Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 169, October 7 2015
Sri Sadgurubhyo namaha.
Om Santissantissantissantihi.
It is almost three months since we had the last discourse here on Yoga Vasishtha. Some have perhaps even forgotten the Dhyana slokas. It is only with daily practice that our sadhana yields results, be it the path of devotion or Advaita.
In Hyderabad it was difficult to continue this study. Many programs took place including Sri Swamiji’s visit. Many in the audience there were new and unfamiliar with the subject.
We have completed the Vairagya Prakaranam, and the Mumukshu Vyavahara Prakarana. Now we are studying the Utpatti Prakarana.
Utpatti is Creation. We thought that we would be taught about the process of Creation. But we were told instead, that Creation itself is not real. The intent of this work is to teach us about Parabrahman, the ultimate Truth. Later on, however, the process of Creation will be described.
Sage Vasishtha has explained many things about the emergence of the individual soul, who he is, where he came from, the purpose of his emergence, the method of his existence, and so on.
Chetanam ..
We cannot assume that the individual soul is a living and conscious entity. His energy, life, and consciousness are all derived from the Supreme Soul.
Rama wanted to know whether he should learn about the individual soul or about the Supreme Soul. It is a good question. We are as the individual souls. What is the benefit of knowing about ourselves?
Our real state is what we should learn about. We should know that which we do not know yet.
We are studying the original text as we begin to understand the topic.
Yasmin ..
If we only learn about the individual soul, our sorrows will not be removed. Everyone’s aim in life is to know how to remove sorrow. If you look at your injury in a mirror, will the pain go away? No. The mirror will reveal the wound to you. That is all. Knowing only about the individual will not remove sorrow.
The individual soul and the Supreme Soul are one and the same, we are told. But knowing only about the individual soul is not going to remove one’s sorrow. Once you know where the wound is, it still requires treatment and medicine before it will heal.
Paramatma has taken this form as the individual, it is said. Perhaps He is imagining out of ignorance to be in the form of the individual soul. The explanation is presented in different ways. But where is Paramatma? How to know Him? How to grasp Him? Does He become an ignorant beast as we describe ourselves to be, before we get enlightened and purified? Out of ignorance, the same energy of ignorance becomes this and with Knowledge it gets reinstated to its original state as Paramatma.
Having enlightenment is itself becoming one with the Paramatma. Only visual symbols are shown to us in cinemas, as a wheel of bright rays, or they show Krishna wearing a heavy gold crown. A crown symbolizes the Supremacy of Knowledge representing the Paramatma. The crown contains many symbols such as the Sri Chakra and Dattatreya Swami. We see that when during festivals our Sadguru wears the large crown.
You are all-pervasive is what you have to realize. Do not get carried away with symbols. Paramatman is like space. But the individual thinks He is small. He should realize his own vastness, not out of arrogance and ego, but from knowing. Ego is opposite of Knowledge. The truly enlightened ones do not keep publicizing their greatness. Their manner is very simple. They do not mind it if they are unrecognized.
Paramatma is revealed how? Rama asks. He is remembering the importance of the association with great souls. Sadhu Sangama and Sacchastra (study of scriptures or words which give enlightenment) are important to cross this ocean of Samsara.
With Jnana, one crosses the ocean of ignorance or Samsara. Paramatma is one and the same as the Knowledge of Paramatma. The two are not different. Devotion and God are one and the same. Adoration with true faith makes one merge with God. As per their individual capacity both the residents of forests and big cities have offered worship to God and have merged in Him. God is not a separate entity who comes and gives knowledge. His form itself is Jnana. Jnana helps us to transcend this world of illusion.
Verse
We are learning that Knowledge removes sorrow. Does one attempt to swim across a vast ocean? No. He will drown. When a storm occurs in the ocean, we need a strong boat to survive and reach the shore. Both the enlightened and the ignorant face troubles. It is not true that once a person becomes enlightened he is free from troubles. The one who has knowledge and devotion is able to survive physical troubles by remaining calm and even-minded. An ignorant person succumbs to the problems because he gets confused and agitated. He makes a mountain of his troubles. Knowledge gives comfort. Jnana makes it easy to overcome worldly problems.
verse
Wherever the Paramatma is mentioned, understand that what is meant is spiritual knowledge. Yoga is not different from the practice of Yoga. Yoga is not a separate entity that comes and showers blessings upon you.
What is His form? O God, O Sadguru, please teach me, begs Sri Rama.
It is hinted as to how one can overcome troubles, and enjoy bliss and comfort by the attainment of Jnana.
Sage Vasishtha replies:
Etam ..
Before giving a direct answer, the sage says: The so-called scholars make a mistake.
Vasishtha is speaking about where those consider themselves as knowledgeable take a false step. Janma represents everything in this world, all of which is untrue and illusory. Whoever in this world considers the individual to be supreme, they are all taking a downfall. Such scholars, although they may be wellread are misled in their thinking and are in fact, quite ignorant.
Verse
Rama asked whether one should learn about the individual or about God. Rama already has mentioned that knowing only about the individual is not going to remove sorrow.
Once again we are remembering that the individual represents birth and death. Merely knowing about the individual is not helpful. No benefit is derived in knowing what is not true. The case proceeds in the court of law. If you know who is innocent, it is not enough. You still need to know who is guilty. Until the truth is established, until the criminal is caught, the investigation and the court case continues.
There is no point in inquiring into untruth. One should explore only to know the Truth. Of course, it is also useful to know what is untrue, so that you can distance yourself from it.
A heap is placed. You are told that there is a gem hidden inside it. You search by keeping aside each stone, until you find the gem.
When there are a few stones in the rice, you pick out the stones because they are fewer. Establish what is important. The rice is important, not the stones.
Both methods of searching are useful, based on individual preference.
Experienced persons tell you that they have known the Truth. They tell you that they have placed the gem amidst the heap of stones. Truth is only one. There are numerous objects that are untrue. The gurus show you how to search until you find it. There is only one gem. There are many stones.
All that you see in this world is untrue, like the rocks that hide the gem.
Lord Hanuman searched for Sita in the Sundara Kanda. Did he look for Ravana, or Mandodari, or a building to take rest in? No. He looked for Sita. Once he found her, his search ended. Thereafter, he destroyed whatever was worthless in Lanka. We pray to Hanuman every day. We do parayana of Sundara Kanda and Hanuman Chalisa daily. We should also search until we find the truth. We must continue our effort until we succeed. Once we find the truth, we must burn all that is untrue. Hanuman burned Lanka to ashes. His actions guide us in our pursuit of Truth. Why was the story of Hanuman’s search for Sita given such an elaborate description? Hanuman was at first impressed by what he saw in Lanka. We are impressed with the things of the world because we have not visited Vaikuntha. Vishnu in Vaikuntha will point towards Goloka that it is a greater place to visit. Until you have seen something greater, you do not realize that what you have known thus far is not so great.
In any object of the world, we see some fascination. But none of these are truth. Hanuman is great not because he searched, but because he found what he was seeking. So many vanaras, such as Jambavanta, Neela, and others had searched, but only Hanuman succeeded. That is why we worship only Hanuman. We do not build temples for the others. We praise ourselves merely for engaging in the search. But we are not great until we are rewarded in our search. We must succeed in our search.
Hanuman had darshan of Sita and also destroyed the rakshasas and the city of Lanka. No one should get deluded by looking at the glittering beauty of Lanka. That is why he destroyed it. Sadguru does the same thing to us. He destroys the delusion that exists within us. Lord Hanuman is Sadguru. Sadguru is Lord Hanuman.
By knowing about the individual, about what is untrue, the search does not end.
Truth, the ultimate truth, must be known. What is not useful for cooking is known. But you should also know what is useful for food preparation. This is a worldly example.
Verse
When we attain the knowledge about Paramatma, only then our sorrow will be dispelled. Troubles may appear to vanish temporarily, but they will return, until the ultimate knowledge is obtained. Desires also like that. When one is fulfilled, another desire arises in the mind.
When Swamiji gives Prasadam, devotees ask for more and for some other item also. Does Swamiji not know what you need? People tell you later that you should have asked for more. Asking for more, not asking at all, and asking for the wrong things indiscriminately, are all mistakes. Scriptural stories tell us, such as the story of Dhruva. It is best to believe that Guru knows everything and will give us the best. He will never give us what is unnecessary.
A king cut his finger. The minister said: it is good. The king got angry and put the minister in jail and had him punished. The minister kept insisting that whatever had happened was for the king’s own benefit. One night when the king was asleep, a Kapalika abducted the king to offer him as a human sacrifice to a deity to obtain emperorship as a reward.
But upon examination of the king’s body, prior to the sacrificial rite, it was found that the king had a finger missing and hence he was unfit for human sacrifice. He was returned to the palace. The king realized his mistake and released the minister from jail. The minister was glad for the imprisonment. It gave him time to ponder about Truth. He realized with greater firmness that all that happens, is for one’s own benefit. The minister felt that his ego was removed by the suffering of punishment and insults meted out to him. He became a better person.
Asmin ..
Rama, the entire collection and flow of sorrows will vanish only when the ultimate Truth is realized.
The poison that is inside of us as ignorance has to be removed for the fever of sorrow to be removed.
Rama’s question was how to realize God?
Guru distracts the disciple’s mind by giving a different answer and going around the topic. Guru tests the disciple’s mind to see if he is fully focused and sincere in asking the question.
Many people ask questions simply for the fun of asking. Some questions are very profound. Those who ask, often lack a sincere interest, or the patience to listen to the answer completely.
verse
Rama repeated his question that he wanted to know the deepest truth about the Ultimate Knowledge.
What is Paramatma? How to know Him? You have told me what is untrue. Please tell me what is Truth.
Darshana means having knowledge about. Sita did not announce to Hanuman that she was Sita. Hanuman had to observe, analyze, and come to his own conclusion that this woman here is in fact Sita. Hanuman matched the description he had heard about Sita. He compared the color of her clothing to the piece of cloth he had seen earlier. He examined her behavior, her looks, and then arrived at his conclusion.
Similarly, we have to listen to Guru, analyze the words, and understand the nature of Paramatma.
Sorrow is a result of delusion. When we are unaccustomed to walking barefoot, even a small pebble will hurt the soles of our feet. A farmer who works in the rice field barefoot is immune to such pain. He even runs in the muddy fields filled with rough and sharp objects without feeling any pain. We forget that we suffer due to our own delusion.
Sage Vasishtha gave a wonderful Upadesa.
Desaantaram..
We use one object to perceive another object. The continuum (the never-ending) or the space that connects the two objects is truth. That is Knowledge/Jnana. We mention America and our mind at once travels to America based on the knowledge that already exist in the mind about America. Even those who have never been to America or seen any Americans, still travel in their minds to that country based on their preconceived notions.
How to know that Jnana itself is Paramatma? An example is given.
A mother tries to show her child the moon. The child is unable to locate the moon in the sky. The mother says, look above the branch of that tree. Then the child sees the moon. From the branch of the tree, at once, the mind of the child jumped to the moon. How long did it take? The moon is not sitting on the branch of the tree. The child did not need a space suit to reach the moon. The bridge that is between the branch and the moon is Paramatma. The space that separates the branch and the moon is millions of miles. The speed with which the perception of the child moved, that itself is Paramatma. He is so powerful. It is not the sight of the eye. The speed at which the knowledge travels is simply unimaginable.
We have resumed the study of Yoga Vasishtha after a long break. Let us all pray to Sadgurudeva that our study should proceed without any hindrances.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om Santissantissantihi