Chapter 3.23, Verses 9–16

Yoga Vashishtha 3.23.9–16

(That which does not exist at the beginning also does not exist in the present, even if it appears to do so. Therefore, whether it shone or not, the world is like water of a Mirage)

 

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

तदा दृश्यपिशाचोऽयमलमस्तं गतो द्वयोः ।

असत्त्वादेव चास्माकं शशशृङ्गमिवानघ ॥ ९ ॥

आदावेव हि यन्नास्ति वर्तमानेऽपि तत्तथा ।

भातं वाऽभातमेवातो मृगतृष्णाम्बुवज्जगत् ॥ १० ॥

स्वभावकेवलं शान्तं स्त्रीद्वयं तद्बभूव ह।

चन्द्रार्कादिपदार्थौघैर्दूरमुक्तमिवाम्बरम् ॥ ११ ॥

तेनैव ज्ञानदेहेन चचार ज्ञप्तिदेवता ।

मानुषी त्वितरेणाशु ध्यानज्ञानानुरूपिणा ॥ १२ ॥

गेहान्तरेव प्रादेशमात्रमारुह्य संविदा ।

बभूवतुश्चिदाकाशरूपिण्यौ व्योमगाकृती ॥ १३ ॥

अथ ते ललने लीलालोले ललितलोचने।

स्वभावाच्चेत्यसंवित्तेर्नभो दूरमितो गते ॥ १४ ॥

तत्रस्थे वाथ चिद्वृत्त्या पुप्लुवाते नभस्थलम् ।

कोटियोजनविस्तीर्णं दूराद्दूरतरान्तरम् ॥ १५ ॥

दृश्यानुसन्धाननिजस्वभावादाकाशदेहे अपि ते मिथोऽत्र ।

परस्पराकारविलोकनेन बभूवतुः स्नेहपरे वयस्ये ॥ १६ ॥

3.23.9

Maharishi Vashishta continued:

Then, for both of them, this goblin-like perceived world completely vanished. O sinless one, it disappeared merely because of its unreality, just like the horn of a hare.

3.23.19

That which does not exist at the beginning also does not exist in the present, even if it appears to do so. Therefore, whether it shone or not, the world is like mirage water.

3.23.11 

The pair of women became naturally calm and peaceful alone, like the sky freed from clusters of objects such as the sun, moon, and others.

3.23.12

With that very body of Knowledge, the Goddess of Awareness wandered. But with the other body, she quickly moved in a human form suited to meditation and Knowledge.

3.23.13

Rising only a short distance within the palace through Awareness, both became of the form of conscious Space, appearing like the sky.

3.23.14

Then, O beautiful women named Leela, with playful eyes and charming gaze, by your nature, when the sky of mental modifications went far away,

3.23.15

Remaining there, through the activity of Consciousness, you both leaped into the vast space, extending millions of miles, with immense distance between far and farther regions.

3.23.16

Even in bodies of Space, through following the perceived and their innate nature, here by mutually seeing each other's forms, you both became like close friends full of affection.

Summary of the Teachings of These Verses:

These verses describe the profound Realization experienced by Queen Leela and Goddess Saraswati as they deepen their spiritual insight. The "perceived world" — the entire phenomenal reality that appears solid and real — is revealed to be an illusion, like a goblin or phantom that vanishes when its unreality is understood. Just as a hare's horn has never existed despite any imagined appearance, the world lacks true existence from the beginning and end. 

This underscores the core Advaita teaching that the apparent Universe is non-existent in absolute terms, arising only as a false projection.

With the dissolution of the illusory world, Leela and Saraswati attain a State of Pure, Natural Peace and Tranquility. They become like the clear sky, empty of all objects such as the sun, moon, stars, and other phenomena. This symbolizes the Freedom from all dualities and attachments, where the mind rests in its essential Nature as Boundless Consciousness, free from the disturbances created by perceived objects.

Saraswati, as the deity of Pure Awareness, moves freely in her Knowledge-body, while assuming a human-like form aligned with meditative Realization. Both ascend subtly within the Inner Space of Consciousness, transforming into embodiments of Pure Awareness — vast, formless, and sky-like. This illustrates the yogic process of transcending the physical and entering subtle realms through focused Awareness.

As mental modifications and conceptual thoughts recede far away, Leela and Saraswati leap into Infinite Conscious Space, traversing immense distances effortlessly. Their bodies become ethereal and spatial, yet they retain the ability to perceive and interact with each other, developing deep mutual affection like intimate friends. This highlights how, even in non-dual Realization, relational experiences arise naturally from Consciousness without binding the Self.

Overall, these verses teach the non-duality of Existence: the world is unreal and vanishes upon True Knowledge, leaving only peaceful Consciousness. Through meditation and insight, one transcends limited forms to embody infinite awareness, where all experiences — including affection — occur spontaneously without attachment. This path leads to Realization, demonstrating that Ultimate Reality is Pure, Boundless Consciousness beyond all perceived distinctions.