewaves.Hence,therealityisundividedanddivided,itisanditisnot.Theuncutimagesinthe marblemaybecarvedoutofit,butitisnotpossibletocarvetheworldoutoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Hence,dividedthoughundivided,itmerelyappearstobe differentfromthetotalitythoughreallynondifferentfromit. VI.2:53,54 VASISTHA*continued:

Therealityistheinfinite,undividedconsciousnesswhich,notbeinganobjectofobservation,isunknowable.Brahma*,Visnu*,Rudra,

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etc.,arenameswhichhavebyrepeatedusecometoberegardedasreal.Creation,nothavingacauseorareason,isnonexistent.Butonecannotassertthatthereis nonexistenceorthatthereissomething. Whenonesmindrestsinperfecttranquilly,whatitisisthereality.Inthatrealitythisworldappearstobe.Theworldappearancedoesnotariseoutofnothing! Hence,onehastoconcludethatBrahmanaloneis,evenintheformofthiscreation.Creationisbutaword,aname.TherealityisBrahman.I,youandtheworld arenamesthatexistinBrahmanasBrahman. Theocean,themountain,theclouds,earth,etc.,arealltheunbornanduncreated.ThisuniverseexistsinBrahmanastheGreatSilence(kastha*maunasilenceofa logofwood).Theseerexistsinthesceneasseeing,onaccountofhisownessentialnature.Thedoerexistsasthedeed,sincethereisnoreasonforhimtodo anything.Initthereisneitheraknowernoradoer,neitherinertnessnorexperiencer,neithervoidnorsubstance.Lifeanddeath,truthandfalsity,goodandevilall theseareofonesubstance,likewavesintheocean.Thedivisionbetweentheseer(subject)andthescene(object)isfanciful. Howevermuchonemaytry,thecauseforthiscreationisnotfound:thatwhichshineswithoutreasonorcauseissurelynonexistentexceptasanillusion.Itexistsas itselfanditshinesbecauseitisit,withoutcreatorcreationrelationship. RAMA*asked: Oneseesthatthewholetreeishiddeninthebanyanseed.WhyshouldwenotacceptthatevensoistheworldhiddeninBrahman? VASISTHA*replied: Wheresuchaseedexistsandwherecooperatingcausesexisttoo,thereisthepossibilityofacreation.Whenalltheelementsaredissolvedduringcosmicdissolution, whereistheseedformandwherearethecooperatingcauses?Whentheinfinite,indivisibleconsciousnessaloneisthetruth,thereisnoscopefortheexistenceeven ofthesubatomicparticle,muchlesstheseedforthiscreation.Whateveristhesupremebeing,thatitselfisthisuniverse.Theoneinfiniteconsciousnessconceivesof itselfasthefalseinthefalseandaspureconsciousnessinpureconsciousness.Justasspace(distance)existsinspace,allthisexistsinBrahman. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:55

Sincerightintheverybeginningtherewasneitheracausenoramotivationforcreationtoarise,thereisneitherbeingnornonbeing,neithergrossmatternorsubtle mind,neithermovingobjectsnorimmobileobjects.Consciousnessiswithoutformandcannotcreatethisworldofnameandform,sincecauseandeffectareidentical

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andonlythatwhichhasformcancreateorchangeintosomeotherform.Theselfremainstheselfallthetime,fancyingwithintheundividedconsciousnessallthese diverseobjects.Whateverthatconsciousnessexperiencesasifwithinitself,thatandthataloneiscalledtheworldorthiscreation. Beforeallthishappened(thatis,whenonerealisesthatallthisisunrealandnonexistent),knowthattheoneBrahmanaloneexisted,utterlypeacefuland homogeneous.Infiniteconsciousnessisinfiniteconsciousness,wateriswater:andsincethiscreationisconjuredupbyconsciousness,itappearstobesocreated. Justastheworldonedreamsofisanillusoryappearanceinonesconsciousness,evensointhewakefulstatethisworldappearsinconsciousness,asconsciousness. Intheoriginalcreation,thedreamoftheundividedconsciousnessisknownasthewakefulstate(theworldwhichisexperiencedinthewakefulstate).Thedreamthat risesintheconsciousnessofthebeingsthatariseinthatignorance,isknownasthedreamstate.Thisfancifuldreamhasmaterialisedintothisworldorderbyconstant repetition.Theriverisbutthemovementofwatercreationisthefancyoftheinfiniteconsciousness. Itisnotrighttoconsiderthatdeathisastateofblissonaccountofthetotaldestructionoftheself.Itisastateofvoid(likespace).Thisvisionofsamsara*willarise again.Ifthereisfearonaccountofevilactions,theconsequencesarethesamehereorthere.Hence,thereisnovitaldistinctionbetweenlifeanddeath.Knowingthis oneattainspeaceofmind.Whenthusperceptionofdivisionceases,thevisionofonenessarises.Thisisknownasliberation.Whetherthiscreationisorisnot,thereis thenbothatotalunderstandingoftheabsenceofobjectsandtheexperienceoftheindivisibilityoftheinfinite.Whenthustheobjectandthereforethesubjectis unrealised,thenthereisgreatpeace.Inthesupremeself,ofcourse,thereisneitherbondagenorliberation. Onewhothusrealisesthetruthattainsnirvana*.Thisveryworldappearance,whichisbuttheslightmovementinconsciousness,isalsorealisedasnirvana*byhim. HerealisesthatthiscreationisnotdiversitybutispureBrahmanonly. VI.2:56 VASISTHA*continued:

Thepurevoidexistseverywhereineverywayatalltimesinthisspacewhichisconsciousness.Consciousnessexistshereandthereintheformofthiscreationthereis nounconsciousnessanywherebecauseallthisisbutpureconsciousness.Eventhatwhichappearstobematterisbutpureconsciousness.Inthisconnection,O Rama*,listentothefollowingstoryoftherockwhichwasseenbymyself.

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Onceuponatime,Idesiredtorenouncealltheactivitiesoftheworld,havingclearlyunderstoodwhatevertherewastoknow.Iwishedtomeditateintotalseclusion withoutceasingandwithoutinterruption.Resortingtoasecludedspot,Icontemplatedasfollows: Theentireworldisdevoidofanyworthorvalue.Nothinginthisworldiscapableofgivingmetheleasthappiness.WhatamIseeingandwhoamI?Inordertofind therightanswers,Imustgoawaytothatplacewhichisbeyondthereachofeventhedemonsandthegodsandtheremedirateintotalseclusionwithoutfearof distraction. WhereshallIfindsuchaspot?Theforestsarefullofthenoiseofflowingwaterandofroaminglions.Justasthecityfullofpeopleisdistracting,theoceanisalsofullof varioussourcesofdistraction.Eventhecavesarenotfreefromdistractiontheyresoundwiththemovementofwindandtheyarefullofcreepers,etc.Thelakesare oftenthesportinggroundsforpeopleaswellasthecelestialsandarethereforefullofdistractions.Havingthusexaminedallthespotsonearth,Idecidedtogoaway intotheouterspace.ButeventhereIfounddistractionscausedbytheclouds,bythecelestialsandthedemons,bythecelestialbodiesandthedepartedsouls. Havingabandonedallthese,Iwenttoalonelyspotfar,farawaywhereeventhenaturalelementscouldnotreach.InthatemptyplaceIfanciedtheexistenceofa hermitage.InmyownmindImadeitinaccessibletoanybeing.Isatinthelotusposture.Imademymindtranquil.IresolvedthatIwouldsitinsamadhi*fora hundredyears.Inaccordancewiththerulethatoneseeswhatonecontemplatesforalongtime,myfancifulwishesmaterialisedandwerespreadoutinfrontofme. Theseonehundredyearspassedasifinthetwinklingofaneye,becausewhenonesmindisperfectlyconcentratedthepassageoftimeisnotnoticed. Whenthisperiodcametoanend,mymindbegantoexpandandspreadout.AllthegoblinsofIandyoureachedmeslowlywiththehelpofthelifeforceswhich begantomoveinme.ImmediatelydesireenteredmyheartIdonotknowfromwhereitcameandhowitcameintome. RAMA*asked: VI.2:57

Osage,howisitthateveninthecaseofapersonwhoisestablishedinnirvana*,theegosensecouldthusarise? VASISTHA*replied: Whetheroneisaknowerofthetruthorignorantofit,withouttheegosensethebodycannotexist.Thatwhichneedstobesustainedcannotexistwithoutasupport. ButthereisavitaldifferencewhichIshallpresentlyexplaintoyou. Thelittleboyknownasignorancehascreatedthisgoblinknown

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asegosensewhichseemstoexistwithinoneselfunperceived.Thisignoranceisanonentity,too,becauseitisnotseentoexistwheninvestigateddarknessdoesnot existwhenitisseenwiththehelpofalamp.Whenonelooksforthisgoblinknownasignoranceitdoesnotexist.Butintheabsenceofsuchinvestigationwhenitis takenforgrantedandwhenoneisunderitsunfluence,itexpandsandgetsestablished.Thisworldiscreatedbythatignorancewhichisrealonlytotheignorantitis notreal.That(infiniteconsciousnessorBrahman)whichisbeyondthemindandthesensescannotbetheseednorthecauseforthecomingintobeingofthatwhichis theobjectofthemindandthesenses.Whenthereisnoseed,howcantherebeasprout? Inthisinfiniteconsciousnessitisamerefancythatappearstobethecreateduniverse.Thisconsciousnessaloneisknownasisvara*orgodandalsoasthiscreation. Itislikeonesowndreamcreationwhichiseverybodysdailyexperience.Becausethedreamerisaconsciousbeing,thedreamobjectsappeartohavean intelligenceandamindoftheirownevensothisnoncreationknownastheuniverseseemstopossessindependentexistenceandintelligenceasifithadbeencreated. Thereisnocreationassuch:theoneBrahmanexistsasBrahman.WhatevernotionarisesinthisBrahmanisexperiencedbyBrahmanasifitwereanobjectof experience.ThatBrahmanitselffanciesthatallthisiscreation.Butthentheexperiencer,experiencingandexperienceareoneandindivisible:evensoBrahman,the notionofcreationandcreationareonlyBrahman.Suchbeingthecase,howcanegosenseorthefalsenotionofIarise? ThushaveItoldhowtolaythisghostofegosensewhichvanishesonbeingrightlyunderstood.Theegosensehasthusbeenclearlyunderstoodbyme.Hence,even thoughtheegosenseseemstoariseinme,itisinoperative,likeapaintingoffire.ThushaveIabandonedtheegosense.Iexistinspaceasifoutsideit,increationasif outofit.Idonotbelongtotheegosensenordoesitbelongtomeorexistinme.Iamnotnoristhereanotherinmyvisionallisandnothingis. VI.2:58,59 VASISTHA*continued:

InthestoryoftherockthatIamgoingtonarratetoyou,ORama*,itwillbecomeclearthatwithinthecoreoftherocktherearethousandsofcreations.Inthis physicalspace,too,therearesimilarlycountlesscreations.Infact,ineveryelementorobjecttherearecountlesscreatures.Butalltheseexistonlyintheindivisible infiniteconsciousness,notasrealsubstancesorentites.Nothinghaseverbeencreatedrightfromthebeginning.BrahmanaloneexistsinBrahman,asspace,air,fire, water,earth,mountains,etc.There

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isnodivisionordualitybetweenBrahmanandcreation,whicharebuttwowordswithoutmeaning.Evenunityanddualityarewordswithoutmeaning.Thatwhich createsthesenotionsofunityanddiversityalsocreatesthenotionsofBrahmanandcreation.Whenthesenotionshaveceased,thereisgreatinnerpeaceevenifoneis engagedinactivity.Everythingisnirvana*.Theperceivedcreationislikethesky(voidthoughappearingtohaveaformandcolour).Beholdtheentireuniverse composedofyou,I,mountains,godsanddemons,etc.,asyouwouldbeholdthecreationsandthehappeningsofadream. Afterhavingremainedinsamadhi*foronehundredyears,Ireturnedtobodyconsciousnessandheardasigh.Ilistenedtoitandtriedtoguesswhatismightbe.Iwas far,farintheouterspacesohowcouldanypersonorevenabeeexistsonearmethere?Moreover,Icouldnotseeanyone.Idecidedtoinvestigateitfurther.I decidedtoenterintosamadhi*again.Isilencedthemindandthesenses.Imergedintheinfiniteconsciousness.Isawreflectedinthatconsciousnesstheimageof countlessuniverses.Iwasabletogoanywhereandtoseeeverything.Isawcountlesscreationsthoughtheydidnotknowofoneanothersexistence.Somewere comingintobeing,otherswereperishing,allofthemhaddifferentshieldingatmospheres(fromfivetothirtysixatmospheres).Thereweredifferentelementsineach, theywereinhabitedbydifferenttypesofbeingsindifferentstagesofevolutionwithdifferentnaturesandcultures,somehadotheruniverseswithinthem,insomethere werecreaturesyouwouldnotbelievepossibletoexist,insometherewasapparentnaturalorderandinotherstherewasutterdisorder,insometherewasnolightand hencenotimesense.Allthesearebutthefruitsoftheoneindivisibleinfiniteconsciousness.Howandwhentheyaroseitisimpossibletosaybutthismuchiscertain theyarethecreationsofignorance.Inthiscreationtherearegodsanddemonsnumerousasmosquitoes.Whetheroneregardstheseuniversesasthecreationsofthe supremeCreatororasfalsenotions,itiscertainthattheyareinfacttheinfiniteconsciousness,nondifferentandnotindependentofit.Theyrestlikeinertrealitiesin thedescriptionsfoundinthescriptures.ThusdidIbeholdalltheseinfinitecreations. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:60

Eventually,myattentionwasdirectedtothesourceofthesound.Isawawomanwhowasradiantandwhoilluminedallthedirectionsofspace.Shewashighly cultured.Sheapproachedmegentlyandsaidinasweetvoice:Osage,youhavetrulyconqueredtheevilslikelust,angerandgreed.Yourmindistotallyfreeand unattached.

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HenceIsaluteyoufromallsides.''NowthatIknewthesourceofthesound,Idecidedtomoveon,consideringthatIhadnothingtodowiththiswoman. ThenIsawmanyuniversesandtheirdiversityarousedmycuriosity.Iwantedtoroammoreandmoretoseethemagnitudeofcreation.AftersometimeIabandoned thatideaknowingthatitwasdelusionandremainedestablishedintheinfiniteconsciousness.Instantly,allthisperceptionofdiversityvanishedfrommysight.There wasthepureconsciousness,nothingelse.Thisisthetruth:allelseisimagination,notion,delusionorillusoryperception. Becausetheentirecreationisenvelopedbythisignoranceordelusion,theinhabitantsofonecreationoroneuniverseoroneworlddonotevenknowoftheexistence ofothers.Thesediverseworldsareunawareofthenotionsorcreationsofothers,evenaspeoplesleepinginthesameroomareunawareofthebattlecriesutteredby oneanotherintheirdreams.IntheseuniversesIsawthousandsofBrahmas*,Visnus*andRudras.Alltheseareinconsciousness,alltheseareconsciousnessand consciousnessaloneisallthis:henceasconsciousnessIsawallthis. Rama*,whenyoulookatsomethingandsay,Itissuchandsuch'',consciousnessshinesthereassuchandsuch,thoughintruththisconsciousnessaloneexistsasitself andnosuchnameandformexistthere.Thisspaceorplaneofconsciousnessaloneexistseverywhereatalltimes:andthatitselfiscalledtheworld.Theperceptionof objectshere(whichwecallknowledgeofthatobject)istheonlyignoranceordelusion.Isawthatthetruth,ontheotherhand,isthatthespaceorplaneof consciousnessaloneexists.WiththeenlightenedintelligenceIalsoexperiencedthefinaltruthconcerningallthisthatallthisispure,indivisible,infiniteconsciousness. Onaccountofthepersistenceoftheperceptionofdiversity,IsawinitcountlessVasisthas*,countlessagesandworldcyclesandmanyagesinwhichRama* flourished.Whenthereisperceptionofdiversityallthesearisewhenthereisrealisationofthetruth,alltheseareseentobepure,indivisible,infiniteconsciousness.In theinfinite,ofcourse,therearenonameandnoformwhichcouldbereferredtoasThisistheworldorcreation.BrahmanaloneexistsasBrahman. VI.2:60,61 VASISTHA*continued:

BrahmanisoneandalltheseareappearanceswhichthelightofBrahmanmakesmanifestwithoutintendingtodoso.Onaccountofthistherearisesgreatdiversityof experience.Forinstance,insomeuniversesmoonlightishotandsunlightcool,thereissightindarknessandblindnessindaylight,goodisdestructiveandevil constructive,poisonpromoteshealthandnectarkills,inaccordance

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withthenotionsthatarisesinconsciousness.Insomeuniversestherearenowomanandthereforenosexualityandinotherspeoplehavepitilesshearts.Insome universespeopledonotpossessoneormoreofthesenses.Insome,onlyoneortwooftheelementsexist,thoughthey,too,areinhabitedbylivingcreaturesadapted tosuitlocalconditions. Alltheseariseasconsciousnessinconsciousnessthroughconsciousnessandthisisknownasthemind. RAMA*asked: Sinceeverythingattainsliberationattheendofaworldcycle,duringthecosmicdissolution,howdoesthenotionofthenextcreationarise? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,Brahmanisanindescribablemassofcosmicconsciousness.Thecreationisitsveryheartandthereforenondifferentfromit.Itisapprehendedascreation mysteriously,notreally.Sinceitscreationisfalse,howcanonesaythatitperishesatsometime?Evencosmicdissolution,etc.,arethelimbsofBrahman,asitwere. Suchdivisionsappearonlyinignorance.Therefore,nothingperishesatanytime,nordoesanythingcomeintobeing.Thesupremetruthorconsciousnessis indestructiblebyweapons,fire,windandwater.Itisnotrealisedbythosewhodonotknowit.Theuniversewhichistheheartofthistruthisalsolikeititisneither bornnordoesitdie.Experienceofitsexistenceandnonexistenceariseswiththerisingandcessationoftheappropriatenotion.Hence,evenwordslikeworld cycle,cosmicdissolution,etc.,aresoundwithoutsubstance.Theghostexistsordisappearsonlyintheheartofonewhothinksofit.Whatareseenasbirth,death, pain,pleasure,formandformlessnessarealllimbsoftheonebeing.Thereisnodivisionamongthem,evenasthereisnodivisionintheseveralpartsoftheonetree. Whenthistruthisnotrealised,thentheapparentdivisionsseemtoarise.InBrahmanthereisneitherknowledgenorignoranceitisbeyondbondageandliberation. Realisingthisisliberation. RAMA*asked: VI.2:62

Didyouseeallthisfromonespotwhereyouwereordidyouroamaboutinspace? VASISTHA*replied: Ihadattainedinfiniteconsciousnessthen.Initthereisnocomingorgoing.IdidnotremaininonespotnordidIroamabout.Iwitnessedallthiswithintheselfwhich hadassumedtheformofwhatIwitnessed.Justasyouseeyourbodyfromheadtofootwithevenclosedeyes,thusIsaweverythingwiththeeyethatis consciousness.

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Thisislikethedream:whateverisexperiencedinthedreamispurespace(dimension)ofconsciousness.Evennow,onaccountofenlightenment,Ibeholdallthis.Iam nowonewithalltheenlightenedbeingsIknowthemallasmyownself,withoutthedivisionofsubject,objectandobservation,sincetheoneconsciousnessalone existsindivisibly. Inanswertothequestionconcerningthelady,VASISTHA*said:She,too,withaspacebodystoodwithmeinspace.Ihadnotnoticedherearlier.Thoughshewas endowedwithaspacebody,shewasabletocommunicatewithme(whoalsohadaspacebody)inaculturedvoiceanddiction,evenasindreamonespeaksto another.Whatsortofcertaintydoyouhavetoasserttheexistenceoftheinnersenses?Wehadbodiessimilartothem.Thisistrueinmycase,yours,hersand everythingelse.Justasoneexperienceswarfareinonesdream,evensodopeopleexperiencetheeventsinthiscreationasiftheywerereal.However,allillustrations areinadequateandtruthisbeyondwords.Ifoneweretoask,Howdoyouseeadream?"theanswerwouldbeAsyouseeit".Allthisisforyourunderstanding: ThetruthisthatthisuniverseaswellasallthatyouseeinyourdreamisbutBrahman. Thereisnoessentialdifferencebetweenthedreamstateandthisvisiblecreation.Thatexperiencewhichimmediatelyprecedesthewakingstateisknownasadream thatexperienceorknowledgewhicharoseinthebeginningofthisworldcreationisknownasthewakingstate.Theexperienceoftheexistenceoftheworldisalong dream,oritisavoid.Itispureconsciousnessbecauseitisestablishedintheeternalreality.Youarethewitnessorobserverofyourowndreamevensotheinfinite consciousnessistheobserverofthelongdreamknownascreation.Evenastheobserverandtheobservedareconsciousness,thatwhichisinthemiddle(the observation)isalsopure,indivisibleandunmodifiedBrahman.Suchbeingthecase,howcanthiscreationbeconsideredsolidandsubstantialormaterial?Eventhe dreamofembodied(withform)beingslikeyouisimmaterial.Howcanthelongdreamofinfiniteconsciousnesswhichhasnoformcometohaveform?Hence,itis uncreatedBrahmanalone. VI.2:63 RAMA*asked:

Osage,howcouldthatformlesswomanutterwords? VASISTHA*replied: Ofcourse,theywhoareendowedwithaspacebodycannotutteraudiblesounds.Ifthatwerepossiblethenyourdreamconversationcouldbeheardbyanother sleepingnearyou.Hence,itisclearthatwhatisseeninadreamisanillusionbasedonpureconsciousnessalone.Whatisexperiencedasthewakinglifeisnotentirely different

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fromthedreamexperience.Itisbuttheplayofconsciousness:thenotionsthatariseinthatconsciousnessappeartobeclothedinsolidreality. Theseedsofpastexperienceareinconsciousnessandtheysproutnewexperienceswhicharesometimesidenticalwithpastexperienceandsometimessomewhat different.Theworldsthatthussproutfromthoseseedsarenotawareofoneanother.Duringthecourseoflifeinthisdreamworldthedemonsarekilledbythegods, andthedemonsremainintheirdreamstate.Notbeingenlightened,theydonotattainliberation.Notbeinginsentient,theydonotbecomeinsentientbutretain awareness.Hencetheyliveinaspacebodyinadreamworld.Evensoisthecasewiththesocalledhumanbeings.Theirworld,theirlifeandtheirmentalityarelike ours,andviceversa.Weexistastheirdreamobjects.Theirowncompatriots,thoughtheyarealsodreamobjects,areconsideredtoberealentitiesbythem.Inthe sameway,theobjectsthatappearineveryoneofmydreamsarerealtome. Becauseoftheverynatureoftheinfiniteconsciousness,thesedreamcreationsseemtoexistinthewakingstate,too.Theirrealityisofcoursethesolereality, Brahman.Everythingexistseverywhereatalltimesastheindivisible,pureconsciousness,butitisnothingandnothingisthereforedestroyed. Intheeternalspace(dimension)ofinfiniteconsciousness,intheinfiniteplayoftheinfinite,thereareinfinitemindsandinfiniteworldsinthem.Ineveryoneofthemthere arecontinentsandmountains,villagesandcitieswithhousesinhabitedbypeoplewhohavetheirowntimescaleandlifespan.Whenthesejivas*reachtheendofthe lifespan,iftheyarenotenlightenedtheycontinuetoexistininfinitespace,creatingtheirowndreamworlds.Withinthemareotherpeoplewithinwhomareminds withinthosemindsareworldsinwhichtherearemorepeople,adinfinitum. ThisillusoryappearancehasnobeginningandnoenditisBrahmanandBrahmanalone.ORama*,inallthesediverseobjectsthereisnothingbutpureconsciousness. Consciousnessaloneisthisuniverse.Thenhowisitpossibletosaythatthereareworldswhichseemtoexistinthemindsoftheignorant? AskedbyVasistha*whoshewas,theCELESTIALreplied: VI.2:64

Osage,inthisvastuniverse,inacorner,youhavetheworldinwhichyoulive.BeyondtheboundariesofthisuniversearemountainsknownastheLokaloka* mountains.Thatregionhaseveryformofclimaticandelementalpermutationandcombination.(Thedescriptioninthetextiselaborateandinteresting.S.V.) Somewhereinitonlyhumansdwell,elsewheregodsdwellinittherearegoblinsasalso

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verylonglivedbeings.Initthereareselfluminousplacesandothersofutterdarkness,fertilefieldsanddeserts,denselypopulatedplacesanduninhabitedareas. Idwellwithinasolidrockwhichliesonthenortheasternslopesofthatmountainrange.Iamboundbydestinytolivewithintheheartofthisrock.Ihavethuslivedin itforcountlessaeons.Myhusband,too,isdestinedtolivehere.Tilltodaywehavenotbeenabletoattainliberationonaccountofourintensedesire(kama*)andon accountofourintenseattachmentforeachother.Similaristhefateofourrelatives. Myhusbandwhoisthusinbondageisabrahmana*bybirth.Heisancient.Hedoesnotmovefromhisseatthoughhehasbeensittingthereforcountlesscenturies. Heisacelibatefrombirth(brahmacari*),educatedandlazy.Helivesinseclusionasheisnotmovedbycravingforpleasure.BeinghiswifeIleadamiserablelife,yet Icannotlivewithouthimevenforasinglemoment. IshalltellyouhowIbecamehiswife.Whenhewasyounghewaspartiallyawakenedinwardly.Hedesiredtohaveashiswifeonewhowouldhelphiminhisspiritual quest.Iwasbornofthatwish,amentalcreaturetobehismentalwife.AssuchIgrewuptobeayoungwoman.Ibegantodelightinhearinggoodmusicandenjoying myselfindifferentways. Isupportnotonlymyhusbandbutallthethreeworldswhichexistinhim.ThoughIhadcomeofageandmybodywasburstingwithsignsofbeautyandyouth,my husbandremainedinthestateofdeepsleepoverlongperiodsoftimeorhewasengagedinreligiousactivities.Hedidnotconsummateourmarriage,thoughIcrave forsuchconsummationallthetime.Iamburningwithdesire.Myattendantsdotheirbesttoalleviatemysuffering,butallsucheffortsonlyaddtomyanguish.Burning withdesireIshedtearsconstantly.Osage,therearelovelyflowersandcoolsnowallaroundherebutbecauseIamburntbythefireofdesire,Iexperiencethemas uselessashes.Lyinginthebeddeckedwithflowersandgarlandswhicharemeanttoenhancemydelight,Iexperienceadrynessandanemptinessandmyyouthis beingwasted. VI.2:65 TheCELESTIALcontinued:

Afteraconsiderabletime,thesameattachmentandaffectionIhadformyhusbandbecamenonattachmentanddispassion.Myhusbandhadgrownold,hewas interestedonlyinseclusionandwasdevoidofallattachmentandtasteforsensualpleasureshewaseversilent.Ofwhatuseislifeitselftome?Iconsiderchild widowhood,evendeathordiseaseoreventheworstcalamitypreferabletoahusbandwhosenatureisnotafteronesownheart.Indeed,the

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greatestblessingandthefruitionofthelifeofawomanarethatsheobtainsayounghusbandwhoenjoyslifeandwhoseconductandbehaviouraresweetand agreeable. Awomanwhosehusbanddoesnotenjoylifeisfrustrated.Theuncultivatedintellectisdestructive.Wealthwhichfallsintothehandsofwickedpeopleismisfortune. Whenonesshamehasbeenextinguishedbyaprostitutethereisgreatharm.Sheisawomanwhofollowsthehusband.Thatiswealthwhichseeksthegoodpeople. Thataloneisintelligencewhichissweetandnotlimited,nobleandendowedwithequalvision. Ifthehusbandandwifearefondofeachother,thenneitherdiseasesofthebodynorthoseofthemind,neithercalamitiesnornaturaldisasters,afflicttheirminds.To thewomanwhosehusbandisofbadcharacterorwhodoesnothaveahusband,thepleasuregardensoftheworldareburningsands.Awomancanabandon everythinginthisworldforonereasonoranother,butshecannotabandonherhusband. Youyourselfsee,Osage,whatunhappinessIhaveenduredalltheseyears.ButnowIhavecultivateddispassion.NowIhaveonlyonedesire:tobeinstructedbyyou sothatImayattainnirvana*.Deathispreferabletolifetoonewhosedesiresarefrustratedhereandwhoseheartisagitatedandwhoisslowlyproceedingtowards death.Myhusband,too,isdesirousofattainingnirvana*.Heisendeavouringtocontrolthemindbythemind.Lord,awakenselfknowledgeinbothofuswithyour wordsofthehighestwisdom. Becausemyhusbandhadnointerestinme,Idevelopeddispassion.ThementalconditioningbecameweakandIpractisedyogawhichconferredonmecontrolover space,sothatIcanmoveinspace.ThereuponIpractisedsuchconcentrationaswouldbringaboutmymeetingwiththeperfectedones.Allthesehavebornefruit. WhenIflewawayfrommyownworld,IsawarockontheLokaloka*mountainswhichIhadnotseenbefore.Wehadnodesiretoseethisbefore.Myhusbandand Inowdesiretoattainselfknowledge.Ibegofyoutograntthisboon,forholymendonotdeclinesucharequest.Ihaveseenmanyperfectedones,butnonelikeyou. Itakerefugeatyourfeetdonotabandonme. WhenaskedbyVasistha*howshelivedintherock,theCELESTIAL said: VI.2:66,67

Osage,thatworldofourswithinthatrockisjustlikeyourworldouthere!Inourworld,too,thereareheavenandhell,godsanddemons,thesunandthemoon,the firmamentandthestars,themobileandtheimmobilecreatures,hillsandoceansandtheparticlesofdustthatareknownaslivingbeings.Come,whydontyoubless

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thatrockwithavisit:sagesarealwaysinterestedinwonders.(Thisearthisalsoapebbleinthevastspace!S.V.) VASISTHA*continued: AccompaniedbyherIcoursedthespaceandreachedtheLokaloka*andsawtherock.Isawitwasbutarockandtherewasnoworldinit.Iquestionedher:where isyourworldwithallitsgodsanddemons,mountainsandoceans,theworldwhichyoudescribedsographically? TheCELESTIALreplied: Truly,Osage,InowseethatwhatIpreviouslysawintherockisonlyinme.ItwasbyrepeatedlyprojectingthatvisionandexperiencingitintherockthatIthought thatIsawit:nowthatIdonotsoexperienceit,thatvisionhasgone.Inyouthesenseofdualityhadceasedlongago:henceyoudonotentertainanyfalsenotions. Eveninmethelongstandingillusionhasbeendispelledbyrightperception:henceIdonotseethatworldclearly.Thepresentrealisationofthetruthbeingstronger thanthepastillusorynotion,thelatterhasbecomedim. Osage,thisistheonlypathtosalvation:oneshouldbetotallydevotedtotheonedesirablecause,oneshouldbeinstructedintherighteffortforitsattainmentandone shouldagainandagainengageoneselfinsuchrightaction.Bytherighteffort(abhyasa*)ignoranceisdispelledandtheignorantbecomeenlightened.Itisbyrighteffort thatevenbitterthingsarerelished.Itisbyrepeatedpracticethatastrangerbecomesafriend,andwhenacloserelativeisseparatedfromoneselfitisthroughthe absenceofsuchrepeatedcontemplationthattherelationshipislost.Itisbyrepetitionthatthesubtlebodybecomesthephysicalbody.Bypersistenteffort,the impossiblebecomespossible.Falserelationshipshavebeenforgedbypersistentefforttheyshouldalsoberesolutelyabandonedbypersistentefforttilltheendof oneslife.Bypersistenteffortonebringsthedesiredobjectclosetohimself.Sucheffortenableshimtoattainitwithoutobstacle. Persistentandrepeatedeffortisknownasabhyasa*.Thataloneisthegreatestgoalofman(purusartha*)andthereisnootherpath.Onlybypersistentand determinedselfeffortandbyonesowndirectexperienceisperfectionattained,notbyanyothermeans.Itisbysuchabhyasa*thatonebecomesutterlyfearless everywhereintheworld.
Thedescriptioninchapter66oftheworldwithintherockiselaborateandhighlyinteresting.

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VASISTHA*continued:

VI.2:68

Whenthecelestialsaidthus,Isatinthelotuspostureandenteredintosamadhi*ordeepcontemplation.Iabandonedallmaterialandphysicalconceptsandheldonto thevisionofthepureconsciousness.Ihadbecometheinfiniteconsciousness,asitwere,andhadattainedcosmicvisionwhichisofthegreatestpurity. Onaccountofthisrealisationofthetruth,thedelusionconcerningthematerialorphysicalceasedinme.Initsplacetherewasthegreatconsciousnesswhichneither risesnorsets.TherewasawarenessinwhichIsawneitherspacenortherockbutIwasawareofonlytheinfinite.Whateverwasseenbeforewasbuttheoneselfand nowIrealisedtheselfalonewasallthatwasseenandexperienced.Whatappearedtobetherockbeforewasnothingbutthe(spaceof)infiniteconsciousness (cidakasa*). Manisbutthedreamobjectofanotherandhedreamsheisaman.However,incourseoftimeeventheywhoarevictimsoftheworstformofdelusionare enlightened(awakened)becausethereisnothingbutthetruthorBrahman,whichiseternal.ThereforethatwhichIsawearlierastherockIknewnottobeamassof pureconsciousness.Thereisnosuchthingasearthormatter. TheselfoftheelementsorbeingsisthebodyofBrahman.Thatconceptaloneisnowseenasanotionorimagination.Thecosmicsubtlebodyappearstobe,on accountoftherisingofthisnotion.Thefirstarisingnotionorthoughtisthebodyofthejiva*.Thatignorantthought(viz.,theIthought)nowthinksthatthemindisan obviousreality.Fornoreasonorpurposeatall,thesenotionsthatthemindisanobviousreality(pratyaksa*)ariseconsciousnessthusbecomesotherthanitself. Whatiscalledobviousrealitynow(thebody,etc.)isanobviousunreality.Paradoxically,theobviousisunrealandtheunrealbecomesobvious.Suchisthemysterious powerofillusion. Thesubtlebodyisthefirstamongtheseobvioustruths.Thetruthisomnipresentandmatterisbutillusion,eventhoughitmaybeexperiencedjustas'the braceletness'ofgoldisanillusoryappearanceofgold,thoughpeoplemaypointtoitandproclaimthatitisabracelet.Thesubtlecosmicbody(ativahika*)isnot material.Itisonaccountofnonunderstandingthatthejiva*fallsundertheswayofthisillusion:whatfoolishness!Thematerialorphysicalbodyisnotfoundon enquiryandthesubtlebodyexistsunchangedeveninthetwoworlds(thehereandthehereafter). VASISTHA*continued: Thegrossphysicalbodyexistsintheativahika*orthesubtlebodyevenaswaterexistsinamirage.Onaccountoftheerroneous

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perceptionofthebody,thisphysicalbodycomestobeacceptedasanentityevenasapieceofwoodistakentobeaman.Howmysteriousandhowpowerfulis illusionthatitmakestheunrealappearrealandtherealappearunreal!Thisillusionexistsonlybecauseofthenonunderstandingofthetruth. Theactivityandthebehaviourofbeingsinthisworldaregovernedmainlybythevisionoftheyogis,andtoasmalldegreebytheperceptionofthemind.Hence,these twomaybeacceptedastrue.But,hewhoabandonstheformerandclingstotherealityofmatterendeavourstoquenchhisthirstwiththewaterofthemirage. Momentarypleasureispain.Realdelightisunmodified,beginninglessandendless.Hence,investigatethetruthwiththehelpofdirectexperiencebeholdtheprimordial truthbydirectexperience.Onewhoabandonsthisexperienceandrunsafterillusory'realities'isafool. Thesubtleimmaterialbodyaloneisrealinittheperceptionofthematerialorphysicalbodyinunrealandillusory.Howcanthelatterbeexperiencedasrealwhenitis onlynotionalandhasneverbeencreated?Whenyouknowthatwhatisobviouslyseenisillusoryandunreal,whatelsecanbeacceptedasreal?Howcanthatbe acceptedasreal,whichisestablishedbywhatisunreal? Whensuchisthecaseofthefirstandforemostproof(pratyaksa*ordirectexperience),whatvaluecanbeplacedininference? Hence,theexistenceoftheobjectiveuniversesaidtohavebeenprovedbythesemethods(directsenseexperience,inferenceandscientificinvestigation)isfalseand unreal.Dualityordiversityisfalse:theonemassofinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisreal.Justasanobjectseeninadreamisunreal,evensowhatwasseenbyusasa rockisunrealitispureconsciousnessonly.Realisethatthismountain,thisspace,theworldandthe'I'areallbuttheoneinfinite,indivisibleconsciousness. Onewhoisenlightened(awakened)realisesthis,nottheunenlightened.Itisbecauseofthefalsefeeling'Iamnotenlightened'thatthisignoranceoftherealityhascome tobefirmlyestablished.HewhoabandonstherealisationofthedirectexperienceoftheLordwhoisofthenatureoftheindivisible,infiniteconsciousnessandclingsto otherformsofexperience,issurelyfoolish.Whathavewetodowithsuchpeople? VI.2:69 VASISTHA*continued:

Thenthatcelestialenteredintotheworldwithintherock.Itoowentwithher.ThereshewenttowheretheCreatorofthatworldwasseatedandsatinfrontofhim. Shethensaidtome:"Osage,thisismyhusband.Hecreatedmeinordertohavemeashiswife.

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However,hedidnotconsummatethatmarriage.NowheandIarebothaged.Ihaveattaineddispassion.Heisnotdistractedfromhismeditation.Pray,enlightenboth ofusconcerningtherootcauseofthissamsara*sothatwemaybeliberatedfromit."Havingsaidthis,she'awakened'herhusband,theCreator,toordinary consciousnessandsaidtohim:"Lord,beholdthesagewhohasarrivedatourabode.Heisourguest.Heisthesonofthecreatorofanotherworld.Itisourdutyas householderstohonourandworshipourguests." TheCreatoroftheotherworld(oftherock)openedhiseyes.Hebecameawareofhisown'limbs'.Theselimbswereinfactdifferent'created'beingswhoarosein thatawareness.Atoncethereappearedbeforehimdifferenttypesofbeingsgods,demons,humans,etc.Hesawmeandalsohiswifeseatedinfrontofhim.He welcomedmeandbademebeseatedonabejewelledseat.Ireturnedthesaluteandsatontheseat.Therewascelestialmusicandalsosingingofhymns.Weall appropriatelygreetedoneanother. ThenIaskedthesecondBrahma:"Lord,thiscelestialbroughtmehereandshesaidtomethatIshouldinstructbothofyouinawaythatyoumaybothbeenlightened. Isthatrightandappropriate?ForyouyourselfaretheLordofallcreaturesandthemasterofthehighestwisdomsheisnotovercomebydesire.Howisitthatyou createdhertobeyourwifeandifthatisafact,howisitthatyouignoredheranddidnotconsummatethemarriage?" THECREATORINTHEROCKreplied: Osage,listenandIshalltellyoueverythingasithappened.Thereisonlyoneconsciousnesswhichisunbornandtranquil.Therearoseinitalittlemovement,a vibrationoraripple.ThatiswhatIam.Iamoftheessentialnatureofpurespace.Irestintheself.SinceIarosewithoutanycauseormaterial,Iamknownasself born.IhavenotbeencreatedatallandIdonotseeanything.WhatisseenhereasyouandIandwhatisseenasthisdialoguebetweenusareliketwowavescolliding intheoceanandmakingasound.Wearelikethewavesoftheocean,nondifferentfromtheoceanofinfiniteconsciousness.Wearebutnotionsthatspontaneously ariseinit.Thisladyherewhoappearstobedifferentfromithasneverbeencreated,hasnotcomeintobeingatall:sheisbutanotion,aconcept,athoughtwaveor psychologicalconditioning.Thisbodyismadeofthetraceofegosensewhichexistedinmeandsheisbutthepresidingdeity,asitwere,ofthisegosense.Sheis, therefore,neithermywifenorwasshecreatedasone. THEOTHERWORLD'SBRAHMA*,continued: VI.2:70

NowIwishtoenterintotheplaneorspaceofinfiniteconsciousnesshence,Ihavemanifestedthisdissolutionwhichsignalsthecosmic

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dissolution.Hence,thereisthisdispassioninus.WhenIabandonthecosmicmindandmergeintheinfiniteconsciousnessthedestructionofallvasanas*>(notions, etc.)iscertain.Hence,thiswoman(whoistheembodiedvasana*)hasbecomedispassionateandfollowsme. Nowtheworldcyclecomestoanendandwithittheendofthegods.Thisisalsothemomentofcosmicdissolution.Itistheendofmyownconditioning(vasana*) andtheuttertransmutationofthebodyintospace.Therefore,thisvasana*isabouttoperish.Thedesireforliberationarisesinthevasana*fornoapparentreason thatishowvasana*findsitsowndestruction.Shehadundertakenthepracticeofmeditation,etc.,butcouldnotrealisetheself.Shethensawtheworldinwhichyou (theenlightenedsage)lived. Atthattime,sheevensawthecornerstoneofthismycreation.Thiscornerstoneofcreationcanonlybeperceivedwhenthemindisreadytoabandonperceptionof diversity,notwhileitisboundtosuchperception.Therearecountlessworldswithinworldswithinalltheseobjectsandelementsatalltimes,asifinthisrock.Its appearanceas'theworld'isofcourseanillusion,foritispureconsciousness.Thisillusoryvisionof'theworld'vanishesforonewhohasunderstooditstruenaturebut itcontinuestoexistintheeyesofothers. Bythepreviouspracticeofconcentration,meditation,etc.,she(thevasana*)hadgaineddispassiontheninordertogainselfknowledge,shesoughtyou. ThusitisthepoweroftheinfiniteconsciousnessalonethatexistshereastheimpassableillusorypowerorMaya*.Thispowerisbeginningless,endlessand imperishable.Time,space,matter,motion,mind,intellect,etc.,arebutpartsoftheconsciousnesslikepartsoftherock.Theinfiniteconsciousnessaloneexistsasthe rockofconsciousnessitslimbsaretheworlds.Thismassofconsciousnessthinksofitselfastheworld.Thoughitisbeginninglessandendless,itthinksithasa beginningandanend.Thusitseemstobecome.Thismassofconsciousnessisformlessyetitassumestheformofarock.Therearenorivershere.Thereisno revolvingwheelnormatterundergoingchangeandtransformation.Allthesearebutappearancesinthespaceorplaneofinfiniteconsciousness(cidambaram).Justas inthecosmicspacethereappearstoexistthespacecalledhouseandanothercalledapot(thoughsurelyspaceisindivisibleandtheexistenceofthespacewithinthe housedoesnotdiminishthetotalspace),allthese'worlds'seemtoexistintheinfinitewhichisindivisibleandwhichdoesnotundergoanydiminutionthereby. VI.2:71 VASISTHA*continued:

Havingsaidthis,theCreator(oftheworldintherock)entered

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intothedeepandfinalstateofmeditation.HeutteredOMandcontemplatedonthelastphaseofitsintonation.Hismindwasutterlycalm.Heremainedasifhewerea paintedpicture.Vasana*(theembodimentofthepsychologicalconditioningintheformofthelady)alsofollowedtheCreatorandenteredintodeepmeditation.She attainedtheformofspace.Itooenteredintodeepmeditationandwitnessedallthese,havingbecometheomnipresent,infiniteconsciousness. AsthenotionsinthecosmicmindoftheCreatorbegantodiedown,atthatverymomentitselftheearthwithitsmountains,continentsandoceansbegantodisappear. Thegrassandthetreesceasedtobe.Theearthisoneofthelimbsofthecosmicperson,theCreator.Hence,whenthecosmicpersonwithdrewhisawarenessfromit, theearthceasedtobe,evenasinastateofparalysiswhenourawarenessofalimbiswithdrawn,itwithersawayanddisintegrates. Theearthwashitatthesametimebynumerousnaturalcatastrophes.Theevildoerswereburntbyfireandtheyheadedforhell.Theearthhadlostallitscharmandits fruitfulness.Thewomenhadbecomeimmoralandmenhadlosttheirselfrespect.Adenseduststormaroseveilingthesun.Thepeopleweredistressedbythepairsof oppositeswhichintheirfoolishnesstheysubjectedthemselvesto.Onaccountoffloodsandfamine,warsandpestilence,humanityhadbeendecimated.Onaccountof numeroussufferings,peoplehadbecomeuncivilisedanduncultured.Becauseofthesuddennesswithwhichalltheseterriblethingshappened,thenoblepeopleofthe earthperishedandtherewashueandcryeverywhere.Therewasscarcityofwaterandpeoplebegantodigdeepwells.Therewasindiscriminatemixingbetweenmen andwomenandthesocialorderbrokedown.Everyonelivedbytrade.Womenlived(earnedtheirliving)byexhibitingthebeautyoftheirhair.Kingsfollowedthe dictum'mightisright'.Therewasunrighteousnesseverywhere.Theleadersweredevotedtointoxicatingdrinks.Theyharassedandtorturedthelearnedandthesaintly men.Peopleresortedtootherwaysoflivingorotherfaithsthanthatwhichwasnaturaltothem.Thelearnedmenbecamesubjecttoviolenceandaggressiveness. Templeswerelooted.Eventheholyonesabandonedtheperformanceofthereligiousritesonaccountoflaziness. Thecitieshadbeenburntdownbythefirethatshoweredfromtheskies.Seasonsbecameerratic.Thushadtheearthelementreacheditsdestruction,sincethe Creatorhadmergedhimselfintheinfiniteconsciousness. VASISTHA*continued: Oncetheearthelementhadthusbeenabsorbedintheinfinite

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consciousnessandhadtranscendeditslimitation,thewaterelementturnedtowardsitsowndissolution.Whenthewatergotagitated,itexceededitsownnatural boundsandtheoceanstransgressedtheirbounds,overflowinginalldirections.Makingdreadfulsounds,thewaveslashedattheforestsandbegantodestroythem. Thesemightywavesmingledwiththecloudsinthespaceanditbecameonemassofwater.Allthemountainsweresubmergedunderwater.Theaquaticcreatures wereinpanicandranhelterskelterinanattempttoescapefromthecalamity.Whenthewavesdestroyedthemountaincaves,lionsranoutofthem,destroyedother creaturesandwereeventuallythemselvesdestroyed.Thetumultraisedbyallthisreachedeventheregionofthesun. Itappearedasiftheoceanshadinvadedtheregionsofthegodsthemselvesandhadoccupiedthem.Onaccountofthedestructionoftheforestsandmountains causedbythepowerofthetidalwaves,itlookedasifthewholespacewereabigforestoftreesandmountains.Thegreatmountainswerebeingdissolvedinthe watersoftheocean.Atonestageitlookedasthoughthemountainswerelaughingwiththeirteethbared,because,washedbythetidalwaters,thepreciousandsemi preciousstonesthatremainedundergroundhadbecomeexposedonthemountainsides. Itlookedasthougheventhecelestialbodieswereaffectedbythis.Theearthmountainsfellonsomeofthem,makingaloudnoise.Eventhefiresofcosmicdestruction appearedtobeafraidofbeingputoutbythesetidalwaves.Atonestagetherewasterriblewarfarebetweentheearthelephantsandseaelephants!Thesingleocean shonewithasupernaturalradianceatthattimewhensomanyearthlyobjectsweregettingdrownedinit. Thenitlookedasifthespaceitselfwerefallingintothewatersofcosmicdissolution.Thefirmamentwithallitslightanditspreciousjewelsfellintotheflood. Flamesoffirespreadoutinalldirections,consumingallthatexistedinspace.SincetheCreatorhadwithdrawnhisrealisationoftheworld,thedemonsandothers wereletloosetocausewhathavoctheypleased.Allthegods(Indra,etc.,whoarethedeitiespresidingoverthenaturalelementstomaintainorderamongthem)had beenoverpoweredbythedemons.Therewaschaos.EventheabodesofSiva*,etc.,wereshakenanddisturbed.Thestarsandplanetscollidedwithoneanotherand therewascosmicdestruction. VI.2:72 VASISTHA*continued:

WhenthecreatorBrahma*withdrewhisprana*(thelifeforces)theairwhichmovesinspaceabandoneditsnaturalfunctionofmotioninspace.Whatelsecansustain theelementsandotherbeings?

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Whenthustheforcethatheldalltheheavenlybodieshadbeenwithdrawn,thestarsbegantofallawayfromtheirorbitslikeflowersfromtrees.Thesatellitesthatwere coursingtheouterspacealsodisintegratedonaccountofthetimespacecontinuumbeingwithdrawnwhenthelifeforceswerewithdrawn.Eventhepathofthe siddhasortheperfectedoneswasobliterated.Likebitsofcottonwool,thesesiddhasbegantofallinspace.EvenIndra(thechiefofthegods)andhisheavenbeganto fallanddisintegrate. RAMA*asked: Consciousnessispureandthecosmicpersonisbutanotion.HowdoesthiscosmicpersonorBrahmacometoacquirelimbslikeearth,heavenandthenetherworld? VASISTHA*continued: Inthebeginning,ORama*,therewasbutpureconsciousnesswhichcouldnotbesaidtobeeitherexistenceornonexistence.Withinitselfitbecameawareofitselfas itsobjectofawareness.Withoutabandoningitspositionasthesubjectitseemsalsotobecometheobject.Thatisthejiva*fromwhichthemind,etc.,arise.However, allthesearenondifferentfrompureconsciousness. Whenthemindwhichisalsopureconsciousnessthinks'Iamspace',itexperiencesspace,thoughsuchspaceisnonexistent.Theselforpureconsciousnessisvoid andimmaterial.Aslongasthereisthenotionofthephysicaluniverse,consciousnessexperiencesitasifitwererealwhenitsowillsit,itwindsupthiscreationwhich thencomestoanend. Vasana*orpsychologicalconditioning,whichgivesrisetonotionsandtoexperiencesofallkinds,ceasestobewhenthevisionofthetruthortheunderstandingofthe realityarises.Thereisegolessnessandthereforeoneness:liberationormoksa*aloneremainsafterthat. ThisisthenatureofBrahma.ThisishowtheworldexistsasthebodyofBrahma,thecosmicperson.Thenotionthatarisesinthatcosmicpersonappearstobethis universe.Itispurevoidinfact,thereisnosuchthingastheworldnorwhatcanberegardedas'you'or'I'.Inpureandindivisibleconsciousnesswhatistheworld, howandbywhomisitcreatedandwithwhatmaterialsorcooperatingcauses?Itappearsbutitisnomorethananillusoryappearance.Itisneitheronewiththe infiniteconsciousnessnordifferentfromit.Thereisneitherunitynordiversity.Infinite,indivisibleconsciousnessaloneisthereality.Hence,livefreefromall conditioning,actingspontaneouslyandappropriatelyineachsituation. RAMA*said: VI.2:73

Lord,Ihaveclearlyunderstoodwhateveryouhavebeentellingmesofar,butthereisnosatietyinyourdiscourse.Itislike

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immortalisingnectar.Hence,describetheexperienceofcreationagain. VASISTHA*continued: Duringwhatisknownasthecosmicdissolution,whateverappearstoexistnowisdissolved.Whatremainsistheeternal.Itisbeyonddescription.Incomparisonwith amustardseed,theMerumountainisimmensesoincomparisonwiththateternalinfiniteconsciousnessthespaceislikeamustardseed.Incomparisonwiththe greatestamongmountains,asubatomicparticleisminute:evensoarethecomparativedimensionsofthisworlduniverseandthateternalinfiniteconsciousness.During thecosmicdissolutionwhenallworldappearancehasceased,theeternalinfiniteconsciousnessremainsawareofeverysubatomicparticlethatexistsinthecosmic space.Itseesthem(thoughtheyareunreal)asifinadreamthenitimaginesitselftobe'Brahman'.Itevenconceivesofitselfastheinfiniteconsciousness.Considering itselfastheatomicparticleofconsciousness,itexistsasthesubject,apparentlyseeingtheatomicparticlewhichbecomestheobject.Thisislikeamanseeinghimself inadream.Thus,consciousnessapparentlypolarisesitselfintothesubjectandtheobjectwithouteverabandoningitsownindivisibility. Atthatmomentthefollowingprinciplesarisespontaneously:time,space,action,matter,theseer(subject),sightandthescene(object).However,theforcesthat restrainorobstructthesedonotarise.Wheretheconsciousnessparticlesshine,spacemanifeststherewhenthishappensthereistimeandthewayinwhichit happensbecomesactionwhateverisexperiencedasexistingbecomesmattertheexperiencerbecomesthesubjecttheexperiencingortheseeingofthismatteristhe sightandthatwhichisresponsibleforthisseeingorexperiencingbecomestheobject.Thusdoalltheseapparentlycomeintobeing,thoughtheyareallfalse.Space aloneappearsinspacewithoutanyparticularorderofsequenceorprinciple. Similarly,thatmaterialinwhichthisconsciousnessshinesisknownasthebodythatbywhichitseesisknownastheeye.Evensowithregardtotheothersenses,etc. Thatstateinwhichthisconsciousnessshineswithoutnameandformisknownasthetanmatra*(pureelement)whichisofthenatureofspaceorvoidalone.This radianceoftheatomicparticleofconsciousnessitselfbecomesgrossandcomestobeknownasthebodythentherearisethefivesensesinit.Thatwhichisawareof allthisisknownasbuddhiorintelligence.Withthinkingarisesmindinwhichtheegosenseisrooted. VASISTHA*continued: Astheparticleofconsciousnessmovesinspace,itdoes'there'whatitdid'here'earlier.Thussequenceoftimearises,aswellas

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spatialdistinctionslike'above','below'andthedirections.Thoughitisofthenatureofspaceorvoid,itseemstobecometime,space,action,matterandawarenessof themeaningofwords,etc.Thustheativahika*(subtle)bodycomesintobeing.Thisitselfbycontinuedawarenessofitselfseemstocondenseintothematerialbody. Consciousnessbecomesembodiedthoughitistrulylikespace,incapableofbeingcontained.Inittherearisetheideasof'head'andof'feet',anditseestheseas existingorgans.Evensowiththeotherlimbsofthephysicalbody.Thesameconsciousnessconsidersitselftobebeingandnonbeing,takingandrejecting,orderand alltherestofit.Itseesthesenotionsasiftheywerereal.EvensodoesitbecomeBrahma*thecreatorevensodoesitattain(tothestate)ofHariorVisnu*evenso doesitattain(orseeminglybecome)RudraorSiva*evensodoesitseeminglybecomeaworm.Intruth,however,ithasnotbecomeanyoftheseitisasitis,pure voidinvoid,consciousnessinconsciousness. Thatistheseedofallbodiesinthethreeworlds.Itistheseedofeventhesamsara*(worldillusion)whichbarsthegatetoliberation.Itisthecauseofallanditisthe leaderoftimeandaction.Itisthefirstpersonwho,thoughunborn,seemstobeborn.Itdoesnothaveamaterialorphysicalbodyhenceitcannotbecaught.Justasa manwhoisfightingwithalioninadreamshoutsinthatdream,thoughintruthheissilentandasleep,theinfiniteconsciousnesswhichentertainsallthesenotionsisat peaceandsilentwithinitself.Theuniversewhichextendstomillionsofmilesinalldirectionsexistsintheminutestsubatomicparticleandthethreeworldsexistwithin onestrandofhair(incomparisontotheinfiniteconsciousness). EvenBrahma*thecreator,thoughhepresidesovertheuniversewhichisunimaginablyvastandwhichishisbody,existsinanatominfact,hedoesnotoccupyany spaceatall,justlikethemountainsseeninadream.Thecosmicpersonhasbeencalledsvayambhu*Brahma*(theselfborncreator)alsoasvirat*(cosmicperson) butintruth,ORama*,heisbutpureconsciousness.Becausethisconsciousnessbecomesawareofmotion,itexperiencessuchmotionorlifeforce.Thisistheprana* andtheapana*whosewhirlingmotioncomestobeknownaswindintheuniverse,whichistheveryheartoftheuniverse.Theexudations,asitwere,ofthisprana* areknownasvata*orwind,pittaorheatandslesma*ormoisture(thethreehumoursofthebody)andtheircosmiccounterpartswind,sunandthemoon. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:74

Thecosmicperson(virat*)hastwobodies:thesuperiorbodyispureconsciousnesswhichiswithoutbeginning,endor'middle',andtheotherbodyisthisworld. Hence,heisabletoviewtheworld

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(likeanegg)fromoutsideit(asahendoes).Hedividedtheeggintotwo:theupperparthecalledtheskyortheheavenandthelowerparthecalledtheearth.The upperpartisknownastheheadofthevirat*,thelowerpartishisfeetandthemiddle(atmosphere)ishisbackorbuttocks.Theupperpart,becauseitissofaraway, isseenastheblueandemptysky. Thefirmamentisthepalateofthevirat*,andthestarsaredropsofblood.The'particlesofair'thatcoursethebodyaregods,demonsandhumans.Thegermsand virusesinthebodyaretheghostsandgoblins.Theholesinthebodyareotherworlds.Hisloinsaretheoceans.Thenadis*areriversandthecontinentknownas jambudvipa*ishisheart.Theemptyspaceishisstomach.Themountainsarehisliverandspleen.Thecloudsarehisflesh.Thesunandthemoonarehiseyes.The worldofBrahmaishisface.Somaishisenergy.Thesnowboundmountainsarehisphlegm,thesubterraneanfireishisbile,thewindsarehisprana*andapana*.All thetreesandthesnakesarehishairs. Sinceheishimselfthecosmicmind,hehasnomind.Sincetheinfiniteselfaloneapparentlybecomestheexperiencewhichisbutpureconsciousness,thereisno experiencerapartfromit.Inthesameway,sinceheistheexperiencerinallthesenses,therearenoindriyasorsensesinhim.Therefore,thedistinctionsamongthe sensesarebutnotions.Theconceptthatindriyas(senses)standinrelationtothemindasthelimbstothebody,iserroneous:thereisnosuchdistinctioneventhe bodyandthelimbsareoneunit. Whateveractionstakeplaceinthisworldoriginateinhim.Onaccountofhimtheworldisseentoberealifheceasestobe,theworldceasestobe.Theworld (creation),Brahmathecreatorandvirat*(thecosmicperson)arefiguresofspeech:theyarebutnotionsthatariseinthepure,infiniteconsciousness. RAMA*asked: Whenthiscosmicpersonisamerenotion,howdoesheexistinthatbody? VASISTHA*replied: Inexactlythesamewayasyouexistinyourheartwhenyouareinmeditation.Justasthejiva*existsinthebodiesofallbeingsandjustasareflectionexistsinthe mirror,thiscosmicpersonexistsinhisowncosmicbody.Thoughheappearstohavealltheselimbs,etc.,thereisnodivisioninhimandheexistsasarockexists, wholeandundivided,pure,infiniteconsciousness. VI.2:75 VASISTHA*continued:

WhenBrahmathecreatorwasthusmeditating,Ilookedaround.Isawasunrisingineverydirection.WhileIwaslookingatthis

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extraordinaryphenomenon,asunaroserightfromthebowelsoftheearth,likeasubterraneanfire.Therewereeleveninall,withthreemoresatellitesunslikethethree eyesoflordSiva*,whichtogetherformedthetwelfthsun.Itwasgettingtoohotthere.So,Ileftthatplaceandwentawaytoafaroffplace.Theentirefirmamentwas ablazewiththelightofthesesuns.Therewas'katkat'and'catcat'soundeverywhere. Livingbeingswereeverywherebeingscorchedbytheheat.Eventheaquaticcreatureswerenotexempt.Thedestructionwascolossalandcomplete.Mountainsfell onburningcities,grindingthemintoapaste.Atthattimepeoplewereweepingandwailingaloud.Others(yogis)whowereabletomaketheirlifeforcedepartthrough thecrownoftheirhead,attainedimmortality.Theearthwasscorchedbythefirethatarosefromaboveandbelow. TheentireworldwithallthebeingsinitwassetablazebythefirethatemanatedfromtheeyesofRudra.Therewasthesound'bhumbhumbhum'everywhereandit lookedasifthedemonesseswereplayingbythrowingstreamsoffireatoneanother.Meteorsbegantofallonthemountaintopsandbeganto'dance'thedanceof deathanddestruction.Thefirethataroseintheearthseemedtolinktheearthwiththeheavenortheentireuniverse.EventheSumerumountainwhichwasmadeof solidgoldbegantomelt.Thesnowboundmountain(Himalaya*)meltedaway.OnlytheMalayamountainremainedunharmed.Liketheheartofanoblemanwho, eveninhisownsufferingseekstopromotethehappinessofothers,thatmountainstoodspreadingjoyandpeacejustassandalwoodgivesofitsfragranceevento onewhoburnsit. Onlytwoobjectsremainedunaffected:spacebeingallpervadingcouldnotbedestroyedandgoldbeingpurecouldnotbedestroyed.Hence,Ibelievethatonlysatva (purity)isgoodanddesirable,notrajas(activityorimpurity)andtamas(inertia,stupidity). Whenthuseverythingelsehadbeendestroyed,noteventheasheswereseen.Evenaswhenignoranceanditsconsequencesaredestroyedbythefireofthesage's wisdom,onlytheabsolutepurityremainswithouteventhe'ashes'ofpastignorance.ForsometimethesefirescouldnotreachKailasa*,theabodeoflordRudra,but thenheturnedhisfierygazeonitanditbegantoburn. Nothingwasleft.Futuregenerationscouldonlywonder,''Perhapstherewasaworld,auniverse,acreationbefore''. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:76

Thentherearosetheterriblewindsofdissolutionwhichblewsoviolentlythatthemountainsandtheoceansbecameexceedinglyagitatedandlosttheirnatural behaviourandeventhenetherworld

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seemedtofallintosomethingfarbelowit.Theentirecreationbecamedriedandessenceless. Afterthistherearoselikeaniratedemonanenormouscloudwhichproduceddreadfulnoise.ItwaslikethesoundthatwasmadewhenBrahma*thecreatorbroke thegoldeneggwhichgaverisetothecreateduniverse.Thesoundstruckterrorineveryone'sheartbecauseoftheaddedsoundofthedisintegratingworldsandthe oceans.Itfilledtheentirecreateduniverseandunitedtheearthwiththeheavenandthenetherworld.Itwasunmistakablythesoundofcosmicdissolution. Iheardthatsoundofthecloud.Iwondered,"Howcouldthiscloudcoexistwiththefiresofcosmicdissolution?"Ilookedinalldirections.Isawallroundmeshowers ofadamantandthunderbolt.InamomentIexperiencedthesensationofsomethingcoldaboveandsomethingveryhotandburningbelow.Thecloudwassohigh abovethatitcouldneitherbeseen,norcouldthefirereachit. Afterconsumingtheworldsthefireshadbecomepuresparksandshonewithanextraordinaryradiance.Whenthecloudofdissolutiondescendeditappearedtobe madeofthemostbrilliantlightning.Thewatersofthesevenoceansequalledonlyaverysmallpartofacornerofthatcloud.Itappearedasthoughtheseveryoceans hadrisenintothesky.Thetwelvesunswerewhirlpoolsinthatcloudandtheaquaticcreatureswerethelightningflashesthatmovedinit. Therainscame.Everydropofthatrainwaslikeathunderbolt.Theseraindropsfilledtheentirespace.Theyfellwithsuchforcethattheydestroyedwhateverwasleft oftheuniverse.Thewholeskywasonemassofwater.Therainputoutthefiresandreachedtheearthplane. Thewatersofthisextraordinaryandsupernaturalrainmixedwiththefiresthatwerestillburning.Thetwocouldnotdefeatorconquereachother,andhencethey wereillmatchedenemies(becausetheirequalprowessmadetheconflictinterminableandinconclusive).Theywereofgreatstrengthandpower.Therefore,their collisionwasextremelyfearsometowitness. VI.2:77 VASISTHA*continued:

Atthattime,theentirespacewasclothedintheashesofdestruction.Theseasheswerechurnedbyterriblewinds.Fallingrainwasmakingmoredreadfulnoise everywhere,whichsoundedlikethevictorycriesofthedemonsofdissolution.ThewindswerecarryingawaytheburntremainsofthecitiesofIndra(thegodof heaven)andotherdeities. Thusthethreeelementswater,fireandwind,werecompletelyoutofcontrol,alignmentorharmonyanditlookedasthoughthey

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werefightingwitheachother.Thetumultandthesoundofthischaosweredeafening.Thetorrentialrainputoutthefires,producingthesound'chamchamcham'.The mightyriversthatfloweddownthemountainscarriedawayothermountains,continentsandcities.Theplanetsandstarsintheheavenswerealsofallingoutoftheir orbits.Thegreattidalwaveswereeverywherebreakingdownmountainsandthewindwasblowingthesemountainsaway. Therewasutterdarknesseverywhereastheraysofthesunwereveiledbytherainandtheclouds,whichwereofdarkbluecolour.Theverysupportoftheearthhad completelydisintegratedandthereforethemountainsweredisintegrating,too.Thetidalwaveswerepickingupthesemountainsandwerehurlingthemattheclouds.It appearedasifthethreeworldswereweepingandwailingaloud. Thegodsandthedemonswereallsubjecttothesedreadfulcalamities,andyettheywerestillflyingatoneanother'sthroatsininterminableenmity. Onlythevitalairorprana*whichpresidesoverthedisintegrationofmaterialorphysicalbodiessustainedthesedisintegratingobjectsandwaftedthemhereandthere. Atthatsametimetheentirespacewasfilledwithflyingcities,demons,fire,serpentsandsuns,whichlookedlikesomanyfliesandmosquitoes. Eventhedeitiespresidingoverthedifferentdirectionswereapproachingdestructionandtherewasconfusioninthosedirections.Thedustofdestroyedcreationwas everywhere.Theentireuniversewasfilledwiththedebrisof'temples'madeofdifferentpreciousstonesandmetalsofdifferentcolours.Itwasdifficulttoseethe universe. Devoidoftheveilofcreation,that(truthorgod)whichremainsafterthetotaldestructionofwhatisknownascreation,aloneexisted.Onceagaintherewasfullness, thefullnessthatbecomesapparentwhenthediversecreaturesaredestroyed,thefullnessthatwasthereallthetime.Bythistime,ofcourse,thecosmicfiresof destructionhadbeencompletelyputoutbythetorrentialrainsfromthecosmicclouds. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:78,79

Therewasnospace.Therewerenodirections.Therewasneither'below'nor'above'.Therewereneitherelementsnoracreation.Therewasbutonelimitlessocean. Meanwhile,IsawBrahmalokaasthesunbeholdstheearthatsunrise.ThereBrahma*thecreatorwasseatedinsamadhi*ormeditationasifhewereanunshakable mountain,surroundedbythepradhana*orthefirstprinciples,thegodsandthesages,thecelestialsandthesiddhaswhowerealsoseatedinthemeditationposture

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deeplyengrossedinmeditation,asiftheywerewithoutlife.Thetwelvesunsalsoarrivedthereandenteredintomeditation. Afterabriefperiod,IsawBrahma*andtheothersasoneseesone'sdreamobjectsonwakingup.Isawthemassomanymanifestationsofmentalconditioning,not asthematerialisationofthedreamobjects. Ithenrealisedthatallthesegods,etc.,werealsopurevoid.Withoutleavingthatplacetheyhadvanishedfromsight.Irealisedthattheytoohadattainednirvana*after havingabandonednameandform,likeBrahma*thecreator.Whenthevasana*orselflimitingconditioninghadceasedinthemtheyhadbecomeinvisible.Thisbody isbutpurevoid,itseemstoexistonaccountofthevasana*ormentalconditioning.Whenthelatterceases,thebodyceasestobeseenorexperienced,justasthe dreamobjectisnotexperiencedonwakingup.Evensoneitherthesubtle(ativahika*)bodynorthegross(adhibhautika*)bodyisseeneveninthewakingstatewhen thementalconditioningceases.Theexampleofthedreamstateisgivenherebecausethatissomethingeverybodyexperiences.Hewhorejectshisownexperienceis fittobeshunnedfromagreatdistancewhocanwakeupamanwhopretendstosleep? Ifitisarguedthatwhenthebodywhichcausesdreamceasestobe,dreamceases,thenintheabsenceofthebodythereisnolifeintheotherworld.Thensurelythere isnocreation!Ifitissaidthattheworldhasneverbeenwhatitisnot,thenitdoesnotexistevennow.Ifitissaidthatconsciousnessisanexudationofthebody,etc., thentheteachingsofthescripturesbecomeutterlyuseless.Ifyoudecideagainsttheirauthority,whyhaveanyauthorityatall?Ifyouacceptthatdelusionexistsaslong asthebodyexists,thendelusionbecomesareality.Ifconsciousnessarisesinthebodyaccidentally,whyshouldnotthatconsciousnessrealiseitsinfinitenature? Anyhow,whateverconsciousnessbecomesawareofwithinitself,itexperiences(whetheronecallsitrealorunreal).Therefore,inthefirstinstance,theselfnature knowsitselfasconsciousnessonaccountofitsowninherentmovement.Thenonaccountofmentalconditioning(vasana*)itexperiencesdeludedperception. Conditionedawarenessisbondagewhenthereisnoawarenessofconditioning(orconditionedawareness)thereisnirvana*. VI.2:80 VASISTHA*continued:

WhenthusallthegodsandalsothetwelvesunshadbecomeonewithBrahma*,thesesunsbegantoburnawayeventheworldoftheCreator,astheyhaddonewith theearth.AfterburningtheworldoftheCreatorandenteringintodeepmeditationlikeBrahma*,theyenteredintonirvana*likealampwithoutfuel.Everythingwas

Page567

thenenvelopedindensedarkness. Meanwhile,Isawthereafearsomeform.Hewaslikeembodieddissolutionoftheuniverse,likeembodieddarkness.However,heshonebyhisownradiance.Hehad fivefaces,tenarmsandthreeeyes.Hehadatridentinhishand.Hewasmovinginthespaceofhisownbeing.Hewasdarkliketherainbearingcloud.Itwasasifhe roseoutofthecosmicoceanandasifhehimselfweretheembodimentofthatcosmicocean.Helookedlikeawingedmountain.FromhistridentandthreeeyesI thought"ThisisRudra"andIbowedtohimfromagreatdistance. RAMA*asked: WhoisthisRudraandwhatarehisfivefaces,tenhands,etc.? VASISTHA*continued: ORama*,heisknownasRudraandheistheegosense.Heisdevotedtothedisturbanceoftheequilibrium.Hisformispurespaceorvoid.Heisoftheformof spaceandthereforehiscolourislikethatofspace.Sinceheispure,indivisible(likespace)consciousness,heisknownasthespaceself(akasaatma*).Sinceheis theselfofallandisomnipresent,heisknownasthegreatselforthesupremeself.Thefivesenses(ofknowledge)arehisfaces.Thefiveorgansofactionandtheirfive fieldsarehistenarms. Onlywhentheinfiniteconsciousnessbecomesawareofitselfdoesthisformbecomemanifest.Again,thisformastheRudraisbutasmallparticle,asitwere,ofthe infiniteconsciousnessandhencedoesnotexistassuchinreality.Theformisbutanillusoryperception. Heexistsastheunfoldmentormovementincidakasa*(infiniteconsciousness)andasairinboththespaceincreationandinlivingbeings(asthelifebreath).Incourse oftime,whenallhismovementscometoanend,heattainssupremeequilibrium.Thethreegunas*(satva,rajasandtamas),thethreeperiodsoftime(past,present andfuture),thethreeinnerinstruments(citta,buddhiandahamkara*),thethreeaspectsofAUMandthethreevedasarethethreeeyesofRudra.Thetridentimplies thatheholdsthethreeworldsinhishands.Sinceheisattainedbysatvaorgoodnessandhisveryexistenceisforthegoodofall,heisknownasSiva*.Hethenattains tothestateofsupremepeaceandisthereforeknownasKrsna*.Hehimselfcreates(askalpana*,imagination)thewholeuniverse,andhedrinkstheoneoceanof cosmicbeingandattainstothatsupremepeace. VASISTHA*continued: IthensawthatthisRudrabegantodrinkthecosmicoceanwiththespeedofthelifeforceorprana*.Thewatersofthecosmicoceanenteredintohismouthinwhich agreatfirewasburningfiercely.ThatRudraoregosenseexistsasthefireinthebowelsoftheocean

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(orearth)andthenattheendoftheworldcyclehedrinkstheocean.Indeed,thisegosenseistheallatalltimes. Atthattimetherewereonlyfourthingsinthatpureandlimitlessspace:(1)theblackcolouredRudrawhostoodwithoutanysupportandwithoutanymotion,(2)the earthwhichwasrathermuddyandwhichwastheabodeofalltheworlds,fromthenetherworldtotheheaven,(3)theupperpartofthecreation,whichbeingfar,far awaywasbeyondsightand(4)amongallthese,everywhere,therewasthepureBrahmanortheinfiniteconsciousnesspervadingthedifferentpartsofthecreation. Nothingelseexisted. RAMA*asked: WhatistheabodeofBrahma*thecreator,whatareitsveilsandhowdoesitexist? VASISTHA*replied: TheabodeofBrahma*(thecentreoftheearthplane)isenvelopedbywaterwhichistentimestheextentoftheearthplane.Evensotheregionoffireistentimesthe extentofthewaterplane.Theregionofairbeyonditistentimestheextentofthefireplane.Lastly,thespaceplaneistentimestheextentoftheairplane.Beyond thatisthelimitlessspaceofBrahmaakasa*. RAMA*asked: Osage,whoholdsthiscreationfromaboveandfrombelow? VASISTHA*continued: Theearth,etc.,areheldintheirpositionbythegreatbodyofthebrahmaanda*(thegoldeneggorthecosmicperson). RAMA*askedagain: OLord,tellmebywhomisthebrahmaanda*sustained. VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,itisnotsupportedbyanyoneatall,whetheryouregarditasfallingornotfalling.Forthisuniversehasnoform,nobody,nomateriality,thoughitseemsto haveaform.Whatexactlydowemeanby'itfalls'andby'holdingit'?Whateverbethenotionintheinfiniteconsciousness,itremains.inthatmanner.Thiscreationis butthedreamcityoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Whenitisthoughtofas'falling'itseemstofallallthetimewhenitisthoughtofasexistinginspace,itstandsand movesinspacewhenitisthoughtofasunmoving,itremainsmotionless.Whenitisthoughttohavebeendestroyed,itappearstohavebeendestroyed.

TheWorldWithintheRock
VI.2:81 VASISTHA*continued:

ThenIsawthatRudrabegantodanceinspace,asifhewere

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intoxicated.Itwasasifthewatersofthecosmicdissolutionhadassumedaformandweredancinginthatform.Loandbehold!EvenasIwaswatchingthedanceof Rudra,Isawashadowbehindhim.Howcouldshadowexistwithoutsun,Iaskedmyself.AsIwasreflectingoverthisphenomenon,thatshadow(female)steppedin frontofRudra,andshewasalsodancing. Shehadthreeeyes.Shewasofdarkcolour.Shewasthin.Butshewashuge.Hermouthemittedfire.Shelookedlikethedarknightorthelimitlessspaceembodied asafemale.Herarmsextendedtothefarthestreachofspace.Shewassothinthathernerveswerevisibleanditappearedthatsinceshewasthinandtallsomeone hadboundherwiththosenervessothatshemightnotcollapse.Sheworeagarlandmadeoftheheadsofgods,sunsanddemons.Sheworeearringsofsnakes. Nowshehadonearm,amomentlatershehadmanyarmsandamomentlatershehurledherarmsonthedancefloor.Nowshehadonemouth,amomentlatershe hadmanymouthsandamomentlaterstillshehadnomouthatall.Nowshehadonefoot,amomentlatershehadmanyfeetandamomentlaterstillshewaswithout feet.IconcludedfromallthisthatshewasKalaratri*(theNightofDeath).HolymencallherKali*orBhagavati*. Shehadthreeeyeswhichwerepitsoffire.Shehadhighcheekbonesandachin.Shehadanecklaceofstarsstrungonair.Withhermightyarms,whichhadsparkling andradiantnails,shefilledthedirections.Herbreathingwassopowerfulthatthebiggestmountainscouldbeblownawaybyit. Herbodyseemedtoswellenormouslywhenshewasdancing.WhileIwaswitnessingthisdance,sheplayfullystrungthemountainsintoagarlandforherself.The threeworldsbecamemirrorsinthethree(upper,middleandlower)partsofherbody.Cities,forests,mountains,etc.,becamesomanyflowersforthegarlandshe worearoundherbody(neck). Inherlimbswerecitiesandtowns,theseasons,thethreeworlds,themonthsandthedayandnight.Dharmaandbecameherearrings.Vedaswereherbreastsfilled withthemilkofthehighestknowledge.Sheheldmanydifferentweaponsinherhands.Thefourteentypesofbeings,likethegodsandalltherestofthem,werehairs onherbody.Allthesebeingswiththeircitiesandvillagesweredancingwithher,delightedatthethoughtofbeingbornagain.Theentireuniversewasinconstant motionbecauseshewasdancing:fromanotherpointofview,ofcourse,theywerefirmlyestablished(inher). Thewholeuniversewasreflectedonherbodyasifinamirror.

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EvenasIwaslookingtheyappeared,disappearedandreappeared. VASISTHA*continued: Whatwasthatdance?Thestellarfirmamentwasrevolving,themountainswererevolvingandthegodsandthedemonswerealsorevolvinglikemosquitoes.The revolvingfirmamentlookedlikeherflowinggarment.Itwasdelightfultowatchtheverybigtrees(thekalpatree)whichwerebuthairsonherbodyrevolvewhileshe danced.Theywereascendinganddescendingbetweenheavenandearth,asitwere. Thesunandthemoon,thedayandthenightwerereflectedonherfingernails,asitwere,whenshedanced.ThebigmountainsliketheHimalayas,theMeru,etc., werealsodancingwithdelight.Itlookedasthoughanothercosmicdissolutionwasabouttotakeplace. Thegoddessworethesacredthreadmadeofthreestrands,whichwereallkindsofprosperity,perfectknowledgeandsacrifice. Thoughitappearedthateverythingwasrevolving,nothingreallyhappened.Theairthatflowedinandoutofhernostrilswasmakinggreatsounds"ghumghum".On accountofthemovementofthecountlessarmsofthegoddess,theairintheentirespacewasbeingchurned.Bymerelywatchingallthis,evenmyeyes(andmind, too)begantogetfatiguedandconfused.Whenthemirrorsonherbodywereagitatedbythedancing,thenthemountainsbegantofall,thegodsandcelestialsbeganto fallandtheirpalacestocollapse. Inherbodyalltheimmovableobjectsbecamemovable.Stillmoreastonishing,oceansdancedonmountainpeaksandthemountainwasdancinginemptyspace.The spacedancedbeneaththeearthplane,andcontinentswithfloweringgardensandcitiesweredancingintheorbofthesun.Allthesewerefloatingaroundlikestraw withinthemirrorofthegoddess,asitwere.Fishwereswimminginthemirage,andcitieswereseeninspace,whichalsoseemedtoholdmountains.Theskyandthe cloudsofcosmicdissolutionwererestingonthemountainswhichhadfallen. InthebodyofKalaratri*werefoundnightandday,creationanddissolution,purityandimpurity.Thoughallthegods,etc.,weretumbledbyherdance,theywere apparentlysteadybecauseofthesteadinessoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Inherconsciousnesstherewasnaturalknowledge.Byherdanceshecreatedanddissolved theuniversesmomentaftermoment,justasasmallboyshiftshisattentionfrommomenttomoment.Nowsheisnear,nowsheisfar,nowsheisinfinitesimalandnow sheiscosmic.Suchisthemanifestationofhercosmiccreativepower.Shedances,holdingthehornsofthebuffalowhichisthevehicleofthegodofdeath,tothe accompanimentofsoundslike'dimbamdimbampacapacajhamya'.Shewearsa

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garlandofskullsandonherheadisapeacockfeather.ShebowstoRudra,thegodofdissolution.Mayheprotectyou. RAMA*asked: VI.2:82

Lord,wheneverythinghadbeendestroyed,howdoesshedanceandwithwhom?Andhowcouldshehaveallthosegarlandsandalltherestofit? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,thiswasneitheramalenorafemale,nordidtheydance.Theywerenotofanysuchnaturenordidtheyhaveanysuchform.Onlytheeternal,infinite consciousnesswhichisthefirstcauseandthecauseofallcausesexistedasinfinite,aspeaceandaspervadingeverythingbyitsmereappearance.TheLord (Sivam*)isthat.TheLordhimselftookontheappearanceorformofBhairavawhentheentireuniversehadceasedtoexistbutinfacthewasasformlessasthe infinitespace.Itisnotappropriateeventoassumethattheinfiniteconsciousness,whichhadbecomemanifestinallitsgloryonaccountofitsinherentnature,would suddenlybewithoutit:justasgoldcannotbewithoutanyformwhatsoever. Howcanconsciousnessremainwithoutbeingconscious?Canyouseegoldwithoutanyform?Howcananythingremainwithoutexpressingitsnature?Howcansugar caneloseitssweetness?Ifithaslostitssweetnessitisnolongersugarcane,anditsjuiceisnotsweet. Whenconsciousnesslosesconsciousness,itisnolongerconsciousness.Everythinghastobewhatitisanditisimpossibletohaveitanyotherway.Hence,thatinfinite consciousnessispureexistenceatalltimesanditdoesnotundergoanydiminution.Itshinesbyitsownlight,ithasnobeginningnormiddlenorendanditis omnipotent.Thatitselfattheendofaworldcycleappearsasthespaceandtheearthplane,etc.,andseemstoundergonaturalcalamitiesandwholesaledestruction thoughthereisnorealityinallthese. Birth,death,Maya*,delusion,blindness,nonsubstantiality,substantiality,wisdom,bondage,liberation,goodandevil,knowledgeandignorance,embodiedand disembodiedstates,amomentandeternity,unsteadinessandfirmness,youandIandtheother,truthandfalsehood,clevernessandfoolishness,notionsconcerning time,space,actionandmatter,form,sightandrelatedthought,actionspringingfromtheintellectandthesenses,andallthefiveelementsbywhicheverythingis pervadedallthesearepureconsciousnesswhich,withoutabandoningitsnature,appearstobeallthese(justasspaceseemstobecutupthoughitisreallynotso cutup).ThisinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisknownaslordSiva*,Hari,Brahma*,themoonandthesun,IndraandVaruna*,Yama,Kuberaandfire.Hewhois enlightened,however,seesnotthediversity,but

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theoneinfiniteconsciousness. VI.2:83 VASISTHA*continued:

ThecosmicformthatIdescribedtoyouaslordSivawaspureconsciousnessthatitselfwasRudrathedancer.Therewasnosuchformnorwasthereformlessness. Inthemassofconsciousness,allthiswasfelttohavebeenexperienced.Isawonlythatspace(plane)whichwassupremepeaceandIexperienceditintheform whichIdescribed.Nooneelsesawitthatway. Whatwasdescribedastheendofaworldcycle,asRudraandasBhairaviallthatwasbutanillusoryappearancetheywereexperiencedinthoseformsonlyby me.Themassofconsciousnessaloneexists.Whenitisperceivedasacertainform(Bhairava),itisseeninthatformanditseemstoassumesuchaform.The comprehensionofawordanditsmeaning(object)isnotpossiblewithoutconsciousness.Itisbecauseofpersistentuseofsuchcomprehensionthatyoubegintofeel thattheobjectdenotedbytheexpressionisabsolutelyreal.TherewasneitheraBhairavinoraBhairava(Kalaratri*andRudra)noreventhecosmicdissolutionall thesewereillusoryappearances.Theonlyrealityistheinfiniteconsciousness.ThusIhavedescribedtoyouthesignificanceoftheformandtheformlessnessofRudra. Ishallnowexplaintoyouthesignificanceofthedance. Consciousnessisneverwithoutsomemovementwithinitself.Withoutthismovementitmightbecome'unreal'.ThusconsciousnessappearedtobeRudraonaccount ofthismovementwithinitself.Movementistheverynatureofconsciousnessandthereforeinseparablefromit.Thismovementofconsciousnesswithinitselfiswhat wasexperiencedasthedanceofthelordRudra.Thatmovementwasbutpuremovement.ItwasexperiencedbymeasthedanceoftheLordonaccountofmyown psychologicalconditioning.Thus,thedanceoftheLordwasthemovementwithinpureconsciousness.RAMA*asked: Whenallthatisunrealisdissolvedduringthecosmicdissolution,howdoesconsciousnessbecomeaware,andofwhat? VASISTHA*continued: Ofcourse,consciousnessdoesnotbecomeawareofanother.Whatissaidtobetheobjectofobservationhereisonlyareferencetotheverynatureofthat consciousness.Justasinadream,thecities,etc.,areallwithintheconsciousnessofthedreamer,consciousnessbecomesawareofitsownmovementwithinitselfright fromthemomentthismovementarises.Thusariseinitnotionsofamoment,anage,aworldcycle,etc.,asalsonotionsof'I'and'you',etc.Thus,thereisneithera duality,noraunity,noravoid,neithercon

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sciousness(asthesubject),norunconsciousness.Thereispuresilence,ornoteventhat.Theinfiniteconsciousnessaloneexists. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:84

Theplane(space)ofconsciousnessitselfisknownasBhairavaorSiva*.Inseparableandnondifferentfromhimishisdynamicenergywhichisofthenatureofthe mind.Airisseen(experienced)initsmotionfireisknownbyitsheatthepureconsciousnessispureandtranquilanditisknownasSiva*.ThisSiva*isbeyond description.ItisthedynamicenergyoftheLordwhichexecutesallhiswishes,asitwere,andmakesthewishesappearasvisions.ThisenergyorpowerorMaya*is consciousness.'She'isalivingforceandthereforesheiscalledthejiva*.Sincethiscreationmanifestationisnaturaltotheinfiniteconsciousness,sheisknownas prakrti*ornature.Sincesheisthecauseofallthingsbeingseenandexperienced,sheisknownaskriya*oraction. Sinceshemanifestsgreatangertowardsevilsheisknownascandika*.Sincesheisofthecolourofthebluelotus,sheisknownasutpala*.Sheisknownasjaya* becausesheisalwaysvictorious.Sheisknownassiddha*becauseperfectionrestsinher.Jaya*isalsoknownasjayanti*,asalsovijaya*,allofwhichsignifyvictory. Sincesheisunconquerablesheisknownasparajita*.Sheisknownasdurga*sinceherformorrealnatureisbeyondourgrasp.Sheisknownasuma*becauseshe istheveryessenceofthesacredmonosyllableOM.Sheiscalledgayatri*becausehernamesaresungbyallandalsosavitri*becausesheisthecreatrixofall.Sheis theexpansionofone'svisionofallthingsandhencesheisknownassarasvati*.Sincesheisofwhite(yelloworred)coloursheisknownasgauri*.Sincesheexistsas arayoflightinonewhosleeps,andinonewhohasbeenawakenedbythecontemplationofthesubtleinnervibrationsproducedbythesoundofOM,sheisknown asindukala*(rayofthemoon). SincesheandSiva*havespaceastheirrealform,theirbodieshaveabluecolour.Spaceistheirflesh,bones,everything.Theyexistinspaceasspace.Herdance withdifferentgestures,etc.,symbolisesthecreation,decayanddeathofallbeings.Sheisconceivedofashavinglimbsbecauseshecreatestheworldsbythe movementofherenergy.Thiskali*investsallthingswiththeircharacteristicsbythepowerinherentinherownlimbs,asitwere.Butonecannotbyanymeans apprehendherlimbsnorcanherrealnaturebedescribed.Justasamotionwithinspaceisexperiencedbyusasair,evensothedynamicenergyofconsciousnessis experiencedbytheactionormotionthattakesplaceinthatconsciousness.However,motionoractioncannotberegardedasthequalityofconsciousnessbecauseit hasnoqualitiesnorcharacteristics:consciousnessispureandutterly

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tranquil,beyondalldescription.Thenotionofmotioninconsciousnessisignorance. VASISTHA*continued: Whenthisdynamicenergyofconsciousnessrestsateachplaceasitis(withoutbecomingsomethingelse),thatitselfisknownasSiva*theLord.Thatis,thethingin itselfistheLord.Thefollowingarethelimbsofthisdynamicenergyofconsciousnesswhichhavebeencreatedasnotionsinher:allthesecreatedworlds,theearth withallthecontinentsandoceans,theforestsandthemountains,thescriptures,thedifferentformsofsacredrites,warsinwhichvariousformsofweaponsareused andallthefourteenworlds. RAMA*said: Osage,arethesethingswhicharesaidtobethelimbsinthebodyofthisdynamicenergyrealorfalse? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,alltheseareindeedreal,fortheyhaveallbeenbroughtaboutbytheoperationofthisdynamicenergyofconsciousness,andtheyareallexperiencedby consciousness.Justasthemirrorreflectsarealobjectthatexistsoutside,thisconsciousnessreflectswithinitselfthatwhichiswithinitselfhence,itisreal.Eventhe imaginarycityortheillusoryappearanceofthecityarisesonlyinconsciousness,whethertheappearancearisesbecauseofpersistentcontemplationorbecauseofthe purityofconsciousness.Thiscreationisrealwhetheritisregardedasareflectionoradreamobjectorafancy,becauseitisbasedonthetruthwhichistheselfthis ismyopinion.Ifyouobject:''Butthesefancifulcreationsareofnopracticalusetome,''considerofwhatusearetheywhohavegonetoadistantcountry.Theyareof usetotheinhabitantsofthevillagetowhichtheyhavegone.Evensowitheverything. Whateverthereisherewhichexistsandfunctionshereisrealtotheselfandnottoanotherwhodoesnotperceiveitandisunawareofit.Therefore,allthesecreations andcreaturesthatexistwithinthefieldoftheenergyofconsciousnessaretruetotheperceivingselfandareunrealtothenonperceiver.Allthenotionsandthedreams thatexistinthepresent,pastorthefutureareallreal,becausetheselfwhichistheselfofallisreal.Theyareallexperiencedbythosewhohavereachedthe appropriatestateofconsciousness,justashewhogoestoadistantlandseesthesightsthere.However,motionoftheenergyofconsciousnessdoesnotalterthetruth, evenasadreamertransportedtoanotherplacewithouthissleepbeingdisturbeddoesnothavehisdreaminterrupted.Whenitisrealisedthattheperceptionofthe threeworldsisbutanunrealfancy,thereisnoquestionofitsinterruptionorotherwise.

Page575

VASISTHA*continued:

VI.2:85

Animaginarycityisimagination,notcity.Evensothecreationisbutthenotionthatarisesintheenergyoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Or,thenotionthatsoarisesisthe creation. Kalaratri*istotheLordwhatmovementistoair.Justasinemptyspace,airmovesasifithasform,shemovesintheinfiniteconsciousnessexecutingthewillorthe wishoftheLord,asitwere.Whenthereisnosuchmovementoftheenergy,thentheLordaloneexists. Whileshecontinuestodanceinthisfashioninspace,thenbyaccidentalcoincidence(thecrowandthecocoanut)shecomesintocontactwiththeLord.Themoment thiscontactismade,sheisweakenedandmadethinandtransparent.Sheabandonshercosmicformandbecomesamountain,thenshebecomesasmalltownand thenabeautifultree.ThenshebecomeslikespaceandlastlyshebecomesoftheformoftheLordhimself,liketheriverenteringtheocean.ThentheLordshinesas onewithoutasecond. RAMA*asked: But,holysir,tellmewhythedivinemotherthusbecomestranquil? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,itisthedynamicenergyofconsciousnessthatisknownasprakrti*,jaganmaya*,etc.Sheisunperverted.Thatwhichissuperiortothisenergyis consciousnessitselfwhichistheveryselfofconsciousness,supremepeace.ThisdynamicenergyfunctionsandmovesaslongasthereisthemomentumoftheLord's wish.Inaway,shedancesaslongasshedoesnotseetheLord. Sinceconsciousnessandenergyareinseparablyone,theenergycomesintocontactwith(becomesawareof)theLordandbecomestheLordhimself.Whenthe prakrti*touchestheLordsheabandonstheprakrti*hood(thestateofbeingmovement).ShemergesintheLordevenastherivermergesintheocean.The movementofenergyisbuttheresultofanotionarisinginconsciousnessandtheenergynaturallyreturnstoconsciousness,justastheshadowmaybesaidtoentera personwhentheshadowceasestobe.Aholymanmayliveinthecompanyofthievestillhediscoversthetruthafterwardshedoesnotrelishsuchcompany. Consciousnessrevelsindualitytillitseesitsownself.Theenergyofconsciousnessdancesuntilitbeholdsthegloryofnirvana*.Whenitbeholdsconsciousness,it becomespureconsciousness. Oneroamsthissamsara*withitsbirthanddeathonlytillonebeholdsthesupreme.Havingseenit,heisimmediatelyimmersedinthesupreme.Whowillagain abandonthatwhichfreeshimfromallsorrow?

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VI.2:86

VASISTHA*continued:

Ishallnowtellyou,ORama*,howlordRudra,whowasstandinginthecosmicspacewithanapparentform,castitoffandattainedtotaltranquility. ThatRudrastoodobservingthedivisioninconsciousnessknownasthecreation.Inamomenthe'swallowedthedivision'asitwere.ThenRudrastoodalone,onewith thespaceasifhehimselfwerespace.Inafewminutes,hebecameaslightascloudandhissizewasfastshrinking.Isawthroughmyowndivinevisionthathehad becomesmallerthananatom.Inamomenthehadbecomeinvisible.Hehadbecomesupremepeace.HehadbecomeonewiththeabsoluteBrahmanorpure consciousness. Thus,ORama*,Isawwithinthatrockthecreation,sustenanceandthedissolutionoftheuniverse.Iwasamazedatallthisillusoryperception.AgainIlookedatthe rockandIsawallsortsofcreationsandcreaturesinit,likethelimbsofKalaratri*.Allthisisseenonlywiththeeyesofawakenedintelligenceorbythedivineeye whichseeseverythingeverywhereatalltimesaseverythingis.Ifoneseestherockwiththephysicaleyesasifitliesatadistance,onlytherockisseen,butno creation,etc. Afterallthis,Iturnedmyinnereyetoanotherpartofthesamerock.OnceagainIsawawholecreationcomeintobeingandalltherestofit.Ineverypartofthatrock Isawawholecreation.EvensoIsawinnumerablecreationsintheverymanyrocksthatIfoundonthathill. InsomeofthesecreationstheBrahma*hadjustbegunhisworkofcreation,inothersthegodswerespringingfromthemindoftheCreator,somewerepopulatedby humanbeings,insometherewerenogodsandinsomenodemons,insomethesatyayuga(goldenage)reignedandinothersthekaliyuga(ironage),insomethe peoplehadconqueredoldageanddeath,insomethepeoplewereallenlightenedbecausetheyencounterednoobstructiontotheirrighteousness.ThusIsawthestate oftheuniverseinthepast,presentandfuture.InsomeIsawdensedarknessandignorance,insomeIsawRama*fightingRavana*andinsomeRavana*abducting Sita*.Somewereruledbythegodsandsomebydemons. RAMA*asked: Lord,tellme,didIexistasRama*beforethisincarnation? VASISTHA*replied: YouandIhavebeenbornhereagainandagain,ORama*.Ofcoursefromthepointofviewoftheabsolutereality,neitheryounorInorthisworldhasevercomeinto being.Allthesearelikeripplesonthesurfaceofwater.Theirparticularappearanceanddis

Page577

appearanceareduetoillusoryperceptionanddeludedunderstanding. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:87

AfterthuscontemplatingtheinfiniteconsciousnessforsometimeIsuddenlyrealisedthatallthiscreationwaswithinmyself,myownbody,justasthetreeisinthe seed.Whenonecloseshiseyestosleep,heentersintoaninnerworldcreatedbyhisinnervisionwhensleepcomestoanend,onewakesupandhisvisionentersthe worldofthewakingstate.Inthesamewaycreationisexperiencedbyone'senteringintoitwithinhisownheart. Havingseentheappearanceofthiscreationinpurespace,Ienteredintootherpartsofmyselfeagertoseeotheraspectsofcreation.Whenthusthelightofmyinner intelligencewasdirectedtothat'space',therearoseinitanexperienceofthatspace.ORama*,whenyouenterintotheconsciousnessofyourownself,whetherin sleeporinthewakingstate,youknowthatitisequallyamassofconsciousness.Tobeginwiththereisonlythispurespaceoremptiness.Inittherearisesthenotion'I am'.Thecondensationofthatisknownasbuddhiorintellectandthecondensationofthatisknownasthemind.Thatknowsorexperiencesthepureelementofsound andalsotheotherelements,thetanmatras*.Fromtheseexperiencesarisethevarioussenses. Somesaythatthereissomeorderinthiscreation,othersdeclarethatthereisnosuchorder.However,itisnotpossibletoalterthenatureandcharacteristicsof createdobjectswhichhaveacquiredthosecharacteristicsthroughtheappropriatenotionthataroseintheinfiniteconsciousnessinthebeginning. AsIwasthusobservingcreation,Ihadbecomeatomic.Irealisedmyselfasarayoflight.Contemplatingthatalone,Ihadbecomegross.Inthisgrossnesstherewere thepotentialitiesofsenseexperiences....Ibegantosee.TheorgansthroughwhichIsawbecametheeyes,thatwhichIsawbecamethescene(object),thefruitof thisexperiencewassight,'when'Isawallthisbecametime(duration),themannerinwhichIsawbecamethemethodororder,'wherever'Isawbecamespace.By convictionthesebecametheorderofcreation. Whenthusconsciousness'openeditseyes',asitwere,orbecameawareofitsowninherentpotentialities,thetanmatras*(pureelements)arose,andthenallthesenses whichareinfactandintruthpurevoidorspacecameintobeing. Evenso,Ithought"Letmehearsomething."Fromthissoundarose,asalsotheorganofhearing.Thentherearosethesenseoftouch,thesenseoftasteandthesense ofsmell,etc.Eventhoughalltheseseemtohaveariseninme,infactnothinghaseverhappened.

Page578

VASISTHA*continued: Whenthusthefiveelementsandthefivesensescameintobeing,theircorrespondingknowledgeandexperiencearoseinmeirresistibly.Theywerewithout 'form'(substantiality)andtheywereillusory.WhenIthusstoodcontemplatingthesenotionsandexperiences,thatstateofmybeingisknownbypeoplelikeyouasI nessoregosense.Whenthisnotionofegosensebecomesmoregross,itisknownasbuddhiorintellectwhenthatbecomesgross,itisknownasthemind.Thus, thoughIampureconsciousness,Iseemtohaveacquiredasubtlebody(ativahika*)andanantahkarana*(innerinstrumentconsistingofmind,intellect,etc.). Iamsubtlerandmoreemptythaneventheair.Hence,Idonotobstructthecomingintobeingofanything.ButsinceIcontinuetobeinthisnotionalexistencefora considerableperiodoftime,youimaginethatIhaveabody.ItisonaccountofthisnotionexistinginyouthatIproducethissoundknownasspeech.Youheariteven asasleepingpersonhearssoundsinhisdream.ThefirstsoundthatachilduttersisOMandhenceOMhascometoberegardedastheforemostamongsounds. Afterthat,whateverIhavebeensayingasifindream,appearstoyoutobemyspeech. IamtheabsoluteBrahman.Iamselfcontained,thecreatorofthiscreationandthepreceptorofall.Ihavecreatedallthisthroughmyownthoughtsandnotions.Thus doIexist,butIamunborn.Ihaveseentheuniverse,beyondthatIhaveseennothing.ButallthisthatIhaveseenisbutpurevoid.Allthisisbutpureexperiencing. Nothing(theearth,etc.)existsnorhasanythingevercomeintobeing.Nothingexistsoutside.Everythingisinconsciousnesseverythingisconsciousness.Thereisno worldinBrahmanbutBrahmanseesorexperiencesaworld.Thisperceptionisnotafactorrealitybutjustanotion. Thistruthcannotbeseenbyphysicaleyeswhichcanonlyseematerialobjects.Whenyouseewithyoursubtle(ativahika*)eyesyouwillbeholdthecreationasitis,as thetruth,aspureBrahmannirvana*. WhenIexperiencedspace,Iknewwhatearthwas.Ibecameearth.InthatearthIexperiencedtheexistenceofcountlessuniverses,withouteverabandoningthe awarenessthatIamtheinfiniteconsciousness.Isawthe'mostamazingearthlyphenomenaandeventswithinthatearth(withinme).Infact,Iexperiencedeventhe farmerploughing'me'(theearth),andIexperiencedtheburningheatofthesunandthecoolflowofrainwater.IbecamethefearfulspaceinwhichtheLokaloka* mountains(theboundariesoftheworld)existandIexperiencedtheactionsandthemovementsofcountlessbeings.

Page579

Countlessbeingsofdifferenttypesgods,demons,humans,animalsandwormsfilledme.Iwasfilledwithmountains,forests,etc.,whichexistonearth. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:88,89

WhileIremainedintheearthconsciousnessIexperiencedtheexperiencesoftheearth,withallitsrivers,etc.HereIexperiencedtheweepingandwailingofthose whohadlosttheirdearandnearones,hereIexperiencedthejoyofdancinggirlstherewerethecriesofthehungry,thejoyoftheaffluent,droughtandearthquake, waranddestruction,beautifulbirdsandlakes,sufferingworms,flourishingforests,meditatingsages.ORama*,inthisearthbodyofmineallthesetookplace. RAMA*asked:Whenyouwerethusengagedinthecontemplationoftheearth(parthivadharana*),wasthatearthrealoronlymental? VASISTHA*replied: Truly,thiswasmentalandIhadmyselfbecometheearthequallytruly,thiswasnotmentalnordidIactuallybecometheearth.Apartfromthemind,thereisnoearth. Whetheryouconsidersomethingasrealorasunrealitisbutmentalaction.Iambutthepureinfiniteconsciousnessthatnotionwhicharisesinitisknownas sankalpa*orthoughtorimagination.Thatnotionisthemind,itistheearth,itistheworld,itisthecreatorthisworldappearsinspaceonaccountofthatnotion,just asafanciedcityexistsinthesky. WhatIexperiencedastheearthwasbutasimplenotionandthereforemental.Itispervadedbythemindonaccountofthepersistentcontemplation(dharana*)it remainsasifitistheearth.Theearthplaneismentalitisthenotionthatarisesinconsciousnessanditisotherwisevoid.Whenthisnotionremainsconstantforsome time,itapparentlyabandonsitsmentalstateanditseemstobecomethissolid,material,hardandfirmearth. Fromthispointofviewtheearthdoesnotexist.Butithascometoberegardedassolidmaterialexistencefromthebeginningofcreation.Justasthedreamobjectis nothingbuttheconsciousnessofthedreamer,thisworldappearanceisnothingbutpureconsciousness.Thenotionthatarisesinconsciousnessispureconsciousness andnothingelse.Hence,thereisnonotionassuch,neitheraselfnoraworld.Whenitisthusseen,theworlddoesnotexistwhenitisnotobservedcarefully,itseems tocomeintobeing. Justasacrystalreflectscolourswithoutintendingtodoso,theinfiniteconsciousnessreflectsinittheentireuniverse.Hencetheworldisneithermentalnormaterial.It ispureconsciousnessalonethatappearsasthisearth.Itisthefalsenotionentertainedbycountlessbeingsinthethreeworldsthathasattainedrelativeorexistential

Page580

realityknownastheearth.'Iamallthisandallthatiswithinallthis.'WiththisrealisationIsaweverything. VI.2:90 VASISTHA*continued:

ThusinmyheartIexperiencedtheearthplane.Whateverwasseenandexperiencedwasthere,inmyheartbutitlookedasthoughitweredifferentfromme,ina subjectobjectrelationship.Thatwasbecausethereistheuniverseeverywhere,thereisBrahmaneverywhereandthereisavoideverywhere.Theearthplaneexists everywhere(itisofcoursenothingintruth)butitispureconsciousness.Likeadreamcityithasneverbeentrulycreatedinfact. Thereisneitheradiversitynoranondiversity.Thereisneitherbeingnornonbeing.Thereisno'I'.Howcanonesaythatthereissomething?Thoughthiscreationis experienced,itdoesnotexistintruthor,ifitissaidtoexist,itisBrahmanalonethatexists.Whenitislikeadreamcityhowcanoneaffirmordenyitsexistence? JustasIexperiencedtheearthplanebytheearthcontemplation(prthvidharana*),Ialsoexperiencedthewaterplanebythewaterdharana*.Bycontemplationof water,IbecamewaterthoughnotinertIbecameinert.Idweltinthebowelsoftheoceanforalonglongtimemakingtheappropriatesounds.Idweltinthebodyof plantsandcreepersandmademyownchannelswithinthem.Ienteredintothemouthsoflivingbeingsandmingledwiththevitalorgansintheirbodies.Iflowed restlesslyalongriverbedsandItookrestatthedamsenroute.RisingasvapourIenteredintotheheavensascloud.ThereIrestedforsometimewithmyfriendthe lightning. Idweltinallbeingsasthewaterelement,evenastheinfiniteconsciousnessdwellsinallbeings.Comingintocontactwiththetastebudsinthetongue,Iexperienced differenttastessurelythatexperienceispureknowledge.Thetastewasnotexperiencedbymenorbythebodynorbyanyother.Theexperiencehappenedwithinas theobjectofexperiencingandassuchitisfalse. WhentheflowersblossomedIdescendeduponthemasdewandtastedwhateversweetnesswasleftinthemafterthebeeshadhadtheirshare.Idweltinthefourteen classesofbeingsasawarenessoftasteconsciousness,thoughappearingtobeunconsciousness.Assumingtheformofdropletsofwaterorspray,Ienjoyedriding onwindandtravellingfromoneplacetoanother.ThusinthatstateaswaterIhadvariedandinterestingexperiences.Isawhundredsofworldscomeintobeingand vanish.Whetherthisworldhasformornoform,itispureconsciousnessandimmaterialvoid.ORama*,youarenothing,butyouarenotnonexistent.Youarepure andsupremeconsciousness.

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VASISTHA*continued:

VI.2:91

ThenIbecamethefireelementthroughthecontemplationofthatelement(tejadharana*).Fireorlightispredominantlysatvaandthereforeitisalwaysluminousandit dispelsdarknessevenasakingmakesthievesfleehispresence.IrealisedthemiseryofdarknesswhichdestroysallgoodqualitiesbecauseIbecamethelightinwhich everythingisseen.Lightbestowsformoneverythingevenasafatherbestowsformonhisoffspring.Inthenetherworldlightshinesataminimumlevelandthereis greaterdarkness.Inheaventhereislightaloneandalways.Lightisthesunthatmakesthelotusofactionblossom. Ibecamethegoodcolour(suvarna*)ingold,etc.,Ibecamevitalityandvalourinmen,injewelsIsparkledastheirfire,inraincloudsIbecamethelightofthelightning, inpassionatewomenIbecamethetwinkleintheireyes,Ibecamethestrengthofthelion.Iwasmyselfthehatredofthedemonsinthegodsandthehatredofthegods inthedemons.Ibecamethevitalessenceofallbeings.Iexperiencedbeingthesun,themoon,thestars,preciousstones,fire(includingthefireofcosmicdestruction), lightning,lamp.WhenIbecamefire,theburningcindersbecamemyteeth,thesmokemyhairandfuelwasmyfood.Intheblacksmith'sworkshopIbecamethefire thatmadetheironredhot,andwhenitwasbeatenIflewoutassparks. RAMA*asked: Osage,whenyouhadthusbecomethefireelement,wereyouhappyorunhappy? VASISTHA*replied: Justaswhenapersonsleepshebecomestemporarilyinsentientthoughheisasentientbeing,consciousnessbecomesaninertobject.Whenitthinksofitselfasthe elements(earth,etc.,)itthinksofitselfasbeinginert.Infact,however,thereisnosuchdivisionofconsciousnessintosubjectandobject. Hence,whateverIexperiencedinthestatesofearth,waterandfire,IexperiencedonlyasBrahman.IfIhadinfactbecomeinert,howcouldIexperiencewhatitisto beearth,etc.?Thesentientpersonthinks"Iamasleep"andheappearstobeinsentient.Ifonewakesuptothetruthconcerningoneself,thenthematerialityofthe bodyvanishes.Withthesubtle(ativahika*)bodyheisthenabletoenteranythinganywhere.Thissubtlebodyisnothingbutpureintelligence.Whenoneentersanother statewiththisintelligenceoutofhisownwish,thenobviouslyonedoesnotexperienceunhappinessorsorrow. Justastheworldseenandexperiencedinadreamisenvelopedbythedarknessofignoranceandisthereforeunreal,evensoaretheotherelementsthatone experiences.Whenonetouchesariverof

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sparkswhichhefanciesinhisownmind,hedoesnotexperiencepain.Suchwasthecasewithmyelementalexperiences. VI.2:92 VASISTHA*continued:

ThenIbecametheairelementbyvayudharana*(contemplationofoneselfaswind).Itaughtthegrass,leaves,creepersandstrawtheartofdancing.Waftingcool breeze,Ibecamethedearfriendofyoungladies.AtthesametimeIwasdreadedformyheatwave,hurricaneandtornadoes.InpleasuregardensIcarriedsweet scentinhellIcarriedsparksoffire.Mymotionwassofastthatpeopleconsideredmindandwindtobebrothers.IflowedwiththewatersoftheholyGanga*andit wouldhavebeentiresomebutIwashappythatwewereabletorelievethetiresomenessandfatigueofothers.IassistedspacebycarryingsoundwavesandthereI cametobeknownasthedearfriendofspace.Idweltinthevitalorgansofallbeings.IknewthesecretsoffireandIwasalsoknownasthefriendofthefire.Iwas operatingthebodymachineofallembodied(living)beingsbybeingtheirlifebreath.Hence,Ibecametheirfriendandtheirenemyatthesametime. ThoughIstoodinfrontofall,Icouldnotbeperceivedbyany.DuringthecosmicdissolutionIcouldlifthugemountainsandhurlthemasIpleased.Asair,Iperformed sixfunctions:gatheringintoamass,dryingup,upholdingorsupporting,vibratingorcausingmotion,conveyingscent,andcooling.Iwasdedicatedtothetasksof buildinganddestroyingbodies. Beingtheelementair,Iperceivedwithin'eachmoleculeofairawholeuniverse.IneachofthoseuniversesIagainsawalltheelements,etc.,asinthisuniverse.They werenotrealexistencestheywerebutnotionsthatariseinthecosmicvoidorspace. Inthoseworlds,too,therewerethegodsandtheplanets,mountainsandoceans,andtheillusorynotionsofbirth,oldageanddeath.Iroamedallthoserealmstomy heart'scontent.Countlesstypesofbeingslikethecelestialsandthesagesrestedonmybodylikesomanyfliesandmosquitoes.Bymyleavetheyobtainedtheir variousformsandcolours.TheyderivedimmensepleasurewhenItouchedthem,buttheycouldnotseeme. Thoughthenetherworldsweremyfeet,theearthmyabdomenandtheheavensmyhead,eventhenIdidnotabandonmysubatomicnature.Iwasspreadinall directionseverywhereatalltimesandIdideverything.Iwastheselfofall.Iwasall.YetIwaspurevoid.Iexperiencedbeingsomethingandbeingnothing,the formlessstateasalsoform,whileretainingawarenessofallthisaswellasbeingunawareofthese.TherearecountlesssuchuniversesastheonethatIexperienced. Justasamandreamsthathedreamscountlessobjects,

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Iexperienceduniverseswithineveryatomanduniverseswithintheatomsofthoseuniverses.ImyselfbecamealltheseuniversesandthoughIwastheselfofallandI pervadedallthese,Ididnotsoenvelopallthese.Thesearebutwords,evenasare'Thereisheatinfire'(heatinfiredenotesbutonefactthoughthreewordsare used).

TheStoryoftheSagefromOuterSpace
VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:93

Afterallthis,Ireenteredmycottageorhermitageinouterspace.Ilookedformyphysicalbody.Itwasnotthere.But,Ifoundanagedsagesittinginthathermitage. Hewasindeepmeditation.Hewasseatedinthelotusposture.Hisfacewasradiantandbeautifulonaccountofthepeaceandblissthatfilledhim.Hislotuslike handshadbeenplacedinfrontofhisnavel,andtheyshonewithanextraordinarybrilliance.Hiseyeswereclosedandhewasobviouslybeyondbodyconsciousness. NotseeingmyownbodybutobservingthesagesittinginmeditationIbegantothinkasfollows: Surely,thisisagreatandperfectedsage.Likeme,hemusthavearrivedhereseekingtotalseclusion.Sincehesoughtseclusionhemusthaveseenthishermitagein space.PerhapsheexpectedmetoreturnandseeingthatIhadnotreturnedforalongtime,hemusthavethrownthatbodyoutandhimselfoccupiedthehermitage. Letmereturntomyownrealm. WhenIthusreflectedandwhenmydesiretostayinthathermitageceased,thathermitagedisappearedandwithiteventhatsagedisappeared.Whenone'sthoughts (notionsorconcepts)cease,thatwhichthosethoughtsbroughtintobeingalsoceases.Whenmywishforthehermitageceased,itdisappeared.Likeaspacecraftthat hermitagefell.Thesagefell.AndItoodescendedalongwithhimontotheearthplane.Thesagelandedinthesamestateandpostureinwhichhewasinthat hermitage.Thiswasbecause,throughtheunionofprana*andapana*,hehadovercometheforceofgravity.Hedidnotevenwakeupfromhismeditation.Hisbody wasstrongasarockandlightascotton. Inordertobringhimbacktonormalbodyconsciousness,Iassumedtheformofabigcloudwhichrainedandthundered.Thenheregainedbodyconsciousness.I enquiredofhim:"Whereareyou,Osage?Whatareyoudoing?Whoareyou?Thoughyoufellfromsuchheight,youareobliviousofithowisthat?" Aftercontemplatingthepastforafewmoments,theSAGEsaid:"Ihavenowrecognisedyou,OholyoneIsaluteyou.Kindlypardon

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mefornothavingsalutedyouearlier.Itisindeedthenatureofsagestobeforgiving.Osage,Ihavewanderedintherealmsofthegodsforaconsiderabletime.Iam tiredofthissamsara*.Whenallthisispureconsciousness,whatisitthatwecallpleasure?HenceIresideinspace,freefrommentaldistractionsandattraction.None ofthesesenseexperiencesisreal,independentofconsciousness.Objectsofpleasurearesourcesofpoison,sexualdelightsaredelusion,sweetnessrobstheenjoyer ofsweetness:hewhoisovercomebythemissurelydestroyed.Thislifeisshort.Itisfullofdistractions.Bysheeraccidentsometimesonegetsalittlehappinesshere. Nothingispermanentorstablehere.Likeapotonthepotter'swheel,thisbodyrevolvesendlesslyinthislife.Therearepowerfulthieves(senseobjects)everywhere. Hence,Ishouldbevigilant.'' THESAGEcontinued: 'Thishashappenedtoday','Thisismine'and'Thisishis'occupiedwithsuchthoughtspeopledonotrealisethepassingoftime.Wehaveeatenanddrunkalot,we haveroamedalot,andwehaveexperiencedpainandpleasure.Whatislefttobedone?Howshallwegainsupremepeace?Alltreesarewood,allbeingsareflesh, allearthisclay,everythingistaintedbypainandimpermanence.InwhatshallIreposeconfidence? Whoismyprotectorhere?Neitherwealthnorfriendsnorrelativesnoracquaintances(orpleasures):allthesearethemselvesvictimsoftime.WhomshallItrust,when Irealisethateveryoneisboundtodietodayortomorrow? Eventhereligiousriteswhicharegovernedbyinjunctionsandprohibitionsmakeamanfallintothissamsara*,evenaswaterflowsfromahigherplacetoalowerone. Theybewilderandconfuseaperson.Theunreal,bypersistentapprehension,seemstoberealhencesinceessentiallytheunrealisunreal,itisunrealthoughitmay appeartobereal.Butpeoplearedeludedandtheyrunaftertheobjectsofsensepleasureevenasariverrunsdownfasttoreachselfdestructionintheocean.The ignorantmindrushestowardssenseenjoymentlikeanarrowreleasedfromabowanditisnotinterestedingoodness. Pleasureisdreadfulpain,prosperityisadversity,sensualenjoymentistheworstdiseaseandpursuitofpleasureisdisgusting.Adversityisagreatblessing.Happinessis followedbyunhappiness.Lifeendsindeath.Aha,thepowerofMaya*!Sensualpeasureisworsethanthemostpoisonoussnake:theformerkillsinstantly,bythe merestcontact.Sincewealth,etc.,causedelusiontheyareworsethanpoison.Itistruethatpleasureisenjoyableandaffluenceisbeautiful,butlifeisfleetingandhence theyarerenderedmeaningless.

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Pleasureandwealtharepleasingonthesurfacebuttheendisunhappinessandsorrow. Withtheadvancingofagethehairsturngreyandtheteethandeverythingelse(thefacultiesandvitality,etc.)decreaseonlycravingdoesnotdecrease.Thereisa similaritybetweenchildhoodandyouthbothpassawayquickly.Lifeebbsawaylikeaflowingriver,andthepastcanneverberecovered. AfteralongtimeIhaveattainedegolessness.Iamnotinterestedinheavenlypleasures.Likeyou,Osage,Itoolongedtoresorttoasecludedplace.HenceIsawthat hermitageinspace.Ididnotrealisethatiswasyourhermitageandthatyouwouldonedayreturntoit.Ididnotpayattentiontoit.OnlynowIknowthis.Onlywhen one'sattentionisdirectedtothesefactsdoesoneperceivethemwithone'sinnereyeofintelligence,thenoneknowsthepast,presentandfuturenotuntilthen.Such isthenatureofthemindeventothegods. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:94

Isaidtothesage:''Havingheardyourstory,Ithinkthatyoushouldcontinuetoliveinthathermitageinouterspace.Getupandletusliveintheworldoftheperfected beings(siddhas).Itisgoodforeachonetoliveinhisownenvironmentwhichdoesnotcausementaldistraction." Bothofusroseintospace.Wesalutedeachotherandtookleaveofeachother.HewentwherehethoughtfitandIpartedfromhimandwentmyownway. RAMA*asked:Lord,asyourbodyhaddisintegratedonthisearth,withwhatsortofbodydidyouroamtheworldofthesiddhas? VASISTHA*replied: WhenIwenttothecityofIndra,thekingofthegods,Ihadaspatialbodyandthereforenobodythererecognisedme.Icouldnotbetouchedorheldbyanyone.I waslikeathought,devoidofmatterbutendowedwithaformmadeofpurewish(sankalpa*).Thisiscomparabletothedreamexperienceinwhichdreambodiesare producedofnonmaterialsubstance.Onewhoconsidersthisimpossibleignorestheexperienceofdreamandonewhothusignorestheobviousexperienceisfittobe ignored.Iwasabletoseeothers,especiallythoseendowedwithamaterialbody,buttheycouldnotseeme. RAMA*askedagain:But,then,howwasitpossibleforthatsagetoseeyou? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,peoplelikeushavethepowertomaterialiseandrealiseourwish.Nothingeverhappenstousthatwedonotsowish.Only

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peoplewhoaredrownedinworldlyactivitiesforgetinamomentthefactthattheyhaveasubtle(ativahika*)body.WhenIdecided"Maythissageseeme",thenthat sagesawme.Peopleinwhomtheperceptionofdivisionhasbeendeeprooteddonothavethepowertorealisetheirwishwhenonelikethesagehasweakenedthe perceptionofdivisionitispossibleforhimtorealisehiswish.Evenamongsiddhasorperfectedoneshewhohasmorepsychictransparencyisabletosucceedinhis efforts. Toreturntothestory,Iroamedthecelestialregionslikeaghost. RAMA*asked:Lord,doghostsexist?Whatdotheylooklikeandwhatdotheydo? VASISTHA*replied: ORama*,ghostsdoexistinthisworld.Ishallnowtellyouwhattheyareandwhattheydo.Surely,hewhodoesnotdealwithasubjectwhenrequestedtodosois notaworthyteacher. VASISTHA*continued: Someghosts(pisaca*)haveanetherealbodythoughendowedwithhandsandfeetandtheyseepeoplelikeyou.Othershavefearfulshadowyformstheyoverwhelm thebodiesofhumanbeingsandinfluencetheirminds.Someofthemkillorharmpeople.Somearelikefogormistandothershavedreamlikebodies.Someofthem havebodiesmadeofairalone.Somehavebodieswhicharenomorethanthedelusionoftheperceiver.Theycannotbegraspednorcantheygraspothers.They experienceheatandcold,pleasureandpain.Buttheycannoteat,drinkortakeanything.Theyhavedesire,hate,fear,anger,greedanddelusion.Theyarecharmed andbroughtundercontrolbymantras,drugs,penance,charity,courageandrighteousness.Theyareseenandalsograspedifonerestsonsatva.Also,thiscanhappen bytheuseofmagicalsymbols(mandalas*)andformulas(mantras)andbyworshipperformedbysomeoneatsometimeandsomewhere. Someghostsareofadivinenatureandappeartobegods.Somearelikehumansandotherslikeserpents.Somearelikedogsandjackalsandliveinvillagesand forests,orinblindwells,roadsidesandotherimpureplaces.Ishallnowtellyouabouttheirorigin. Intheoneinfiniteconsciousnesstherearisesanotionwhichbecomesthejiva*andthenbybecomingmoreandmoredenseitbecomestheegosense,ormind(which islatercalledBrahma*thecreator).Alltheseandthewholeworldariseandexistinanotion:hencetheyareunreal.Itisexperiencedasreal,justasonefeelsthat one'snotionissomethingreal.Inthatsenseallthesegodsandothercreaturesarereal.Intruth,however,thereisneitherafieldhere,noraseednorafarmernorthe tree(knownascreationortheworld).

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However,inthatnotionofthefieldofcreationthereexistallthesebeings.Theresplendentonesamongthemarethegodsthehalfbakedonesarehumanstheyin whomthereisathickveilofimpurityarethewormsandsuchcreaturestheywhoaredevoidofanyfruitfulness,whoareemptyandbodiless(asarira*),areknownas ghostsorpisacas*.ThedifferentiationisduenottothewhimorfancyofthecreatorBrahma*buttotheirownchoice.Theybecamewhatevertheywishedtobecome. However,infact,theyareallbutconsciousnessappearingtobesubtle(ativahika*)bodies.Itisonaccountofpersistentselfdeceptionthattheyseemtohavephysical ormaterialforms. Theghosts,too,existintheirownformsdoingwhattheyhavetodoaccordingtotheirownnatureandexperiencingvariousexperiences.Theyseeandcommunicate withoneanotherasifinadream.Someofthemdonotcommunicate,likethedreamobjectsinaperson'sdream.Liketheghosts,therearealsothegoblinsand disembodiedbeings.Theghostscreatetheirowncircleofdarknessofignorancewhicheventhesun'srayscannotpenetrate.Theythriveinthedarknessofignorance, thelightofknowledgeistheirenemy. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:95

AsIsaid,Iwasroamingtheheavenlikeaghost.Noonecouldseeme.Thoughtheywereundermycontrol,theycouldnotcontrolme.OnedayIthought,"Ican realisemywishmayIbeseenhenceforthbythesegods."Immediatelymywishbecamereal.Theysawme. Thegodshaddifferentnotionsconcerningmyappearancesintheirmidst.TheywhodidnotknowmyidentitythoughtthatIhadrisenfromtheearth:theycalledme Parthiva*(Earth)Vasistha*.SomethoughtIhaddescendedthroughtheraysofthesunandIbecameknownasTaijasa(Light)Vasistha*.TheywhothoughtIwafted inwiththewindcalledmeVata*(Air)Vasistha*.TheywhothoughtthatIhadrisenfromthewaterscalledmeVari*(Water)Vasistha*. InduecourseoftimeIcametohaveaphysicalormaterialbody.Tometherewasnodifferencebetweenthesubtleandthephysicalbodies:theywerebothpure consciousnessinreality.EvenhereIappeartofunctioninandthroughthisbodybecauseofthisdiscourse.Ajivanmukta*(asageliberatedwhileliving)isindeed BrahmanandhehasanetherealbodyevensoonewhoisabodilesssageisalsoBrahman.ThereisnonotioninmeotherthanofBrahman.HenceevenwhenIam engagedindiverseactivitiesthisrealisationofBrahmandoesnotcease.Justastoadreamertheunbornandbodilessdreamobjectisreal,evensothisworldisreal andmaterialtome.Evensodoallthesecreationsandworldsshineasifrealandmaterial,buttheyhaveneverbeencreated.

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BecauseoftherecurrentfeelingoftheetherealVasistha*thatarisesinthemindsofallofyouandalsoinme,Iappeartobeseatedhere.Intruth,however,allthisis purevoidandalltheseareonlynotionsthatariseinthemindoftheCreator.Notionslike'I'and'you'havebecomefirmlyestablishedinyourconsciousnessbecause youhavenotcaredtoinvestigatethem.Iftheyareinvestigatedandtheirtruenatureisunderstoodtheyvanishverysoon.Whenthetruthisrealisedallthesescenesof socalledcreationsvanish,evenasamirageceasestobeseenaswaterwhenitstruenatureisunderstood. Infact,byamerestudyofthisMaharamayana*(YogaVasistha*)therealityisrealisedthereisnodifficultyinitwhatsoever.Buthewhoisnotinterestedinliberation isaworm,nothuman.Oneshouldcarefullyinvestigatetheblissofliberationandthesorrowinevitabletoignorance.BythestudyoftheMaharamayana*oneattainsto supremepeace.Liberationconfers'innercoolness'(peace)onthemindbondagepromotespsychologicaldistress(psychologicalscorchingfire).Evenafterrealising this,onedoesnotstriveforliberation.Howfoolisharethepeople!Suchpeopleareovercomebydesireforsensegratification.Buteventheycancultivateadesirefor liberationbyastudyofthisscripture. (Theassemblydispersed:endofseventeenthday.) VI.2:96 VASISTHA*continued:

Ihavenarratedthestoryoftherockwhichenablesyoutorealisethetruthquiteclearly.NothingexistsanywhereatanytimeBrahmanaloneexistsasamassof Brahmanwithoutanydivisionwhatsoever.Brahmanisamassofconsciousness.Itdoesnotundergoanychange.Thecosmicbeingisbutadreamobjectinthat consciousness,whetherthatbeingissubtleorgross.Hence,thereisneitheraBrahma*thecreatornorthecreation,nothingbuttheindivisibleconsciousness.The diversityperceivedinadreamdoesnotcreateadiversityinthedreamerevensothenotionofacreationdoesnotcreateadivisioninconsciousness.Consciousness aloneis,nocreationthedreammountainisthedreamernotamountain.Theinfiniteconsciousness(cidakasa*)isI,itisthethreeworlds,itisthepurusa*(cosmic being)anditisyou. Minusthiscidakasa*,thebodyisacorpse.Thisinfiniteconsciousnesscannotbecutnorburntandhenceitneverceases.Therefore,nooneeverdiesnorisanyone born.Consciousnessisthepersonifitissaidthatthatpersondiesandthereforeconsciousnessdies,itislikesayingthatwhenasondies,hisfatherdiestoo.If consciousnessdies,theneverythingdiesandtheworldbecomesempty.ORama*,thisconsciousnessisnotdeadtillnowanywhereinanyone

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norhasthiscreationstoodasavoidhenceitisclearthattheinnermostbeingofeveryonewhichispureconsciousnessisunchanging.Whenthisisrealised,whereis birthanddeath? Whenonerealises"Iampureconsciousness,"heisunconcernedwithlifeordeath,pleasureorpain.Fieonthatwretchinwhomthisrealisationhasnotarisen(orhas ceased).Onewhorealises"Iampureexperiencingorconsciousness"isunaffectedbyanycalamity.Heisnotaffectedbymentaldistressorpsychologicalillness. Whenonefeels"Iamthebody,''heforfeitsstrengthandwisdomhewhorealises"Iampureconsciousness"gainsthem.Thelatterisnotsubjectedtogreed,delusion orvanity.Alas,howfoolisharetheywhowail"Weshalldie''whenthinkingofthedeathofthebody.Whenonerestsintheknowledge"Iamconsciousness"hefeelsa blowfromthemostpowerfulweaponasifitwerethetouchofaflower. Ifconsciousnesscandie,thenpeopledieallthetime.Pleasetellmehowisitthatyouhavenotdiedalready?Nothingdies.Consciousnessaloneentertainsthetwin notions'Iamalive'and'Iamdead'.Consciousnessseesorbecomesawareofsamsara*(theworldappearance)andconsciousnessbecomesawareofliberation.It becomesawareofpleasureandpainwithoutabandoningitstruenature.Inastateofselfignoranceitgetsinvolvedindelusioninastateofselfknowledgeitfrees itselffromdelusion.But,consciousnessitselfneverrisesanditneversets.Thereisnosuchthingastherealityandthereisnothingcalledignoranceorfalsehood. Whateverisconceivedofbyone,thatexistsinthatmanner. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:97

SincetheworldisthedreamofthesupremeselfandsinceeverythingispervadedbyBrahman,itisexperiencedasBrahman.Theworldappearanceorillusionis perceivedthesupremeconsciousnessremainsunseen.Hence,theillusionmayberegardedastherealimaginationoftheself.Fromanotherpointofview,thisworld appearanceisanillusionthoughtherealityofinfiniteconsciousnessremainsincomprehensible.Hence,therearisesthenotionofacompletevoidorsunya*this,too,is real.Theinfiniteconsciousness(orthesupremepersonthatarisesinit)isnotinvolvedinactivitytheworldspringsfromtheunmanifestcause(nature).Thisviewis alsotenablesinceitisexperiencedassuch.OthersholdthatBrahmanappearstobetheworldinastateofignorance(justasaropeappearsasasnakeindarkness). This,too,isbasedondirectexperienceandhencereal.Thetheorythattheentireuniverseistheconglomerationofatomsisalsoacceptablebyproperinvestigation thisknowledgeorunderstandinghasbeenarrivedat. Therearesomewhosaythattheworldiswhatoneseesittobeand

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thatthisprincipleappliesto'theotherworld',too,andthatthereforethisworldisneitherrealnorunrealbuttherealityispurelysubjective.Thereareotherswho declarethattheexternalworldaloneisrealandthereisnootherreality.Theyalsoexpressthetruthinasmuchastheydonotreachwhatevermaybebeyondthe experienceoftheirownandothers'senses.Theyarealsorightwhodeclarethateverythingischangingallthetime,forthepowerthatthusengineersconstantchangeis omnipotent.Thebeliefthatthejiva*dwellsinthebody,likeasparrowimprisonedinapot,andatdeathfliesawayfromittoanotherrealmandalsoasimilarbelief heldbyforeignersarealsoacceptablesincetheyareacceptedintheirowncountriesandcommunities.Saintlymenlookuponallwithequalvisiontheywhoknowthe realityknowthatitistheselfofall. Therearethosewhoassertthatnaturemanifestsitselfnaturally,withoutanintelligentcreator,foroneseesthatinnaturetherearemanyundesiredandunintelligent happenings(likenaturalcalamities)suchaviewisalsoreasonable.Ontheotherhand,theywhoasserttheexistenceoftheoneuniversaldoerofeverythingarealso righttheirmindissaturatedwiththisuniversalpower.Theywhosaythatthisworldexistsasalso'theotherworld'areright,too.Intheireyes,pilgrimage,rituals,etc., aremeaningful.Thenotionthateverythingisvoidorsuonya*isrightforitistheresultofmuchinvestigation.Theinfiniteconsciousnessislikethepurestcrystal:it reflectswhatevernotiononeholds.Theknowersofthetruthhaverealisedthatthisinfiniteconsciousnessisneitheravoidnoranonvoiditisomnipotentbutnotthat whichisseenorknown.Hence,whateverbeone'sconviction,ifoneadherestothatconvictiononesurelyreachesthesamegoal(attainsthesamefruit)aslongashe doesnottoywiththesenotionsorrealisationsinachildishmanner.Oneshouldinvestigatethetruthinthecompanyoftheknowersofthetruthandthenoneshould standfirminone'sownrealisationwithoutbeingdistractedordeflected. VASISTHA*continued: Therearewisepeoplehereandthere,whoarewiseintermsoftheknowledgeofthescripturesasalsointermsoftheirconduct.Oneshouldseektheircompany. Theremaybemanywhotalkalotaboutthescriptures,butheamongthemwhopromotesthejoyanddelightofallandwhoseconductisunimpeachableisthebest amongthem.Allpeopleatalltimesseektheirowngoodasifundercompulsion,justaswaterflowsdownwards.Oneshouldunderstandthisandresorttothe companyofthewise. RAMA*asked: Thisworldrestslikeacreeperonthetreeofthesupremebeing.

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Initwhoaretheoneswhoseetheultimatetruthafterhavingdulyinvestigatedthepastandthefuture? VASISTHA*replied: Ineverycommunitythereareanumberofwisemenbywhoselight(orgrace)thereislightinthisworld.Allthepeoplerunupanddownlikedrybladesofgrass floatingonthisoceanofsamsara*.Forgetfuloftheself,thedwellersinheavenareburntinthefireofpleasure.Thedeludeddemonsaredestroyedbytheirenemies, thegods,andhurledintoapit(hell)byNarayana*.Thecelestialartistes(gandharvas)donoteveninhaleabitofthescent(gandha)ofwisdom.Theyarelostinthe enjoymentoftheirownmusic,etc.Thecelestialsknownasvidyadharas*donotrespectsagesbeingthesupporters(adhara*)oflearning(vidya*)theyarefullof vanity.Thedemigodsknownasyaksas*considerthemselvesimmortalsandtheydisplaytheirdexteritybeforeagedandinfirmpeople.Thedemonsknownas raksasas*liveindelusion.Theghosts(pisacas*)areforeverinterestedinharassingpeople.Thedwellersofthenetherworldknownasthenagas*areinertand unintelligent.Thedemonsknownasasurasaremorelikewormswhichdwellinholesintheground.Howcantheyacquireanywisdomatall? Evenhumanbeingsarenarrowmindedandpettyminded,interestedinthetriviaoflife.Theyspendmostoftheirtimeinthepursuitofevildesires.Theydonotcome intocontactwithanythingthatisgoodorwiseatall.Theyaretemptedawayfromthepathoforderandwisdombytheirownvanitiesanddesires.Theclassofpeople knownasyogini*(NOTE:thepractitionersof'black'arts)arefallenintothepitofdrinkingandeatinglikeunculturedpeople. Buttherearesomeliberatedbeingsamongthegods(Visnu*,Brahma*,Rudra,etc.),amongtheleaders(likeKasyapa*,Narada*,Sanatkumara*),amongdemons (Hiranyaksa*,Bali,Prahlada*,etc.),amongraksasas*(likeVibhiana*,Prahasta,Indrajit),amongnagas*(Taksaka*,etc.),andotherliberatedonesinotherplanes. Evenamonghumanbeingsthereareliberatedones,buttheyareextremelyrare.Therearemillionsofbeingsbutaliberatedoneisrare. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:98

Theenemiesofholiness,whicharegreed,delusion,etc.,aregreatlyweakenedinthecaseofthewisemenwhoarefullofdispassionandwhorestinthesupreme state.Theydonotgivewaytoexhilarationortoangertheydonotgetinvolvedinanythingortakeanything.Theyneitheragitatepeoplenoraretheyagitatedbythem. Theyareneitheratheistsnoraretheyconfinedtoatraditionalbelief.Theydonotengagethemselvesintorturouspracticeseveniftheyareordainedbythescriptures. Theiractionsandbehaviour

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arefullofcommonsenseandsweetness,soft(gentle)andaffectionate. Theygladdentheheartsofall.Theypointoutthewisepathandinstantlyandspontaneouslytheydecidewhatisbest.Theyengagethemselvesinallkindsofactivity externallybutinwardlytheyarecoolandtranquil.Theyloveinvestigatingthemeaningsofthescriptures.Theyknowwhoiswho(whoisamaturepersonandwhois immature).Theyknowwhattoacceptandwhattoreject.Theiractionsareappropriatetotheoccasion. Theyavoidforbiddenactions.Theyenjoygoodcompany.Theyworshipwiththeflowersofwisdomeveryonewhoseekstheircompanyandtheirteaching.Theyrob thepeopleoftheirsorrowandgrief.Theyarekindandgentlebutwhentherulersoftheearthbecomeunrighteousandoppressive,theyshakethemupevenasan earthquakeshakesamountain.Theyencouragepeopleindistressandenhancethejoyofthehappyone.Theyrestraintheignorantandfoolishbehaviourofpeople. Whenoneisafflictedbycalamitiesandmentalconfusion,trialsandtribulations,thesaintsaloneareone'srefuge.Recognisingthembythecharacteristicsgivenabove oneshouldresorttothemforpeace.Thisoceanofsamsara*isimpassableexceptwiththehelpofthesaints.Oneshouldnotbecomepassive,fatalisticallyaccepting whateverhappens.Ifallthequalitiesdescribedarenotfoundinoneperson,ifevenoneofthesequalitiesispresent,oneshouldresorttosuchaholyman,ignoringall theotherdefectsthatmaybefoundinhim.Oneshouldlearntorecognisethegoodinothersaswellasthedefectsandthenoneshouldstrivetoresorttothecompany ofthegoodandthewise.Evenifagoodpersonhassomedefect,oneshouldservehim,avoidingmajoreviltendencies.Ifonedoesnotovercomeeviltendencies, evenagoodmanbecomeswicked.ThisiswhatIhaveobserved.Itisindeedagreatmisfortuneandacalamitytotheentiresocietywhenagoodmanturnswickedon accountofcircumstances. Hence,oneshouldabandonallotheractivityandbedevotedtothesaintlyones.Thereisnoobstacletothis.Thisaloneiscapableofbestowingononethebestof boththeworlds.Oneshouldneverbefarawayfromthesaints,forbytheirveryproximitythesaintspromotegoodnesseverywhere. VI.2:99 RAMA*asked:

Wehumanbeingshavediversemeansofovercomingsorrow. Whataboutthewormsandflies,asalsothetrees? VASISTHA*said: Allbeingsrestinconsciousnessasisappropriatetotheirnature.

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They,too,havetheirowncravingsanddesires.Inourcasethereareminorobstructionstothefulfilmentofourdesiresandintheircasethedifficultiesareenormous. Justasthecosmicperson(virat*)strives,evensodowormsandflies:alittleboyflourishesaclenchedfistmarvellousisvanity!Birdsarebornanddieinempty space.Evenananthastoeatandlookafterthefamilyneeds.ThelittleflyflittingacrossaroomisequalindignitytothevultureGaruda*flyingaloft.Notionslike'Iam this''Thisismine'arecommontobothhumanbeingsandworms,withalltheloftyimplicationsofsuchnotions. Evenaswestrivetogainmeansoflivelihoodthewormsstriveforit.They,too,lovelife.Aslavetakeslittleinterestinthenewcountryevensodothecowsand'other animalsnottakeinterestintheir'owner's'house.Theytoohavepleasureandpain,buttheyarefreefromasenseof'mine'and'thine'.Evenaseedandayoungsprout experiencesomepain(orawareness)whenbittenbyaworm,evenasasleepingmanexperiencestheannoyanceofaflea.BothIndra(thekingofgods)andaworm experiencethesameattraction,aversion,fear,desireforfoodandsex,painandpleasureandthedistresscausedbybirthanddeath.Theonlydifferenceexistsin understandingthemeaningofwordsandthenatureoftheelementsandtheanticipationofthefutureevents. Treeswhichareasleep,asitwere,andalsotheimmovableobjectslikerocks,etc.,existintheunbrokenexperienceofinfiniteconsciousness.Inthemthereisno notionofdivision.Allthisisbutpure,infiniteconsciousnesswhichthinksitisasleepintherocks,etc.,asitwasinthepreviouscreation.Hence,youremainasyouare andIremainasIam.Thereisnopleasureorpaininthesupremeselforconsciousness.Ignorancealoneisthecauseforalldelusion.Butwhentheignoranceis dispelledbyunderstanding,thenwhatisseenisnothing.Whenthetruthconcerningthisworlddreamisunderstood,itceases.Whatthenisdesirablehereandwhatis fittobegained?Whenthewavesubsides,waterisnotdestroyed.Whenthebodyisdestroyed,theconsciousnessremainsunchanged. Onlyanignorantpersonpersistsinhisnotionconcerningtheworldandheexperiencesitasifreal.Therightunderstandingofthistruthopensthedoortoself knowledge.Justasanobjectisreflectedinamirror,sodoesthisworldappearinBrahman.Thoughthereflectionseemstobeinthemirror,itisnotthere:evenso, thoughtheworldappearstobe,itisnotthere.Itseemstoproduceaneffectthoughititselfisunreal,evenasthereisdischargeofenergywhenonedreamsofhaving sex.However,onlyanignorantmanknowswhyheconsiderstheworldtobereal!

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VI.2:100

RAMA*asked:

Thereareothers,Osage,whoholdthatsincedeathisinevitableoneshouldlivehappilyaslongasonelives,andthatoncethebodyisreducedtoashes,thereis nothingwhichsurvives.Whatistheirwayoutofthesorrowinherentinsamsara*? VASISTHA*replied: Whatevertheinnerintelligencefirmlybelievesin,thataloneisexperiencedbyit,asifitisobvious.Consciousnessisuniversalandindivisible:thatisoneandthatalone isdiverse.Nothingelseexistedbeforetheconceptofcreationarosehence,nothingelseisreallytrue.Theyaresurelyignorantwhodonotseetherealitythatis expoundedinthescripture.Forustheyareasgoodasdead.Theywhohaverealisedthatallthisispureconsciousness(Brahman),donotneedourinstructioneither. Whateverarisesasrealinthe'body'ofconsciousnessisexperiencedasrealeveryoneismadeofthat,whetherthereisarealphysicalbodyornot.Ifitiscontended that(sense)experiencealoneisconsciousness,thenoneisboundtosuffer,foraslongasonelivesthereareboundtobecontradictoryexperiences.Ontheother hand,ifonerealisesthatthisworldisbutanotionthatarisesinconsciousness,thedivisionorthecontradictionceasesandthereforethereisnocontradictory experienceeither.Evenasfloatingdustparticlesdonotaffectspace,pleasureandpaindonottouchonewhoisestablishedintherealisationoftheoneindivisible, infiniteconsciousness. Wedonotapprehendabodyorapersonalityorevenajiva*:allthisispureconsciousnessandwhatevernotionarisesinitisexperiencedassuch.Whetheritisreal orunreal,itisthatwhichexperiencestheexistenceofthebody.Whetherconsciousnessisregardedasrealorunreal,thepersonisthatalonewhatthatconsciousness considersrealissurelyreal(or,consciousnessisrealasthepersonorself).(Thatis,eventhematerialistdoesnotdenytheexistenceofthepersonandhencehe cannotdenytheexistenceofconsciousness.)Thisdoctrineconfirmstheteachingofallscriptures. Whenthisunderstandingisclouded,perversedoctrinesarisewhenthatmisunderstandingisremoved,ityieldsthehighestfruit.Butevenwhenitisnotrightly understood,itdoesnotceasetobe.Ifitissaidthatevenafterselfknowledgethisrightunderstandingcanonceagainbeclouded,thenthereisnohopeofgettingrid ofsorrow.Ifconsciousnessisrealisedasreal,itisresortedtobythewise.Ifitisconsideredunreal,thenonebecomesinertlikearock.Itiswhenthisinfinite consciousness'sleeps',asitwere,thattheexperienceofobjectsarisesandthisworldcomesintobeing.Thus,hewhoconsidersthisworldandthesenseexperience aloneasreal,isinertand'asleep'.

Page595

RAMA*asked: Therearethey,Osage,whothinkthatthislimitlessuniverseexistsonallsides.Theydonotseethatitisamassofconsciousness.Theyseeitasitisordinarilyseen buttheydonotseethatitischangingandismovingtowardsdestruction.Inthecaseofsuchpersons,whatmethodistheretoovercomementaldistress? VASISTHA*replied: Beforeansweringthatquestion,oneshouldposeanother.Doesthatpersonfeelthatmatterisindestructibleasmatterandthatthebodyisimmortal?Then,whereis sorrow?But,ifthisbodyismadeofitsvariousparts,thensurelyitwillperish. Ifoneknowsthattheselfispureconsciousness(andnotthephysicalbody)thenwhenhediesthereisnosamsara*(worldappearance)inhisconsciousness.Ifone's understandingisnotthuspurifiedbyrightunderstandingorwisdom,itdoesnotremainwithoutthesupportofsamsara*.If,however,hethinksthatthereisnosuch thingasconsciousness,thenheexperiencesastatewhichisinertness.Onemaythinkthattheexperiencesintheembodiedstatealonearereal.Beingfirmlyestablished inthisconviction,hethinksthatdeathisthefinalendtosorrow.Butthisisonlybecauseofimperfectexperience.Theywhobelieveinthenonexistenceof consciousnessbecomeinertsubstanceswhenthebodyisabandonedandthustheysinkintotheimpenetrabledarknessofignorance.They,ontheotherhand,who believethattheworldexistsasarelativereality(asinadream),continuetoexperiencethisworldillusion. Whetheroneconsidersthisworldtobeapermanentrealityorachangingphenomenon,thereistheexperienceofpainandpleasureallthesame.Theywhothinkthat theworldisachangingbutpurelymaterialsubstance(devoidofconsciousness)arechildish.Havenothingtodowiththem.Theywhorealisethatbodiesexistin consciousnessarewisesalutationstothem.Theywhothinkthatthereisintelligenceinthebodyareignorant. Itispureconsciousness,withthejiva*asitsbody,thatkeepsgoingupanddowninthiscosmicspace.Whateverthatjiva*contemplateswithinitself,thatit experiences.Justascloudsmakedifferentpatternsintheskyandjustaswavesariseonthesurfaceoftheocean,evensodotheseworldsappearintheinfinite consciousness.Thedreamcityisonlythedreamer'sminditdidnotevenneedthecooperatingcauses(likethebuildingmaterials)tobuildit.Evensoistheuniverse itispureconsciousnessandnothingelse.Theywhorealisethisarefreefromdelusion,fromattachment(dependency)andfrommentaldistress,whilecontinuingto performappropriateactionsspontaneouslyinsituationswhichthestreamoflifebearsalong.

Page596

VI.2:101

VASISTHA*continued:

Everyoneispureconsciousnessalone.Whatelsecantherebeexceptthisconsciousness?Whenconsciousnessaloneexists,whatistheretogainandwhattoreject? Whenthereisnoother,raga*(attractionoraffection)anddvesa(rejectionoraversion)becomemeaningless. Consciousnessaloneishumanbeings,god,naga*(inhabitantsofthenetherworld),mountainsandmovingobjects.Iampureconsciousnessandsoareyou.Weshall diesometimeortheother,butconsciousnessdoesnotperish.Consciousnessdoesnothaveanobjectforittobecomeawareof:hencealltalkofunityanddiversityis meaningless. Eventhematerialists(theywhobelieveintherealityofthephysicalworld)alludetothisconsciousnessonlybecausetheydonotdenytheself,theintelligenceor consciousnessthatmakesthemthinkandsaywhattheysay.ThisconsciousnessiscalledBrahmanbysome,jnanam*(selfknowledge),sunya*(void),thepowerof delusion,purusa*(theself),cidakasa*(spaceorplaneofconsciousness),Siva*,self(atman*),etc.,byothers.Allthesedescriptionsareconsciousnessbecauseitis consciousnessalonethatconsidersitselfthus(i.e.,theintelligenceineachoneofthesepeoplewhoholdsadifferentview). MaymylimbsbepulverisedormaytheybecomeaspowerfulastheMerumountain.Whatislostandwhatisgained(increased)whenitisrealisedthatIampure consciousness?Mygrandfatherandothersaredead,butconsciousnessisnotdead.Consciousnessisunbornandundying.Itislikespace.Howcanskydie?Justas theworldisunseen(isdestroyed)bythedarknessofthenightandjustastheworldisseen(created)againatdawn,evensoisbirthanddeath.Oneshouldtherefore regarddeathasajoyfulevent,foronegoesfromonebodytoanother:onlyfoolsgrieveonsuchjoyfuloccasions.Or,ifyouthinkthatoneisnotbornagaininanother body,eventhenthereisnocauseforgrief,forthendeathputsanendtothediseaseofbirthanddeath.Hence,thewisemandoesnotgrieveorrejoiceinlifeorin death.Ifonewhoisconsciousofhisownevildoingsfearsdeath,eventhatismeaningless,sincesuchapersonsuffershereaswellasintheotherworld.Hence,why doyouwail,"Oh,Idie,Idie,Idie"insteadofexclaiminginjoy,"Ishallbe,Ishallbe,Ishallbe."Eventhesearemeaninglesswordswhenyourealisethattheinfinite consciousnessaloneexists.Spaceexistsinspace.Whatisthemeaningofwordslike'birth'and'death'?Knowingthatyouarepureconsciousness,eat,drinkandlive withoutthesenseof'I'and'mine'.Youarelikethesky.Howcandesiresariseinyou?Thewisemanenjoyswhatispureifitcomestohimunsought,bornedownby theriver

Page597

oflife.Ifthereareimpuritiesbornedownbytheriveroflifeorbycircumstances,thewisemanisunconcernedaboutthem,asindeepsleep. RAMA*asked: VI.2:102

Whenonehasrealisedthesupremetruth,whatdoeshebecome? VASISTHA*replied: Tosuchaoneeventherocksbecomefriendsandthetreesintheforestarerelativesevenwhenhelivesinthemiddleofaforesttheveryanimalsbecomehiskithand kin.Akingdomappearstobevoidinhiseyes,calamitiesbecomegreatgoodfortuneevenwhenhelivesinakingdom,herejoicesin(celebrates)hismisfortunes. Disharmonybecomesharmony,sorrowisgreatjoy,andevenwhenengagedinintenseactivityheexperiencesdeepsilence.Heseesutternonactioninaction.Awake heisindeepsleepaliveheisasgoodasdead.Hedoeseverythingbutnothing.Heenjoyswithouttastingthepleasure.Heisaverydearfriendofall.Heisfreefrom pityforothers,butfullofcompassion.Freefromcraving,heappearstowant.Heisonlyinterestedintheproperperformanceofhisactions. Heappearstobehappyandunhappyintherespectivesituation.Hedoesnotabandonwhatisnaturalandplayshisappropriateroleinthisdramaoflife.He sympathiseswiththesorrowfulandrejoiceswiththehappyones,withoutbeingtaintedatheart. RAMA*asked: Butsomecleverthoughignorantpeoplecanalsopretendtobeinthatstate(observingcelibacylikeahorse,withouttherightspirit).Howdoesonedistinguishthetrue fromthefalse? VASISTHA*replied: Whetheritistrueorfalse,suchanatureispraiseworthy.Thetrulywiseonesliveasiftheyhadvariousdesiresandtheylaughwiththefools,thoughtheythemselves arewise.Nooneknowstheirinnerpeaceandilluminedstate.Onlywiseonesknowotherwisemen.Thetruemenofwisdomdonotexposetheirwisdomnorparade ittowintheadmirationofthemasses.Thelatteraredistractionsintheeyesofthewise.'IwisheveryonetoknowhowgoodIamsothattheymayworshipme'such thoughtsariseinthemindofthevainman,notofthewiseone. Powerslikelevitation,etc.,aregainedbymantras,drugs,etc.,evenbytheignorantpeople.Hewhoispreparedtomakethenecessaryeffortcangainthese,whether heisenlightenedornot.Itistheegothatmakestheeffortandgainsthepowers.Thesepowersintensifythevasanas*ormentalconditioning.Buttheenlightenedisnot interestedinanyofthese.Heregardstheworldasabladeofgrass.Theenlightenedonelivesanonvolitionallifeengaginghimself

Page598

spontaneouslyinappropriateaction.Eventhecelestialpleasuregardensdonotmakeoneashappyasthewisdomoftheenlightenedman.Thelattersees,whenhis ownbodyissubjectedtoheatandcold,etc.,asifallthesehappenedtosomeoneelse.Helivesforthesakeofothers,withaheartfullofcompassionforallbeings. Hemayliveinacave,inahermitageorahouse,orhemaybewanderingconstantly.Hemaybeateacherorastudent.Hemayhavepsychicpowersorhemaybe foreverinsamadhi*. VI.2:103 VASISTHA*continued:

Theinfiniteconsciousnessaloneshinesasthisworldappearance.Howcanitperish?Thereisnopossibilityfortheexistenceofanotherotherthanconsciousness. Whenthebodyperishes,consciousnessdoesnotperish.Ifitissaidthatconsciousnessceaseswhenthebodyperishes,thenitisamatterforrejoicingasthereis cessationofsamsara*andsorrow!Ifitissaidthatconsciousnessexistsaslongasthebodyexists,howisitthatthedeadbodyisnotconscious?Allthesearguments arenotvalid.Theinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisrealandwhateveritwishestoexperienceitdoesexperienceasexistencebecausethereisnoobstructiontothe realisationofitsnotions.Theworldhasneverbeencreated:whatisIStheinfiniteconsciousness. Thisconsciousnessitselfwishestoexperienceitsinfinitepotencies.Itknowsitselfwhenitisawareofitself,anditisignorantofitselfwhenitisunawareofitself. Therefore,evenknowledgeandignorancearepureconsciousnessandthereissosuchdivision,intruth.Hence,oneshouldengageoneselfseriouslyintherealisation oftheselfselfknowledgebestowsononethebestofbothworlds. Abandoneverykindofmentalagitationanddevoteeverymomentofyourlifetothestudyandinvestigationofthisscripture.Onesurelygainsthatforwhichone strivesifoneneglectsithelosesit.Themindflowsalongthecourseofwisdomorofignorance,inwhicheverdirectionyoumakeitflow.Exceptthroughthisscripture, onecannotgainwhatisgood,noworatanytime.Therefore,forperfectrealisationofthesupremetruth,oneshouldferventlyinvestigatethisscripturealone.This scripturedoesmoregoodtoyouthanyourfatherandmotherandallyourfriendsputtogether. Thedreadfulillnessknownassamsara*orbondagetoworldlyexistenceisnotcuredbyanyremedyotherthanselfknowledge.Itisagreatpitythatyouwasteyour timeandawaitthehourofdeath.Foolishpeoplewhorunafterwealthandfamepawntheirverylivesingainingandpreservingthem.Whydotheynotspendtheirlife andtheirtimeintheinvestigationofthescriptureandtheattainmentofimmortality?Itisthroughselfknowledgethatonecan

Page599

destroymisfortunesandcalamitiesbytheirveryroots. ItisforyourgoodthatIcryalouddayandnightanddeclarethetruth.Listentothisandrealisetheselfbytheself.Ifyoudonotridyourselfnowofthisdireillness, whatwillyoudoafterdeath?Thereisnoscripturelikethistohelpyouinattainingselfknowledge.Letitshinelikealamp,letitawakenandinstructyoulikeafather andletitbringyoujoylikeawife.Inthisscripturethereisnothingnewbutthetruthhasbeenpresentedinapleasantfashionwithanumberofstories.Itisthetruth thatisproclaimedinthisscripture,thatisimportantnottheonewhohasdeclaredthetruthorcomposedthescripture. VASISTHA*continued: Oneshouldnotassociatewithanotherwhoderidesandbelittlesthisscriptureeitherthroughignoranceorthroughdelusion.IknowwhatIamandIknowwhoyouall are.Iambutyourownconsciousness,seatedhereinordertoinstructyou:Iamneitherhuman,norcelestialnordivine.Iamhereasthefruitofyourmerit.Infact,I amneitherthisnortheother. Oneshouldfindhereinthisworldtheappropriateremedyfortheillnessknownassamsara*(worldillusion).Unlessonecultivatesadisinterestintheobjectiveand materialexistenceofthisworld,thebelieforthenotionofitsexistencecannotbeweakened.Thereisnoothersmeanstoridtheselfofitsimpurityofselflimitation. Theonlywayistoweakenthevasana*(selflimitationorconditioningorthenotionthattheworldexists).Iftheobjectdoesexistthensuchanotionofitsexistenceis natural:butitdoesnot,thoughitseemstobe,intheabsenceofthelightofenquiry. Theapparentworldexistencehasnorealcausehowcantheeffectofanunrealitybeotherthanunreal?Howcananonmaterial(spiritual)causebringabouta materialeffect?Howcanmatterariseinpureconsciousnessanymorethatashadowexistinthesun?Itisnotcorrecttosaythattheworldisapureandaccidental combinationofatoms:theyareinertsubstances.Theworldcreationisnottheactionofignorancebut,ontheotherhand,ifitistheactionofintelligence,whywillan intelligentbeingindulgeinsuchfutileaction,likeamadman?Hence,itisclearthattheworldisanappearance,andnotexistence.Weappeartoexistinpurevoid,like objectsinadream.Theworldisbutpureconsciousnessandthereisnodifferencebetweenthetwotheoneisexpressedintwowayslike'air'and'motioninspace'. Theinfiniteconsciousnessplustheappearanceisknownastheworldtheworldminusitsform(appearance)istheinfiniteconsciousness(appearanceisillusoryand illusiondoesnotexist).Justasconsciousnesscreatesdreamsinadreamer,

Page600

itcreatestheworldinthewakingstatethetwoareconstitutedofthesamesubstance.WherethenistherealityofthebodyevenofBrahma*thecreator?Itaroseas thefirstdreamobjectinconsciousness. Brahmanaloneexists,noteventhecosmicperson.Butalltheseareexperienced,asiftheywerereal,overalongperiodoftime.Yet,whatisunrealisunreal,evenifit hasbeenexperiencedforalongperiodoftime,andbyall.FromthecreatorBrahma*rightdowntothepillar,allappearanceofmaterialityisunreallikeobjectsseen inadream.Theseobjectsappeartohaveaformevenastheobjectsseeninadreamseemtohaveaformduringthedream.Therefore,tellmewhatismaterial existenceandwhataretheobjectsofthisworldappearance?Wherearethey?Whatarethey?Whatisunity?Whatisdiversity?WhatamI?Whatarenotions concerningtheobjectsofexistence?Whatarenotionsandvasanas*orselflimitationorpsychologicalconditioningwhichperpetuatethenotionofworldexistence? Wherearethey?Theyarenot!Realisethisandrestinastateofnirvana*. VI.2:104,105 VASISTHA*continued:

Thesubtlesoundvibrationconstitutesspaceandthesubtletouchvibrationconstitutuesair.Theirfrictioncausesheatorthefireelement.Whenthefiresubsidesthere iswater.Whenallthesegettogethereartharisesfromit.Butalltheseareaplayofsimplevibrationswhichareformless.Howdoesformarise?Afterreflectingonthis foraconsiderabletimeonecomestotheunderstandingthatitisconsciousnessthatgivesrisetoform.Whynotunderstandthistruthrightinthebeginning?Neitherthe grosselementsnortheformsexistintruth:theyariseastheyariseinadream.Asformsariseindreams,sodotheyariseinthewakingstate,too.Ifthisisrealised, thereisliberation.Whetherthebodycontinuestoexistorceasestoexist,thereisnosorrow. Neitherinthewakingstatenorindreamistherearealworld.Consciousnessexperiencesitselfassuchandthatexperienceisknownastheworld.Justastheworld seeninadreamis'nothing'evensotheworldseeninthewakingstateis'nothing'.Justasoneman'sdreamexperiencesareunknowntothepersonsleepingnextto him,oneman'sexperiencesinthisworldareunknowntoanother. Indream,thebarrenwomanseemstohaveason:inthewakingstatetheimpossibleseemstohavehappened.Theunrealappearstobereal.Somethingwhichhasnot reallybeenexperiencedappearstobearealexperience,evenasoneexperiencesone'sownfuneralinadream.Whenonedreamsoffallingintoapit,hisbed becomesthatpit.Inblindinglightoneseesnothing(itislikedarkness).

Page601

Indream,thedreamerdies,abandoninghisdreamrelatives.But,thenhewakesup,freedfromthatdreamlifeanddeath.Evenso,afterexperiencingjoyandsorrow hereforalongtime,onedies.Thedreamerwakestoexperienceanotherdreamknownastheworld.Evenso,afterexperiencingthisworld,hegoesontoyetanother. Whiledreaming,thedreamerdoesnotrealisethatapreviousdreamwasunreal(dream).Evenso,onedoesnotrememberthepastlifebutconsidersthepresentlife alonetobereal.Thedreamerissaidto'wakeup'whenhissleepcomestoanendevenso,thepersonwholivesinthisworldanddies,wakesupelsewhere.The distinctionbetweendreamandwakingis,therefore,purelyarbitraryandacademic.Bothofthemarebasedonthesolerealityoftheinfiniteconsciousness. Allthemovingandunmovingthingsarebutpureconsciousness.Whenanillusorynotionofdivisionarisesinit,consciousnesscomestobeknownastheworld.Apot isbutclayintheabsenceofclaythereisnopot.Allobjectsarepureconsciousnessandifconsciousnessisnot,nothingisseen.Waterisliquidminusitsliquidityitis notwater(whatisdehydratedwater?).Evensoisconsciousness.Everythinghereispureconsciousnessminuspureconsciousnessnothingis. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:106

Thesamethinghasbeengiventwonamesforthesakeofconvenience:thetwo(wakinganddreaming)arethesame,liketwocupsofwater.Thatwhichiscommonto them,whichistheircommonsubstratum,ispureconsciousness. Theattitudeorthenatureofatreewhichdrawsnourishmentthroughitsrootsandexistsispureconsciousness.Similarly,whenone'sdesireshaveturnedawayand whenthemindisatperfectpeace,thenthereispureconsciousness.Inthecaseofahealthyman,whenhismindisfreefromobjectivenotions,andsleephasnotyet come,thereispureconsciousness.Thatnaturewhichexistsingrassandcreepersgrowingintheirproperseasonswithoutthefeelingofmineness,ispure consciousness.Thenatureofonewhoisfreefromperceptsandconceptsbutisnotdead,andwhosebeingisclearandpurelikethewintersky,ispure consciousness.Thepurebeingofwoodandrockwhichareastheywerecreated,asalsothemindofpurebeings,ispureconsciousness.Thatispureconsciousness (cidakasa*)inwhichallthingsexist,fromwhichtheyemerge,whichiseverything,andwhichisallinall. Whensleephasceased,theworldappearanceriseswhenthatceasesthereispureconsciousness(cidambaram*).That'nothing'whichremainsaftereverythinghas beennegatedas'notthis,notthis'

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ispureconsciousness(cidambaram*).Theentireuniverseisbutpureconsciousness,asitwasandasitis.Evenwhenthereisperceptionofformsandapprehension ofnotionsandconcepts,thatconsciousnessaloneexists. Knowingthis,befreefromconditioningevenwhileperceivingtheobjectsofthesenses,justasamanwhosleepsisyetinwardly'awake'.Remaininginwardlysilent likearock,talk,walk,drinkandtake.Thisworldhasnotbeencreatedatall,forithasnocausenoeffectariseswithoutacause.Henceconsciousnessremainsas consciousness,withoutchange.Whenitsexperienceofitsowninherentpotentialitiesiscontinued,itappearsasthisworld.Thus,thisobjectiveworldhasnotbeen createdatall,doesnotexistandwillnotcomeintobeingitwillnotperisheither,forhowcannonexistenceperish?Whatappearstobeisthereflectionof consciousnesswithinitself.However,sincethereisnoduality,thereisneitherareflectionnoranappearance.Whoknowswhether'whatis'isrealorunreal?!Who knowswhyandhowamandreamsorwhatthedreamsare,exceptthattheyarehisownconsciousness?TheCreatorandallthingsarebutpureconsciousness.When thisisrealised,itisknownasBrahmanwhenitisnotrealised,itisknownasillusion,Maya*,ignoranceandtheworld.Itisthatconsciousnessalonethatknowsitself as'Iammountain','IamRudra','Iamtheocean'and'Iamthecosmicperson'justasapersonwhiledreamingthinksthatalltheseexistinhisdream.Allexternal objectsarereflectedinthemirrorofone'sconsciousnesswhichwhenenquiredintoisseenimmediately.Whenthusinvestigated,theirtruenatureaspure consciousnessisrealised.

TheStoryofVipascit*
VI.2:107,108 VASISTHA*continued:

Thewholeuniverseispureconsciousness,butasanobjectitisinertappearance.Hence,thoughalive,everythingisasifdeadevensoIandyouareasifdeadthough live.AbandoningtheworldideaintheworldandtheIyouideainourselves,engageyourselfinappropriateaction.Why?Whydoesthisworldappearanceariseat all?Thereisnoreason,evenasintheplayofayoungchildthereisnoreasonormotivation.Hence,oneshouldnotwasteone'slifetimeinuselesspursuitofknowledge concerningmatterandmind:ifoneseeksgoldonedoesnotcleanthesky! Listentothefollowingstory:Inthisuniverse,inthiscontinentknownasJambudvipa*,therewasafamouscitybynameTatamwhichwasruledbyakingknownas Vipascit*(lit:learned,wise).Hisglory

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wasindescribable.Eventhecourtpoetshadexhaustedalltheirtalentswithoutexhaustingadescriptionofhisvirtues.Buttheylovedandenjoyedhiscompany.Hewas fondofthemandgavethemlavishgiftseveryday.Hewasdevotedtothebrahmanas*(priests)andalsotothefirewhichhedevoutlyworshippedeveryday. Hehadfourministerswhowerezealouslyguardinghiskingdomatitsfourboundaries.Onaccountoftheirwisdomandvalour,thekingwasvictoriousand unassailable.Oneday,hewasvisitedbyawisemanfromtheeast.Hehadharshandunpleasantwordsfortheking. Hesaid:''Oking,youhaveboundyourselfhandandfoottothisearth.NowlistentowhatIhavetosayanddecidewhattodo.Yourministerwhowasguardingthe easternsideofyourcityisdead.Theoneguardingthesouthendeavouredtocovertheeasternside,too,buthewasovercomebytheenemy.He,too,isdead.When theministerguardingthewestrushedtothesouthernside,hewasinterceptedbytheenemyandkilled.'' Ashewassayingthis,anothermanrushedintothecourtandannouncedthattheministerguardingthenorthwasatthepalacegate.Thekingalertedhisarmyand askedthattheministerbebroughtin.Theministerenteredandsalutedtheking.Hewasweakandhisbreathingwaslaboured.Hehadbeenoverpoweredbythe enemyonaccountofhisweakness.Hesaidtotheking:"Lord,alltheotherthreeministershavegonetotheworldofdeathtowinthatrealmforyou.Onlyyouhave thepowertoquelltheenemy." Inthemeantime,yetanothermanenteredtheroyalpresenceandreported:"Lord,thecityhasbeencompletelysurroundedbytheenemy.Theirweaponsareseen everywhere.Theyareextremelypowerfullikedemons.Theirarmourshineswiththelightequaltoyourownglory.Theirarmiesareinexcellentarray.Theyareangry andtheirbattlecriesarefierce.Thelordofthatarmysentmetoconveythisnewstoyou.Nowdowhatisappropriate." Afterhavingconveyedthismessage,thatmanwentaway.Everyoneintheking'sarmygotreadyforthebattlewiththeirarmsandweaponsuplifted. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:109,110

Inthemeantime,alltheministershadassembledaroundtheking.Theycounselledhimthus:"Lord,wehavedulyconsideredthesituationconcerningourenemy.We havecometotheconclusionthatthethreepeacefulcoursesofdealingwiththeenemyareinappropriateinthiscaseandthatonlythefourthpunishmentor violenceisadequate.Infact,wehavenotshownfriendshiporalliancewiththeseenemiesatanytimebeforehenceitisofnousenow.Enemies

Page604

whocomeunderthefollowingclassificationarenotamenabletopeacefulnegotiation:sinners,barbarians,foreigners,theywhoarefirmlyunitedamongthemselves,as wellastheywhoknowourweaknessverywell.Thereforelettherebenodelay.Ordergeneralmobilisationandpreparationforafullscalewar." Thekingissuedthenecessaryordersandsenttheministerstothebattlefieldsayingthathewouldsoonjointhemafterhiscustomaryworshipofthesacredfire.He thenhadhisbathandapproachedthesacredfireforworship.Heprayed:"Lord,Ihaveeffortlesslyovercomeallmyenemiessofarandruledthisfarflungempire exercisingmysovereigntyovermanyislandsandcontinents.Iheldswayovermanypeoples,includingdemons.ButnowperhapsIhavegrownold.Therefore,these myenemieshavethoughtitfittoinvademyterritory.Lord,justastillnowIhavemadedifferentoblationstothissacredfire,todayIshalloffermyownheadas oblation.Ipraythatoutofthisfire,fourpowerfulbeingsmayemergelikethefourarmsoflordNarayana*." Sosaying,thekingcutoffhisheadwiththegreatesteaseandthenextinstanthisbodyfellintothefirealongwiththeseveredhead.Outofthatfirethekingre emergedasfourradiantwarriorsofextraordinaryradianceandvitalityandequippedwiththeverybestofweaponsofeverydescription.Itwasobviousthatthey couldnotbeovercomebyanywarlikedevicethattheenemymightadopt,whetheritbemissilesormantras,drugs,etc. Theenemyforceswereadvancingatthesametime.Therewasaterriblebattle.Theskywascoveredwithsmokeandalsowithmissiles.Swordsgleamed,revolvers emittedfirecontinuouslyitwasterribletolookat.Therewasariverofbloodinwhichevenelephantswerebornedown.Hereandtheretwomissilescollidedinthe skywhichwasilluminedbythelightemittedbythem.Inthemindandtheheartofeverywarriortherewasonlyonethought,"Ishouldkilltheenemyorbekilledby him".Thewarwasalsobringingoutthegoodandnoblequalitiesinthepeoplewhichweredormanttillthen.Ontheotherhand,therewasalsoextremelycruel behaviour.Hereandtherewarriorskilledevenrefugeesandlootedwhatevertheycould. Thepeoplewhowerenotdirectlyinvolvedinthewar,thenoncombatants,fledtheplace.Thebattlefieldwasfilledwithwarriorstowhomthedistinctionbetweenlife anddeathhadvanished. VI.2:111,112 VASISTHA*continued:

Thekinginhisfourformsproceededinthefourdirectionsonthebattlefield.Hesawthathisarmywasmuchweakerthantheenemy'swellpreparedandwell equippedarmy.Hecontemplated,"Thesage

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AgastyadranktheoceanIshouldbecomeanotherAgastyanowanddryupthisoceanoftheenemyforces".Hethoughtofthewindmissilewhichinstantlyreached him.Heonceagainsalutedandofferedaprayeronbehalfofhissubjectsanddirectedthemissileattheenemyforces.Instantlytherewereriversofmissilesand weaponseverywhere.Thegalethatblewresembledthewindsofcosmicdissolution.Surelyenough,bythepowerofthemissile,theenemyforceswerereducedto nothingverysoon.Thewindmissilealsocausedtorrentialrains,galeforcewindsanddensedarkclouds. Thedifferentunitsoftheenemyarmyfledindifferentdirections.TheCediarmy(fromthelandofpearlsandsnakes)fledinasoutherlydirection.TheParsis* perishedintheforestknownasVanjula*.TheDaradasoldiershidthemselvesincaves.TheDasarna*warriorswhowentintothenearbyforestswerekilledbythe lionsthere.ThewarriorsfromSaka*territorycouldnotbearthemissilesmadeofironandtheyrantremblinginfear.TheforcesofTungana*(whosecolourwas golden)wererobbedbyrobbersoftheirclothes,andthentheywereeatenupbydemons. ThesurvivorsintheenemyarmyhidthemselvesinthemountainknownasSahyaadriandrestedforaperiodofsevendays.Theirwoundswereattendedtobythe celestials(vidhyadhara*women)whowerefromtheterritoryknownasGandhara*.ThewarriorsfromHuna*,Cina*andKirata*hadsuffereddreadfuldisfigurement fromthemissilesofthekingVipascit*.Eventhetreeswerefrightenedoftheking'spowerandstoodstillforaverylongtimeevenafterthewar. TheairforceofVidura*territorywascaughtupinthewindsandcrashedintothelakes.Theinfantrycouldnotevenrunonaccountoftheblindingrainthatfell.The Hunas*whofledtothenorthwerecaughtupinthequicksandsandperished.TheSakas*whofledtotheeastwerecaughtandimprisonedbythekingforoneday andthenreleased. ThesoldiersfromtheMandraterritoryclimbeduptheMahendramountaintoseekarefuge.Theyliterallydraggedthemselvesuplittlebylittleandthenfellnearthe hermitageofsageswhoservedthemwithfood,drink,etc.Theyclimbedthehillforthepurposeofavoidingdeathonthebattlefieldandofbeggingforfoodbutthey gotfromthecaveofthegodstwothings(immediatesafetyandthecompanyofsageswhichensurespermanentpeace).Goodfollowsevilsometimes,byaccidental coincidence(thecrowandthecocoanut.)TheDasarna*soldiersaccidentallyatepoisonanddied.TheHaihayasoldiersaccidentallyateahealingherbwhichturned themintocelestialswithabilitytoflyintheair.

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VI.2:113,114,115

VASISTHA*continued:

Thuspursuingtheirfleeingenemiesthefourkings(whichwereVipascit*)hadtraversedalong,longdistance.Impelledbytheindwellingconsciousnesswhichis omnipotenttheyhadembarkedonacampaignfortheconquestoftheworld,knownasdigvijaya.Foraconsiderabledistancetheywereaccompaniedbytheirown forces.Astheyweremarchingwithoutrestorrespite,theseforcesandtheirequipment,asalsotheforcesoftheenemywhichtheypursued,weakenedandperished. Themissilesthatkingshadhadalsoceasedtobeeffective,justasfireisquenchedafterburningallitsfuel. Thefourkingsgoinginthefourdifferentdirectionsweremetbyhugeoceans.Theremainingmissilesthattheyhadfellintomudcreatedbytheterriblerainthatfell,and theydisintegrated.Thefourbrothersbeheldthatlimitlessoceanwithgreatwonder.(N.B.:Therefollowsahighlypoeticdescriptionoftheocean.) Thekings'ministerswhohadfollowedthemonthisexpeditionpointedouttothekingsthevariousbeautifulsightstheforests,thetrees,theoceans,themountains, thecloudsandalsothehilltribes.(N.B.Again,thereisapoeticdescriptionofalltheseinthetext.Thereisalsoa'reverse'comparison...)JustasBrahman,though one,appearstobedividedintodiversityand,thoughinfinite,appearstohavecreatedthisfiniteandperishableworld,evensothisocean,thoughone,appearstobe dividedintoseveraloceans,anditappearstobebotheternalandthetransientwaves. Theministerspointedtomoreoceansandsaid:"Lord,hereonthisocean,lordNarayana*rests.Hereintheotheroceanhisenemiesthedemonsliehidden.Inthat otherocean,mountainsliehidden.Beneaththisoceanthereisthecosmicfireofunimaginableheat,alongwiththecloudsofcosmicdissolution.Howwonderfulitis thatthisoceanissovast,sofirmlyestablishedandabletosupportsomuchofburden.Lookatthemoon.Asitrisesontheeasternhorizon,itspreadsitssoftlight everywhereandthusbringsauspiciousnesstoall,riddingalloftheirfearofdarknessandnight.Buteventhismoonistaintedwithdarkspots.Whensuchisthecase withthesecelestialbodies,whatcanwecallanuntaintedobjectinthisworld,whatshallwecallgoodandexcellentinthisworld,whichtimeorfatewillnottarnishin thetwinklingofaneye?Surely,thereisnosuchthingonearth." VI.2:116 THEMINISTERSANDOTHERSsaid:

Behold,Oking,therulersoftheboundariesoftheearthengagedinbattle.Thecelestialnymphsaredrivingthespacevehiclescarryingawaythosenobleoneswhoare slaininbattle.Thisisconsideredasthebestofallfruitsofliving:thatoneshouldlivealifeofprosperity,healthandwealth,whichdoesnotincurthedispleasureof society,

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andshouldengageoneselfinrighteouswarfareforthesakeofothers.Hewhokillsanotherwhenthelattercomestofightwithhim,withouttransgressingthemoral codethatappliestowarfare,heisaheroandhegoestoheaven. Beholdthesky,Oking,wherethemightygodsanddemonsappearintheformofstars,whichisalsothefieldforthemovementofmightyplanetsandstarslikethe sunandthemoon.Foolsregarditasemptyvoidevennow.Inspiteofthemovementofallthesestarsandplanets,inspiteofthebattlebetweengods(light)and demons(darkness),thisspaceisnotpollutedortaintedoralteredinanyway. Ospace!Thoughyoubearthesunonyourlap,andevenlordNarayana*andallhisdivineretinue,yetyouhavenotabandonedthedarknessthatresidesinyou.This isindeedagreatmystery.Yet,weconsiderthespacewiseandenlightenedasitisunaffectedbythedefectsandshortcomingsoftheworldswhichabideinit(the space). Ospace!Duringthedayyouarebright.Atdawnandduskyouarecrimson.Atnightyouaredark.Youaredevoidofmateriality.Youdonotholdorbeartheburden ofanysubstance.HenceyouareregardedasMaya*.Noone,noteventhelearnedandthewise,cantrulyunderstandyouandyourfunction.Ospace,hewhoowns nothingachieveseverything.Youarepurevoidwithinyourselfandyetyoucauseeverythingtogrowandtobeexalted. Inspacetherearenocitiesorvillages,noforestsorparks,notreesorshade,yetthesuncoursesthroughspaceeveryday.Truly,thenobleonesdotheirdutywithout fail,howeverdifficultandirksomeitmaybe. Thoughapparentlydoingnothing,spaceregulatesthegrowthofplantsandtreesbypreventingthemfromexcessivegrowth.Thatinwhichinfiniteuniversesareborn andintowhichtheydissolvehowcanthatspacebeconsidereddevoidofeverything?Thereissomethingwrongwiththescholars. THEMINISTERSANDOTHERScontinued: VI.2:117121

(Thenextfewchaptersarealsofullofhighlypoeticandartisticdescriptionsofnaturalphenomena,thefloraandthefauna,withinterestingspiritualparallels,from whichthefollowingtwoarebutsamples.S.V.) Olord,beholdthecrane.Howdiligentandefficientitisincapturingandconsumingthefish.Wickedpeopleseeinthenaturalbehaviourofthecranethejustification fortheirownviciousdoctrinethatevensooneshoulddestroyothersfortheattainmentofone'sownselfishends. Lookatthepeacock.Itquenchesitsthirstfromthepurestrainwater.Itdoesnotdrinkofthepollutedwatersofthedrainsandthe

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canals.However,itcontinuouslyremembersthecloudsandtherainthatfallsfromthemandderivessatisfaction.Whenone'sheartisfixedindevotiontotheholyones, evenunpleasantexperiencesbecomepleasant. Oking,beholdthatyoungcoupletalkingtoeachotherandrefreshingthemselvesoverthere.Theyoungman,smittenwithloveforhisbeloved,metherjustnowafter averylongseparation.Thisiswhathesaidtoher: "Beloved,listentowhathappenedtomeonedayduringourseparation.Ilookedatthecloudandprayedtothecloudtoconveyamessagetoyou.Iwassogreatly overcomebylongingforyouthatIfainted.Mybreathingstopped.Mymemoryfailed.Mybodybecamecoldandrigidlikealogofwood.Whocaneverdescribe adequatelytheunhappinesscausedbyseparationfromabelovedone? "TravellerswhowitnessedthisthoughtIwasdeadandmadepreparationsforthecremationofthedestitutebody.Iwastakentothecrematorium.Theylaidmeonthe pyreandsetitalight.InafewmomentsIexperiencedallkindsofstrangefeelingsandsensationsandvisions.IfeltthatIwasfallingintoaholeintheground.Iwas protectedbythearmourofyourloveandofcontemplationofyourform.Ienjoyedyourcompanyinmyownheart.Irememberevennowthesmallestdetailofthe amorousdallianceinwhichweselfforgetfullyenjoyedeachother.InthemeantimeIsawflamesaroundme."Hearingthis,thegirlswoonedbuttheloverrevivedher andcontinuedthenarrative: "AtonceIshouted'Fire,fire'andwokeupfromtheswoon.ThepeoplearoundthefuneralpyrethoughtthatIhadreturnedfromthedeadandtheywerethrilled.They sanganddanced.Weallreturnedhome." VASISTHA*continued: Afterlisteningtoallthis,thefourfoldVipascit*worshippedthefire.Thefiregodappearedtothem.Theyprayedtohim:"Wewishtobeholdtheuniversecomposed ofthefiveelementsinitstotality.Grantthatwemaydosoandthatwemaynotdietillwehaveseenallasmuchaspossiblewiththephysicalbodyandbeyondthat throughthemind."Thefiregodgrantedthisboonandvanished. VI.2:124 RAMA*asked:

Lord,howwasitthatthoughthefourfoldVipascit*wasbutonepersonwithasingleconsciousness,thefourofthementertaineddifferentdesires? VASISTHA*replied: Thoughconsciousnessisone,nondualandomnipresent,itseemstobecomediverselikethemindofthesleeping(dreaming)person.

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Evenasthemirrorreflectsdiverseobjectswithinitselfbecauseitispure,evensoconsciousness,beingabsolutelypure,reflectseverythingwithinitself.Thoughmirrors maybemadeofthesamemetal,theyreflectdiverseobjectsinoneanotheradinfinitum.Similarly,consciousnessreflectswithinitselfwhateverisplacedbeforeit. Thusthediverseappearstobeone,butitisbothdiverseandnondiverse(one)becauseitisneitherdiversenornondiverse,itisbothdiverseandone.Therefore, whateverappearedbeforeeachofthefourVipascits*reflectedinhisconsciousnessandwasexperiencedbyhim.Yogiscanperformactionseverywhereand experienceallthingsinallthethreeperiodsoftime,thoughapparentlyremaininginoneplace.Waterwhichisoneandallpervasivedoesseveralthingsatthesame timeandseemstoundergodiverseexperiences.TheoneVisnu*withhisfourarmsorfourbodiespeformsdiversefunctionsinprotectingtheworld.Abeing(animal) withmanyarmsholdssomethingwithtwoarmsandwiththeotherskillsthatthing.ItwasinthatmannerthatthekingsVipascit*engagedthemselvesindiverse activities. Theydiverselysleptonthegrassybedsonearth.Theylivedandenjoyedthemselvesindifferentcontinents.Theysportedindifferentforests.Theyroamedthedeserts. Theydweltonthepeaksofmountainsandinthebowelsoftheoceans.Theysometimeshidthemselvesinmountaincaves.Theysportedontheoceansandinthe wind,onthewavesaswellasontheseashoreandinthecities. TheVipascit*whowenteastsleptforsevenyearsontheslopesofthesunrisemountainonthecontinentknownasSaka*,forhehadbeencharmedbythecelestials therehavingdrunkofthewaterthatwasintherock,hehadbecomelikestone.TheVipascit*whowentwesttothesunsetmountainonthesamecontinentfella victimtothecharmsofanymphwhoenjoyedhimforawholemonth.TheVipascit*whowenteastremainedincognitointheturmericforestforsometime.On accountofthecharmofacelestial,helivedasalionfortendays.Overpoweredbyagoblin,helivedasafrogfortenyears.TheVipascit*whowentnorthdweltfora hundredyearsinablindwellintheNilagiri*(bluemountain)intheSaka*continent.Theonewhowentwestlearntthemethodofbecomingacelestialandlivedasa celestial(vidyadhara*)forfourteenyears. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:125

Whenthekingthatwenteastwasunderthespellofthewaterhehaddrunk,itwastheonethatwentwestwhorescuedhim.Whenthekingthatwentwestbecamea rock,itwastheonethatwentsouthwhorescuedhimbytheuseofbeef,etc.Whenthekingthatwentwesthadbeentransformedintoabullbyafemalegoblinwho

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hadtheformofacow,itwastheonethatwentsouthwhorescuedhimagain.Whenthekingthatwentsouthwasturnedintoacelestial,hewasrescuedbyanother celestialattheintercessionoftheonewhowentwest.Whenthekingwhowenteastwasturnedintoalion,itwastheonewhowentwestthatrescuedhim. RAMA*asked: Buthowdotheseyogisperformsuchvariedactionsinthethreeperiodsoftime?Praytellmethis. VASISTHA*continued: Whateverbetheexplanationthattheunenlightenedpeoplemaygiveforthis,letthem:butlistentotheenlightenedexplanation. Inthevisionoftheknowersofthetruth,thereisnothingotherthanthepureandinfiniteconsciousness,andtheobjectiveuniverseiscompletelyandtotallynon existent.Thereisneitheracreationnoritsopposite.HewhorestsforeverinthispureandinfiniteconsciousnessistheomnipresentandomnipotentLordheistheall andheistheselfofallatalltimes.Tellme,whocanrestrainhim,how,whereandwhen.Theomnipresentshinesasandwhenhelikes,forheistheselfofall.Whatis notpresentintheselfofall?Hence,heshineshow,whenandwherehelikes,whetheritisthepastorthefutureorthepresentandwhetheritisthegrossorsubtlefield inwhichsuchactiontakesplace.Withouteverabandoninghisrealityaspureconsciousness,hefunctionsatadistanceandnear,creatinganepochorthetwinklingof aneye.AllthisisintheselfbuttheappearanceisMaya*(illusory)heisunbornanduncreatedandhasnotbeenrestrainedorinhibited.WhatISisasitis.Whatever ISisamassofconsciousnessandthatitselfisthethreeworlds.Itistheselfoftheworld,itistheformoftheworldwhichhasarisenonaccountofthepolarisationof consciousnessintothesubjectandtheobject.Whohascreatedthisseerofall,thesubjectofallhowandwhen? Nothingisimpossibleforthisconsciousness.TheconsciousnessofVipascit*hadbecomeawakenedbutithadnotattainedthesupremestate.Hence,thoughitisone itmanifestsasthealleverywhere.Inastateinwhichthereisbothawakeningandnonawakening,allthesethingsarepossiblewhenthesupremetruthhasnotbeen attained,suchmaterialisationispossible.Itiswhenthereissuchpartialawakeningthatoneenjoyspsychicpowers.Thus,thefourVipascits*experiencedthestates thattheothershad. RAMA*asked: IfVipascit*wasanenlightenedperson,howcouldheconsiderhimselfalion,etc.? VASISTHA*replied:

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Mydescriptionofthesekingsasawakenedorenlightenedwasonlyafigureofspeech:infactVipascit*wasnotenlightened.ThefourVipascits*wereneither enlightenednorweretheyignorant:theywereswinginginbetween.Insuchpeoplethesignsofenlightenmentorliberationareseen,asalsothesignsofignoranceand bondage.Theyarehalfawakened.WhateverVipascit*hadattainedhadbeenattainedthroughcontemplation,notbecausehehadreachedthesupremestate.All thesesiddhisorpsychicpowersarehadbysuchcontemplation. Inthosewhohavereachedthesupremestate,thereisnoignoranceordelusion.Howcantheyhaveadeludedvisionandhowcantheyseefalsehood?Theyogiswho practisecontemplationandwhoattainvariouspsychicpowersthroughgraceorboonsaresubjecttoignorancewhichisnoticedinthem.Hence,theycontemplatenot thetruthbutsomethingwhichisotherthanthereal. Thereissomethingmore.Eveninthecaseofthoseliberatedsageswhoarestillalive,thereiscomprehensionofmaterialitywhiletheyareengagedindaytoday activity.Moksa*orliberationisalsoastateofthemind.Thenaturalfunctionofthebodyadherestoitanddoesnotcease.Onewhoisfreedfromignorance,orthe mind,isneveragainboundbythemindevenasoncethefruithasfallenfromthetree,noamountofeffortcanconnectittothetree.Thebodyfunctionsasisnaturalto iteveninthecaseoftheliberatedpersonbuttheconsciousnessinthatpersonisstableandisnotaffectedbythestatesofthephysicalbody. Thepowersgainedthroughcontemplation,etc.,canbeseenbyothersbutthestateofliberationthatoneattainscannotbeseenbyothers,evenasthetasteofhoney iscapableofbeingtastedonlybyoneself.Whenonewhohasexperiencedthestateofbondageandalsopainandpleasureisliberatedfromallthese,heissaidtobe liberated.Heisconsideredaliberatedpersonwhoseinnerconsciousnessiscoolandpeacefulheisinbondagewhosemindandheartaredisturbedanddistracted. Bondageandliberationarenotnoticedinphysicalfunctions. Whetherhisbodyiscutintoathousandpiecesorheiscrownedanemperor,theliberatedoneisliberatedevenifheapparentlyweepsandlaughs.Withinhimselfheis neitherelatednordepressed.Heexperiencesneitherhappinessnorunhappiness,evenwhilereceivingalltheseexperiences.Heisnotdeadevenwhenheisdead,he doesnotweepthoughheweeps,hedoesnotlaughthoughhelaughssuchisaliberatedone.Heisfreefromattractionorattachment,thoughheisattractedand attached.Hegetsangrythoughheisnotangryheisnotdeludedthoughheisdeluded.

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VASISTHA*continued: Thenotions'Thisishappiness'and'Thisisunhappiness'donotariseintheliberatedones.Whentheyhaverealisedthetruththatthereisneither'theworld'nor'the self'andthattheoneistheall,'happiness'and'unhappiness'areseenasmeaninglesswords.Theirgriefissuperficial,fortheyarefreefromsorrow. ItissaidthatlordSiva*pluckedoffoneofthefiveheadsoflordBrahma*.Thelatterwassurelycapableofgrowingonemoretoreplaceit.Buthedidnot,forhe knew"Whenallthiscreationisillusory,whatshallIdowithonemorehead?".Hehadnothingtogainfromdoingsomethingorfromrefrainingfromdoingsomething. Whateverhappens,letithappenevensowhyshoulditbeotherwise? LordSiva*hashisconsortinonehalfofhisbody,thoughhehasthepowertoburnupeventhegodoflove.Hehasthepowertoabandonallattachmentoraffection, buthebehavesasifheisattachedtohisconsort.Hehasnothingtogainbyremainingsoattachednordoeshegainanythingbynonattachment.Letitbeasitis. EvensolordVisnu*engageshimselfinvariousactivitiesandinspiresotherstoengagethemselvesinsuchactivities,toohe'dies'andhekillsothersheisbornandhe growsthoughallthetimeheistotallyfreefromallthis.Hecouldeasilyrefrainfromallthisbutwhatistobegainedfromsuchrestraint?Letallthesebeastheyare. Suchistheattitudeofonewhoisestablishedintherealisationoftheinfiniteconsciousness. Evensodothesun,themoonandthefireperformtheirnaturalfunctions,thoughtheyareallliberatedbeings(jivanmukta*).Thepreceptorsofthegods(Brhaspati*) andofthedemons(Sukra*)arealsojivanmuktas*,thoughtheyplaytherolesoftheleadersofopposingforces,fightingeachotherlikeignorantmen.KingJanakais alsoaliberatedroyalsageyet,heengageshimselfindreadfulwars.Therewerealsoseveralroyalsageswhoengagedthemselvesinroyaldutieswhileinwardly remainingfreefrombondage.Whiledischarginghisworldlyduties,theenlightenedpersonbehavesinthesamewayastheignorantperson.Thedistinctionbetween bondageandliberationliesinthestateofone'sconsciousness,whichisconditionedinbondageandunconditionedinliberation.Evenseveraldemonshadattained liberationlikeBali,Prahlada*,Namuci,Vrtra*,Andhaka,Mura,etc.Theenlightenedconsciousnessisunaffectedbytherisingandsettingoflikesanddislikes, mentalactionandsupramentalconsciousness.Whenoneisfirmlyestablishedintheinfiniteandunconditionedconsciousness,eventhesedistinctionsvanish.The diversitywhichpeopleexperienceinthiscreationisbutanappearance,likethecoloursofarainbow.

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Theworldappearstobeinrelationtotheinfiniteconsciousnessjustasspatiality(voidordistance)appearstobeinrelationtospace. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:126

Now,listentowhathappenedtothefourVipascits*.Oneofthemwaskilledbyanelephant.Thesecondwastakenawaybysomecelestials(yaksas*)whodropped himintoblazingfire,andheperished.Thethirdonewastakenuptoheavenbythecelestialsknownasvidyadhara*there,thatVipascit*didnotbowtotheking (Indra),whocursedhimandreducedhimtoashes.Thefourthwaskilledbyacrocodile. Remainingintheirsubtlebodies,thesefoursawtheirownprevioushistoryintheirownminds,wheretheyhadcreatedsubtleimpressions.Inthespaceoftheirown consciousnesstheysawthewholeuniversewithallitsoceansandmountains,townsandcities,thesunandthemoon,thestarsandtheclouds.Theyevensawtheir ownbodiesasbefore.Endowedwiththesubtle(ativahika*)bodies,theysawinthespacebeforethemtheirownphysicalbodies.Onaccountoftheirpastlife impressionsormemories,theysawthemselvesasbeingclothedinphysicalbodiesinordertowitnessthemagnitudeoftheworld.Inordertoseetheactualextentof theearth,theyroamedotherrealms. ThewesternVipascit*crossedsevencontinentsandsevenseasandhadthegoodfortunetomeetlordVisnu*.FromhimVipascit*receivedthehighestwisdom,and remainedimmersedinsamadhi*forfiveyears.Afterthatheabandonedthephysicalbodyandattainednirvana*. TheorientalVipascit*remainedclosetotheraysofthemoonandcontemplatedthemoonconstantlyhenceheattainedtherealmofthemoon. ThesouthernVipascit*destroyedallhisenemiesandevennowherulesthecountrybecausehedidnotlosehismemoryorhisconvictions. ThenorthernVipascit*waseatenbyacrocodileinwhosebodyhelivedforathousandandoneyears.Whenthatcrocodiledied,heemergedfromitsbodyas anothercrocodile.ThenhecrossedoceansandicepacksofunimaginabledistanceandreachedthelakeofthegodsknownasSuvarna*.Therehedied.Becausehe diedinthatrealmofthegods,thisVipascit*becameagod,evenasapieceofwoodlyinginthemidstofcoalsoffireinstantlybecomesfire. ThislastVipascit*reachedtheboundariesoftheearthplaneknownastheLokaloka*mountainswhichherememberedfromhispastbirthexperiences.These mountainsareseveralthousandmilesinheightonesideisillumined,whereastheotherisnot.Fromtherehe

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sawtheearth,etc.,asiftheyweredistantstars.Thenhewenttothatsideofthesemountainswhichwasforevershroudedindarkness.Beyondthatisthegreatvoidin whichthereisnoearth,nobeingsandnothingmobileorimmobile.Initeventhepotentialityofcreationdoesnotexist. VI.2:127 RAMA*asked:

Lord,praytellme:howdoesthisearthexist,howdoesthestellarsphererevolveandhowdotheLokaloka*mountainsexist. VASISTHA*replied: Justasalittlechildimaginesaplaythingintheemptyspaceandthinksitisthere,thenotionoftheexistenceofthiseartharisesintheinfiniteconsciousness.Hewhose visionisdefectiveseeslittleballsof'hair'inspace,wherenosuchballsexist.Evenso,suchnotionsas'theexistenceoftheearth'aroseintheinfiniteconsciousnessat themomentwhichhascometobeknownascreation.Acitywhichexistsinthemindofthedaydreamerneedsnosupport(withtheimaginationasitssolesupport) evenso,thisworldissupportedonlybytheexperiencingoftheinfiniteconsciousness. Whateverappearsintheconsciousnessandhoweveritappearstobeandforwhateverduration,itseemstoexistinthatconsciousnessinthatmannerforthat duration,onaccountoftheinherentpowerinconsciousness.Therefore,justasintheeyesofonewitheyedefectthe'ballofhair'doesfloatinspace,thisearth,etc., doesexistinconsciousness.Ifconsciousnesshad'seen'waterflowingupandfireburningdownintheverybeginning,suchwouldhavebeenthenatureofthese elementsevennow.Butitisbecausethatconsciousness'saw'theearthasfallinginspacethatitseemstofallevennowandconsciousnesscorrespondinglyseemsto 'rise'inrelationtotheearth.Thusdualityordiversemotionarises. TheLokaloka*mountainsaretheboundaryoftheearthplane.Beyondthatisthegreatspatialpitfilledwithtotaldarkness,thoughsomethingexistsinithereand there.Becausethestellarsphereisataconsiderabledistance,thereseemstobesomelightsomewhereandsomedarknesselsewhere.Thesestarsareataverygreat distancefromtheLokaloka*mountains.Theentirestellarsphere,withtheexceptionofthepolestar,constantlyrevolvesarounditsownaxis.Butallthisisnon differentfromthenotionthatarisesinpureconsciousness. BeyondtheworldsortheearthplanewhoseboundariesaretheLokaloka*mountains,thestellarsphereappearssomethingliketheskinofafruit.However,allthisis butthefirmnotionthatarisesintheinfiniteconsciousnessitshouldnotbetakenthattheseworldsexistasreality.

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Beyondeventhisstellarsphere,thereisanotherspheretwiceitssizethat,too,isilluminedinpartandissunkindarknesselsewhere.Allthisisenclosedintwoskull caps,asitwere:oneisaboveandtheotherisbelowandbetweenthemisspace.Thisuniverse,whichisacosmiccircle,isilluminedbythesunandstars.Whatis 'above'andwhatis'below'inallthis?Rising,falling,movingorremainingsteadyallthesearenotionsthatariseinconsciousness.Noneoftheseexistintruth. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:128

ThedescriptionoftheuniverseIhavegivenyouisthefruitofdirectexperience,notinferentialguesswork.BesidesthisthereareotheruniversesofwhichIhavenot toldyou.Forofwhatuseisinvestigationintothenatureoftheworldandothers,whicharebutofthenatureofadreamwisemendonotwastetheirtimetalkingabout uselessthings. ThenorthernmostextremityistheMerumountainandthesouthernmostextremityistheLokaloka*mountainrange.Theinhabitantsofthevariousplanesof consciousnessandthedifferentworldsexperiencethematerialisationofthoseworlds,notothers. Itoldyouoftheskullcapsoftheuniverse.Beyondthemthewholeuniverseisenvelopedbywaterwhichistenfoldinextent.Beyondthatthereisanotherenvelope, thistimeoffire,whichistenfoldthepreviousone.Beyondthatisthewindenvelopeandthentheplaneofspace,whichareeachtentimestheextentoftheprevious one. Beyondeventhatistheinfinitespacethisisneitherilluminednorisitdark.Itisfullofpureconsciousness.Itisbeginningless,middlelessandendless.Inthat,countless millionsofuniversesariseagainandagainatdifferentpoints,andagainandagaintheyaredissolvedinit.Thereisnobeinginthisinfinitespacetoentertainanotionof theseuniverses,buttheyexistinwhateverformandmannertheyexist. NowlistentothestoryofthekingVipascit*whowasontopoftheLokaloka*mountains.Afterhedied,hesawhisbodybeingeatenbyahugevulture.Inhis consciousnessthenotionofanotherphysicalbodydidnotarise,nordidhereachenlightenment.Hence,hewishedtoengagehimselfinfurtheractivity.Forpuremental activity,aphysicalbodyisunnecessary.Inthecaseofillusion,dream,daydreamingandhallucination,themindcreatesitsownfield,whichisknownasthesubtlebody (ativahika*).Onlywhenthatisforgottenorabandoneddoesthephysicalbodyarise.Whenonerealisestheunrealityofthephysicalbodythroughproperinvestigation, thenonceagainthesubtle(ativahika*)bodyarises. Hence,investigatethenatureoftheativahika*bodytillthe

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knowledgethattheinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisthetruth,arises.Therealisation'Whereisduality,whereishateoraffection?AllthisispureSiva*,beginninglessand endless'isenlightenment. Vipascit*wasstillinthesubtlebody,unenlightened.Hewasenvelopedbydarknessasifinafoetus.Hethenexperiencedtheearthplane,waterplane,fireplaneand spaceplane.Thenhebegantoinvestigatethenatureofhisownsubtlebodyandwondered:''Whatsustainsmewhoampureconsciousness?''Heenteredtheinfinite spaceofBrahma*andsaweverythingthere.Butnothavinginvestigatedtheillusorynatureofignoranceherestsinitevennow,thoughinfactthereisnoignoranceand Brahmanaloneexists. VI.2:129 VASISTHA*continued:

AnotheroftheVipascits*alsoattainedthesamestateafterwanderingfromcontinenttocontinentforalongtimeandafterreachingtheinfinitespaceofBrahma*in whichhesawmillionsofuniverses.Thereheexistsevennow.YetanotheroftheVipascits*fellavictimtohisownmentalconditioningand,afterrenouncinghisbody, becameadeerandlivesonamountain. RAMA*asked: Lord,whenthevasana*(mentalconditioning)ofthekingVipascit*wasbutone,howdiditbecomediverse,producingdiverseresultsinthefourVipascits*? VASISTHA*replied: Thevasana*ofbeingsbecomeseitherdenseorlightbyrepeatedexerciseandrepetitionofitseffects.Itisalsosubjecttotheinfluenceoftime,placeandactivity.Ifit becomes'light',itundergoeschangeintosomethingelseifitisdeeprooteditdoesnotchange.Ontheonehandarethetime,placeandactivity(repetitionofthehabit bornofthevasana*)ontheotheristhevasana*(mentalconditioning)itself.Thetwo(circumstancesandvasana*)actuponeachother.Whicheverbethestronger winsinstantly.ThusthefourVipascits*weredrawnindifferentdirections,thoughtheyhadthesamevasana*tostartwithtwoofthemwerecaughtinthenetof ignorance,onewasliberatedandtheotherbecameadeer. Evennowthetwowhowerecaughtupinthenetofignorancehavebeenunabletofindawayout.Ignoranceisalsoinfiniteinamannerofspeaking,becauseithasno realexistence.However,ifonedevelopstheinnerlightandbeginstoexamineitinthatlightthisignorancevanishesinthetwinklingofaneye. TheVipascit*whowentfromonecountrytoanother,fromoneworldtoanother,sawanillusorycreation.HesawanillusoryworldwhichinfactwasBrahmanonly. Hesomehowcameintocontactwithaholyman.Withhishelp,Vipascit*realisedthetruthconcerning

Page617

theillusoryperceptionoftheworldandinstantlyrealisedtheinfiniteconsciousnessorBrahman.Atthatveryinstanthisignorance(asalsohisbody)ceasedtobe. ThushaveItoldyou,ORama*,thestoryofVipascit*.Thisignorance,too,isinfiniteevenasBrahmanisinfinite,becausetheignorancehasnoindependentexistence apartfromBrahman.Itistheinfiniteconsciousnessalonethatseescountlessuniversesandworldshereandthere,nowandthen.Whenthistruthisnotrealised,itis knownasignorancewhenthistruthisrealised,theverysameconsciousnessisknownasBrahman.Thereisnodivisionbetweenthetwo,forthedivisionisunreal ignorancewhichinrealityisBrahman.Thedivisionseemstoariseinconsciousnessandis,therefore,nondifferentfromconsciousness.ThusBrahmanaloneisthe worldappearanceandthedivisionisconsciousness. RAMA*asked: HowwasitthattheVipascit*couldnotreachtheskullcapoftheuniversewhichBrahma*thecreatorhadcreated? VASISTHA*replied: Attheverymomenthecameintobeing,Brahma*thecreatorpushedspaceapartwithhistwoarms.Thatwhichwasabovewaspushedfar,faraboveandthatwhich wasbelowwentfar,farbelow.Allthecreatedelementsrestinit,beingsupportedbythesetwoextremities.Thatwhichisbetweenthesetwoextremitiesisknownas space,whichappearstobelimitlessandofabluecolour.Waterandsuchotherelementsdonottaintthisspaceinfacttheyarenotinit(forspaceisindependentof themandexistswhereonethinkswater,air,etc.,exist).Theseelementsarebutthenotionsthatariseinothers. Vipascit*tookthatpathinordertoexaminetheextentofignorance,andhebegantoinvestigatethestellarsphere.Brahmanisinfiniteandthereforeignoranceof Brahmanisalsoinfinite.IgnoranceexistswhenBrahmanisnotrealisedandwhenBrahmanisrealisedignoranceisseennottoexist.HoweverfarVipascit*went,he wasstillwanderingintherealmofthisignorance. Oftheothers,oneattainedliberation,anotherbecameadeerandanotherisalsowanderinginignorance.Thetwowhothuswanderindistantworldsarenotseenin ourconsciousness.Buttheonethatbecameadeeriswithinthefieldofourunderstanding.ThatworldinwhichthatVipascit*livesasthedeer(afterhavingwandered indistantworlds)isthisveryworldwhichisinonedistantcorneroftheinfinitespaceofconsciousness. RAMA*asked: Lord,Vipascit*livedinthisworlditselfandwentawayfromhere.Howisitthathehasbecomeadeerinthisworld?

Page618

VASISTHA*replied: Evenasonewhoisendowedwithlimbsknowsthem,evensoIknoweverythingwhichmayexistinBrahman,asBrahmanismyownself.Thepastdoesnotknowthe futureandviceversabutconsciousnesswhichisnotdividedbytimeisawareofallthis.Inthatconsciousnesseverythingis'here',thoughtoordinaryperception somethingmaybefaraway.ThusIseetheworldinwhichVipascit*wanderedandhowhebecameadeerinthisveryworld.InfactIknowwherethatdeerisright now,ORama*.ItisthedeerthatwaspresentedtoyouasagiftbythekingoftheTrigartha. VASISTHA*said: WhenthesageVasistha*saidthis,Rama*andtheassembledsagesandotherswerewonderstruck.Rama*despatchedafewboystogoandfetchthedeer.Seeing it,theassemblywasamazedandeveryoneexclaimed:"Truly,Maya*(illusion)islimitlessandinfinite." VI.2:130 RAMA*asked:

Osage,how,bywhomandbywhatmeanswillthisdeerbefreedfromitsunfortunatestateofexistence? VASISTHA*replied: Thewayoutofthismisfortuneisthatwhichwasitsoriginalcause.Anyotherpathisnottherightoneanditwillnotbeproductiveofhappiness,welfareorfruition.The kingVipascit*adoredthefireandbyenteringintothefirethisdeerwillregainitsformerstate,justasgoldregainsitslustrebybeingpurifiedinthefire.Behold,Ishall makethisdeerenterintothefire. VALMIKI*said: Sosaying,thesageVasistha*sippedwaterfromhissacredwaterpotandcreatedafireinthemiddleofthehall,withoutanyfuel.Itburnedbrightlywithoutany sparksandwithoutanysmoke.Thepeopleintheassemblymovedawayfromthecentreofthehall.Thedeerwasdelightedtoseethatfire.Itbegantofriskaboutin delight.Vasistha*wasinadeepstateofcontemplationandblessedthedeerthatitshouldbefreedfromitspastsinfultendencies.Hefurtherprayedtothefiregod: "Rememberinghispreviousexistence,Ofire,pleaserestoretothisdeerhisoldformasthekingVipascit*." Themomentthesageutteredthesewords,thedeerrushedwithgreatjoyintothefire.Itrestedforafewminutesinthefirewhileeveryonewaslookinggraduallyits formchangedintothatofahumanbeing.Hewasradiantandhandsome.Assoonashearoseinthefire,thefirevanishedfromsight.Alltheassembledsageswithone voiceexclaimed"Ah,whatradiance(bha*)doesthispersonpossess!Heshines(bhasa*)likethesun.Surely,heshallbecomefamousasBhasa*."Hence,hecameto beknownasBhasa*.

Page619

Bhasa*realisedinamoment,bydeepcontemplation,allthathadhappenedinhispreviousincarnations. Inthemeantime,theexcitementandtheconversationintheassemblyhadsubsidedandtherewassilenceonceagain.Bhasa*aroseandproceededtowardsthesage Vasistha*andbowedtohim.Thesage,inturn,blessedhimsaying,"Maytheignoranceunderwhichyouhavebeenlaboutingforsolongleaveyou".ThenBhasa* salutedRama*andhailedhim. Afterthis,thekingDasaratha*welcomedBhasa*:"Welcome,Oking.Beseatedhere.Youhavewanderedfarandwideandforaverylongtimeinthissamsara*. Nowresthere."Bhasa*tookhisseatamongthesagesintheassembly.KingDasaratha*continued:"Alas,likeatetheredelephant,thiskingVipascit*hadtoundergo countlesstrialsandtribulations.Whatagreatcalamityfollowsimperfectvisionoftherealityandtheperverseunderstandingofthetruth.Thoughessentiallyunrealand nonexistent,itisamazingwhatpowerthisillusionhas,thatitcanseeminglycreatesuchdiverseworldsintheinfiniteconsciousness,andsuchvariedexperiences." VISVAMITRA*said: VI.2:131

Evenso,Oking,thereareverymanypeoplewhowanderinthissamsara*becausetheyhavenotgainedthebestknowledgeorenlightenment.Thereisakingwho haswanderedinthissamsara*forthepastonemillionandsevenhundredthousandyears.Theseignorantpeopleareinterestedininvestigatingthenatureofworldly objectsandtheycontinuallyflowinthissamsara*withouteverturningawayfromit. ThiscreationexistsintheinfinitespaceasamerenotioninthemindofthecreatorBrahma.Justaslittleantsmovehereandthereonthesurfaceofaball,peoplemove aboutonthesurfaceofthisearth.Inspacethereisno'below'andthereisno'above'.Thedirectioninwhichanobjectfallsisknownas'below',andthedirectionin whichbirdsrisetoflyiscalled'above'. InthisworldthereisaplaceknownasVatadhana*.Inthatkingdomtherewerethreeprinces.Theyresolvedtogototheverylimitsofthisworldtoinvestigateallthat itcontains.Forsometimetheyexaminedtheobjectsoftheearth,andthentheyexaminedtheobjectsintheoceans.Theytookbirthafterbirthandcontinuedto pursuetheirgoalofgainingacompleteknowledgeofthisearth.Theycouldnotgotothe'ends'oftheearth,because,likeantsmovingonaball,theywereonlygoing fromonepartoftheearthtoanotherallthetime.Theyarethuswanderingontheeartheventoday. Thus,thereisnoendtotheillusioninthissamsara*.Sincethisillusionarisesasanotionintheinfiniteconsciousness,italsoseems

Page620

tobeinfinite.Theessence(realityorsubstance)ofthenotionisthesupremeBrahmanandviceversa.Theyarebothpureconsciousnessandthereisnodifferenceor divisioninconsciousness,justasthereisnodistinctionbetweenspaceandemptiness.Thecurrentsandwhirlpoolsthatappearonthesurfaceofwaterareonlywater. Sincetherecanbenothingotherthanconsciousness,howcantherebesomethingotherthanconsciousness?Theinfiniteconsciousnessaloneshinesofitsownaccord asthisworldwithoutevenintendingtodoso.Wherevertheinfiniteconsciousnesswishestoappearinwhateverform,itdoessoandexperiencesitsownnatureinthat formforaslongasitpleases. Withinthesmallestatomoftheinfiniteconsciousnessexiststhepotentialityofallexperiences,justastherearestonesandrockswithinthemountain.Allthese experiencesexist,constantlyexperiencingtheirownparticularmodesofexperienceeverywhere.Inreality,ofcourse,theydonotexistasexperiencesbutonlyas infiniteconsciousness.Thesemanifoldexperiencesarecollectivelyknownastheworld,whichistheshiningappearanceofBrahman.Butitindeedisagreatwonder, thatthisinfiniteconsciousness,withouteverabandoningitsreality,thinksofitelf"Iamajiva*".Now,OkingBhasa*,tellusofyourpastexperiences. BHASA*said: IsawmanythingsandIwanderedalotwithoutexperiencingfatigue.Iexperiencedmanythingsinmanydifferentways.AllthisIremember.Iexperiencedmany pleasuresandmuchsorrowinmanybodiesoveralongperiodoftimeandindistantplacesinthislimitlessspace.Iattainedvariousbodiesonaccountofboonsand curses,andinthoseembodimentsIsawcountlessobjectsandscenes.Iwasalsodeterminedtoseeandexperienceeverything.ThiswastheoriginalboonthatI obtainedfromthefiregod.Therefore,eventhoughIhaddifferentbodiesondifferentplanes,Istillpursuedtheoriginalintentionofgainingathoroughknowledgeof thisworld. ForathousandyearsIlivedasatree.Ihadtoenduremanysufferingsduringthatperiod.Mymindwastotallycentredwithinmyself,andwithoutmentalactivityI producedflowersandfruits.ForahundredyearsIwasadeeronthemountMeru.Ihadagoldencolour.IlivedongrassandIlovedmusic.Iwasverysmalland thereforenonviolent.ForfiftyyearsIwasasarabha*(aneightfootedanimalmorepowerfulthanthelion).AfterthatIbecameavidyadhara*celestial.ThenI becamethesonoftheswanwhichisthevehicleofthecreatorBrahma*.Ilivedasaswanforfifteenhundredyears.ForahundredyearsIlistenedtothedivinemusic ofthecelestialattendantsoflordNarayana*(Visnu*).ThenIbecameajackalandlived

Page621

inaforest.AhugeelephantravagedthebrushinwhichIlived.WhileIwasdyingonaccountofthis,Isawthatelephantkilledbyalion.Afterthis,Ibecameanymph inanotherworldandlivedaloneforhalfanepoch,onaccountofthecurseofasage.Afterthis,Ilivedforahundredyearsasavalmika*bird.Whenournestwas destroyedalongwiththetreeonwhichwelived,Ilostmypartnerandthenlivedtherestofmylifealoneinafaroffplace.ThenIbecameanascetic,havinggaineda certainamountofdispassion. Isawmanyamazingthings.Isawaworldwhichwasmadeentirelyofwater.ElsewhereIsawawomaninwhosebodythethreeworldswerereflectedasinamirror. WhenIaskedherwhoshewas,shereplied:"Iampureconsciousnessandalltheworldsaremylimbs.EvenasIcreatesuchbewildermentinyou,evensoareall things.Tillyouseeeverythingwiththesamebewildermentandwonder,youcannotknowtheirrealnature.Alltheworldsareone'sownlimbs.Ihearthemallasone hearssoundsandexpressionsduringone'sdream."Isawcountlessbeingsemergeinherandthendissolveinher,too.ElsewhereIsawanunusualformofcloudwhich producedadreadfulsoundofclashingmissilesandwhichrainedweaponsontheearth.Isawanotherwonder:thewholeearthwascoveredindarknessandwhole villageswereflyingawaytoadistantworld.Isawyourvillageinanotherworld.ElsewhereIsawthatallbeingswereofthesamenature.ElsewhereIsawaworld withoutasun,moonandstars,andtherewasnodarkness:allitsinhabitantswereradiantandilluminedThereisnoworldIhavenotseen,nothingIhavenot experienced. BHASA*continued: VI.2:132

OnceIwasasleepwithacelestialnymphinagarden.SuddenlyIwokeuptofindmyselffloatingdownstreamlikeabladeofgrass.Surprised,Iaskedthenymph: "Whatisthis?"Sheexplainedtome:"Thereisamoonstonemountainnearby.Whenthemoonrises,thespringsthatissuefromthatmountainswellandthereisa suddenflood.InthesupremedelightIexperiencedinyourcompanyIforgottowarnyouofthis." Havingsaidthis,thenymphtookmewithherandflewintospacewithoutanydifficulty.ForaperiodofsevenyearsfromthenIlivedwithheronthetopofthemount Mandara. AfterthisIroamedotherworldsinwhichthepeoplewereselfluminous.Isawaworldinwhichtherewerenodirectionslikeeastandwest,nodaysandnights,no scripturesandnopolemics,nodistinctionsbetweengodsanddemons.ThenIbecameacelestial,bynameAmarasoma,andlivedforfourteenyearsasanascetic. Endowedwiththeboongrantedtomebythefiregod,Imoved

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inspacewithextraordinaryspeed.SomewhereIfellintoagreatoceanandsomewhereIexperiencedthesensationoffallingthroughspace.Movingaboutinspace wasmyonlyoccupation.IbecamefatiguedandIsleptforaconsiderabletime. Whileasleep,Ienteredintotheworldofdreams.ThereagainIexperiencedvariousworldsandvariousobjectsandtherewasgreatrestlessnessinme.Whatevermy eyessaw,Iwasthereinamoment.FromthereIsawsomethingelseandthereIwasagaininaninstant,regardlessofthedistance. Thuswanderingfromoneworldtoanotherwithgreatspeed,Ispentmanyyears.ButIhadnotseentheendofthemanifestationofignoranceknownas'theobjective universe':foritwasanillusionwhichhadsomehowgotitselffirmlyrootedinmyheart,justasthefearofaghostgetsholdoftheheartofachild.HoweverwellI realise"Thisisnotreal','Thisisnotreal'afterintenseenquiry,thefeeling'Thisis'doesnotcease.Frommomenttomoment,new*experiencesofpleasureandpain ariseandcease,liketheflowingstreamofariver. Ialsorememberagreatmountainpeakwhichshonebyitsownlightthoughtherewasneitherthesunnorthemoonthere.Itwassobeautifulthatitcharmedtheheart ofthosesageswholovetoliveinsolitude. VI.2:133 VIPASCIT*(BHASA*)continued:

IshallnowrelatetoyouanothergreatwonderwhichIsawinanotherworld.Thereisashiningworldinthegreatspace,whichisbeyondyourreach.Thatworldisas differentfromthisasthedreamworldisdifferentfromtheworldofthewakingstateexperience.WhileIwasroamingthatworldinordertofindtheextentofthe objectiveuniverse,Inoticedagiganticshadowenvelopingthewholeofthatearth.AsIliftedmyeyestotheskyinordertofindoutwhatthatcauseofthatshadow mightbe,IsawanenormousthinglookinglikeapersonfallinginspaceanddescendingupontheworldIwasin.Itevenhidthesunsoeffectivelythattheworldwas totallyenvelopedindarkness. Itfellontheearth,evenasIwasthusgazingatitwithaweandwonder.IfeltthatmyendwasnearandovercomebyfearIquicklyenteredintofire.Ihadworshipped thefiregodinverymanyincarnationshence,thefiregodreassuredmewiththewords"Donotbeafraid".I,too,prayedtothefiregodforhisprotection.Thefire godcommandedmetoascendhisownvehicleandsaid,"Letusbothgototheworldoffire".Thefiregodthenmadeasmallholeinthathugebodythathadfallenon theearthandbothofusescapedintotheouterspace.

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Itwasonlyfromtherethatwecouldrealisethecolossalnatureofthatbodywhichhadfallenontheearth.Byitsfallithadagitatedalltheoceansanddestroyedallthe cities,townsandforests.Ithadstoppedtheflowoftherivers.Therewasweepingandwailingeverywhere.Theearthitselfwasgroaningunderitsweight.Galeforce windsandtorrentialrainsremindedoneofthecosmicdissolution.ThepeaksoftheHimalayas*haddescendedintothenetherworld.Thesunfellontheearth.The entireearthhadbeenshattered.Thecelestialswhowerecoursingtheheavenssawthisenormousbodyandthoughtthatitwasanothernewlycreatedearthoranother halfoftheuniverseorperhapsaportionofspacewhichhadfallenfromitsplace! ButwhenIsawitwithgreatattention,Isawthatitwasmadeoffleshandthattheentireearthcouldnotevencoveralimbinthatbody.Havingseenthis,Iturnedto mytutelarydeity,thefiregod,andaskedhim"Lord,whatisthis?" Thefiregodreplied:"Child,waittillthedisturbancescausedbythefallofthiscorpsesubside.Ishallthentellyouallaboutit." Thenthespacearoundtheearthwasfilledwithsages,siddhasandcelestials,themanesandthegods,allofwhomhadethericbodies.Theybowedtheirheadsand offeredaprayertothedivinemotherKalaratri*:"Maythedivinemotherwhoisendowedwithablackbody,whoconsumestheentireuniverse,whoholdstheheadof Brahma*atthetipofherswordandwhowearsthegarlandoftheheadsofthedemonsandwhoisyetabsolutelypure,protectus." VIPASCIT*(BHASA*)continued: VI.2:134

Inresponsetotheprayersofthesagesandthesiddhas,thedivinemotherappearedinthesky.Shewas'dry'andbloodless.Shewasaccompaniedbycountless goblinsandotherspirits.Shewasseveralthousandmilestall.Shewasestablishedinthesupremebeing.Shewasseatedonthecorpse. Thegodssaidtoher:"Odivinemother,thisisourofferingtoyou.Wepraythatyoumayconsumeitquickly,alongwithyourattendanthosts."Assoonasthegods saidthis,thedivinemotherbegansuckingthelifebloodofthedeadbodywiththehelpofherownpranasakti*(lifeforce).Asthisbloodflowedintohermouth,her ownleanbodyfilledwithbloodandherbellybecamedistended.Shebegantodance.Thegods,seatedontheLokaloka*mountains(theboundariesoftheearth plane),witnessedthisdance.Thegoblinsbegantoeatthecorpse.Thestateoftheworldatthattimewasindeedpitiable. Themountainsoftheearthhaddisappeared.Thefirmamentappearedtobedressedinaredcloth.Asthemotherdancedswirling

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herdivineweaponsinalldirections,whateverremainedofthetownsandcitiesoftheearthwasdestroyedonlytheirmemoryremained.Thewholeworldwas populatednowonlybythegoblinsandthehoststhatformedtheretinueofthedivinemother.Seeingallthisutterdestruction,thegodsseatedontheLokaloka* mountainsweredistressed. RAMA*askedVasistha*: Whenitwassaidthatthecorpsecoveredthewholeearthplane,howisitthattheLokaloka*mountainswerestillvisible? VASISTHA*said: Thosemountainswerevisibleovertheshouldersofthecorpse.Thedistressedgodsreflectedthus:"Alas,alas,wherehastheearthgone,wherehavetheoceansgone, whathappenedtothepeopleandtothemountains?WherehastheMalayamountaingonewithallitssandalwoodforestsandvariousfragrantflowergardens?Alas, thepurewhitesnowoftheHimalaya*mountainsappearstobemuddynow.Alas,theoceanofmilk(theabodeoflordVisnu*),thewishfulfillingtree,allother oceans(thosefullofcurd,wineorhoney)andthemountainsfullofcocoanutpalmshavevanished.Alas,theKraunca*continentwithitsownbeautifulmountain,the Puskara*continent(inwhichtheswanwhichisthevehicleofBrahma*thecreatorlivedinalakefulloflotusesandinwhosemountaincavesthecelestialsusedto enjoythemselves),theGomedhacontinentsurroundedbyfreshwateroceanandtheSaka*continentwhoseveryremembranceisauspicious,haveallbeen destroyed.Allthegardensandforestshavevanished.Wherewillthepeoplewhoaretiredandfatiguedtakerestnow?Whenshallweagaintastethesweetnessof sugarandthelittlefigurinesmadeofsugar,sinceallthesugarcanefieldshavebeendestroyed?Alas,theJambudvipa*whichwasthesupportofallothercontinents hasalsobeendestroyed.Alas,wherehasthegoodearthdisappeared?"

TheStoryoftheHunterandtheDeer
VI.2:135,136 VASISTHA*(orBHASA*)continued:

Thegodscontinuedtosaythusamongthemselves:"Thegoblinshavenoweatenthefleshanddrunkthebloodofthiscorpsehenceonecanseetheearthagain.The verybonesofthatbodyformthenewmountains."Asthegodsweresayingso,thesatisfiedgoblinsbegantodanceinspace.Thegodssawthattherewassomeblood leftontheearththeyfilledtheoceanswithitandwilledthatitshouldbecomeliquor.Thegoblinsdrankofthisliquorandcontinuedtodance:evennowtheydoso. Thisearthwasmadeoutof

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theflesh(meda)ofthecorpseandhenceitisknownas'medinr'(earth).Thustheearthanditsinhabitantswerebroughtagainintobeing.TheCreatorcreatedanew mankind. (BHASA*said:)ThenIaskedthefiregod:Whowasthispersonbeforehedied?TheFIREGODnarratedtomethefollowingstory: Listen,thereisinfinitespacewhichisfullofpureconsciousness.Initarecountlessworldsfloatinglikesomanyatoms.Inthattherearoseacosmicpersonendowed withselfawareness.Thatpersonexperienceshisownlightasyouseeanobjectinadream.Fromthoseexperiencesarisethevarioussensesandtheirrespective organswhichtogetherformthebody.Thesesensesperceivetheirownrespectiveobjectswhichbecometheworld. InthatworldtherearoseapersonnamedAsura(demon).Hewasproudofhismight.Oncehedestroyedthehermitageofasagewhocursedhimthus:"Youhave donethisbecauseyouareproudofyourgiganticbody.Youwilldieandbecomeamosquito."ThefireofthatcurseburntAsuratoashes.Hebecameadisembodied personality,justlikethemindofanunconsciousperson.Itbecameonewiththephysicalspace.Itthenbecameunitedwiththewindinthatspace.Thiswindisthelife force(prana*).TheAsuranowawokeasalivingbeingandacquiredenergy,water,etc.Onceagainendowedwiththefiveelements(thetanmatras*)andaparticleof theinfiniteconsciousness,hebegantovibrateasanindividual.Therearoseinhimselfawareness,justasaseedsproutsinfavourableconditions.Inthatself awarenesslaythesage'scurseandthereforethenotionofamosquito.Thereforehebecameamosquito. (InanswertoRama's*question,Vasistha*said:"RightfromBrahma*downtothebladeofgrassallbeingsaresubjecttotwoformsofbirth:thefirstisBrahma's* creationandtheotherisillusorycreation.ThecreationthatarisesspontaneouslyinthemindoftheCreatorwhichhehadnotexperiencedbeforeisthecreationof Brahma*,not'birththroughthewomb'.Thatwhicharisesonaccountoflatentdelusionistheillusorybirth,bornofsubjectobjectrelationship.") Themosquitodwelthappilyonabladeofgrasswithitspartner.Thisgrasswaseatenbyadeer.Becausehediedlookingatthedeer,hebecameadeer.Thedeerwas killedbyahunter:hencethedeerwasbornasahunterinthenextbirth.Whilethehunterwasroamingtheforest,hehadthegoodfortunetomeetaholysagewho awakenedhim:"Whydoyouengageyourselfinthiscruellifeofahunter?Abandonthissinfullifeandseektoattainnirvana*." THEHUNTERasked: VI.2:137

Ifthatisso,Osage,tellmehowcanoneovercomesorrowwithoutengagingoneselfin'hard'or'soft'practices.

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THESAGEreplied: Abandonthebowandthearrowsthisverymoment.Remainhereresortingtoalifeofsilencefreefromsorrow. VASISTHA*continued: Thehunterdidsowithouthesitation.Inamatterofdaysheenteredintothewisdomofthescriptures,justasaflowerentersaman'sbodyasitsfragrance.Onedayhe askedthesage:''Howisit,Osage,thatdreamwhichtakesplacewithin,appearstobeoutside?'' THESAGEreplied: Thisquestionaroseinmymind,too,intheverybeginning.Inordertofindananswertothisquestion,Ipractisedconcentration.Isatinthelotuspostureandremained aspureconsciousness.Igatheredalltheraysofthemindwhichweredissipatedoverathousandthingsandfocusedthemonmyownheart.AlongwiththelifeforceI 'exhaled'themindoutsidethebody.Thatprana*enteredintoalivingbeingwhichappearedinfrontofme.Thatbeing'inhaled'thatprana*andreceiveditinitsown heart. ThenIenteredintotheveryheartofthatbeing.Boundbymyownintellect,Ifolloweditintothatbeing.Isawthattheinsideofthatpersonwasfullofcountless channels,asiftheywerealloutside.Itwasalsofilledwithvariousorgansandvisceraliketheliver,spleen,etc.,justasahouseisfulloffurniture.Itwaswarminside. Thecoolbreezethatflowedintothatbodyfromoutsidekeptitaliveandconscious.Thechannelsboretheessenceoffood.Itwasverydarkinside,likehell.Theflow ofthelifeforcealongthesechannelsgaveampleindicationsofthephysicaldisturbancesthatfollowedtheirregularflowofthelifeforce.Inachannelwhichresembled thelotusstalk,thereflowedaradiantandfieryforcemakingadistantnoiseofawindflowingthroughanarrowtube.Itwasfilledwithallsortsofobjects.Itwas boundtogetherbythemovementofair.Itwaspleasantinplacesandagitatedinothers.Itappearedasifthecelestialmusiciansweresingingsomewherebelowthe tongueareaandelsewhereitwasasiftherewerefinemusic. Ienteredtheheartofthatbeing.InthatheartIattainedtheprincipleoflight.Initarethethreeworldsreflected.Itisthelightofthethreeworlds.Itistheveryessence ofallthings.Thejiva*isthereinit.Thejiva*pervadestheentirebody,butthis'ojas'(innerlight)isitsspecialseat.Itisprotectedonallsidesbythelifeforce.I enteredit,aswaterpermeatesanearthenpot.Remainingthere,Isawtheentireuniverse,asifIwereseeingitfrommyown'ojas'. THESAGEcontinued: Inthatdreamworld,too,therewerethesun,themountainsand

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theoceans,asalsothegodsandthedemonsandhumanbeingstherewerethecitiesandtheforests,thetimescalesandthedirections.Thatdreamvisionappeared tobepermanentitwasasifitaroseaftertheterminationofmysleep.Iaskedmyself:"HowisitthatIseethisdreamthoughIamnotasleep?"Afterconsiderable enquiryIrealised:"Thissurelyisthedivineformofthetruthconcerningconsciousness.Whateverthatconsciousnessmanifestsinitselfisknownastheworld." Whereverthisseedofconsciousnessseesitsownform,asitwere,thereandthenitseestheworld,withouteverabandoningitsownrealityastheinfinite consciousness. Ihaverealisednowthatthisworldwhichissaidtobethedreamobjectistheperceptionofthisinfiniteconsciousness.Themanifestation(shining)ofthis consciousnessiscalledthewakingworldandalsothedreamworld.Itisoneconsciousnessthereisnodivisioninit.Dreamisdreaminrelationtothewakingstate, butadreamiswakingstateinrelationtothedreamitself.Dreamisnondifferentfromthewakingstatewakingstateitselfistwofold. Apersonisbutconsciousness.Evenifahundredbodiesperish,consciousnessdoesnotperish.Consciousnessislikespace,butitexistsasifitisthebody.Theinfinite appearstobedividedintoinfiniteobjects,withandwithoutform.Thisisbecausecountlessparticlesofexperiencesshinewithintheinfiniteconsciousness.Whenthe jiva*turnsawayfromtheexperiencingoftheexternalworldandtowardstheinnerworldintheheart,thendreamarises.Whenthejiva*hasexternalised consciousness,thereisthewakingstate.Whenthesamejiva*turnsitsgazeuponitself,dreamarises.Thejiva*itselfisspreadoutasthespace,theearth,thewind, themountainsandtheoceans,whethertheyareseenoutsideorinside.Whenthistruthisrealised,oneisfreedfromvasana*ormentalconditioning. Ithenaskedmyself,"Whatissleep?"Ibegantoinvestigatesleep.Whenonethinks,"WhathaveIgottodowiththeseobjectsoftheworld?Letmerestinutterpeace forsometime",sleeparises.Justasinthesamebodytherearesentientandalsoinsentient(likenails,hair)parts,sleepischaracterisedbybothsentienceand insentience.'Letmerestinpeace'whenthisonenotionprevailsinthemind,thereissleep.Thiscanariseeveninthewakingstate. ThenIbegantoinvestigatethestateofturiya*(thefourthone).Ifoneisestablishedinturiya*,theworldappearanceceasesonaccountofperfectillumination.Then theworldexistsasitisnothingceasestobe.Itisbecauseoftheexistenceofthisturiya*thatwaking,dreamandsleepexistastheydo.Therealisationthat'Theworld hasnotbeencreatedatallsincethereisnocauseforittoarise',andthat'ItisBrahmanalonethatshinesasthisworld',isturiya*.

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VI.2:138

THESAGEcontinued:

ThenIdesiredtobecomeonewiththeconsciousnessofthatbeing.WhenIleftthatbeing'sojas'inordertoenterintotheconsciousness,myownsenseswere immediatelyawakened.However,Irestrainedthematonceandenteredintotheconsciousness.AsIenteredthatconsciousness,Iexperiencedtwoworldsatthe sametime.Everythingappeareddouble.However,sincethetwoperceivingintelligencesweresimilar,thedualityappearedtobesimilarandmixedwell,likewaterand milk. Inamoment,Idrewintomyselftheconsciousnessofthatotherbeingwiththehelpofconsciousness.Atoncethe'twoworlds'mergedintooneevenasforonewhois sufferingfromdiplopia,theperceptionoftwomoonsgiveswaytotheperceptionofasinglemoonwhenheiscured.Ihadnotabandonedmyownwisdom,butmy ownthoughtformhadgreatlyweakenedandtakenonthethoughtformoftheotherbeing.Hence,Ibegantoexperiencetheworldashedid. Aftersometime,heretiredtosleep.Hecollectedtheraysofhismind.Evenasatortoisedrawsitslimbsintoitself,hissensesweredrawnintohisheartalongwith theirfunctions.Hissenseorgansbecameasiftheyweredead,orasiftheywerebutpaintedimages.IwaswithinhimandIfollowedthecourseofhismindand enteredintohisheart.ForamomentIenjoyedthehappinessofsleep,havingabandonedtheexperienceofexternalobjectsandhavingenteredintothe'ojas'.Allthe channelswithinhimweredenseandcongestedonaccountoffatigueandonaccountoffood,drink,etc.,thelifebreathflowedslowlythroughthenostrils.Thelife forceturnsuponitsownsourcewithintheheartandrelievesthemindofmateriality(or,makesthemindunimportant),becausenaturallyitisitsownobject.Theselfis itsownobjectnowandthereisnootherexternalisingactivity.Hence,itshinesinitselfasitself. RAMA*asked: Themindisabletothinkonlyonaccountofthelifeforce,andithasnoexistenceinitself.Then,whatisitinitself? VASISTHA*replied: Thoughthebodyisexperiencedtobereal,itdoesnotexistintruth.Mindisasrealasthemountainseeninadream.Sinceno'object'haseverbeencreatedon accountoftheabsenceofanycause,themind(citta)doesnotexist.AllthisisBrahmanandsinceBrahmaniseverything,thisworldexistsasitis.Eventhebody,the mind,etc.,areBrahmanonly:buthowtheknowersoftruthseethisisnotforustodescribe. Theoneindivisible,infiniteconsciousnessperceiveditselfasits

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ownobjectandthatissaidtobethemind.Whentherearosethenotionofmotion,thatnotionmanifestedasprana*orlifeforce.Prana*givesrisetotheexperience throughthesenses,andthusarisestheworld. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:139

Themind(citta)isthecreatoroftheworldwithallthatisreal,unrealormixedwhichisinit.Prana*(lifeforce)wasbroughtintobeingbythemindwiththeidea: 'Prana*ismymovementandIshallnotbewithoutprana*orlifeforce.Henceitshallbemygoal.EvenifIamwithoutprana*forsometime,Ishallimmediatelybe withprana*again.'Themomentthisprana*getsunitedwiththemind,itseestheillusoryworld.Becauseofthefirmnotion'Ishallneveragainbewithoutthelifeforce andthebody',itdoesnotregainitstruenatureaspureconsciousness. Itexperiencessorrow,sinceitswingsfromoneextremetotheotheronaccountofdoubt.Thissorrowcannotceaseexceptwhentheselfknowledgearises.Nothing otherthanselfknowledgecanremovethewrongnotion'Iamthis'.Selfknowledgedoesnotariseexceptthroughtheinvestigationofthemeansforliberation.Hence, byeverymeansoneshouldinvestigatethemeansforliberation. Themindconstantlyentertainsthenotionthat'Thelifeforceismyownlife,'andthereforethemindrestsinprana*.Whenthebodyisinastateofwellbeing,themind functionswell,butwhenthebodydoesnotenjoyastateofwellbeing,theminddoesnotseeanythingotherthanthephysicaldisturbance.Whentheprana*(life force)isbusilyengagedinitsownvigorousmovement,thenitisabsorbedinitsownmovementandisunabletoexertinselfknowledge. Thus,therelationshipbetweenthemindandtheprana*isthatofariderandthevehicle.Suchwasthenotionentertainedbytheinfiniteconsciousnessrightinthe beginningandthereforethisrelationshipprevailseventoday.Onewhoisnotenlightenedisunabletotranscendit.Theignorantpersoncontinuestoentertain unshakablenotionsconcerningtime,space,matter,mind,prana*andbody.Whenthemindandtheprana*functioninharmony,thepersonengageshimselfinvarious activities.Whenthereisdisturbancethereisdisharmony.Whenbothareatrest,thereissleep.Whenthenadis*(channelsofenergy)arecloggedbyfood,etc.,and thereisinertia,themovementofprana*becomesdullandthereissleep.Again,evenwhenthenadis*arenotcloggedbyfood,etc.,butwhenthereisweaknessor fatigue,theprana*isunabletomoveproperlyandonesleeps.Whenthenadis*themselvesbecomesoftandweakforwhateverreason,whentheyareloadedwithall sortsofimpurities

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andwhentheprana*isthusengagedinsomeextraordinaryactivity,then,too,sleeparises. THESAGEsaid: Whendarknessfell,thenthepersonintowhoseheartIhadenteredfellintodeepsleep.Itooenjoyedthisdeepsleep.Then,whenthefoodhehadeatenhadbeen digestedandwhenthenadis*wereclear,thelifeforcebegantomovevigorouslyandsleepweakened. THESAGEcontinued: Whenthussleephadbeenweakened,Isawtheworldwithitssun,etc.,asifitaroseintheheart.IsawallthiswhereIwas.Butthisworldwasbeingoverwhelmedby thefloodofcosmicdissolution.Isawmyselfseatedwithmybrideinahouse.Thefloodwascarryingusallaway,withthewholehouse,etc.,floatingasiftotrytofight thefloodandstayalive.SoonthehouseinwhichIwasseated,whichwasbeingcarrieddownbytheflood,brokeintopieces.Ijumpedintothewater.Ihad abandonedthefamilyandfriends,beingsolelyinterestedinthepreservationofmylife.SometimesIwentdownunderandsometimesIrosetothesurface.WhenI obtainedafootholdonarockandtriedtorestawhile,ahugewavecameandknockedmeintothefloodagain.TherewasnotasingleformofsufferingthatIdidnot experienceduringthisperiodandIwassubjectedtoeverytypeofpainfulexperience. Inthemeantime,becauseIwasinastateofutterdespairthoughquiteconsciousIrecollectedapreviouslifetimeexperienceinastateofsamadhi*.ThenIwasan ascetic.Ihadenteredanotherperson,eagertowitnessthedreamstate.IknewthatIwasperceivinganillusion.Atthesametime,Ialsoperceivedthepresent experience:thoughIwasbeingcarriedawaybytheflood,Iexperiencedjoy. Whileobservingthefloodandthedestructioncausedbyit,Ireflectedthus:"Whatcannotfatedo?Eventhethreeeyedgodisbeingcrushedbythisflood.Inthisflood allthegodsandthedemonsarebeingwhirledaround.ThesemountainouswavesriserightuptotheseatofBrahma*>thecreator.Thesewaveslooklikeelephants, theyareaspowerfulaslionsandtheyseemtofloatintheskylikeclouds.Eventheprotectorsofthisearthalongwiththeirpalacesandvehicles,fallintothisfloodand getdrowned.Thegodsandthedemonsfloatinthisfloodtogetherandholdontooneanother.Becauseofthefallingcitiesandthefloatingpalaces,thewatersofthe floodappeartobesolidwalls.Eventhesunhasbeenovercomebythisfloodandthesunisbeingledintothenetherworld.Onlytheknowersofthetruth(thesagesof selfknowledge)experiencenosorrowatall:theyseetheirbodiesbeingbornedownthestreambutwithoutthefalsenotion'Iamthatbody'.Helplesswomenare

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drowning.Inthisfloodofcosmicdissolutionwhereallarebeingchewedbydeath,whocansavewhom?Theentireuniversenowseemsonlytobeaninfiniteocean. WhereareallthegodsheadedbyIndra?" THEHUNTERasked: VI.2:140

Dosuchhallucinationsariseeveninsuchgreatoneslikeyou,Osage?Doesnotthepracticeofmeditationputanendtothem? THESAGEreplied: Everythingceasesattheendofaworldcycle.Somethingscometoanendgraduallywhileothersendabruptly.Again,whathastohappenwillhappeninevitably. Moreover,withtheadventofadversity,strength,intelligenceandvitality(radiance)arealladverselyaffectedeverywhereatalltimeseveninthecaseofthegreatones. Lastly,whatIdescribedsofarwasbutadream.Whatisimpossibleorirreconcilablewithadream? Yet,itisimportantthatIshouldnarratethisdreamexperiencetoyou.NowIshalltellyouthetruth. WhileIwasthuswitnessingthisgreatfloodofcosmicdissolution,Icameuponthepeakofamountain.Igotontopofit.Theverynextinstanttheentirescene changed.Idonotevenknowhowthefloodwatersdisappeared.ThewholeearthwasamassofmudinwhichthegodslikeIndraandanimalslikeelephantswereall sunkneckdeep.SoonIwasovercomebyfatigueandsleep. Afterthis,thoughIremainedinmyown'ojas',Istillcarriedthepsychologicalconditioningofthepreviousexperience.Afterthusexperiencingasortofdouble consciousness,whenIawoke,Isawthemountainpeakintheotherperson'sheart.OntheseconddayIsawthesunrisethere.Afterthisaroseallotherobjectsofthe world. Itriedtoforgeteverythingelseandtoengagemyselfinmyusualactivityinthatworld.Isaidtomyself,"Iamsixteenyearsofage,thesearemyparents,etc."ThenI sawavillageandinitahermitage.Ibegantoliveinthathermitagewhichbecamerealtomethememoryofthepreviousexperiencebegantofade.Iconsideredthe bodytobemyonlyhope.Wisdomwasfarfromme.Vasana*ormentalconditioningwastheveryessenceofmybeingandIwasdevotedtowealth.Iobservedall mysocialandreligiousduties.Iknewwhattodoandwhatnottodo. Onedayasagecametomeasmyguest.Ientertainedhimwell.Atnighthetoldmeastory.Hedescribedthelimitlessuniverseindetailandconcludedbysayingthat allthatwastheinfiniteconsciousness.Myownintelligencewasawakened.AtonceIrememberedallthepast,howIenteredintoanother'sbody,etc.Ithoughtthat theotherpersonwasthecosmicpersonandtriedtogetout

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ofit.Ienteredintothatperson'sprana*.BecomingonewithitIcameout.ThenIsawimmediatelyinfrontofmemyownbodyseatedinthelotusposture,ina hermitage,attendedtobydisciples.AccordingtothesedisciplesonlyanhourhadpassedafterIenteredintosamadhi*.ThepersonintowhoseheartIhadentered wasanothertravellerwhowasasleep.Ididnottellallthistoanyone,butquicklyreenteredtheheartofthesleepingperson.Inhisheartthecosmicdissolutionhad beencompleted.AndthevillageinwhichIlivedwithmyrelativeshaddisappeared.Everythingwasablazewiththefireofdissolution.Ipractisedthewind contemplationandroamedinit. VI.2:141,142 THESAGEcontinued:

ThoughIwassurroundedbythatterriblefirethere,Iwasnotunhappyatall.Whenyouknowwhiledreamingthatitisdreamonly,youarefreedfromevenfire.While Iwasinvestigatingthenatureofthefire,unaffectedbyitbecauseIknewthetruththatitwasdream,adreadfulheatwavearose.Inthatgaleeverythingbegantofly aroundandtogettotallyburnt.Itwaslikethedanceofdestruction. Ibegantowonder:Afterall,allthisisonlyadreamdreamtbymewhileIamlivinginsomeoneelse'sheart.WhyshouldInotgetoutofallthis,insteadofwitnessing thissuffering? THEHUNTERasked: Youhadenteredthatperson'sheartinordertoknowwhatdreamwas.Whydidyoudecidetopullout?Didyoufindoutthetruth? THESAGEreplied: Tobeginwith,thecreationhasnocauseforcomingintobeing.Hence,neithertheword'creation'northeobject'creation'arereal.Theydonotexist.Butthis ignoranceorunrealityisalsoanotionwhicharisesinconsciousnessorreality,andinconsciousnessorrealitywhatexists(as'creation')isobvious.Icanonlytellyou thetruthfromthepointofviewofoneinwhomignoranceandfoolishnesshaveceased:whatistruefromthepointofviewoftheignorantandthefoolish,Idonot know.Thetruthis:allthisispureconsciousnesswhichpervadeseverything. Whereisbody,whereistheheart,whatisdream,wherearewaterandflood,etc.,whereisawakeningandthecessationofsuchawakening,whereisbirthandwhere isdeath?Thereisonlypureconsciousness.Inthepresenceofthisconsciousnesseventhesmallestandthesubtlestofspaceappearsmacrocosmic.Spontaneouslythis consciousness'thinks'foramomentandthenotionoftheworldarises,thoughitisstillpurespace.Justasindream,onlyconsciousnessputsonvariousguisesand therearenocities,etc.,theworldispureconsciousnessonly.Forusthereisnoappearance,

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nothingunrealorreal,nospace:butthereisonlyoneformless,beginningless,endless,nondualinfiniteconsciousness.Dreamariseswithoutanycauseandthereis onlythepureconsciousnessoftheperceiver(withoutanindependentobject).Here,too,thereisnocauseandthereforethereisneitherasubjectnoranobjectwhat existsisthepureconsciousnessorwhateveritis,butitispureexperiencingwhichisnondualandbeyonddescription. Timeisbothexistenceanddestructiontheseedisitselfallthatemergesoutofitrightuptotheflowersandthefruits.EvensoBrahmanisallthis.Consciousness alwaysshinespure.Justasduringdreamingthedreamhasthequalityofwakefulness,evensowakefulnessisalsoofthenatureofdreamonly.Whenallmentalactivity ceases,youarethatwhichis. THEHUNTERasked: Lord,whoareaffectedbypastkarmaandwhoarenot? THESAGEreplied: TheywhocomeintobeingattheverycommencementofcreationlikeBrahma*thecreatorhavenobirthandnokarma.Tothemthereisnonotionofduality,no samsara*andnonotions:theirconsciousnessispure.Surely,attheverybeginningofcreationnoonehasanykarma,forbeforethatonlytheinfiniteandabsolute Brahmanexisted.ThereforeatthebeginningofcreationitwasBrahmanwhomanifestedasthecreation.JustasBrahma*thecreatorandtheothersmanifestedatthe beginningofcreation,evensodidcountlessjivas*manifestthen.ButtheywhoconsiderthemselvesotherthanBrahmanconsiderthemselvesignorantandperceive duality.Intheircasebirthandkarmaariseoftheirownaccord,becausethesebeingsleanontheunreality.Butinthecaseofthosewhodonotthusconsider themselvesdifferentfromBrahman(likeBrahma*,Visnu*,Siva*,etc.)theyareunaffectedbykarma. Theinfiniteconsciousnessisabsolutelypure.Brahmanrestsinhimself.However,inittherearisesjustalittlenotionofthejiva*.Wherethisnotionofjiva*arises,there ignorancearises:thatitselfisconsideredascreationbythesameconsciousness.Ofitsownaccord,consciousnessawakensitselftoitsowntruenatureandrealises thatitis,andhasalwaysbeen,Brahman. Wateritselftakesontheappearanceofawhirlpool:Brahmanitselftakesontheappearanceofthiscreation.ThiscreationismanifestBrahmanitisneitheradream norawakingstatereality.Inthatcase,whatiskarma,towhomisitandofhowmanytypesisit?Intruth,thereisnokarma,noignorance,nocreation:allthese notionsariseonlybecauseofone'sownexperience. Brahmanaloneshinesascreation,individualselves,karma,birth

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andsuchothernotions.BecauseitistheLord,itexperiencesthesenotionsasiftheyweretrue.Inthebeginningofcreation,thejiva*isnotsubjecttoanykarmaafter this,however,itgetsinvolvedinkarma,onaccountofthenotionsitentertains.Whatisthebodyorpersonalityofawhirlpoolandwhatisitskarma?Itiswater,and evensoiseverythingBrahman. Thepersonsseeninadreamhavenopastkarma.Evenso,thejivas*thataroseinthebeginningofcreationhavenokarmabecausetheyarepureconsciousness.Itis onlywhenonebecomesfirmlyrootedinthenotionofthisworldappearanceasthereality,thatthenotionofkarmaarises.Thenthejivas*roamhereboundbytheir karma.IfitisrealisedthatthiscreationitselfisnocreationandthatBrahmanaloneexists,thenwhereiskarma,whoseiskarmaandwhobelongstothatkarma? Karmaexistsonlyinignorancethemomentrightknowledgearises,karmaceasestobind. VI.2:143 THESAGEcontinued:

Thepandita*(onewhohasselfknowledge)islikethesunwhichmakesthelotusofalldharma,karmaandknowledgeblossom.Comparedtothewisdomofthesage ofselfknowledge,eventhestatusofthekingofthegodsislikeaworthlessstraw.Whenselfknowledgearises,theillusorynotionofaworldexistencevanishesand therealisationofBrahmanastheonlytrutharisesjustaswhenlightdispelsdarkness,thegarlandwhichhadbeenmistakenforasnakeshinesasagarland. Thepeopleseeninadreamdonothaveparents:thisworlddreamhasnocause.Thedreampeoplehadnopreviouskarmatocausetheirpresentbirth.The apparentlyrealpeopleinthisdreamworlddonothaveapreviouskarmaeither.Evenasthejiva*perceivesandexperiencesdreamshere,evensoitfanciesand experiences,asifreal,apreviousexistenceandkarma,inaccordancewithitsownmentalconditioning(vasana*). Inthebeginningofcreationandattheendoftheexistenceofthebody,thejiva*experiencesadreamlikestate.Whateveritexperiencesseemstobeandthatis bothrealandunreal.Inadreamthereiscontactwith'other'objectsthoughnosuchexist.Evenso,theperceptionoftheotherobjectsinthewakingstateispossible, thoughtheyareunreal.'Waking'and'dreaming'aretwowordsusedtodenotethemovementinconsciousnesswhichbringsaboutawareness.Thatawarenessor experiencewhicharisesinthebeginningofcreation(sargadi*)andattheendofthelifespanofthebody(dehanta*),thatawarenessorexperiencecontinuestoexist tillitceasestobe(ortillliberationisattained)andthatisknownascreation. Thereisnodistinctionbetweenconsciousnessandawarenessof

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objectsseeneitherinthewakingstateorinadream,justasthereisnodistinctionbetweenwindandmovement.Brahmanaloneappearstoriseandtoperishortodie andtoexperienceobjects:butitispureconsciousnessalone,whichdoesnotundergoanychangeandwhichisforeveratpeaceandpure.Whateverthatinfinite consciousnessorcosmicpersonbecomesawareofwithinitself,becomesbothcauseandeffect.Thiscreationisintheheartofthatinfiniteconsciousness,evenasthe dreamisinyourheart,bothasthecauseandeffect. Inwhatevermanneritappearedinthebeginning,thathascontinuedtobeitsnaturalorder,time,space,etc.Whatevercharacteristicthecreationacquiredthenhas continuedtoexistsincethen.Firsttherearisesanotionorafeelingoraconceptintheconsciousnessandthenfollowswhatisknownascreation:butallthisisbutthe amazingworkofconsciousness.Theimmeasurablespaceappearstohaveabluecolourtheimmeasurableconsciousnessappearstoexistasthiscreation. THEHUNTERasked: Afterleavingthisbody,howdoesonegetanotherbodyforthepurposeofexperiencingpleasureandpain:whatisthecausalfactorandwhatarethecooperating causes? THESAGEreplied: Dharma(virtue),adharma(sin),vasana*(latenttendencyormentalconditioning),theactiveselfandjiva*allthesearesynonymswhicharenotionswithno correspondingreality.Consciousnessentertainsthesenotionsinthespace(ortheplane)ofconsciousness.Theselfexperiencesthebodynotionbecauseitispure consciousness,totallyindependentofthebody.Thoughthebodynotionisunrealitisexperiencedasifitwerereal,justlikethedreamobject.Tothedeadperson, the'otherworld'shinesasanotioninhisownconsciousness.Becauseheseesthisforsometime,itisassumedtobereal. Ifitiscontendedthatsomeoneelsegivesbirthtothedeadperson,howdoesthelatterrememberthepastinthepresentincarnation?Thedeadoneisnotbornagain: butheexperiencesthenotion'Iamhereinthismanner'etc.,onaccountofhisownmentalconditioning,withinhisownconsciousness.Whenthisexperienceis sustainedforsometimeandittakesdeeproot,ittakesonthequalityofreality.Theselfwhichisbutpurespace(void)seesadreaminthatspace(void)itselfit remembersthatdreamagainandagainandtherebyariserebirthandanotherworld.Itthenbelievesthatworldandthatbirthtoberealandbeginstofunctioninthat worldasthatjiva*. Inthisway,therearemillionsuponmillionsofworldswhentheirtruthisclearlyunderstood,theyarebutpureconsciousnessorBrahman,otherwisetheyappeartobe theworldcreation.Theyare

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nothingandtheybelongtonone.Theyhaveneverbeenreallycreated.Eachjiva*experienceseachoneofthoseworldsas'Thisistheworld'.Itisthismutual relationshipthatconfersrealityuponthisillusion:whentheirtruthisrealised,theyareknowntobetheuncreatedreality.Whatisrealtothesageisimpenetrableillusion totheignorant.Whatisunrealtothesageisthemostobvioustruthtotheignorant. Whatevertheinfiniteconsciousnessexperiences,thatappearstobe,thenandthere:hencethoseexperiencesarerealinrelationtotheparticularexperiencer.But, then,sinceallthese(theexperiencerandtheexperiences)arepureconsciousness,thereisnothingtobespokenofas'theother'orasduality.Intheinfinite consciousnesswhenthenotion'Thisisthis'arises,itshinesas'Thisisthis':butwhenitisseenas'Thisisthis',thenofcourseitbecomesunreal!Ifitistheexperienceof consciousness,thenitisnondifferentfromconsciousnessonlyinthenonexistentstateofignoranceistheexperienceexperiencedindependently.Thusself knowledgehasnoobjecttobeknown.Whentheknowledgeistheknown,thentheselfknowsitself. THESAGEcontinued: Howevercarefullywelookandinvestigate,wedonotseeanythingotherthanthereality.Whattheignorantandthefoolishsee,wedonotknow.Intheenlightened visionofthesageallthisisthepure,indivisibleconsciousnessthatitselfappearstobecountlessseparateobjects(bothsentientandinsentient)intheeyesofthe ignorant.Theonepureconsciousnessappearsasthediversedreamobjectsinadream.Allthesemillionsofobjectswhichappearinthedreambecomeoneagainin deepsleep.Similarly,whenthisdreamworldappearsintheinfiniteconsciousnessthatitselfiscalledcreationwhenthisitselfentersintotheequivalentofthedeep sleepstate,itisknownasthecosmicdissolution.Thisispurecommonsense. Theoneindivisibleconsciousnessbecomesboththediverseobjectsandalsotheinfiniteindividualsititselfbecomesboththevoidandalsothematterjustlikein dream.Allthisdiversityisjustexperiencing.Itispure.Itshinesinthemannerinwhichitisconceivedof.Itcannotberemoved.Thisconsciousnessalonebecomesfire, etc.,inthebeginningofcreation,forthepurposeofconstitutingthisdreamworld.Itispureexperiencingalonethatshinesastheearth,etc.,thoughintruthitisnothing butspaceorvoidwhichshinesasthecreatedworld.Thisawarenessorexperiencingappearstobeimpossibletoovercomeattimesandattimesitseemstobe capableofbeingputtoanendinfactitisnotpossibletoputanendtoit,becausepureexperiencingremainsevenafteralltheother

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thingshavebeenputtoanend.Itislikeyourgoingfromtheeasttothewest.Nowyouknowtheeastandnowyouknowthewestbuttheexperienceofknowing remainsthesame.Whateveryouthinkofintentlyforaconsiderabletime,thatyouexperience:oryourestinpeace,andexperiencethatpeace.Yougofromtheeast tothewestandknowthese.Anotherdoesnotgobutstaysinoneplaceandstillknowsthese.Theinfiniteconsciousness,beingnonmoving,remainsthesamewhether itisthusexperiencedorthoughtof.Bothexperiencesariseandbothexperiencescease.Whenthewisharisesinone'Ishallgofromthesouthtothenorth',boththese ariseinthenonmovingconsciousnessbutwhensuchawishdoesnotarise,thedirections'north'and'south'donotexist.Whentheconsciousnessthinks,''MayI becomeacityinthesky''or"MayIbecomeananimalonearth,"thesetwocomeintobeingwhenthatnotionisnottheretheycease.Tootherstheworldissomething else. Whetherthebodyismortalorimmortal,thetruthisthatthissamsara*andthejiva*arelikedream.Evenamongtheforeignersthereareaccountsofpeoplerecalling eventsin'theirpastlives.Surely,theydidnot'die'.Thus,theinfiniteconsciousnesswhichaloneappearsasallthisisundying,unchangingandeternal.Theunmoving consciousnessremains,appearingtobewhatevernotionarisesinithereandthere.Whatistruthandwhatisfalse?So,letoneexperiencebodies,actions,sorrowor pleasureasandwhentheyarise:orletthemallgo.Thereisnomeaninginallthis.Letitbe'this'wayor'that'way,letitbeornotbe:giveupthisdelusionandremain enlightened. THESAGEcontinued: VI.2:144

Allthatexistsandallthatdoesnotexistarelikedreamexperiences.Suchbeingthetruth,whatisbondageandwhoisliberated?Thecloudformationsinthesky throwupeverchangingformsandpatterns.Evensoistheworldappearanceeverchanging.Itseemstobestableandunchangingonaccountofignorance.Inthis infinitespacetherearecountlessworldsevenaswehaveourownworld:oneman'sworldisnotexperiencedbyanotherperson.Themeasureandtheexperienceof frogslivinginawell,lakeandoceanaredifferentfromoneanother.Theydonotshareoneanother'sknowledge.Peoplesleeping'inonehousehavedifferentdreams inwhichtheyexperiencelifeindifferentworlds,asitwere:evenso,thepeoplehavedifferentworldsinthesamespace,whilesomemaynothave.Allthisisbutthe mysteriousandefficientworkoftheinfiniteconsciousness. Consciousnesshasthefacultyofholdingontosomethinganotionsoheldisknownassamskara*.Butwhenitisrealisedthatthenotion

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isonlyreflectedinconsciousness,itisseenthatthereisnosamskara*independentofconsciousness.Indreamthereisnopreviousmemorybutonlytheexperienceof theobjectsthatareexperiencedforthetimebeing.Onemayevenexperienceinadreamone'sowndeathasalsoobjectsthatappearlikethoseseenbefore. Thiscreationwasbutamirrorreflectionintheindivisibleconsciousnessinthebeginningandhenceitwasnondifferentfromthatconsciousness.Brahman(theinfinite consciousness)aloneshinesasthisworld,whichisnotsomethingnew.Thecausealoneistheeffect.Thecausewastherebeforetheeffectandwillremainevenafter theeffectceasestobe.Becausethecause'actsefficiently'(samyak*karoti)inbringingabouttheeffect,ititselfisknownassamskara*. Thatwhichexistedbeforethearisingofthedreambutwhichshinesasthatwhichwasseenbefore,thatisknownassamskara*.Thereisnootherexternalfactor knownassamskara*(popularlytranslatedinto'latentimpressionsofpastexperiencesandactions').Thingsseenandunseenexistintheconsciousnesswhichshinesin itsownlightandexperiencesallthosethingsasifalreadyseen.Indreamthesamskaras*createdinthewakingstatearisebutinthewakingstateitselftheyare createdanew.Buttheywhoknowthetruthdeclarethattheywereinfactcreatedinastatethatappearedtobethewakingstatebutwhichinfactisnot.Justas movementarisesinairspontaneously,evensonotionsariseinconsciousness:whereistheneedforsamskara*tocreatethem?Whentheexperienceofathousand thingsarisesinconsciousness,itisknownascreationandwhentheexperienceofthethousandthingsceasesinconsciousness,thatisknownasthecosmic dissolution.Thusthepureconsciousness(cidakasa*)bringsintobeingthisdiversitywithallitsnamesandforms,withouteverabandoningisindivisibility,justasyou createaworldinyourdream. THESAGEcontinued: Theperceptionortheexperienceof'theworld'existswithintheatomicparticleofinfiniteconsciousness.Justasthereflectioninamirrorisonlymirror,however,itis nondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousness.Thisinfiniteconsciousnessisbeginninglessandendlessthatitselfiscalledcreation.Whereverthisconsciousnessshines, therethiscreationexists,nondifferentfromitevenasabodyisnondifferentfromitslimbs.YouandIareconsciousness,theentireworldisconsciousness:bythis realisationthecreationisseenasanintegralpartofconsciousnessandthereforeuncreated.Hence,IamthatatomicparticleofconsciousnessandassuchIaminfinite andomnipresent.Therefore,whereverIam,Iseeeverythingfromthere

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itself.IamaparticleofconsciousnessbutIamonewiththeinfiniteconsciousnessonaccountoftherealisationofthistruth,evenaswateristhesameaswater. Therefore,byenteringintothe'ojas'Iexperiencedthethreeworlds.AllthishappenedwithinitandwithinitIsawthethreeworldsnotoutside.Whetheritiscalled dreamorwaking,insideoroutside,allthisiswithintheinfiniteconsciousness. THEHUNTERasked: Ifthiscreationiscauselesshowdoesitcomeintobeing?Ifithasacause,whatisthecauseofthedreamcreation? THESAGEreplied: Inthebeginning,creationhadnocausewhatsoever.Sincetheobjectsofthiscreationhadnocausewhatsoever,conflictingdiversityofobjectsopposedtoone anotherdoesnotarise.TheoneabsoluteBrahmanaloneshinesasallthisandisdenotedbywordslike'creation',etc.Thus,thiscauselesscreationisBrahmanbutit appearstobepartofthatwhichhasnoparts,tobediverseintheindivisible,tohaveaformintheformless.Becauseitispureconsciousnessitappearstoassume variousformslikethemobileandtheimmobileobjects.Andasthegodsandthesagesitcreatesandsustainsaworldorderwithalltheinjunctionsandprohibitions. Existence,nonexistence,thegrossandthesubtle,etc.,donotinanywayaffecttheomnipresentconsciousness. However,fromthereoneffectsdonotarisewithoutacause.Theworldorderanditslord(Brahman)actononeanotherjustlikeonearmrestrainstheother,though bothbelongtothesameperson. Thus,thiscreationariseswithoutdesireandwithoutpsychologicalcausation.Theworldorder(niyati)existswithinBrahmanBrahmandoesnotexistwithoutniyati. Thus,thiscreationhasacause,butonlyinrelationtotheonewhosecreationitisandaslongasthatcreationlastsinrelationtohim.TheignorantthinkthatBrahman shinesorappearsasthiscreationwithoutacauseanditisagaintheignorantthatarecaughtupinthiscauseandeffecttangleordeludednotionthatcausalityis inviolablyreal.Thecreationtakesplaceasacoincidencetheripecocoanutfallsaccidentallyjustwhenacrowalightsonit.Thenniyatidetermines'Thisisthis'and 'Thatisthat'. THESAGEcontinued: VI.2:145

Thejiva*knowsandexperiencestheexternalworldwiththeexternalisedsensesandtheinnerdreamworldwiththeinnersenses.Whenthesensesareengagedin theexperienceoftheexternalworld,thenthefieldofinternalnotionsisvagueandunclear.Butwhenthesensesareturnedwithin,thenthejiva*experiencestheworld

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withinhimselfwiththegreatestclarity.Thereisnocontradictioninthisworldappearancewhatsoeveratanytimeitisasoneseesitis.Therefore,whentheeyesare extrovertedthejiva*experiencestheworldasifitwereoutsideintheinfiniteconsciousness.Theaggregateofthesenseofhearing,touch(skin),sight(eyes),smell (nose),taste(tongue)anddesireisknownasthejiva*,whichisofthenatureofpureconsciousnessendowedwithlifeforce.Thisjiva*existsthereforeineverything everywhereaseverythingandhencehe'experienceseverythingeverywhere. Whenthejiva*(the'ojas'orthevitalessence)isfilledwith'phlegm'(slesma*orkapha,oneofthethreehumoursthatconstitutethevitalessenceofthebody),hesees itseffectsthereandthen.He'sees'himselfrisingfromtheoceanofmilkheseesthemoonfloatingintheskyheseeslakesandlotuses,gardensandflowers,rejoicing andfestivalsinwhichwomensinganddance,feastswithalotoffoodanddrink,riversflowingintotheocean,hugepalacespaintedwhite,fieldscoveredwithfresh snow,parkswithdeerrestinginthem,andmountainranges. Whenthejiva*isfilledwith'bile'(pitta,whichisanotherhumour)heexperiencesitseffectsthereandthen.He'sees'flameswhicharebeautifulandwhichproduce sweatingofthenervesandwhichthrowupblacksmokewhichdarkensthesky,sunswhicharedazzlingintheirbrillianceandscorchingintheirheat,oceansandmist risingfromthem,impassableforests,mirageswithswansswimminginthemheseeshimselfrunningalongtheroadinfearandcoveredwithhotdust,heseestheearth scorcheddryandhot.Wherevertheeyessee,theyseeeverythingonfire,eventhecloudsrainfire,andbecauseofthispervasivefire,everythinglooksbrilliant. Whenthejiva*isfilledwith'wind'(vata*whichisanotherhumour)heexperiencesthefollowingeffects.Heseestheworldasifitisnew,heseeshimselfandeven rocksandmountainsflying,everythingrevolvesandrotates,flyingangelsandcelestials,theearthandallthatisinitquakesheseeshimselfashavingfallenintoablind wellorintoadreadfulcalamityorasstandingperilouslyontopofatreeofgreatheightoramountainpeak. THESAGEcontinued: Whenthejiva*isfilledwithvata*,pittaandslesma*(wind,bileandphlegm),hecomesundertheinfluenceofthewindandexperiencesdistress.Heseesashowerof mountainsandofrocks,hehearsdreadfulsoundswithwhichtreesrevolveinthebowelsoftheearth.Wholeforestswhirlaroundwithalltheanimalsintheforests.All thetreesareonfireandthereisthesoundofburningissuingfromallthecaves.Heseesthecollisionofmountains.Heseestheoceansrising

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tofilltheentireskyandcarryingawaywholeforestsandevenclouds,liftingthemuptotheregionofBrahmathecreator.Thewholeskyseemstobeclearandclean becauseofallthisfrictionandrubbingwithinit.Thethreeworldsappeartobefilledwiththebattlecriesofsoldiersandwarriors. Whenthusthejiva*isagitatedanddistressedbyallthisdreadfulvision,hebecomesunconscious.Likeawormwhichliesburiedintheearth,likeafroghiddenina rock,likeafoetusinthewomb,liketheseedwithinthefruit,liketheunbornsproutinaseed,likeanatominamolecule,likeanuncutfigureinarock,herestswithin himself,undisturbedbythemovementofprana*becauseinhisrestingplacethereareno'holes'oroutlets.Heentersintodeepsleep,whichislikerestinginsidearock orinsideablindwell. Whenmentaleffortmakesaholeinthatrestingplace,thenheknowstheworldofdreams,havingbeenmadeawareofitbythemovementofthelifeforceorprana*. Whenthislifeforcefallsfromonenadi*(nervechannel)ontoanother,thereisavisionofashowerofmountains.Ifthereistoomuchofsuchmovementcausedby vata*,pitta,andslesma*thenthereisalotofsuchexperiencesifitisless,theexperienceisless. Whateverthejiva*experienceswithin(indream,etc.)onaccountoftherata,pitta,andslesma*,thatheexperiencesoutside,too,andinthatfieldhisownorgansof actionfunctionappropriately.Whenagitatedordisturbedinsideandoutside,he(thejiva*)experiencesalittledisturbanceifthedisturbanceofthevata*,pittaand kapha(slesma*)isslight,andheexperiencesequanimityiftheyareinastateofbalanceorequilibrium.Thejiva*experiencesalltheseoutsidewhenthethreehumours areagitatedordisturbed:burning,drowning,movinginair,restingonrocksandmountains,hell,risingandfallingfromthesky,hallucinationslikedrowningina playground,sunshineatmidnight,perversionofintelligenceinwhichone'sownappeartobestrangersandenemiesappearlikefriends.Withclosedeyestheseareall seenwithinoneselfandwithopeneyestheseareseenoutside:butallthesedelusionsarebroughtaboutbythedisturbedequilibriumofthethreehumours.Whenthey areinastateofequilibrium,thejiva*residingwithinthemseesthewholeworldasitis,asitreallyIS,nondifferentfromBrahman. THESAGEcontinued: VI.2:146

WhileIwaswithinthe'ojas'ofthatotherperson,therearosesymptomsofthecosmicdissolution.Mountainsbegantorainfromthesky.IsawitwhileIwassitting withinthe'ojas'oftheotherperson:infact,itwasparticlesoffoodthatwerecoursinginthechannelsofhisbodythatcreatedthisillusionofmountainsbeing

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showeredfromthedarksky,andthisdarknesswasthedarknessofhisowndeepsleep.Ialsoenteredintodeepsleep.Aftersometime,Iexperienced.thedawnof awakeningconsciousness. AsIwaswakingupfromsleep,Iexperiencedthedreamstate.Withinthesame'ojas'Isawamightyoceanwhichappearedtobelikeme.Whateverappearedinthat 'ojas',whichwasthefieldofexperience,Isawwithoutanydistortionorperversionbecausemyconsciousnesswasnonmovingandsteady.Consciousnessisspread allroundandinitthisworldappearancearisesthisworldappearanceissuesfromthedeepsleepstateevenasababyisbornofthemother. THEHUNTERasked: Yousaythattheworldappearanceissuesfromthedeepsleep:praytellmewhatoneexperiencesindeepsleep. THESAGEcontinued: 'Isborn','appears','arisesastheworld',andsuchotherdualisticexpressionsarebutmerewords,utterlymeaningless.Ishalltellyouwhat'isborn'(jata*)means.The essenceofthatexpressionis'tocomeintobeing'andthat'being'alludestotheeternallyexistentreality.Evensotheword'creation'(sarga)alsohasthesame connotationanditrefersto'existence'.(N.B.Thestructureofthewords'jayate*'and'sarga'areexaminedhereinaccordancewithsanskritgrammar.'Jani'isequated to'pradurbhava*'andthevitalpartofthelatteris'bhuh*'whichrefersto'being'.) Touswhoareenlightenedthereisnocreation,nodeathorcessationallisforeverunbornandpeaceful.Brahmanispureexistence.Theworldispureexistence,too. Whomdoinjunctionsandprohibitionsaffect?TheillusorypowerknownasMaya*aloneisthesubjectofdiscussionandargumentation'itis'and'itisnot'. Therefore,suchdisputationisextendedbyignorantpeopletoBrahmanortheinfiniteconsciousness. Tothosewhoknowthetruthorthesupremestate,thestatesofwaking,dreamandsleepdonotexistatall.Whateverisisasitis.Thedreamworldasalsotheworld whichoneseesinhisownimaginationisnotreal,eventhoughtheyareexperiencedtobesoforthetimebeing.Evenso,inthebeginningofthisworldcreation,itdid notexistorcomeintobeing.Whenthustheworldisrealisedaspureconsciousness,thenitisnotanobjectofperceptionthereforethereisnosubjectorobserver either,thereisnoexperienceorexperiencer. VI.2:147 THESAGEcontinued:

WhenIhademergedfromdeepsleep,thisworldaroseinmydreamasfromanocean,asastatueemergesfromastone,asflowersemergefromthetree,asmemory emergesfromthemind,aswaves

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emergefromtheocean.Itwasasiftheydroppedfromthesky,asiftheyarosefromtheearth,asiftheyaroseintheheart,asiftheywerefoodgrainsthatsprangfrom theearth,asifthecurtainthathidthemhadbeenlifted,asiftheyemergedfromatemple.Fromwheredidtheworldarrive?Onedoesnotknow.Itissurelythefigure fashionedinthestonecalledtheinfiniteconsciousness.Itisanimaginarycitymadeofwallswhicharepurespaceorvoid.Itisthetrickofthejugglerknownas ignorance.Thoughitseemstobeafirmreality,itisessentiallydevoidofspaceandtime.Thoughitseemstobediverse,yetitisnondual,diverseandnothingatthe sametime.Surely,itcanonlybecomparedtoacastleintheair:foritisseenandexperiencedeveninthewakingstate. Thoughithasneverbeencreated,itexistsasifithadbeencreated.Itispureconsciousness.Itseemstobeendowedwithtime,space,matter,activity,creationand destruction.Ithasgods,demons,humanbeingsandvariousotherformsofcreatures.Initaretherivers,mountains,forests,theskyandthestars. Isawthis'fieldofobservation'.AtthesametimeIsawtherethehouseIhadseenbefore,alongwithallmyrelatives'buildings,andeverythingastheywerebefore.All thesehadbeendraggedintothefieldofobservationbythelatentvasana*orpsychologicaltendency.Onaccountofthevasana*,Iimmediatelyengagedmyselfin greetingandembracingmyrelativesetc.,havingtemporarilylosttheknowledgethatitwasillusory. Justasamirrorreflectswhateverobjectisplacedinfrontofit,evenso,consciousnesstakesontheformofwhateverispresentedtoit.However,onewhohas realisedthateverythingisthepure,infiniteconsciousnessisnotaffectedbytheapparentduality.Heremainsfree,aloneandunaffected.Onewhoneverlosesthe knowledgeofonenessisnottroubledbythisgoblinknownasperceptionofdifferenceordivision.Theyinwhomthisknowledgehasarisen,duetothecompanyofthe holyonesandthestudyofthisscripture,donotloseitagain.Atthattime,however,myownunderstandinghadnotbecomeclearandfirmhenceevenIwasswayed bythenotionsofrelationship.Butnownothingintheworldcanshakemyunderstandingnorcloudmyrealisation.Yourmind,too,isnotsteadynow,Ohunter, becauseyouhavenothadsatsanga*,companyoftheholyones. THEHUNTERsaid: Trueindeed,Osage.Itisasyousay.Therefore,eventhoughIhavelistenedtoyourilluminatingwords,thereisstillsomedoubtinme,"Canallthisreallybetrue?" Alas,whatagreattragedy!Evenwhenthisignoranceseemstobeobvious,itishardtoabandonit.

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VI.2:148

THEHUNTERasked:

Ihaveagreatdoubt,Osage:howcanthedreamobjectsberegardedbothasrealandunreal? THESAGEreplied: Inadreamthereistheappearanceoftime,space,actionandmateriality.Thisappearancearisesbecauseofthenotionthatarisesinconsciousness,bysheer coincidence.Therefore,thatappearanceshinesasrealityinthedream.Inthecaseofhallucinationsproducedwiththehelpofpreciousstones(magicwand?),mantras anddrugs,theyaresometimesrealandatotherstotallyillusory.Butwhenoneexperiencesrealsubstantialityinadream,itisonlyduetocoincidence.Wheneverafirm notionarisesinconsciousness,itmaterialisesinthatmannerbecauseconsciousnessisendowedwithsuchpowertomaterialise.Ifthismaterialisationcanbealteredby anotherforce,howcanweaffirmthatthenotionthatarisesinconsciousnessisfirm? Thereisnomaterialityeitherinsideoroutside,exceptthematerialisationofthe'wish'orthenotionoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Whenthenotion'Thisisdream'arises, thatdreambecomesrealbutifthereisthenotionofdoubt,thedreamalsotakesonthecharacteristicofthedoubtandbecomesunreal.Itispossiblethat simultaneouslywiththedreamingthedreamermayundergoexperiencesunrelatedtothedreambutheattributesthemtothedreamitself.Thus,bysheercoincidence, theworldappearancewhicharisesinconsciousnessundergoessomechangesoonerorlater. Thisnotionofcreationarisesinconsciousnessintheverybeginninganditmaterialisesthismaterialisationispureconsciousness.Barringthis,allelseisbothrealand unreal,orderlyanddisorderly.Therefore,intheeyesoftheignorantdreamsappeartobetruesometimesanduntruesometimes,butintheeyesoftheenlightenedthey areneitherrealnorunreal.Theworldappearanceisanappearancethatarisesinconsciousness:theveryword'appearance'rulesoutanypositiveinvestigation concerningit. Afterdream,onesleepsandafterthewakingstate,onesleeps.Hence,wakinganddreamarenondifferent.Theinert'object'ofconsciousnessaloneisregardedas waking,dreamandsleepstateswordswhichhavenorealmeaning.Inthislongdream,thereisneitherordernordisorder.Whateverarisesindream,thataloneis likethemovementthatarisesinair:intheabsenceofdefinitecausation,orderisirrelevant.Evensoistheentirecreationdevoidofdefinitecausationwhateveran objectappearstobe,thatitisandthisistheworldorder.Dreamsaresometimesrealandsometimesunreal:henceitisnotsubjecttoafixedprincipleororder.It

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ispurecoincidence.Thevisionthatarisesonaccountofmagic,mantraordrugsalsoexistsinthewakingstate.Hence,thatwhichisnotconditionedbythewaking, dreamanddeepsleepstates,theunconditionedpureconsciousnessaloneisreal. THESAGEcontinued: VI.2:149

WhenIsaw,whilestillintheheartoftheotherperson,myownrelatives,etc.,IforgotmomentarilythattheyweretheproductsofmyownnotionsandIlivedwith themforaperiodofsixteenyears.Thenonedayagreatasceticcametomyhouse.Iservedhimwellandwithdevotion.Itookthisopportunityofaskinghimthe followingquestion:"Inthisworldpeoplearesaidtoexperiencethegoodandevilresultsoftheirowngoodandevilactions.Isthistrueinallcases?" Theasceticlookedsurprisedatthisquestion. THEASCETICreplied: Praytellmewhatitisinyouthatdistinguishesgoodfromevil.Whoareyou,whereareyou,whoamI,whatisthisworld?Allthisisbutadream.Iamyourdream objectandyouaremydreamobject.Theobjecthasnoformintruth.Butwhenconsciousnessconsidersthistohavethisform,ittakesonthatform.Thenotionthat 'Allthishasacause'givesrisetoacausalrelationshipthenotionthat'Thereisnocause'seesnocausality. Allofusareintheheartofamacrocosmicbeingwhoisregardedassuchbyallofus.Evenso,therewillbeothermacrocosmicbeingsforothers.Thismacrocosmic beingisthecausefortheexperiencesofpleasureandpainandforthediversetypesofactions.Whenthe'ojas'ofthismacrocosmicbeingisdisturbed,itisagitated andthateffectisexperiencedbyallofuswhoareinhisheart.Weareaffectedbynaturalcalamitieswhichceasewhenhisheartregainsequanimity.Therefore,this macrocosmicbeingistherealityofthisparticularcreation.Bycoincidence,whensomepeopleengagethemselvesinevilactionstheresultantunhappinessbefallsall. Consciousnessbestowsrewardononewhentheactionsarisefromone'sownpersonalnotion("Idothis")whentheconsciousnessisfreedfromsuchanotion,such actionisnotfollowedbyitsfruits.Whatevernotionariseswhereverandofwhatevermagnitude,thatbearsfruits,whethertherewasacorrespondingcauseornot.As inadream,theeffectofanactionisnotgovernedbyadefinitecause.Attimesthedreamexperiencehasacauseandatothertimesithasnocause.Itissimply accidentalcoincidence.Thewakingstateexperienceseemstohaveadefinitecausality:butthatnotionitselfisadream.Forallthisismereappearanceoftheinfinite consciousness. Whatisthecauseofignorance,ofcreation,ofthecreationofBrahmathecreatorwhatistheoriginalcauseforair,fire,water

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orspacewhydopeopledieandgetintoasubtlebody?Thesehavenocauseatall.'allthesehavehappenedlikethisfromthebeginning.Aftersometime,these notionsorappearanceshaveattainedmateriality.Whatevernotionsaroseintheconsciousnessoriginally,haveremainedassuchtillnow.However,theconsciousness canalterthisbyafresheffortinthepresent. VI.2:150 THESAGEcontinued:

ThusinstructedbytheasceticIwasinstantlyenlightened.Icouldnotleavehim.Atmyrequesthelivedwithme.Thatveryasceticissittingrightnexttoyou. THEHUNTERwassurprisedandhesaid: Itiswonderfulandstrange,Osage,thatthatwhichwasconsidereddreamappearstohavematerialisedinthewakingstate.Howisitthatthisholymanwhoappeared inyourdreamhasbecomearealityeveninthewakingstate? THESAGEcontinued: Donotbeinahurry.Ishallexplaineverythingtoyou.WhenIhadheardtheadmonitionsofthisholyman,Ibegantoreflect:"Alas,onaccountofmydesireforsense pleasureandfortheobjectsofpleasure,Ihaveslippedawayfrommypath,thoughIhavebeenawiseman.Or,thenotion'ThisamI'isillusoryandunreal:yetitis abletogiverisetoathousandstrangehappenings.Or,evenifIconsiderallthistobeunrealandthat'Iamnot',yetallthisIS.WhatmustIdonow?Iseetheseedof divisioninme:Ishallinstantlyrenouncethat.Letthisillusionorignoranceremain:itisavainappearance,whatcanitdo?Ihavenowgivenupdelusion.Eventhesage whoinstructedmeisbutanillusion.IamtheinfiniteandabsoluteBrahmanandsoishetherelativeformisbutapassingcloud." Havingarrivedatthisknowledge,Isaidtotheascetic:"Osage,Iamgoing,inordertoseemyownbodyaswellasthebodywhichIhadbeguntoinvestigate."When heheardthis,hebegantosmile:"Wherearethosebodies?Theyhavegonefar,faraway.If,however,youwishtoverifythisforyourself,pleasego."Irequestedhim, "PleasestayheretillIreturn."AfterthisIascendedanaerialvehicleandflewforaverylongtime.Yet,IcouldnotfindanexitfromtheheartofthepersonwhereI was.Iwasdejected.IrealisedthatIwasboundtothathouse.Ireturnedthereandaskedtheascetic:''Pray,tellmewhatisallthis.ThebodyintowhichIhadentered andthatwhichwasminewherearethey?HowisitthatIcouldnotfindanexit?" Theasceticreplied:"Surelyyouwillknoweverythingifyouseeitwithyourinnervision.Youarenotthislittlepersonalityyouarethemacrocosmicpersonhimself. Onceyoudesiredtoenterintothe

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heartofabeinginordertoexperienceadream.Thatintowhichyouenteredisthiscreation.Whileyoucontinuedtodreaminthatbody,agreatfirearoseanditbegan toconsumetheforestinthebodyintowhichyouhadentered.Thatfirehaddestroyedyourbodyaswellasthebodyofthepersonintowhoseheartyouhadentered.'' (InanswertotheHunter'squestion,thesagereplied:"Thecauseofthefireisbutthemovementofthoughtinconsciousness,justasthecausefortheappearanceofthe worldisthemovementofthoughtintheinfiniteconsciousness,andthemovementofthoughtintheconsciousnessofBrahma*thecreator.") THEASCETICcontinued: VI.2:151,152

Whenthusthetwobodieshadbeendestroyedbythegreatfire,whilebothofyouwereasleep,youcontinuedtovibrateasjustconsciousness.Sincethebodybelongs tothe'ojas'andthetwobodieshadbeendestroyedwiththe'ojas',youcouldnotfindanexit.Notfindingthetwobodiesyouexistinthis'world'.Thus,yourdream hasmaterialisedintothewakingstatereality.Allofushereareyourowndreamobjects.Similarly,youareourdreamobjects.Thatinwhichallthishappensisthe pureconsciousness(cidakasa*)whichexistseverywhereatalltimes.Youwereadreamobjectbeforebutsinceyouassumedthatthisistheworldofthewaking state,youbecameahouseholderwithafamilyandrelations,etc.ThushaveItoldyouallthathashappened. THESAGEsaid: Ifthisisthenatureofdream,Iconsiderallthisreal. THEASCETICreplied: Iftherealcancomeintobeing,thenitispossibletoconsidersomethingelseasreal,too.Whentherealityoftheformeritselfisdoubtful,howcanoneaffirmthereality ofthelatter?Ontheotherhand,eventheoriginalcreationislikeadream.Itisbutanillusoryappearance.Thoughdevoidofearth,andalltherestofit,itappearsto haveearth,etc.,Oteacherofthehunter!Theoriginaldreamlikecreationoftheworldandalsothedreamthatweexperiencenowarebothunreal.Thepresentdream hastheobjectsseenalreadyasitsmaterialthedreamlikecreationappearsinthespaceasifithadbeenseenbefore.Whydoyouhesitantlysay,asifindoubt:"I thinkthedreamisreal"?Whenyouexperiencethisworldasifitwerereal,howdoesadoubtconcerningitsrealnaturearise? THESAGEsaid(totheHunter): Iinterruptedtheascetic'sspeechandaskedhim:"Howandwhydidyourefertomeastheteacherofthehunter?" THEASCETICreplied: Listen,Ishalltellyouwhatisgoingtohappeninthefuture.Iam

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anasceticwithlongstandingasceticism.Youarearighteousperson.Therefore,whenyoulistentothistruth,youwillbehappy.YouandIwillcontinuetoremain here.Ishallnotleaveyou. Aftersomeyears,therewillariseagreatfaminehere.Inthatallyourrelativeswillperish.Theviciouskingswillthenwagewarwithoneanotheranddestroyallthe rest.Weshallhoweverknownosorrowsinceweareknowersofthetruthandsinceweareunattachedto(freefrom)all.Weshallcontinuetolivehereatthefootofa tree.Incourseoftimeaniceforestwillgrowhere.Thatforestwillresemblethepleasuregardensthataboundinheavenitself. VI.2:153,154 THESAGEcontinued:

Theasceticsaid:"Bothofuswillbeengagedinausteritiesthereinthatforestforaconsiderabletime.Tothatplacewillcomeonedayahunterinpursuitofgame.You willenlightenhimwithyourtalksandstories.He,too,shallrenouncetheworldandengagehimselfinausteritiesinthesameforest.Hewillquestionyouconcerning dreams,inhisquestforselfknowledge.Youwilldiscourseuponselfknowledge.ThusyouwillbecomehisguruhenceIcalledyoutheguruofthehunter.Ihavetold youallaboutmyselfandyouandwhatisgoingtohappentoyouinthefuture." Iwasastonishedtohearallthis.TheasceticcontinuedtostayinthesamehouseandIdevoutlyworshippedhimandservedhim.Iremainherelikeamountain, undergoingvariedexperiences.IdonotdesiredeathnordoIwishtolive.IamwhatIam,freefrommentalagitation. ThenIbegantoenquireintothenatureoftheobjectiveworld:whatisthecauseofthisworld,whatisit,andwhoisawareofit?Surelytheoneinfiniteconsciousness aloneexists.Thefirmament,earth,air,space,mountains,riversandthedirectionsareallbutthesameindivisible(spacelike)consciousness.Theyexistasnotionsin thatconsciousness.Assuch,thereisnodivisionorcontradictioninit.Thesearenotmountains,noristhistheearthnorspace.Thisisnot'I'either.Allthesearemere appearancesthatariseinpureconsciousness. Whatisthecausefortheappearanceofthisbody,asnothingcanarisewithoutacause?Ifitissaidthatitisdelusion,thenwhatisthecauseforthisdelusion?Whoisit thatseesthisdelusionandwhothinksaboutit?HeinwhoseheartIlivedastheexperiencer,andItogetherhavebeenreducedtoashes.ThereforeIexistinpure consciousnesswhichisdevoidofaction,thedoerandtheinstruments.Whatexistsisnoteventheappearanceoftheinfiniteconsciousness,butitispure consciousness.Howcanitbecomeanappearance?Whoistheseerofthisappearance?

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Thus,Icontinuetoliveinthisobjectiveworldwithoutanymentalagitation,withoutsupportordependenceandwithoutvanity.Idowhathastobedoneatthe appropriatemoment,butIdonothing.Whathappenshappens.Thesky,theearth,wind,etc.,arebutoneselfalltheelementsarethebodyofconsciousness.Iamat peace,freefrominjunctionsandprohibitions,withouteventhedivisionbetweeninsideandoutside.AsIhavebeenlivinglikethisyouapproachedme,bycoincidence. ThushaveItoldyouallaboutdreams,aboutusandaboutthiscreation.Knowingthis,beatpeace.Nirvana*willarisebyitself,ornothingmayhappen. THEHUNTERsaid: Inthatcase,weshallallbecomeunreal! THESAGEcontinued: True,allthesebeingsarerealtooneanother.Totheextenttheyperceiveoneanothertheyexperienceoneanother.Youhaveheardallthis,butyoudonotrestinthe truth.Onlybyconstantpracticedoesthistruthbecomefullyestablished. THEFIREGODsaid VI.2:155

Havingheardthesage'sinstructions,thehunterremainedseatedlikeapaintedimagethereinthatforestitself.However,sincehehadnotengagedhimselfinthe persistentpracticeoftheteachings,hisheartwasnotfullyestablishedinthesupremestate.Insteadhewasbeingtossedaboutasonthecrestofwavesorona revolvingmechanism.Hefelthelplessasifhewerebeingattackedbyacrocodileandunabletodefendhimself.Hewasfullofdoubts.Hewasconstantlyasked himself,"Isthisnirvana*?"or"Maybethisisnotnirvana*andsomethingelsenirvana*."Hethought,"Becausethisworldappearancehasariseninignorance,the sage'steachingsarenotfirmlyrootedinmyheart.Hence,Ishouldgetawayfromit.Attainingasubtlebodythroughtheperformanceofausterities,Ishouldgofar,far awaytowhereevenspacedoesnotexist.''Thusheprovedthathewasstillutterlyignorantandthattheteachingofthesagehadbeenutterlyuseless,becauseithad notbeenassimilatedandithadnotbecomeactive. Heabandonedhunting.Accompaniedbythesage,hebegantopracticeintensepenance.Hecontinuedtopracticeausteritiesformanythousandsofyears,having adoptedthemodeoflivingappropriatetoascetics.Oneday,heagainaskedthesagethefollowingquestion:"HowshallIeverrestintheself?" THESAGEreplied: ThewisdomthatIimpartedtoyouhasremainedweakinyourheartlikeadullfirewhichliesdormantinanoldtreetrunk.Ithasnotbeenabletoburnanddestroy ignorance.Youarenotestablished

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intheLordbecauseyouhavenotassimilatedtheteachingandithasnotbecomeactivewhenyouthusassimilatetheteachinganditbecomesactive,surelyyouwillbe establishedintheLord.Ishalldescribetoyouthefutureevents.Listen. Youhavenodoubtsetouttoattainselfknowledge,butyouhavenotfoundyourfootholdonsoundwisdom.Henceyouareswinginglikeapendulum.Youwishto getoutofthisworldappearanceandwiththisendinviewyouwishtoknowitsextent.Inordertoascertainthis,youareengagedinpenance.Youwillcontinueto performsuchpenanceforseveralworldcycles.ThentheLordwillappearbeforeyou,pleasedwithyourpenance.Youwillthenaskhimtoconferuponyouthe followingboon: "Lord,Iunderstandthatthiswholeuniversearisesinignorance.InitIcannotexperiencethepureandtransparentknowledgeoftheself.Whereistheendtothis worldappearanceandwhatisbeyondthis?Inordertofindtheanswertothisquestion,Ibegofyoutograntmethefollowingboon: "OrdainthatIshalldieonlywhenIwishto.Maymybodybefreefromallailments.MayIbeendowedwiththespeedofGaruda*.MayIbeabletocourseinspace withouthindrance.Maymybodygrowamileanhour,sothatsoonIwillgrowlargerthantheworld.ThuswillIrealisetheextentofthiscreation." TheLordwillgranttheboonandvanishfromsight. THESAGEcontinued: AfterthedepartureoftheLord,youwillcontinueyourpenance.Yourbodywouldhavebeenreducedtoaskeletonbythistimebutnowitwillacquirearadianceon accountoftheboon.Youwillbowdowntomeandsoonyourbodywillbecomedivine.Itwill'flyaround'fasterthanGaruda*,progressivelyexpandingandincluding thecelestialbodieswithinit.Inthatexpandingbodyyouwillseethecountlessuniversesassomanywavesintheocean.Justasinthebeginningalltheseuniverses aroseintheinfiniteconsciousness,evensoatthattimetheseuniverseswillcomewithinthesphereofyourvision.Youwillthenrealisethatjustasallthisisunrealand diverseinthevisionoftheignorant,theyarerealandindivisibletotheenlightened. Thusseeingthealternatearisingandsubsidingofthesecountlessuniverses,youwillspendalong,longtime.Youwillthenbefilledwithadmirationforthisinfinite intelligence.Youwillbecomeawareofyourownbodyandsaytoyourself:"Whatisthiswretchedbodywhichishugeandheavy?Ithasbecomeofincomparable dimensionssincewithitIhavefilledtheentirespace.WhatshallIdoafterthisImyselfdonotknow.Itseemstomethatthisignorance(andthe

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worldappearance)isimmeasurable.ItcannotbemeasuredatallwithoutadirectknowledgeofBrahman.Ishalldiscardthisbody,fornothingcanbeattainedwithit. Thisbodyofmineishugeandsupportlessbutitisnotpossibleformetohavethecompanyofenlightenedsageswithitshelp." Havingthusdecided,youwillabandonyourbody.Yourjiva*endowedwithjustthelifeforce(prana*)willbecomeevensubtlerthanair.Abandonedbythejiva*, thebodywillfall(reducedinsize)crushingtheearth,etc.,byitssheersizeandweight.Thegoddessknownas'Dryness'willconsumethatbodyandthuspurifythe earth.ThushaveItoldyouwhatthefutureholdsforyou. THEHUNTERasked: Lord,terribleisthesorrowthathastobeenduredbymefornorealgainatall.Isthereameansbywhichthisfatecanbeaverted? THESAGEreplied: Thatwhichisinevitablecannotbeavertedbyanyoneatanytime.Itisnotalteredbyanyamountofeffort.Therightarmistherightarmandleftarmistheleftarmno onecanalterthatfact.Theheadandthefeetcannotbeexchangedforoneanother.Whateverisis.Eventhescienceofastrologycanonlyforetellwhatistocome,but itcannotavertwhatisboundinevitablytohappen.However,thesagesofselfknowledgeliveinthisworldasifindeepsleep.Theyexperiencetheresultofpast actionswithoutallowingtheinnerconsciousnessevertobecomeperverted,evenifthebodyistobeburnt.Theyovercomeallkarmas. THEHTERasked:Lord,tellmewhatwillhappentomeafterthat. VI.2:156

THESAGEreplied: Yourjiva*willthenbeholdtheentireworldasyouseetheworldinyourdream.Itwillthenregarditselfastheking.Itwillthink,"IamthekingnamedSindhuwhois respectedwidely.MyfatherhavingretiredtotheforestIbecamekingwhenIwasonlyeightyearsofage.Beyondthebordersofmykingdomthereisanotherruled overbyamightykingViduratha*whoishardtoconquer....TillnowIhaveruledthiskingdomforoverahundredyears,enjoyingalltheroyalpleasures.Alas,now mykingdomisinvadedbythekingViduratha*."Onaccountofthisthought,therewillensueafiercebattlebetweenyouandthekingViduratha*.Youwillkill Viduratha*.Youwillthenbecomethekingofthewholeworld.Surroundedbytheministersyouwillengageyourselfinthefollowingdialogue: TheMINISTERwillsaytoyou:Itisawonder,Oking,thatyouhavebeenabletoconquerthiskingViduratha*.YOUwillrespond:Iam

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indeedwealthyandpowerfulwhythendoyouregarditasawonderthatIwasabletoconquerViduratha*? TheMINISTERwillsay:HehasawifenamedLila*whohad,byherausterityanddevotion,propitiatedgoddessSarasvati*whohadadoptedLila*asherdaughter andfulfilledallherprayersitwouldnothavebeendifficultforhertodestroyyou.YOUwillsay:Ifthatisthecase,itwascertainlyagreatwonderthatIwasableto vanquishViduratha*.Tellme,whydidnotViduratha*seektodefeatmewiththehelpofthegoddess? TheMINISTERwillsay:Hehadprayedforliberationfrombondagetosamsara*andthereforehehadactuallysoughttobekilledbyyou.YOUwillsay:Ifsuchisthe case,whyshouldInotworshipthegoddessandprayforliberation? TheMINISTERwillsay:Sheisthewisdomthatshinesintheheartsofall.Sincesheistheessence(rasa)ofintelligenceinall,sheisknownasSarasvati*.She bestowsimmediatelyonallwhateverisprayedfor,forsheistheselfofall.Henceoneexperiencesthefruitionofone'sownprayers.Youhavenotaskedfor liberationyouhaveonlyprayedforthedestructionofenemies. YOUwillsay:WhyhaveInotprayedforliberation?Yousaythatshedwellsinmyownheartwhyhasshenotinspiredmetoprayforliberation?TheMINISTER willsay:Itisbecauseinyourhearttherewastheimpurehabitofwishingforthedestructionofenemies.Therefore,youdidnotprayforliberationbutyoudidprayfor thedestructionofenemies.Whateverbethecitta(mind,heart),thatabeingis,andthisistheexperienceofevenachild.Whateveroneknowsinhisownheartand whateveroneexperiencesagainandagaininhisheart,sothatitbecomesahabit,materialiseswhetheritbegoodornotgood. VI.2:157 THESAGEcontinued:

YOUwillsay:WhatdidIdointhepastbirththatIwassubjectedtosuchanevilhabitofthought?TheMINISTERwillreply:Ishallrevealthesecrettoyou.Thereis somethingwhichexistswithoutbeginningandwithoutend,as'I'and'you',etc.,butwhichisknownasBrahman.ThatBrahmanbecameitsownobjectofawareness andthereforeitbecamethejiva*andthenthemind.Thissubtlepsychologicaloretherealbodycondensedintophysicalbody.Itisbutthemindwhichhasnoform,but whichexistsasifithasaform(thebody).Themindaloneisthisworldthereisnodistinctionbetweenthetwo.Satva(thepurestformofmind)alonearosein Brahmanoriginallyandithasnowbecomeextremelydenseanddull(tamasatamasa*). YOUwillsay:Whatisthistamasatamasa*andhowdiditarisein

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thesupremestate?TheMINISTERwillsay:Livingbeingsherehavevariouslimbs,evensothesubtleselforconsciousnesshas,sotosay,thesubtleetherealbodyas itslimb.Thatitselfthinksofitselfasthegrossbodywiththephysicalelementslikeearth.Thatitselffunctionswiththehelpofitsownnotionsinthisworldappearance whicharisesinthesameconsciousnessasinadream.Youyourselfentertaininyourownetherealbodythenotion,'Thisisthedensestdarkness'andthusthatnotionis born.AllthesediversitiesexistinBrahman,thoughitisabsolutelypure. ThefirstnotionthatarisesinBrahmanwhenitbecomesajiva*,asitwere,isexperiencedbythebuddhi(intelligence)asperfectpurity(satvikasatvika*).Whenit entersintothestreamoflifeandifitisendowedwithallthenoblequalities,itisknownasmeresatvika*birth.Thebirthwhicharisesinthestreamoflifeandwhichis subjectedtodiversepleasures,butdirectedtowardsliberation,iscalledrajasarajasa*.Whenthebirtharisesinthestreamoflifeandwhenitisdevoidofnoble qualities,itisknownassimplerajasa*.Whenthebeinghasbeeninthestreamoflifeforaverylongtimeandhasjustturnedtowardsliberation,itisknownastamasa tamasa*.Buttheordinarybirthwhichisoneinthesequenceofseveralorientedtowardsliberationisknownassimpletamasa*. Inthismannerthereareverymanyclassificationsofbirths.Youwereborninthetamasatamasa*class.YouhavehadmanybirthsandsohaveI.Iknowthem,you donot.Wanderinginalltheseyouhavewastedalotoftime.Becauseyouweresoconditionedyoufounditdifficulttofreeyourself. YOUwillsay:HowcanIovercometheeffectofsuchpastlife?TheMINISTERwillsay:Thereisnothingthatonewhostriveswithoutagitationcannotachieve. Yesterday'sevilactionistransformedintogoodactionbytoday'snobledeeds.Therefore,strivetobegoodanddogoodnow.Onestrivestoattainwhatonewishes toattainandsurelyoneshallattainit. Beingthusadvisedbytheminister,thekingSindhuwillatoncerenouncethekingdomandresorttoaforest.Hewilltakerefugeatthefeetoftheholyones.Bytheir veryassociationhewillgainthehighestwisdomandwillbeliberated. THEFIREGODcontinued: VI.2:158,159

Thehunterheardallthisfromthesageandwasfilledwithwonder.Thehunterandthesagecontinuedtoperformausterities.Alittlelater,thesageattainednirvana* andheabandonedhisbody.Afteraverylongtime,Brahma*thecreatorappearedbeforethehuntertogranthimboons.Thehunterwasunabletoavertthenatural forceofhisownmentalconditioningthoughherememberedthesage's

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prophecy.Therefore,heaskedfortheveryboonsthathehadbeenconditionedtorequest. Asaresultoftheboon,thehunter'sbodybegantoexpandtocosmicproportions.Wheninspiteofallthishediscoveredthathecouldnotfindthelimitsofignorance, hebecamebothastonishedandagitated.Bythemysticprocessofgivingupprana*,heabandonedthebodywhichthereuponfellinspace.Hehimselfremainedin spaceandbegantoconsiderhimselfthekingSindhu. Thebodyappearedaboveacertainworldappearanceinthisuniverseandithadtheshapeofaballofhair.Itlookedbigenoughtocoverthewholeoftheearth. OVipascit*,thushaveIdescribedtoyoutheidentityofthatbody.Thatworldappearanceonwhichthebodyfellappearstousastheworld.Itwasafterconsuming thebloodofthatbodythatthedriedupbodyofthegoddessbegantobefilledandshecametobeknownasCandika*.Thefleshofthatcorpsebecametheearth element.Incourseoftime,theworldacquireditspresentnatureastheearth.Onceagain,theearthwasendowedwithlivingbeingsandforests,villagesandcities. Theearthisonceagainfirmandsubstantial.Ogoodman,gowhereyouwishtogo.IhavebeeninvitedtothekingdomofheavenbyIndra,thechiefofthegods,who wishestoperformasacredritewithmyhelp.Ishallgothere. BHASA*(VIPASCIT*)said: Havingsaidthis,thefiregodvanishedfromsight.Withallthepsychologicalconditioninginmymind,IwentmywaytodowhatIhadtodo. Onceagain,Isawintheinfinitespacecountlessworldsanduniverses.Someofthemwerelikeumbrellas,somewerelikeanimals,somewerefulloftrees,otherswere fullofrocks.ButIhadnotarrivedattheendofignorance,atthelimitsofignorancehenceIwasdepressedanddejected.Thereupon,Idecidedtoengagemyselfin penance.Seeingthis,Indrasaidtome:"OVipascit*,inspaceyouandIhavebodiesofdeer.Onaccountofthedeludednotionofaheavenwhichwasinmebefore,I amwanderinginheaven."Hearingthis,IsaidtoIndra:"Okingofheaven,Iamtiredofthissamsara*.Kindlyreleasemefromthissamsara*quickly." INDRAsaidtoVipascit*: Yourconsciousnessismovinginthedeerspecies.Hence,Iseethatbirthasadeerisinevitable.Asadeeryouwillreachthatgreatassemblywhereyouwillbe awakenedafterlisteningtoyourownstory.Whenyouenterintothefireofwisdom,youwillgainahumanformandalsospiritualunfoldmentinyourheart.Then

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youwillabandonyourignoranceandregainutterpeacelikewinddevoidofmovement. VIPASCIT*(BHASA*)continued: WhenIndrasaidso,theawarenessaroseinme:'Iamadeer.'FromthattimeIhavebeenroamingtheforestsasadeer.Oncewhenahunterpursuedme,Ibeganto run.Butheoverpoweredmeandtookmehome.Hekeptmethereforafewdaysandthenhebroughtmetoyoutobeyourpet.ThushaveItoldyoumystory,O Rama*,whichclearlyillustratestheillusorynatureofthissamsara*.Limitlessisthisignorancewithcountlessbranchesinalldirectionsitcannotcometoanendbyany meansotherthanselfknowledge. RAMA*asked: Howwasitpossibleforyoutobeseenbyotherswhenyourformaroseinyoursankalpa*? VIPASCIT*(BHASA*)continued: OncewhileIndrawaspassingthroughthesky,fullofvanityathavingsuccessfullycompletedasacredrite,hekickedthebodyofthesageDurvasa*whowasin meditation.Thesagecursedhim:"OIndra,thatearthtowhichyouaregoingwillsoonbereducedtonothing.BecauseyoukickedmethinkingIwasdead,youwill soongotothatveryearthandliveasadeeraslongasVipascit*livesthereasadeer."Therefore,webecamedeerwhichcouldbeseenbyothers.Ofcourse,an objectthatarisesinone'sownmindisasunrealasanobjectthatarisesinanother's.Again,sinceBrahmantheinfiniteconsciousnessisallthisandiscapableofdoing allthis,whatisimpossibleinitandforit?Onthebasisofitsomnipotence,itispossiblefortwoimaginaryobjectstobecomeawareofoneanotherortobeunawareof oneanother.Wherethereisshadow,thereisalsolightandtheshadowarisesbecauseofthelight.Intheinfiniteconsciousnessthereislimitlessignorancehence anythingispossibleinit.StrangeandwonderfulisthisMaya*whichisperplexingandwhichgivesrisetodelusioninthemindandinwhichthesisandantithesisexist togetherwithoutconflictorcontradiction.SuchisthetruthconcerningBrahmanthatexperiencesthisignorancewithinitself,bothassomethingwhichhashada beginningandassomethingwhichhashadnobeginningatall. Ifthethreeworldsarenotjustthematerialisationofthenotionsthatariseintheinfiniteconsciousness,howisitpossibleforthatconsciousnesstorecreatethethree worldsaftertheperiodiccosmicdissolution?Hence,itisclearthatthiscreationisnothingmorethanmovementintheinfiniteconsciousnessandtheconsequentarising oftheappearancelatentinit. VIPASCIT*(BHASA*)continued:

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Thewiseonesknowthateverythingisimmediatelyunderstoodarightfromthepointofviewofpurewisdomthereisnootherway.Thisworldappearanceisthe resultoftheinfiniteconsciousnessentertainingthenotion'Iamignorant'.(Thusevenignorancearisesonlybecauseoftheinfiniteconsciousness.) Noonediesherenorisanyoneborn:thesetwonotionsariseinconsciousnessanditappearsasthoughdeathandbirtharereal.Ifthereisdeathasthefinalendinfact andintruth,thenitisindeedamostwelcomeandhappyevent!But,ifonewhodiesiscapableofbeingseenagain,thensurelyhewasaliveallthetime.Thus,thereis nodeath,andbythesametokenthereisnobirtheither.Thetwoeventsappeartoberealbecauseofthemovementinconsciousnesstheyareotherwiseunreal.If theyarethoughtofasreal,theyarerealiftheyareknowntobeunreal,theyareunreal.Thismeansthoughtaloneisreal.Tellmeifthereisanylifeatalldevoidof consciousness.Inthatpureconsciousnessthereisnosorrowordeath:then,whoexperiencessorrowandwhodies?Whatawhirlpoolistowater,thebodyistothe supremetruth.Theappearanceispervadedbythereality,andtheappearanceisbutanappearance,withoutasubstantialityofitsown.Thereisnodivision,distinction orcontradictionbetweenthetwo.Yet,theinfiniteconsciousnessappearstobethiscreationfullofcontradictionsthisindeedisagreatwonder. Realisethatthisworldappearancewithallitscontradictionsisnothingmorethanappearancewhichisnonexistent.Thatinfiniteandindivisibleconsciousnessalone existsasonethinghereandasanotherthingtheretherefore,thereisneitherdiversitynorevenunity.Thereisnocontradictionnoristhereanoncontradiction.They whoknowthetruthrealisethatitisneitherrealnorunreal:hence,theyrealisethetruthasuttersilence.Whatisseenhereastheobjectiveuniverseisintruththe supremeBrahman.ThatBrahmanaloneentertainsvariousnotionswhicharemanifesthereasthesediverseobjectsbutinthatwhichentertainsthesenotionsthereis nodivisionandthereforesuchdivisionisnotreal. Everyinchofspaceisfilledwiththecreationsof'dead'jivas*.Suchworldsarecountless.Theyareunseen.Theyexistalltogether,withoutanycontradictionor conflictamongthem.Theydonotseeoneanother.Alltheseobjectsofperceptionarebutpurespace.Consciousnessaloneistheperceiverorobserverofalland consciousnessperceivestheseobjectsinspaceasoneseesanobjectindream.Thoughthisconsciousnessmaybefullyawakeandenlightened,itsobjectcontinuesto appeartobe,evenasdarknesscontinuestilldawn.Butwhethertheworldappearanceisrealorunreal,whenthetruthisrealisedthereisgreatpeace.Evenasripples

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andsprayariseonthesurfaceoftheocean,seemtoexistforamomentandthengetmergedintheoceanthenextminute,thisworldappearsinBrahmanandceases tobethenextmoment,forBrahmanaloneisreal. VALMIKI*said: VI.2:160

ThekingDasaratha*madeadequateprovisionforthemaintenanceofVipascit*(Bhasa*).Atthattime,anotherdaycametoanend.Thenextdaythemembersofthe assemblygatheredagainand THESAGEcontinued: Surely,thatwhichisseenhereisnotignorance.ThatiswhyVipascit*couldnotfinditslimitsoritsextent.Itremainsignoranceonlyaslongasitisnotrightly understood.Whenitsrealityisseen,itisrealisedthattherewasnevereverany'waterinthemirage'.Youhaveyourselfseenallthiswithyourowneyesandheardit fromthelipsofthisVipascit*(orBhasa*).He,too,willbeenlightenedlikeallofyouwhenhelistenstoourdiscourse. WhenBrahmanholdsontotheawarenessofignorance,thisignoranceseemstobereal.Onaccountofthisdelusion,theunrealappearstobereal.Whenitisrealised thatthisignoranceisBrahman,thenitisrealisedtobenondifferentfromBrahmanandthatdivisiondisappears. Thisignorancegivesrisetothemostfascinatingobjects,thoughititselfisnothing.Onewhosetsouttoinvestigatetheextentofdreamssoondiscoversthattheyhave nolimitonewhoinvestigatestheextentoftheworldappearancearisinginthisignorancesoondiscoversthatithasnoneeither.Theobjectswhichhavematerialised onaccountofnotionsthatariseinconsciousnessandwhichareabandonedbytheperceiverofthosenotionswhothereupongoesontoentertainothernotions,existin spaceastheworldsofthesiddhas,unawareofoneanother'sexistence.Theseworldsareofdiversenaturesandtheyareinhabitedbydiversecreatures.However, sincethereisnothingotherthanBrahman,allthesearealsofullofBrahmanonly.Rightinthebeginningofcreation,therewasnocauseandhencetherewasno creationatall.Theinfiniteconsciousnessconceivesofinfinitenotionsandthesematerialisewherethosenotionsarise.Whatissostrangeaboutthis?Evennow,you andalltheothersaretheappearancescreatedbytheexistenceofintensenotionswhichareendowedwiththeextraordinaryforceofconcentration. Hewhoconsiderstwothings(likethisworldandheaven)tobereal,obtainsboththese.Somesiddhasconsiderhelltoberealtooanditappearstobereal.That whichisfirmlybelievedtoexistisexperiencedbythatpersonphysically,forthebodyisonlymind.

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Thejiva*abandonsaparticularstatewhenitleavesonebodyandthenthereitselfentertainsthenotionofanotherstate.Ifthenotionisgood,itexperiencesagood worldandifitisevil,itexperiencesanevilworld.Ifitthinksoftheworldofthesiddhas,itexperiencesitifitsthoughtsareimpure,itexperienceshellthenandthere. Inhell,thejiva*experiencesdiversesufferingsandcalamitieslikebeingpiercedbyarrows,havingthechesthammeredbyrocks,embracingaredhotpillar,being burntalive,eatingeachother'sbodiesinhunger,swimminginriversofbloodandpus,feeling'Thatevilactionhasledtothisevilexperience'. VI.2:161 RAMA*asked:

Inthestorythatwejustheardwesawhowthesageandthehunterpassedthroughdiverseexperiences.Isittheverynatureofthingsthatdeterminessuchexperiences oristhereanotherreasonforit? VASISTHA*replied: Suchwhirlpoolsofappearanceskeepoccurringoftheirownaccordintheoceanofinfiniteconsciousnessallthetime.Onesetofwhirlpoollikeappearancesremains steadytillanotherarisesandsupersedesit.Someoftheseappearancesseemtobepermanentbecausetheyarelongstandingandothersaretemporary:butjustas movement,howeverslight,isinevitabletoair,evensothisappearanceexistsalwaysintheinfiniteconsciousness.Theenlightenedonescallitpureconsciousnessthe ignorantcallittheworld.Itisneitherrealnorunreal:whatshouldonecallit?Thisuniverseismovementofawarenessintheinfiniteconsciousness,ortheLord.Hence, bothhopeandhopelessnessareirrelevanttoit.Owisemen,bewhatyouare. Theinfiniteconsciousnessitselfregardsthemovementthatarosewithinitastheworld:whereisearth(andsuchotherelements)init?Itisthelightoftheinfinite consciousnesswhichshines,thereisnootherlight.BrahmanalonerestsforeverinBrahmanandthisselfawarenessisknownasignorance!Theentirespaceisfilled withthefullnessofconsciousnessandthatisknownascreation.Initthereisnocontradictionorduality. Whenthatinfiniteconsciousnessaloneexists,whatistheretocometoanend?Justastheworldexperiencedinadreamdoesnotexist,thisworlddoesnotexistasa materialentity,thoughitisseen.Justasitisone'sownconsciousnessonlythatshinesasthedream,itisthesameconsciousnessthatshinesastheobjectiveworldin thewakingstate.Hence,thereisnodifferencebetweenthedreamandthewakingstate.Onewhowakesupfromadreamthinks,''Itislikethisandnotlikethatwhich Isawinthedream"afterdeath,too,onethinks"ItislikethisandnotlikethatwhichIsawbeforedeath".

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Thedreammaybebriefandthelifemaybelong,buttheexperienceofthemomentisthesameinboth.Justasinonelifetimeoneexperienceshundredsofdreams,till oneattainsnirvana*oneexperienceshundredsofwakingstates.Justassomepeopleremembertheirdreams,somepeoplealsoremembertheirpastexperiences. Whenthusthereisnodifferencebetweenthetwo,whatisknownastheworldandwhatisignorance?Whenignorancedoesnotexist,whatisbondage?Pray,donot bindonewhoiseverfree!Theredoesnotexist'another'excepttheonepure,formlessconsciousness.Evenwhenthisworldappearancearisesinthatconsciousness, itdoesnotgetboundtoitandthereforethereisnoliberationeither.Thereisnoignoranceinconsciousnessthereisnonotioninpureconsciousness.Spacealoneis space.Thatwhichis'aware'evenindeepsleep,thataloneisawareindreamsaswellasinthewakingstate:thatispureconsciousness.Itisthatconsciousnessalone thatisresponsibleevenfortheawarenessofdiversity.CreationitselfisthesupremeBrahman,boththeunityandthediversity. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:162

Thisworldexistswithallitsobjectsastheverymeaningofmaterialisationoftheinfiniteconsciousness:henceeventheform,itsseeingandthethoughtconcerningitare allthesamepureconsciousnessandnothingelse.Thediversityofdreamobjectsisadream,notdiversity.Evenso,thediversitythatisseenduringthewakingstatein theinfinitespaceistheinfinitespace(consciousness)andthereisnodiversity.Itistheindivisibleconsciousnessthathastheappearanceofdiversity. Thisrealityofconsciousnessisexperienceddifferentlybythewiseandbytheignorant.Hence,thiscreationissaidtobebothunrealandreal.Sincetheirviewpoints arediametricallyopposite,itbecomesimpossibleforonetoseewhattheothersees,andtheycannotmakeoneanotherunderstandwhattheysee.Creationiswhat oneseesandisawareof,andthisiswithinoneself.Whenthisinnerexperienceislasting,thecreationissaidtobelastingandwhenitischanging,thecreationissaidto bechanging,too. Indream,theobjectsarereallyimmaterialandsubtle,yettheyareseentobesubstantial.Evenso,theobjectsinthiscreationaretrulysubtleandunseen,yetthey appeartobesolidandperceptible.Thisistrueevenofthebody:itisadelusionandnonexistentassuch,butlikeaghostitisconjuredupasareality.Even psychologicalorphysicalconditioningisanappearance,likethesoundthatisheardwhenthewindblows(whichisheard,thoughitisnotthereatall). Whateverisseenhereorthoughtoftoexist,allthatispureconsciousnessalone.Therehasneverbeenareasonwhysomething

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elseshouldhavecomeintobeing.Hence,realise''Iamatpeace,Iamliketheinfinitespace"abandonthenotionthatyouarethejiva*.Ifonecannotthusredeem oneself,therearenoothermeans:foroneisone'sownfriendandoneisone'sownenemy.Strivetoliberateyourselfwhileyouareyetyoungwiththehelpofpureand rightunderstanding,orbuddhi.Doitnow.Whatwillyoudowhenyouareoldandsenile?Oldageitselfisaburdenyoucannotcarryanythingmore.Bothchildhood andoldageareuselessyouthaloneistherighttime,ifyouareawiseone,tolivewisely.Havingcomeintothissamsara*wherelifeissoimpermanent,oneshould, throughassociationwithholyscripturesandholymen,endeavourtoupliftoneself. Whenthetruthisrealised,thisobjectiveuniverseceasestobotheryouevenifitcontinuestobeseenandevenifitisfullofrestlessness. VI.2:163 RAMA*asked:

Ignorancedoesnotceasewithoutthefullcontrolofthesenses:praytellme,howdoesonecontrolthesenses? VASISTHA*said: Ishallnowdescribetoyouhowonegainscontroloverthesenseseasilybyone'sowneffort.Theself(orthepersonality)isindeedpureconsciousnessonly:on accountofitsselfawareness,itcomestobeknownasthejiva*.Whateverthatjiva*thinks,itbecomesthatinstantly.Hence,theattempttogaincontrolovertheself orthesensesshouldbedirectedtothatselfawareness.Themind(citta)isthecommanderinchiefandthesensesarethearmedforces.Hence,controlofthemindis control(orvictory)overthesenses.Ifone'sfeetarecoveredwithleathershoes,theentireworldiscoveredwithleather! Whenone'sawarenessisraisedtoone'sheartandfirmlysetinthepureconsciousness,themindnaturallyandeffortlesslybecomestranquil.Itdoesnotbecome tranquilbyothermeanslikeausterities,pilgrimageandrituals.Whenthustheawarenessoftheselfbecomesawareoftheexperience,thentheexperiencedoesnot leaveanimpressionormemoryonconsciousnessandisimmediately'forgotten',asitwere.Evenanattempttodothistakesoneclosertothesupremestateofself knowledge. Befirmlyrootedinthecontentedstateinwhichyouknowonlythattobeyourswhichisobtainedinthecourseofthedueperformanceofyourownappropriate action.Heisamanofselfconquestwhorestsinpeaceandcontentmentperformingwhateverhastobeperformedandavoidingwhatshouldbeavoided.Hismindis atrestwhoenjoysobservingorwatchinghimselfandisdisinterestedinexternaleventsandobservations.Whenone'sawarenessisthus

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firmlyheldwithinoneself,themindabandonsitsusualrestlessnessandflowstowardswisdom.Thewisemanattainsvictoryoverthesensesanddoesnotdrowninthe wavesofvasanas*ormentalconditioning.Heseestheworldasitis.Thentheillusionofsamsara*orworldappearanceceasesandwithitallsorrowcomestoan end. Whenonerealisesthatitisthepureconsciousnessalone(whichisbeyondthoughtandwhichthereforeneverbecomestheobjectofperceptionorexperience)which appearsasthisworld,whatisbondageandwhatisliberation?Dehydratedwaterdoesnotflowuncausedexperiencedoesnotcreateapsychologicaldivision. Experienceislikespacewhichputsonthedifferentformsof'I'and'you',etc.,andwhichseemstocreateadiversitywherenonecanarise.Thatwhichfillsthisspace ispureconsciousness,besidewhichnothingexists. VASISTHA*continued: Whenthereisdirectexperienceofthetruththat'Iamneitherthedoernortheactionnortheinstrument,butIamthepureconsciousness,andtheworldisindefinable', thenitisknownthatthereisselfawareness.Theworldappearstobewhatitisnot:hencetheselfknowledgethatrevealstheworldisthesupremetruth. Inthecaseofabeingwithseverallimbs,itisonebeingwithseverallimbsevensoBrahmanisonebeingwithcountlesslimbsknownasjiva*,etc.Theobjectisbutan appearanceconsciousnessisinfinitepeacewhichexistsforeverunmodified.Itisuselesstoinvestigatetheseasiftheyaredifferent.Intheinfinitethereareinfinite notionsthelatterarecalled'ignorance'thereisnootherignorancehere. Thejiva*alternatelypassesfromthewakingtothedreamingandfromthedreamingtothewakingstatesbutheisconstantwhetherheisawakeorasleep.Thetwo statesofdeepsleepandturiya*(thefourthstate)aretherealityunderlyingboththewakingandthedreamstatesthetwolatterareidenticalandinfactitistheturiya* thatknowsalltheothers.Totheenlightened,thewaking,thedreamingandthedeepsleepstatesareonlytheturiya*,forintheturiya*thereisnoignorance. Therefore,thoughthereappearstobeadiversityinit,itisnondual.Itisonlythechildishandignorantpeoplewhotalkofdualityandnondualitytheenlightenedones laughatallthis.However,withoutsuchdiscussionbasedondualityandnondualityitisnotpossibletocleanone'sconsciousnessofignorance.Itisonlyinthatspirit thatIhavedealtwithallthis,asyourdearfriend. Thewiseonesdoconstantlytalkaboutthistruth,thusenlighteningoneanother.Whentheythuscontemplatethistruthconstantly,theygainenlightenment(buddhi yoga)bywhichtheyattainthe

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higheststate.(NOTE:ThesetwoversesalsoresembletheGita,butwiththesignificantalterationinthesecondwhichmakesitseemthatwhenthestudentisready, enlightenmenthappens.S.V.) Thesupremestateisnotattainedwithouteffort.Thus,inordertohelpyougetacleargraspofthetruthIhaveexplaineditrepeatedly,usingdifferentillustrations.If evenanignorantpersontastesthistruththusexpoundedagainandagain,hewillattainenlightenment.Heissurelyafoolwhothinks"IknowthisandIhavenothing moretoknow"afteroncereadingthis.Theknowledgethatisgainedbyastudyofthisscriptureisnotgainedbythestudyofanyotherscripture.Thisscripture bestowsonyoubothefficiencyinactionandperfectioninwisdom. VI.2:164,165 VASISTHA*continued:

Intheinfiniteconsciousness(whichmaybecomparedtotheorbofthesuntherearecountlessparticlesoflight,calledjivas*.Whenonesays,"Theyareinit",theyare considereditsparts,butinfactithasnosuchparts.Themanyabandonsitsdiversitywhenitattainsenlightenment.However,whenit(themany)isdescribedasthe one,ithasnotbecomesomethingotherthanitwasbefore.Itisthesameinallconditionsandstates.Itisthecontentoftheconsciousnessorawarenessofthesageof wisdom.Thataloneisnothingelsehaseverexisted.Itiswiththehelpofthatconsciousnessalonethattheignorantapprehendtheobjectoftheirownignorance.We donotknowthe'I'orthe'you'oreventheobjectthattheignorantperceiveintheirignorance.Thefeelings'Iamenlightened'and'Heisignorant'and'Thisisthetruth' donotariseintheenlightened.Thisthatisknownasthecreationhasneverbeencreatednorhasitevercomeintobeing.ThisworldisBrahmanwhichisasitishere. Therefore,theredonotexistanyignorantpeopleorbeingshere.Thereisonlytheinfinitespaceinwhichsuchnotionsas'ThisisBrahma*thecreator',etc.,float around. Theconsciousnessthatexistsinthewakingstateentersthedreamstateandbecomesdream.Thedreamconsciousnessbeingawakeinthedreamattainsthestatusof wakefulnessindream.Thedreamstateentersthewakingstateandthewakingstateabandonsthedreamandwakesup.Whenthewakingstateentersintothedream state,thedreamerwakesup,asitwere.Thedreamerregardsthewakingstateasadreamtohimtheconsciousnessofthedreamistherealwakingstate.Surely,to thedreamerthetruewakingstateisthedream,nottheotherwakingstate. Inrelationtothewakingstate,thedreamseemstobeshortlived.Evensothedreamerregardsthewakingstatetobebrief.Thereisnodifferencewhatsoever betweenthetwo,andneitherofthemis

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real.Whenawarenessceases,bothwakinganddreamingcease.Thereisvoid.Thelivingpersondoesnotexperience'theotherworld'eitherindreamorinwaking, nottilltheconsciousnessofdeatharises.Justasdreamsariseinconsciousnessandcreatethethreeworlds,evensotheworldappearsinthewakingstate.Justasthe dreamcreationispurevoid,evensotheworldofthewakingstateisvoidexceptfortheinfiniteconsciousnessinwhichalonetheappearancearises.Theworldisthe illusionthatappearsinconsciousnessonaccountofitsinherentpower.Consciousnessaloneshinesasthewater,earth,spaceandwalls.Thereisnothinginitwhich canbegraspedorheld. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:166

Theselfortheinfiniteconsciousnessisthemostobvioustruth,whichdoesnotstandinneedofandisindependentofthewordslike'self'or'knowledge'.Rightfrom thebeginningoftheoriginalcreation,thisinfiniteconsciousnessaloneexists,withthisnotionofcreation.Wisemenandscholarshavedeclaredthatselfknowledgeis devoidofnotionsandofknowledgeofmaterialobjects.Butallthisistheselfalone.Noknowledge(category)callednonknowledgehaseverbeenknownhere. Knowledgeandnonknowledge(ignorance)aretwoconceptswhichdonothavecorrespondingrealities.Whatistheretoknowornottoknow?Knowledgeofwhat is,knowledgethatthisisthis,andknowledgethatitisunrealalltheseariseinconsciousness.Knowledgeoftheself,knowledgeoftheunreal,absenceofknowledge, knowledgethatthetruthisotherthantheappearanceallthesearebuttheplayoftheinfiniteconsciousnessandtheyarethemanifestationsorexpansionsofself knowledge. Thefactofselfknowledgeexistsevenwhentheterm'selfknowledge'hasbeendiscarded.Selfknowledgealoneis.Letmeillustrateit.Thereisamightyrockwhich isvastandwhosesidesarethebluesky.Ithasnojointsbecauseithasnodivisions.Itisabsolutelysolidandundivided.Itisimperishable.Itisincomparableand unique.Itsoriginisunknown.Itscontentisnonmaterialbutsolid.Withinitarecountlessimpressionsorimages,knowntoitselfasthejiva*.Itissentientand insentient. Nooneisabletobreakit.However,initaretheseimpressionsknownasgods,demonsandhumans,withformsandwithoutforms.Ihaveseentheseimpressionsthat existwithintherock.Ifyouwish,youcanalsoseethem. RAMA*asked:Ifthatrockwasindivisible,howcouldyouseeinsideit? VASISTHA*said: Indeednoonecanbreakit.ButsinceIamwithinthatrock

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asanimpressioninit,Iamabletoseealltherest. ItisthesupremerealityortheselfthatIhavethusdescribedtoyou.Weareintegralpartsofthatindivisible,infiniteconsciousness.Thisspace,windandother elements,alltheseactionsandactivities,alltheseconditioningsandthetimesenseallthesearelimbsofthatbeing.Earth,water,fire,air,space,mind,buddhiandthe egosensearelimbsofthatsupremeself.Whatelseisthereotherthanthisinfiniteconsciousness?Theobjectsofthisworldarebutpureawarenessorexperiencing whichisamassofpureconsciousness. VI.2:167 VASISTHA*continued:

Selfknowledge,nonknowledgeorknowledgeoftheunreal,etc.,arewordsandviewpoints.Theyaretotallyunrealintheeyesoftheknoweroftruth.Allthesearise inthepureconsciousnesswhichisclearlyseeninme.'Thisistheself'and'Thisisknowledge'thesearesurelyfalsenotionsthatarisewithin,buttheyarenotreal. Abandonthewordsbutremainestablishedintheexperienceofthetruththeyindicate. Thoughcountlessactivitiesgoonwithinit,itisutterlysilentandtranquil.Thoughitisdescribedincountlesssuperlatives,itremainsundisturbed.Thoughitisconstantly inmotion,itremainsstablelikearock.Thoughitistheverysubstanceinthefiveelements,itisunaffectedbythemlikespace.Thoughitistheabodeofallobjects,it remainspureconsciousness.Thoughitisseen,likeadreamcity,itremainsunseenconsciousness. RAMA*said: Justasmemoryisattherootoftheperceptioninboththewakingandthedreamstates,itismemoryalonethatgivesrisetothefeelingthattheexternalobjectsare real. VASISTHA*continued: Theappearanceofdiverseobjectsintheuniversearisesintheinfiniteconsciousnesswhenitbecomesawareofitselfcoincidentally(likeapecocoanutfallingwhena crowalightsonit).Wheneverandwhereverthisconsciousnesscontemplatesitselfinwhatevermanner,thenandthereitappearsso,withoutanycause.Thenotions 'Thisiswaking','Thisisdream','Thisissleep'and'Thisisturiya*'ariseinconsciousnessbecausetheyareconsciousness.Infactthereisneitherdreamnorwaking statenorsleepnorturiya*norsomethingbeyond:everythingispuretranquilityandsilence.Or,onemaysaythatallthisiswakingatalltimes,ordreamordeepsleep orturiya*.Orwedonotknowwhatitis,foreverythingisexperiencedtobewhatitisthoughtof. Itsmanifestationandunmanifestationknowledgeorignorancearetwoinherentstateslikethemovementornonmovementofair.

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Therefore,thereisnodistinctioninthestatesofwaking,etc.,noristhereanythingknownasmemoryordesire.Allthesearelimitedvision.Whenitisonlyinner experiencethatshinesasexternalobject,whereisobjectivityormemory?Memorycanariseonlyfromexperienceandexperienceispossibleonlyiftheobjectisreal. Thenotionalappearanceoftheinfiniteconsciousnessbecomeslaterknownastheearth,etc.Letthisconsciousnessshineasitwill:itisneitherrealnorunreal,neither somethingnornothing.Thatitselfdwellsintheheartasthenotionofanobjectwhichisconceivedtobeoutside.Whatis'inside'or'outside'?ConsideritOMandrest inpeace. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:168

Justasatreebringsforthdiversebeautifulbrancheswithoutmentalactivityorvolition(intention),evensotheunbornanduncreatedinfiniteconsciousnessgivesriseto diverseandcolourfulworldappearance(creation).Itislikespacegivingrisetospace.Justastheoceangivesrisetowhirlpoolswithoutmentalactivityorintention, evenso,withoutintendingtodoso,consciousnessgivesrisetoeverykindofexperience,becauseitisthelordofall.Tothoseveryexperiencesthesame consciousnessgivesvarious'names'like'mind','buddhi','egosense',etc.Againwithoutmentalactivityandintention,theinfiniteconsciousnesshasgivenrisewithin itselftothenotionofanobjectwithallthesequenceofbuddhi,etc.Eventheworldorder(niyati),whichincludesthefundamentalcharacteristicoftheobjects,arisesin theinfiniteconsciousnesswithoutanyintentionormentalactivitywhatsoever. Moreover,itisallone:thetreeincludesthetrunk,thebranches,theleavesandtheflowersthedistinctionbeingverbal.Evensotheinfiniteconsciousnessincludes everything,thedistinctionbeingverbal.Ifyoustillask,"Whythenisthisfutileexperienceoftheobjects?",itisgoodtoremindyourselfthatallthisisbutalongdream. Whowillresorttothenonexistentorthehiddenthing?Justaswehaveformedinourmindanimage'Thisisatree',intheinfiniteconsciousnessthereexistimagesof space,etc.Justasspace(distance)isindistinguishablyonewithspaceandmovementwithair,evensothebuddhi(intelligence)etc.,arewiththesupremebeingorthe infiniteconsciousness.Thiscreationisnondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousness. Thiscreationappearsrightfromthebeginningintheinfiniteconsciousnessasifinadream.Thisappearance,moreover,hasnocause.Howthencanitbeotherthan theinfiniteconsciousness?Itisanalogoustothedreamwhichisadailyuniversalexperience:henceoneshouldinvestigateit.Whatistheessenceortherealityinthe

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dreamexceptthepureintelligenceorconsciousnesswhichcreatesitandinwhichitexists? Thiscreationdoesnotariseasa'memory'intheinfiniteconsciousness.Itarisesintheconsciousnesswithoutanyreasonorcausewhatsoever(itisacoincidencelike theripecocoanutfallingwhenacrowalightsonit)dreaming,conceptualisation,etc.,followlater.Oncethiscreationhasarisenwithoutanycauseintheinfinite consciousness,its'existence'followslater.Therefore,eventhoughthiscreationseemstohavebeencreated,ithasnotbeencreatedwhenthusithasnotbeencreated atall,surelyitdoesnotexist. Inthepurespaceoftheinfiniteconsciousnessthesecountlessworldappearancesexist.Theycomeintobeingandtheydissolve,thoughtheyareallessentiallyvoid (sunya*)intheirnature.Theyreactupononeanotherandthuscreatethisworldappearancethoughtheyareessentiallyvoid(sunya*).Thiscreationisvoid,andthe voidgrowsandthevoidaloneceasestobe(voidbecauseitisdevoidofthenotionofa'self'). VASISTHA*continued: Creationoftheuniverseanditsdissolutionareonlydeludednotionsthatariseinconsciousnesswhenthenotionofcreationremainssustainedforalongtime,itis takentobereal.Theobjectiveappearanceoftheuniverseappearsspontaneouslyinthecosmicbeing,justasadreamarisesafteraperiodofdeepsleep. Consciousnessaloneshinesasthisuniversewhichthereforeisitsbody.Afterthis,consciousnessitselfgivesrisewithinitselftothenotionsofmemoryand psychologicalcategories,earthandtheotherelements. RAMA*asked: Lord,memoriesaretheimpressionsthatareleftonthebuddhi.Ifsuchimpressions,andthereforememories,areabsent,howcananythingcomeintobeing,oreven notionsarise? VASISTHA*replied: Ishallpresentlydispelyourdoubt,ORama*,andestablishnonduality.Thisworldappearanceislikeafigurethathasnotbeencarvedoutofthetree.Onlywhena figureisactuallycarvedoutofthetree,doesitbecomeafigure:butsincetheinfiniteconsciousnessisnondual,suchathingdoesnothappen.Intheinertandinsentient woodthefiguredoesnotemergeuntilitisactuallycarved.But,sinceconsciousnessisfullofconsciousness,theworldappearanceshineswithinitself.Infact, consciousnessneverceasestobeconsciousness,noristheworldcarvedoutofit:yetitshinesasthisworld. Inthebeginningofcreation,consciousness,beingfullofpotentialnotions,manifeststhem.Sincethosenotionsarealsoendowedwithconsciousness,theyappeartobe real,asinadream.Withinthespace

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oftheheartitself,consciousnessgivesrisetovariousnotions:'ThisisthenotionofBrahmanthisitselfisthenotionofpureconsciousness.''Thisisthenotionofjiva*', and'Thisistheegosense,buddhi,mind,timeandspace'.'Iamsoandso.''Thisisactivity.''Thesearetheelements.''Thesearethesenses.''Thisisthesubtle (puryastaka*)bodyandthatisthegrossphysicalbody.''IamBrahmathecreator,IamSiva*,IamVisnu*,Iamthesun.''Thisisinsideandthatisoutside.''Thisis creationandthisisworld'....Suchnotionsariseinconsciousnessitself.Thereareneitherphysicalormaterialsubstances,normemory,norduality. Withoutcausethisworldappearancearisesinconsciousness.Itisexperiencedbytheconsciousnesswithinitself.Itisconsciousnesswhichconsidersitselftheworld andexperiencestheworld.Thereisthereforenomemory,ordreamortime,etc.involvedinthis.Thiswhichisamassofconsciousnesswithinappearstobetheworld outsidehowever,thereisneitheranoutsidenoraninside,nothingwhatsoeverexceptthesupremereality.Therefore,justastheinfiniteBrahmanisreal,inthesame waythisobservedobjectiveuniverseisalsoreal. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:169

Hetowhomjoyisnojoyandsorrowisnosorrow,isaliberatedone.Hewhoseheartisnotagitatedevenwhilebeingengagedinpleasureisaliberatedone.Heisa liberatedonewhorejoicesinpureconsciousnessitself,aswellasintheobjectiveworld. RAMA*asked: Iftheliberatedonedoesnotfindpleasureinpleasureandsorrowinsorrow,thensurelyheisinsentientandinsensitive. VASISTHA*continued: Becausehisawarenessistotallyabsorbedinconsciousness,hedoesnotexperiencepleasureunlesshemakesanefforttodoso.Heissaidtorestinconsciousness. Hisdoubtshavebeendissolvedandhiscontactwithalltheobjectsoftheworldisflavouredbywisdom.Theworldhaslostits'taste'forhim,thoughheisstillactivein it,doingwhatneedstobedonefrommomenttomoment. Onaccountofthefactthattheliberatedonesthusrestintheselforconsciousness,theyappeartobeasleepthoughtheyareengagedinactivity.Infact,theyarenot insentientnorinsensitive.Theyareconsideredtobe'asleep'becausetheytreatthisworldappearanceasifitwerealongdream,notbecausetheyareinsentient.They restinthattruthorsupremepeacewhichisutterlydarkasnighttotheignorant:thereforetheyareconsideredtobeasleep,buttheyarenotinsentient.Sincetheyare disinterestedintheworldoftheignorant,theyareconsideredtobeasleepintheworld.Theyrejoice

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intheselfatalltimeshencetheyarenotinsentient.Theyhaverisenabovesorrow. Havingroamedthissamsara*andexperiencedallkindsofpleasureandpain,thejiva*hasthegoodfortunetocomeintocontactwithaholymanandcrossthis oceanofsamsara*.Hesleepsingreatpeaceevenwithoutabed.Thoughheisengagedinintenseactivityhere,heenjoysthepeaceofdeepsleep.Thisisagreat wonder.This'sleep'cannotbedisturbedbyanything.Heistrulyintoxicatedwhodoesnotsee'theworld'eventhoughhiseyesarewideopen.Heenjoystheblissof deepsleep.Hehasdispelledthenotionoftheworldfromhisheartandhehasreachedfullness.Hehasquaffednectarandheisatpeace.Hisdelightisindependentof pleasure.Hehasturnedawayfromgreed.Heknowsthatineveryatomthereisauniverse.Heisengagedindiverseandintenseactivity,thoughhedoesnothing.Heis awarethatthisworldappearancehasthesamerealityasadream,thushehasenteredintothepeaceandtheblissofdeepsleep.Hisconsciousnessismoreexpansive thanevenspace.Byasupremeselfeffort,hehasrealisedselfknowledgeandhelivesasifhewereseeingalongdreaminpurespace.Heisfullyawakeand enlightened,thoughheappearstobeasleepheenjoysthegreatestdelight,thoughheappearstobeasleep.Hehasreachedthehigheststate. VI.2:170 RAMA*asked:

Lord,whoisthewiseman'sfriend,withwhomdoesheenjoy,whatishisenjoymentordelightandinwhatmannerdoesheenjoythosepleasures? VASISTHA*replied: Thewiseman'sfriend,ORama*,ishisownactionwhicharisesspontaneouslyinhimandinwhichthereisnodivisionorconflict.Likeafather,itencourageshimand provideshimwithenthusiasm.Likeawife,itcheckshim,restrainshimandguideshim.Itdoesnotabandonhimevenintheworstcalamities.Itisfreefromdoubt.It promotesthespiritofrenunciation.Becauseitturnsangerandhateuponthemselves,itislikequaffingnectar.Itishisfriendandhelpereveninthedensestforestof troublesanddifficulties.Itisthetreasurechestwhichcontainsthepreciousgemsoffaith.Itsaveshimfromevilandlikeafather,itiseverintentonprotectinghim. It(one'sownaction)bringshimeverytypeofdelight.Inallkindsofsituationsandconditions,itpromotesthehealthofhisbody.Itrevealstohim'Thisistobedone' and'Thisisnottobedone'.Itisintentonbringingdesirableobjectsandexperiencesandwardingoffundesirableobjectsandexperiences.Itcausesthespeechtobe softandpleasantanditcausesone'sbehaviouralsotobesoftandsweet,helpful,adorable,freefromselfishdesiresorpassionsandconducive

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tothesupremeattainmentoselfknowledge.Itisdevotedtotheprotectionofthegoodandthecommunityasawhole.Itpreventsillnessesofthebodyandthemind.It promotesthehappinessoflearnedmenbyengaginginhealthydiscussionswiththem.Inthecaseofequals,thereisjustasemblanceofduality.Whatevermaybeone's stationinlife,it(one'sownaction)isdevotedtoselfsacrifice,charity,austerityandpilgrimage.Itestablishesahealthyrelationwiththeson,wife,brahmanas*, servantsandrelativesbymeansofthesharingoffoodanddrink.Thewisemanbyhisverynatureenjoysthecompanyofsuchabosomfriend,alongwiththelatter's consort.Thatfriendisknownasone'sownaction. Thisfriend(one'sownaction)hassonswhoareknownasbathing(purityofbody),charity,austerityandmeditation.They,too,promotethewelfareandhappinessof allbeings.Thespiritofhappiness(orahappyspirit)isitswifewhoshowershappinessonallnaturallyandeffortlessly.Hernameissamata*(equanimityorevennessof mind).Sheencouragesherhusband(naturalaction)intheperformanceofrighteousorappropriateaction. Shehasanotherconstantcompanionknownasmaitri*(friendliness). Thewisemanwhoenjoysthecompanyofthisbestofallfriendswithitswifeandothercompanionshasnoneedtorejoicewhenheisinjoyorpleasureorgrieve wheninunpleasantsituations.Hedoesnothatenorbecomeangered.Whereverandinwhateverconditionheis,heenjoysthestateofnirvana*,thoughheis constantlyengagedintheactivitiesoftheworld.Heissilentinuselessarguments,heisdeaftouselesstalk,heisacorpseinrelationtounrighteousactions,heisvery muchaliveinrighteousactions,heisbrilliantinexposingwhatisauspiciousandinamomentherevealsthegreatesttruth. Allthisisnaturaltothewiseman.Hedoesnothavetostrivetoacquirethesequalities. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:171

Itistheinfiniteconsciousnessalonethatshinesastheworldhere.Inreality,however,itisneitherworld,norvoidnorevenconsciousness.Onlythismuchcanbesaid: thatwhichiscalledworldisnotthat.Becauseitissubtlerthanevenspace,itappearstobeotherthanwhatitis. Between'this'and'that'isthebodyofconsciousnessandthatbodyisexperiencedasanobjectofperception.However,suchacreationhasnocauseandhencethere wasnoreasonforittoarise.Howthencanitbesaidtoexistnow?Therefore,thereisnojustificationtoassumetheexistenceoftheexternaluniversenotevenan atomofit.Ifsomethingisseenastheexternaluniversehere,surelythatistheinfiniteconsciousnessinfact.Justasthesamepersonwhois

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fastasleepgoesontodreamwithoutabandoninghissleep,evensothisconsciousnesswhichispureandindivisiblegivesrisewithinitselftothenotionoftheobjective universe,withouteverabandoningitsownessentialnatureasconsciousness.Thereforethereisnomaterialityknownasearth,etc.,but,whetheronefeelsthatwhat oneseesareformsornotforms,thefinaltruthisthatallthisistheoneinfiniteBrahmanwhichaloneshinesasallthese.Justasthedreammountainisrealisedaspure voidwhenthedreamerwakesup,evensoarealltheseformsrealisedtobenonexistentwhenoneisenlightened. ThisworldistheindivisibleandsupremeBrahmantothosewhoareenlightened.Thoughwearehighlyintelligent,wedonotknowwhatnonenlightenment(ignorance) is.Between'this'and'that'isthemassofconsciousnesswhichistheessentialnatureofallbeings.Thatisthesupremestateoftheself.Between'this'and'that'isthat infinitespacewhichisthemassofconsciousnessinwhicheverythingisfirmlyestablished.Whateveristhatmassofconsciousness,thataloneisallthisrealandunreal atthesametime.Form,perceptionandalsothecorrespondingconceptsthatariseinthemindareallpureconsciousness,evenaswhirlpoolsareintheocean. Between'this'and'that'istheinfiniteconsciousnesswhenthatisrealisedwithoutanymodificationorsubtractionwhatsoever,itisseenthatitaloneisandthatthereis noworld.Thenevenattractionandaversion,existenceandnonexistencebecomeitsownlimbs,withoutinanywayaffectingthetruenatureoftheconsciousness. Betweenthetwo'ends'isthepureconsciousnessthe'ends'arebutconceptsanddonotexistindependentoftherealitywhichisthemiddlethatistheessential natureoftheinfiniteselforconsciousness.Forthatconsciousnesswhichexistsbetween'this'and'that'anothernameis'world'. Rightfromtheverybeginning,thecreationhasnotcomeintobeingatall.Tosaythatthisworldexistsassuchispurefiction.Itisapityanditisatragedythatpeople saythatthisworldexists(thoughitdoesnot)andthatthesupremeBrahmandoesnotexist(thoughitaloneexists). VASISTHA*continued: WhereshallIgoforthatwhichisnotBrahmanortheinfiniteconsciousness?Alas,theworldisastrangeplacewherepeopleregardtheunrealworld(theobjectof perception)tobereal.YettheydoreachthesameBrahman.Theradianceofapreciousgemisnotitscreationnorisitindependentofthegem:evenso,theworld appearanceisnondifferentfromtheselfwhichispureconsciousness.Thesunshinesinthatsupremestateofconsciousnessthesunis

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nondifferentfromthatself.However,neitherthesunnorthemooncanillumineorrevealtheself.Itisbecauseoftheinherentpowerofthatconsciousnessthatthesun andthemoonthemselvesshineandthusillumineandrevealtheobjectsofperception. Thatconsciousnessiswithformanditiswithoutformallthesearewordsandmeaninglessconcepts.Particlesoflightthatconstitutetheraysofthesunaretherays ofthesun,nondifferentfromit.Soitisrighttosaythattheyshineandalsotosaythattheydonotshine.Evenso,itisrighttosaythatthesunandthemoonshineand itisalsorighttosaythattheydonot.Sincethesunandalltheotherluminousbodiesshinebecauseoftheinfiniteconsciousness,howcanitbesaidthattheydonot shineoritdoesnotshine? Thatsupremestateisbeyondallconcepts,eventhoseof'massofconsciousness'and'void'itisdevoidofeverythingbutitisalsofullofeverything.Hence,theearth, etc.,doexistontheotherhand,nothingexistsinit.Thoughthereareinfinitejivas*init,yettheydonotexistasjivas*independentoftheconsciousness.'Something', 'nothing',etc.,areconceptswhicharefarfromtherealityortheinfiniteconsciousness. Thepureconsciousness,whichisnondual,eternalandallpervading,existsandisknownas'world'.Whenmerelytheobjectivityofallthisisremoved,whatremains oftheworldofdiversityisthetruth.Itisthatconsciousnessitselfwhichismanifestastheinfiniteexperiences.Thewakingstateofconsciousnessstandsinexactlythe samerelationtotheturiya*(transcendental)stateasthedreamstatestandsinrelationtothedeepsleepstate.Totheenlightenedperson,however,allthesestatesare butoneturiya*stateofconsciousness. Theoriesconcerningcreationorthetransformationoftheselforconsciousnessintomatterareexpressionsusedbyteacherswhileinstructingstudentsthereisnotan iotaoftruthinallthis.Whenonerealisesthedreamasadream,thenthereisjoy,butifthisisnotrealisedthenthereisunhappinesswhenonedreamsofanunhappy event.Theenlightenedsagelivesinastateofrealisationofthetruthevenwhileheengageshimselfindiverseactivities.Indiversityheexperiencesunityherejoices eveninunpleasantsituations.Thoughhelivesintheworldheisreallynotinit.Whatmoredoesanenlightenedpersonhavetogain?Justasiceisevercool,thesage livesanaturallife,doingwhatisnaturaltohim,withoutaspiringfororabandoninganything.Thecharacteristicoftheignorantmanisthathestrivestobeotherthan whatheis. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:172

TheCreatorisonlythemind,devoidofanytraceofmateriality.

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Hence,hehasnobodyorthesensesorvasana*ormentalconditioning.Sincehehadattainedliberationattheendofthepreviousworldcycle,thereisnomemoryin him.Whenthereisnomemoryatall,thereisnocauseforembodiment.EvenifsuchmemorywerepossibleintheCreator,eventhatwouldbedevoidofmatter,likea dreamcity.However,thisissaidforthesakeofargument:memoryisimpossibleintheliberatedones. RAMA*asked: Lord,tellmewhyistherenomemoryinthemandhowthegunas*(thebuildingblocksofcreation)ariseintheabsenceofmemory. VASISTHA*replied: Memoryarisesonlyinrelationtotheobjectiveuniverse,thusprovidingthecauseandeffectsequence.Whensuchanobjectofperceptionitselfisnonexistent,how andwheredoesmemoryariseorexist?WhenthetruthisthatallthisisindeedBrahmanortheinfiniteconsciousness,thereisnoroomformemory. Thecontemplationofobjectsthatarisesinlivingbeingsisconsideredsmrti*(remembrance).Ofcoursesuchobjectsarenonexistent.Howcansmrti*existthen? However,sincetheinfiniteconsciousnessistherealityinallbeings,suchcontemplationofobjectsis,inamannerofspeaking,inherentinconsciousnesshenceI referredtosmrti*.However,itisonlyfromthepointofviewofthecommonignorantmen.Enoughofit.Thenaturalmovementthatarisesinconsciousnessisalso knownassmrti*.Whenthatmovementoccursrepeatedlyitisseenexternallyasmatter.Whatevertheconsciousnessexperiencesbyitsownnature,thatissaidtobe smrti*.Alltheseexperiencesariseintheinfiniteconsciousnessoftheirownaccord,astheverylimbsofconsciousness,withoutanycausalconnection(justasaripe cocoanutfallscoincidentallywhenacrowhappenstoalightonit).Theyarecalledmemory.Thisistrueofallhappenings,evenwhenthereappearstobecoincidental cause. Whyshouldweinvestigatememorywhichisthusaccidental,whenwerealisethattheobjectsofperceptiontowhichitisrelatedthemselvesarenonexistent?They existonlyintheeyesoftheignorant.Iamnotexpoundingthemeansofliberationforthebenefitofsuchignorantpeople.Itisonlymeantforthosewhohavebeen awakenedbutwhohavesomedoubtsconcerningit.Oneshouldneverassociatewithignorantpeoplewhocannotrecognisethetruth.Whenathingisexperiencedby theconsciousnessevenjustalittleandwhenthatexperienceisrepeated,amentalimpression(samskara*)iscreated.Thusistheworldappearancecreated. However,allthisispervadedbytheinfiniteconsciousness.Thereisneitheraformnormemory

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relatedtoit.Whendualityitselfisnonexistent,thensurelythereisnobondage. RAMA*asked: VI.2:173

Howdoestheomnipresentconsciousnessidentifyitselfwiththebody?Howdoesconsciousnessidentifyitselfwithrocksandwood? VASISTHA*replied: Evenastheembodiedbeingidentifiesitselfwiththehand,sotheinfiniteconsciousnessidentifiesitselfwiththebody.Inthesamewayasthebodyidentifiesitselfwith thenailsandthehair,theomnipresentselfidentifiesitselfwithrocksandwood,etc.Justasitispureconsciousnessalonethatbecomesrocksandwoodinadream, thesenotionsaroseintheinfiniteconsciousnessrightinthebeginningofcreation.Justasinanindividual'sbodytherearesentientandinsentientparts,evensointhe cosmicbodyoftheinfiniteconsciousnessthereareapparentlysentientandinsentientobjects,whereasintruththerearenosuchforms.Whenallthisisclearlyseen theyceasetoappear,justasadreamvanishesthemomentthedreamerawakes.Allthisispureconsciousnessthereisneitheraseernoranobjectofperception. Thousandsofworldcyclesmayariseandceaseintheinfiniteconsciousness,yettheyarenondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousness,evenaswavesarenondifferent fromtheocean.'Iamnotawave,Iamtheocean'whenthusthetruthisrealised,thewavenessceases.Theworldappearanceislikethewaveinrelationto Brahmanwhichistheocean.TheexistenceandthenonexistenceofthisworldappearancearethetwowaysinwhichtheenergyinherentinBrahmanmanifests. Theexperiencethatarisesinconsciousness,asinadream,isknownasmind,Brahma*thecreator,thegrandfatherofallcreation.Thisbeingisnameless,formlessand immutable.Inthat,thenotionsof'I'and'you',etc.,arise.EventheyarenondifferentfromtheCreator.Thepureconsciousnessinwhichallthesenotionsariseisthe greatgrandfatherofallcreatures.Justasthewaveswhichriseandfallontheoceanareonlytheoceanandnondifferentfromit,allthesecreationsanddissolutions arenondifferentfromtheinfiniteconsciousness. Themovementofenergythatoccursintheinfiniteconsciousnessisknownasthecosmicpersonwhoisendowedwithamagneticfieldandgravitationalforce.This creationarisesinhimlikeadream.Creationisadream.Thewakingstateisadream.Eventhoughthiscreationorworldappearanceisapparentlyseenand experienced,itisinrealitytherealisationofthenotionsthatariseinus,andthey

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aloneexistasthecosmicpersonality.Consciousnessitselfexperiencesthenotionsthatariseinitagainandagain.Itisthatcosmicpersonwhoispervadedand permeatedbyconsciousnessthatappearsasallthedreamobjects.Justasanactorwhodreamsthatheisactingseeshimselfactingonastageentertainingan audience,thisconsciousnessbecomesawareofitsownexperienceofthisworldappearance. VI.2:174 VASISTHA*continued:

Itisconsciousnessalonethatshinesasthisuniverserightintheverybeginningofcreation.Therefore,thethreeworldsarenondifferentfromBrahman.Brahmanislike theoceaninitthecreationsarelikethewavesandexperiencingisthewater.Evenafterthis(creation),thereispureunconditionedbliss.Whereareduality,non dualityoranythingelse?Bothdeepsleepanddreamingarealternatingstatesthatariseduringsleepevenso,appearanceanddisappearanceofthiscreationare alternatingeventsintheinfiniteconsciousness. Whenthewiseonerealisesthatthisworldislikeadreamcity,hishopesarenotcenteredinit.Thedaydreamerdreamsofagreatdiversityofvisionsandhopes. Thoughthereseemstobesomerealityinsuchdaydreams,theyareinfactnonexistent.If,however,youarelookingforsomeotherexplanationforthisworld appearance,whydoyounotacceptthepossibilityofdelusionordeliriousnotionsandhallucination? Thepracticeofcontemplationinwhichthemindisrestrainedfromundergoinganymodificationisasgoodassupremeinertiaontheotherhand,whensuch modificationsexistinthemind,itistheseatofdiversityorsamsara*.Bysuchcontemplationastateofequanimityisnotattained.Ifitisclaimedthatliberationis attainedwhenthemindisforciblyrestrainedfromallmodifications,thenwhyisitnotattainedinsleep?Therefore,onlywhenitisrealisedthatthereisnocreationatall, doesrealselfknowledgearisewhichleadstoliberation.Suchliberationisunending,infiniteandunconditionedtrulynirvikalpasamadhana*(samadhi*).Initone remainsfirmlyrootedinselfknowledge,withouttheleastagitation.Itisalsoknownaseternalsleep,turiya*,nirvana*andmoksa*. Dhyana*orcontemplationormeditationisperfectawakeningorenlightenment.Therealisationthattheobjectiveuniversedoesnotexistisperfectawakening.Itdoes notresembleastateofinertia,nordeepsleep,nornirvikalpasamadhi*norsavikalpasamadhi*,norisitanunrealimaginarystate.Inittheuniverseexistsasitisbutit isdissolvedatthesametime.Inittherearenoconceptsofunity,diversity,theirmixtureandtheirnonexistence.Initthereissupremepeace.

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Thatperfectawakeningisattainedbyacarefulinvestigationofthisscriptureconstantly,dayandnight,notbypilgrimagenorbycharity,notbyacquiringknowledge norbythepracticeofmeditationoryoga,notbyausterity(penance)norbyreligiousrites.Bynoneofthesemethodsdoesillusioncometoanend.Theyonlyleadto heavenandsuchotherrewards,nottoliberation.Delusionendsonlywhenselfknowledgearisesinonewhohascarefullystudiedandinvestigatedthisscripture. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:175

Inthebeginningneitherthisworldnortheotherworldcameintobeingintheinfiniteconsciousness.Anunreal,imaginaryexperiencearoseinconsciousness,justlike theexperienceofembracingawomaninadream.Onlythedreamerexistsinthedreamonlytheinfiniteconsciousnessexistsintheunrealexperience.Whatappears tobetheworldthusarisesinthatconsciousnesswhichiseverpure.Howcanimpurityariseinthepureconsciousness?Thisexperienceisalsopure.Thatitselfisthe dreamcityorthedreamcreation.Thatistheworld,forintheverybeginningofcreationtherewasnoearth,etc.Itwasthemovementofenergyintheinfinite consciousnessthatsubsequentlycreatedearthandthephysicalelements,mindandotherpsychologicalcategories,whichwerenothingbutnotionsinconsciousness. Thismovementofenergyisliketheinherentmotioninairwhichtakesplacewithoutmentalactivityorintention. Consciousnessappearsinconsciousnessasitsownbodyormaterialisation.Theminditselfappearstobetheobjectsofperception,justasindream.Thereisnoother causepossible.Hence,thereisnodualityandthereisnodivisioninconsciousness.ThesupremeBrahmanisfreefromallformsthatitselfwhenitappearstohavea formisthisworldappearance.Thisexistseternally.Justasdiversityarisesintheoneduringadream,thisworldappearanceofdiversityseemstoariseintheone infiniteBrahman. TheminditselfisBrahma*thecreator.Itisintheveryheartofthiscreationanditalonedoeseverythinganddestroyseverything.Whenonethoroughlyinvestigatesall thisitisclearlyseenthatthepureconsciousnessaloneexistsandnothingelse.Itisbeyonddescription.Attheendoftheinvestigationuttersilencealoneremains. Thoughengagedinallactivities,itremainsunaffectedlikespace,asifitweredumb.Theenlightenedone,therefore,attainsaknowledgeoftheinfiniteandremains utterlysilent.Heisthebestamongmen. Brahma*thecreatorbringsaboutthisworldappearancewithoutintendingtodoso.Theinfiniteconsciousnesswithits'eyesclosed'isitselfandwithits'eyesopened' itistheworld.Buttheinfinite

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consciousnessremainsitselfinboththesestates.Hence,itisboth'is'and'isnot',realandunreal.Thesetwostatesconstantlyalternateoneisneverwithouttheother. Therefore,knowthetruthasitis,assupremepeace,andknowthatitisunbornandundyingspace.Know,too,thattheworldappearanceislikeit,thoughitis sometimesunlikeit.Theobjectiveuniversehasneverarisen,nordoesitcease,thoughitisapparentlyexperiencednow.Itisamysteriousproductoftheenergyorthe poweroftheinfiniteconsciousness. Whateverisexperiencedwheneverandwherever,thatseemstoexistthenandthere,whetheritisrealorunreal.Nootherreasonisappropriate. VASISTHA*continued: Whateveroneconstantlycontemplates,whateverconstantlyoccupiesone'smindandtowhateveroneisdevotedwithallhislife,thatheknowstoberealandobvious. WhenthemindissaturatedwithconsciousnessofBrahmanitbecomesthatwhateverthemindlovesmostitbecomesthat.Whenone'smindrestsinthesupreme realityortheinfiniteconsciousness,thenoneengageshimselfinrighteousactivitywithoutbeinginterestedintheactivityitselfforitsownsake. Whenthisobjectiveuniverseitselfdoesnotexistorwhenonecannotaffirmordenyitsexistence,itisnotpossibletodeterminewhoisthedoerofactionsandthe enjoyerofexperiences.WhatiscommonlyknownasBrahma*thecreatororbuddhitheawakenedintelligence,etc.,isitselftheinfiniteconsciousnesswhichis absolutelypure.Thepeaceintheskyispurevoid.Theappearanceofdualityinalltheseisillusoryandnonexistent.Therefore,diversityisameaninglessconcept.Just asoneentersintothedreamstateafterthedeepsleepstate,thesameinfiniteconsciousnessmovestothecreationstatefromthestateofabsolutequiescenceinit thereisnodualityorunity.Theinfiniteconsciousnessperceivesthiscreationwithinthespaceofitsownconsciousness. Justasthereisnodefinitesequenceororderorcausalconnectionindreams,inthisworldappearancethereisnodefinitecausalconnectionorsequence,thoughit appearstohaveone.Thereisnodivisionindreamnoristhereadivisionintheobjectsofperception.ItisthesameBrahmanorinfiniteconsciousnessthatappearsin frontofyouasthisuniverseorcreation.Indreamthereisnorecognitionoftheobjectsseeninthedreamnoristheresamskara*(mentalimpression)noreven memory,becausethedreamerdoesnotthink,'Ihaveseenthisbefore'.Similarly,inthewakingstate,too,whenthesethreeconsiderationsareremoved,thereisthe infiniteconsciousnessalonewhichtheignorantmanidentifieswithmemory.

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Affirmationsandnegations,injunctionsandprohibitionsseemtoexistinthesupremebeing,thoughtheydonotexistinit.Whenamanisdizzyhefeelsthattheworldis goingaundhim,thoughthedizzinessisinhim.Evenwhenoneknowsthisandknowsthattheobjectiveuniverseisdelusionorillusion,itdoesnotdisappearexcept throughpersistentpractice.Hence,thisillusionceasesonlythroughthedevoutstudyofthisscripturethereisnootherway.Itisbyselfknowledgeorenlightenment thatthesethree(themind,theobjectsofperceptionandthebody)willreachaquiescentstateofequanimity,nototherwise.Forthesethreearisefromignorance.Bya merestudyofthisscripturethatignoranceisdispelled.Thebeautyinthisscriptureisthatitsstudentisnotabandonedtohisdespairifsomethingisnotclearinthefirst instance,afurtherstudyofthescripturemakesitclear.Thisscripturedispelsdelusionandenablesyoutorealisethattheordinarylifeitselfisthesupremestate. Therefore,oneshouldstudyatleastasmallpartofthisscripturedaily.If,however,onethinksitisnotauthoritativebecauseitisofhumanorigin,onecanresorttothe studyofanyotherscripturedealingwithselfknowledgeandfinalliberation.Butoneshouldnotwasteone'slifetime. RAMA*asked: VI.2:176

Whenthustherearecountlessuniversesarisinganddissolvingintheinfiniteconsciousness,whydoyouteachmeoftheirnature? VASISTHA*replied: Itwasinthatwaythatyouhavegainedtheunderstandingthattheworldisalongdream.Youhavegainedknowledgeoftherelationshipbetweenawordandits meaningortheobjectitdenotes.Hence,allthisdiscussionoftheworldappearanceandimaginarycreationhasnotbeeninvain.Thatillustrationbestservesits purposeofbringinghomeaspiritualtruthwhichenablesonetounderstandthewordanditscorrespondingconceptandonlythatbecomesalivingtruthtoguideone inone'sdailyliving.When,havingknownallthatthereistobeknown,youattainknowledgeofthethreeperiodsoftime(past,presentandfuture),youwillseeallthis tobetrue. Ineveryatomofthisexistencetherearecountlessuniverseswhohasthepowereventocountthem?InthisconnectionIrecallastorywhichmyfatherBrahma*the creatoroncenarratedtome.Ishallpresentlynarrateittoyoupraylisten.IaskedmyfatherBrahma*,''Whatisthisworldappearanceandwheredoesitexist?'' BRAHMA*said: Allthisthatappearsasthisuniverse,Osage,isnothingbuttheinfiniteconsciousness,Brahman.Thewiseknowthistobepuresatva(theunconditionedintelligence) whichisinfiniteandtheignorant

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seeitasthematerialuniverse.IshallillustratethistruthwiththefollowingnarrativeconcerningthisBrahmanda*(thecosmicegg). Inthislimitlessspacethereistheinfiniteselfwhichisnondifferentfromthatspace.Thatselfperceiveditselfwithinitselfasajiva*,aconditionedandlivingentity. Withoutatanytimeabandoningitsownessentialnatureastheinfinitespace,itconsidereditselfas'Iam'ortheegosense,thoughstillwithspaceforitsbody.This'I am'expandedinto'Iambuddhiortheintellect'.Itthensawitselfasthebuddhiwhichdetermineswhatis'this'andwhatis'that',butwhichfollowsthebasicillusionof conditionedperception.Afterthis,thatitselfentertainedthenotion'Iammind'andbecameinvolvedinnotionsordiverseandperversethinking.Thatmindthereupon conceivedthenotionoftheexistenceofthefivesenseswhich,thoughtheyareformless,appeartobegrossandmaterial,likemountainsseeninadream.Themind assumedthatithadabodycomposedofthethreeworldswithavarietyofcreatureswithallsortsofrelationshipswhichwereassumedtoexistbetweenthem,allthese subjecttotime. Thusitsaweverythingasoneseesdiverseobjectsinamirror.Whatitsawwasenchantingandcolourful.Ineverysubatomicparticlethereexistsuchuniverses. Ignorancethinksofallthisasignoranceandaslimitlesscreationbut,whenitisrealisedasBrahmanititselfbecomesthepureBrahman.Evenifallthisisactuallyseen, nothingisseenbecauseallthisisbutadream.Whoistheperceiverhere,whatisperceived,howcantherebedualityintheinfinitebeing? VI.2:177 RAMA*asked:

Theworldappearancearisesintheinfiniteconsciousnesswithoutanycauseatall.Thatbeingso,whydonotsuchuncausedeventscontinuetohappenevennow? VASISTHA*replied: Whatevernotiononeentertains,oneperceivesthattobetrue.InBrahmanbothcausationandcauselessnessexist,sinceBrahmanisomnipotent.Evensointhecaseof alivingbeing,theintelligentbodyhasalsoinerthairandnails.IfsomethingotherthanBrahmanisexperienced,thensurelythereisperversecausationwhichis responsibleforthat.But,whenonlytheoneinfiniteconsciousnessshineseverywhere,inthatwhatisthecauseandwhatistheresult? RAMA*asked: Inthecaseoftheignorant,however,thereiscausalsequence.Whatisuncausedinhimandhowdoesitexist? VASISTHA*replied: Totheenlightenedone,thereisnonewhoisignorant.Whyshouldwewasteourtimediscussingwhatisnonexistent?

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Therearesomethingswhicharecausedandthereareotherswhichdonothaveacause.Itdependsuponone'spointofviewwhatoneregardsasvalidthatalonehe acceptsasvalid.Thiscreationhasnocauseatall.Thebeliefthattheworldwascreatedbygod,etc.,isaplayofwords.Thereisnothingthatillustratesthistruthasthe experienceofdreamdoes. Ifthecreationasadreamisnotclearlyunderstood,thereisgreatdelusion.Ifitisrightlyunderstood,delusionvanishes.Speculativereasoningadvancedinconnection withthiscreationisignoranceandfoolishness.Isfirethe'cause'oftheheatwhichisnaturaltoit?Theconstituentsofthebodyareinfactformless,etherealsubstances hencethephysicalbodyhasnorealcause.Also,whatcanbethecauseofthebodywhichexperiencesthenonexistentuniverse? Allthisisnaturaltonature(whateveritmaybe)evenifacausemaybeassumed.Eventheword'nature'thatisusedhereisafigureofspeech.Therefore,allthese objectsandtheirassumedcausesarebutdelusionsthatariseinthemindoftheignorant.Thewiseonesknowthatalleffectsproceedfromcauses.Whenonedreams ofbeingrobbedandwhenoneknowsthatitwasbutadream,thereisnosorrow:evenso,whenthetruthisrealisedlifeisfreedfromsorrow. Thetruthcertainlyisthatthisuniversehasneverbeencreated,ascreationhadnocauseinthefirstplace.Itcameintobeinganditexistsasadreamobjectexistsinthe infiniteconsciousness.ItisBrahmanaloneanditshinesinBrahman.Justasbothsleepanddreamareaspectsofonesleep,evensothiscreationanddissolutionofthe universearetwoaspectsoftheoneindivisible,infiniteconsciousness. RAMA*said: VI.2:178

Lord,therearesubstancesinthisworldwhicharedivisibleandwhichareindivisible.Thedivisibleonescollidewithoneanotherandtheindivisibleonesdonotso collidewithoneanother.Forinstance,oneseesthemoonandinamannerofspeakingtheeyesightstrikesthemoonwithoutdividingitortouchingit....Iamasking thisquestionfromthepointofviewoftheunawakenedperson.Whoisitthatgovernstheinhalationandtheexhalationofthelifebreathinthebody?Thebodyissolid anditoffersresistancewhatisthatforcewhichissubtleandwhichhasnoresistanceinitselfyetwhichisabletomovethebody?Ifthatwhichissubtleandnon resistantcanactonthesolidandresistantsubstance,thenwhycanonenotmoveamountainbythepowerofthoughtalone? VASISTHA*said: Thelifebreathentersthebodyandleavesitduringinhalationandexhalationwhenthesubtlenerveforcewhichrestsintheheart

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expandsandcontractslikethebellowsoftheblacksmith. RAMA*said: Inthecaseofthebellowsoftheblacksmith,itistheblacksmithwhooperatesthem.Whatisitthatmakesthenadi*intheheartthusexpandandcontract? VASISTHA*said: Justastheblacksmithmakesthebellowsexpandandcontractinthisworld,thereisaninnerconsciousnesswhichmakesalltheinnerorgansfunctioninthebody.Itis onaccountofthisthateveryonelivesandfunctionsinthisworld. RAMA*askedagain: But,thebodyandallitsconstituentsaresolidhowdoesthesubtleconsciousnessmovethem?Forthereisnocontactbetweenthesolidandthesubtle. VASISTHA*said: Listentothisteachingwhichuprootsthewholetreeofdoubt.Thereisnothingsolidandresistantinthisworld.Allthingseverywhereareforeversubtleandnon resistant.Allthisispureconsciousness,whichexperiencestheseapparentsolidsubstancesasoneexperiencesdreamobjects.Earth,water,wind,space,the mountainsandtheoceans,etc.,areallsubtleconsciousnessonly.Evensoarethemindandalltherestoftheinnerinstruments.InthisconnectionIshallnarratetoyou anancientlegend.Ihavealreadynarratedthesamestorytoyouinanothercontext.Listeningtoit,youwillrealisethatallthatyouseehereispureconsciousnessand nothingelse. VASISTHA*continued: Thereoncelivedabrahmana*namedIndu.Hehadtensons.Incourseoftime,Indupassedawayandhiswifetoofollowedhimtotheotherworld.Thesons performedthefuneral.Theywerenotinterestedintheaffairsoftheworld.Theybegantoconsiderwhatmightbethebestformofcontemplationthatwouldenable themtolivelikegods. Inpursuitoftheiraspiration,theywentawaytotheforestandtheyengagedthemselvesinintensecontemplationandpenance.Theyremainedlikestatuesorpainted pictures.Theirbodieswitheredawayandwhatremainedwasconsumedbycarnivores.Theywereimmersedincontemplation,'IamBrahma*thecreator','Iamthe world'and'Iamtheentirecreation'.Nowthatthemindsofthesetenweredevoidofembodimentbutweresaturatedwithsuchcontemplation,thoseveryminds becamewhattheycontemplated.Thusitistheirthoughtthatexistsasthiscreation. Thisuniverseispureconsciousness.Eventheearth,themountains,

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etc.,arepureconsciousness.Whatelseisit?JustasthemindsofthesonsofIndumanifestedhereastheuniverse,evensothenotionoftheuniverseorcreationthat arisesinBrahma*thecreatoritselfappearsasthiscreation.Hence,alltheseelements,theearthandthemountainsareallnothingbutpureconsciousness. Thepotterknownasconsciousness,withthehelpofthewheelofhisownbody(consciousness)andofclaywhichisalsohisownbody,fashionsthiscreation.Ifall thesecreaturesandsubstancesarenotconsciousness,whatelsearethey?Thiscreationstandsinthesamerelationtoconsciousnessasradiancetoajewel.Allthisis indeedBrahman:thisiscertainandindisputable. Asandwhenthistruthisclearlyseen,immediatelythereisanendtosorrow.Ifthistruthisnotseen,thensorrowbecomesfirmlyandsolidlyestablished.Thewicked andtheignorantdonotseethistruth.Intheireyesthissamsara*isasolidrealityandtheydonotperceivethistruthatall.Therearenoforms.Thereisnoexistence nornonexistence,nobirthandnodeath.Thereisnothingknownasreality,norsomethingwhichcanbecalledunreal.Thesupremewhichisabsolutepeaceperceives thiscreationwithinitselfitisnotindependentofBrahmantheinfiniteconsciousness,sowhycreatethefalsenotionofanindependentmanifestation?Initsunliberated formithasthousandsofeyesandotherlimbsinitsliberatedstateitisall,peace,tranquilityenoughofsuchdescriptions. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:179

Allthethreeworldsarebutpureconsciousnesstheyaretheunconditionedmind(satva).Theelementsandthecreatureswhichtheignorantvisualiseintheseworlds donotexistatall.Suchbeingthetruth,whereisasolidbody,etc.?Whateverisperceivedhereistrulynonsolidandextremelysubtleconsciousness.Consciousness aloneexistsinconsciousnesspeacerestsinpeacespaceexistsinspace,wisdomaloneexistsinwisdom. Whereisthebodyandwherearethelimbs,wherearetheinternalorgansandtheskeleton?Knowthatthisbodyispureconsciousnesswhichislikespacesubtle thoughitlookssolid.Thearmsareconsciousness,soaretheheadandallthesenses.Allthesearesubtleandthereisnothingwhichissolid.Thisworldseemstoarise intheinfinitespaceorBrahman,likeadream.Becauseoftheverynatureoftheinfiniteconsciousness,itseemstoexistasthiscreation.Therefore,itisbothcaused anduncaused.Ofcourse,withoutacausethereisnoeffect.Whateveroneconstructsinone'sownconsciousnessisalsoseenbyoneself.Justasindreamallthings appeareverywhereineverymanner,evensointhewakingstatetheworldappearsinallmannereverywhere.

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Onebecomesmany,justasthesonsofIndubecametheuniversebythepoweroftheircontemplation.Themanybecomeone,justasdevoteesoflordVisnu* becomeonewithhim.Riversaremany,theoceanisone.Timeisone,thoughtheseasonsandtheyearsmaybecalledbydifferentnames.Thisbodyisalsopure consciousnessanditexistsinconsciousnesslikeadreamobject.Likeadreamobjectagainitisformless,thoughitsformseemstobeobviouslyexperiencedasa reality. Theonesleepisregardedasdreamexperienceatonetimeandasdeep,dreamlesssleepatanother:butsleepisoneandindivisible.Evenso,consciousnessisone, whetherinitthereisawarenessofobjectsornot.Thereforewhatisexperiencedastheworldisnothingbutpureconsciousness.Theseer(experiencer)theobject (experience)andtheactofseeing(experiencing)arealltheoneconsciousnesswhichistrulyindivisible.Theappearanceoftheworldinthisconsciousness,as somethingotherthanconsciousness,isanillusion:itceaseswhenitstruthisrealised,evenaswhenthetruthofanightmareisrealiseditceasestohauntone.Itisthe infinitepotenciesoftheoneinfiniteconsciousnessthatappearhereastheinfiniteobjectsofcreation.

TheStoryofKundadanta
VI.2:180 RAMA*said:

Lord,oncewhenIwasinmyteacher'shouse,someonecamein.Hewasextremelyradiant.HehadcomefromthecourtofthekingofVideha.Hesalutedthe assembledholyoneswestudentsalsogreetedhimappropriately.Whenhehadsettleddowninhisseatandhadrestedalittle,Iaskedhim:"Holyone,youseemtobe fatiguedfromalongjourney.Wheredoyoucomefrom?" THEBRAHMANA*replied: Yes,youareright:IamseekingforsomethingandIamfatiguedonaccountofintenseexertiontoattainit.IshalltellyouwhyIamhere.Iamabrahmana*fromthe countryofVideha.IamknownasKundadanta.IbecamedisinterestedintheaffairsoftheworldandIsoughtthecompanyofholymenandascetics.OntheSri* mountainIlivedforaconsiderabletimepracticingpenance. OnthatmountainonedayIsawastrangesight.Anasceticdangledfromthebranchofatreewithhisfeettiedtothebranch.Isalutedhimanddrewneartohim.I thought,"Thisasceticissurelyalive,forhisbodyrespondstothechangesintheclimaticconditions."Istayedthereforafewdaysandservedhimandwonhis confidence.OnedayIaskedhim:"Withwhataimareyouengagedinthis

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penance?"Theasceticreplied:"Embodiedbeingshavemanyinterestinggoalsinlife."Ipsistedinmyquestion. THEASCETICsaid: IwasborninthecityofMathura*andwasbroughtupthere.Ihadacquiredknowledgeofthescriptures.Iheard"Thekingenjoysallkindsofpleasures".Iwas inspiredbythatgoal.Idecidedtobecometheemperoroftheentireworld.Hence,Icamehereandhavebeenengagedinthispenanceforthepasttwelveyears.I haveansweredyourquestion.Youhadbettergoyourway.Ishallcontinuemypenance. THEBRAHMANA*continued: Irequestedhimtoacceptmyserviceaslongashecarriedonhispenance.ThemomentIsaidthis,heclosedhiseyesandbecameasifdead.Forsixmonthsfromthat dayIremainedinthatplaceandservedhim.Onedaythereappearedonthatsceneabeingasradiantasthesun.Iofferedhimdueworship,andtheascetic worshippedhimmentally.Thatradiantbeingsaidtotheascetic:"Oascetic,letthisasceticismceaseandIshallgrantyoutheboonofyourchoice.Youwillbecomethe emperorofthewholeearthandruleforseventhousandyears,remaininginthisverybodyofyours."Afterbestowingthisboon,theradiantbeingvanishedfromsight. Whenhehadgone,Isaidtotheascetic:"Nowthatyouhaveobtainedtheboonofyourchoice,terminatethispenanceandreturntoyournormalduties."Heaccepted. Isnappedtheropewithwhichhisfeetwereboundtothetree.BothofusthenwenttoMathura*. THEBRAHMANA*KUNDADANTAcontinued: VI.2:181

EnroutetoMathura*wespentsometimeinavillageknownasRodhaandtwodaysinacityknownasSalim.Onthethirddaywereachedaforest.Theretheascetic abandonedthepopularrouteandsaidtome:"LetusgototheGauri*Asramam*whichisnearhere.Theremysevenbrotherslive.Weareeightbrothers.Thoughwe werebornasseparateindividuals,wewereallunitedintheoneconsciousnessandweallhadthesamegoalwhichwedeterminedtoreach.Onaccountofthat,they tooareengagedintheperformanceofpenance.IcameherealongwiththemandinthebeginningIsawthisforestinwhichtherewastheGauri*Asramam*.Come, letusgototheAsramam*whichpurfiesoneofallsins.Themindsandtheheartsofevenscholarsandknowersofthetrutharefilledwitheagernesstovisitholymen: surely,weshouldconsideritagreatblessingtohavetheopportunityofvisitingthishermitage." WhenweapproachedtheareaoftheAsramam*,wesawonlybarrengroundasifadelugehadwashedthehermitageaway.Therewasnotatree,nohermitage,no humanbeing,nosagenothing.

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Bothofussimultaneouslyexclaimed:"Alas,whathashappenedtothisplace?"Thenweroamedthatareaandsawasolitarytree.Whenweapproachedthistree,we sawseatedunderitanagedasceticwhowasdeeplyengrossedinsamadhi*.Wesatnearhimandwaitedforaconsiderabletime.Buthedidnotgetupfromhis meditation.Ithenwentnearhimandshoutedatthetopofmyvoice,"Osage,getupfrommeditation".WhenIsaidthis,thesageopenedhiseyesandutteredthese wordsinavoiceresemblingtheroaringofalion:"Holyones,whoareyou?WhathappenedtotheGauriAsramam*.thatstoodhere?Orwhohasbroughtmetothis desolateplace?Whatepochisthepresent?''Wewerepuzzled.Isaidtohim,''Surely,Osage,youknoweverything.Therefore,onlyyoucanansweryourown questions.Whydoyounotseeallthathashappenedthroughyourownyogicvision?" WhenIsaidthis,thesageonceagainwentintodeepmeditationandthroughhisinnerpsychicvision,helearnedeverythingthathadhappened. Thesageremainedsilentforawhileandthensaidtous:"Holyones!Listentothiswondrousnarration." THESAGEsaid: Youseethistreehere.Becauseofmypresencehere,itblossomedprofusely.Forsomeunknownreason,thegoddessoflearningandspeechdweltherefortenyears, beingadoredbyallthedifferentseasonsoftheyear.ThisplacebecameadenseforestanditbeceknownaGaurivana(Gauriforest).Inthisforesteventhe goddessesandthewomenfolkofthesiddhasortheperfectedonesplayed.Eventhegodscameheretopaytheirhomageatthefeetofthegoddess. VI.2:182 THESAGEcontinued:

Afterspendingaperiodoftenyearsthere,GaurireturnedtoherplaceontheleftsideoflordSiva*.Onaccountofhertouchthistreenevergrewold.Aftersometime theforestbecameanordinaryforestwhichthepeopleoftheareamadeuseof.AtthattimeIwasthekingofMalava*.Irenouncedthekindgomandcamehereto practicepenance.Ienteredintodeepmeditationhere.Aftersometime,allofyoueightbrothersalsocamehere.Afterspendingsometimehere,youwentawayto Sri*mountain,anotherwenttoKraucamountain,anothertoKasi*andyetanothertotheHimalaya*.Theremainingfourcontinuedtheirpenancehere.Allofthem wantedtoberulersofthewholeearth.Theyallobtainedappropriateboonsfromthegods.Afterenjoyingthefruitsoftheirpenanceallofthemreturnedhomeexcept you.Ididnotleavethisplace.Thepeopleheldmeandthistreeingreatesteem.Ihavebeenherefora

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longtime.AllthisIhaveseenbymyyogicvision.Now,you,too,returnhomeandrejoinyourfamily. (InreplytoKundadanta'squestion:"Theearthisone,howcaneightpeopleruleitatthesametime?"thesagesaid:)Thisisnottheonlypuzzlingfeature,thereare others!Infact,alltheseeightbrotherswillruletheearthwithintheirownhouse,aftertheygiveuptheirphysicalbodies.Theywillalsohavetheir(eight)wivesremain constantlywiththemasstars....For,thesewivesoftheirsweresunkininconsolablegriefwhentheirhusbandslefttheirhomefordoingpenancewomencannotbear separationfromtheirhusbands.Thesewomenalsoperformedintensepenance.GoddessParvati*waspleasedwiththemandaskedthemtochooseaboon.They said,"Justasyouloveyourlord,weloveourhusbands:praygrantthattheyshallbeimmortal."Butthegoddesspointedoutthatthatwascontrarytonaturalorderand askedthemtochooseanotherboon.Theyasked,"Evenwhenourhusbandsdieandcastofftheirbodies,maytheynotleavethehomeevenforamoment.''The goddessgrantedtheboonandalsograntedthattheirhusbandswouldruletheearth.Soonafterthis,thesevenbrothersreturnedhome.Todaytheeighthwillreturn too. Thereisyetanotherwonderinthisstory.Whenalltheeightboyshadgoneawaytotheforesttoperformpenance,thegrievingparents,accompaniedbythewivesof theeightbrothers,setoutonapilgrimage.Onthewaytheycameacrossashortstatured,reddishcolouredandashbesmearedascetic,whowasontheroadtothe holyplaceknownasKalapagrama*.Theydidnotrespecthimbuttreatedhimwithsuspicion.Theascetic,whowasDurvasa*,wasannoyedandcursedthem:"You willpaythepriceforyourhaughtiness.Thoughyoursonsandyourdaughtersinlawwillearnboonsfromthegods,thoseboonswillproducecontraryresults."They realisedtheirerrorandrushedforwardtobegtheascetic'spardon.Butbeforetheycouldreachhim,hevanishedfromsight. KUNDADANTAsaid: VI.2:183

Osage,theearthisonehowcantherebesevenrulersoftheearthsimultaneously?Onewhodoesnotleavehisownhouse,howdoeshebecometheemperorofthe earth?Whenapersonhasearnedbothblessings(boons)andcurseswhichcontradicteachother,whatishisfate? THESAGEsaidtotheascetic: Youwillseehowallthesearemadepossible! Youwillsoonreturnhomeandbereunitedwiththefamily.Induecourseoftime,youwillalldie.Yourbodieswillallbecrematedbyyourrelations.Allofyouwill remainseparatelyinthespaceof

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consciousnessforabriefwhile,asifindeepsleep.Inthemeantime,allyourkarmas(theboonsandthecurses)willgatheraroundyou.Theboonswillassumetheir ownformsandthecurseswillassumetheirforms,too.Theboonswillhaveapleasantcountenanceandlotuslikepalms,fourarmsandamace.Thecurseswillbe fiercelooking,dark,twoarmed,threeeyedandwillholdatrident. Theboonswillsaytothecurses:"Goaway,youcurses:ourtimehasarrivedandyoucannottransgressit."Thecurseswillsaytotheboons:"Goaway,youboons:itis ourtimeandnoonecantransgressit." Theboonswillsay:"Youhavebeenmadebythesage,butwehavebeencreatedbythesun."Butthecurseswillreply:"Youhaveindeedbeencreatedbythesun,but wearebornofapartoflordRudrahimselfwhoissuperioreventothedevasorgodsthesageisapartorlimboflordRudra."Sayingthis,thecurseswillliftuptheir tridentreadytostrike. Theboonswillthereuponsay,"Ocurses,considerwhatevilflowsfromourquarrelhere.Abandonyouraggressiveattitudeandletusdecidewhatisthebestcourseof action.WehaveeventuallytogotoBrahma*thecreatorforadecision.Whynotgotherenow?"Thecurseswillagree:surely,evenafoolagreestowisecounsel. TheywillallgotoBrahma*andinformhimofthedispute.Brahmawillsaytothem:"Whicheverofyouhastruthwithinwillwinthedispute.Therefore,lookwithinand seewhattheinnercontentsare." Thecursesthereuponwillsay,"Wearedefeated,OLord,forthereisnothingworthyinus.Allofus,OLord,boththeboonsandthecurses,areinfactpure consciousnessandwedonotevenpossessabody." THESAGEcontinued: Thecurseswillfurthersay:"Theconsciousnesswhichgrantstheboonthroughthegiveroftheboonconsidersinthereceiveroftheboon'Ihavereceivedtheboon.' Thesameconsciousnessexperiencessuitableembodimentandthefruitsoftheboons.Therefore,thegrantingoftheboonbythosewhogranttheboonsandthe receivingoftheboonbythosewhosoughttheboonsarefirmlygroundedintheirconsciousnessandthereforeformpartoftheiressence.Hencetheyareinvincibleto us.Thepureconquertheimpureatalltimes.Onlyiftheboonsandthecursesareofequalforce,dotheyyieldmixedresultslikemilkmixedwithwater.Theseresults areexperiencedbythepersonasifinadream.Lord,giveusleavetogo."Thecurseswillwithdraw. Anothersituationwillarise.Heretheveryboonthatthejivas*ofthebrotherswouldnotleavethehouse,turnsintoacurseand

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challengestheboonthattheywouldrulethewholeearth.TheformerwillappealtoBrahma*thecreatorforaruling.Brahma*willsay:"Thoughthetwoboonsseem tobeconflictingonthesurface,indeedboththemhavealreadybeenfulfilled.Fortheeightbrothersexistwithintheirownhouse,yettheyalsoexistastherulersofthe wholeworldsincetheirphysicalbodieshavebeenshed." AlltheboonswillnowquestionBrahma*:"Wehaveheardthatthereisonlyoneearth.Howisitpossibleforalltheeightbrotherstoruletheearthandyetremainin theirownhouse?"Brahma*willsay:"Yourworldandourworldareallpurevoidandtheyexistwithinasubatomicparticle,asadreamobjectisexperiencedwithin oneself.Whatisthensoastonishingabouttheeightbrothersexperiencingtheexistenceofseveralworldsintheirownhouse? "Immediatelyafterdeath,thisworldisrealisedexactlyasitisasadensevoidwithinone'sownmind.Eveninanatomtheentireearthshines,nottospeakofthe house.Whateverisistheinfiniteconsciousnessthereisnaughtknownastheearth."WhenBrahmasaysthistheboonswillbowtohim,and,havingabandonedtheir falsenotionofaphysicalexistence,willresumetheirsubtleexistence. Thenandtheretheeightbrothers,unknowntooneanother,willbecometherulersoftheearth.OnewillrulefromUjjaini.AnotherwillruleoverSakadvipa*.Another willruleoverKusadvipa*.AnotherwillruleoverSalmalidvipa*,sportinginwaterwithcelestials.AnotherwillruleKrauncadvipa*andanotherGomedadvipa*,and thelastwillrulePuskaradvipa*.Thusboththeboonswilldulybefulfilled. KUNDADANTAasked: VI.2:184

Howcaneightearthsexistinonehouse? THESAGEreplied: Theinfiniteconsciousness,beingomnipresent,shineseverywhereineveryway.Theselfperceivestheworldswithinitself. KUNDADANTAaskedagain: InoneLord,whoistheinfiniteconsciousness,howdoesdiversityexistasifreal? THESAGEsaid: Thereisonlyoneinfiniteconsciousnesswhichissupremepeacethereisnodiversityatall,thoughsuchdiversitymaybeexperienced.Thediversitythatappearsto existisapparentandfalse,likedreamsanddeepsleep.Thoughthereseemstobemovement,thereisnomovementmountainsarenotmountains.Evenasinadream, thenatureoftheselfaloneexistsasallthis.Buteventhatnaturedoesnotexist,andhencediverseobjectsdonotexisteither.Whateverwasfanciedbytheinfinite consciousnessinthebeginning,thataloneexistsasitwas.Eventhatfancyis

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notreal:theinfiniteconsciousnessexistsasitalwaysexists. Inflowers,leaves,fruits,pillars,treesandineverythingaseverythingandeverywhere,thesupremebeingaloneexistsas'theother'.Thetwoexpressions,viz.,'the supremebeing'and'theuniverse'aresynonymous.When,throughthestudyofthescripturesdealingwithselfknowledge,thistruthisrealised,thereisliberation.The contentortherealityofnotionsandthoughtsisBrahmanortheinfiniteconsciousness,andthatitselfisthecontentortherealityoftheworldappearance,too.Hence, theworldisBrahman.Descriptionsandthatwhichisbeyonddescription,injunctionsandprohibitions,existenceandnonexistence,silenceandnonsilence,jiva*and theselfallthisisBrahmantherealityaloneappearstobetheunrealappearance.WhenallthisisBrahmanalone,whatisactivityandwhatisrenunciationandallthe restofit?Inonesleeptherearisebothsleepandathousanddreamsevensointheoneindivisibleconsciousnesscountlessappearancesarise.Alltheseareessentially pureconsciousnesswhichisextremelysubtle.Theyarereallyinvisiblethoughtheyappeartobevisible.Thewholeuniverse(includingRudra,Visnu*andBrahma)is likeadream. Inthatsingleoceanofconsciousness,thisdiversitywithallitsjoysandsorrowsarises.Justasonewithdefectivevisionseesstrangeobjectsinspace,evensothe ignorantperceivetheworld.ThenotionthatarisesinBrahma*thecreator(knownastheworldorder)bringsaboutalltheseandsustainsthem. VI.2:184,185 KUNDADANTAsaid:

Memoryariseswhenapastexperienceisrevivedinone'sconsciousness.Inthebeginningofcreation,whosememoryexpandsasthiscreation? THESAGEreplied: Everythingisseenandexperiencedeventhoughallthishadnotbeenseenorexperiencedbeforeevenasonemaydreamofone'sowndeath.Theverynotion'ThisI haveseenbefore'whenrepeatedlyentertainedbecomesamemory.Inthespaceofone'sownconsciousnesstheimaginaryobjectappears:itcannotbesaidthatitis realorunreal.Itisonlybythegrace(orthepower)ofconsciousnessthatevendreamsandthelikeareexperienced:howthenisitimpossibleforthispure consciousnesstobringabouttheworldappearanceasifitwererevivedmemory?Justasattheendofdeepsleeponedreams,evensointheinfiniteconsciousness thethreeworldsappear.Thatwhichiscalledtheworldispurevoid.Whatis,andinwhatitisandfromwhatitis,thatwhichisall,existseverywhereatalltimes. Now,ariseanddowhathastobedone.Ishallresumemy

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contemplationforwithoutsuchcontemplationthereispossibilityofcontactwithsorrow. KUNDADANTAsaid: Havingsaidthus,thesageimmediatelyclosedhiseyesandenteredintodeepcontemplation.Hislifebreathandhismindhadceasedtomoveandthereforehesat therelikeapaintedpicture.Wetriedtospeaktohim,buthedidnotevenhearus.Weweresorrytolosehim.However,wemovedawayfromthereandslowly reachedthehouse. Incourseoftimeallthesevenbrotherspassedaway.Onlymyfriend,theeighthbrother,lived.Later,hetoopassedaway.Iwasovercomebygrief.Therefore,once againIwenttothatsageatthefootoftheKadambatree.Iwaiteduponhim.Afterthreemonthsheopenedhiseyes.Inanswertomyprayer,hesaidtome:"Iam devotedtocontemplationorsamadhi*.Icannotstayawayfromitevenforamoment.Thetruthdoesnotbecomeclearinyouuntilitisheardagainandagainand meditateduponagainandagain.Ishallthereforetellyouwhattodo.GotoAyodhya*.ThereisakingthereknownasDasaratha*.HissonisRama*.Hisguru Vasistha*isdiscoursinguponthemeanstoliberation.Listentothis.Bythatmeansyouwillattainsupremepeace."Havingsaidthis,heonceagainenteredinto samadhi*.Ithencametothisplacetobewithyou. RAMA*said: ThatKundadantaissittingnexttomeandhasdevoutlyheardthisdiscourseonthemeanstoliberation.Todayheisfreefromalldoubts. VASISTHA*askedKundadanta: VI.2:185,186

Telluswhatyouhavelearntduringthecourseofthisdiscourse. KUNDADANTAreplied: Conquestofthemindaloneisthedestructionofalldoubts.Ihaveknowledgeinwhichthereisnocontradiction.Allmydoubtsareatrest.Iamfirmlyestablishedinthe supremestate.Ihavelearntthisfromyou:theinfiniteselforconsciousnessaloneexistsintheinfinitespaceasthisworld.Everythingexistsineverythingaseverything everywhereforever.Thewholeuniverseexistsinamustardseedbutwhentherealityisknowntheuniversedoesnotexistinamustardseed.Theuniverseexistsina housebutthehouseitselfispurevoid.ItisBrahmanortheinfiniteconsciousnessalonethatappearsasallthisandisexperiencedasallthis. VASISTHA*continued: Itiswonderfulthatthisgreatmanhasattainedenlightenment.HehasrealisedperfectlythatthewholeuniverseisBrahman. ItisonlythroughdelusionthatBrahmanisseenastheworld.But

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thatdelusionalsoisBrahmanwhichissupremeandinfinitepeace.Whateveris,wherever,wheneverandinwhatevermanner,thatisthereandthenandinthatmanner. Whatevertheinfiniteconsciousnessconsidersitselftobe,thatitappearstobe.Theentireuniverse(brahmanda*)existsinanatomoftheinfiniteconsciousnesshence anatomitselfistheuniverse.Theinfiniteconsciousnessisindivisible.Whenthisisrealisedthereiscessationofthebondageofbirth,etc.,andwhatisliberation.Beas youare,freefromdistress. Youaretheobjectofperceptionyouaretheseer.Youareconsciousnessandyouareinertia.Youaresomethingandyouarenothing.BecauseBrahmanrestsin itself.TherearenotwothingsknownasBrahmanandtheobjectiveuniverse:theyareonelikespaceandvoid.Anintelligent,consciousmanappearstobean insentientandinertpersonwhilehesleepsevensodoestheinfiniteconsciousnessappeartobetheinsentientobjectsinthiscreation.Theinfiniteconsciousnesslater becomesthesentientobjects,justasthesleepingmanbeginstodream.Thiscontinuestillthepersonattainsliberationandrealisesthatthisworldappearancehasbeen alongdream.Itisonaccountoftheinfiniteconsciousness'sinherentawarenessthatitconsidersitselfaninsentientandimmobilebeinganditisonaccountofthesame awarenessthatelsewhereitconsidersitselfsentientandmobile.Justasthesamepersonhassentientandapparentlyinsentientlimbs,allthesentientandinsentient objectsofthiscreationputtogetherformthebodyoftheinfiniteconsciousness. VASISTHA*continued: Intheverybeginningofcreation,whateverdreamlikeappearancearoseintheinfiniteconsciousnesshasremainedasthiscreationtillnow.However,consciousnessis indivisibleandextremelysubtleandthereforeinitthereisnodiversity,evennow.Creation,existenceanddissolutionarenonexistentinthevisionoftheenlightened oneslikeus.Thoughtheinfiniteconsciousnessisindivisible,itexperienceswithinitselfthetwostatesofbondageandliberation:thedreamlikeexperienceofdiversity isknownasbondageandthesleeplikestateisliberation.Itistheinfiniteconsciousnessalonewhichsees'Thisiscreation','Thisisdissolution','Thisiswaking'and 'Thisisdreaming'.Iftheinfiniteconsciousnessiscomparedtothehomogeneousdeepsleepstate,thatpartofitwhichiscomparabletoadreamisknownasthemind. Itisthismindthat,asthejiva*,seesitselfasgod,demon,etc.,andalsoliberatesallbeingsfromsuchdiversity.Whenthisisrealisedthehomogeneityofdreamless sleepstateisreached:thatisconsideredliberationbythosewhoaspireforliberation. Themindaloneisallthis:man,god,demon,treesandmountains,

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goblins,birdsandworms.ItalonebecomestheinfinitediversitythatisseenherefromBrahma*thecreatortothepillar.Itisthemindthatseesthespaceabove. Themindisthedynamicandaggressiveformoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Thus,whenthenotionoftheuniversearisesintheinfiniteconsciousness,wethinkthatitis themindthatbroughtaboutallthis.Themindaloneisjiva*.Itiswithoutbeginningandwithoutend.Itislikespacewhichseemstooccupypotsandjarswithoutbeing limitedbythem.Ittakesonandabandonsbodies.Butwhenitrealisesitsowntruenature,thedeludednotionofphysicalembodimentceases. Themindislikethesmallestparticleofanatom.Themindisthepersonalityorthejiva*.Hence,theworldorthiscreationexistsinthepersonorthejiva*.Whatever objectsareperceivedinthisworldarethemindonly,evenasthedreamobjectsarethemindonlyagain,thepersonorthejiva*isalsonothingotherthanthemind. Therefore,itisclearthattheworldappearanceandtheselfarenondifferent. Allthesesubstancesthatareseeninthisuniverseareinfactpureconsciousness:apartfromconsciousness,whatisseenislikeadreamjustanotionoranidea,like thebraceletnessofgold. Suchanotionofcreation,whenitarisesintheinfiniteconsciousness,isknownastheuniverse.Thisphenomenonhasbeenvariouslydescribedassankalpa*(thought oridea),etc. VASISTHA*continued: Incourseoftime,bytheconstantpracticeofvicara*orenquiryandofequanimity,orbybeingendowedwithpurityatbirth,perfectknowledgearisesinthewiseman whoseestherealityineverything.Thenhisbuddhiorawakenedintelligenceregainsitsnatureaspureconsciousness,devoidofduality.Theinfiniteconsciousnessis devoidofbodyandisunhiddenbyveils:itsonlybodyisitsfacultyofawarenessanditsabilitytoillumineallthings.Itisthroughthesethatconsciousnessperceives everythingthatitconsiderstoexistasaresultofthenotionsthatariseinit.Thisentireuniverseisanideathatarisesintheinfiniteconsciousness.Evensotheselfisalso abletogiverisetodifferentnotionswithinitselfandexperiencethematerialisationofthesenotions.Thusboonsandcursesarealsorealisedasnotionsthatariseinthe consciousness,buttheyarenondifferentfromit.Butiftheveilofignorancehasnotbeenremovedandifonestillentertainsnotionsofdualityordiversity,theboons grantedbysuchaoneareineffective. RAMA*asked: Howdoesanunenlightenedbutrighteouspersonconferboons? VASISTHA*continued:

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WhateverBrahma*thecreatorordainedinthebeginningofthiscreationprevailsevennow.Brahma*isnondifferentfromBrahmantheinfiniteconsciousness.That Brahma*broughtintobeingthroughhisownthoughtforcethestandardofrighteousness,charity,austerity,goodqualities,thevedasandotherscripturesandthefive greatelements.Healsoordainedthattheutterances(boons,etc.)oftheasceticsandtheknowersofthevedasshouldcometrue.ItwasBrahma*whoalsoordained thenatureofallsubstanceshere.Justaswebecomeourowndreamobjectswhiledreaming,consciousnessthoughitisrealandconsciousbecomeseventheunreal worldappearancewithallitssentientandinsentientobjects.Theunrealworldappearanceitselfislaterregardedasrealonaccountofconstantlyrepeatedaffirmation andconvictionofitsreality.Whenoneindulgesindaydreaminghecanevenseestoneimagesdanceasiftheywerereal:evensothisworldappearancewhichappears inBrahmanisthoughttobereal. Theseerandtheseenarenondifferentconsciousnessisconsciousofitselfasconsciousness.Therefore,itseeswhateveritwishestosee.IamtheinfiniteBrahman whoisthecosmicpersonwhosebodyistheworld:hencetheworldandBrahmanarenondifferent.Justasaconsciousbeingmaysometimesbeinanunconscious state,evensothesupremebeingortheinfiniteconsciousnessitselfexistsastheapparentlyinertworld.Indreamthereis'light',indeepsleepthereisdarkness,though boththeseareinsleep:evensobothlightanddarknessseemtoexistintheoneinfiniteconsciousness. VI.2:187 RAMA*said:

Inthisworldappearancewithallitsbewilderingdiversity,howdoesthecosmicorder(niyati)function?Howisitthatthesunofallthecelestialbodiesissohotand whoordainedthatthedaysbelongsometimesandshortatothertimes? VASISTHA*replied: Thecosmicorderarisesandexistsinthesupremebeingortheinfiniteconsciousnessbysheercoincidence(astheripecocoanutfallswhenacrowcoincidentally alightsonit).Themannerinwhichitisisknownastheuniverse.Becauseoftheinfinityandtheomnipotenceofconsciousness,thiscosmicorderisseentobe endowedwithintelligence.Whatthusexistsisknownasthecosmicorder,niyati. Amomentarymovementinconsciousnessisunderstoodbyitas'Thisiscreation'whenthereisamomentarymovementofenergyinconsciousness,itknowsitas 'Thisisanepoch'.Similarmovementofenergyinconsciousnessaloneisknownastime,action,space,substance,etc.Evenform,sightandthethoughtconcerning thesearebutmovementofenergywhicharisesofitsownaccordin

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consciousnesswhichisformless.Whateverarisesinthismannerisknownasthecharacteroftherespectivesubstance:thishascometobeknownasthecosmic order. Essentially,amomentandanepocharesimilarmovementsofenergyintheinfiniteconsciousness.Theybotharisenaturallyinconsciousnessandaretherefore regardedasnatureorthecosmicorder.Inthismanner,intheoneconsciousnesscountlesssubstancesarisewiththeirowncharacteristics.Thus,forinstance,theearth isendowedwithsolidityandfirmnessandisabletosupportlivingbeingsthatisitscharacteristicinthecosmicorder.Evenso,itisthesameinthecaseofthefive elements,etc.,includingthesun.Theircharacteristicsariseintheinfiniteconsciousnessasacorrespondingmovementofenergy,andtheycometobeknownasthe cosmicorder.Thestellarsphererevolveslikeawheel,againonaccountofthemovementofenergythatarisesinconsciousness.Inthat,somearebrilliantandsome lessbrilliantandsomedonotshineatall.Diversearethecharacteristicsofthesediverseobjectsinthisworldappearance.Inreality,however,thesehavenotreally beencreatedasobjects.Itistheinfiniteconsciousnessalonethatappearsasallthese.Themannerinwhichtheyappeartoexistaslongastheydoexistisknownas natureorthecosmicorder,niyati. VASISTHA*continued: Withintheinfinitespaceistherootelementofsoundhidden,likeasproutinaseed.Fromthis,foolishpeoplehavespuntheoriesconcerningamaterialcreationforthe entertainmentofotherfools.Nothingevercomesintobeingnordoesanythingceasetobewhatisexistsfirmlyestablishedinthesupremepeacelikethecenterofa rock.Justasinthecaseofonewhohaslimbsandorgans,thereisconstantrenewalofthecells(atoms)constitutingthoseorgansendlessly,evensothereisnoendto theexistenceofuniversesinthesupremebeing. Theinfiniteconsciousnessbecomesawareofapartofitsownbeingandthusawarenessarisesinit.Thisisfollowedbythenotionofrelationship,thewordandits correspondingobject.Sincethisawarenessisendowedwiththefacultytoobserveandexaminewhatitobserves,itisrecognisedasconsciousness. Outofthismassofconsciousnessarisejiva*andalltherestofit.However,atthisstageitisstillnotindividualised,forwantofignorance.Butwhenignorancearisesin it,thenitisturnedtowardssamsara*.Itisfilledwiththeunbornelements.Atthisstage,theegosenseorindividualisationarisesalongwiththesenseoftime.Thisisthe vitalfactorintheexistenceoftheworld. Itistheconsciousnessitselfthatthusbecomesindividualised.

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Initarisesthenotionoftherootelementofspace.Withitalsoappearitsrelationship,theword(itsname)andthemeaning(theobject).Fromthisariselaterallthe otherelementsandthefourteenworlds. Theconsciousnessthenentertainsthenotionofmotion.Thismotionisair,withitscorrespondingactionasthesenseoftouchandthelifeofallbeings.Similarly,the lightthatshinesinconsciousnessistherootelementofformwhichbestowsformonallbeings.Theexperienceofseeingislight,theexperienceoftouchisthesenseof touch,theexperienceofhearingisthesenseofhearing.Evensotherootelementsresponsiblefortasteandsmellarise.Thoughunrealasindependentsubstancesthey appeartoberealasinadream.Alltheselatercompoundwithoneanotherandcreategrossforms,etc.Theyarebutthematerialisationofnotionsorideasthatarisein theinfiniteconsciousness,notrealentities. Thatbywhichformisseenisknownaseye,thatbywhichsoundisheardisknownasear,thatbywhichtouchisexperiencedisknownasskin,thatbywhichtasteis experiencedisknownasthetongue,thatbywhichsmellisexperiencedisknownasnose(ortheircorrespondinginnersense,ratherthantheorgan).Onaccountof spatialandtemporallimitations,thejiva*getsinvolvedinthecosmicorderandisunabletoexperienceeverything. VI.2:188 VASISTHA*continued:

Theexpression'inthebeginning',usedasifthereweresuchabeginningofsuchacreationofevenanotion,ismeantonlyforthepurposeofinstruction:itisnottrue. Thenotionwhicharisesinconsciousness,butwhichisnondifferentfromconsciousnessitself,isknownasjiva*whenitisoutgoingtoperceivethe'object'. Thisnotionorconcepthasseveralnamesanddescriptions.Becausethroughitconsciousnessbecomesalivingentity,itisknownasjiva*.Becauseitisconsciousof theobject,itisknownasconsciousness(cit).Becauseitdesignatesallthingsas'Thisisthis',itisknownasbuddhi(designatingintelligence).Becauseitthinksof conceptsandpercepts,itisknownasthemind(manas).Becauseitconsidersitself'Iam',itisknownasegosense(ahamkara*).Becauseitisrichinconsciousness,it isknownascitta(psyche).Becauseitformsanetworkoffirmnotions,itisknownasthepuryastaka*.Becauseitarisesinthebeginningofcreation,itisknownas prakrti*(nature).Becauseitisnotknown(i.e.,itceases)whenoneattainsenlightenment,itisknownasignorance(avidya*).Allthesedescriptionsarebasedonthe existenceofthesubtle(ativahika*)body.Thoughthisillusoryworldappearancehasthusbeendescribed,itdoesnotexist. Theativahika*bodyisbutasubtlevoid.Itdoesnotariseand

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thereforehasnoneedtocease.Yet,inthefieldknownastheinfiniteconsciousness,countlessuniverseswillcontinuetoappear.Thesubtlementalbodyreflectsthe universeasamirrorreflectsanobjectplacedinfrontofit. Attheendoftheperiodfollowingthecosmicdissolutionthesupremebeingthinksofthesubtle(ativahika*)bodywhicharisesintheinfiniteconsciousness.Thissubtle bodythinksofitselfasBrahma,Virat*,Visnu*,etc.Whateverthesubtlebodyidentifiesitselfwith,thatitappearstobe.Thoughallthesediverseentitiesseemtohave beencreated,itisonlyanopticalillusion.Fornothingisevercreated.Everythingisbutpurevoidwhichpervadesall.ThebeginninglessBrahmanaloneexists. However,onaccountofthefactthatthiscosmicsubtlebodyentertainsthenotionthatitexperiencesthisdiversity,suchdiversityseemstobeuncontradictedtruth. Inthisativahika*(subtle)bodytherearisethethoughtsorconceptsofphysicalbodiesandtheircomponentparts,conceptsofbirth,activity,etc.,conceptsoftime, space,sequence,etc.,asalsoconceptsofoldage,death,virtueanddefect,knowledge,etc.Havingconjureduptheseconcepts,thesubtlebodyitselfexperiencesthe objectiveuniversecomposedofthefiveelementsasifitexistedinreality.Butallthisissurelyillusory,likedreamobjectsanddreamexperiences. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:189

Thecosmicsubtle(ativahika*)bodythataroseasthecreatorBrahmabysheercoincidence(justasaripecocoanutfallswhenacrowalightsonit)continuestoexist onaccountoftheinherentnatureofconsciousness.Ititselfistheuniverse.Theseer,theseenandtheactofseeingareallunreal.Oriftheyareallconsideredreal,even thentheyareallBrahman,andBrahmanaloneisreal. Thecosmicsubtlebodyarisesofitsownaccordandthatitselfbecomesasolidsubstancebybeingconstantlythoughtofassuch,evenasadreammayappeartobe realwhenitisprolonged.Thus,evenmaterialityorsubstantialityarisesofitsownaccordfromthesubtle(ativahika*)body.'Iamthis','Iamthat'thusthenotions thatariseinthatbodyappearasmountainsandthevariousdirections,butallthisismeredelusion,appearanceoropticalillusion.Whentheativahika*bodyisthought ofasmaterialorphysicalsubstancebythecreatorBrahma,suchmaterialityarises. ConsciousnessconsidersitselfasBrahma*thecreatoritconsiders,'Thisisbody'and'Thisisthesupportforthebody'andthuscreatesarelationshipbetweenthe bodyandthesupportwhichthereafterbecomesabondage.Whenthereisthenotionofrealityinunrealphenomena,thereisbondage.Whenmany

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suchnotionsarise,thendiversityisbroughtintobeing. Thatpersonthenutterssounds,makesgesturesandindicateswhateverhewishestoconvey.HesingsthemantrasofthevedaafterutteringOM.Soonheengages himselfindiverseactivitieswiththehelpofallthese.Heisofthenatureofthemindandwhateverhethinks,thatheexperiences.Itcannotbedifficultforonetoseehis ownnatureandthatwhichhasariseninhimonaccountofhisownnature.However,whenhethusperceivedthenotionoftheworldwithinhimself,soonitbecamea solidreality.Thoughthisphysicalandmaterialuniverseisbutalongdreamormagicproduct,itshinesasifitistrueinthesubtlebodyorBrahma*thecreator. Hence,itisclearthatthephysicalormaterialuniversedoesnotexistatanytimeanywhere.Thesubtlebodyitselfappearstobethesolidbodyonaccountofthe notionofsuchsolidityarisinginitrepeatedly.Itsverysourceisunreal.ThesolerealityinallthisisBrahman.ThereisnaughtherebutBrahman. VI.2:190 VASISTHA*continued:Whenknowledgebecomestheobjectofknowing,itis knownasbondage.Liberationiswhenknowledgeceasestobesuchanobject ofknowing.

RAMA*asked:Howdoesthefirmconvictionthatknowledgeistheobjectofknowingcometoanend? VASISTHA*said:Whenthereisfullawakening,thedullnessofintelligencecomestoanend.Thenliberationwhichisformless,peacefulandrealcomesintobeing. RAMA*said:Whatisthatperfectawakeningwhichisperfectknowledgeandbywhichalivingbeinghereisfreedfrombondage? VASISTHA*said:Knowledgedoesnothaveanobjecttoknow.Knowledgeisindependentandeternalitisbeyonddescriptionanddefinition.Whenthistruthis directlyrealisedthereisperfectknowledge. RAMA*said:Whatisthedivisionthatarisesbetweenknowledgeandtheobjectofknowing?Inwhatsensedoweusetheword'knowledge'? VASISTHA*said:Fullawakeningorenlightenmentisjnana*orknowledge.Itscontemplationisthemeanstosuchawakening.Thereisinrealitynodivisionbetween knowledgeandtheobjectofknowing. RAMA*said:Ifthatisso,howhasthisdeludedvisionofknowledgeandtheobjectofknowingariseninthefirstplaceandbecomefirmlyrooted? VASISTHA*said:Itisonaccountofthedeludedbeliefthatthereissomethingotherthanknowledge,somethingoutsideofitself,thatthedivisionhasarisen.Infact, thereisnothingeitherinsideoroutside.

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RAMA*said:AllthisthatseemstobeobviousI,you,etc.,andalltheseelementsandthediversebeingsthatwesurelyexperiencehowcanitbeacceptedthat theydonotexist? VASISTHA*said:Thecosmicpersonorvirat*andthecosmos,etc.,didnotinfactcomeintobeingattheverybeginningofcreation.Hence,therehasneverbeenan 'objectofseeing'atanytimewhatsoever. RAMA*asked:Thisworldwas,isandwillbe,anditisexperiencedeveryday.Howcanitbesaidthatitwasnevercreated? VASISTHA*replied:Thisworldappearanceisunrealevenasthefollowingareunreal,thoughtheyappeartobereal:thedreamobjects,waterinthemirage,the secondmoonwhenoneissufferingfromdiplopiaandcastlesintheair. RAMA*asked:Howcanitbesaidthat'I','you',etc.,didnotariseatallevenintheverybeginningofcreation! VASISTHA*replied:Aneffectarisesfromacause,nototherwise.Duringthestateofcosmicdissolutionprecedingtheassumedcreation,thereissupremepeacein whichthereisnocauseforthecreationofauniverse. RAMA*said:Evenduringthestateofcosmicdissolution,surelytheunbornandeternalbeingremains.Whycanitnotberegardedasthecauseforthiscreation? VASISTHA*replied:Whateverisinthecausethataloneisfoundintheeffect.Somethingwhichisunrealdoesnotariseinthereal.Apieceofclothisnotproduced withthehelpofapot. RAMA*said:PerhapsthiswholecreationexistsinasubtlestateinBrahmantheinfiniteconsciousnessduringthecosmicdissolutionandperhapsthatalonemanifests itselfduringthenextcreation. VASISTHA*replied:Whohasexperiencedthetruthofthatassumptionandsowhyreposefaithinsuchaspeculation? RAMA*said:Surelytheknowersofthetruthhaveexperiencedinthatstatethatthereispureandinfiniteconsciousness.Ofcoursespacewasnonexistentthen.The 'real'andmaterialworldcanobviouslynotspringfromvoid. VASISTHA*said:Ifthatisso,thensurelythethreeworldsarenothingbutpureconsciousness.Toonewhosebodyisofpureconsciousnessthereisneitherbirthnor death. RAMA*asked:Then,pray,tellmehowhasthisworldillusionarisenatall? VASISTHA*replied:Intheabsenceofcauseandeffect,thereisneitherbeingnornonbeing.Howdoesthis'objectofperception'arisethen?Itdoesnot:theself itselfthinksofitselfandexperiencesitselfastheobjectofperception.Allthisisbutconsciousnessandnaughtelse.

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RAMA*asked:Theinert'objectofperception'thinks!TheLordwhoistheseerofallbecomestheobject.Howisallthispossible?Isitpossibleforwoodtoburn fire? VASISTHA*replied:Theseerdoesnotbecometheobjectofperceptionbecausethelatterdoesnotexist.Theseeraloneisallthistheonemassofconsciousness. RAMA*asked:Theinfiniteconsciousnessbecomesawareofconsciousnessasitsobjectwithinitselfandthusdoesthisworldappearancecomeintobeing.How doestheobjectarise? VASISTHA*replied:Forwantofacause,theobjectdoesnotariseatall.Therefore,consciousnessiseverfreeandeverindescribableandindefinable. RAMA*asked:Ifthatisso,howdotheegosenseandsuchothercategoriesarise?Howdoesoneexperiencetheworld? VASISTHA*replied:Forwantofacause,noneofthesethingseverarises.Whereistheobjectofperception?Allthesocalledcreatedobjectsarebutillusionsof perception. RAMA*asked:Inthispureconsciousness,whichisfreefrommovementandthereforefreefromtheawarenessofanobject,howdoesillusionarise? VASISTHA*replied:ORama*,forwantofacause,thereisnoillusioneither.Allthis(I,youandalltherestofit)istheoneinfinitepeace. RAMA*asked:Lord,IambewilderedandIdonotknowwhattoasknow.Iamtotallyawakenedorenlightened:whatshallIasknow? VASISTHA*replied:Intheabsenceofacauseforanyofthis,donotenquireintothecause('why').Thenyouwilleasilyrestinthesupreme,indescribablereality. RAMA*said:Iacceptthatforwantofacausetherehasneverbeenacreation.Buttowhomdoesthisconfusionconcerningknowledgeanditsobjectarise? VASISTHA*replied:Forwantofacauseandalsobecausetheoneinfinitepeacealoneexists,thereisnoillusioneither.Youdonotrestinthatpeacebecauseyou havenotrepeatedlycontemplatedthistruth. RAMA*asked:Howdoescontemplationariseandwhatisnoncontemplation?Again,wearecaughtinthesametrap. VASISTHA*replied:Infactthereisnoillusionintheinfinite.However,becauseconsciousnessisinfiniteandindiminishable,theconceptofrepeatedcontemplationof thistrutharisesinit. RAMA*asked:Ifallthisistheoneinfinitepeace,whatisthemeaningofthewords'teacher'and'student'andhowdoesthisdualityarise?

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VASISTHA*replied:The'teacher'andthe'student'areallBrahmanexistinginBrahman.Totheenlightenedthereisneitherbondagenorliberation. RAMA*asked:Ifthediversityoftime,space,matter,energyandalltherestofitdonotexist,thenhowhastheconceptoftheonenessofthisdiversitycomeinto being? VASISTHA*replied:Thediversityoftime,space,matter,energy(action)andexperiencingexistonlyinnonexistentignorance.Thereisnoconceptindependentof this. RAMA*asked:Ifthedualityof'teacher'and'student'isfalse,thenwhatisawakeningorenlightenment? VASISTHA*replied:Byawakening,awakeningisattainedandtheconceptof'awakening'isclearlyunderstood.Ofcourse,allthisiscomprehensibleonlytopeople likeyou,nottous. RAMA*asked:Whenthusenlightenmentitselfisrelatedtotheegosense,thenititselfbecomesotherthanenlightenment.Howcansuchdivisionexistinthepure, indivisibleconsciousness? VASISTHA*replied:Thelightoftheenlighteneditselfisselfawareness.Theapparentdivisionordualityislikethewindanditsmovement. RAMA*said:Ifthatisthetruth,thenisitnotpossibletoaccepttheexistenceofdiversity(theknower,theknowledgeandtheobjectofknowledge)onthebasisof theanalogythattheoceanandthewavesarenondifferent? VASISTHA*replied:Ifthatisaccepted,thenthereisnodefectindivision,thoughthetruthisthattherealityisoneindivisibleconsciousness. RAMA*said:Lord,inwhomdoesegosenseariseandwhoexperiencesthisworldappearanceorillusion? VASISTHA*replied:Theconvictionintherealityoftheobjectofexperiencealoneisbondage.Itisenoughtoknowthattheobjectdoesnotexist.Since consciousnessisall,thereisneitherbondagenorliberation. RAMA*said:Alampilluminesobjectswhichareseen.Evenso,consciousnessillumninestheobjectsoutsidewhicharereal? VASISTHA*replied:Theexternalworldhasnocauseforitscreation.Aneffectdoesnotarisewithoutacause.Henceitisillusoryperception. RAMA*said:Whetheritisconsideredrealorunreal,anightmarecausessorrowwhileitlasts.Evensoistheworldappearance.Bywhatmeanscanweovercomeit? VASISTHA*replied:Justasthenightmareandthesorrowcausedbyitceasewhenonewakesup,thesorrowcausedbytheperception

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oftheworldillusionceaseswhenonewakesupfromthatillusionandconsequentlyrefrainsfromacquiringandclingingtotheobjectsoftheworld. RAMA*asked:Howdoesoneattaintheobjectofone'shappiness?Also,howdoesthesolidityoftheobjectsofthisworlddreamcometoanend? VASISTHA*replied:Byexaminingthe'before'andthe'after'thesolidityofsubstancesceases.Bythecontemplationofthetruththatitisevensoindream,thebelief inthegrossnessofthesesubstancesceases. RAMA*asked:Whensuchbeliefhasweakened,whatdoesonesee?Howdoesthisworldillusionceaseinhisvision? VASISTHA*replied:Inhisvisiontheunrealworldappearancehasthecharacterofacastleintheairorapaintingwhichhasbeenwashedbyrainhismindisfree fromvasana*orpsychologicalconditioning. RAMA*asked:Whathappenstohimafterthat? VASISTHA*replied:Theworldappearancewhichexistsasamerenotionfadesaway.Soonheistotallyfreefromlimitationsandconditioning. RAMA*asked:Surelythisconditioninghasgaineddeeprootsonaccountofbeingrevivedinverymanylifetimes:howdoesitcease? VASISTHA*replied:Bytherealisationofthetruththatallobjectsandsubstancesexistintheselfortheinfiniteconsciousnessaspervertednotions,hisholdonthose substances(andviceversa)comestoanend.Thewheelofsamsara*stopsbyandby. RAMA*asked:Whathappensthenandhowdoesheattainpeace? VASISTHA*replied:Whenthustheillusionofsolidityoftheobjectshasceasedandeventheeffortatrestrainingthatillusionhasceased,allrelianceontheworld comestoanend. RAMA*asked:Whenthisworldappearanceexistsasanideainachild'smind,whydoesitscessationnotcausesorrow? VASISTHA*replied:Howdoessorrowarisewhenanimaginaryobjectislost?Hence,aslongastherearethoughts,notions,conceptsandperceptsinthemind,one shouldbeengagedinenquiryintotheirnature. RAMA*asked:Whatisthemind(cittam),howdoesoneenquireintoitsnatureandwhatisthefruitofsuchenquiry? VASISTHA*replied:Consciousnessbecomingawareofitselfasanobjectisknownascittam(mind).Enquiryiswhatyouaredoingnow.Bythis,mentalconditioning comestoanend. RAMA*asked:Howisitpossibleforthiscittamtobeunconditionedsothatnirvana*maybeattained?

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VASISTHA*replied:Surelyanobjectormentalconditioningisnotareality.Hence,thecittamtooisnotarealentity. RAMA*said:Butwedoexperienceitsexistence! VASISTHA*replied:Theworldisnotwhatitappearsintheeyesoftheignorant:whatisrealintheeyesoftheenlightenedisindescribable. RAMA*said:Whatisthevisionoftheignorant?Andwhyisitindescribableintheeyesoftheenlightened? VASISTHA*replied:Theignorantperceivetheworldashavingabeginningandanend.Theenlighteneddonotseeitatallforithasnotbeencreatedatallandhence doesnotexist. RAMA*said:Buthowisitthatweexperienceitsexistence? VASISTHA*replied:Itisexperiencedasanobjectisexperiencedinadreamwhenitdoesnotexistintruth. RAMA*asked:But,then,itisbecauseofthepreviousexperienceinthewakingstatethatthedreamobjectisexperienced. VASISTHA*said:Arethesetwoexperiencesrelatedtothesameobject? RAMA*replied:Onaccountoftheimpressionscreatedinthemindbythewakingstate,onlysuchexperiencesappearindream. VASISTHA*said:Inthatcase,whyisitthatthehousethatwasdestroyedinsleepisseentoexistthenextmorning? RAMA*said:Ofcourse,thewakingstaterealityisnotrealduringdream.Whatappearsthenisconsciousness(Brahman).Buthowdoesthatwhichhadnotbeen beforecomeintobeing? VASISTHA*replied:Itispureconsciousnessthatshinesatalltimesasifallthishadbeenexperiencedbefore,whetherornotthisisthecase. RAMA*asked:Lord,howisthisillusiongotridof? VASISTHA*replied:Enquire,''Howcanthissamsara*appeartoexist,whenithasnocausetocomeintobeing?'' RAMA*said:Themind(cittam)isthesuportforthedreamobjectsandhencetheyaremindonly.Evensoistheworld. VASISTHA*said:Themindisnondifferentfromthemassofpureconsciousness.Thereisnaughtelse. RAMA*said:Justasthebodyisnotdifferentfromthelimbsitiscomposedof,evensotheuniverseisnondifferentfromBrahman. VASISTHA*said:Hence,theworldhasnotbeencreatedatall.ItistheeternalBrahman. RAMA*said:Irealisethattheillusionofthecreationanddissolutionoftheworldisapurecoincidence,accompaniedbyillusorynotionsof'Iamdoer'and'I experience'.

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VI.2:191

RAMA*said:

Lord,thisworldisfilledwiththesupremerealityatalltimesandinallways:henceitdoesnotarisenordoesitcease.Theworldappearanceisanillusionbutwhether itisregardedasanillusionornot,itisinrealityBrahmanonly. VASISTHA*said: Brahmanshinesinitselfasitselfcoincidentally(justasaripecocoanutfallswhenacrowhappenstoalightonit)andthatisknown,byitselfandinitself,asthis creation. RAMA*said: Lord,tellme,howdoesthelightoftheinfiniteconsciousnessshinebeforethecreationcommencesandafterthecreationhasbeendissolved,andhowdoesitshine withadivision? VASISTHA*said: Beholdthelightofconsciousnesswithinyourselfbyyourself.Lightisexperiencedonlyinrelationtoanother.Sinceinthebeginningtherewasnosuchdivisionor duality,letthislightbeexperiencedwithinyourself.Thislightitselfistheseer,sightandtheseen(object),justlikethedreamexperience.Thatlightofconsciousness itselfshinesinthebeginningofcreationasthatcreation.Theoneconsciousnessshinesasthethree(thesubject,theobjectandtheexperience),andinthebeginningof creationitappearstobecreation.Suchisitsverynaturethatitshinesasitshines. Suchistheexperiencealsoofdreamsanddaydreamsorhallucinations:thelightofconsciousnessthusshinesinthesealso.Whatshinesastheworldinspace,without beginningandwithoutend,isthislightofconsciousness.Theemanationofitslightshinesastheseuniverses. Thislightofconsciousnessshinesnaturallyinus,theenlightenedones,withoutthedivisionofthesubjectandtheobject.Inthebeginningofcreation,however,there wasnosubjectandtherewasnoobject:somehowthisignorantdivisionhasarisenlikethefalseappearanceofamaninatreetrunk.Onaccountofthisperceptionof divisioninthebeginning,suchadivisionhascontinuedtobeexperienced.Butsincethereisnocauseforsuchadivision,itisclearthatevennowonlythelightof consciousnessshinesasallthis. Thereisneitherawakingstate,noradreamstatenorevenadeepsleepstate.ThroughoutitisonlyBrahmanthatshinesfromtheverybeginningofcreation.That BrahmanconsidersthisuniverseasitsownbodywhatisknownastheworldisnondifferentfromBrahman. VI.2:192 RAMA*said:

Alas,foralongtimewehaveroamedthisinfinitespace,without

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knowingthereality,anddeluded.Thisillusionofworldappearancevanisheswhenoneisawakenedandenlightened.Thenonerealisesthatithasneverbeen,itisnot anditwillneverbe.Allthisispureconsciousnessandsupremepeaceitexistsastheinfinite. Allthisisindeedthesupremeconsciousnesswhichappearedtoustobesamsara*becausewehadnotrightlyunderstooditsnature.Itisthesupremebeingitselfthat appearsastheobjectofsuchstatementsas'Thisisdifferent','Itshineslikethis','Theseareworlds'and'Thesearemountains'. Inthebeginningofcreation,atthecommencementofone'slifeintheotherworld,andatthebeginningofadreamorofareverie,itisconsciousnessalonethatarises asitsownobject:howcouldtherebeanother?Whenthereisthenotion,'IaminheavenorIaminhell',oneexperiencesthatasafact. Thereisnoseer,noobject,nocreation,noworldandnotevenconsciousnessnowaking,nordreaming,norsleep.Whatseemstobeisalsounreal.Ifoneenquires, "Howhasthisillusoryperceptionofunrealitycomeintobeing",suchanenquiryisinappropriate:anillusionisnotareality.Illusiondoesnotariseinconsciousness whichisincorruptible.Hencewhatappearstobeillusionisalsoconsciousness. Illusoryperceptionarisesonaccountofnonunderstanding,likeone'sowndeathinadreamwhenoneenquiresintothenatureofthereality,theillusionvanishes.Itis likethefearofghoststhatexistsinthemindofayoungboy:itbecomesdeeprootedwhenthereisnoenquiry,butonenquiryitceases. Hence,thequestion,'Howhastheunrealcomeintobeing'isimproperthereismeaningonlyinenquiryconcerningthereality,nottheunreal.Thatwhichisnotrealised whenenquiredintoisunrealandifitisexperiencedtobereal,suchexperienceisdelusion.Whenacertainthingisnottobefoundafterintenseandprotracted enquiry,itissurelyunreallikethebarrenwoman'sson. But,then,theunrealdoesnotexistatallatanytime.Therefore,allthisispervadedandpermeatedbythemassofconsciousnesswithoutanyveils.Whatshinesasthe worldisbutthesupremebeingandthesupremebeingaloneexistsinthesupremebeing.Thereisnolightandthereisnodarkness.Thesupremebeingaloneexistsas whateverexists. RAMA*said: VI.2:193194

Thatrealitywhichisbeginninglessandendlessandwhicheventhegodsandthesagesdonotknow,thatrealityaloneshines:whatis'world'andwhatis'object'? Enoughofthisconfusingargumentationconcerningunityanddiversity.Thatwhichwasinthe

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beginning,thatpeaceisunchanging.Justasthereisspace(distance)inspace,thereisthiscreationinBrahman,theinfiniteconsciousness.Whenthisrealisationarises inthejiva*,thisgoblinknownassamsara*issetatrest,thoughitmaystillappeartobe.Whenthesunofignorancesets,thentheheatofsorrowceasesandthe daylightknownasconvictionintherealityofsamsara*comestoanend.Freedfromignorance,theknowerofthetruthengageshimselfinallkindsofactivityaspart ofthispatternofbirth,deathandoldage,etc.,andcontinuestobe,thoughintruthheisnot. Thereisnoignorancehere,nodelusion,nosorrownorpleasure.Knowledgeandignorance,pleasureandpainareallBrahmanalone.Inthelightofknowledgeitis realisedasBrahmanintheabsenceofknowledge,thereisnothingwhichcanbedesignatedasnonBrahman.Iamenlightenedandallmyperversethoughtshavebeen setatrest.Iamatpeaceandequanimous.Iamthat,andIseethisworldaspurevoid.PriortoenlightenmentBrahmanwas,butasselfignorancenowthesame Brahmanisasselfknowledge.Asknowledgeorasignorance,asknownorasunknown,Brahmanaloneisatalltimes,justastheskyisonethoughitisvoid,itis undividedanditisblue. Iamnirvana*.Iamfreefromdoubt.Iamfree.Iamblissful.IamasIamastheinfinite.IamtheallatalltimesorIamnothingandatpeace.IamtheonerealityandI amnot.Wonderfulisthissupremepeace.Whatistobegainedhasbeengained.Theperceptionoftheobjectshasbeenabandoned.Trueenlightenmenthasdawned anditshallneversetagain. Theenlightenedintelligenceexperienceswhateverthereisasitis.Countlessuniversesariseanddisappearintheinfiniteconsciousnessallthetime.Someareseenby someandothersarenot.Whocancounttheirnumber?Thedistinctionbetweentheorgansandtheorganismisarbitraryandverbal:evensoisthatbetweenBrahman andtheuniverse.Theformeraloneisthelatterisnot.Whenthisisrealised,thereiscessationofcravingsandsupremepeacewhichisnirvana*. Thisenlightenmentisnotbroughtaboutbybuddhiorintellect.Norisitattainedbythesuppressionoftheintellect.Enlightenmentisnotawareofitselfforitisnotan objectofawareness. RAMA*continued: Theawakeningortheenlightenmenthappensbyitself,justlikethesun'sbrillianceatnoon.Allcravingsanddesirescometoanendintheawakenedpersontherefore nirvana*arisesinhimwithouthisdesiringit.Heisforeverengagedinmeditation,heisalwaysestablishedinhisownrealnature:thereforehedoesnotseek

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anythingorrejectanything.Likealampinwhoselightallactionstakeplaceandinwhichthelampitselfisnotinterested,helivesandactsbutisfreefromvolition. Theinfiniteconsciousnessaloneis:itismanifestascreationanditisotherwiseknownasBrahma*.Hewhoseesthisisatpeace.Allobjectsinthisuniverseareinfact nondifferentfromthisinfiniteconsciousness.Beyondthis,theknowersoftruthrestintheinfiniteconsciousnessalone:butthatisindescribableandindefinable.Even expressionslike'Thataloneis'areinadequateandmisleading. Thissamsara*isfullofsorrownirvana*isabsolutecoolness.Thelatteraloneistherealitytheformerisnot.Liketheuncarvedfiguresthatexistinapieceofwood, thissamsara*existsintheinfiniteconsciousnesswhichisindivisiblebutexperienceddiverselybydiversebeings,eachofwhomcarvesoutofit,asitwere,whathe desireswhetheritispleasureorliberation.However,alltheseareinessencetherealityitself,evenasthecarvedfiguresareinessencenondifferentfromthewood. Thelifeordeathofrelativesseeninadreamhasnoeffectononeselfafterawakeningfromsleepevensotheenlightenedonesareunaffectedbytheworld appearance. Whenallthisisseenastheoneinfiniteconsciousness,thereisnoroomfordelusion.Thereiscessationofcraving.Cessationofcravingintensifiesawakeningor enlightenmentandthelatterintensifiesthecessationofcraving.Thehallmarkofenlightenmentisthiscessationofcraving.Whenthelatterisabsent,thereisno enlightenmentbutscholasticitywhichisinfactignoranceorviciousness.Ifthesetwodonotpromoteeachother,thentheyareobviouslyunrealandabsent.Theperfect cessationofcravingbornoftheperfectenlightenment,itselfisknownasliberation.Whenthisisattained,onedoesnotgrieveeventhoughcontinuingtolive. Foronewhorestsinhisownselfandrejoicesintheself,inwhomcravingshaveceasedandegosenseisabsent,lifebecomesnonvolitionalandthereisperfectpurity. Oneinmillions,however,isabletoreachthisunconditionedstateofpurebeing. VASISTHA*said: VI.2:195

Bravo,ORama*,youhaveattainedenlightenment.Yourwordshavethepowerofenlightenment.Theunrealitywhichseemstoexistheredisappearswhenitisnot conceivedorthoughtof.Thissupremepeaceisnirvana*andthisisthesupremetruth.Thatstateinwhichtheenlightenedoneexistsasifhelivesintheverycenterofa rock,whetherheisaloneandatrestorengagedindiverseactivitiesthatisthestateofpurityandthatisliberation.Weliveinthatstate,ORama*,thoughweare constantlyengagedindiverseactivity.You,too,restinthatstateandcarryonyourwork.

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Now,ORama*,pleasetellmehowyourealisethatthisworld,thoughitseemstobesoreal,isnonexistent. RAMA*replied: Thisworldhasnotbeencreatedevenattheverybeginning.Howthencanbeitconsideredtoexistnow?Ithasnocause:howcananeffectbewithoutacause? Changeimpliesthecessationofonestateandthearisingofthesubsequentstate.Thisisimpossibleinthechangelessreality.Ifthisworldisanillusoryappearancethat isimaginedtoexistinBrahman,thenitisonlyanillusion.Inadreamamomentisexperiencedasalifetime:evenso,inthisworldappearancetimeisexperiencedalong withthesunandthemoononwhichtimeisbased. Intheinfiniteconsciousness,thereisthisnotionofcreationwithallitscorollariestime,space,etc.Thisnonentityappearstofunctionandthat,too,isfalse.The accidentalarisingofthisnotionappearstopersistandbecomedeeprooted. Or,ithastobeconsideredreal.Howcanthefalseeverevenappeartoexist?Orperhapsthereisnosuchthingastherealandnothingasunreal.Whateveris,is.That whichisisclearasthesky,fullasthecenterofarock,silentandpeacefulasthestone,andinfinite.Suchisthecreation.Forthiscreationexistsinthepure,infinite consciousnesswhichistherealityofallthoughtsandconceptswhichtogetherformthesubtlebody,asitwere,oftheinfiniteconsciousness.Thepureexperiencingor awarenessthatarisesinthat'body'isknownasthiscreation.ThusthiscreationitselfisBrahman. Inthesupremebeingitselfdoesthe'other'(creation)existthelatterbelongstotheformerandisnondifferentfromit.Itisthereforesupremepeaceitself.Thereis neitheracreationnormovementnoractivity.Whendreamisrealisedasdream,thefalsenotionvanishes.Awarenessdropsitsobject(theworld)andrestsinthe infiniteconsciousness. VASISTHA*asked: Whyshouldwenotassumethatjustastheseedisthecauseforthesprout,Brahmanisthecauseforthecreation? RAMA*replied: Thesproutintheseedisnotseenassprout,butonlyasseed.Henceitisonlyseed.Inthesameway,ifthisworldexistsinBrahman,itisonlyBrahmanandnotthe worldandBrahmanundergoesnochange.SinceBrahmanisunchangingandformless,itisimpossibletoacceptthatitgivesrisetotheworldwhichischangingand whichisendowedwithform.TosaythatthiscreationexistsintheindivisibleBrahmanjustasagemliesinthebox,ismeaninglessprattle.Thetheorythatthesupreme Brahmanisthesupportfor

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theuniversewhichhasaformisalsounacceptable:forthatwhichhasaformmustperish.Theconceptthatthisworldisbutthedreamobjectthathasthusmaterialised isunacceptable,forthedreamobjectsarethosewhichhavebeenexperiencedbyoneself.However,thewakingandthedreamrealitiesbelongtotwodifferentplanes: forthepersonwhosedeathwasdreamedofisseenonwakingupfromdream.Thustheworldhasnotbeencreatedevenasadreamobjectbutjustasthedream objectisonlyconsciousness,evensoallthatisseenastheworldisonlytheinfiniteconsciousness. Thereisnaughtknownas'real','unreal','experiencer'nor'experience',noraretheseexperienced.Whateverisisindescribable.Intheinfiniteconsciousnessall distinctionsbetween'being'and'nonbeing'vanish.BrahmanexistsasBrahmaninBrahman,justasspaceexistsasspaceinspace.Thisthatisknownascreationisthe indivisibleBrahmanonly.Justastheseedthathasbeensownbeginstosprout,themovementinBrahmanbecomescapableofbeingdescribed.Allbeingsinthe universeappeartometobeenlightened.Tothosewhoconsideritreal,thisworldappearstoberealtothosewhoareendowedwithselfknowledgeitisafalse appearance.InfactitisBrahmanonly. Inthevisionoftheknowersoftherealityallthatexists(boththesentientandtheinsentient,themobileandtheimmobile)ispurevoid.Iamvoid,youarevoid,the universeispurevoid.Isalutethebestofallbeings,whoislikethelimitlessspace,withtheknowledgethatislikethelimitlessspaceandwhichisfreefromsubject object(knowerandknowable)relationship.Youhavetranscendedallthestatesdescribedinthescripturesandyouremainestablishedinthesupremenondual consciousness. Thissupremetruthisestablishedonlyintotalsilence,notbylogic,discussionandargumentation. RAMA*said: VI.2:196,197

Thus,Osage,itisclearthatselfknowledgeisbeyondthereachofthejuggleryofwords.Howisitattainedbytheconflictingstatementsofscriptures?Ifitisnotso attainedwhatistheuseofthesescriptures?Praytellmewhetherselfknowledgefollowstheinstructionofthepreceptorandthestudyofscriptures. VASISTHA*said: Itistrue,ORama*,thatthestudyofthescripturesisnotthecausefortheattainmentofselfknowledge.Scripturesarecomposedofdiverseexpressionsthesupreme beingisindescribable.However,Ishallexplaintoyouhowthestudyofscriptureshascometobeassociatedwithselfknowledge. Thepeopleofacertainvillagehadbeensubjectedtocontinued

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misfortune.Theywerestarvinganddying.Oppressedbypovertyandmisery,theybegantoconsiderwaysandmeansofearningtheirlivelihood.Theydecidedthat theywouldgointoanearbyforest,gatherfirewood,sellitandearnaliving. Thustheyearnedtheirlivingfromdaytoday.Inthatforesttheyfoundalsopreciousstones,whichlaysometimeshiddenandsometimesintheopen.Ofthepeople whowenttotheforestforfirewood,somefoundthesepreciousstones,othershadexcellentsandalwood,othersfoundfruits,andyetotherswereunfortunateeven there,andfoundonlyuselessfirewood.Ofthem,theywhoobtainedthepreciousstoneswerefreefrompoverty,andsorrowimmediately. Astheywerethusengagedingatheringfirewoodandmakingaliving,onedaytheyfoundthephilosopher'sstone(whichfulfilseveryone'swishes).Theyobtainedwith itshelpallthattheyneededanddesired,andlivedhappilyforeverafter.Theywerelookingforfirewood,buttheyeventuallyobtainedthemostpreciousphilosopher's stone. Thevillagersinthisparablearethepeopleoftheearth.Theirpovertyistheworstofallpoverty,thatisignorancewhichisthecauseofallsorrow.Theforestinthe parableisthespiritualpreceptorandthescripture.Theywenttotheforestforthefulfilmentoftheirneedspeopleresorttothepreceptorandthescriptureforthe fulfilmentoftheirneeds.However,incourseoftime,bythepracticeofthepreceptsofthepreceptorandthescripture,theyattainsomethingmoreprecious.Theywho wenttotheforesttogatherfirewoodgotthephilosopher'sstone.Peoplewhoresorttothescripturesforthefulfilmentoftheirdesiresattainthesupremetruth. VASISTHA*continued: Somepeopleareimpelledbycuriosityorbydoubt('Whatcanthestudyofthescripturesdo?')tostudythescripturesothersseektofindthekeytoprosperityand pleasureinthemyetothersstudythescripturesmotivatedbyotherconsiderationsandjustasthevillagerswhowenttotheforesttogatherfirewoodobtainedthe philosopher'sstone,theywhostudythescripturesforvariousreasonsobtainthesupremetruth.Inallthisthepeopleareguidedbytheconductofthesaintlyoneswho aredevotedtothewelfareofhumanity.Thepeopleseethatthesesaintsdonotusethescripturesforotherthanthehighestspiritualgain,thoughtheydostudythe scriptures.Inspiredbythem,peoplestudythescriptures. Justassomeofthevillagersobtainedsandalwood,etc.,intheforest,evenso,amongthosewhostudyscripturessomeattainpleasure,otherswealthandyetothers guidanceinrightconduct.Onlythesethreeareexpoundedinthescripturestheattainment

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oftherealizationofBrahmanisbeyonddescriptionand,thereforeitisnotfoundintheteachingsofthescriptures. Notbythestudyofthescriptures,norbyhearingtheinstructionsofapreceptor,norbycharitynorevenbytheworshipofgodisthedirectrealisationofthesupreme truthattained.Becausethatisbeyondallthese.However,Ishalltellyouhowthese,thoughnottheactualmeans,havecometoberegardedasthemeanstoself realisation.Bythepracticeofthepreceptsofthescriptures,themindbecomespureandtransparentthenwithoutevenwishingforitoneseesthesupremetruth.The scripturepromotesthesatvika*partofignorance,whichispurityofmind.Thispuritydestroysthetamasic*(dull)partofignorance. Byitsveryappearanceintheskythesunisreflectedintheocean,withouteitherofthemdesiringthis.Evensobythesimplecomingtogetherofthescriptureandthe seeker,thetruthisreflectedinthelatter.Achildwithmuddyhandspicksupmoremudandrubsthehandstogetherandwashesthemthehandsarecleannow.Even sothescripturepurifiesthemindandthecleanmindreflectsthetruth. Thereislighteverywhereinthesky,butitisonlywhenlightmeetswithanobstructionthatitisabletoillumine:evensowhenthescripture(ortheguru)meetsthe seekerthereisillumination.Hence,thesupremetruthisrealisedwhenonecontemplatestherealmeaningofthescriptureswiththeaidofthewordsofthepreceptor, satsanga*(holycompany),selfdisciplineandcontrolofthemind. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:198

OnceagainIshalltellyousomething,ORama*,towhichpleaselendyourear.Byrepeatedlylisteningtothetruthevenanignorantpersonisawakened. TobeginwithIexpoundedthesthitiprakaranam*inwhichthetruthconcerningthecreationofthisuniversewasrevealed.AfterthatIexpoundedintheupasanti* prakaranam*themeansbywhichthisworldillusionmightbedispelled.Afterthusgettingridofthisworldillusion,oneshouldliveherefreefromallmentalagitation anddistress. Oneshouldliveinthisworldfullyestablishedinthestateofequanimitywhichconfersallblessingsandwhichbestowsthehighestconsolation,whichisthegreatest wealthandwhichenhancesone'sgoodfortune.Equanimityenablespuritytogrow.Allothernoblevirtuesfollowthisone.Noneoftheblessingsandwealthinthe worldiscomparabletoequanimity.Itputsanendtoallsorrow.Rarearethosesoulswhoareestablishedinequanimity,towhomallarefriends. Toonewhoisestablishedinequanimity,sorrowishappinessand

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deathisnewlife.Whocanmeasurethegreatnessofonewhoisfreefromexultationanddepression,whodoeswhathastobedonewhenandhowitistobedone, andwhoseeswhatistobeseen,asitis.Friendsandrelations,enemiesandkingshavethegreatesttrustinonewhothuslivesanaturallife.Inthecourseofsuch naturalliving,evenifheshouldbecomeangry,itdoesnothurtanyone.Thepeopleapplaudwhateverhedoesandwhateverheeats,evenifheoverpowersanotheror reprimandsanotherforheisestablishedinequanimity.Theyapplaudwhateverhedoesnoworwhateverhedidlongago,whethergoodornotsogood. Theywhoareestablishedinequanimitydonotexperiencedespair,whethertheyaresubjectedtohappinessortogreatunhappiness. (Therefollowbriefreferencestosomegreatmenwhogladlysacrificedthemselvesforthegoodofothers,andwhoweretotallyunaffectedbytheworstcalamities:the kingSibi*,thekingwhosewifewasinsultedinhispresence,Yudhisthira*,thekingofTrigarta,thekingJanaka,thekingofSalva*,Sauvira*,Kandapa,thedemonof Kadambaforest,Jada*Bharata,thenoblehunter,thesageKapardana.Twofactorsareimportant:(1)theseexemplarsofequanimitycomefromdifferentwalksoflife and(2)historically,manyofthemcameaftertheperiodofRama*.) Allofthemhadattainedequanimityandthereforetheycametobeadoredevenbythegods,thoughtheywerekingsaswellasordinarymen.Hence,oneshouldattain equanimityinallconditionsoflife,pleasantandunpleasant,inhonouranddishonour. VI.2:199 RAMA*asked:

Whenthesesagesareconstantlyimmersedintheblissofselfknowledge,whydotheynotabandonallactivities? VASISTHA*replied: Theyhaveabandonedallnotionsof'Thisisdesirable'and'Thisisundesirable'.Intheircase,therefore,boththeabandonmentofactionandtheperformanceofaction aremeaningless.Therefore,theydowhathastobedonehowithastobedone. Rama*,aslongasthereislife,solongthebodylivesandmovesandfunctions.Letthiscontinuewhyshouldonedesireotherwise?Whensomehowsomethinghas tobedoneatalltimes,whynotdowhatisright?Whateveronedoeswithapureandclearmindwhichrestsinequanimity,isrightandappropriate,neverdefective. Amongus,ORama*,therearemanywhoareinvolvedindefectiveactionbuttheyarewiseandclearsighted. Therearesomeliberatedoneswholivethehouseholder'slifebutwithoutattachment.Therearesomewhoareroyalsageslikeyouwhoperformtheirroyalduties withoutattachmentandwithout

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agitation.Therearesomewhoperformthescripturaldutiesandrites.Therearesomewhoaredevotedtogodandmeditationandtotheirownduties.Therearesome whohaveabandonedeverythinginwardlybutwholiveasiftheywereignorant,engagedinallkindsofactivities.Therearesomewhodwellindenseforeststotally immersedinmeditation.Therearesomewhodwellinholyplaces.Therearesomewhoroamindistantforeignlandsinordertoovercomecompletelyalllikesand dislikes.Someareconstantlywanderingfromplacetoplace. Somehaveabandonedtheirnaturaldutiesandothersaredevotedtothem.Somebehavelikewisemenandothersbehavelikemadmen.Somearehuman,someare godsandothersaredemons. Inthisworldtherearethefullyenlightenedones,unenlightenedonesandsemienlightenedoneswhoabandonrightactions,too,andarethusneitherherenorthere. Theforestlifeisnotessentialforliberation,norlivinginone'sowncountrynoranasceticlife,northeabandonmentofactivity.Liberationisattainedbyonewhose verynatureistotallyfreeandunattached.Hewhosemindisfreeandunattacheddoesnotgetinvolvedonceagaininthissamsara*.ORama*,youarethesupreme state.Remainwhatyouare,freefromlikesanddislikes,establishedinthesupremetruth.InthatBrahmantherearenoimpurities,changes,veils,cravingsoraversions. Thereisnothingmoretosay. VALMIKI*said: VI.2:200

Havingconcludedhisdiscourseonnirvana*,thesageVasistha*remainedsilent.Allthemembersoftheassemblyweredeeplyimmersedinthehighest(nirvikalpa) samadhi*orcontemplation.Theveryheavensresoundedwiththecheersoftheassembledsagesandperfectedones.Thecelestialssoundedtheirdrumsandother instruments.Therewasashowerofflowers. TheSIDDHAS(perfectedones)said: Fromthebeginningofthisepochwehavegivenandheardnumerousdiscoursesonthemeanstoliberation,butnonelikethis.Evenanimalsandchildrenwillattain enlightenmentbylisteningtothesage'swords. THEKINGDASARATHA*said: Lord,thereisnothingintheworldwithwhichyoucouldbeappropriatelyworshipped.However,listentomyprayerandbenotoffended.Iadoreyouandworship youwithmyself,myfamilyandthemeritsthatIhaveacquiredandallthegoodworksIhaveperformedhereandintheotherworld.Allthesearethine,Lord.Itisfor youtocommandus. VASISTHA*said:

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Wearesatisfiedwithsalutations,Oking.Andthatisenoughforme.Youaloneknowhowtoruletheworld. RAMA*said: Lord,whatshallIofferyou?Ifallatyourfeet. Afterhim,hisbrotherssalutedthesage.Thenthekingsandtheotherswhohadcomefromgreatdistancetolistentothesageofferedflowersofworship.Vasistha* wasliterallycoveredwithflowers. Whenallthishadbeencompleted,VASISTHA*said: Osages,praytellmeiftherewereanydefectsorshortcomingsorperverseteachingduringthediscourse. TheASSEMBLEDSAGESreplied: Inyourdiscourse,OLord,therewasnotasingleinappropriatenote.Itwascharacteriseduniformlybythehighesttruth.Youhaveinstantlydispelledtheveilofsinthat hadcoveredourmindsandhearts.Ourheartlotushasfullyunfolded.Wesaluteyouyouareourguru. Sosaying,allofthemwithonevoiceexclaimed:''Salutationstoyou.''Againtheyshoweredflowersonhim.TheassembledsagesthenglorifiedthekingDasaratha* whohadconvenedthatassembly.TheyglorifiedRama*.TheysalutedRama*andhisthreebrothers.TheyglorifiedthesagesVasistha*andVisvamitra*.Foritisonly duetothegraceofallofthemthattheywereabletolistentothesupremediscourseofVasistha*whichinstantlydispelsdelusion. ThusallofthemworshippedandglorifiedthesageVasistha*againandagain. VI.2:201,202 Then,VASISTHA*askedRama*:

ORama*,whatelsedoyouwanttohearfromme?Howdoyouperceivetheworldappearancenow?Whatisyourinnerexperience? RAMA*replied: Byyourgrace,Ihaveattainedsupremepurityalltheimpuritieshaveclearedaway.Allmymisunderstandingsanddelusionshavebeendispelled.Mybondagehas beencut.Myintelligenceispurelikeacrystal.Myminddoesnotcraveformoreinstruction. Ihavenothingtodowithanythingneitherinstructionsnoranyobjects,neitherrelativesnorscriptures,norevenrenunciation.Ibeholdtheworldasthepure,infinite, indivisibleconsciousness.Theworldisotherwiseavoidwhichdisappearsthemomenttheillusionvanishes. IshalldowhateveryouwishthatIshoulddoandIshalllivedoingwhateverIhavetodoorwishtodo,withoutexultationordepression,formydelusionhasbeen dispelled.Whetherthiscreationbecomessomethingelseorwhetherthewindsofcosmicdissolutionbloworwhetherthiscountrybeprosperous,Iamestablishedin self

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knowledge.Iamatpeace.Myvisionisclear.Itisdifficultformyrealstatetobeseenandunderstood.Iamfreefromhopesanddesires.Ishallliveandrulelikethe otherkings,whethertheyareenlightenedorignorant,butwithoutmentalagitationandendowedwithequalvision.AslongasthisbodylastsIshallrulethiskingdom, endowedwithapurevisionandfreedfromalldoubtsconcerningthenatureofthissamsara*,justasachildengagesitselfinplay. VASISTHA*said: Bravo,ORama*,youhavetrulyreachedthesupremestate,beyondjoyandsorrow,andyouhavetranscendedallthatisfoundinthisworldandinthenext.Youwill nowfulfilthewishesofthesageVisvamitra*andrulethekingdom. Aftertheassemblyonceagaincheered,RAMA*said: Lord,justasfirepurifiesgold,youhavepurifiedourhearts.Theywhoconsideredtheirbodyastheallnowseetheentireuniverseastheself. Ihaveattainedtheplenumofexistence.Iamfreefromalldoubts.Iamfullofblisswhichiseternalandundiluted.Irejoiceinmyownheartwhichhasbeenpurifiedby thenectarinewordsofsupremewisdom.ByyourgraceIhaveattainedthestateinwhichthewholeworlditselfappearstobetheeternal,immortalandinfinitereality. VASISTHA*saidtoRama*: VI.2:203,204

ORama*,youhaveheardallthatisworthhearingandyouknowallthatisworthknowing.WhatIhavesaidtoyouandwhatyouhavestudiedinthescripture,now bringintoharmonywithyourowndirectexperience. However,onceagainIdeclarethesupremetruthtoyou.Themirrorshineswithgreaterclaritythemoreitiscleanedandpolished.Alltheobjectsherearethemeasure ofone'sownexperienceorawareness.Allsoundsarelikethesoundproducedbyrunningwater.Allthatisseenhereistheillusoryappearanceoftheinfinite consciousness.Thisworldhasarisenlikeadream.Whatisknownasthewakingstaterealityisadreamitisnondifferentfromtheconsciousnesswhichisthesole reality.Hence,theworldistrulywithoutform. Tellme,ORama*,howdotheearthandalltherestofitappearinthisdreamcity?Bywhomhasallthisbeenfashioned,whatistheirrealnatureandwhatistheir function? RAMA*said: Theselfortheinfiniteconsciousnessaloneistherealityofallthistheearth,themountains,etc.andtheselfislikespace,formlessandsupportless.Allthesehave notbeencreatedatall.Thisnotionthatarisesinconsciousnessisknownasthemindanditis

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themindalonethatexistsasallthis. Time,space,andalltherestofit,aretheappearanceoftheconsciousness.Evensoarethemountainsnothingbutconsciousness.Alltheelementsareconsciousness, too.Itisconsciousnessalonethatistheessenceofthecharacteristicoftheelementslikesolidityoftheearth,fluidityofwater,etc.Infact,however,theearthandthe otherelementsdonotexist:theinfiniteconsciousnessaloneexists.Itisbecauseoftheliquidityofwaterthattheoneoceanisabletogiverisetowavesandcurrentsit isbecauseoftheinfinitepotentialityofconsciousnessthatitissimilarlyabletoappeartobediverse.Whenthenotionofsolidityandhardnessarisesinit,itbecomesa mountain:evensowithalltheotherobjects.Consciousnessitselfdoesnotundergoanychangeinallthis.Thenotionsof'I','you',etc.,ariseinitwithoutanyreasonor cause,andtheyarenondifferentfromconsciousness. Themind,buddhi,egosense,thefiveelementsandallthisworldappearanceexistintheinfiniteconsciousness,nondifferentfromit.Nothinghasbeencreated,nothing islost. VI.2:205 RAMA*asked:

When,thusitistheinfiniteconsciousnessthatisallthisandtheworldisbutadream,howdoesthisconsciousnessappeartobeembodiedinthewakefuldreamstate? VASISTHA*said: Whateverisseeneitherinadreamorinthewakingstate,hasspacealoneassupport.Itisbornofspaceanditisofthenatureofspace(void).Thisspaceisnotother thanthesupreme,infiniteconsciousness.Nothing,noteventhisbody,haseverbeencreatedandhencenothingexists.Theinfiniteconsciousnessexperiencesthe existenceofallthisasifinadream.Thisexperienceexistsinconsciousnessasifitisthesolidcreation.Thediversitythatarisesinconsciousnessonaccountofthe limitlessnessofitspotentialityappearstogiverisetodiversityofcreatures. RAMA*asked: Youdescribedthattherewerecountlesscreations.Yousaidthattheywereinhabitedbydiversebeingswithverydifferentnaturesandfunctions.Praytellme,among allofthem,howthiscreationexists. VASISTHA*replied: Whileexpoundingwhateverhasnotbeenexperiencedbefore,norseennorevenheardofbefore,theteacherresortstoappropriateillustrationswiththeaidofwhich thetruthisgraspedandinferred.However,youknowthenatureofthisuniverse. TheoneinfiniteBrahmanaloneexists,withoutbeginningandend,

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withoutformandwithoutchange.IntheinfinitespacewhichispermeatedbyBrahman,thisuniverseexistsnondifferentfromBrahman.Theuniverse,too,is beginninglessandendless.Thisuniverseiswhattheinfiniteconsciousnessconsidersittobewithinitself,whateveritexperienceswithinitself:andtheinfinite consciousnessitselfconsidersthatexperiencetobetheuniverse,henceitisillusory,likethedreamobjectofonewhoisdreaming. Themountainsarenothardnorarewatersfluid.Whatevertheinfiniteconsciousnessconsidersitselftobeandwherever,thatappearstobesothere.Amountain arisesinadreamandexistsinnothingandasnothing:evensoisthisuniverse,foritisthedreamoftheinfiniteconsciousness.BrahmanaloneexistsasBrahmanatall timesnothingiscreatednorisanythingdestroyed.ThereisnodiversityinBrahman,noristherenondiversityinit.Allconceptslikeunity,diversity,truth,falsehood, etc.,areirrelevanttoit. VASISTHA*said: VI.2:206

Thatwhichappearstobewithoutanycause,thatisnot:thereforethat(thereality)whichisaloneis. IshallnarratetoyouaninterestingquestionIwasonceasked,foryourclearunderstanding.ThereisanislandknownasKusadvipa*.OnitwasacitynamedIlavati*. ItwasruledbykingPrajapti.OnceIhappenedtomeethim.Afterofferingmedueworship,heaskedmethefollowingquestion: "Aftertheentirevisibleuniversehadbeendissolved,whatwerethereasonandthecauseforthecreationoftheuniverse?Whatisthisuniverse?Somepartofitis alwaysveiledbydarkness,somewhereitisinhabitedbyworms.Howdidtheseelementsthatconstitutetheworldarise,andhowwerethemind,buddhi,etc., created?Whoisthecreatorofallthisandwhoperceivesit?Whoisitssupport? "Thereisobviouslynofinaldissolutionoftheuniverse.Whatevereverylivingbeingbecomesawareof,thataloneitexperiences.Whatthenisindestructibleandwhatis real?Whenapersondieshereandhisbodyiscremated,whocreatesabodyforhiminhelltoundergothenecessaryexperiencesthere?Surelynotvirtue(dharma)or vice(adharma),fortheyarethemselvessubtleandformless.Tosaythat'theotherworld'doesnotexistseemstobeequallyfallacious,foritcontradictsthestatements ofthescriptures. "Itisabsurdtosuggestthatonewhoisformlesscanundergoexperienceslikepunishment.Tellmealsohowsubstancesundergochangehere.Whatistheuseof scripturesthatdealwithinjunctionsandprohibitions?Whatismeantbythescripturaldeclarationthattheunrealaloneexistedatfirstandthatitbecamereallateron?If Brahma*thecreatorspringsfromvoid,whydoesthatvoidnot

Page716

createverymanycreatorseverywhere?Howhavetheherbs,etc.,acquiredtheircharacteristicsandtheirnature?Inaholyplaceatthesametimetwopeoplelive, one'sfriendandone'senemy.Thefriendpraysforone'slonglifeandtheenemypraysforone'sdeath:whoseprayerwillbefulfilled?Ifthousandsofpeoplewished, "MayIbeamooninthesky",whycantherenotbethousandsofmoonsshiningatthesametime?Ifthousandsofmenmeditateandpraythattheymayallattaina particularwomanastheirwife,andifatthesametimeshemeditatesandpraysthatshemightremainavirgin,whatistheresult? "Howarethefruitsoffuneralandsubsequentritesexperiencedbythedepartedonesintheabsenceofembodiment?" VI.2:207 VASISTHA*said:

Oking,listen:Ishallansweryourquestionsinsuchawaythatallyourdoubtsareatrest. Allthingsinthisworldareforeverunreal,buttheyarealsorealbecauseoftheconsciousnessthatisthesolerealityandtheircontent.Whateverthatconsciousness decides"Thisissuchandsuch"thatitbecomes,whetheritisrealorunreal.Suchisthenatureofconsciousness. Thisconsciousnessconceivedofabodyanditbecomesawareofthebody.Itisselfawarenessthatbecomesawareofthebody,nottheotherwayround.Atthe beginningofcreation,therewasnothingelseandonlyconsciousnesswas:andthereforetheworldappearancearoseinthatconsciousnesslikeadream.Inwhatever mannerconsciousnessconceivedtheworldtobe,thataloneitbecame.Whatelseisthisworld?SincetheworldisnothingotherthanconsciousnessorBrahman,itis declaredtobesobythescriptures. Yet,likeafrogintheblindwell,foolishandignorantpeoplebasetheirunderstandingontheexperienceofthemomentand,onaccountoftheirperverse understanding,theyaredeludedintothinkingthatthebodyaloneisthesourceofexperienceorawareness.Butwehavenothingtodowiththem.Howeverintelligenta personmaybe,ifheisunabletodispelone'sdoubtssuchapersonisignorant.Ifselfawarenessisoneofthecharacteristicsofthephysicalbody,thenwhydoesa corpsenotexperienceanything? Thetruthistheotherwayround.ItistheconsciousnessofBrahman,theinfiniteconsciousness,thatappearsasthisuniversejustasthedreamobjectsappearin yourconsciousness.Brahmanistheinfiniteconsciousnessheconceivesofthisdreamcitywhichisthevirat*orthecosmicperson.Thiscosmicpersonisthecreator Brahma*andisalsoofpureconsciousnessalthoughitisknownasthisuniverse.

Page717

WhateverwasconceivedofinthedreamcreationofBrahma*thecreatoraloneisexperiencedhereinthatsamemanner.Thusthebodyhastwostatestheliving andthedead.Evensothiscreationappearsanddisappears.IthasnocauseotherthanBrahman,henceitisnoneotherthanBrahman.Whetherthebodyexistsor doesnotexist,thisconsciousnessexperienceswhatitisawareofanywhereatanytime,beforeandafter'death'.Itisconsciousnessalonewhichconceivesof'the otherworld'andexperiencesitassuch. Suchdeludedexperiencedoesnotceaseuntiloneresortstotherightmeansofliberationandattainsawakening,whenthementalconditioningceasesandthe consciousnessbecomesunconditioned. VASISTHA*said: VI.2:208

Whatevertheinfiniteconsciousnessconceivedofandwhenever,thatitthenexperienced.Evensoboonsandcursesderivetheirpoweralsofromtheinfinite consciousness.Itisbecauseoftheappropriateconceptionarisinginconsciousnessthatinjunctionsandprohibitionsacquiretheirauthorityandtheirpower. Itisbecausetheembodiedbeinghereinthisworldcouldnotcomprehendwhatexistedbeforethebeginningofthiscreation,thatitwassaidthatnonexistencealone waspriortothat.However,existenceandnonexistence,creationanddissolutionareliketheopeningandclosingoftheeyesoftheinfiniteconsciousness.Suchisthe verynatureoftheinfiniteconsciousnessthatcreationarisesandceasesconstantly,justaswhenyouindulgeindaydreamingyoubuildanddissolveyourmentalimages inthetwinklingofaneye.However,allthesearebutimagesthatariseintheinfiniteconsciousness.Itdoesnothingatall. Sincetheinfiniteconsciousnessiseverywhereatalltimes,therearenobarriersinitanditcangiverisetoanyimageanywhereatanytime.Injunctionsandprohibitions existonlyforthepreservationofthesocialstructurehere.But,sincetheseareallestablishedinconsciousness,theyarecapableofyieldingtheirfruitsevenafterone departsfromthisworld. Brahmanneithercomesintobeingnorceasestobe.Butwhenthesubjectobjectrelationshiparisesinit,thenitissaidtocomeintobeing:andtheobjectisknownas creation.WhenBrahmanwithdrawsthatrelationshipandexistsinitselfasitself,thenitissaidthatBrahmanexistsasinfinitespaceandsupremepeace.Thesetwo(the existenceandthenonexistenceofrelationship)arenaturaltoBrahman,justlikemovementandnonmovementarenaturaltowind. Oldage,death,etc.,asalsothedivisionsoftime,ariseintheinfiniteconsciousnessagainandagain,evenasimagesriseinyourdaydreamagainandagain.Evenso havetheherbsandthemedicinalplants,as

Page718

alsothediverseobjects,comeintobeinginthethreeworlds. Theoneinfiniteconsciousnessaloneappearsasthisinfinitediversityonaccountoftheinfinite(conscious)imagesthatariseinit.However,inandasallthis,itistheone Brahmanalonethatshines. VI.2:209 VASISTHA*said:

Youmentionedthecaseofone'sfriendandone'senemyprayingforcontraryresultsinaholyplace.Allthesearedeterminedbytheinfiniteconsciousnessinthevery beginning.Theholinessofplacesandtheconductthatearnsmeritenableonetoacquirethatmeritinthoseplaces.Evenifhehasbeenasinner,theloadofhissinis eitherlightenedoreliminatedbythemeritoftheholyplaces.If,however,theweightofthesinismuchlessthanthestrengthofthemerit,thensurelythesinis completelywipedout.Iftheyareofequalstrength,itispossiblefortwobodiestoappearintheconsciousnesstoworkoutboththemeritandthedemerit. Whatevernotionsaroseintheinfiniteconsciousnessandwhichexistinitdeterminetheeffectsofmeritanddemerit.I,youandallthisareallgovernedbytheimages thatexistintheinfiniteconsciousness,whethertheseimagesconcernmeritorotherwise. Thedyingmanthinksthatheisdyingandothersareweepingforhim.Evensodoideasofdeathandcremation,etc.,ariseintheotherswhoareweepingforthedead relative.Thedyingmanseestheworldasitappearstohimbuttheothers(theenemywhoprayedforhisdeath)thinkheisdead,andyetothers(thefriendwho prayedforhiswelfare)considerthathehasattainedimmortality.Thusboththeprayersaresatisfied.Thethreeworldsareillusoryproductsofdelusion,butinitthere arenodivisionsorcontradictions.Whatisimpossibleinanillusion? THEKINGasked: Howcantheformlessmeritanddemeritgiverisetoabody? VASISTHA*replied: ThisuniverseisBrahman'sdreamcity:whatisimpossibleinit?Inadreamorwhiledaydreaming,onebecomesamillionaireevenso,whentheinfiniteconsciousness beginsto'dream'onebecomesathousand(anarmy).Also,athousandbecomesone,asindeepsleep.Hence,itisnotpossibletosaythatsomethingisimpossible here,ortosaythatsomethinghappenshere.Whateverisexperiencedishowitisexperiencedhence,theknowersoftruthseenocontradictionsorimpossibilitiesin anyofthis.Suchdiscussionsconcerningwhatispossibleandwhatisimpossiblearemeaningfulonlyiftheyrelatetoarealitybutwheneventheworldappearanceis onlyanillusionoralongdream,suchdiscussionsaremeaningless.Inadreamlikereality,theonlytouchstoneis'experience'whateveris

Page719

experiencedisexperiencedasreal.Whatexistshereisinaccordancewiththeimagethatarisesintheinfiniteconsciousness. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:210

Ishallnowtellyouwhyahundredmoonsdonotappearintheskywhenahundredpeoplecontemplateandpray,'MayIbeamoon'.Allofthemdonotappearinthis particularskynordotheyenteroneparticularmoon.Onepersoncannotenterthedreamcityofanother.Eachonehashisowndreamworldandinthatdreamworld hebecomesthemoon.Evensoitiswithmanymenprayingthattheymayallhaveaparticularwomanaswife.Thefruitofsuchprayerisreflectedineachone's consciousnesswhicheachoneexperiencesasifitwerereal.Surely,allthisispurelyimaginaryandwhatisnotpossibleforimagination? Evensodoesoneexperiencethefruitsofone'scharity,etc.,intheotherworld.Suchcharity,etc.,haveformedanimageinone'sconsciousnessandconsciousness itselfimaginesthatintheotherworlditisexperiencingthefruitsofsuchcharity.Thisisalsotheviewofthewisemen. THEKINGasked: Lord,howdoesthisbodyappearinthefirstplace? VASISTHA*replied: Whatyouhavecalledthebodydoesnotexistintheeyesofthesage.ItisonlyBrahman.Evensotheword'dream'usedtoillustratethetruthoftheillusorinessofthe worldappearance:thereisno'dream'intheinfiniteconsciousness.Thereisneitherabodynoradreaminit.Thereisneitherawakingstate,nordreamnorsleep. Whateverisisitisvoid,itisOM.Enoughofevensuchdescriptions. Between'this'and'that'isthebodyofconsciousness:itisunityanddiversity.Fullness(infinity)expandsininfinityandthentheinfinitealoneexistsastheworld.It appearstobebutitisnotwhatitappearstobe.Whereverconsciousnessconceivesofcreation,therecreationseemstoexist.Theindivisibleconsciousnessexists everywhere,andallthatisalsothiscreation.AllthisistheeverpeacefulBrahmanorinfiniteconsciousness,whichisalsoknownascreation. Itcannotbeotherwise.Allelseisignoranceandpervasion.Thisistheexperienceofallintheworld,thisisthedeclarationofthescripturesandthevedas.Whenthis truthisrealised,thatrealisationitselfbecomesBrahmanandthiswholeuniverseisrealisedasnondifferentfromBrahman.Thus,myviewisinconformitywith experienceandscripturaldeclaration.Itisconducivetoliberationhereandnowandhenceitisthemostappropriateone.Whenthetruthconcerningthistreeof samsara*isclearlyperceived,therealisationarisesthat'Iamthethreeworlds'andthereisliberation.

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Thevisibleuniverseremainsasitis,butceasestobeanobjectofconsciousnessitmergesintheinfiniteconsciousness. VI.2:211 RAMA*asked:

Whatarethesesiddhas(theperfectedones),sadhyas*(celestials),yama(death),brahma*(creator),vidyadharas*anddivaukasas(celestials)andtheirownworlds? VASISTHA*said: Everynightandeveryday,infrontofyou,behindyouandaboveyou,youseetheworldsofthesesiddhasandothers.Youseethemifyouwishtoseethem,andyou donotseethemotherwise.Ifonedoesnotpracticetheartofseeingthem,theyappeartobefaraway.Theseworlds,too,aresubtleandsupersensual(supernatural) andthewholespaceisfullofthem. Justasthisworldisillusoryandimaginary,evensoaretheworldsofthesiddhasandcelestials.Bytheirpsychicpower,theseworldshavebeenstabilisedevensoyou canmaketheworldofyourownimaginationorfancystablebyintensecontemplation.Thesiddhasorperfectedoneshavethusmadetheirworldsstableothersfind thisdifficult.Thisuniverseisfilledwiththeinfiniteconsciousnessandtheuniverseiswhateverimagetheconsciousnessentertainswithinitself. Theuniversehasnotbeencreatedbyoroutofsomethingelse:nosuchcauseexistedatthebeginningofcreation.Itiswhatevernotionorimagearisesin consciousness.Inone'sownimaginationamountainarisesthoughintruththereisnosuchmountain.Suchisthenatureoftheworldappearance,too.Therefore,the knowersofthistruthlivehereasiftheywerewalkingtrees. AlltheseuniversesthatappearinBrahmanexistinitasnondifferentfromit,justasthewavesexistintheoceannondifferentfromit.Thoughthisuniverseseemsto haveexistedforalongtimeandthoughitseemstobeafunctionalreality,stillitispurevoidanditisnomorerealthananimaginarycity.Thoughpeoplehave experienceditsexistence,itdoesnotexist:evenasoneseesone'sowndeathinadream.Theunrealappearstobereal.Therealityandtheunrealityoftheworldare twoaspectsofthesupremebeing.Eventheconceptofsupremebeingisonlyaconcept,notthetruth.Letitallbethiswayorletthetruthbedifferentfromallthis. Whereistheneedtobeconfusedandconfounded?Abandonthepursuitofthefruitsofactions.Youareenlightened.Donotexertyourselfinvainpursuit. VI.2:212 VASISTHA*continued:

BrahmanconsidersitselfastheinfinitespacebecauseBrahmanisinfiniteconsciousness.Thatinfinitespaceitselfisthecosmicperson

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inwhomthisworldexistsbutallthisisnondifferentfromBrahmanandhenceallthisisBrahman.Thisworldappearanceisotherwiseanillusion,thoughitisseenasa reality,evenaswaterinthemirageisunrealandillusorythoughitseemstoexist. RAMA*asked: Pray,tellme,whendoesBrahmannotconsideritselfthus. VASISTHA*said: InBrahman,theinfiniteconsciousness,theimageofcreationexistsevennow.However,thoughitistruethatcreationandnoncreationexistinBrahmaneverywhereat alltimes,theydonotexistindependentlyofhimandhencefromanotherpointofview,theydonotexist.Sincethiscreationis(likemovementandwind)non differentfromBrahman,Brahmandoesnotknowitasanobject.Therefore,creationiswithoutbeginningandwithoutendandthatisBrahman. Whenyouarenotenlightenedandwhenyouexperienceanawakeningbymerelylisteningtothesewords,youexperienceanapparentdualityordiversityinwhatisin factnondualBrahman.Nothingexistshereandthereforetherearenoconceptsofobjectsthereisnothingotherthantheselfandtheselfdoesnotconceiveofan object.Whatappearstobethethreeworldsappearstobeatalltimes,butitisthesupremelypeacefulBrahmaninwhichthereisnodiversityatall.Itisonlyaslongas youarenotfullyenlightenedthatyouexperienceapparentdiversity.Whenyouarefullyenlightened,youwillneedneitherscripturesnorinstructionsandyouwillnot experiencedualityordiversitybasedonthenotionof'I'. RAMA*asked: Whathappenswhenthenotionof'I'arisesinthesupreme? VASISTHA*replied: Whenthe'I'notionarisesintheconsciousness,theconceptofinfinitespaceariseswithit,fromthisthetimespacecontinuumandfromthis,divisionanddiversity. Hence,therearisenotionslike'Iamhere'whichmeans'Iamnotthere'.Whenallthesehavearisen,the'I'becomesawareofthesubtlerootelementsfromwhichthe worldappearancearisesasalsotheworldappearance.Thus,fromBrahmantheinfiniteconsciousnessapparentlycomesintobeingthatwhichisnotBrahman. However,thisisonlyapparentandnotrealinrealitytheinfiniteBrahmanaloneexists. VASISTHA*continued: VI.2:213

Justasyouquestionedmejustnow,ORama*,youdidquestionmeoncebeforeinapreviousepoch.Atthattime,too,youweremydiscipleandIwasyourguru.I rememberthatdialogueclearlyandIshallrepeatitforyou.

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TheDISCIPLEasked:Praytellme,Lordattheendoftheworldcycle,whatisitthatperishesandwhatisitthatenduresanddoesnotsoperish. ThePRECEPTORsaid:Myson,whateverisseen(theobjectsofperception)perishes,justaswhenyouenterthedeepsleepstate,thedreamworldperishes.All theseworldswiththeirmountainsandtheirdirectionsperishutterlyeventimeandtheactivity,asalsotheworldorder,perish.Allbeingsperishandeventhespace disappearsbecausethereisnonethatthinksofspaceorthinksinspace.EventhegodslikeBrahma*thecreator,Visnu*theprotectorandRudratheredeemercease tobetheydonotexisteveninname.Whatremains?Onlytheinfiniteconsciousness,buteventhisisaninferencebasedonthepresentexperience. TheDISCIPLEasked:Ithasbeensaidthattheunrealdoesnotcomeintobeingandthattherealhasnononbeing:howdoesthishappenandhowdoeswhatisseen perish? ThePRECEPTORsaid:Myson,thisdoesnotperishandhenceitissaidthat'Itisnotseen'.Itissaidthattheunrealhasnobeingandtherealhasnononbeing.That whichdoesnotexistatanytimeanywhere,isalreadynonbeing.Howdoesitperish?Whatispermanentinthewaterseeninthemirageandwhatispermanentin illusion?Whateverisseeninthisuniverseisanillusion,andwhyshouldnottheillusionceasetobe?Justasadreamcomestoanendonwakingupandthewaking statecomestoanendongoingtosleep,allthisworldappearancecomestoanend.Whenonewakesupwheredoesthedreamcitygo?Similarlyonedoesnotknow wheretheworldappearancegoes. TheDISCIPLEasked:Whydoesallthisappeartobeandwhydoesthatappearanceceasetobe? ThePRECEPTORreplied:Itistheinfiniteconsciousnessalonethatappearsasallthisindependentofitthereisnoworld.Evenwhileappearingtobeallthis,the infiniteconsciousnessdoesnotloseitsowntruenatureoridentity.Bothappearanceandnonappearanceareaspectsofconsciousness,justaswhenyourformis reflectedinwater,forinstance,thereflectionistemporaryandyourownformisnot.Dreaminganddreamlesssleepareaspectsofonesleepevensocreationand dissolutionareaspectsofBrahman. TheDISCIPLEsaid:Inadreamthereissomeoneotherthanthedreamer(viz.,pureconsciousnesswhichisnotdividedintothedreamerandthedream).Evenso,isit possiblethatthereissomeoneotherthantheperceiveroftheworldillusion? ThePRECEPTORsaid:Thatisso.Therefore,itsrealnatureorformisnottheworldappearance.Consciousnessaloneisandit

Page723

illumineswhateveris,buttheappearanceisexperiencedbyanother.Hence,itisthesynthesisofcontradictions.Itdoesnotillumineanythinganditcannotevenbesaid tobeexistence.Itistheappearanceintheinfiniteconsciousness.Howcantherebe'real'and'unreal'intheobserver? Ifitissaidtobeseeneverywhereasallatalltimes,itcanalsobesaidthatitisnotseenasalleverywhereatalltimes.Itistherealityanditistheunrealityatalltimes.It istheinfiniteconsciousness.Itdoesnotperishandtheother(theworldappearance)doesnotperisheither.Thereisgreatsorrowonlywhentherealityoftheinfinite consciousness,withitstwoaspectsofcreationanddissolution,isnotrealised:whenitisthusrealisedthereisgreatpeace. TheLordortheinfiniteconsciousnessaloneisthepot,mountain,cloth,tree,grass,fire,themovableandtheimmovableeverything.TheLordiswhatisandwhatis not,thevoid,action,time,spaceandearth,existenceanddestruction,goodandevil.Thereisnothingwhichtheinfiniteconsciousnessisnot.Itiseverything everywhereatalltimesitisnotanythinganywhereatanytime. Abladeofgrassisthedoerandtheenjoyerapotisboththedoerandtheenjoyerapieceofclothisthedoerandtheenjoyersightisboththedoerandtheenjoyer themountainisboththedoerandtheenjoyermanisthedoerandtheenjoyereachoneisthesupremeLordhimself.Ineachofallthesethings,theLordhimselfis thedoerandtheenjoyerorexperiencer.ForeverythingisBrahmanwhoisbeginninglessandendlessandtheordainerofeverything.Hence,evencreationand destructionareaspectsoftheoneLordortheinfiniteconsciousness.Consciousnessaloneisboththedoerandtheexperiencerofeverythingineverything.Hence, nonehereisthedoerandtheexperiencerofanything,ortheLordisthedoerandtheexperiencerofeverything.Thusitispossibleforeverything(injunctionsand prohibitions)toexistintheLordandnottoexistsointruth.Allthisisasallthisisexperiencedbyeachone. ThusdidIinstructyou,ORama*.AndthushaveItoldyouallthatisworthknowing.Remainestablishedinthereality,inthestateofenlightenment.Befreein nirvana*andrulethekingdomjustly. VASISTHA*said: VI.2:214

WhenthesageVasistha*thusconcludedhisteachingtherewascelestialmusicinthesky.Therewasarainofflowers.Everyoneintheassemblyworshipedthesage withflowers. ThenkingDASARATHA*said:Wehavegainedperfectknowledge.Werestinthesupremestate.Ourmindsandourheartshavebeenutterlypurifiedofall delusionsandillusions,notionsandperversions,bytheilluminatingteachingsofthesage.

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RAMA*said:Byyourgrace,Olordamongsages,mydelusionhasgoneandIhaveattainedthesupremestate.Iamnowfullyaccomplishedwithmyintelligence perfectlyclear.Iamfreedofdoubts.IrestinmyownnaturalstateasBrahmanorintheknowledgeofnirvana*.Ishalldoasyouhavesaid.Thereisnothingformeto gainbydoingorbynotdoinganything.Ihavenofriendorenemy.Howcanonerealiseallthisexceptthroughyourgracehowcanalittleboycrosstheoceanwithout thehelpofabridgeorboat? LAKSMANA*said:Bythemeritacquiredbypastbirths,wehaveheardthesageandarenowridofalldoubts. VISVAMITRA*said:ItisasifwehadbathedinathousandsacredGangas(rivers). NARADAsaid:Wehaveheardwhatwehavenotheardeitherinheavenoronearth.Hence,wehavebeencompletelypurified. SATRUGHNA*said:Ihavegainedsupremepeaceandbliss. Aftertheyhadallspoken,thesageVasistha*saidtotheking:''Attheconclusionoftherecitationofascripture,theholyonesshouldbeworshiped.Hence,fulfilallthe wishesofthebrahmanas*.Youwillattainthefruitsofthissacredundertaking.''Thenthekinginvitedtenthousandbrahmanas*fromalloverthecountry.He worshipedthem.Hefedthem.Helavishedgiftsonthem.Later,headoredthecitizens,theservants,thepoorandthecrippledones. Afterthattherewasagreatcelebrationinthecapital,whichincludedmusicconcertsanddanceperformances,recitationofthevedasandotherscriptures.Thenall theseartisteswereentertainedwithfoodanddrinks,andlavishgiftsofclothesandjewelswerebestoweduponthem. TheenlightenedkingDasaratha*celebratedthesuccessfulcompletionofsageVasistha's*teachingforawholeweekwithavarietyofentertainmentsandreligious rites. VI.2:215,216 VALMIKI*said:

OBharadvaja*,thusdidRama*andothersattainsupremeknowledgeandthestatebeyondsorrow.Evenso,acquirethisattitudeandliveasaliberatedsage,free fromdoubt.Truly,bylisteningtothisscriptureyouarealreadyliberatedyouareajivanmukta*.Evenayoungboylisteningtothisattainsselfknowledge.Eventhe ignorantones,inwhoseheartsthebondagecausedbycravingsisstrongandpersistent,risebeyondthestateofdivisionbyastudyofthisscripturethatdealswith liberation,evenasyoungboysbecomematuremen(nonboys).Theywillneveragainbeinvolvedinsamsara*. Eventheywhorecitethisscripturewithoutunderstandingthemeaning,theywhowritethis(copythis)inabook,theywhomakesomeonereaditorcommentuponit, theyattaingreatmeritand

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enjoylifeinheaven,andinthethirdbirthattainliberation. VALMIKI*saidtokingAristanemi*:ThushaveItoldyouwhatVasistha*taughtRama*.Bythispathyouwillattainthetruth.TheKINGsaid:Lord,byyourgrace Ihavecrossedthissamsara*.(Tothemessengerofthegods,theKINGsaid:)Youhavebeenatruefriendtome.Youmaynowgo.IshallcontemplatethetruththatI havethusheard. TheMESSENGERsaidtothecelestial:Iwassupremelythrilledtohearallthis.IshallnowgototheabodeofIndra. TheCELESTIALsaid:Iamtrulyblessedtohearallthisfromyou,Omessengerofthegods.NowyoucangotoIndra. AGNIVESYA*saidtoKarunya*:Thusdidthecelestialremainimmersedincontemplation.Haveyouheardallthiswell?KARUNYA*replied:Surely.Mydelusion isgone.Ishallnowlivealifeofspontaneousnonvolitionalactivity. AGASTIsaidtoSutiksna*:ThusdidAgnivesya*instructhissonKarunya*.Donotdoubtthisteaching,forhewhodoubtsthisperishes.SUTIKSNA*said:My ignorancehasbeendispelledandthelampofknowledgehasbeenkindled.Irealisethatalltheseobjectsoftheworldexistintheinfiniteconsciousnesslikewavesin theocean.Hence,Ishalllivealifeofspontaneousnonvolitionalactivity.Iamtrulyblessed.Isaluteyou.Foradiscipleshouldadoreandservehisgurubythought, wordanddeed.Lord,byyourgraceIhavecrossedthisoceanofsamsara*.Isalutethesupremebeing,contemplatingwhomonerealisesthatallthisisindeed Brahman,theinfiniteconsciousness.SalutationstothedivinepreceptorVasistha*. OM*TATSATTHEEND

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INDEX

A
Abhinavagupta,onreality,ii Abhyasa*(longing),410 Abhyasa*(righteffort),62,552 SeealsoPractice(s),spiritualSelfeffort Action(s),48,110,147 appropriate/intelligent,228,238,299,305306,326,364,379380,382383,398399,435,443,472473,478,481,483,485,487,504,510,511,527, 530,532,535,591592,602,611612,649,660661,667,710711 bodyand,113,135,150,162,271,364372373,487488,489 andbondage,156,203,288289,333,371,483,487488,506 andcharacter,510,609 detachmentand,291,298,300,320321,329,345,354,356,382383,387,388,398,402,405,421,438,440,449,462,475,479,487,504,505,510, 511,527,532,596,645,710711,720 dharmaand,472473 anddivinity,524,535,597,612,650 doerof,52,89,116,131,135136,177,181,192,212,250,253,305308,344,356,364,377,402,451,452,472473,476,479,485,645,676,723 egotismand,10,117118,151,334,487488 freedomfrom,164,178,208209,244,255,271,278279,284,286,295,312,318,321,354,388,401,440,475,483,486,489,510,515,597,720 fruit(consequence/results)of,16,2627,2830,33,42,80,116,118,136,142,153154,195,291,331,333,334,335,371,399,402,430,440,441442, 479,487,504,645,653,720 andimmortality,3 karmaand,371,430,457,479,482,510511 andkriya(s)*,415,573 loving,530 Maya*and,573 mindand,110111,117119,128,132136,150,153,161,162,177,207,263,266,271,289,291,305308,363,488,675 natural,611612,711 samadhi*and,278,284,286,379380534,668669 andsamskara*,638 selfeffortand,2526,3134,68,89207,209,212,243244,244,289,320,409,427,504,511,662 timeand,16,160,333 andworship,380382,399,405,436 youthand,1314,660 SeealsoKarmaRighteousconduct Adhara*(support),591 Adharma(wrongaction),472473 and(re)birth,635 SeealsoActionDharmaSin Adhis*,429 SeealsoIllness,mentalNadis* Adhisthana*,169 Adversity,12 Agasti,725 Agastya,Sage,3,605 Age,old,12,134,163,267,335,555,585 LordRama*on,1415 Selfand,331,407

Page728

strivingand,436,660 SeealsoTime Ages,cosmic,359,576 SeealsoYuga(s) Agnivesya*,3,725 Ahalya*,Queen,111 Aham,204 Ahambhavana*(notionof"I"),394,451515 renunciationof,469470,489490 Ahamkara*(egoprinciple),189,324,693694 jiva*and,394 LordRudra(Siva*)and,567 SeealsoEgotism/Egosense Air cosmic,500,600,664 ofcreation,67,88,186,301,402,544568 deathand,80,484,500 originof,69,90,645646 vata*,587 vital,355,356,372,385,640 SeealsoPrana* Aja,506 Ajnana*,340 SeealsoAvidya*Ignorance Akasa*,40,324,367 SeealsoSpace Akasaatma*(spaceself),567 Akasa*Ganga*,223 SeealsoGanga*,HolyRiver Akasaja*,4243 Alambusa*,Goddess,348 worshipof,349 Amarasoma,621 SeealsoVipascit*,King AmatBharat*,ix Ambition,267 Amritanubhava,ii SeealsoJnaneshwar*,Sri* Anartha(unhappiness),525 SeealsoArthaHappiness Andhaka,612 Anger,12,252 andaction,151 innerenemyof,490 ofMaya*,573 wisdomand,99100,150,300,354,473476 Animals compassionof,442 inhumandisguise,170,490,511 nadis*of,427 reincarnationand,408409,620624 sarabha*,620 wisdomand,137 Antahkarana*,324 Antravestika*nadi,427 SeealsoBody,subtleNadis* Apana*,95,248,301,355 heartlotusand,356 kundalini*and,429 meditationand,380381,583 SeealsoBreathPrana* Aparajita*,Goddess,348 Appearances.SeeWorldAppearance Aristanemi*,Sage,34,725 Arjuna,397405 SeealsoKrsna*,Lord Artha(pursuitofprosperity),334 andanartha(unhappiness),525 Arundhati*,59 Arya*(adorableperson),480 Asamsanga*(nonattachment),479 Asana*,320 SeealsoPostureYoga Asarira*(bodiless),587 SeealsoBody,subtleGhostsGod(s)/Goddess(es) Asceticism,415,435,621 implementsof,435436,446 andmeditation,543 SeealsoAusterityPenance ASivam*(evil),452453 Astrology,651 Asuras(demons),591,625 SeealsoDemons Ativahika*body,385,396,553,578,694695 andelements,579582 ofKingVipascit*,613 SeealsoBody,subtle Atma*,41,45 SeealsoSelf Atman*,133,313,596 SeealsoSelf Atmasakti*,339 Atma*svarupa*(imageofAtma*),40 SeealsoAkasa*Self Atri,Sage,287 Attachment,132,267,321322,437,462 anddoership,131132,177,192,310311364,402,487 embodimentand,255256,282283290,364,402403,550,695 freedomfrom,137,142,161162,162163,171,173,184,191,207,208209,219,225,228,266,296,298,300,314,321,326,329,345,353354,359, 387,402,421,444445,447448,457,465466,479,487,498,504,511,530,536,595,596,700,710711 ignoranceand,134,155,167,173,252,286,289,290291,321322,326,333,364,402,448449 LordSiva*and,612 Selfand,509

Page729

youthand,14,333 SeealsoObjects,ofperception,cessationof Attention creationand,189190 directionof,46,130,315,376,627 ofjiva*,627 selfknowledgeand,193 Attitude,inner,86,601,724 ofGods,612 illnessand,430 understandingand,192,211,295296405,466,472473 worshipand,387 SeealsoMentalconditioningPerception Attraction(s) absenceof,521,528,533 anddelusion,333,335,340,444445496 anddispassion,24,192,309,311,327,382383,403,461462,478,487,530,660661 forliberation,653 potentialityand,497 andrepetitiveexistence,1415,103 SeealsoSexualattraction AUM.SeeOM Austerity delusionof,445446 dispassionand,537 fireof,98 originof,29 practiceof,57,62,223,230,258,284287,305,320,366,458,530,648,649,653,675 realityand,42,45,123,210,440 satsanga*and,34,530 andtranquility,660 willpowerand,62 Aversion,335,340 absenceof,521,530 cessationof,311,320,382383,403 SeealsoHate Avidya*(ignorance),336,339,484,539 nonexistenceof,478 Awakening,spiritual,x,203,249,292308,360,410,434,466,488,526,699 coincidenceof,479,480 guruand,485 ignoranceand,504,550,633,703 indukala*and,573 andinnerintelligence,488,492,493499,507,576,631,676,696 instructionand,393394,398405,457 jiva*and,536,633 perfect,674 prana*and,356 renunciationand,296,405406 selfenquiryand,338339,339,451499,507508,626628 andsupernaturalpowers,610 wisdomand,529,554,709,721 andworship,399400,536 Awareness,89,249,372 continuous,379380,511 cosmic,625,667668,673674,692 andcreation,496,523524,567,577635,636,659,664,692,704 afterdeath,717 equanimityand,354 andexperience,636637,660,673674 jiva*and,433,502,505,634,652,660 kundalini*and,427430 mindand,112113,203,252,276,322324,376,394,484485,513,652 andnonawareness,488489,572,667668700701 practiceof,511512 relationshipand,140141,264,394395455,575,577,693 samadhi*and,533 Selfand,664 SeealsoBrahmanConsciousnessjiva* Ayodhya*,6,689

B
Bahyakarana*,324 SeealsoBody Bali,King,225234,298 liberationand,591,612 Beauty anddistraction,14 ofGoddessLaksmi*,238 transitorynatureof,1415 Being(s),xii cominginto,642,692696,701,717721 cosmic,50,53,63,69,78,104,105,142,147,170,179,183,186,223,241,272,290,328,335,369,477,483,501,502,504,512,523,567568,588, 593,645 disembodied,110,480,514,549,625 divine,30,290,298299,334,346,369,376,397,406,431,523,555,583,586,591 egosenseand,500 eviland,16 ghostsandgoblins,586,625 andkarma,510511 nonexistenceof,697698,722 supreme,112,116,118,121,146,171213214,245,279,281,358,368,374,376,377,378380,383,403,406,421,450,452453,456,541,623,677, 688,695,703,720 typesof,79,115116,170,182,189,195,204,206,313,336,348,352,370,397,408409,480,523,545,546,548,555,586,591,609,612,620624, 625,643

Page730

willand,92,116 SeealsoGod(s)/Goddess(es)jiva*(soul) Belief convictionand,162,288289,441,492500,537,594,692,696,699 existenceand,182183,191,370,374410,481,500,537,539,591,594,635,657,676,692,696 ignoranceand,332,339,370,395,449450629,674,692,696 liberationand,591,674,696,700 renunciationof,472473,515 SeealsoIdea(s)IdentificationIgnorance Bha*(radiance),618 BhagavadGita*(TheSongofGod),viii405,662 Bhagavatam*,63 Bhagavati*.SeeKali* Bhagiratha*,King,420422 Bhairava,348,572 illusionof,572 Bharadvaja*,4,346,481,483486,724 Bharata,111,353 Bhasa*,Demon,172173,287,654 Bhasa*(shining),618 SeealsoSun Bhiksu*,413 Bhima*,Demon,172173 Bhima*(Arjuna'sbrother),398 Bhrgu*,Sage,147,149 Bhrngisa*,472476 Bhuh*,642 SeealsoBeing Bhusunda*,346358,490499 Bhutaksas*(elementspace),40,324 SeealsoAkasa*Element(s) Bhutamandalam*,259,261 Bile(pitta),640 SeealsoBody,humoursof Birth(s),8,141,158,194,234,250,287335,439440,571 jiva*and,5354,80,216217,294,495549,635636,653,658 karmaand,4243,80,370371,633 liberationand,4,31,165,238,248,345458,479480 LordRama*and,9,18,353 mentalconditioningand,5,60,6970148149,157,190,238,258,263,289,314,322,338339,356,408411,440,506,616,635636,658 nonexistenceof,457,510,633,656 QueenLila's*,65 selfeffortand,25,289290 typesof,115116,151,168,182,203408,513,555,625,653,658,725 SeealsoBondageDeath Blessing(s),535,592,618,650,653,691692724 cursesand,685 equanimityand,709 Bliss,xii,45,123,307,343,374 andactions,286 jiva*and,503 nonrecognitionand,517 realizationand,113,178,204,275,278297,425,475 stateof,18,31,205,276,292,312,389448,485,724 worshipand,367 Bodha,394 SeealsoAwareness Bodhalingam*,380 SeealsoAwareness Bodham,529 SeealsoWisdom Body,113,150,160,164,224,252,341594,635 actionand,113,135,150,162,271,364372373,487488,489 craving/desireand,218,297,364,523 deathand,79,123,150,248,253,363373,396,402403,460,483484,500,510,588,598,634,715,718 anddisease,94,294,429430 dream,62,363 egosenseand,12,135,355,364,489500,555 ethereal,80,8384,112,548,586,623653,679 humoursof,640641 intelligenceand,46,8182,128,141253,331,364,380,501 jiva*(soul)and,5253,8081,112,115,174,293,293294,328,373,394395,402403,423,429,433,439,477,486,502,503,505,553,595,626, 634,635636,640,652,658,694695 ofKingPadma,57,77 liberationand,255256,277,286,292302,311,314,322,337,341,354359,446447,460,510,515,611,672 andlight,6162,77,626 LordRama*on,1112 mindand,112113,115,118119,135136,147,151,153,158,161,162,174,181,182183,219220,248,252253,271,274,282283,286,292,294, 296,309,314,322,324,328,360361,363,364,370,372,500,539,626,628,629,652,657 organsandvisceraof,626 andSelf,123,135,137,163,164,172193194,244,245,248,288,290,292313,324,330,339,471,474,510,664 subtle,84,112,301,310,354359,373376,380382,385,394,396397,427430,432,433,477,484,486,500,502,

Page731

537,552,554,578,581,587,613,629,640,646,649,653,654,679680,681,694695,697 transformationand,433,434,462463,486,579582,585586,604605,609610,618,626,628,658 youthand,14 SeealsoSense(s) Bondage,24,122,136,217,324,406,438451,504,571,659 craving/desireas,11,173,204,206220,287,388,520521,550551 dependenceand,509510 freedomfrom,137,142,152,156,165,194,203,231,289,291,293,308309,322,327,355,356,509 knowledgeand,696 mindand,324,404,513 nonexistenceof,673,699 perceptionand,4142,89,118,134150,162,173,174,194,203,204,215,220,231,233,288289,290,296,374375,411,443,477,612,622,637, 695,696,699 selfeffortand,2528,94,119,131,192288,444445,509,646 timeand,16 Boon.SeeBlessing(s)God(s)/Goddess(es),graceofGrace Brahmakasam*(absolutespace),367 SeealsoSpace Brahma*,viii,15,29,47,235,240,247,254,283,327,335,340,367,369,376,406,476,538,540541,571,591,600,687,688 andBharadvaja*,4 contemplationof,109,114 andcreation,53,61,87,114,116,159182,183,185,194,335,352,407,414,455,544,546,548,555,556,619,645,675,695,705 destructionand,18,558,722 eyesof,675676 andKarkati*,93 karmaand,633 andLordSiva*,612 perceptionof,48,309,667 prana*of,558 realm(s)of,66,67,77,346,555,568 selfeffortand,25,163,653 spaceand,617 Brahmacarya(continence),196,550 SeealsoRenunciation Brahman,15,53,61,107,220,312,335396,725 bodilyequilibriumand,641 completesilenceand,514 andcosmicdissolution,697,717 creationand,41,4950,51,78,89,138146,152,153,180,394,404,450,452,472,494,495,498,505,523524,526,553,568,627,633,638,639, 657,659,674,689690,697,701,706707,717,721 desireas,521522 egosenseand,499,500 andform,620,655 andignorance,658 andjiva*,5354,121,178,439,488,502661 andMaya*,453,655 mindand,471,488,628,676 nondifferentiated,114,121,138,158159178179,180,272,295,328,339,340341,368,385,387,390391,399,400,406407,419,424,439,456, 472,478,484485,491,493,493494,498,499,501,510,514,518,524,532,537,553,587,588,596,600,616,617,639,652,657,670,681,688, 695,702,714715,717,719,723 samadhi*and,533,534 Selfand,618 selfeffortand,29,168,196,692 Brahmanadi*,431 Brahmana*(priest),186,258,261,367,408 andblessing,724 bondageof,550551 Cudala*as,437448 devotionto,483 Kundadanta,682690 duringworldcycletransitions,352 Brahmanda*(cosmicegg),678,680 Brahmarpanam*,399 BrahmaRsi*,28 Brahmi*,Goddess,349 Brahmisthiti*(stateoftheCreator),194 Breath deathand,79,80,82,484 andliberation,89,214,275,345 OMand,301 yogaand,302,320,324,354359,427431 SeealsoPrana* Brhaspati*,Sage,287,469470,497498 Buddha renunciationand,448 Buddhi,293,324,373,423,447,577,665666,676,714 jiva*and,394,653,694 kundalini*and,433 LordRudra(Siva*)and,567 Maya*and,448 meditationand,532 strivingand,660 SeealsoDiscriminationIntelligence Buddhist(s) alayaconsciousness*,94

Page732

atSamanga*River,154 Buddhiyoga,661 SeealsoYoga

C
Canda*,theCrow,348 Candika*,573,654 SeealsoMaya* Candra,397 Castesystem,476 Causality,48 absenceof,xxi,44,48,51,54,61,88,92,117,150,158,190,342,391,451,451452,494,505,518,541,599,633,644,645,646,666,667,678679, 692,697,714,715 Brahma(n)and,346,518,541,638,701 cosmicbeingand,645 delusionand,8788,146,206,250,289,339,373374,414,499,504,519,527,644 effectand,5859,61,83,107,374,414,449,456,503,521,539,635,638,639,645,672,676,678,697 egosenseand,499,505 enquiryand,158,176,181,256,324339,434435,449,645646,648 offireandmoon,432 Karkati's*experienceof,98 Maya*and,573 memoryand,672 mindand,1011,113119,225,263264289,293,311,314315,324,360363,676 andrebirth,5,314315,653 Cediarmy,605 Change andchangelessness,51,53,54,169250,343,393,501,589,637,706 consciousnessand,43,54,169,222253,270,293294,353,371,386,389,495,498,588,714 jiva*and,504,637 peaceand,704 puryastaka*and,373374 SeealsoDelusion Character,510 heartand,652 Charity,45,210,230,535,709 ofKingBali,234 ofKingSikhidhvaja*,435 Lordand,536 originof,29 satsanga*and,34 Child(hood),407 delusionand,13,370,509 KingJanakaon,206 LordRama*on,1213 strivingand,660 ChilternYogaTrustofElgin(SouthAfrica),ix Cholera,94,420 Cidabhasa*,324 SeealsoSelf Cidakasa*(consciousnessspace),40,119146,324,367,588,596,647 anddiversity,638 experienceof,553 LordRudra(Siva*)and,567 voidand,526 SeealsoAkasa*Consciousness Cidambaram*(pureconsciousness),601 SeealsoCitConsciousness,cit(pure)Infinity,ofconsciousness Cina*warriors,605 Cinmaya(totalconsciousness),324 SeealsoConsciousness Cintamani*,441442,443 SeealsoPhilosopher'sstone Citatma*(lightofselfknowledge),209 Cit(pureconsciousness),45,502,509528,539,559,577,596,601,632,647,670,694,698,706,714 concentrationand,626 anddiversity,638,661,688 andkarma,633 prana*and,629 SeealsoConsciousness Citragupta(RecordofDeeds),80 Citsakti*,89,121,179,283,343 inimmobilecreatures,339 Cittaakasa*(mindspace),40,118119324,373,628,629,694 andexperience,652,660 LordRudra(Siva*)and,567 renunciationand,447448 SeealsoAkasa*Mind Cittam,700701 SeealsoMind Coincidence,117,206,314,645 Brahmanand,702 creationand,639,644,645,672,695701,702 desireand,521522 ignoranceand,139 illusionand,263264,645,692 jiva*and,410,502 realityand,644,645,649 ofworldorder(niyati),692 yogaand,479 SeealsoCausality,absenceof Company good,30 ignorant(bad),506,535 andliberation,30 SeealsoSatsanga* Compassion,283 absenceof,16 ofanimals,442

Page733

ofBrahma*,29,194 strivingand,530 Concentrationanddeath,79 anddispassion,556 forceof,657 humanbeingand,79 objectificationand,411412 pranayama*and,355359 timeand,543 ofvision,532 andwisdom,551,556,626 Concepts.SeeIdea(s) Conditioning.SeeMentalConditioningMind,andmentalconditioning Conduct,seeker studyof,34 SeealsoDharma Consciousness alaya*,94 cit(pure),45,502,509,512,521,524528,541,559,571,572573,588,596,601,632,633,638,647,656,658,661,670,688,698,706,714 cosmic,45,47,50,51,67,76,114115,142,146,179180,266,272,283,326,335,341342,353,358,367,369,377378,386387,390391,405, 428,447,452,474475,493,497,509,526,588,625,645 defined,101105,176,231,373 andegosense,523,586,693694 heartand,302,356,357,645 individualized,76,118,121,129,135136,138,141,153,158,160,178,189190,214,272,280281,290291,306,316,324,327,336,338,339,360 361,367,370,385,394395,476477,488,493,494495,502503,504,510,625,633637,656,658,693694,719 andintelligence,140141,175,203,306,329,331,339,343,364,376,497,500 jiva*and,50,69,74,80,90,113,115,117,121,135136,157,160,214,281,282283,291,293294,315,324,338,369,370,373,375,385,386,394, 423424,432,474,488,494495,500,502,502503,595,627,634,658,661,690 andkarma,633634 mindand,44,6970,83,111113,115117119,124,129,133134,135,142,175,190,212213,231,258,291,293,306,316,324,360361,365,375, 488501,509,547,628629 omniscient/omnipresent,29,67,74104,107,117,121,160,242,293,304308309,316,327,339,340341,343,343344,367,370,374,377,387,390 391,396,400,404405,406407,409,452,460,475476,495,502,509,538,542,546,557,596,627,639,656,658,673,722 realityand,ii,42,50,54,65,7879,81,8788,102105,107,117,135,142,163164,169,171,175,190,212213,220,231,239255,272,288,292, 316,324,340343,360361,378379,403404,428430,451452,495,497,518519,523,588,596,656,666667 realizationof,61,64,134,137138,142163,203,239255,277,291,292,300301,424426,589,627 realmsof,50,6263,66,77,596,620624627 selfrecognitionof,523524,572573,575,577,589,610,663,693694,716,722 andspace,40,49,50,51,54,57,63,65,77,85,86,8788,102,118119,146,171,185186,240,244,253,324,357367,391,428,521,555,573,577 statesof,55,62,64,6970,71,72,8081,92,103,129,136137,139140,152,158,160162,169,189190,196,207,246,254,266,277,291,292, 300,301,312313,315,339,343,367368,375,407,475,477,480,484,511,526,533,538,600,622,627,636,638,642,644,659,661,664,671, 681682,707,714,719 SeealsoInfinityPowerRealitySelfTruth Contemplation(dhyana*) actionand,278,284,427 ofBrahman,498,725 constant,292,295,298,311,319,325326,379380,380382,411412,484,674,696 creationand,42,109110,114,194471,674,676,698 ofCadala*,423424 dharana*,351,579582 dhyana*,510,516,674 ofelements,579582,632 embodimentand,164165,256,277 ofGoddessBrahmi*,349 imperfect,674 ofIndusons,109110,682 jiva*and,160 ofKingBali,232233 kundalini*and,431 ofLordSiva*(Rudra),376,379,380381409411 ofLordVisnu*,251,257,423 mindand,114,131,134,157,161162,

Page734

192,208,212,219,254,277,284,319,471,510 ofOM,232,275,301,304,312,483,530 ofperfectedone(s),204,221,510,526,543,577,661662,674,696,720 ofPrahlada*,237251 prana*and,358,380382,427430,427431,626 QueenLila's*,84 andremembrance(smrti*),672 ofscripture(s),427,530,709 ofSelf,482483,577 oftruth,517,530,689,696,700,711 Uddalaka's*,269276,269277 ofVaruna*,351 ofVitahavya*,305312,314 SeealsoSamadhi*Self,contemplationof Contentment andliberation,30,3334,660661 scripturalstudyand,35 wisdomand,184185,530,535 Conviction andbondage,505,696,699,704 andcausality,83,231,433,441,537,590,594,657,692 andliberation,5,62,168,212,399,704 mindand,118,134,158,162,289,410 ofnonexistence,492,704 renunciationof,473 scripturalstudyand,35 spiritualpracticeand,137,256 Cosmicegg,678 SeealsoBrahmanda* Cosmicmind.SeeConsciousness,cosmic Courage,16,196,208,495 knowledgeand,297,365,481,530 moral,472 SeealsoFear Craving(s)absenceof,48,162,170,243,296,297,300,304,341,406,476,506,513,704,705 andegotism,10,167,206,218,327,370,491492 humanbodyand,12,5253,200,219 andliberation,172,255,287,461 LordRama*on,11,14 meditationand,532,533,534 renunciationof,46,91,129,131,141,156,165,170,173,184185,204,207,211,218,225,228,267,296297,311,320,329,359,388,496 selfeffortand,32,33,94,129130,496,507 SeealsoDesireMentalConditioningSorrow Creation,xi,46,53,67,147,185186,636,638,642 desireand,2425,5253,110,115,185,285,290291,334,520,523 diversityand,2324,29,40,8788,103,115,152153,157158,240,294,336,337,378,385,404,407,450,474,494,496,499,503,504,548,577, 636,638,643,659,696 anddivinebeings,30,43,61,185,256,290,335,337,348,350,352353,367,497498,499,523,548,556,569571,573576,583,623,643 egosenseand,500,505,693694,698 infinityof,49,52,57,89,102,138,146147,152,158,182,185186,335,368,385,428,474,498,500,544545,576577,636,643,702,706707, 714,715716,717,719,723 mindand,4142,49,70,9192,107108,110,113115,123,152153,174,215,218,273274,293,314315,316,324,363,404,471,544,629,675, 713714 nonexistenceof,4850,52,59,78,88,115,121122,138,145146,171,176,194,215,240,334,338,367,385,450,455,494,509,519,525,539, 541,559,627,632,643,665,670,674,679,690,697,698,721 processof,50,69,8081,182,185186,194195,251252,324,352,385,389,428,476,495,504,559,560562,568,633,636,692694 scriptureand,34,696 Selfof,100101,103,193,238251,293,324,368,501 timeand,1517,50,6061,89,147,350,352,483,499,504,544545,634,643 travellingthrough,66,523,548,620624 vibrationof,29,43,48,54,6970,81 SeealsoBrahmanConsciousness Cruelty,95 Cudala*,423426,434468 SeealsoKumbha*Sikhidhvaja* Curse(s),113,625 andblessings,685 rebirthand,621 SageBhrgu's*,149 ofSageDurvasa*,655

D
Daivam* andkarma,510511 powerand,89 selfeffortand,2830 SeealsoActionFate Dama*,Demon,165169 Daradasoldiers,605 Darkness anddeepsleep,692 formof,63 ghostsand,587

Page735

andhumanbody,626 nonexistenceof,703 prana*and,357,432 qualityof(tamas),115,335,375 andSelf,49,133,209,214,312,339 duringworldcycletransitions,352,504 Darsan*,347 SeealsoGuru,satsanga*ofSatsanga* Dasaratha*,King,67,20,200,414,486,619,689,711,723,724 Dasarna*warriors,605 Dasura*,Sage,186191 Death,8,10,29,69,158,163,194,206,250,287,335,407,439440,571,715 cidakasa*and,588 defined,60,402403,589 degeneracyand,15,363,429 egosenseand,500 equanimityand,99100,258,350,353 andexperience,638 fearof,123,130,167 ignoranceand,134,135,182,215,252,289,322,332,361,363,364,506,718 jiva*and,5354,6061,80,294,373,396,402403,417,495,549,634,635,637,651,656 Kali*and,569 karmaand,4243,370371 andliberation,4,31,165,234,248,312,341,345,353,417,479480 lifeafter,517,542,635,658659,663,687,717 LordRama*on,9,18 nonexistenceof,457,510,589,596,598,637,656,722 prana*and,417,429,483484,500,651 Selfand,331,363,398,542 sufferingand,99,216217,259,363 suicide,261,262 timeand,149157,252,333,350,352 Vasistha's*,6364,70,352 voidand,542,663 andwaking,60,69 wealthand,9 yogaand,79 SeealsoBirthYama,Lord Dedication,topeace,134 SeealsoConviction Dehalingam*,380 SeealsoBody,subtle Dehanta*(endoflifespan),634 Deity,148,153,188,299 ofegosense,555 offire,187 offorest,188 ofhumanbody,626 LordSiva*and,348 protectionof,170,187 rebirthof,182,185 rightconductand,397 ofsenses,484 worshipof,436 SeealsoGod(s)/Goddess(s) Delusion,91,120,139,205,265,333,372,476,482,571,591,655,679,703 childhoodand,13,370,509 citsakti*and,339 craving/desireand,11,48,59,161,173174,218,370,520521 creationand,44,108,145146,157,285,290291,327,338,353,403404,450,498499,500,504,637,666,674 humanbodyand,1112,8384,163,274,288,294,295,362,364,510,637,641,718 jiva*and,113,157,281,282283,294,338,394395,397,423424,433,500,501,502,538,637,641 Karkati's*,94 KingJanaka's,205211 KingLavana's*,125127,139140 KingSikhidhvaja's*,435444 mindand,128,132,134,136137,139140,147,156157,170,180,190,226,262263,267,269276,286,288,305308,316,321322,360361,364, 370,398,449450,481,485,495,529 nonexistenceof,457,470,525,704 QueenLila's*,83 relationshipand,516 andSelf,518 selfeffortand,2526,31,163,212,246247,273,288,338,362,429430,445447,472473,485,490,538,552,622,677 andspiritualpractice,445446,546,677 timeand,1516,119,238,309,370371 andwakingstate,161,262,264,316,538 andwisdom,528529,538,553,637,674,696 SeealsoIdentification,falseIgnoranceObject(s),ofperceptionSense(s)Subject/objectrelationshipWorldappearance Demon(s) Bhima*,Bhasa*andDrdha*,172173 duringcosmicdissolution,558 andcreation,643 Dama*,Vyala*andKata*,165169 delusionand,591,690 Karkati*,93108 KingBali,226234,298,591,612 KingHiranyakasipu*,235 KingNamuci*,298 KingVrtra*,298 andliberation,169,239251,591,612,

Page736

710 LordSiva*and,348 planeof,63,251252,254255,352,497,549,627,630,710 Sambara*,165169,172173 typesof,106107,181,591 andworship,380 Depression absenceof,473 ofKingJanaka,205 Desire(s)(kama*) attachmentand,550551 causelessnessand,115,543 anddisease,93 egotismand,10,168,173,206 evil,591 humanbodyand,12,5253,164165,194,220,315,364,372373,462,523,543 ignoranceand,133,206,218,290291,313314,315,327,373,406,444,491492,507508 andillusion,2425,74,176177,226,248,333,369,377,401,521 andjiva*,475,481 qualityof(rajas),115 andrenunciation,120,129,149,161162,170,173174,184,191,192,203,207,211,218,220,225,228,267,279,282283,296,320,326,359,388, 402,444445,457,465466,518,520521,522523,532,543 Sukra's*,147148,155 timeand,16,6061,248 wisdomand,910,91,110,123,142,163,173,211,232,243,285,297,301,312,318,329,381383,410,426,444,462,473,480,481,504,510,520, 520521,522523,524,524525,530,591,708 SeealsoCravings Destiny humanbodyand,113 inevitabilityof,651 Destruction ofthedeities,18 timeand,1517 Detachment.SeeAction,detachmentandAttachment,freedomfromObjects,ofperception,cessationof Deva(god),367 SeealsoGod(s)/Goddess(es)Siva*,Lord Devanam(splendour),367 Devotion ofdemon(s),237 toduty,170 togod(s),160,196,236,239255,256257,483 toguru,483,492,496,608,725 toinnerlight,210 tojoy,522 tolonging,411412 toLordSiva*,366367 tomeditation,141,301,408,417,689 mindand,111112,114,162,411412,417,676 toprana*,355,356 toSelf,244254,256257,291,295,298,301,322,399 ofwife,466467 Dharana(s)* elementsand,579582 sonof,397 varuni*,351 vayu*,351 SeealsoContemplation Dharma(virtue) absenceof,557 andaction,472473 creationand,715 Gadhi*and,258 andkarma,634 KingBhagiratha*and,420 mindand,162 (re)birthand,635 studyof,34 SeealsoRighteousconduct Dhyana*,510,516517,530,674 SeealsoContemplationMeditation Dilipa*,Emperor,298 Dimension.SeeAkasa* Dirghadrsa*,413 Dirghatapa*,Sage,114,223 Discipline knowledgeand,467468,517 andwisdom,165,709 SeealsoPractice(s),spiritualSelfeffortSelfenquiry Discrimination,30,51,229,284,296 anddispassion,444445,492 intelligenceand,228 jiva*and,293 ofKingBhagiratha*,420 Disease,29,339 enjoymentand,16 Karkati*and,9396,106,107108 medicationand,430 prana*and,429 selflimitationand,373 ofsensecraving(desire),492,518,525 typesof,517 youthand,14 Dislikes.SeeDvesa*Opposites,pairsof Dispassion,8,530,556,591 actionand,472473 cravingand,11,206,225,551 anddiscrimination,30,137,214,226,229,343,444445

Page737

meditationand,530,532,533 mindand,535,660661 selfknowledgeand,2324,162,184185,196,201,229,284,286,301,320,326,341,382383,401,420,465466,480,530,537,542,599,660661 studyof,34,478479 Dissolution,cosmic,1516,24,201,495,541,557,630632,717,722 coincidenceof,701 creationand,29,4142,51,61,69,103,121,145,171,186,455,556,560562,636,655,666,695,697,715716 elementsand,483484 andheart,630632 memoryof,351352 nonexistenceand,4950,7879,171,176,251,454,547,572,690,697,701 ojasand,641 previous,48 supremeLordand,45,47,61,252,335,351,563568 andwishfulfillingtree,350351 Diversity,43,216,249 Brahmanand,514,545,546547,652653,659,715,718 cessationof,2324,40,91,137,180,250,298,374375,382,392,400,504 manifestationof,8182,113115,116,118119,181,294,316,324,334,369,385386,390391,471,474,499,503,504,638,696 nonexistenceof,457,470,524,580,596,609,656,674675,676,687,690,693,703,715,721 perceptionof,40,53,54,103,105,115,117,136,137,152153,157158,161,176,179,194,265,281,288,293,294,316,327,331,341,377,384, 386,395396,407,415,428,450,453,471,494,501,504,508509,540,546,571,612,643,662,674,690 SeealsoCreationUnity,diversityin DivineLifeSociety,viii Doership attachmentand,131132,364,398,402,479,511 cosmicconsciousnessand,76,102,104,142,150,192,212,250,344,368,380,402,451,452,476,485,511,514,518,645,661,676,723 deedand,541 identificationand,52,177,181,253,477,701 mindand,135136,305308,364 powerof,89,116,368 prana*and,356,380 supreme,472473 universal,590 SeealsoAction Doubt cessationof,162163,165,174,278,283,304,330,404,405,507,524,724 ignoranceand,162,629 knowledgeand,540,649,680,689 renundationof,472,494 Drdha*,Demon,172173 Dream body,62,363,548549,587,626627 cosmic,43,342,407,411,645,673674,688,718 enquiryinto,657 andexperience,139140,343,396,408409,416,496,548549,553,622,636,645,688 jiva*and,5253,6970,8081,112113,135,159,396,397,411,538,627,636,641,661 memoryand,638 perceptionand,42,44,5253,55,62,71,72,80,135136,159,431,515,548,548549,627,636,644,659,679,700 realismin,644,645,647,658,658659 samadhi*and,533,630,636 samskaras*and,638 (state),62,92,103,129,136,152,158,161,266,291,315,375,397,475,477,525,526,538,664 wakingstateand,662,681682,701,714 worldand,18,44,4950,60,86,90,92,112113,135136,159,182,189190,222,262263,315,360361,362,367,385386,396,407,414,496, 548549,553,589,600,627,633,636,644,647,662,665666,671,673,688,696,700,701,707,713,719,722 Drs*(seen),394 SeealsoSeer Duality cessationof,46,64,87,90,135,137,142,179,204,220,236,243,277,296,318319,328,330,345,354,365,374375,382383,387,399,401,405, 456,480,512,518519,521 conceptionof,41,43,5254,8789,102,105,113,115,127128,138,147,152153,161162,176,202,215216,266,274,288,290,292,294,327, 341,360361,363374,367,375,391,396,400,425,573575,633,671,698 impliedbyscripture,107,385,721 andinstruction,107,116,121,180,393394,721 nonexistenceof,457,487,493,515,524,527,572573,633,636,642,658,661,667,671,673,702,721 SeealsoBondageRelationship

Page738

Durga*,Goddess,573 SeealsoMaya* Durvasa*,Sage,462,685 andLordIndra,655 Duryodhana,398 Dusana*,Demon,6 Duty,selfknowledgeas,31 Dvadasanta*,356 kuondalini*and,431 SeealsoPrana* Dvesa*(dislikes),329,353,362,370 freedomfrom,530 SeealsoOpposites,pairsofRaga(likes)

E
Earth(medini*),47,63,108,290,335,342,343,402,493,497,524,544,552,568,578,614,625,643,651,664,680,687 Brahmanand,498 contemplationof,578579 cosmicpersonand,502 anddissolution/destruction,351352,483,557,623,630631 andegosense,500 element,654 asflesh(meda),625 heavenand,206 andkundalini*,433 mindas,128 originof,69,78,88,90,183,186 plane,616,624 populationof,397 rebirthand,370 souland,18 Effort.SeeSelfeffort Egotism/Egosense abhyasa*and,62 cessationof,494,498,500,509,516517,522,532,585,705 andcreation,50,51,53,54,183,189190,324,385,428429,452,497,499,505,523,544,578,698 dissolutionof,500,522 dreamstateand,92 enquiryinto,514,524,529,698 asevil,16 andghosts,586587 humanbodyand,12,135,355,364,489,500 identificationand,90,113,117,123,135137,138,166,170,205,206,253,273,280,293,296,364,372,398,449450,544,678 jiva*and,502503,678 LordRama*on,10 LordRudra(Siva*)and,567 memoryand,486487 nirvana*and,543544 andrebirth,5,168,172,248,385 andSelf,495,521 anduniverse,497,498,499 voidand,526 wisdomand,130,163,195,211,229,246247,271,285,304,328,329,342,345,359,403404,406,421,447,470,473,477,489,513,514,522,543, 698 SeealsoCravingSense(s)Mind Element(s)[tanmatras*],xii,54,373,525,649 Brahmaand,568 Brahmanand,498,537,541,544545,553 andcausality,645646,654,714 cidabhasa*and,324 andconditioning,290,294,363,386,579582 andcreation,67,186,453,503,578,694 deitiesof,299 dissolutionof,460,483,557558 involvementwith,194195,579582 jiva*and,402,417,433,503 manifestationof,50,5152,69,78,90,93,114115,312,343,433,476,578,579582,625,694 metaphysical,381,395,430,433 nonexistenceof,600,681,697,714 objectificationand,524,578,579582 planes,616 root,355,428,693,694 andSelf,664 space,10,8788,119,433 subtletyof,680 SeealsoBodyObjects,ofperception Emancipation.SeeFreedomLiberation Emotion(s),12,294 liberationand,505,611 andSelf,324,332 selfcontroland,32 sorrowand,332 Emptiness,452453,577 cidakasa*and,588 inner,530 Enemy,660 Energy.SeeConsciousnessPower Enlightenment beliefin,554 Brahmanconsciousnessand,526,548,658,661,704 buddhiand,704 creationand,642 descriptionand,527 desireand,522 diversityand,662 divinebeingsand,30,434,523 longingfor,410 loveand,466,535 meditationand,533,545548 mind/prana*and,629 qualitiesof,473,476,611,670671,

Page739

705,710711,712713,724 selfcontroland,196,278279 Valmiki*on,481483 SeealsoGuruLiberation Enquiry.SeeSelfenquiry Envy,332 Equanimity(samadhana*),222,234,250,299 actionand,472473,514 contemplationand,381382,420421,674 desireand,521 egotism/egosenseand,10,219,398,402,477,500,514 andexperience,47,162,192,208,277,297,344345,401,514,645 meditationand,533 mindand,207,211,258,266,279,284,315,458 prana*and,358359 scriptureand,677 wisdomand,529530,669,709 Eternality,29,319,398,499 Ether,484 originof,69,90 Evil actionand,28,335,440,483,487,488489,645,653 deathand,542 egosenseand,499 equanimityand,354,359,479 andholyplace(s),350351 humanbodyand,12 Maya*and,573 mindand,304,315,447 nonexistenceof,495 perceptionand,571,645,658 powerof,227,482 rebirthand,658 selfeffortand,26,28,32,653 wealthand,170 youthand,14 SeealsoGood Evolution,157158,203,214,370 intelligenceand,503 metaphysical,395 SeealsoTime,andworldcycles Exhalation.SeeRecaka Existence cyclesof,9,18,65,69,80,84,115116,185186,194195,205,216217,231,248,252,258,287,289,314315,345,350351,359,385,397,404, 409,418,422,439440,451,456,473,483,499,540,544545,556,576 egosenseand,500 immobile,(suchasrock),338339,428 andkarma,510511 andnonexistence,4950,55,57,61,72,87,88,92,103,117121,135,137,141,153,161,171,175,180,182,190,211,215,221,233,240,250,253, 276,292,304,306,308,315,319,331,377338,341,353,360361,367,400,403,450,453,474476,478,488489,492,495,504,521,547,549, 579,588,589,596,599,628,632,637,639,656,665,674675,681,688,690,696,697,699,706,721 perceptionand,4142,7879,103,113,117119,134,152,161162,171,175,190,216,262263,272,290,306,317,369,395,450,456,495,504, 579,701 planesof,50,6667,182,226,251,259,283,287,292,348,385,406,413,497,502,523,538,543,549550,552,579582,613614,646,657 powerof,89,101105,121,324,339,573574 scriptureon,35 timeand,633 andunity,46,5758,100,121,204,241,278,293,308,315,318319,367,370,375,387,524,642,699,720721 SeealsoBrahman Experience(s) contentmentand,184185,472473,660661 cosmicbeingand,645,646647,673674 ofdeath,79,8081,223,658 experiencer,andpureexperiencing,453,495,508,544,578,578579,580,581582,589,620,636,642,682 ofghosts,586 illusionand,2425,44,55,5892,134135,139,163,262263,293,294,336,371,374,397,416,448,480,488489,496,501,504,509,553,619,645, 647,694,695,702,714,718719 individual,637,652,693694,695 jiva*and,502503,504,505,634,636,639642,653,658,661,694 kundalini*and,431,438439 materialityand,51,5253,6869,70,74,110111,114,160,162,182,408411,416,578,580,594,614,636,644,647,658,695,714 Maya*and,573 memoryand,486487,638,665,672,688 mindand,114115,135,136138,139140,153,162,174,217,263,288289,294,306,312,317,318319,322,405,416,447448,496497,629 ofmultipleincarnations,620624 perceptionand,42,44,5253,6092,8687,9091,113,134135,139140,

Page740

162,163,248,262263,285286,288289,294,295,321,369,372,382383,405,425426,494,502,504,508,524,553,579580,593,627628,645, 658,659,661,695,701 potentialityof,497 prayerand,75,652 andprojection,552,676 scriptureand,36,168 andseedstates,549 ofSelf,ii,88,101,103104,114,135,163,170,209,239255,293,295296,297,298299,306308,312,321,343,344345,377,380382,392,406, 474,495,667668,713 ofTruth,x,47,161162,168169,180,192,195,204,208,219,233,239255,276,278,293,297,298299,312,320321,328,340341,344345, 388389,425426,467,504,524525,532,554,578,671,704,712713 ofvoid,91,120,480,523,524

F
Faith andcausality,83 inlifespan,9 vs.time,16,18 inworldappearance,216 Fame,wisdomand,530 Fanaticism,415 Fancy,obstinate,316 SeealsoIdeationImagination Fate,25 bodyand,113 inevitabilityof,651 andkarma,510511 relianceon,130 selfeffortand,483 Fatigue,629 Fear,163,495 childhoodand,13 ofdeath,123,167 devotionand,366,552 enquiryand,703 freedomand,167,218,219,225,280,291,364,515 realityand,190,216 samsara*and,439440,542 satsanga*and,535 SeealsoCourage Fearlessness,130 Feeling(s).SeeEmotion(s) Fire,47,150,249,252,275,280,285,290,334,339,343,402,431,484,498,521,571,581,654,664 ofanger/hate,354 ofausterity,98 ofbody,431432,483,640 ofconsciousness,102,274 ofcraving,218 ofcreation,67,88,179,186,544,568,647 ofdelusion,491 ofdiscrimination,492 ofdissolution,63,218,558,632 ofenquiry,449,493 funeralpyre,259,261 godof,608,618,621,625,654 ofknowledge,493 oflust,14,252 ofmoon,432 originof,69,77,78,90,182,183,645646 plane,616 prana*and,356,356357 sacred,231,464,604,618 sacrificial,187,274,604,618 ofsenseobjects,181 ofwisdom,328 Food bodyofUma*as,348 conditioningand,290 forKalaratri*,623 andnadis*,629,641 timeand,149150 Fool,332 Forgetfulness,43,218,371,373,591 contentmentand,660 objectificationand,375,413 purusa*and,502 SeealsoDelusionJiva* Fourthstate.SeeTuriya(tita)* Freedom,118,277,285,297,457,602,667668 asamsanga*and,479 Brahmanand,498 definitionof,44,503,510 egosenseand,499,503 fourgatekeepersof,30 mindand,162,167,266,288289,292,321,345,471476,501 nirvana*and,490 nonattachmentand,511,612,700,711 studyofscriptureand,3435,321,503 SeealsoLiberation Friendliness(maitri*),669 Friend(ship),192,339 andenemy,660,724 ofgreatones,507,668669,709 betweenVasistha*andBhusunda*,359 wisdomand,530,533,724 Funeralrites,8283,187,259,287 SeealsoDeath Future,47,104,191,220,567 astrologyand,651 ideationand,190 knowledgeand,66,265,358,585,647648,651,677

Page741

timeand,89

G
Gadhi*,258264 Gandhamadana*,Mount,269 Gandhamadana*Hill,4 Gandhara*territory,605 Gandharvas(celestialartists),591 Gandha(scentofwisdom),591 Ganga*,HolyRiver,56,238,582 increation,108 andKingBhagiratha*,420,420422,422 LordSiva*and,347 Narada*at,437 purityand,724 Vyoma,223 waterfrom,464 Garuda*,236,593,650 SeealsoVisnu*,Lord Gatekeepers,four,30,3134 Gauri*,Goddess,352,573 SeealsoMaya* Gauri*Asramam*,683 Gaurivana*forest,684 Gavala,King,260 SeealsoGadhi* Gayatri*,573 Ghost(pisaca*),586,587,591 Goblins,623 danceof,624 ofperception,643 SeealsoGhosts God(s)/Goddess(es),367 andcreation,335,368,397,497498,526,545546,643,679 delusionand,44,205,335,336,376,383,690 anddemigods,182,227,236,308,587,591 anddemons,165169,173,227,235236,251,298,348,350,352,354,497,545,549,558,576,591,621 graceof,30,256,278,349,366,650,652 incarnation(s)of,236238,245,246,257,258,367,416,486,498,510,511,546,576 andinfiniteconsciousness,376,379380,389,498 asintelligence,46,90 liberationand,591 LordSiva*(Rudra/Hara),347348,416,452453,463,536,546,567576 meditationand,348,380381,397,431,498,546 niyatiand,89 preceptorof,193194,469470,725 andprotection,290,380,571,623,652 region(s)/realm(s)of,63,66,67,77,227,254,257,287,348,366,406,432,497,545546,587,591,608,618,623,627,630 andscripture(s),iitest(s)by,136 trinityof,416 andworship,367,369376,377,379380,383,422,436,527,608 SeealsoFire,godof Goloka,66 Gomedadvipa*,63,687 Gomedhacontinent,624 Good egosenseand,499 existenceand,354,487,488489,495,658 humanbodyand,12 LordRudra(Siva*)and,567 mindand,315,359 perceptionand,571,645,658 rebirthand,658 scriptureand,598 selfeffortand,28,440,653 supreme,316,525 SeealsoEvil Grace Brahman's,64 dispassionand,30,245 OfGoddess,349 ofGuru,268,455,461,485,712,723,724,725 humanbodyand,283 LordSiva's*(Rudra's),366,410,483 LordVisnu's*,254,255 meditationand,57 mindand,10,212213,360 penanceand,650 andselfeffort,85,211,229,256257 ofsorrow,311 Gratification,12 SeealsoPleasure Gravity,583 Greed,334,591 asinnerenemy,490 liberationand,476 sensesand,492 Grief,222,259,306 deathand,6364,223,259,287 prana*and,357 selfeffortand,2627 statebeyond,19,254,283,345,475,476 Gunas*,memoryand,672 SeealsoRajasSatvaTamas Guru approachingthe,30,201,209,231,420,480,482,483,516517,709 characteristicsof,47,221,297,298299,315,337,340,416,480,486,522,523,524525,527528,591,661662,667669,710

Page742

desireand,522 anddisciple,698699,721,725 feetof,486,712 ofthehunter,648 knowledgetransmittedby,37,256,320,384,434,457,466467,474,482,488,512,616617,661662,709,724 longingfor,410 loveandblessingsof,535 satsanga*(inthecompanyof),3334,141142,154,196,201202,230,284,298299,327,338,366,410,423,439,440441,457,474,478,480,482, 483,496,507,527,530,533,535,590,592,616617,625626,643,698,709 scriptureand,36,366,533,709 servingthe,34,106,170,196,203,204,229,265,380,441,478,725 stateof,31,142,320321,322,344345,405,522,712713 SeealsoGraceJivanmukta*

H
Haihayawarriors,605 Hallucination,631,644,674 Happiness craving/desireand,11,172,333,521 disciplineand,165 egosenseand,499 mindand,136,165,191,271,274,314315,389 mirageof,16,205,470471,499,525 Selfand,250,283,359,521 selfcontroland,34,170 andwealth,9,525 Hara,Lord,347348 SeealsoRudra,LordSiva*,Lord Hari,Lord,170,226,235,571 Hariscandra*,King,124,136 Hatakesvara*,Lord,226 Hate,133,332,335,339 abandonmentof,311,320 absenceof,221,354,472 betweengodsanddemons,251 freedomfrom,515 Hatha*yoga,275,320 SeealsoYoga Heart aspectsof,302,307,424,480,667 awarenessof,660661 contentmentand,33,473 ofcosmicbeing,645 desire/sensesand,24,69,218,220,229,332,520521,522,524,543,628 anddevotion,608 discriminationand,30,161,229,240,258,311,327,403,486,527528,536 enteringinto,626,646647 impurityof,14,16,332,507,652 andjiva*,70,505,626,627 kundalini*and,431,438 Lordofthe,204,245,368,380,381,484,536 lotusofthe,63,332,355,356,373,381,405,433,712 meditationand,302,311,320,380381,626 andmind,628 nadi*and,438,680 qualitiesof,162,163,216,220,314315,332,430,667 satvaand,459460,473 Heaven,148,278,345,346,354,367,402,493,497 bondageand,41,120,206,370,675 hero's,77 kundalini*and,431 LordIndra,Kingof,25,498 meritsanddemeritsof,4,148 souland,18,80,222 Hell,354,402,497,535 bodyand,626,715 bondageand,41,120,168,203,206,290,332,370,557 demonsand,591 kundalini*and,431 rebirthand,658 sensesand,165 souland,18,80,222 Hemajata*tribe,281 Hermaphrodite,484 SeealsoPower,ofconsciousness Hero Bhusunda's*definitionof,492 LordRama's*definitionof,17 mindand,215,364 Vasistha's*definitionof,68,195,298,490 Virocana'sdefinitionof,227 Himalayas,3,5,236,281,353,570,624,684 innetherworld,623 Hiranyagarbha*,50 SeealsoJiva*Soul Hiranyakasipu*,King,235,251 Hiranyaksa*,Demon,352 liberationand,591 HolyOne(s).SeeGuru Hope,297 SeealsoDesire Householder(s),liberationand,345,475 Huna*warriors,605 Hunger,Karkati's*,93,98

I
''I'',notionof.SeeAhambhavana*DelusionIdea(s)IdentificationIgnorance Ida*,355 SeealsoBody,subtleNadis*

Page743

Idealism,524 Idea(s)[notions],134,189,213,263,315,474,629,632,657,673674,717 bondageand,162,190,254,287,290,316,334,336,472,482,629,664,694,701 cessationof,175,277,283,285,291,292,304,399,403404,515516 discriminationand,293294,327,336,395,416,470,472,602,612,646,662 diversityand,504,505,690691,694,695 egosenseand,493,498499,544,555,694 elementsand,617,645646,664,694 jiva*and,500,505,627,690691,694 memoryand,666667 renunciationof,192,207,266,279,296297,304,403404,447449,470,472,486487,528,546,553 andsamskaras*,638 subtlebodyand,695 SeealsoBelief(s)IgnoranceMentalConditioningThoughtSankalpa*Worldappearance Identification,51,103,131,266 absenceof,62,152,164,166,264,292,293,296297,340341,449,481,513,516,523,704 awarenessand,572573,579588,628629,665,692,695,704,721 bondageand,89,118,167,183,194,219,286,295,327,370371,505,537,695,704 withBrahman,526,541,662,667,678,717 false,123,129,134,135,136137,138,152,153,167,172,181,183,206,208,223,249,253,273,279,280,288,295,296,334,360361,364,370, 395396,398,440,454,471,493,499,501,502,505,523,537,341,544,579,593,622,629,636,645,662,701,721 insentienceand,338,673,690 intelligenceand,8182,8788,140,247,253,271,293,305308,359,449,704 jiva*and,5253,6061,6970,8081,90,112113,129,293,394,395396,475,501,502,503,505,620,627,636,678,690691,694 withLordVisnu*,236237,667 memoryand,672673 QueenLila's*,60,6092,65,77 withSelf,102,135,163164,171172,178,193194,211,218,220,239255,288,293,295,300,313,321,342343,359,382383,510,664,704,722 tenacityof,622,643 withworldappearance,103,105,115,134,138,141,152,153,167,175,194,205,214215,280281,288,316,327,360361,372,448449,493,501, 511,523,537,579,593,627,628629,636,662,667,690,692,694,703 Ignorance,10,44,48,91,120,132,335336,339,373,374,491,496,571,670,693,708 bondageand,1719,43,122,134,162,174,205,215,254,289,321322,327,332,335,364,440,449450,482,492,504,507508,593,616,622, 643,646,657 Brahmanand,658,661 cessationof,35,53,103,172,180,186,243,267,283,289,296,299,320,329,418,444445,449,479480,496,516517,524525,526527,527 528,536,646,648,657,660,662,677,709 andcosmicdissolution,563,655 desireand,2425,52,59,131,285286,290291,332,370,410,475,491492,504 experienceand,636,657 ghostsand,587 humanbodyand,12,5253,79,84,161,164,290,385 immortalityand,499 infinityof,616617 intellectand,117,308,337,364,402,5O8 karmaand,634 andmeditation,533,543544 andnonexistence,92,103,138,176,293,341,360361,454,478,492493,494,539,543544,642,656,659,704 prana*and,357,403,429430,629 pseudojnani*and,503504 andseedstates,339,493,498499 sevendescendingstepsof,136137 subtle,384,616 tencityof,643,643644 thoughtand,161,214215,254,264,270,280,306,321322,360361,363,370,394395,397,444445,474,490 wisdomand,30,45,77,9899,103,107,118,134,153,164,168169,179,186,223,293,296,303,313,320321,336,342,365,384,402403,418, 480,484485,496,503,506,513,526527,530,649,661,663,709 Iksvaku*,King,70,473474,476 Ilavati*,cityof,715 Illness humanbodyand,12,94,95,163,227 Karkati*and,93,106 mental,354,373,494 mindfuldevotionand,114,358,381 prana*and,429

Page744

selfcontroland,32,210211,354 typesof,517 youthand,14 SeealsoDisease Illusion Bhairavaand,572 cessationof,142,160,178,190,204,222,250,285,298,304,314,317,448,616617,634,646,661,675,677,682,700 contentmentand,661 desireand,2425,220,225,228,285,333,369,370,521,522 dreamand,548549,644,663 mindand,114,127,131132,134135,214215,229,263,266,269276,282283,288,293,303,305308,315,321322,324,360361,365,372,404, 448,629 nonexistenceof,478,498,504,510,514,521,571,619,695,698,700,706 powerof,66,118,258,262263,324,553,556,573,619,642,663 QueenLila*and,5992 worldand,x,5,44,6061,70,7879,103,112113,135,141,153,160,179,220,249,262263,273274,281,284,293,296,315,324,331,333,341, 353,365,367,372,385,390391,397,404,424425,448,474475,488,493,498,509,510,522,528,559,610,619,629,657,663,681,688,702, 718 Imagination(Kalpana*),130,176,179,217,247,273,340,364,381,415,508,537,700701 abandonmentof,310,316317,403 beautyand,14 Brahmanand,471,526,553 contemplationand,579 creationand,5253,110,119,122,151,159160,189,215,309,335,374,411,496497,643 deathand,79,234,371 andenlightenment,527 ofLordRudra(Siva*),567 ofQueenLila*,57,6162 andtime/space,496,643 SeealsoIdea(s)Ignorance Immortality,192,274,637 ofBhusunda*,352354 boonof,685 cosmicdissolutionand,563 knowledgeand,499,713 woodappleof,339 SeealsoDeath Impurity,118,286,316317,342,369 beliefand,288289,332,449450,674 cessationof,208209,218,220,239255,265,278,285,292,371,444445,449,457,499 andcontemplation,674 andcosmicdissolution,563 jiva*and,396397,410,658 nadis*and,629630 andprayer,652 tamasatamasa*,652653 andwisdom,536,599 SeealsoIgnoranceMentalConditioning,impurePurificationPurityTamas Individuality,54,117,153,370 cessationof,338 andcosmicconsciousness,76,118,121,129,141,158,367,385,625,633637,673,693694 deathlessnessof,656,658 andexperience,637,658,719 jiva*and,394395,474,475,476,488,633637,658 jnani*and,504 seedof,459,493,510 vasana*and,515 Indra,Lord,34,15,109,164,185,188,235,241,283,298,308,335,346,465,484,571,631,725 andAhalya*,111 andBrahman,498 duringcosmicdissolution,558,559 anddemons,497498 andKarkati*,9697 andKingBali,226,234 andKingLavana*,136 andKingVipascit*,613,654 andritual,412 selfeffortand,25,163 andSukra*,148 Indradyumna,King,111 SeealsoAhalya*,Queen Indra(individualsoul),394 SeealsoJiva*Soul Indrajit,591 Indriyas(senses),118,324 jiva*and,394 Indu,Brahmanda*,680 Indulgence,12 inausterity,458 mental,402 andmind,18,316 womenand,466 youthand,1314 Infatuation,332 Infinity,ofconsciousness creationin,5051,67,78,8182,8788,171,181,183,327,330,335,341,404,451452,453,497,541,544545,549,567,571,576577,588,619 620,636,638,638639,647,656,665,666,692,697,702,705,719 anddanceofSiva*,572

Page745

egosenseand,500,512,543544,693694 ignoranceand,617,658,692 jiva*and,500,501,502503,636,652,656,658,662 andmind,112113,117119,123,129,134,152153,175,192,258,276,280,291,293,317,318,399,447448,458,524,532,665 powerof,89,140141,369,381,428,671,673,676 Selfof,102,142,163164,234,242243,248,283,288,295,312,328,374,425,501,509,524,663,689 silenceand,512 spaceof,40,49,5758,119,367,428,555 universeand,494,497,519,562,571,590,598,627 andvoid,179,182,183,220,277,313,374,386,403,476,498,513,518,537,542,572573,636,663,666,676,689,707 worshipand,367376 SeealsoConsciousness Inhalation.SeePuraka* Innocence absenceof,13 Insentience,338339,673,690 Intelligence andaction,228,238,299,305306,326,379380,382383,398399,435,443,472473,481,483,485,487,489,510,527,535 awakeningof,488,489,492,493,499,507508,510,631,676,696 contemplationand,380382 cosmic,45,46,81,141,213,265,293,331,338,343,364,368,376,389,405,460,497,503,544 deityof,74 discipleand,485 andegotism/egosense,16,117,293294,402,497,499 eyesof,431,500,576,578,585 ofjnani*,504 manifestationand,36,43,81,8687,90,132,181,183,343,389,497,503,653 mindand,44,49,128,130,175,213,215216,265,293,303,305306,315,326,329,364 perceptionand,628 perfectclarityand,724 powerof,89,102,121,336,358,368,389,652 andrelationship,140,303,331,497,501,525 selfenquiryand,3233,130,175,185,195,203,212,217,224,228,229,246247,265,293,299,322,326,338,339,495,530 spaceand,42,253,367,500 Intention andcreation,182,183,186,189 andexperience,637 liberationand,221,232 pure,137,141 andworldappearance,206,665 Intuition,324 Isvara*,313,544

J
Jada*Bharata,710 Jaganmaya*,575 SeealsoMaya* Jagat(world),226 Jahnu,Sage,420 Jainas,162 Jambudvipa*,63,222,602,624 Karkati*and,93,97 Janaka,Sage/King,204211,298,340,612,710 andSuka*,24 Jani,642SeealsoBeing Japa,86,106,324,436,530 Lordand,536 andsamadhi*,534 SeealsoMantra Jata*(isborn),642 SeealsoBeingCreation Jaya*,Goddess,348,573 SeealsoMaya* Jayanti*,Goddess,348,573 SeealsoMaya* Jayate*,642 SeealsoBeing Jinas*,landof,413 Jiva*(soul),46,171,181,216,293,296,367,369,538,620,636,671,678,704 cosmicbeingand,501,502,553,661 andcreation,50,67,6970,74,90,92,112,115,116,121,157,159,160,182,195,293,294,324,338,385,394,429,476,503,504,505,549,633, 636,662,693,694 anddeath,5354,6061,80,294,373,396,402403,417,495,549,634,635,637,651,656 anddesire,475,481 andegosense,502503,505,693,694 andexperience,640641,653,660,661,694 andghosts,586587 andhumanbody,5253,112,135,282,324,373,394,396,423,429,432,433434,439,477,486,488,500,502503,505,553,595,626,640642, 651,658 andkarma,633,633634

Page746

ofKingPadma/Viduratha*,57,60,85 kundalini*and,433,438 andlight,662 Maya*and,573 andmind,117,121,129,135136,174,191,214,229,281,291,293,294,315,324,327,328,372,373,375,386,394395,418,447448,474,503, 504,652,690,691 nonexistenceand,338,341,375,387,504 personof,502503 andprana*,417,432,433,447,500,641,650,651 andrebirth,80,159,186,195,408409,410411,412,633637,658 Rudraand,409 andSelf,494495,501,536 andsentience,663,693694 spermand,503,505 subject/objectand,524,639640,659660,694 sucika*,95 timeand,6061 andunconsciousness,641 SeealsoDelusion,jiva*andIdentificationSoul Jivacetana*,161 Jivanmukta(s)*,47,209,337,587,724 naturalactivityand,612 SeealsoLiberation Jnanabandhu*(pseudojnani*),503 Jnana*(wisdom),399,481,596 contemplationand,696 andkriyas*,440 kundalini*and,431432 sakti*,381 SeealsoSakti*Wisdom Jnaneshwar*,Sri,ii Jnani*(manofwisdom),503 characteristicsof,504 pseudo,503 Joy,ii,278

K
Kaca,PreceptoroftheGods,193194,469470 Kadambaforest,demonof,710 Kadambatree,187,191,689 Kailasa*,108,281,308,563 andLordSiva*,366 Kaivalya,338 SeealsoFreedom Kakataliya*,explanationof,x Kala*,335 Kalapagrama*region,685 Kalaratri*(NightofDeath),569,570,575 illusionof,572 prayerto,623 visionof,623 SeealsoKali* Kali*,Goddess,335,569570,623 visionof,623 Kaliyuga(ironage),579 SeealsoYuga(s) Kalpana*,486487,567 SeealsoMemory Kama*,550 SeealsoDesire Kamandalu*(waterpot),435,446 Kandapa,710 Kapardana,Sage,710 Kapila,Sage followersof,162 regionof,226 Karanam*,324 Karkati*,93108 Karma,90,370371,430,534 absenceof,633 actionas,118,479,483,510511 atma*,371,373 cessationof,539,634 deathand,42,80,314 dissolutionof,457,480,482 jiva*and,505,633634 knowledgeof,651 seedof,117 Sucika's*,95 SeealsoAction(s) Kartavirya*,412 Kartikeya*,346 Karunya*,3,725 Kashmir,168,169 KashmirShaivism,ii Kasi*region,684 Kastha*mauna(completesilence),415,514,541 SeealsoSilence Kasyapa*,108,484,591 Kata*,Demon,165169 Katanja*,260,264 Khara,Demon,6 Khottha,King,188189 Kings,creationof,30 Kira*,261,264 Kirapura*,260 Kirata*warriors,605 Knowledge awarenessand,140141,253,284,298299,322,429430,457,490491,499,504,508,511,636637,649,660661,696,700701,704 craving/desireand,11,219,229,290291,320,520521,522 anddisease,430 equalvisionand,100,140141,290291,303,321,322,330,338,381382,400401,463,490491,511,513,522,537,547548,594,596,649,668 669,

Page747

696,710,723 ignoranceand,133,136137,208209,245,282283,286,313,331,337,340,375,388,396,403,444445,457,474,490,493,494,499,500,504, 508,529,533,546,634,648,649650,657,662,696,700701,704 andkarma,634,651 kundalini*and,431432 andliberation,3,61,91,133,136,142,162,170,175,204,209,210211,239251,253,256257,267,285,298299,313,320,337,340,344345,384, 414,423,425426,444445,473,491,527528,533,596,662,689,696,700701 meditationand,379382,417,532533,556,674 memoryand,61,336,388 ofpast,future,present,66,104,546,585,647648,651,677 andpeace,2324,130,171,253,284285,297,417,696 ofrealandunreal,5,46,51,5354,6061,103104,118,133,142,158,175,180,184185,208209,217,264,274,289,290291,295296,298299, 311,322,337,414,415,420421,449,450,457,514,521,524,525,539,545,574,594,600,619,629,636,644,657,663,664,701 andSelf,663 SeealsoSelfeffortSelfenquiry Kosala,258 KosalaTerritory,464 Krauca continent,624 mountain,684 Krauncadvipa*,63,687 Kriya*,380 fanaticrestraintand,415 Maya*and,573 practiceof,440 sakti*,381 SeealsoActionGuru,servingthe Krsna*,Lord,353,397 andArjuna,396405 LordRudra(Siva*)and,567 SeealsoVisnu*,Lord,incarnation(s)of Krta*Age,359 SeealsoTime,andworldcycles Krtanta*,16 SeealsoTime Krtanta*(conclusionofaction),334 Kubera,Lord,15,571 SeealsoWealth Kumbha*,439468 SeealsoNarada*,sonof Kumbhaka(retention),356,357 SeealsoPrana* Kunda,497 Kundadanta,682690 Kundalini*275 bodytransformationand,433434 jiva*and,429 pranayama*and,427430 KuruTerritory,464 Kusadvipa*,63,687,715

L
Laja*Homa,464 Laksmana*,326,724 Laksmi*,Goddess,56,236,238,367,463 Language,Selfand,204 Laughter,12 Lavana*,King,124127,136,139140 Laziness,26 Liberation bodyand,255256,277,282283,294295,302,308,311,314,337,373,380381,403,427430,460,473,480,486,492,515,611,634,672 characteristicsof,47,62,119,137,142,208209,220,223,254,276,277,291,292,297,304,315,320321,322,337,344345,406,458,473,476, 504,511,514,521522,524525,527528,547548,591,592,597,611612,661,667669,696,704,705,710,710711,712713 convictionand,5,129,162,289,590 meansto,3,26,3134,133,136137,141142,157,160,168169,170,172,186,194,204,230,285286,289,291,295,296,299,302,313,320,326, 338339,346,354359,366376,379380,384,387,399,403,415416,427430,440441,475476,476477,481485,486487,495,496,509,511, 514,518519,520521,528,534535,588,652,653,660,674675,689,700,709,724725 meditationand,379380,417,427430,516,532533,534 memoryand,672 mindand,324,327,447449,458,483,501,503,505,513,533,538,556,611 nonattachmentand,326,399,504,511,525,550 nonexistenceand,61,122,221,233,251,253,277,451,478,547,659,699 perceptionand,4142,4748,87,131,142,157,172,183,217,254,269270,284,296,305308,318,321,411,425426,472,496,504,508509,571, 660 renunciationand,173,185,192,203,208,225,291,296297,315,318,320,326,399,403,444445 andworldcycle(s),672 worshipand,527,724

Page748

SeealsoGuru Lifeforce,213214,293,312,315316,317,331,334 andcosmicdissolution,558559 humanbodyand,12,115,161,183,248,275,277,301302,310,376,500,626,628,651 jiva*and,403,417,424,438439,626,640,641,650,651 Karkati's*withdrawalof,97 kunndalini*and,275 mindand,628,629 Prahlada's*,252 prana*and,354359,365,376,417,427430,500,623,626,629,651 purificationof,158,214,275,345 subject/objectand,524,543,629 Sucika*and,95 sustenanceand,504 SeealsoBreathPuraka*(inhalation)Recaka(exhalation) Lifespan,9,7879,206 beginningandendof,634 ofcosmiccreation,88 enlightenmentand,164 oftheGods,86 jiva(s)*and,549,634 Light ofconsciousness,104,161,162,176,204,240,277,312,321,335,371,375,418419,702 cosmic,90,368 creationof,50,88 indream,692 andhumanbody,6162,77,626 jiva*and,662 mindand,458 andnadis*,430,433 andSelf,49,104,133,209,210,222,240,248,267,286,306,324,330,339,343,418,496 taijasa,587 visualizationof,324 Likes.SeeOpposites,pairsofRaga* Lila*,Queen,5692,652 SeealsoLaksmi*,GoddessPadma,KingSarasvati*,Goddess Limitation.SeeConsciousness,individualizedMind,finite Lingasarira*,373 SeealsoBody,subtle Lokaloka*,Mount,63,549,578,614,623 rockof,551552 Longing,410 absenceof,472,487,535 forbeloved,422423,608 Love,335 absorptionin,298,608 divine,422,461462,466 equanimityand,462,465466 freedomfrom,515 ofliberated,291,535,592 LordSiva*and,612 mindand,111113 Lust,12,297 delusionof,333,490 detachmentand,354,465466 liberationand,462,466,476 womenand,466,550551 youthand,1314,206

M
Magadha,111,186 Magnamimity,530 Mahabhoktta*(greatenjoyerofdelight),472473 Mahaciti*(GreatIntelligence),89 Mahadrsti*(GreatVision),89 Mahajiva*,53 SeealsoBrahman Mahakarta*(greatdoerofactions),472473 Mahakriya*(GreatDoer),59 Maharamayana(m)*,47,588 SeealsoYogaVasistha* Maharsi*,Bhagavan*Ramana*oncidabhasa*,324 Mahasakti*(GreatPower),89 Mahasatta*(GreatExistence),89 Mahaspanda*(GreatVibration),89 Mahatyagi*(perfectrenouncer),472473 MahendraMountain,222,464 Mahodbhava*(GreatBecoming),89 Mainaka*Forest,464 Malava*,Kingof,684 MalayaMountains,353,624 Malva*Kingdom,422 Manana,394 SeealsoThought Manas,324,394,694 SeealsoMind Manava*(man),513 Mandalas*(magicalsymbols),586 Mandanika*,463 SeealsoCudala* Mandapa*,56 MandaraMountain,154,435,621 Mandavya*,Sage,281282 Mandhata*,Emperor,298 MandraTerritory,605 Manifestation austerityand,441442 andbehavior,116 andcausality,43,5051,5859,69,75,146,335,391,645646,652,654 egosenseand,501 ofelements,5152,69,88,90,324,343,428,617,645646,654,694 freedomfrom,504

Page749

intelligenceand,36,81,8788,140141,653 karmaand,633634 Maya*and,573,610,654 mind/thoughtand,40,42,53,64,68,75,83,9293,110,113115,118119,147,157,161162,181,183,274,316,324,408411,411412,441442, 471,496497,537,553,567,596,644,652,676,696 nondifferentiated,53,8788,101105,112,116,118,121,146,171,179,242255,385,389,392,397,493,636637,664665,714 prana*and,355,428,625 andsupernaturalpowers,610 SeealsoConsciousnessCreation Manki*,506510 Manoakasa*,40,324 SeealsoAkasa* Mantra cravingsand,130 anddisease,430,492 ghostsand,586 NamoNarayanaya*,236 OM,193,232,275,301,304,312,368,376,483,530,536,557,665,696,719 powersand,597 protective,93,106 purificationby,258,430 realityand,644 repetitionof,86,106,324,436,483 oftheVedas,696 andworship,377 Manu,Lord,86,298,352 onreality,474476 Master.SeeGuru Materialization.SeeManifestationThought,materializationof Mathura*,cityof,683 Matter,25 delusionand,44 mindand,324,529,537,602 nonexistenceof,553,643 andreality,44,595,636 Maya*,66,86,125,162,185,189,220,413,571,573,584,602,606 Brahmanand,453,498,642,655 consciousnessand,103,142,409,484,556,573 destructionof,180 identificationand,90,118,214215 infinityof,618 knowledgeand,414,498 andmind,258,262263,448 Selfand,610 unrealityof,85,178179,478,498 SeealsoIllusion,powerof Medication,430 Meditation andcessationofmind,320 andconsciousness,5758,379380 constant,129,264,278,284,292,320,380381,408,413,530531,532533,543,556,583,674 anddeath,79 devotionto,141,301,408,412,436 dhyana*,516,674 anddispassion,556 humanbeingand,79,319,320,364,412 ignoranceand,533 ofIndusons,109110 Karkati's*,98,106 ofKingBali,232233 KingJanaka's,208 KingSikhidhvaja's*,451,459,466 ofLordIndra,498 LordSiva*and,348,380381 ofManki*,506510,510 OMand,557 ofPrahlada*,251252 prana*and,301302,316,354359,380381,626 QueenLila's*,58,61,62,66 realityand,42,194,233,364 andsamadhi*,530,532533,534,689 Uddalaka's*,269,269276,275 Vasistha's*,543 vision(s)during,58,498,545546,631,684685 Vitahavya's*,310311 SeealsoSamadhi* Memory,118,140,271,336,495,631,638,642 absenceof,672 Bhasa's*,620624 contentmentand,660 creationand,61,86,146,273274,624,664,666 deathand,69 dreamand,676 andexperience,486487,638,665,672,688 gunas*and,672 jiva*and,402 kalpana*,486487 karmaand,43 meditationand,532 ofpreviousincarnations,137,352,620624,630,637 ofQueenLila*,59 renunciationand,448 ofworldcycles,351352 MentalConditioning,440 cessationof,5,24,123,130,134135,136137,142,173,209,218,225,233,250,251,275,277,285,289,302,314315,317,319,326,330,338,

Page750

344345,351,399,403404,417,444445,458,473,475,486,489,508,513,520,521,528,533,627,633,700701 contentmentand,661 demonsand,166,168,173 egosenseand,493,508,516,543544 embodimentand,314,321322,334,385,396397,428,440,486,487488,613,635636 andexperience,8687,88,113,128,132,135136,152153,182,272,290291,486487,496497,665 impermanenceof,132133,190,222 impure,5,1011,2829,118,128,141,157,161162,173,174,175,178,189190,206,217,218,262263,269270,273274,285,289,290291, 305308,316317,480,480481,485 jiva*and,5253,6970,117119,135,157,195,294,315,396397,402403,501,627,634,635636,658 LordRama*on,9,1011,12 meditationand,320,534,543544 pure,5,2829,115,119,131,141,157,174,175,188,211212,218,225,257,277,279,285,286,290,302,305308,343,417,457,458,460,473 andrebirth,658 andseedstate,511,543544 selfeffortand,2830,113114,130,134,192,212,222,228,257,289,318319,320,440,515 andsupernaturalpower,597 SeealsoMind Merits mortalityand,4 remembranceand,366 sinand,718 YogaVasistha*and,724 Meru,Mount,4,63,193,236,345,349,358,427,560,596,615,620 Mind andaction,110111,117119,128,161,177,192,212,228,266,285286,288289,291,488 cessationof,320,327,329,338,340,344345,375,389,417,447448,458,460,471,482,504,505,524,533,556,674,675,700701 andcreation,4142,44,49,51,5253,54,90,107108,111,114115,133134,150,153,182,190,194,195,218,273274,290291,313,316,404, 408411,471,496497,500,503,547,675,676,713714 embodimentand,118119,135,150,151,158159,162,183,189,195,253,255256,277,309,313,314,324,363364,385,408412,440,486,502 503,620624,625,628,652,657,673,694695 asenemy,16,120121,165,228 evennessof(samata*),669 finite,128,134,150,174,181,182,213,214,252,271,280281,288289,290291,294,306,324,327,336,338,361,367,370,385,394395,424, 451,476477,488,493,496497,504,531,625,693694 logicand,xi,36,378,707 mature/immature,324,363,368 mentalconditioningof,5,9,12,2829,70,123,128,130131,132133,142,152153,157,161162,166167,173,175,182,190,195,206,212,214 215,218,251,257,262263,269270,279,285,289,290291,294,302,314,316317,320,326,356359,373,385,402,417,440,454,486487, 493,496497,501,508,520521,529,531,533,543544 nonexistenceof,456457,628 observationof,xi,9,40,137,163,212,228,269276,305308,322,324,395,504,508,513 purificationof,19,27,32,113,123,124,136,147,157,162163,165,170,172,174,188,190,196,201,203,209,214,218,223,228,239255,257, 258,265,274,277,285286,302,304,317,318,320,321322,326,336,356359,392,408,477,483,499,530,536,652653,709 qualitiesof(gunas*),115116,117,118,119,134,161,170,174,190,195,201,206,213,229,268,287,305308,313,316317,375,417,485,529 530,531,611,672 realityand,88,91,113,117119,133134,142,164,174,179,183,191,205,208,212213,216,217,254,263,266,273274,288,293,295,303,305 308,313,319,321,324,340341,369,373,414415,454,501,529,629,675,676 andrenunciation,128,129,161,165,173174,184,192,204,207,210,225,228,255,258,266,277,279,282283,289,291,295,301,318,320,326, 399,444445,447448,458,469470,520521,543 restlessnessof,1011,120,130131,149,208,252,258,265,279,284,307,520521,531,534,661 saturationof,676,680681 seedstatesand,136137,161,206,500,510,544,549 andselfenquiry,3233,113114,120,130,141142,163,171172,174,183,

Page751

195,211,214215,217,228,244,256257,283,288,291,293,301,304305,306308,310,320,320321,324,326,365,372,418,449,473,499, 509,611,660661 space,40,44,283,500 stillnessof,203,228,232,250,251,258,277,279,291,292,301,301302,308,312,315,316,317,320,388,415416,444445,447448,457,458, 472473,483,660661,674,675 subtletyof,137,141,324,372,373,477,496497,502503,652653 tendenciesof,28,44,69,107,118,119,123,127,128,132,134,171172,181,195,206,248,280281,288289,296,315,340341,373,507,531, 611,628 SeealsoDelusionIntelligencejiva*LiberationPerceptionSelf,mindandThought Misunderstanding,535 Mitra,484 Moksa*,5,418,481,501,513 desireand,520 fourgatekeepersof,30 immobileexistenceand,338 jiva*and,503 meditationand,532,674 mindand,611 worshipand,527 SeealsoLiberation Moon,63,102,248,290,335,355,367,450,509,621,671 Brahmanand,498 curativemantraand,93 fireof,432 GoddessKali*and,570 indukala*and,573 lifeforceand,275,356,432,640 LordSiva*and,347 mindand,484,503 naturalfunctionand,612 andsusumna*,193 Mouna,415 SeealsoSilence Movement,572 SeealsoConsciousness Muktananda,Swami,ii Mumuksu*Vyavahara*Prakaranam*(onseekerconduct),34 SeealsoConduct,seekerDharmaYogaVasistha*,sectionsof Muni(onewhoobservessilence),415416,513 Mura,612

N
Nabhoratha,70 Nadi(s)*(nervechannel),252,301,346,486 anddisease,429430 andexperience,641 heartand,438,680 inertiaand,629 jiva*and,438439,641 andpranayama*,354359,427430 SeealsoBody,subtle Nagas*(demons),591 SeealsoDemons Namuci*,King,298,612 Nandi,366 SeealsoSiva*,Lord Narada*,299,346,591,724 andbirthofson,439 onKarkati*,9697 lustof,437 Nara(person),510 Narasimha*,169,235 Narayana*,Lord,56,185,463,620 boonof,75 anddemons,591 oceanabodeof,605,606 sacrificialfireand,604 SeealsoVisnu*,Lord Nature(niyati),272,293,428,431,438,607,679 activityof,611612 ofBrahma,559 Brahmanand,498,517,518 danceofSiva*and,572 ofdream,647 experienceand,344,601 ofjiva*,502 Maya*and,573,607 prakrti*,337,484 selfeffortand,2930 andtime,16,149150 unmanifest,118 Netherworld,226,234,251252,254255,287,296,337,582,591 cosmicpersonand,502 Himalayasin,623 karmaand,370 sunand,630 Neuroses,429 SeealsoIllness,mentalMentalConditioning Nilagiri*(bluemountain),609 Nirvana*(emancipation),169,468,536,545 equalityconsciousnessand,456,478,488489,513,600,649,668669,704,723 illusionand,521 ofLordIndra,497 ofLordRama*,724 nonexistenceand,516,519,521,525,527,528 prana*and,302

Page752

samadhi*and,534,674 silenceand,490,514 strivingand,551,625,649,653 SeealsoFreedomLiberation Nirvana*Prakaranam*(onliberation),35 SeealsoLiberationYogaVasistha*,sectionsof Nirvikalpa(cessationofthought),42,471,711 QueenLila*and,58,62 samadhana*,674 SeealsoMind,cessationofThought,cessationof Nirvikalpasamadhi*(unconditionedconsciousness),534 SeealsoMeditationMentalConditioningSamadhi* Nivrtta*(worldnegating),478 Niyati(lawofnature) absenceofintentionand,665 awarenessand,89 Brahmanand,639 characteristicof,693 coincidenceand,692 originof,78 selfeffortand,2930,483 andtime,16 Nomind,504,700701 jiva*and,505 Selfand,536 SeealsoMind,cessationofThought,cessationof Nonexistence.SeeExistence,andnonexistence Notion(s).SeeBelief(s)Idea(s)Thought

O
Object(s),ofperception,49,105,113,117,129,130,133134,288,494,508,529,656,659,690 actionand,488 cessationof,137,162,164,171,177,184,204,212,220,231,232,243,254,265,277,279,283,291,295,298,300,313,320,338,343,353354,376, 382383,432,450,471,481,494,524525,532,696,703,722 anddeepsleep,636 delusionand,161,174,190,205,214,217,231,258,264,274,317,332333,367,370,372,375,394395,424,438,449450,476477,481,493,498, 502,515,519,528,571,648 ego/sense(s)and,147,170,249,258,278,320,490,493,494,504,544,625,694 embodimentand,314,363364,620624 andexperience,524,638,642 intelligenceand,140,214,341,495,544 memoryand,672 mindand,529,628629 andreality,667,698 Selfand,521,533,577,664665 sentienceand,338339,374,486487,501,636,663,690 SeealsoDualitySubjectobjectrelationship Oblation,231,604 OceanofBliss,xii,276 OceanofMilk,624,640 SeealsoVisnu*,Lord Offering actionas,399,405,527 toKalaratri*,623 ofKingBhagiratha*,422 meditationand,379380 Ojas(innerlight),626,628,631,639 andexperience,640642,645 SeealsoLifeforceLight OM(AUM) child'sspeechand,578 contemplationof,232,275,301,304,312,483,530,665 cosmicjiva*and,92 GoddessUma*and,573 indukala*and,573 andLordRudra(Siva*),567 meditationand,557 natureand,696 prana*and,301 andSelf,312,368,536 stateof,376 voidand,719 Omniscience,29,45,107 Oneness,107,275,276,283,313,324,377,458,559,649 Brahmanand,340343,387,390391,400,406407,419,424,456,505,526 contemplationand,682,698 andcreation,665,698,699 diversityand,609,638639 meditationand,380382,532 Selfand,510,533,536 SeealsoConsciousnessInfiniteconsciousnessUnity Opposites,pairsof,333,335,438 cosmicdissolutionand,557 deathand,353 egosenseand,499500 equanimityand,345,346,353354,382383,401,472473,511,514,522,612,710,711 ghostsand,586 GoddessKali*and,570 ignoranceand,336,362,370,377,448,507 nonexistenceof,457,510,516,522,524,656,688

Page753

renunciationand,448 Order,oftheuniverse.SeeUniverse,orderof

P
Padma,King,56,70,77,82 SeealsoLila*,Queen Pain,29 austerityas,45 conceptof,283,288 desireand,93,155,287 dispassionand,401,473 hatha*yogaand,275 humanbodyand,1112,155,163,630 ignoranceand,107,155,250,254,584,704 sensesand,170,273,287 Pandita*(onewithselfknowledge),504 andkarma,634 SeealsoJnani* Parable(s),purposeof,36 Parajita*(unconquerable),573 Paramakasam*(supremespace),367 SeealsoSpace Parashakti,iiParigha,Sage,284 Parijata*Forest,464 Parnada*,284 Parsis*,605 Parthivadharana*(earthcontemplation),579,580,587 SeealsoContemplationDharana*Earth,contemplationof Parrata(mountain),351 Parvati*,Goddess,278,369,463,685 andLordSiva,366,387 Parvatidharana*,351 SeealsoContemplation Past,47,104,191,220,249,567 creationand,61 karmaand,43,80,430,479 knowledgeand,66,137,265,297,358,409,546,585,631,677 selfeffortand,26 sinsofthe,480 Pasyanti*,312,375 Patala*(netherworld),226 Patience,purificationand,170 Pavana*,223 Peace absenceof,16 andaction,278,284285,291,382383 dispassionand,537,542 jiva*and,505 LordRudra(Siva*)and,567 prana*and,301 satsanga*and,535 andselfknowledge,2324,31,91,130,134,152,161,173,179,196,202,205,212,258,284285,291,297,307,316317,361,482,499,512,521, 529,530,545,656,676,689,696 stateof,18,191,224,234,250,253,273,280,283,312,338,344345,357,375,382383,415,418,425,447,509,514,525,698,704,717,724 strivingand,660 Penance,45,93,284,649 ofdemonKarkati*,93,9698 ofKingSikhidhvaja*,435447 ofKundadanta,682690 ofQueenLila*,57 ofSageDasura*,187 ofSageKasyapa*,108109 ofSukra*,154 forworldcycles,650 Perception,40,233,627,678,690 actionand,117119,266,271,285,504 afterdeath,8081,402403,542,658 andcreation,4142,44,48,4950,70,145,183184,186,189190,194,274,327,428,495496,571,577,633,636,643,664,676,693,699 ofdiversity,103,115,132,152153,194,288,293,294,316,327,367,369,374,384,395396,400,407,415,428,450,453,471,494,496497, 501,504,508509,540,546,571,609,612,636,638639,643,659,674,690,693,715 andexperience,36,44,52,8687,114,117,163,174,214,240,262263,284,297,374,471,495,502503,508,524,554,578,593,594,609,627, 629,636,640,649,658,659,661 ignoranceand,35,48,5253,91,134,136137,162,173,174,179,186,217,229,231,264,286,290,299,316,321322,360361,369,386,394395, 402403,403,414,489490,490,501,528,533,546,554,633,658,703 jiva*and,433,502,633,634,636,656,678,694 meditationand,320,382383,533 object(s)of,76,83,86,90,9091,105,113,114,115,129,134,140141,145150,146,159,161,171,190,212,231,242243,243,264,267,283, 288,318,332333,372,394395,490,498,508,515,524,528,546,554,571,625,628629,656,664,671,675,696,698,722 andseer,159,425,698 andwakefulstate,538,627,664 andworship,527 SeealsoIgnoranceUnityrecognitionofMind Perfection buddhiand,653 heroismand,227

Page754

knowledgeand,696,724 liberationand,458,524525,598 meditationand,534,674 patienceand,170 renunciationand,472473 andsamsara*,455 seedstatesand,339 selfdisciplineand,517 selfenquiryand,233,257,299,326,357,662 sevenstepsof,136137 Person(nara),510,515,588,627 cosmic,557,559,562,568,593,600,625,631,635,645,673,692,697,720721 SeealsoBeing(s)Consciousness,individualizedIndividualityJiva*Mind,finite Philosopher'sstone,434435,708 materializationof,441442 Phlegm(slesma*orkapha),640 SeealsoBody,humoursof Pilgrimage,210,230,320,660,675,685 eternalityand,32 originof,29 satsanga*and,34 Pingala*,310,355 SeealsoBody,subtleNadis* Plane(s) ofcosmicperson,502 createdbysiddhas,523 element,616 ofexistence,50,66,77,80,251,254255,259,283,287,348,385,406,497,549550,579582,616 travelingvarious,6263,430431,523,543,552,579582,613614,621624,646 ofwisdom,137 Pleasure abandonmentof,517 anddispassion,24,32,160,162,173174,193,228,311,341,401,464466,532 ignoranceand,107,155,163,208,221,226,250,254,283,491492,495,535,704 knowledgeand,554 andliberation,467468,472473,496,515 lustand,16,206,333,464,466 mindand,162,184,244,270,320 pursuitof,1011,129,170,184,191,207,320,333,491492,525,530,534535,584 rejectionof,534,535 youthand,1314,206 Posture asana*,320 lotus,310,311,543,553,583,626,632 Power ofconsciousness,52,54,67,74,8788,89,101105,121,140141,212,248,283,324,335,339,377378,389,396,427428,484,556,573,590,642, 671,673,676 ofkundalini*,427430 ofrightaction,25 supernatural(psychic),63,227,277,313,427,431,433434,442,462463,476,486,523,543,585586,597,609610,720 ofthought/mind,110114,117119,131,183,194,213,248,358,474,515,553 SeealsoConsciousnessIllusion,powerof Practice(s),spiritual,62,137,278279,286,409 action(kriyas*)and,440,478479 andassimilationofteachings,650 convictionand,162,399,436,494,532534,604605 cravings/desireand,130,521 anddeath,79,480 anddelusion,445446,591,610,649650,653,674 duringcosmicdissolution,351,556 fourgatekeepers,3034 harmful,427 humanbeingand,79 mental,136,188,204,228,237,284,302,304,312,324,366,379380,436,482483,485,530,532534,536,556,626,674675,709 persistenceof,6162,66,86,210211,228,256,264,302,388,409,494,533534,537,552,649,677,691 prana*and,302,316,320,324,345,354359,380382,415,427434,483,530,626 realityand,42,45,123,195,218,340,674675 andsupernaturalpowers,313,433434,476,486,523,543,579582,585586,597,604,609610 turiya*and,375,477,661,674675 andwisdom,530,536,626,649650,662,674675,709 SeealsoContemplationJapaLiberation,meanstoMeditationPenanceRenunciationRitualScriptures,studyofYoga Pradhana*,69 SeealsoDeath Pradurbhava*,642 SeealsoBeing PradyumnaPeak,169

Page755

Prahasta,591 Prahlada*,235256,298 liberationand,591,612 Prajapti,King,71.5 Prakrti*,336,484,575 maya*and,573 SeealsoAvidya*IgnoranceNature Prana*,183,213214,248,301,312,373,376,502,632 andcontemplation,3543.59,380382,483,626 deathand,417,429,483484,500,558,654 fireof,432 jiva*and,403,417,438439,447448,500,640,641,651 ofKalaratri*,623 andkarma,372373 liberationand,415416,417 andmeditation,301302,316,354359,380381,380382,583,626 mindand,500,625,626,629 movementof,301302,308,314,315316,317,334,354357,365,372,417,429,486,626,629,641,679680 andpurification,158,214,380382 restraintof,277,302,320,324,345,389,427430,654 Sucika*and,95 SeealsoApana*BreathLifeforcePuraka*(inhalation)Recaka(exhalation) Pranasakti*,623 SeealsoLifeforce Pranyama*,214,316,324,427430 andbodytransformation,433434 contemplationand,84,354359,483 silenceand,417 wisdomand,530 Pravahapatitam*karyam*(inevitableaction),510 SeealsoAction,appropriate/intelligent Pravrtta*(worldaccepting),478 Prayaga*,261 Prayer attainmentof,75,652,719 offiregod,623 illnessand,430 KingDasaratha's*,711 ofVasistha*,2930,618 Present,47,104,191,567 Brahmanand,618 creationand,186 knowledgeand,66,209,220,265,358,585,677 selfeffortin,2526 SeealsoFuturePast Preta(departedsoul),80 Psychicpowers.SeePowers,supernatural Punya*,223 Puraka*(inhalation),355,356,365,679 kundalini*and,430431,433 ofmind,626 SeealsoPrana* Puranas*,384 SeealsoScripture(s) Pureconciousness.SeeCitConciousness,pure Purification,172,265,274,336,392,457 ofearth,650,651 egosenseand,499 fireand,618 mantraand,258 nonattachmentand,321322,530,536 andperfection,136,161162,162163,170,174,188,196,203,209,218,230,240,246,318,339,52452.5,724 prana*(lifeforce)and,158,302,316,355359,429430 puryastaka*and,396397 sinfulnessand,96 worshipand,257,258,380381 YogaVasistha*and,713 SeealsoMind,purificationof Purity andbirth,5,195,201 contentmentand,33,209 equanimityand,709 mindand,27,114,119,136,211213,246255,265,274,279280,28.5286,292,295,296,304,315,318,324,336,345,354,356,392,408,416, 430,457,458,472473,476,498,539,653,674675,681,709,724 peopleof,195,298299,354,392,705,724 stateof,223,278,284285,344345,392 Purusa(rtha)*,220,313,490,552,588,596 jiva*and,502 Puryastaka*,355,373,667 jiva*and,394395,502 andobjectification,394395 andsubtlebody,373374,385,394,395,396397 Puskara*continent,624 Puskaradvipa*,63,687

Q
Qualities,noble.SeeDharmaGatekeepers,fourVirtue

R
Radiance(bha*),618 SeealsoLight Raga*(likes),329,362,370 freedomfrom,3.53,530 SeealsoDvesa*(dislikes)Opposites,pairsof Rajas,115,195,201,375,536,567

Page756

birthand,653 cidabhasa*and,324 andcosmicdissolution,563 andpurification,530 understandingand,336 SeealsoGunas*SatvaTamas Rajasarajasa*(impurityinclinedtowardpurity),653 SeealsoBirths,typesofImpurityRajas Rajasasatvika*people,195 RajaVidya*(kinglyscience),30 Raksasas*(demons),591 SeealsoDemons Raktta*,Goddess,348 Rama*,Lord andDemonRavana*,486,579 despairof,520 periodfollowing,710 questionsby,8,9,12,16,18,19,87,89,90,117,118,122,130,133,139,145,155,157,161,168,180,192,194,199200,219,255,256,278,314, 315,393,406,407,431,434,459,473,479480,486,487,488,512,538,539,541,594,595,597,608,610,614,616,617,618,624,655,660,666, 668,672,673,677,678,679,680,682,696704 reincarnationsof,576 rightunderstandingand,712713 andSageVasistha*,ii,330,388 storyof,45 truthof,486 SeealsoVisnu*,Lord Ramana*Maharsi*,Bhagavan*,40 Ramayana*,353 Ranganathananda,Swami,ixRasa(essence),652 SeealsoSaraswati*,Goddess Rationality,51 Ratnavalivihara*Palace,169 Ravana*,DemonLord,7 andRama*,486,579 Reality Brahmanand,505,522,526,537,545,588,600,617,618,627,639,657,670,689690 cosmicbeingand,645 egosenseand,500,532,544 mindand,112113,117119,129,133,141,147,152153,161163,175,183,190,263,271,273274,282283,285286,289,290,292,293,312,313, 319,320,324,360361,364,449450,454,471472,547,629 nondifferentiated,5354,55,6061,64,67,81,8788,102103,113,117,140141,147,152153,171172,182,186,193,204,232,242,248,266,277, 292,340341,365,367,374,387,390391,406407,425426,452,455456,498,510,526,559,642 salutationsto,xii,232,240,241,243,246,248,304,311,399,451 Selfand,102103,142,163,171,203,211,220,223,229,239255,272,293,295296,297,310,321,324,339,340,358359,365,387,395,399,451, 458,495,498,510,527,536,539,574 thoughtand,656 andunreality,5,16,4142,45,4647,5052,58,69,71,85,103,107,112113,117,118119,133,138,142,168,176,180,184,190,194,208,211, 280,289,291,295,298299,311,312,328,334,337,353,364,375,387,392,395,403404,407,414,415,420421,449,450,454,470,471472, 482,488489,493,499,502,514,524,537,541,545,554,594,600,632,636,644,649,656657,667,675,676,692,695,697,699,706,707,716, 718,720,722 SeealsoConsciousness Realization Karkati's*,98 longingfor,410 LordVisnu*and,256 meditationand,320,354359,379380,380382,499,532,533,674 ofnondifferentiation,163,186,221,277,292,300,322,342343,375,387,392,406408,425426,450,499,524525,547,589,638639,656,661, 667668,671,696,704,712713 scriptureand,708709 ofSelf,137138,140141,142,211,223,239255,257,283,297,298299,310,312,321,324,339,344345,358359,377,380,395,424,458,467, 474,532,536,539,589,663,713 YogaVasistha*and,588,724725 SeealsoLiberationTruth,establishmentin Reason,viii Rebirth,80,205,222,248,250,335,439440 attractionsand,333 ofGadhi*,259 jiva*and,396,549,635636,658 jnani*and,504 karmaand,370371 ofKingVipascit*(Bhasa*),620624 mentalconditioningand,182,194195,203,263,289,303,314,338339,385,408411,458,506,616,635636,658 mindand,174,258,263,289290,294,375 seekingand,479480 sensesand,492

Page757

ofuniverse,185,397,498 SeealsoBirthDeathSamsara Recaka(exhalation),355,356,365,679 ofmind,626 SeealsoPrana* Redemption,660 Reincarnation,373374,385,396,408409,635636 final,493 andgood/evil,658 Indraand,498 ofKingVipascit*,616 ofKingVipascit*(Bhasa*),620624 Rama*and,576 Rudraand,409411 Relationship,140141,259,287,678 birthand,625 andbondage,525,643 Brahmanand,501,639,717,721 cessationof,142,192,204,274,282283,293,317,338,341,365,376,383,403,516,724 creationand,541,636,639,659,693694,721 desireand,332,333,364,461462,521 anddream/wakefulstates,627,658,681682 experienceand,524,636,659 interdependenceand,501,636,721 jiva*and,502,636 loveand,466467 ofmind/prana*,629 non,experienceof,163,223,291,292,295,303,340341,387,424,516,552 nonexistenceof,145146,179180,205,208,214215,222,272,293,338,353,361,392,451452,504,509,639,643,645,717,721 seedstatesand,339,627 andSelf,247,267,288,292293,307,330,365,521 ofSivaandKali*,573575,612 teacher/student,698699,721 worshipand,383,460 Remembrance(smrti*),172,672 experienceand,486487 ofLordSiva*,366 andrebirth,635,637 Saka*continentand,624 Renunciation,120,300,359,399,401,478,515 actionand,488489,535,720 andBhrngisa*,472476 ofbody,616 brahmacarya,196 ofcraving/desire,46,91,156,170,173,191,204,211,218,220,225,267,388,399,492,520521,522523,535 anddelusion,445446,456,469470,470,474,492,528,646 ofevil,479 ofKingBhagiratha,421422 ofKingSikhidhvaja*,435444,445 mindand,128,161,161162,191,203,258,266,279,282283,289,291,296,312,318,320,326,399,403404,405,447448,458 andnonrecognition,517 perceptionand,54,179,184,207,217,254,266,285,296,321,399,445446,489490,490491 ofprana*,654 supreme,472473 Vasistha's*,543 SeealsoDesire,andrenunciationMentalconditioning,cessationofMind,cessationof Repetitiveexistence.SeeBirthDeathSamsara* Repulsion.SeeAversion Restraint,171,268,276,288289 actionand,612 forcible,674 andhypocrisy,402,674 andinertia,674 ofprana*,302,316,317,345,356359,389,427430 ofsenses/desire,415,429430,504,520521,628 SeealsoSelfcontrol Result(s) ofaction,16,2628,42,504 causelessnessand,678 diversityof,616617 selfeffortand,27,2830,113115 SeealsoAction,fruitsof Revelation,35 ignoranceand,172 samadhi*and,531 sunandmoonof,432433 Righteousconduct,655,668669 embodiment(s)and,398,635 originof,29 SeealsoDharma Ritual ofthedeities,348 eternality,32 KingBali's,234 LordIndraand,412 mentalperformanceof,114,136,188,320 sacrifice,187 satsanga*and,34 andtranquility,660 transitoryexistenceand,18,206,210 wedding,463 worshipand,258,380,421,536 RodhaVillage,683

Page758

Rudra,47,67,348,503,540541,546,567568,591,688 consciousness,377,572 contemplationof,409411,412 danceof,568569,572,575 anddestruction,18,335,722 andniyati,89 reincarnationsof,410412,416 andtime,15 visionof,567568 worshipof,527 SeealsoHara,LordSiva*,Lord

S
Sacrifice,535,710 GoddessKali*and,570 ofKingVipascit*,604,618 Sahya,287,311 SahyaadriMountain,605 Saint(s).SeeGuru Sakadvipa*,63,687 Sakas*,605 Saka*territory/continent,605,609,624 Sakti* domainsof,89 jnana*,381 kriya*,381 kundalini*,427430,433 andseedstates,339 SeealsoPower,ofconsciousness Saktipata*,481,485 Sakya*Muni,448 SeealsoBuddha Salim,cityof,683 Salmalidvipa*,63,687 Salva*,Kingof,710 Samadhana*,529,533 SeealsoEquanimity Samadhana*(quiescenceofmind),279 Samadhi* andaction,278,284 adamantine,534 Brahmanand,534 creationand,42 anddeepsleep,513 anddreamstate,533,630,636 egosense/desireand,516,520521 Karkati's*,98,106 memoryand,630 pranayama*and,358,530 silenceand,417 unconditionedmindand,531 Vasistha's*,543,545 visionsduring,630632,684685 Vitahavya's*,308 wisdomand,530,532533,674,689,711 SeealsoMeditationSleep,andliberation Samana*,355 kundalini*and,429 SeealsoPrana* Samanga*,HolyRiver,151,154 Samata*,669 SeealsoEquanimity Sambara*,Demon,165169,172173,298 Samkhya*yogis,417 Samsangam*,291 SeealsoAttachmentMentalConditioning Samsara*,ii,103,450,455,528 absenceof,633,701 attractionsand,14,107,115116,332 contentmentand,661 desireand,520 fearof,439440 humanbodyand,12,84,488 infinityand,619620 jiva*and,5354,80,397,693 liberationand,45,3134,46,89,91,115,386,449,469470,473,476,478479,483,660,661,674,700,725 mindand,107,115,121,326,332,389390,418,448,474475,508,513 QueenLila's*,65 andsorrow,508,705 wisdomand,536 SeealsoBirthDeathWorldappearance Samskara*(latentimpression),637638,676 contentmentand,660 experienceand,672 Samvarta,Sage,305 Samyak*karoti(actionofcause/effect),638 SeealsoCausalitySamskara* Sanatkumara*,591 Sankalpa*,477,493,501,579,655,691 SeealsoThought Sankhya*,313 Sanskrit grammar,642 pronunciationof,v Vedantaand,viii Sanyasa*,399 SeealsoRenunciation Sanyasi*,399 SeealsoRenunciation Sarabha*(eightlootedanimal),620 Saraloma*,Sage,187 Sarasvati*,Goddess,5785,109,573,652 SeealsoMaya* Sarga(creation),642 SeealsoCreationExistence Sargadi*(beginningofcreation),634 SeealsoCreation Satatapa*,Sage,346 Satrughna*,724 Satsanga*,284,366,457,474,496,507,530,590,616617,643,698,709

Page759

blessingsof,535,592 ofignorant,506 jnana*and,440441 andliberation,3334,478,483,527 andmeditation,533 SeealsoCompanyGuru,satsanga*of Satta*(existence),315 Satva(light),115,116,195,201,315,375,389,404,536,567,677 andbirth,653 cidabhasa*and,324 andcosmicdissolution,563 liberationand,327,345,418,458,460 mindand,482,487,652653,681 qualitiesof,473 turiya*and,478 understandingand,336 SeealsoGun.asPurity,andmindRajasTamas Satvic*avidya*(subtleignorance),384 Satvikasatvika*(perfectpurity),653 scriptureand,709 SeealsoPerfectionPurity Satyayuga(goldenage),576 SeealsoYuga(s) Saurastra*Kingdom,423 Sauvira*,710 Savitri*,573 Scripture(s) creationand,108,194,384 dualityimpliedby,107,180,385,707,721 Godconsciousnessand,ii,35,47,116,478,588 meditationand,530,533,674675 mindand,709 pseudojnani*and,503 seekingand,137,170,209,329,490,493,535,594,662,708,709,724725 selfeffortand,2526,32,168,265,444445,490,496,533,662,708 studyof,xxi,3,5,27,32,3436,45,47,86,129,153,170,180,195,201,229,265,321,338,354,423,474,478,493,496,503,530,536,588,598, 643,662,675,677,688,708,709,724725 andworship,724 Seed[state(s)],136137,338,452,526 egosense/desireand,500,520521,544 andexperience,549 ignoranceand,161162,190,480,498499 andindividuality,459,510 perceptionand,627 andsamadhi*,530 andselflimitation,339 ofuniverse,145,206,493,498499,511,541,633 SeealsoConsciousness Seeking,afterTruth.SeeStriving Seer,141,175,415,541,690 andbliss,204 motivationof,505 nonexistenceof,515,521 objectivityand,159,162,217,329,425,451,496,519,648,682,698 sentienceand,501,673,695 Self consciousnessand,ii,48,88,101102,123,138,142,152,159,176,191,203,213214,239255,272,277,283,292,293,313,324,339,365,374,377, 424,451,493,495,498,501,509,518,574,589,596,610,663,689,702 contemplationof,204,279,283,295,299,312313,330,342343,354,376,387,395,471,474,482483,484,577 creationand,4142,87,152153,256257,291,324,339,398,419,451,453,494495,498,501,509,610,713 deathlessnessof,130,250,398,510,589,596,627 defined,100105,133134,150,152,174,193,218,250,272,293,295,313,525 delusionand,518 anddesire,521 devotionto,114,172,178,192,209,239255,277,295,298,322,367376,399400,467 andegosense,495,499,501,521,555 jiva*and,494495,500,503,504 LordRudra(Siva*)and,567 mindand,133134,142,161,212,213214,218,279,283,286,288,290,293,294,306308,310,321322,324,363364,414415,447449,458,487, 50/,508,509 OMof,193194,312 pleasingthe,536 prana*and,358,365,439 restingin,510,524525,532,533,534,536,555,592,667668,705,712713 spaceand,40,244245,313,324,367,398,495,510 andvoid,102,299,313,514,666 worshipof,257,304,367376,377,387,527,536 SeealsoBrahmanConsciousness,omniscientRealityRealizationTruth,establishmentinUnderstanding,right Selfcontrol andegotism,10,398 heroismof,173,227228 andliberation,30,31,34,170,186,196,212,228,249,256257,277,289,367,513,527,709

Page760

meditationand,534 ofNarada*,439 prana*and,355359,427430 andsenses,660661 wisdomand,32,129,165,171,178,203,210211,249,256,286,320,353354,457,504,509,521,525,530,709 Selfeffort,496,653 cessationofdesireand,520521 contemplationand,382383,482483,516,517,537,552,661662,675 defined,2526,27 intensityof,27,87,129,130,170,171,196,228,402403,441 jiva*and,396,403 KingSikhidhvaja's*,440 KingViduratha's*,85 meditationand,533,675 mindand,113,119,129130,134,141142,162163,188,191,192,228,287288,289,301,302,318319,320,363,675 niyatiand,89,483 andnonattachment,511 samadhi*and,534,674675 selfishnessand,94 andsenses,660661 suspensionofprana*and,358,427430 andunderstanding,68,88,134135,137,141,147,159,168,170,180,186,191,201,209,210211,229,230,244,246247,256257,285286,299, 320,362,371,415416,421,427,474,478,482483,622,660,662,674675,677 SeealsoRenunciationTruth,strivingfor Selfenquiry(vicara*) andaction,504 andcausality,158,209,324,339,504,527,622,645646,648 andegosense,494,495,499,514,515,516,524 andexperience,36,53,92,120,180,223,286,299,304,314315,322,384,395,405,474,622,626628,636,703 intentionand,141142,590,619,622,637,665 Karkati's*,98 KingBali's,226234 andliberation,30,3233,34,123,137,168,170,173,183,195,201,209,210211,230,244,256257,265,286,289,299,322,324,338,418,423, 473,478479,499,516,527,700701 andmind,118,129,162163,174,183184,192,214215,228,255,269270,278,282283,288,293,305308,318319,320,324,365,417,449,473, 487,495,629,660661,675 persistenceof,691 Prahlada's*,239255 prana*and,357,427430,626,629 QueenLila's*,66 andscriptures,32,168,170,201,474,503504,662,708 seedstatesand,493 andsinfultendencies,506510 subtlebodyand,615,629 Selfishness,94 absenceof,195,229,535 seekingand,478 Selfknowledge.SeeKnowledge Senility,14,15,81,334 Sense(s) deathand,79,484 delusionand,333,334,340,398,486487,488,491492,504,508 asenemy,16,174,210,330,490,492 humanbodyand,12,5253,79,164,277,282283,290,312,324,328,364,385,394,462,484,492,628,640 inner,161,291,324,373,431,585,639640 jiva*and,5253,81,118,161,328,394395,396,402,488,502,639640 andLordRudra(Siva*),567 manifestationof,92,128,140141,183,385,577,578,625,694 andmind,128,134,161162,191,271,278,287,296,303,305306,307,310,313,324,328,364,488,531,678 andpain,170,273,492 prana*and,355,358,372 realityand,88,305306,324,340,462,484,492,498,578 andrenunciation,46,137,170,191,196,203,228,282283,320,340,403404,415416,457,461462,544 andSelf,ii,48,164,191,221,232,244,247,307,310,324,340,364,384,406,424,474,495,498,525,577 selfcontroland,32,129,147,165,196,249,256257,277,320,353354,398,513,534,628,660661 SeealsoDelusionRestraint,ofsenses Sentience.SeeObject(s),ofperception Serpent,ofignorance,31 Sexualattraction andbrahmacarya,196,550 asdefinitionofpleasure,16 liberationand,462468 youthand,14 SeealsoLust Shaktipat.SeeSaktipata* Shiva,Lord.SeeSiva*,Lord Sibi*,King,352,710 Siddha*,Goddess,348,573 SeealsoMaya*

Page761

Siddha(s) beliefand,657 duringcosmicdissolution,565566 andearth,623 pathof,559 planeof,63,148,585,657,720 stateofa,ii andsupernaturalpowers,434,523,720 onYogaVasistha*,711 Siddhis,442,611 SeealsoPowers,supernatural Sight,48 Sikhidhvaja*,King,422427,434441,443468 SeealsoCudala* Silence,103,221,415,512,550,573 complete(kastha*mauna),514 lifeof,626 ofmind,312,472473,675 nirvana*and,490 samadhi*and,285 ofSelf,664 typesof,415416 unityand,107,304,322,379,707 ofVasistha*,512 Sin,9 contentmentand,33 deathand,80,397 dissolutionof,255,480,535,718 egotismand,10,218219,299 fearof,478 ignoranceand,506508 inclinationtoward,126,206 penanceand,96 renunciationand,447 Sindhu,king,75,651,653 Sita*,S76 Siva*,Lord(Rudra),163,164,185,188,218,220,240,281,290,309,336,352,376,406,463,591,596,667 abodeof,63,66,67,77,366,379,412,558,563,567,616 Bhairavaand,573 characteristicsof,379,399400,416,567,572,612 danceof,568569,572,575 andKali*,569,575,612 lifespanof,86 penanceand,109 asSelf,ii,153,243,247,340,369,374,452453,536,567,571 worshipof,367368,379380,527 SeealsoHara,LordRudra Sivam*(supremebeing),453,571 SeealsoBeing,supremeSiva*,Lord Sky(akasa*),324,335,498 Sleep,62,343,375,627,644,664,719 detachmentand,405,494,511 eternal,674 ignoranceand,55,169,182,338,397,594 jiva*and,641,661 andliberation,475,505,511,513,533,550 mindand,92,161,207,209,286,375,628,674 nadis*and,629,641642 selflimitationand,339,601 silenceof,415 spacetraveland,622 state,55,103,136,137,152,158,266,286,291,292,300,301,338,475,477,511,525,526,538 timeand,16 andworldappearance,642,722 SeealsoDream(s)Wakefulness Smell,48 Smrti*,672 SeealsoContemplationRemembrance Solarenergy.SeePingala* Sorrow aSivam*and,452453 contentmentand,660661 creationand,42 equanimityand,709 freedomfrom,5,31,32,46,64,121,128,142,173174,178,209,225,246255,273,291,304,311,319,321,354359,629,661,700701,705 ideationand,190,205,254,286,287,332,363,452453,473,482,629 identificationand,105,130,166167,178,184,217,254,264,273,295,305306,505 jiva*and,95,216,314315 LordRama's*,9 nonexistenceof,656,704 sensesand,508 spiritualpracticeand,440,651 youthand,14 Soul consciousnessand,324 cosmic,50 egotismand,10,394 nonexistenceof,338 sentienceof,46,112,214,324,394395 andtransitoryexistence,18,216,402403 SeealsoJiva* Sound,48 Brahmanand,180,194 andcosmicdissolution,563,564 ofcreation,577 andGoddessKali*,570 manifestationand,50,696 OM,193,312 spacebodyand,548549 Space,40,47,60,174,188189,248,253,

Page762

396,402,403,607,676,680,681 Akasaja*,bornof,4243 body,548 Brahmaand,617 ofconsciousness,40,49,51,54,63,65,8788,101102,176,192,195,240,294,324,351,367,386,391,428,484,495,521,555,573,577,636,690 cosmic,500501 andcreation,67,82,160,182,194,290,352,544,559,577,615,619,632,643,646,694,714 anddeludedman,470471 elementsand,617 emptinessand,452453 jiva*and,502,505,656 outer,583585 plane,616 pran.aand,356357,357,428,430431,500,558559,654 Selfand,102,244,324,495,567,664 andsound,50 threetypesof,57,118119 timeand,69,119,124,496,559 travelthrough,430431,583585,622,650 SeealsoTime Speech,333,578 appropriate,478 silenceand,415,512 spacebodyand,548 Sperm,jiva*and,503,505 Srimad*Bhagavatam*(TheBookofGod),viii Sri*Mountain,682,684 Srisaila*,427 Stellarsphere,617,693 SthitiPrakaranam*(onexistence),34,35,709 SeealsoDispassionExistenceYogaVasistha*,sectionsof Strength,16 Striving,26,120,124,131,141,170,186,314315,488,489,588,662,671 andassimilationofteachings,650 ofcosmicperson,593 anddoubt,649 dualityand,87,117118,179,193,216,269270,288289,318319,320,333,493,496,506510,649 freedomfrom,457,478479,669 fruit(s)of,74,75,113,142,192 intelligentactionand,228,244,326,329,339,365,388,399,435437,478,530,653,659660 intensityand,441,494,637 meditationand,533 mindand,161162,165,188,196,256257,266,274,287288,304305,318,319,365,399,447448 pseudojnani*and,503 andsenses/desire,134,147,493,496,520521,551 youthfulnessand,660 SeealsoPractice(s),spiritualSelfeffortTruth,strivingfor Subjectobjectrelationship,46,103,105,107,113,117,129,140,171,243,515516,524,528,610,678,702 birthdueto,625 andcreation,560562 andexperience,524,543 fireandmoon,432 liberationfrom,254,277,295,298,303,338,382383 meditationand,533 mergingof,533,555,556 mindand,133134,162,174,184,190,212,214215,217,274,279,283,288,317,332333,372,424,510,628629 nonexistenceof,581,633,642 QueenLila*and,6092 andseer,159,162,204,515516,541 andselfenquiry,515,629 voidand,498 SeealsoDuality Subtlebody.SeeBody,subtleNadis*Prana*Susumna* Sucika*,9396 penanceof,9798 Sudras*(servants),352 Suffering,9,29 childhoodas,13 deathand,79,80,168 egotismand,10,166167,273,281,363,398 humanbodyand,12,135136,164,630 ignoranceand,99,120,135,205,216217,284,287,290,363,385,442,443,492,594 jiva*and,658 nonexistenceof,470 selfeffortand,26 selfishnessand,535 timeand,1617 worshipand,381 Suicide,261,262 Suka*,2324,346 Sukra*,Sage,147157,287 andKingBali,231,233 liberationof,160 SumeruMountain,563 Sun,102,108,248,290,310,327,335,355,367,626,662,671 Brahmanand,498 cosmic,351,418419 andcosmicdissolution,558 GoddessKali*and,570

Page763

humanbodyand,626,630,640 naturalfunctionand,612 powerofsightand,484 prana*and,356357,432 selfknowledgeand,500,634 andsusumna*,193 SeealsoSolarenergy(pingala*) Suraghu,King,281285 Surrender,renunciationand,399 Suruci(celestialnymph),3 Surya,397 Susumna*nadi*,94,193,346 ofRama*,486 Susupti*mauna,415 SeealsoSilence Sutiksna*,Sage,3,725 Suvarna*(color),581 Suvarnajata*,108 Svabhava*(selfnature),526 SeealsoSelf Svaruparm*,525 SeealsoSelf Svasthah(IrestintheSelf),330

T
Taksaka*,591 Tamasatamasa*(denseanddull),652653 scriptureand,709 SeealsoBirths,typesofImpurityMind,purificationofPurityTamas Tamas(darkness),115,201,369,375,567 birthand,653 cidabhasa*and,324 andcosmicdissolution,563 understandingand,336 wisdomand,530 SeealsoGun.asRajasSatva Tanmatras*,625 SeealsoElement(s) Taste,48 Tatam,cityof,602 Teacher,enlightened.SeeGuru Tejadharana*(firecontemplation),581 SeealsoContemplationDharana* Thought cessationof,42,5758,62,91,103,134,154,175,191,212,217,218,225,243,251,257,277,289,301,320,338,340,351,363,374375,383,389 390,399,403404,415,444445,460,471,478,481,515 andexperience,75,8687,110111,129,161,208,262263,273274,374,386,396,444445,474,493,579,652,676 intelligenceand,87,140,213,228,329,380,381,660 jiva*and,502503,553,690691 materializationof,45,48,50,52,53,61,64,81,83,92,110,117119,141,151,161162,183,194,274,360361,363,394395,397,408,411412, 468,471,537,559,628,644,657,676,695 mindand,44,91,110111,116117,129,134,161162,175,214215,225,228,241,257,258,269270,279,286287,289,301,320,496497,690 691 ofnomind,504 powerof,515,632,656 prana*and,301,373 SeealsoConsciousnessMindPerception Time,149,313 andcreation,50,60,69,88,89,160,181,186,273,308,334,386,391,407,483,495,496,498,544545,633,643,714,715 deathand,81,149,206,333,370371,558559 divisionsof,119,191,242,309,319,350,396,493,567,682,692,702,703,717 due,92,170,192,248,318 illusionand,706 jiva*and,502,633 LordRama*on,1517 andmeditation,380,543 QueenLila*and,6061 andSageBhrgu*,149157 andseasons,124,557,682 Selfand,102,163,214,248,296,368,407,495 andworldcycle(s),334,346,349,351,359,377,409,451,483,498,499,504,540,546,556,558559,576 SeealsoExistence,cyclesofFuturePastPresent Touch,48 Tranquility andaction,151 awarenessand,660661 creationand,67 LordRudra(Siva*)and,576 Selfand,664 selfenquiryand,33,142,154,179,210211,244,257,540 wisdomand,99100,178,275,279,316,353354 Transcendentstate.SeeConsciousnessTuriyatita* Transformation,ofbody.SeeBody,transformationof Transliteration,sanskrit,v Tree,wishfulfilling,236 Cuta*,346 andIndra,497 Treta*Age,359 SeealsoTime,andworldcycles Trigarta,Kingof,710

Page764

Trigartha,Kingof,618 Tritala,Guru,420421 Trust changeand,205 selfcontroland,32 Truth contemplationof,517,661662,696,698,700,709 creationand,41,4748,67,70,290291,324,367,498,632,638639,644,696,699 doubtof,3132,320 establishmentin,137,141,163164,192,221,239255,257,277,284,291,292,297,298299,300,302,310,322,330,340341,344345,350,377, 387,392,403,417,420421,425426,433,458,471,482,499,524525,527528,532,532533,536,537,547548,592,611,612,649,661,667668, 696,707,712713,724 Godand,368 ignoranceof,9,16,5354,121122,136137,168,178,180,252,290291,314315,363364,388,405,617,644,696,709 motivationand,24,107,318,331,341,342,432,494,505,519,541,620 scriptureand,35,36,588,594,598,675,708709 spiritualawakeningand,x,161162,169,180,292,296,338,397405,492,499,536,662,674675 strivingfor,32,107,123,141,170,201,256257,269270,288,291,305,318,320,399,435436,440,447449,478479,481486,493,506510, 520521,530,551,588,593,649,653,660,662,708 voidand,513,663,707 Truthfulness originof,29 wisdomand,530 Tumburu,348 Tungana*,605 Turiya(tita)*,137,161,312,375,388,477,664,671 cessationofmindand,389,475,533,674 deepsleepinwakefulness,292,295,300,397,475 existenceand,627 jiva*and,661 meditationand,533 seedstatesand,339

U
Udana* kundalini*and,429 SeealsoPrana* Uddalaka*,Sage,269278 Ujjainiregion,687 Uma,348,573 SeealsoHara,LordRudra,Siva*,LordMaya*Sakti* Understanding,right comprehensionand,336,368,402403,451,456457,471,513,520521,611,657,662,675,699,707 disillusionmentand,190,204,208,222,225,239255,264265,281,283,291,295296,297,301,303,361,424,600,643,677,679,712713 ignoranceand,516,530,594,662,703 andnonexistence,47,142,171172,277,304,344345,353,367,401,490,540,600,619 selfeffortand,27,68,88,120,141142,163,186,191,210211,219,220,229,246247,257,266,269270,288,308309,318319,362,365,415 416,474,477,530,657,660,662,675 SeealsoIdentification,withSelfWisdom Unity diversityand,54,8788,91,105,152153,285,288,318319,341342,387,390391,400,474,510,545,638639,659,699,703 nonexistenceand,46,145,153,171,304,312,375,387,400,410,450,457,470,596,656,674675,699 prana*and,358359,380382,415416 recognitionof,140141,142,163164,193,204,208,239255,275,276,283,292,295,297,298299,318319,322,340341,342,344345,358359, 367,377,392,400,424,425426,458,471,480,513,524525,592,649,661,663,667668,699,707,712713,724 ofSiva*andKali*,573575 Universe,185186 body(form)of,453,497,498499,502503,518,536,553,559,562,567568,569570,572,573574,626,645,664,673,681,692,702,706 deathand,63,66,67,77,484,656 dualityand,43,50,54,6061,8889,107,113,127128,142,152,176,182,243244,248,274,291,292,328,335,377,378379,439,450,487 egosenseand,500,505 illusionand,2425,160,189,273274,365,397,474475,657,666 indivisible,91,100101,113,146,152153,160,163164,171,175,180,185186,193,240,242,248,254,266,292,319,322,342343,365,367,374, 385,387,390391,399,406407,419,425426,451,455456,494,498,512,518,

Page765

541,571,670,688,699,701,723 intelligenceof,46,57,103,140,213214,293 mindand,128,151153,161162,174,212213,214,218,231,263,273274,291,293,308,313,324,360361,362365,408411,447,496497,533, 579,675,690 orderof,7879,309,352,422,463,483,577,639,688,692693 qualities(gunas*)of,337 regionsof,63,66,67,77,80,108,182,226,251,254255,258,259,283,287,337,348,352,406,413,497,502,523,543,545,546,549550,552, 579582,555586,602,613614,621624,626,646,657 vibrationof,48,54,69,86,193,405,600 SeealsoConsciousnessCreation Upakaranam*,324 Upanayana,374 SeealsoVedas Upasama*prakaranam*,325 Upasanti*Prakaranam*(oncessation),35,709 SeealsoIgnorance,cessationofYogaVasistha*,sectionsof Upliftment,660 Utpala*,Goddess,348,573 SeealsoMaya* UtpattiPrakaranam*(oncreation),34 SeealsoCreationIllusionYogaVasistha*,sectionsof Uttarapandava*,124

V
Vairagya*,444 SeealsoDispassion Vaivasvata,397 Vajradhyanam*(firmmeditation),533 SeealsoMeditation Vajrasamadhana*(adamantinemeditation),534,537 SeealsoMeditationSamadhi* Vajra(thunderbolt),533 Valmiki*,Sage,20,44,199,200,325,326,711,724725 onbirthanddeath,4,5 onenlightenment,481483 andRamayana*,352,353 Vanity,591,593 Vanjula*,605 Varuna*,571 Varunidharana*,351 Vasana*(selflimitation),5,339,349,404,501,531,616 andbody,373374,556,635636 densenessorlightnessof,616 dispassionand,661 freedomfrom,388389,417,481,511,521,559,599,627 andindividuality,515 jiva*and,402403,410,417,627,634,635636 jnana*and,440 andmeditation,557 renunciationand,448,474 andsupernaturalpower,597 SeealsoMentalConditioning Vasistha*,Sage,20,689 andBhusunda*,346360 birthsof,352,546 dreamcreation/deathof,6364,70,76 KingPadmaas,5960 listeningto,325,330 andLordSiva*,366376 andManki*,506510 prayerof,2930 teachingof,ii transformationsof,579588 Vasudeva,Sage,151,155 Vasutattvam,406 SeealsoExistenceReality Vatadhana*Kingdom,619 Vayu*,Lord(wind),97,283 dharana*of,351 Vedanta*,viii followersof(Vedantins*),162 Vedas Brahmaand,692 andcosmicperson,502 andGoddessKali*,569 hymnsof,460 learningof,374 andLordRudra(Siva*),567 originof,50,384 ritualsand,188,724 sagesand,352 Vedavyasa*,23 Venkatesananda,Swami,ii,viii Vibhisana*,591 Vibration,conscious,86 andair,600 andcreation,29,43,48,51,54,6970,81,90,301,405. andindividuality,625 andnadis*,252,355 ofOM,275 powerof,89,193 SeealsoConsciousness Vicara*,322,417,478,487,691 SeealsoSelfenquiry Videha,Kingof,682 Videhamuktas,47 Videhaterritory,204 Vidhyadhara*celestials,605 Vidura*Territory,605 Viduratha*,King,65,70,74,8485,651

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Vidyadharas*(celestials),591,609,620 Vidya*(learning),337 deitiesof,591 SeealsoKnowledge Vigilance,387 SeealsoWorship Vijaya*,Goddess,348,573 SeealsoMaya* Vijnanavadins*,162 Vikram,99 Vilasa*,287 Vindhyas,regionof,140,305,310,418,434 foolishelephantof,442443,444445 Viparitakarani*,432 SeealsoPrana* Vipascit*,King,602611 asBhasa*,620624,654 deathsof,613 sacrificeof,604 transformationof,604,609610 Virat*(CosmicBeing),53,483,484,593,695,697 jiva*and,502 Virocana,226 Virtue actionand,472473 creationand,29,715 andegotism,10,170 equanimityand,709 Rama's*,196 Selfand,514 wisdomand,210,218,249,314315,320,479 womenand,465466,466 SeealsoDharmaGatekeepers,four Visnu*,Lord,47,153,163,188,218,227,240,245,247,256,262,335,336,352,376,406,476,540541,591,620,667,688,695 abode/realmof,67,77,236,251,254,369,497,624 activityof,609,612 birthof,29,45,546 andDemonSambara*,166,173 anddestruction,18,722 incarnation(s)of,340,353,397,412,423,486 andKingBali,234 lifespanof,86 Rama*and,486 worshipof,236238,245,246,257,258,367,527,682 SeealsoNarayana*,Lord Visualization,324 Visucika*(cholera),93,94 Visvamitra*,Sage,6,20,299,486,712,713,724 onsampsara*,619620 selfeffortof,28 andstoryofSuka*,2324 Vitahavya*,Sage,305312,314 Viveka,444 worshipand,527,536 SeealsoDiscrimination Void(sunya*),48,582,590,596,671,687,714,719 creationand,108,189,448,523,688,697,715716 deathand,542,635 experienceand,91,120,480,523,524,697 infiniteconsciousnessand,179,182,183,220,277,313,374,386,403,476,498,513,518,537,542,572573,636,663,666,676,689,707 renunciationand,447 Selfand,102,299,313,514,666 subtlebodyand,694695,697 Volition.SeeWill Vow(s),45 Vrtra*,King,298,612 Vrtti*(movementofthought),225 Vyadhis*,429 SeealsoIllnessNadis* Vyala*,Demon,165169 Vyasas*,352

W
Wakefulness,55,207,261,343,375,664,719 deathand,60,69 anddiversity,659 dreamand,161,262263,627,633,644,658,662,681682,714 jiva*and,627,661 andliberation,292,295,300,526,533 samskaras*and,638 state(s)of,55,103,129,136,152,158,160161,254,266,291,292,300,475,477,480,511,538 strivingand,170 worldand,92,169,189190,363,600,627,644 Water,47,343,402,498,524,664,680 inbody,433,483 andcosmicdissolution,558 andcosmicperson,502 ofcreation,67,88,186,544,568 dharana*,580 originof,69,90,182,183,645646 plane,616 vari,587 Weakness,16 SeealsoStrength Wealth eternalityand,32 andevil,170 LordRama*on,9

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mindand,162,206 pursuitof,534535,584585 Will(volition) andcreation,92,116,389,519 divine,2627,30,155,284,351,412 ofegotism,17,181 andwisdom,62,66,204,254,300,321,345,440,504,514,597598,705,725 Wind(vata*),587,640,680 SeealsoAir,vitalBodyLifeforcePrana* Wisdom,8,24,173,210,328,367,458,490,503,571,652,667668,679,681,705,724 abandonmentof,1314,52,120,442,444445,649 inaction,511,662,710711,724 andassimilationofteachings,650 attractionsand,14,62,322,496,504,511,660661 hodham,529 bodyand,77,137,164,311312,313,365,431,489,628 desireand,110,160,173,186,218219,285,287,297,312,426,504,511,522,708 egosenseand,500,505,705 expansionof,162,163,196,201202,209,277,278,291,308,314315,322,330,336,355359,356359,399,402,427432,478479,499,526527, 536,538,598,643,650,660661,663,708 selfeffortand,517,529530,649,708 Selfof,103,209,239255,297,298299,312,365,424426,663 sevenascendingstepsto,136,137138,478479 strivingfor,18,32,120,131,179,186,188,269276,291,308,365,437445,447448,496,505506,649,708 weaknessof,16,591,628,631,649650 yogaof,66,136,137138,399405,440,459,478479,481,485 SeealsoSelfenquiry Wish,644 SeealsoIdea(s)Thought Wishfulfillingtree.SeeTree,wishfulfilling Witness,pure,119,248,376 andaction,472473 andintellect,181,364 andLordSiva*,379 meditationand,557 Woman,466,550551 Word(s) aham,204 limitationof,513,517,518,524525,527,537,541,545,632,634,642,671,677,679 OM,193,232,275,301,304,312,368,376,483,530,536,557,665,696,719 Selfand,204,312,536 SeealsoMantra Work,andliberation,3 Worldappearance,x,5,44,55,63,65,67,70,74,82,103,146,205,294,334,367,488,499,627,635,642,657,701 contentmentand,660661 desireand,2425,60,184,220,226,243,285,333,334,377,388,520 egosenseand,498499,500,505,523,693694 identificationwith,5253,54,8182,8788,105,115,118,132,134,141,157,160,170,175,194,205,208,224,252,260261,280281,288,293,296, 316,333,336,341,371,372,478479,511,528,537,579,593,627,658,662,690 infinitevibrationand,48,51,86,405 LordRama*on,9,1819 memoryand,672 mind/thoughtand,1011,4142,88,9091,92,107,110,112113,115,127128,133136,152153,157,161162,174,177,191,201,206,212,214 215,252,265,269276,293,301,315,318,320,324,337,360361,363,365,375,397,403404,424,448,471472,493,496497,508,548549, 628,658,675 andnonexistence,4950,55,88,145146,159,163,171,180,182,186,222,293,304,319,341,353,385,390391,404,414,452,474475,493,495, 504,510,522,523,527,539,543,579,589,599,700,721 scripturalstudyand,3536,170,266,493 Selfand,21,101105,133,162,211,232,288,293,295,324,328,339,406407,424,495,498,501,533,670671,691,713 SeealsoIgnoranceIllusionMaya*PerceptionSamsaraTime,andworldcycle(s) Worldcycle(s).SeeDissolution,cosmicTime,andworldcycle(s) Worry,12,206 Worship,237,254,258,324,347,353,359,376,437,463,683,709,712,723 actionas,399,405,436,527 offire,608 ofform,367,368,399400 ghostsand,586 ofLordKrsna*,399400 ofLordSiva*,366368,377,379381,482,527 meditationand,379380,436 andprana*,354359,380382

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purposeof,257,367376 scriptureand,724 ofSelf,257,367376,387,399405,527,536

Y
Yaksas*(demigods),591,613 SeealsoGods,anddemigods Yama,Lord,283,397,571 andAkasaja*,42 andDemonsDama*,Vyala*andKata*,168 astime,151 SeealsoDeath Yasaskar*,King,169 Yoga anddeath,79 desireand,521,551 fearlessnessand,218 goalof,195,286,301,411 hatha*,275,320 meditationand,380,675 prana*and,302,320,324,345,354359,417,427431,433434 andsevenstepstoperfection,136137,478479 ofwisdom(jnana*),66,136,137138,399405,440,459,478479,481,485,661662 SeealsoWisdom,yogaof Yogabhomika,478 YogaVasistha* andKashmirShaivism,ii realizationand,588 sectionsof,3435,325 andVedantaphilosophy,viii wisdomand,598,662,675,677,711,724725 SeealsoMaharamayanam* Yogini*(blackartspractitioners),591 Yogi(s) andbodytransformation,433,604,609610 andbondageofothers,486 contemplationof,484 duringcosmicdissolution,563 defined,79 kundalini*and,430431 andmeditation,534 andsatva,478 silenceof,417 andvoid,523 SeealsoJnani* Youth,333,370,407 andlust,13,206 strivingand,660 Yudhisthira*,397,710 Yuga(s)(cosmicages),359,576