Chapter 3.56, Verses 40–50

Yoga Vashishtha 3.56.40–50

(These verses explore the nature of desires - vasanas - and their relation to Time, Space, and Causation in the context of Creation)

श्रीराम उवाच ।

देशकालादिना ब्रह्मन्वासना समुदेति चेत्।

तन्महाकल्पसर्गादौ देशकालादयः कुतः ॥ ४०॥

कारणे समुदेतीदं तैस्तदा सहकारिभिः।

सहकारिकारणानामभावे वासना कुतः ॥ ४१॥

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

एवमेतन्महाबाहो सत्यात्मन्न कदाचन।

महाप्रलयसर्गादौ देशकालौ न कौचन ॥ ४२॥

सहकारिकारणानामभावे सति दृश्यधीः।

नेयमस्ति न चोत्पन्ना न च स्फुरति काचन ॥ ४३॥

दृश्यस्यासंभवादेव किंचिद्यद्दृश्यते त्विदम्।

तद्ब्रह्मैव स्वचिद्रूपं स्थितमित्थमनामयम् ॥ ४४॥

एतच्चाग्रे युक्तिशतैः कथयिष्याम एव ते।

एतदर्थं प्रयत्नोऽयं वर्तमानकथां श्रृणु ॥ ४५॥

एवं ददृशतुः प्राप्ते मन्दिरं सुन्दरोदरम्।

कीर्णं पुष्पोपहारेण वसन्तमिव शीतलम् ॥ ४६॥

प्रशान्ताचारसंरम्भराजधान्या समन्वितम्।

मन्दारकुन्दमाल्यादिशवं तत्र समं स्थितम् ॥ ४७॥

मन्दारकुन्दस्रग्दामवृताम्वरबृहच्छवम्।

शवशय्याशिरःस्थाग्र्यपूर्णकुम्भादिमङ्गलम् ॥ ४८॥

अनिवृत्तगृहद्वारगवाक्षकठिनार्गलम्।

प्रशाम्यद्दीपकालोकश्यामलामलभित्तिकम्।

गृहैकदेशसंसुप्तमुखश्वाससमीकृतम् ॥ ४९॥

संपूर्णचन्द्रसकलोदयकान्तिकान्तं सौन्दर्यनिर्जितपुरन्दरमन्दिरर्द्धि।

वैरिञ्चपद्ममुकुलान्तरचारुशोभं निःशब्दमन्दमिव निर्मलमिन्दुकान्तम् ॥ ५०॥

Sriram said: 

3.55.40–41

> O Brahman, if desires arise due to Time and place, then in the beginning of the great creation of the world, where were time and place? 

> This arises in the Cause along with those assisting factors. Without the assisting causes and the main Cause, how can there be any desire? 

Sage Vasishtha said: 

3.56.42–50

It is exactly so, O mighty-armed one, O Knower of Truth. Never at all, in the beginning of the Great Dissolution and Creation, were there any time or place. 

> When the assisting Causes are absent, the idea of the visible world does not exist, nor is it produced, nor does it appear at all. 

> Because the visible world cannot truly exist, whatever is seen here as something is indeed Brahm itself, existing in its own form of Pure Consciousness, remaining thus without any affliction. 

> I will explain this to you later with hundreds of arguments. For this purpose, listen now to the present story with effort. 

> Thus they both saw, upon reaching a beautiful and charming temple. It was filled with offerings of flowers, cool like the spring season. 

> It was endowed with the peaceful and noble conduct of the royal capital. There lay equally the corpse decorated with garlands of mandara and kunda flowers. 

> The large corpse was covered with garlands and strings of mandara and kunda flowers and fine clothes. At the head of the corpse's bed were excellent full pitchers and other auspicious items. 

> The house doors, windows, and strong bolts were not closed. The walls were dark yet clean with the dimming light of lamps. In one part of the house, it seemed as if someone was sleeping with gentle breathing. 

> It was beautiful like the rising of the full moon with its complete delightful radiance. Its beauty surpassed the splendor of Indra's palace. It was charming like the inner beauty of Brahma's lotus bud, silent, gentle, and pure like the cool rays of the moon. 

Summary of the Teachings:

Rama questions how desires can arise without prior time and place at the very beginning of Cosmic Creation. Vasishtha affirms that in the Ultimate Reality of Brahm, before any Creation or Dissolution, there are no such distinctions as Time or Place. This points to the illusory nature of the world, where apparent Causes and effects depend on conditions that themselves emerge from Brahm.

The teaching emphasizes that the visible world (drishya) cannot exist independently. 

Without supporting Causes and the fundamental Cause, no mental impressions or perceptions of the world can form or appear. What we perceive as the manifested Universe is not Real in itself but is Brahm appearing in the form of Pure Consciousness (chit). This Consciousness is unchanging, free from suffering, and the sole Reality behind all appearances.

The dialogue serves as a philosophical bridge, promising deeper explanations through logic while directing attention to a illustrative story. It teaches non-dual Vedanta: the world of names and forms is superimposed on Brahm, like a dream or illusion, and true understanding dissolves the vasanas that bind the mind to samsara.

The description of the temple and corpse scene illustrates the serene, dream-like quality of worldly Existence. Even in the presence of death and apparent forms, the underlying reality is peaceful and auspicious, filled with symbolic beauty that reflects divine order. It shows how the mind constructs vivid scenes from subtle impressions, yet all is rooted in the same Pure Awareness.

Ultimately, these verses guide the seeker toward Realizing the Self as Brahm. By inquiring into the origins of desires and perceptions, one recognizes their dependence on illusory conditions. This leads to liberation through Knowledge that the world is non-different from the self-luminous Consciousness, promoting detachment, inquiry, and meditation on the Unchanging Reality.

Chapter 3.56, Verses 26–39

Yoga Vashishtha 3.56.26–39

(These verses explore the power of mental impressions - vasanas - in shaping reality for the soul)

श्रीराम उवाच ।

भगवन्पिण्डदानादिवासनारहिताकृतिः।

कीदृक्संपद्यते जीवः पिण्डो यस्मै न दीयते ॥ २६॥

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

पिण्डोऽथ दीयते मावा पिण्डो दत्तो मयेति चित्।

वासना हृदि संरूढा तत्पिण्डफलभाङ्गरः ॥ २७॥

यच्चित्तं तन्मयो जन्तुर्भवतीत्यनुभूतयः।

सदेहेषु विदेहेषु न भवत्यन्यथा क्वचित् ॥ २८॥

सपिण्डोस्मीति संवित्त्या निष्पिण्डोपि सपिण्डवान् निष्पिण्डोस्मीति संवित्त्या सपिण्डोपि नपिण्डवान् ॥ २९॥

यथाभावनमेतेषां पदार्थानां हि सत्यता।

भावना च पदार्थेभ्यः कारणेभ्य उदेति हि ॥ ३०॥

यथा वासनया जन्तोर्विषमप्यमृतायते।

असत्यः सत्यतामेति पदार्थो भावनात्तथा ॥ ३१॥

कारणेन विनोदेति न कदाचन कस्यचित्।

भावना काचिदपि नो इति निश्चयवान्भव ॥ ३२॥

कारणेन विना कार्यमा महाप्रलयं क्वचित्।

न दृष्टं न श्रुतं किंचित्स्वयं त्वेकोदयादृते ॥ ३३॥

चिदेव वासना सैव धत्ते स्वप्न इवार्थताम्।

कार्यकारणतां याति सैवागत्येव तिष्ठति ॥ ३४॥

श्रीराम उवाच ।

धर्मो नास्ति ममेत्येव यः प्रेतो वासनान्वितः।

तस्य चेत्सुहृदा भूरिधर्मः कृत्वा समर्पितः ॥ ३५॥

तत्तदात्र स किं धर्मो नष्टः स्यादुत वा न वा।

सत्यार्था वाप्यसत्यार्था भावना किं बलाधिका ॥ ३६॥

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

देशकालक्रियाद्रव्यसंपत्त्योदेति भावना।

यत्रैवाभ्युदिता सा स्यात्स द्वयोरधिको जयी ॥ ३७॥

धर्मदातुः प्रवृत्ता चेद्वासना तत्तया क्रमात्।

आपूर्यते प्रेतमतिर्न चेत्प्रेतधियाशुभा ॥ ३८॥

एवं परस्परजयाज्जयत्यत्रातिवीयेवान्।

तस्माच्छुभेन यत्नेन शुभाभ्यासमुदाहरेत् ॥ ३९॥

Sriram said: 

3.56.26

> O Lord, what kind of State does the soul attain that is free from the impression of receiving offerings like pinda dana, when no such offering is given to it? 

Sage Vasistha said: 

3.56.27–34

> When the offering is given, the thought arises in the mind, "The pinda has been offered by me." This impression takes root firmly in the heart, and the soul experiences the fruit of that offering. 

> Whatever the mind is filled with, that the Being becomes, as experienced in both embodied and disembodied States. It never happens otherwise anywhere. 

> Even without a physical pinda, one who thinks "I have a pinda" feels as if he has it. Even with a pinda, one who thinks "I have no pinda" does not feel its presence. 

> The reality of these objects is according to one's conception of them. And this conception arises from the causes related to those objects. 

> Just as through strong impression even poison becomes like nectar for a Being, similarly an unreal object attains the status of reality through one's conception. 

> No conception ever arises without a cause. Be certain of this. 

> No effect is ever seen or heard without a cause anywhere, except for the Self-arising of the One. (33)

> Consciousness itself is the impression; it alone assumes the form of objects as in a dream. It itself undergoes the relation of cause and effect, yet remains as it is without truly coming or going. (34)

Sriram said: 

3.56.35–36

> If a departed soul endowed with impressions thinks "There is no dharma for me," and if a friend performs much dharma and offers it to him, (35) then at that time, is that dharma lost for him or not? Is the conception true in meaning or false, and which one is more powerful?

Sage Vasistha said: 

3.55.37–39

> The conception arises from the combination of place, time, action, and materials. Wherever it is strongly produced, that one between the two becomes superior and victorious. 

> If the impression proceeding from the giver of dharma fills the mind of the departed gradually, then it does so; otherwise, the inauspicious thought of the departed prevails. 

> Thus, through mutual victory, here the one with greater strength wins. Therefore, with good effort, one should practice good impressions. 

Summary of the Teachings:

The dialogue between Rama and Vasistha highlights that external actions like offerings only have effect if they create corresponding thoughts and impressions in the mind. Without a strong mental conception, even performed rituals may not benefit the departed soul, emphasizing that the inner world of Consciousness determines outcomes more than outer forms.

The core teaching is that a Being becomes what its mind is filled with, in both living and after-death states. Impressions root deeply and produce fruits accordingly. One's sense of having or not having something depends entirely on conviction and imagination rather than physical reality. This shows the mind's creative power: thoughts and beliefs can make the unreal seem real or nullify the apparent real.

Conceptions and impressions never arise without causes, linked to place, time, actions, and substances. Yet Consciousness itself is the fundamental vasana that projects dream-like worlds of cause and effect. Everything is a play of the mind within the One Consciousness, which remains unchanged while appearing to transform.

In the context of transferring merits like dharma to the departed, the stronger impression wins. If positive dharma impressions overpower the departed soul's own negative thoughts through sustained influence, they take effect. Otherwise, the soul's existing mindset prevails. This underscores personal responsibility for cultivating good vasanas.

Ultimately, these teachings urge constant practice of positive, auspicious impressions through effort. Since stronger mental forces overcome weaker ones in this interplay, one should diligently build beneficial habits and conceptions to shape a better destiny, both in life and beyond, relying on the mind's transformative capacity.

Chapter 3.56, Verses 16–25

Yoga Vashishtha 3.56.16–25

(These verses show how subtle forms created by pure thought can travel far beyond the physical world)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

पुप्लुवे जीवलेखा तु रूपिण्यौ ते न पश्यति।

तामेवानुसरन्त्यौ ते समुल्लङ्घ्य नभस्तलम् ॥ १६॥

लोकान्तराण्यतीत्याशु विनिर्गत्य जगद्गृहात्।

द्वितीयं जगदासाद्य भूमण्डलमुपेत्य च ॥ १७॥

ते द्वे संकल्परूपिण्यौ संगते जीवलेखया।

पद्मराजपुरं प्राप्य लीलान्तःपुरमण्डपम् ॥ १८॥

क्षणाद्विविशतुः स्वैरं वातलेखा यथाम्बुजम्।

सूर्यभासो यथाम्भोजं सुरभिः पवनं यथा ॥ १९॥

श्रीराम उवाच ।

ब्रह्मन्प्राप्तः कथमसौ शवस्य निकटं गृहम्।

कथं तेन परिज्ञातो मार्गो मृतशरीरिणा ॥ २०॥

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

तस्य स्ववासनान्तःस्थशवस्य किल राघव।

तत्सर्वं हृद्गतं कस्मान्नासौ प्राप्नोति तद्गृहम् ॥ २१॥

भ्रान्तिमात्रमसंख्येयं जगज्जीवकणोदरे।

वटधानातरुमिव स्थितं को वा न पश्यति ॥ २२॥

यथा जीवद्वपुर्बीजमङ्कुरं हृदि पश्यति।

स्वभावभूतं चिदणुस्त्रैलोक्यनिचयं तथा ॥ २३॥

नरो यथैकदेशस्थो दूरदेशान्तरस्थितम्।

संपश्यति निधानं स्वं मनसानारतं सदा ॥ २४॥

तथा स्ववासनान्तस्थमभीष्टं परिपश्यति।

जीवो जातिशताढ्योऽपि भ्रमे परिगतोऽपि सन् ॥ २५॥

Sage Vasistha said: 

3.56.16–19

> The life-sketch floated, but the two embodied forms could not see it. Following only that one, they crossed the sky.

> They quickly crossed other worlds and left the house of this world. They reached the second world and came near the earthly sphere.

> The two, who were forms made of pure thought, met the life-sketch. They reached the city of King Padma and entered the inner palace hall of Queen Lila.

> In just a moment they entered freely, like a sketch of wind entering a lotus, like rays of the Sun entering a lotus flower, and like fragrance entering the breeze.

Sriram said: 

3.56.20

> O wise one, how did he reach the house near the dead body? How did the one with the dead body know the path?

Sage Vasistha said: 

3.56.21–25

> O Raghava, that one's corpse is inside his own mental impressions. Everything is already in his heart, so why would he not reach that house?

> The whole world is only illusion, countless, and it exists inside the tiny particle of the living Being, like a huge tree inside a banyan seed. Who cannot see this?

> Just as the living body sees the sprout inside the seed in its heart, in the same way the atom of Pure Consciousness naturally sees the whole collection of the three worlds.

> Just as a person staying in one place constantly sees in his mind his own treasure that is far away,

> In the same way the living Being sees the desired thing that is inside his own mental impressions. Even if he has hundreds of births and is lost in delusion, he still does this.

Summary of the teachings:

Two embodied beings follow the faint trace of a life force through the sky and into other realms without any effort or obstacle. This journey proves that the mind has the power to move instantly across worlds once it focuses on its inner direction. The physical body stays behind, but the living essence keeps moving according to its own will.

The verses explain that entry into a new world happens naturally and instantly, like wind slipping into a flower or sunlight filling a lotus. There is no struggle or delay because the movement is guided by clear intention alone. This teaches that in the subtle realm, barriers of Space and Time do not exist for a mind that is steady and pure. The palace they reach is not a distant place but one already connected to their thoughts.

Rama asks a simple but deep question: how can someone whose body is dead still know the exact path to a particular house? This question points to the mystery of what guides the soul after death. It makes us think about the link between the lifeless body and the living awareness that continues its journey without confusion.

Vasistha answers that 

everything the soul needs is already stored inside its own mental impressions. The house, the path, and the destination are not outside but held within the heart like memories or seeds. The soul naturally reaches what it carries inside itself. No outside map or guide is required because the entire experience lives in its inner world.

The final teaching is that the whole Universe exists inside the smallest atom of Consciousness, just as a giant tree hides inside a tiny seed. Even after many births and while caught in confusion, the living Being always sees its deepest desires within its own impressions. The mind can picture faraway things clearly while staying in one place. This reveals that Reality is created and seen by the inner mind, and true understanding comes when we look within rather than outside.

Chapter 3.56, Verses 1–15

Yoga Vashishtha 3.56.1–15

(These verses teach that the body is only a temporary shell)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे राजा परिवृत्ताक्षितारकः।

बभूवैकतनुप्राणशेषः शुष्कसिताधरः ॥ १॥

जीर्णपर्णसवर्णाभः क्षीणपाण्डुमुखच्छविः।

भृङ्गध्वनितसच्छायश्वासकूजाविकूणितः ॥ २॥

महामरणमूर्च्छान्धकूपे निपतिताशयः।

अन्तर्निलीननिःशेषनेत्रादीन्द्रियवृत्तिमान् ॥ ३॥

चित्रन्यस्त इवाकारमात्रदृश्यो विचेतनः।

निःस्पन्दसर्वावयवः समुत्कीर्ण इवोपले ॥ ४॥

बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन तनुदेशेन तं जहौ।

प्राणः पिपतिषुं वृक्षं स्वं पक्षीवान्तरिक्षगः ॥ ५॥

ते तं ददृशतुर्बाले दिव्यदृष्टी नभोगतम्।

जीवं प्राणमयी संविद्गन्धलेशमिवानिले ॥ ६॥

सा जीवसंविद्गगने वातेन मिलिता सती।

खे दूरं गन्तुमारेभे वासनानुविधायिनी ॥ ७॥

तामेवानुससाराथ स्त्रीद्वयं जीवसंविदम्।

भ्रमरीयुगलं वातलग्नां गन्धकलामिव ॥ ८॥

ततो मुहूर्तमात्रेण शान्ते मरणमूर्च्छने।

अम्बरे बुबुधे संविद्गन्धलेखेन वायुना ॥ ९॥

अपश्यत्पुरुषान्याम्यान्नीयमानं च तैर्वपुः।

बन्धुपिण्डप्रदानेन शरीरं जातमात्मनः ॥ १०॥

मार्गे कर्मफलोल्लासमतिदूरतरे स्थितम्।

वैवस्वतपुरं प्राप जन्तुभिः परिवेष्टितम् ॥ ११॥

प्राप्तं वैवस्वतपुरमादिदेश ततो यमः।

अस्य कर्माण्यशुभ्राणि नैव सन्ति कदाचन ॥ १२॥

नित्यमेवावदातानां कर्तायं शुभकर्मणाम्।

भगवत्याः सरस्वत्या वरेणायं विवर्धितः ॥ १३॥

प्राक्तनोऽस्य शवीभूतो देहोऽस्ति कुसुमाम्बरे।

प्रविशत्वेष तं गत्वा त्यज्यतामिति चेतसा ॥ १४॥

ततस्त्यक्तो नभोमार्गे यन्त्रोपल इव च्युतः।

अथ जीवकला लीला ज्ञप्तिश्चेति त्रयं नभः ॥ १५॥

Sage Vasishta said: 

3.56.1–5

> At that moment the King rolled his eyes upwards and was left with only his body and life breath, his lips dry and white.  

> His body looked like the colour of a dry leaf, his face pale and without shine. He breathed with a soft humming sound like a bee and groaned faintly with half-closed eyes.  

> His mind had fallen into the dark well of deep death unconsciousness. All his senses, starting from the eyes, had withdrawn completely inside.  

> He looked like a figure fixed in a painting, visible only in shape and unconscious, with every limb still, as if carved in stone.  

> What more is there to say? The life breath left that thin body like a bird flying away from a tree that is about to fall, into the sky.  

3.56.6–9

> The two girls saw him with their Divine sight – the soul that had gone into the sky, the living Consciousness full of life breath, like a faint smell in the wind.  

> That soul Consciousness, now mixed with the wind in the sky, started to travel far through space, following its past impressions.  

> Then the two women followed that same soul Consciousness, like two bees chasing a small bit of fragrance stuck to the wind.  

> After just a moment, when the death faintness became calm, the Consciousness woke up in the sky, carried by the wind like a thin line of fragrance.  

3.56.10–15

> She saw the messengers of Yama and the body being carried by them. Through the relatives giving funeral pindas, a new body had been created for the soul.  

> On the path, shining far away with the results of karma, she reached the city of Vaivasvata, surrounded by many Beings.  

> After reaching the city of Vaivasvata, Yama then ordered: This person’s actions were never inauspicious.  

> He is always the doer of pure and good deeds. By the boon of Goddess Saraswati, this one has been specially blessed and raised.  

> His earlier body, which has become a corpse, lies in the flower-filled sky. Let this soul go there, enter it and leave the present State, thus Yama decided in his mind.  

> Then, freed on the sky path, it fell like a stone dropped from a machine. After that the life force, Lila and the Awareness – these three became the sky.

Summary of Teachings: 

When death comes, the eyes roll, the face turns pale, breathing becomes weak and the senses pull inward until the body lies still like a painted picture or a stone statue. This shows that physical life ends but the Inner Self does not vanish with the body; it simply leaves the outer form behind.

The life breath or soul rises from the dead body like a bird leaving a falling tree and floats in the sky as Pure Consciousness mixed with a little life energy. It moves according to its stored desires and past impressions. The verses explain that after the body dies the soul keeps moving, guided not by the physical world but by the mental habits gathered during life.

Two Divine women with heavenly sight follow the soul like bees following a sweet smell in the wind. The soul soon reaches the far city of Yama, the God of death. This part teaches that the soul’s journey is never alone; higher powers watch and accompany it, showing that even in the subtle world there is order and guidance from greater forces.

In Yama’s city the God of death himself declares that the soul has done only pure and good deeds because of the special blessing of Goddess Saraswati. There are no bad karmas to punish. The teaching here is that a life full of right actions and the Grace of a Divine boon can change the usual rules of death and save the soul from ordinary suffering or delay.

Finally Yama orders the soul to return to its old body lying in the flower-filled sky. The soul is released and falls back, its life force, Divine play and Awareness becoming one with the sky again. These verses show that death is not always final; for souls rich in merit and blessed by Grace, the body can be re-entered and life can continue, proving that Consciousness is stronger than death and that good karma plus Divine kindness can bring the soul back.

Chapter 3.55, Verses 61–73

Yoga Vashishtha 3.55.61–73

(These verses teach about the illusion of the world and how everything is pervaded by Consciousness)

श्रीदेव्युवाच ।

यथोत्तराब्धिजनता दक्षिणाब्धिजनं स्थितम्।

न किंचिदपि जानाति निजसंवेदनादृते ॥ ६१॥

स्वसंज्ञानुभवे लीनास्तथा स्थावरजङ्गमाः।

परस्परं यदा सर्वे स्वसंकेतपरायणाः ॥ ६२॥

यथा शिलान्तःसंस्थानां बहिष्ठानां च वेदनम्।

असज्जडं च भेकानां मिथोऽन्तस्तस्थुषां तथा ॥ ६३॥

सर्वं सर्वगतं चित्तं चिद्व्योम्ना यत्प्रचेतितम्।

सर्गादौ चोपनं वायुः स इहाद्यापि संस्थितः ॥ ६४॥

चेतितं यत्तु सौषिर्यं तन्नभस्तत्र मारुतः।

स्पन्दात्मेत्यादिसर्गेहाः पदार्थेष्विव चोपनम् ॥ ६५॥

चित्तं तु परमार्थेन स्थावरे जंगमे स्थितम्।

चोपनान्यनिलैरेव भवन्ति न भवन्ति च ॥ ६६॥

एवं भ्रान्तिमये विश्वे पदार्थाः संविदंशवः।

सर्गादिषु यथैवासंस्तथैवाद्यापि संस्थिताः ॥ ६७॥

यथा विश्वपदार्थानां स्वभावस्य विजृम्भितम्।

असत्यमेव सत्याभं तदेतत्कथितं तव ॥ ६८॥

अयमस्तं गतः प्रायः पश्य राजा विदूरथः।

मालाशवस्य पद्मस्य पत्युस्ते याति हृद्गतम् ॥ ६९॥

प्रबुद्धलीलोवाच ।

केन मार्गेण देवेशि यात्येष शवमण्डपम्।

एनमेवाशु पश्यन्त्यावावां गच्छाव उत्तमे ॥ ७०॥

श्रीदेव्युवाच ।

मनुष्यवासनान्तस्थं मार्गमाश्रित्य गच्छति।

एषोऽहमपरं लोकं दूरं यामीति चिन्मयः ॥ ७१॥

मार्गेणैवमनेनैव यावस्तेयेन संमतम्।

परस्परेच्छाविच्छित्तिर्न हि सौहार्दबन्धनी ॥ ७२॥

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

इति विहितकथागतक्लमायां परमदृशि प्रसृते विबोधभानौ।

नृपतिवरसुतामनस्युदारे विगलितचित्तजडो विदूरथोऽभूत् ॥ ७३॥

The Goddess continued: 

3.55.61–69

> Just as the people living in the northern ocean do not know anything about those living in the southern ocean except through their own Awareness.

> In the same way, all moving and unmoving Beings are absorbed in their own experience and knowledge. They all depend on their own mutual signs and agreements.

> Like the feelings inside stones and those outside, and the senseless frogs and those staying inside mutually, it is the same.

> The mind is everywhere and all-pervading. It is made Conscious by the Space of Consciousness. At the beginning of Creation, the wind (vayu) was brought forth, and it remains here even now.

> Whatever is perceived as emptiness, there is sky and wind in it. The first creations like vibration and others are like the wind brought into objects.

> In Reality, the mind exists in both stationary and moving things. These winds (vayus) are brought forth and also not brought forth.

> Thus, in this world full of illusion, all objects are parts of Consciousness. Just as they were in the Creations at the beginning, they remain the same even now.

> Just as the Nature and display of all objects in the Universe is unreal but appears Real, I have told this to you.

> Look, King Viduratha has almost died. The husband of your lotus-like garland (or the one in the story) is entering your heart.

Awakened Lila said: 

3.55.70

> O Goddess, by which path does this one go to the hall of the corpse? Let us both quickly see him and go there, O best one.

The Goddess said: 

3.55.71–72

> Relying on the path within human desires, this Conscious Being goes thinking, "I am going to another distant world."

> By this very path that is agreed upon mutually, the interruption of each other's wishes does not bind with the tie of friendship.

Sage Vasistha said: 

3.55.73

> Thus, when the story was told and fatigue removed in the Supreme Seer, with the sun of Knowledge spread out, in the broad mind of the king's excellent daughter, Viduratha became free from the dullness of his mind.

Summary of the Teachings:

Beings in different realms or experiences do not truly know each other beyond their own Awareness, showing that the Universe is subjective and based on individual Consciousness. All things, living or not, are absorbed in their own sense of Self, relying on mental constructs and agreements rather than absolute Reality. This highlights the mind's role in creating the appearance of separation and multiplicity.

The mind is described as all-pervading and the basis of Creation. From the beginning, subtle elements like wind or vibration fill Space and objects, making the world seem Real. Yet, these are projections of Consciousness. Stationary and moving objects alike exist only as expressions of this mind, which brings forth and withdraws these forces at will. The teaching emphasizes non-duality: what seems created is always within the One Consciousness.

The world is full of illusion where objects appear as parts or rays of Pure Awareness. 

They have remained unchanged since the start of Creation in their essential Nature. The display of nature in the universe looks true but is ultimately unreal, like a dream or magic show. Understanding this helps one see beyond appearances to the underlying truth of Consciousness.

In the narrative, King Viduratha's death illustrates how the soul moves according to its desires and mental paths. The Conscious Self travels to other worlds or States thinking it is going far away, but it follows inner tendencies and vasanas (latent impressions). Mutual wishes and interruptions show that relationships and events are not firmly bound by external ties but by inner mental states.

Finally, the story leads to Awakening. As Knowledge spreads like the Sun, the dullness of the mind dissolves. The king's daughter and others gain clarity. The verses point to liberation through Realizing the illusory nature of the world and resting in Pure Consciousness, freeing one from mental fog and worldly attachments.

Chapter 3.55, Verses 44–60

Yoga Vashishtha 3.55.44·60

(These verses teach that the whole world we see is nothing but the Supreme Reality or Pure Consciousness appearing in different forms)

प्रबुद्धलीलोवाच ।

आदिसर्गे यथा देवि भ्रम एष प्रवर्तते।

तथा कथय मे भूयः प्रसादाद्वोधवृद्धये ॥ ४४॥

श्रीदेव्युवाच ।

परमार्थघनं शैलाः परमार्थघनं द्रुमाः।

परमार्थघनं पृथ्वी परमार्थघनं नभः ॥ ४५॥

सर्वात्मकत्वात्स यतो यथोदेति चिदीश्वरः।

परमाकाशशुद्धात्मा तत्र तत्र भवेत्तथा ॥ ४६॥

सर्गादौ स्वप्नपुरुषन्यायेनादिप्रजापतिः।

यथा स्फुटं प्रकचितस्तथाद्यापि स्थिता स्थितिः ॥ ४७॥

प्रथमोऽसौ प्रतिस्पन्दः पदार्थानां हि बिम्बकम्।

प्रतिबिम्बितमेतस्माद्यत्तदद्यापि संस्थितम् ॥ ४८॥

यन्नाम सुषिरं स्थानं देहानां तद्गतोऽनिलः।

करोत्यङ्गपरिस्पन्दं जीवतीत्युच्यते ततः ॥ ४९॥

सर्गादावेवमेवैषा जङ्गमेषु स्थिता स्थितिः।

चेतना अपि निःस्पन्दास्तेनैते पादपादयः ॥ ५०॥

चिदाकाशोऽयमेवांशं कुरुते चेतनोदितम्।

स एव संविद्भवति शेषं भवति नैव तत् ॥ ५१॥

नरोपाधिपुरं प्राप्तं चेतत्यक्षिपुटं नयत्।

तत्तस्या नाक्षिचिज्जीवं नो जीवत्येव सर्गतः ॥ ५२॥

तथा खं खं तथा भूमिर्भूमित्वेनाप्त्ववज्जलम्।

यद्यथा चेतति स्वैरं तद्वेत्त्येव तथा वपुः ॥ ५३॥

इति सर्वशरीरेण जंगमत्वेन जंगमम्।

स्थावरं स्थावरत्वेन सर्वात्मा भावयन् स्थितः ॥ ५४॥

तस्माद्यज्जङ्गमं नाम तत्स्वबोधनरूपवत्।

तेन बुद्धं ततस्तद्बत्तदेवाद्यापि संस्थितम् ॥ ५५॥

यद्वृक्षाभिधमाबुद्धं स्थावरत्वेन वै पुनः।

जडमद्यापि संसिद्धं शिलातरुतृणादि च ॥ ५६॥

न तु जाड्यं पृथक्किंचिदस्ति नापि च चेतनम्।

नात्र भेदोऽस्ति सर्गादौ सत्तासामान्यकेन च ॥ ५७॥

वृक्षाणामुपलानां या नामान्तःस्थाः स्वसंविदः।

बुद्ध्यादिविहितान्येव तानि तेषामिति स्थितिः ॥ ५८॥

विदोन्तःस्थावरादेर्यास्तस्या बुद्ध्यास्तथा स्थितेः।

अन्याभिधानास्थानार्थाः संकेतैरपरैः स्थिताः ॥ ५९॥

कृमिकीटपतङ्गानां या नामान्तःस्वसंविदः।

तान्येव तेषां बुद्ध्यादीन्यभिधार्थानि कानिचित् ॥ ६०॥

The Awakened Lila said:

3.55.44

> O Goddess, just as this illusion begins to work in the first Creation, please explain it to me again by your Grace so that my knowledge may grow.

The Goddess said:

3.55.45–54

> The mountains are filled with Supreme Reality. The trees are filled with Supreme Reality. The earth is filled with Supreme Reality. The sky is filled with Supreme Reality.

> Because it is the Self of everything, wherever the Lord of Consciousness rises, the Pure Self of the Supreme Space appears in the same way there.

> At the start of Creation, the first Creator appeared clearly like a person in a dream. That same State still exists today.

> That first small movement is the image of all objects. Whatever is reflected from it still remains today.

> The air that enters the empty Space inside bodies makes the limbs move, and that is why it is called life.

> Right from the beginning of Creation, this same State is present in moving creatures. Even Conscious Beings are without movement, which is why plants and trees exist like this.

> This Consciousness-Space itself creates a small conscious part. It alone becomes Awareness, and nothing else turns into that.

> When it enters the human body as a limited form, it makes the eyes conscious. This is not a separate life in the eyes, nor does it live apart from the Creation.

> In the same way, the sky remains sky, the earth remains earth, and water remains water by its own nature. The body knows whatever it freely feels in that same way.

> Thus, the Supreme Self stays present in all bodies and thinks of moving things as moving and unmoving things as unmoving.

3.55.55–60 

> So whatever is called moving is like its own form of Knowledge. Because of that Knowledge it is understood, and the same thing still exists today.

> Whatever is called a tree is again fixed as unmoving. Inert things like stones, trees, grass and others are still fixed like this today.

> There is no separate inertness at all, and there is no separate Consciousness either. From the beginning of Creation there is no difference at all in the general Existence.

> The Inner Self-Knowledge inside trees and stones, which are formed by intellect and such things, are simply their own State.

> The Inner Knowledge of unmoving things and others stay with different names and meanings according to other agreements.

> The Inner Self-Knowledge of worms, insects and birds are their own Knowledge forms given some meanings.

Summary of the Teachings:

Everything around us — mountains, trees, earth and sky — is completely filled with this One Ultimate Truth. The illusion of Creation starts right at the beginning, and the Goddess is asked to explain it once more so that Knowledge can grow. There is no real separation between things; all is One Single Consciousness.

The Creation is compared to a dream. Just as the first Creator appeared clearly in the beginning like a dreamer seeing himself, the same dream-like State continues even today. The very first small vibration in Consciousness created the images of all objects, and everything we experience now is only a reflection of that original movement. Life itself comes when air enters the empty spaces in bodies and makes limbs move; that is why we call it living.

Consciousness-Space creates small Conscious parts in every Being. The body feels and knows things exactly according to its own nature — sky stays sky, earth stays earth, water stays water. The Supreme Self is present in all bodies at once. It thinks of moving creatures as moving and still things as still, so the world appears divided into moving and unmoving beings. Yet in truth everything is the same Consciousness working in different ways.

There is actually no real difference between what we call conscious and inert, or moving and unmoving. All these are just appearances. From the very start of Creation, everything shares the same general Existence. Stones, trees, grass and all inert objects are simply fixed in their unmoving form by the same Supreme Self. Their Inner Knowledge is Real, but it looks different only because of how Consciousness expresses itself in them.

Finally, the Inner Awareness found in trees, stones, worms, insects and birds is also part of the One Consciousness. These are just different names and meanings given by convention or agreement. No separate inertness or Consciousness exists apart from the Supreme Reality. Everything we see is the same Pure Self appearing in countless ways, and this Truth has remained unchanged since the beginning of Creation.

Chapter 3.55, Verses 31–43

Yoga Vashishtha 3.55.31–43

(These verses explain how the individual soul - jiva - perceives its journey in the world of illusion - samsara)

श्रीदेव्युवाच ।

इयं मे सौम्यसंपाता सरणिः शीतशाद्वला।

स्निग्धच्छाया सवापीका पुरःसंस्थेति मध्यमः ॥ ३१॥

अयं प्राप्तो यमपुरमहमेष स भूतपः।

अयं कर्मविचारोऽत्र कृत इत्यनुभूतिमान् ॥ ३२॥

इति प्रत्येकमभ्येति पृथुः संसारखण्डकः।

यथासंस्थितनिःशेषपदार्थाचारभासुरः ॥ ३३ ॥

आकाश इव निःशून्ये शून्यात्मैव विबोधवान्।

देशकालक्रियादैर्घ्यभासुरोऽपि न किंचन ॥ ३४॥

इतोऽयमहमादिष्टः स्वकर्मफलभोजने।

गच्छाम्याशु शुभं स्वर्गमितो नरकमेव च ॥ ३५॥

यः स्वर्गोऽयं मया भुक्तो भुक्तोऽयं नरकोऽथ वा।

इमास्ता योनयो भुक्ता जायेऽहं संसृतौ पुनः ॥ ३६॥

अयं शालिरहं जातः क्रमात्फलमहं स्थितः।

इत्युदर्कप्रबोधेन बुध्यमानो भविष्यति ॥ ३७॥

संसुप्तकरणस्त्वेवं बीजतां यात्यसौ नरे तद्बीजं योनिगलितं गर्भो भवति मातरि ॥ ३८॥

स गर्भो जायते लोके पूर्वकर्मानुसारतः।

भव्यो भवत्यभव्यो वा बालको ललिताकृतिः ॥ ३९॥

ततोऽनुभवतीन्द्वाभं यौवनं मदनोन्मुखम्।

ततो जरां पद्ममुखे हिमाशनिमिव च्युतम् ॥ ४०॥

ततोऽपि व्याधिमरणं पुनर्मरणमूर्च्छनाम्।

पुनः स्वप्नवदायातं पिण्डैर्देहपरिग्रहम् ॥ ४१॥

याम्यं याति पुनर्लोकं पुनरेव भ्रमक्रमम्।

भूयो भूयोऽनुभवति नानायोन्यन्तरोदये ॥ ४२॥

इत्याजवं जवीभावमामोक्षमतिभासुरम्।

भूयो भूयोऽनुभवति व्योम्न्येव व्योमरूपवान् ॥ ४३॥

The Goddess continued:

3.55.31–37

> This is my gentle and pleasant path, cool and covered with soft green grass. It has smooth shade and ponds in front. This is the moderate one.

> I have reached the city of Yama. He is the Lord of Beings. There is the inquiry into karma done here, thus experiencing it as Real.

> In this way, each one separately approaches this vast section of the world. It shines with all objects and actions exactly as they are placed.

> Like the sky which is completely empty, the Self is void yet aware. Even though it appears bright with Space, time, actions and distances, it is nothing at all.

> From here this I has been ordered to enjoy the fruits of my own karma. I will quickly go to the good heaven or to hell from here.

> The heaven which I enjoyed, or this hell which I enjoyed. These births have been experienced by me. I will be born again in the cycle of Existence.

> This rice I was born as, gradually I became the fruit, I stayed like that. With this future Realization, it will become aware.

3.55.38–43

> With its senses in deep sleep like this, that one attains the State of a seed in a man. That seed, entering the womb, becomes the fetus in the mother.

> That fetus is born in the world according to previous karma. It becomes fortunate or unfortunate, a child with a charming form.

> Then it experiences youth that is moon-like, eager for love. Then old age descends on its lotus-like face like a hail of snow.

> Then also disease and death, again the unconsciousness of death. Again, like a dream, it acquires a body formed from food particles.

> It goes again to the world of Yama, again the cycle of wandering. Again and again it experiences the arising of various births in different wombs.

> Thus this swift back and forth movement, extremely bright until liberation. Again and again it experiences it, being Space-form in Space itself.

Summary of the teachings:

The Goddess describes a gentle path for souls of moderate nature, which is cool, green, shaded, and has ponds, making the soul feel it is in a real and pleasant place. This shows how the mind creates the experience of the world as solid and attractive.

The soul then feels it has arrived at the city of death - Yama's realm - the Lord of Beings. It reflects on its karma and believes all actions and objects around it are truly happening. This teaches that the entire world appears real to the soul because of its own thoughts and past actions, even though it is like a fragment of a dream.

In Reality, the Self is empty like the sky, full of Awareness but without any substance. It may seem to exist in Space, Time, and actions, but it is nothing at all. The soul is directed to reap the results of its karma, moving quickly to heaven or hell, showing that all movements and experiences are just appearances in the Void Consciousness.

The soul remembers enjoying heavens and hells and various births, only to be reborn again. It goes through the stages of life: starting as a seed, becoming an embryo, being born as a child according to past karma, experiencing beautiful youth full of desires, then old age like snow falling on a flower, followed by disease and death. This cycle repeats like a dream.

The soul keeps going back to the realm of death and wandering through different births again and again. This fast-moving cycle of birth and death continues brightly until the soul achieves liberation (moksha). The main teaching is that all this is an illusion happening in empty Space-like Consciousness, and Realizing this Truth frees one from the endless cycle of suffering in samsara.