Chapter 3.79, Verses 25–36

Yoga Vashishtha 3.79.25–36

(These verses explore the nature of Ultimate Reality as one indivisible Consciousness)

राक्षस्युवाच।

आत्मानं दर्शनं दृश्यं को भासयति दृश्यवत्।

कटकादीनि हेम्नेव विकीर्णं केन च त्रयम् ॥ २५॥

कस्मान्न किंचिच्च पृथगूर्म्यादीव महाम्भसः।

कस्येच्छया पृथक्चास्ति वीचितेव महाम्भसः ॥ २६॥

दिक्कालाद्यनवच्छिन्नादेकस्मादसतः सतः।

द्वैतमप्यपृथक्कस्माद्द्रवतेव महाम्भसः ॥ २७॥

आत्मानं दर्शनं दृश्यं सदसच्च जगत्त्रयम्।

कोऽन्तर्बीजमिवान्तस्थं स्थितः कृत्वा त्रिकालगः ॥ २८॥

भूतं भवद्भविष्यच्च जगद्वृन्दं बृहद्भ्रमम्।

नित्यं समस्य कस्यान्तर्बीजस्यान्तरिव द्रुमः ॥ २९॥

बीजं द्रुमतयेवाशु द्रुमो बीजतयेव च।

स्वमेकमजहदूपमुदेत्यनुदितोऽपि कः ॥ ३०॥

बिसतन्तुर्महामेरुर्भो राजन्यदपेक्षया।

तस्य कस्योदरे सन्ति मेरुमन्दरकोटयः ॥ ३१॥

केनेदमाततमनेकचिदेव विश्वं किंसार एवमतिवल्गसि हंसि पासि।

किंदर्शनेन न भवस्यथवा सदैव नूनं भवस्यमलदृग्वदनः स्वशान्त्यै ॥ ३२॥

एषोऽसौ प्रगलतु संशयो ममोच्चैश्चित्तश्रीमुखमिहिकामलानुलेपः।

यस्याग्रे न गलति संशयः समूलो नैवासौ क्वचिदपि पण्डितोक्तिमेति ॥ ३३॥

एवं मे यदि न विनेष्यथः क्रमोक्तं संशान्तं लघुतरसंशयं सुबुद्धी।

तद्रक्षोजरठहुताशनेन्धनत्वं निर्विघ्नं झटिति गमिष्यथः क्षणेन ॥ ३४॥

पश्चात्तां जनपदमण्डलीं समन्ताद्भावत्कीमुरुजठरा क्षणाद्ग्रसेऽहम्।

एवं ते भवतु सुराजतेति मन्ये मूर्खाणामतिरस एव संक्षयाय ॥ ३५॥

इत्युक्त्वा विपुलगभीरमेघनादप्रोल्लासप्रकटगिरा निशाचरी सा।

तूष्णीमप्यतिविकटाकृतिस्तदासीच्छुद्धान्तः शरदमलाभ्रमण्डलीव ॥ ३६॥

The demoness continued:

3.79.25–32

> Who illuminates the Self, the Seer, and the seen, like objects made of gold? Who scatters the three like bracelets and other ornaments from gold?

> Why is there nothing separate, like waves from the great ocean? By whose will do they exist separately, like waves in the great ocean?

> From the One Undivided Reality, beyond directions and time, which is both non-existent and existent, why does duality appear inseparable, like water in the great ocean?

> Who stands as the inner seed, making the Self, the Seer, the seen, the Real and unreal, and the three worlds exist through the three times?

> The past, present, and future, the multitude of worlds, and the great illusion—who holds them all inside like a tree holds its seed?

> The seed becomes the tree quickly, and the tree becomes the seed again. Who is this one Self that rises without ever rising, without abandoning its own form?

> O King, like a lotus fiber in relation to Mount Meru, in whose belly do countless Merus and Mandaras exist?

> By whom is this World spread out, full of many Consciousness-Spaces, like the Essence itself? Why do you speak so much, kill, protect? With what vision do you not become, or are you always the pure-eyed one for your own peace?

3.79.33–36

> Let this great doubt of mine be resolved here, like frost melting on the face of the sun of consciousness. One in whose presence the doubt does not melt completely is never a true scholar of the wise words.

> If you do not destroy this doubt of mine as explained in order, O wise one, then you will quickly become fuel for the fire in the belly of this old demoness in a moment.

> Afterwards, I will swallow the entire circle of people around in a moment with my huge belly. May this be good for you, O good King. I think this is the complete destruction for fools.

> Having said this, that night-wanderer (demoness) with a voice like the roar of a huge deep cloud became silent, though her form was extremely fierce, like a clear autumn sky inside a pure palace.

Summary of the Teachings:

These verses question how the apparent multiplicity of Seer, seen, and the Self arises from the single Essence, using analogies like gold and its ornaments or the ocean and its waves. This highlights the illusion of separation in a non-dual reality where everything is interconnected and not truly apart.

The teachings emphasize the mystery of Creation and Time. The one Eternal Being contains the past, present, and future worlds like a seed contains a tree. The Self is both the source and the manifestation, rising and appearing without actual change, showing the play of Consciousness where duality seems to exist but is essentially one.

Through vivid examples like Mount Meru in a tiny fiber or countless Worlds within One, the verses illustrate the Infinite within the infinitesimal. They challenge the listener to see beyond limited perception and recognize the vastness of the self that holds all phenomena without effort or division.

The demoness demands resolution of her doubt about this non-dual truth, warning of consequences if not satisfied. This points to the importance of clear understanding and direct Realization over mere words, as True Knowledge dissolves all doubts like sunlight melts frost, leading to Inner Peace.

Ultimately, these verses teach detachment and recognition of the Self as Pure, Peaceful Awareness. They blend philosophical inquiry with a narrative warning, urging the seeker to transcend fear and illusion through Wisdom, Realizing that the World is a dream-like appearance in the One Consciousness.