Chapter 3.81, Verses 21–34

Yoga Vashishtha 3.81.21–34

(These verses explore the Nature of Consciousness as the Ultimate Reality that transcends all limitations)

राजोवाच।

दिक्कालाद्यनवच्छिन्नरूपत्वान्मेरुतो बृहत्।

वालाग्रशतभागात्माप्येष सूक्ष्मः परोऽणुकः ॥ २१॥

शुद्धसंवेदनाकाशरूपस्य परमाणुना।

शोभते नहि साम्योक्तिर्मेरुसर्षपयोरिव ॥ २२॥

मायाकलापिनाणुत्वं निर्माय परमात्मनि।

हेम्नीव कटकत्वेन नानात्र समता भवेत् ॥ २३॥

प्रकटोऽनेन दीपेन प्रकाशोऽनुभवात्मना।

स्वसत्तानाशपूर्वो हि विनानेन भवेत्ततः ॥ २४॥

यदि सूर्यादिकं सर्वं जगदेकं जडं भवेत्।

ततः किमात्मकं रूपं प्रकाशः स्यात्क्व वाथ किम् ॥ २५॥

शुद्धसन्मात्रचित्त्वं यत्स्वतः स्वात्मनि संस्थितम्।

तदेतदणुना तेजो दृष्टं बहिरवस्थितम् ॥ २६॥

तेजांस्यर्केन्दुवह्नीनां न भिन्नानि तमोघनात्।

एतावानेव भेदोऽस्ति यद्वर्णे शौक्ल्यकृष्णते ॥ २७॥

यादृक्कज्जलनीहारे मेघनीहारयोर्भवेत्।

तादृक्प्रकाशतमसोर्भेदो नेति तयोः स्थितिः ॥ २८॥

जडयोरुपलम्भाय चिदादित्यः किलैतयोः।

यदा तपति तेनैते लब्धसत्तैकतां गते ॥ २९॥

तपत्येकश्चिदादित्यो रात्रिंदिवमतन्द्रितः।

अन्तर्बहिः शिलाद्यन्तरप्यनस्तमयोदयः ॥ ३०॥

त्रिलोकी भाति तेनेयं जीवस्य प्रथितात्मनः।

नानोपलम्भभाण्डाढ्या कुटी कठिनकोटरा ॥ ३१॥

तमस्त्वं तमसो देहमविनाशयतामुना।

तप्यतेऽभासया भासा सर्वमाभास्यते तमः ॥ ३२॥

पद्मोत्पले यथार्केण तपता प्रकटीकृते।

प्रकाशतमसोः सत्ते चितैवं प्रकटीकृते ॥ ३३॥

अर्कः कुर्वन्नहोरात्रे दर्शयत्याकृतिं यथा।

चितिः सदसती कृत्वा दर्शयत्याकृतिं तथा ॥ ३४॥

The King continued: 

3.81.21–27

> Because it is unlimited by directions, time, and other things, and greater than Mount Meru in form, yet it is also subtler than the hundredth part of a hair tip, the Supreme atom.

> For the Pure form of Consciousness-Space, even with a Supreme atom, a comparison like that of Meru and a mustard seed does not shine or fit well.

> By creating the subtlety of the illusory group in the Supreme Self, like gold becoming a bracelet, there is equality in diversity.

> This light is manifested by this lamp of experiential Self. Without it, Existence would cease before its own destruction.

> If the entire World, including the Sun and others, were one inert thing, then what would be the nature of light, where would it be, or what would it be?

> That which is Pure Existence-only, Consciousness, established in its own Self by itself — this light is seen as an atom existing outside.

> The lights of the Sun, moon, and fire are not different from the darkness-remover. The only difference is in color — whiteness and blackness.

3.81.28–34

> Just as there is between collyrium and snow, or cloud and mist, so is the difference between light and darkness; their State is not really different. 

> For the perception of the inert, this Sun of Consciousness illuminates them. When it shines, they attain Unity of Existence.

> One Sun of Consciousness shines tirelessly day and night, inside and outside, even in stones, without setting or rising.

> This three-worlds shines by it, for the soul known as the Self, filled with various perceptible vessels, like a hard hollow hut.

> You are darkness; do not destroy the body of darkness with this. By the apparent light, all darkness is illuminated.

> Just as by the shining Sun, the lotus and blue lotus are manifested, so the existence of light and darkness is manifested by Consciousness.

> Just as the Sun, creating day and night, shows forms, so Consciousness, making Existence and non-existence, shows forms.

Summary of the Teachings:

The Ultimate Reality is described as both infinitely vast, beyond Space and Time like something greater than Mount Meru, and extremely subtle, finer than any particle. This highlights the non-dual essence of the Supreme Self, which cannot be adequately compared to material objects because it is the foundation of all perception and existence. The teachings emphasize that what appears as the external world is a projection or manifestation within this Pure Awareness.

The discussion uses analogies like gold forming bracelets or light revealing objects to show how diversity arises from unity without changing the underlying Reality. Consciousness is likened to an eternal inner light or Sun that never sets, illuminating everything from within and without, even inert matter. This light makes the world appear, but the world itself is not separate or independent; it depends entirely on this Conscious principle for its seeming Existence.

Light and darkness, or Existence and non-existence, are not truly opposed but are both revealed by the same Consciousness. The verses clarify that without this illuminating Awareness, nothing could be perceived or known. The apparent differences in the world — day and night, forms and emptiness — are like creations of the mind or consciousness itself, similar to how the sun creates the cycle of day and night while remaining unchanged.

The soul or individual experiences the three worlds as a kind of container or hut filled with various objects, all lit by this One Consciousness. The teachings warn against identifying too strongly with the body or darkness (ignorance) and encourage recognizing the pervasive presence of Awareness. Everything is made manifest through Consciousness, just as flowers bloom under sunlight.

Ultimately, these verses teach non-dualism: the Supreme Consciousness is the sole Reality, appearing as both the Seer and the seen, the light and what it reveals. Realizing this leads to understanding the illusory nature of multiplicity and resting in the Eternal, Self-luminous Self that underlies all phenomena.