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Yoga Vashishtha 3.42.25–34
(These verses emphasize the non-dual nature of Reality . Everything in existence—inside or outside the body—is nothing but the manifestation of one all-pervading Consciousness or Pure Awareness)
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
सर्वत्र विद्यते सर्वं देहस्यान्तर्बहिस्तथा ।
यत्तु वेत्ति यथा संवित्तत्तथा स्वैव पश्यति ॥ २५ ॥
यत्कोशे विद्यते द्रव्यं तद्द्रष्ट्रा लभ्यते यथा ।
तथास्ति सर्वं चिद्व्योम्नि चेत्यते तत्त्वनेन वै ॥ २६ ॥
अनन्तरमुवाचेदं देवी ज्ञप्तिर्विदूरथम्।
कृत्वा बोधामृतासेकैर्विवेकाङ्कुरसुन्दरम् ॥ २७ ॥
एतदेव मया राजँल्लीलार्थमुपवर्णितम्।
स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यावो दृष्टा दृष्टान्तदृष्टयः ॥ २८ ॥
इति प्रोक्ते सरस्वत्या गिरा मधुरवर्णया ।
उवाच वचनं धीमान्भूमिपालो विदूरथः ॥ २९ ॥
विदूरथ उवाच ।
ममापि दर्शनं देवि मोघं भवति नार्थिनि ।
महाफलप्रदायास्तु कथं तव भविष्यति ॥ ३० ॥
अहं देहं समुत्सृज्य लोकान्तरमितोऽपरम् ।
निजमायामि हे देवि स्वप्नात्स्वप्नान्तरं यथा ॥ ३१ ॥
पश्यादिशाशु मां मातः प्रपन्नं शरणागतम् ।
भक्तेऽवहेला वरदे महतां न विराजते ॥ ३२ ॥
यं प्रदेशमहं यामि तमेवायात्वयं मम ।
मन्त्री कुमारी चैवेयं बालेति कुरु मे दयाम् ॥ ३३ ॥
श्रीसरस्वत्युवाच ।
आगच्छ राज्यमुचितार्थविलासचारु प्राग्जन्ममण्डलपते कुरु निर्विशङ्कम् ।
अस्माभिरर्थिजनकामनिराकृतिर्हि दृष्टा न काचन कदाचिदपीति विद्धि ॥ ३४ ॥
Maharishi Vashishta continued:
3.42.25–26
> Everything exists everywhere, both inside and outside the body. Whatever Consciousness knows, it sees in exactly that way as its own perception.
> Just as an object kept inside a container is found by the one who looks for it, in the same way everything exists in the Space of Pure Consciousness and is perceived by it.
3.42.27–29
> After this, Goddess Sarasvati spoke these words to King Viduratha, making him beautiful with the sprout of discrimination by sprinkling the nectar of awakening.
> O King, I have described all this only for the sake of illustration (or play of explanation). May you be blessed. We have seen what was to be seen as examples; now we shall go.
> When Sarasvati spoke these sweet words, the wise King Viduratha replied.
Viduratha said:
3.42.30–33
> O Goddess, my seeing you will not be in vain, O fulfiller of desires. How can it be fruitless for you who grant great results?
> I will give up this body and go to another world from here. I will reach my own true nature, O Goddess, just as one goes from one dream to another dream.
> Look at me quickly, O Mother, I have come to you and taken refuge. Disrespect to a devotee does not suit the great ones who grant boons.
> Wherever I go, let this minister and this young girl (princess) come with me. O Goddess, show compassion to me in this way.
Goddess Saraswati said:
3.42.34
> Come, O King, Lord of the realm from previous births, enjoy the pleasures suitable for royalty without any fear. Know that we have never seen any desire of a seeker go unfulfilled.
Detailed Summary of the Teachings:
There is no real separation between the perceiver and the perceived; what appears as the world is simply Consciousness perceiving itself in different forms. This teaching dissolves the illusion of multiplicity and points to the unity underlying all experiences.
The analogy of an object inside a container illustrates that objects (or the world) are not separate from the Consciousness that knows them. Just as one finds what is already present by looking, the entire Universe is eternally present within the Infinite Space of Consciousness (Chidvyoman). Perception arises when Consciousness directs attention to itself in limited forms, showing that creation is not an external act but an internal recognition.
Goddess Sarasvati (representing Divine Knowledge or Jnana) awakens King Viduratha through her words, planting the seed of discrimination (viveka) that distinguishes the Real from the unreal. Her explanation is presented as a teaching tool or "illustration" (lila), not literal history, underscoring that spiritual instruction often uses stories and examples to guide the seeker toward Truth. She concludes the discourse and prepares to depart, having fulfilled the purpose of demonstration.
King Viduratha, now awakened, pleads earnestly for liberation. He expresses faith that meeting the Goddess cannot be fruitless and requests to transcend the current body and limited existence, moving to his True Self—like shifting from one dream to another. This reflects the aspirant's intense longing (bhakti) for moksha, where the body is seen as temporary and the True Home is in Pure Consciousness beyond worldly boundaries.
In compassion, Sarasvati assures him that no sincere seeker's desire for liberation ever remains unfulfilled when approaching Divine Knowledge. She invites him to return to his kingdom and enjoy life without fear, implying that true freedom allows one to live in the world while rooted in the Eternal Self. The verses teach surrender, devotion, non-attachment, and the certainty of Grace for those who seek earnestly, blending jnana (Knowledge) with bhakti (devotion) as the path to Realization.
