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Yoga Vashishtha 3.58.1–9
(These verses describe a striking contrast between Inner Consciousness and outer physical reality)
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे ज्ञप्तिर्जीवं वैदूरथं पुनः।
संकल्पेन रुरोधाशु मनसः स्पन्दनं यथा ॥ १॥
लीलोवाच ।
वद देवि कियान्कालो गतोऽस्यामिह मन्दिरे।
समाधौ मयि लीनायां महीपाले शवे स्थिते ॥ २॥
ज्ञाप्तिरुवाच ।
इह मासस्त्वतिक्रान्त इह दास्याविमे तव।
रक्षार्थं वासगृहके स्वपतोऽवहिते स्थिते ॥ ३॥
शृणु देहस्य किंवृत्तं तवेह वरवर्णिनि।
शरीरं तव पक्षेण तत्क्लिन्नं बाष्पतां गतम् ॥ ४॥
निर्जीवं पतितं भूमौ संशुष्कमिव पल्लवम्।
काष्ठकुड्योपमो जातः शवस्तु हिमशीतलः ॥ ५॥
ततो मन्त्रिभिरागत्य मृतैवेयमिति स्वयम्।
क्लेदालोकाद्विनिर्णीय भूयो निष्कासितं गृहात् ॥ ६॥
बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन नीत्वा चन्दनदारुभिः।
चितौ संक्षिप्य सघृतं सहसा भस्मसात्कृतम् ॥ ७॥
ततो राज्ञी मृतेत्युच्चैः कृत्वा रोदनमाकुलम्।
परिवारस्तवाशेषं कृतवानौर्ध्वदेहिकम् ॥ ८॥
इदानीं त्वामिहालोक्य सशरीरामुपागताम्।
परलोकादागतेति महच्चित्रं भविष्यति ॥ ९॥
Sage Vasistha said:
3.58.1
> At that moment, Awareness again restrained the life-force of King Viduratha by mere intention, just as the movement of the mind can be stopped.
Lila asked:
3.58.2
> O Goddess, how much time has passed here in this palace while I was absorbed in samadhi and the King lay as a corpse?
The Goddess replied:
3.58.3–9
> One month has passed here. These two maidservants remained here, staying alert to guard the place while you lay absorbed.
> Listen, O beautiful one, to what happened to your body. Over time, it became wet and dissolved due to tears and moisture.
> Lifeless, it fell to the ground like a dried leaf. It became like a piece of wood, and the corpse turned cold like ice.
> Then the ministers came and concluded that you had died, judging from the decay and condition, and they removed the body from the palace.
> What more needs to be said? They took it with sandalwood and quickly cremated it on the funeral pyre with ghee, reducing it to ashes.
> Then, crying loudly that the queen had died, your entire household performed the funeral rites.
> Now, when they see you here again in a body, they will be greatly astonished and think that you have returned from another world.
Summary of Teachings:
While Lila was absorbed in deep samadhi, time passed normally in the external world, leading others to believe she had died. This highlights how subjective inner experience can differ radically from external events.
The narrative emphasizes the impermanence and fragility of the physical body. The body undergoes decay, becomes lifeless, and is eventually reduced to ashes. This reinforces the teaching that the physical form is temporary and not the True Self.
Another key idea is the power of Consciousness and intention. Awareness is shown to have the ability to control life-force and transcend ordinary physical limitations. This suggests that Consciousness is primary, while the body is secondary and dependent.
The reactions of others illustrate how reality is interpreted based on appearances. Observers assume death based on physical signs, yet they are unaware of deeper Truths. This reflects the limitations of ordinary perception and the tendency to mistake appearances for Reality.
Finally, the verses point to the mysterious nature of Existence and rebirth-like experiences. Lila’s reappearance in a body challenges conventional understanding and reveals that life, death, and identity are more fluid and Consciousness based than they seem.
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