Chapter 2.17, Verses 21–26

Yoga Vashishtha 2.17.21–26

(The Illusory nature and false perception of the world as Real)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

कथार्थप्रतिभासाभं व्योममुक्तावलीनिभम् ।

कटकत्वं यथा हेम्नि तरङ्गत्वं यथाम्भसि ॥ २१ ॥

यथा नभसि नीलत्वमसदेवोत्थितं सदा ।

अभित्तिरङ्गरहितमुपलब्धिमनोहरम् ॥ २२ ॥

स्वप्ने वा व्योम्नि वा चित्रमकर्तृ चिरभासुरम् ।

अवह्निरेव वह्नित्वं धत्ते चित्रानलो यथा ॥ २३ ॥

दधात्येवं जगच्छब्दरूपार्थमसदात्मकम्।

तरङ्गोत्पलमालाभं दृष्टनृत्यमिवोत्थितम् ॥ २४ ॥

चक्रचीत्कारपूर्णस्य जलराशिमिवोद्यतम्।

शीर्णपत्रं भ्रष्टनष्टं ग्रीष्मे वनमिवारसम् ॥ २५ ॥

मरणव्यग्रचित्ताभं शिलागृहगुहास्पदम् ।

अन्धकारगुहैकैकनृत्तमुन्मत्तचेष्टितम् ॥ २६ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta said:

2.17.21: The world appears like an illusion, resembling a string of pearls in the sky or a bracelet in gold or waves in water.

2.17.22: Just as the blueness of the sky is unreal yet always appears, the world is without substance or parts, captivating to perception.

2.17.23: Like a dream or a mirage in the sky, it appears vivid without a creator, as a fire-like illusion assumes the form of fire without being fire.

2.17.24: Thus, the world, with its forms and meanings, is unreal, rising like waves or a garland of lotuses, like a dance seen in a dream.

2.17.25: It is like a whirlpool filled with the sound of rushing water, like a forest in summer with fallen, withered leaves, devoid of Essence.

2.17.26: It resembles a mind agitated by the fear of death, a cave within a stone house, or a frenzied dance in the darkness of a single cave.

Summary of Teachings:

The verses from Yoga Vasishta 2.17.21 to 2.17.26, spoken by Sage Vasishta, expound on the illusory nature of the world, a central theme in Advaita Vedanta. The teachings emphasize that the world, as perceived, is not ultimately real but appears due to the mind’s projections, akin to a dream or mirage. Using vivid metaphors, Vasishta illustrates how phenomena lack inherent substance, existing only as fleeting appearances in Consciousness. The examples—pearls in the sky, a bracelet in gold, or waves in water—suggest that the world’s forms are superimposed on an underlying Reality, much like ornaments are mere modifications of their material Essence.

The verses further elaborate that the world’s apparent Reality is like the blueness of the sky, which seems Real but is ultimately false. This illusion captivates the mind, yet it lacks true existence or independent parts. The comparison to a dream or a mirage underscores the absence of a fixed cause behind the world’s appearance, emphasizing its transient, insubstantial nature. Vasishta’s teaching invites the seeker to recognize that what is perceived as the world is a play of Consciousness, not a self-existent Reality, encouraging detachment from sensory experiences.

The imagery of fire that is not fire or a dance seen in a dream reinforces the idea that the world’s vividness is deceptive. It appears dynamic and real, yet it is devoid of True Essence, much like a whirlpool’s fleeting motion or a forest stripped bare in summer. These metaphors highlight the impermanence and unreality of worldly phenomena, urging the aspirant to look beyond appearances to the Unchanging Reality. The teachings align with the non-dual perspective that the world is a superimposition on the Ultimate Truth, which is formless and Eternal.

The final verses deepen the reflection by comparing the world to a mind gripped by fear of death or a frenzied dance in a dark cave. These images evoke the confusion and agitation of a mind caught in ignorance, mistaking the unreal for the Real. The cave symbolizes the limited perspective of the ego, where delusions manifest as Reality. Vasishta’s message is a call to transcend this Ignorance by realizing the world’s illusory nature, thereby attaining Realization through discernment of the True Self, which is beyond form and change.

In essence, these verses guide the seeker toward Self-Realization by dismantling the false perception of the world as Real. They encourage a shift in understanding, from identification with transient forms to recognition of the Eternal Consciousness that underlies all appearances. By contemplating these teachings, one is led to inquire into the Nature of Reality, ultimately Realizing that the Self is distinct from the fleeting world, which is but a projection of the mind. This insight is foundational to the path of Realization in Advaita Vedanta, as taught in the Yoga Vasishta.