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Yoga Vashishtha 3.5.9–16
(Supreme Reality is the Singular, all-pervading, and Eternal Truth that underlies and transcends the apparent diversity of the world)
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
यस्माद्विष्ण्वादयो देवाः सूर्यादिव मरीचयः ।
यस्माज्जगन्त्यनन्तानि बुद्बुदा जलधेरिव ॥ ९ ॥
यं यान्ति दृश्यवृन्दानि पयांसीव महार्णवम् ।
य आत्मानं पदार्थं च प्रकाशयति दीपवत् ॥ १० ॥
य आकाशे शरीरे च दृषत्स्वप्सु लतासु च ।
पांसुष्वद्रिषु वातेषु पातालेषु च संस्थितः ॥ ११ ॥
यः प्लावयति संरब्धं पुर्यष्टकमितस्ततः ।
येन मूकीकृता मूढाः शिला ध्यानमिवास्थिताः ॥ १२ ॥
व्योम येन कृतं शून्यं शैला येन घनीकृताः ।
आपो द्रुताः कृता येन दीपो यस्य वशो रविः ॥ १३ ॥
प्रसरन्ति यतश्चित्राः संसारासारवृष्टयः ।
अक्षयामृतसंपूर्णादम्भोदादिव वृष्टयः ॥ १४ ॥
आविर्भावतिरोभावमयास्त्रिभुवनोर्मयः ।
स्फुरन्त्यतितते यस्मिन्मराविव मरीचयः ॥ १५ ॥
नाशरूपो विनाशात्मा योऽन्तःस्थः सर्वजन्तुषु ।
गुप्तो योऽप्यतिरिक्तोऽपि सर्वभावेषु संस्थितः ॥ १६ ॥
Maharishi Vashishta further says:
3.5.9: From That (the Supreme Reality), deities like Vishnu and others arise, just as rays emanate from the sun. From That, Infinite worlds bubble forth like foam from the ocean.
3.5.10: All visible phenomena merge into That, like rivers flowing into the vast ocean. It is That which illuminates both the Self and all objects, much like a lamp casting light.
3.5.11: That exists in the sky, in bodies, in stones, in water, in creepers, in dust, in mountains, in winds, and in the netherworlds, pervading all.
3.5.12: That causes the eightfold city (the body, senses, mind, etc.) to move to and fro with intensity. By That, the ignorant are rendered silent, like stones fixed in meditation.
3.5.13: By That, the sky is made void, mountains are solidified, waters are made to flow, and the sun, like a lamp, is under Its control.
3.5.14: From That, the diverse and transient showers of worldly existence pour forth, like rains from an inexhaustible cloud filled with the nectar of immortality.
3.5.15: The waves of the three worlds, appearing and disappearing, shimmer in That, just as mirages shimmer in the vast expanse of a desert.
3.5.16: Though formless and not bound by destruction, That resides within all Beings. It is hidden yet transcendent, present in all states of existence.
Summary of the Teachings:
The verses from Yoga Vasishta 3.5.9 to 3.5.16 articulate a profound non-dualistic vision of the Supreme Reality, referred to as "That," which serves as the Source, Sustainer, and Essence of all Existence. This Supreme Reality is described as the origin of all deities, such as Vishnu, and the infinite worlds, likened to rays from the sun or bubbles from the ocean. This imagery underscores the idea that all manifestations, whether Divine or mundane, emerge from a Singular, Infinite Source. The teachings emphasize the Unity underlying diversity, suggesting that the apparent multiplicity of the cosmos is but an expression of One Eternal Reality. This aligns with the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, where the Ultimate Truth (Brahm) is the Singular Essence behind all Creation.
The verses further elaborate that this Supreme Reality is not only the Source but also the destination of all phenomena, as all visible forms merge back into it, like rivers into the ocean. It is the illuminating principle that reveals both the Self (individual Consciousness) and the external world, functioning like a lamp that dispels darkness. This highlights the self-luminous nature of the Supreme Reality, which is both immanent and transcendent, providing the Light of Awareness that makes perception and existence possible. The teachings invite contemplation on the nature of Consciousness as the foundation of all experience, urging the seeker to recognize the Unity of the Self with this all-pervading Reality.
The Omnipresence of the Supreme Reality is vividly described, as it exists in every aspect of creation—sky, bodies, stones, water, plants, dust, mountains, winds, and even the netherworlds. This all-pervasive presence indicates that nothing is excluded from its Essence, reinforcing the non-dual perspective that there is no separation between the Divine and the material. The Supreme Reality animates the "eightfold city" (the human body and its faculties), driving its activities, while also silencing the ignorant, likened to stones in meditation. This contrast illustrates the dual role of the Supreme Reality as both the dynamic force of life and the stillness that transcends worldly engagement, guiding the ignorant toward Inner Silence and Realization.
The verses also attribute the structuring of the cosmos to this Supreme Reality, which empties the sky, solidifies mountains, causes waters to flow, and governs even the Sun. This portrays the Supreme Reality as the intelligent principle that orchestrates the Cosmos, yet remains beyond it. The transient nature of worldly existence is likened to showers from an inexhaustible cloud or mirages in a desert, emphasizing the impermanent and illusory nature of samsara (worldly existence). Despite its formlessness and immunity to destruction, the Supreme Reality resides within all Beings, hidden yet ever-present, suggesting that
Realization involves uncovering this hidden Truth within oneself.
In essence, these verses encapsulate the core teaching of the Yoga Vasishta: the recognition of the Supreme Reality as the Singular, all-pervading, and Eternal Truth that underlies and transcends the apparent diversity of the world. They encourage the seeker to move beyond the illusion of separateness, fostered by ignorance, and to Realize the Unity of the Self with the Infinite. By contemplating the Omnipresence, Omnipotence, and Formless nature of this Reality, one is guided toward Realization, where the transient waves of worldly existence are seen as mere ripples in the boundless ocean of Consciousness. These teachings serve as a call to transcend the material and embrace the Eternal, fostering a direct experience of the non-dual Truth.
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