Chapter 3.24, Verses 35–45

Yoga Vashishtha 3.24.35–45

(Infinite variations in the Universe, beautiful or terrifying, stable or transient, are mere appearances in the Pure Consciousness)

 

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

क्वचिन्निरम्बरोन्नृत्तमातृमण्डलमालितम् ।

क्वचिन्नित्यं नवक्षीबक्षुब्धयोगीश्वरीगणम् ॥ ३५ ॥

क्वचिच्छान्तसमाधिस्थविश्रान्तमुनिमालितम् ।

समं दूरास्तसंरम्भसाधुचित्तमनोहरम् ॥ ३६ ॥

गायत्किन्नरगन्धर्वसुरस्त्रीमण्डलं क्वचित् ।

क्वचित्स्तब्धपुराकीर्णं वहत्पुरवरं क्वचित् ॥ ३७ ॥

क्वचिद्रुद्रपुरापूर्णं क्वचिद्ब्रह्ममहापुरम्।

क्वचिन्मायाकृतपुरं क्वचिदागामिपत्तनम् ॥ ३८ ॥

क्वचिद्भ्रमच्चन्द्रसरः क्वचित्स्तब्धमयंसरः ।

क्वचित्सरत्सिद्धगणं क्वचिदिन्दुकृतोदयम् ॥ ३९ ॥

क्वचित्सूर्योदयमयं क्वचिद्रात्रितमोमयम् ।

क्वचित्संध्यांशुकपिलं क्वचिन्नीहारधूसरम् ॥ ४० ॥

क्वचिद्धिमाभ्रधवलं क्वचिद्वर्षत्पयोधरम् ।

क्वचित्स्थल इवाकाश एव विश्रान्तलोकपम् ॥ ४१ ॥

ऊर्ध्वाधोगमनव्यग्रसुरासुरगणं क्वचित्।

पूर्वापरोत्तरायाम्यदिक्संचाराकुलं क्वचित् ॥ ४२ ॥

अपि योजनलक्षाणि क्वचिद्दुष्प्रापभूधरम् ।

अविनाशितमःपूर्णं दृषद्गर्भोपमं क्वचित् ॥ ४३ ॥

अविनाशिबृहत्तेजः क्वचिदर्कानलोपमम् ।

हिमानीजठराशीतं क्वचिच्चन्द्रादिसद्मसु ॥ ४४ ॥

क्वचिद्वहत्पुरोवृत्तकल्पवृक्षलतावनम् ।

क्वचिद्दैत्यहतोत्तुङ्गप्रपतद्देवपत्तनम् ॥ ४५ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta continued:

3.24.35

Somewhere adorned with circles of dancing Matris in open spaces without obstacles; somewhere always filled with groups of Yogishvaris intoxicated with fresh joy.

3.24.36

Somewhere adorned with Sages resting peacefully in deep calm meditation; equally distant from all, free from agitation, with a charming mind like that of saints.

3.24.37

Somewhere a circle of celestial women, Kinnaras, Gandharvas singing; somewhere filled with motionless ancient cities; somewhere carrying excellent flowing cities.

3.24.38

Somewhere filled with the cities of Rudra; somewhere the great city of Brahma; somewhere a city created by illusion; somewhere a future town.

3.24.39

Somewhere a lake with swirling moon-like waters; somewhere a still metallic lake; somewhere a lake with moving groups of Siddhas; somewhere a lake with rising moon.

3.24.40

Somewhere full of sunrise; somewhere filled with night darkness; somewhere orange like twilight robes; somewhere gray with mist.

3.24.41

Somewhere white like snow clouds; somewhere with raining clouds; somewhere the sky itself appearing like land, resting multitudes of beings.

3.24.42

Somewhere gods and demons busy going up and down; somewhere crowded with movement in east, west, north, south directions.

3.24.43

Somewhere mountains hard to reach even after lakhs of yojanas; somewhere like a stone cave full of indestructible darkness.

3.24.44

Somewhere indestructible great brilliance like the sun's fire; somewhere cold like inside snow mountains in houses of moon etc.

3.24.45

Somewhere carrying forests of wish-fulfilling trees and creepers from ancient times; somewhere high Divine cities falling down destroyed by demons.

Summary of the Teachings of These Verses:

These verses from the Yoga Vasishta, spoken by Sage Vasishta, form part of a profound description of the infinite and varied appearances within the vast expanse of Consciousness or the mind. They illustrate the non-dual Advaita philosophy by showing how the one unchanging Reality manifests countless diverse worlds and scenes simultaneously.

The verses use the repetitive phrase "somewhere" (kvacit) to emphasize the boundless diversity within the single fabric of existence. From dancing divine mothers and intoxicated yoginis to serene sages in meditation, the imagery highlights contrasting states—activity and stillness, joy and peace—existing side by side without conflict, teaching that all opposites are reconciled in the Ultimate Reality.

Further, celestial realms with singing Beings contrast with ancient motionless cities or flowing urban landscapes, alongside godly abodes of Rudra and Brahma, illusory cities, and future ones. This underscores the illusory nature of time and creation: past, present, and future are mere mental projections, not separate Realities.

Natural elements like swirling or still lakes, sunrise or night, twilight or mist, snowy whiteness or rainy clouds, even sky appearing as land, reveal how phenomena arise and change within the unchanging space of awareness. Directions bustling with movement or inaccessible vast mountains symbolize the endless scale and variety of perceived worlds.

Finally, intense brilliance, cold realms, wish-fulfilling gardens, or destroyed divine cities point to creation, preservation, and destruction occurring eternally. The core teaching is that all these infinite variations—beautiful or terrifying, stable or transient—are mere appearances in the Pure Consciousness, like dreams in the mind. Nothing truly exists apart from the Self; Realizing this leads to Freedom from identification with the changing world.