Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 177, November 1 2015
Sri Sadgurubhyo namaha
Om Santissantissantissantihi
(In Kannada language)
In the Yoga Vasishtha we are speaking of the attributes of a Videhamukta. We learn that a Videhamukta identifies himself with Parabrahman and therefore he also identifies with the entire Creation. He becomes the Trinity, the Sun, and all the five elements. He becomes everything in existence.
Sri Rama expressed a doubt. This truth that you are trying to explain appears to be very tough to grasp. The mind is very volatile. I feel that even if I get Jnana, it may not last long.
Vasishtha said: What we call Liberation is the same as Nirvana or Brahma Jnana and it is easily obtained. I will teach you.
Creation is nothing but the concept of you and I. Once that is left off, Liberation is easily attained.
Rama said: If Videhamuktas once again create the worlds and experience everything, what is the purpose of getting liberation? They are probably getting reborn repeatedly. What is the difference between them and ordinary worldly persons?
Vasishtha begins the actual instruction now. This Universe is only make-believe. Whether a Videhamukta creates it or does not create it, is immaterial.
What has absolutely no existence whatsoever, does not even need to be discussed. What exists is only Truth. That is what I wish to teach you. Once you get the feeling: Brahmaiva Jagat – Creation is none other than Brahma, that is Jnana.
This ashrama is every inch nothing but Swamiji Himself.
We need that Brahma Jnana. This anxiety which you have expressed has no basis. When I see a gold bangle, I only see Gold. You may see it as an ornament. Just as gold alone exists in the bangle, Brahma alone exists. Similarly, I see water alone, not river and ocean. I see only the movement, and not Air. Entire space is all-pervasive. Mirage in a desert is a delusion. Only the light of consciousness exists. It is not difficult to grasp.
Rama asked if people in the world gain this experience. Vasishtha assured that they do.
Now, we will discuss with the original verses.
(In Telugu language)
Who is a Videhamukta? One who is liberated and lives as a Jeevanmukta, after the body drops off, merges with Paramatma.
A Yogi may take a toss if he gives up doing his Yoga, when he is doing the yoga without Jnana, but only for gaining Siddhis.
But Sadguru is Paramatma with body. He is a Jeevanmukta. Once the body drops away, he will at once merge with Paramatma. He does not face the danger of ever falling from that highest state.
The Videhamukta, who was once a Jeevanmukta, after leaving the body feels, ‘I am the sun, I am air, and I am the five elements, I am the Trinity, and so on’.
Rama is now concerned. It seems as if the meaning you are conveying, Sri Rama says, is that the Videhamukta has once again Created and entered into the three worlds with his likes and dislikes. Then what is the point? If the Videhamukta turns again into the three worlds, then how can this be called Liberation?
Vasishtha created this doubt in Rama’s mind so that he can give him further clarification.
Vidyate
If the three worlds are in fact real, let the Videhamuktas take that form again. But the three worlds are not real. They only appear so. They are fabrications of our own minds. If they do not even exist, how can a Videhamukta obtain them? Even the concept of the three worlds is not real. In our perception, they may appear real. The earth, we may feel, may perish, but the three worlds are there forever. Some people have that belief. But that is not what I believe.
etattrilokataam
To say that all that exists is Brahma, is also a wrong statement.
When nothing exists, do not say that everything that exists is Brahma. Only Consciousness is. To show something dirty and say that even this is He, is wrong. Nothing is there. Do not entertain any such thoughts. It will create problems.
The children these days play video games and give themselves names. One person wins and the other loses. Does the winner really win and does the loser really lose? It is only limited to the play, that is all. Of course, some take these games also very seriously and apply them to their hearts as if the winning and the losing are real and affects their lives.
Do not even say that all this is Brahman. This Creation is not real. The Universe is only illusory. It never actually came into existence. Understand this clearly.
Ananyat
What I wish to teach, I will teach you now. There is no second. Only Brahma is. It is Peace. All that is, is Brahma. Nothing else is. It is without any changes. It is just Consciousness, pure as space.
Brahmaiva Jagat. This is a Mahavakya. Keep remembering this to forget all troubles. All your difficulties will dissolve if you tell yourselves this. Sadguru alone is. He will take care of everything. Jnana alone exists. Sat/Truth alone is. All this is Brahma. This must be established firmly in the mind. Thus Vasishtha expresses his own experience.
Does anyone believe this really? As if to answer our question, Vasishtha answers:
Aham hi
Sri Rama, there is a gold bracelet. You will have an opinion about it. You may think it is a bracelet or a bangle. I only see the gold. You may see the pot. I only see the clay. We take a jewel to a pawn shop. He only tests to see if the material is actually gold. When we do Karma we must be like that merchant. We must only see the actual substance. I do not notice the ornament. I only see the gold in the jewel.
jalaa
If there is a body of water, such as a river, of an ocean, I do not see the flow or the waves. I only see water. I do not see the waves or the flow.
I see only Brahma. I do not see the world. That is the state of my mind and my perception.
Spanda
One more example is given. Jnanis are of this mindset, explains Vasishtha to Sri Rama. Movement itself is Air. I only see the movement. Air and its movement are not different. It is not possible to separate the two.
Space appears empty. When you see and object, then you recognize the pillar standing amidst space. All is Brahma is the feeling I hold.
Taapam
I see a mirage. The heat vaporizes and appears like waves or ripples of water. I see only Brahma, not the water. Similarly, I see only Brahma. The three worlds are Brahma. Brahma has not changed into the three worlds. He alone exists. That feeling is firm in my perception. Unnadi okade Sivudegaa. Only Siva exists. Vasishtha expressed his experience.
Sri Rama asked:
Atyantaabhaava
What you say is, unless we totally deny the existence of all this, we cannot experience Brahma. That is how I understand your words. Unless I gain that experience, I will not get liberated. How do I arrive at that level of understanding?
I should not think: This exists. Brahman has turned into this, and so on. If I do, then I have stumbled into a hole.
How do I obtain that firm understanding that you speak of? What is the strategy? What is the technique by which I may rise to that height of knowledge?
Idassam
Sri Rama himself is giving us Upadesa here. We require the ultimate peace of mind. Regardless of what possessions or luxuries one may have, if peace of mind is lacking, there is dissatisfaction. How is it possible to attain that highest peace of mind?
Please teach me how to attain it.
The seer and the seen are always together. If the two merge, then only, just one will be existing. If the seer is eradicated, or if the scene is eradicated, then only one will exist. No duality will remain. Only peace of mind will prevail. The two should be merged into the one Paramatma. Then only the highest peace will remain.
drisyasya
Sri Rama prayed: This is the intent of your statement, as I understand it. But how do I personally experience this oneness? What is the technique for me to accomplish this? I have realized that once this is experienced, nothing else remains to be known. Please convey to me that experience which will give me the ultimate peace. Once I gain this knowledge, there would be nothing else remaining in this world for me to know. Such is this highest Knowledge, this ultimate experience. Please bestow it upon me.
We will continue tomorrow and learn of Sage Vasishtha’s response.
Today we learned about the qualities of Videhamukta and the experience that only Brahman exists, as personally experienced by Sage Vasishtha. By Sadguru’s grace, we will also obtain that experience. Till then, keep pondering over this concept and mulling it over in your minds.
Today is Sunday. We will have Sri Chakra Puja and Tailabhishekam afterwards. Let us participate in these events.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om Santissantissantihi