Chapter 3.84, Verses 18–28

Yoga Vashishtha 3.84.18–28

(These verses explain that apparent differences and dualities we see in the World are not Ultimate Truths but tools created for practical teaching and worldly interactions)

श्रीराम उवाच।

तस्मादियमिति ब्रहन्व्यतिरेकार्थपञ्चमी।

ननु किं विद्धि देवेशादभिन्नं सर्वमित्यपि ॥ १८॥

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।

उपदेशाय शास्त्रेषु जातः शब्दोऽथवार्थजः।

प्रतियोगिव्यवच्छेदसंख्यालक्षणपक्षवान् ॥ १९॥

भेदो दृश्यत एवायं व्यवहारान्न वास्तवः।

वेतालो बालकस्येव कार्यार्थं परिकल्पितः ॥ २०॥

द्वैतैक्यमपि नो यस्यां तथा भूतार्थसंस्थितौ।

अस्ति तस्यामीदृशः स्यात्कुतः संकल्पविप्लवः ॥ २१॥

कार्यकारणभावो हि तथा स्वस्वामिलक्षणम्।

हेतुश्च हेतुमांश्चैवावयवावयविक्रमः ॥ २२॥

व्यतिरेकाव्यतिरेकौ परिणामादिविभ्रमः।

तथा भावविलासादि विद्याविद्ये सुखासुखे ॥ २३॥

एवमादिमयी मिथ्यासंकल्पकलना मिता।

अज्ञानामवबोधार्थं नतु भेदोऽस्ति वस्तुनि ॥ २४॥

अविबोधादयं वादो ज्ञाते द्वैतं न विद्यते।

ज्ञाते संशान्तकलनं मौनमेवावशिष्यते ॥ २५॥

सर्वमेकमनाद्यन्तमविभागमखण्डितम्।

इति ज्ञास्यसि सिद्धान्तं काले बोधमुपागतः ॥ २६॥

विवदन्ते ह्यसंबुद्धाः स्वविकल्पविजृम्भितैः।

उपदेशादयं वादो ज्ञाते द्वैतं न विद्यते ॥ २७॥

वाच्यवाचकसंबोधो विना द्वैतं न सिद्ध्यति।

नच द्वैतं संभवति मौनं वापादयत्यलम् ॥ २८॥

Sriram said: 

3.84.18

> Therefore, this is called the fifth case of exclusion. But what do you know as different from the Lord of gods, saying everything is non-different?

Sage Vasishtha said: 

3.84.19–28

> In scriptures, words are born for teaching, whether from sound or meaning. They have the form of distinguishing the counterpart, with number, definition, and side.

> This difference is seen only in worldly dealings, not in Reality. It is imagined for the sake of action, like a ghost for a child.

> In that State of True Reality where there is neither duality nor unity, how can there be such confusion of imagination?

> The relation of Cause and effect, the nature of Master and servant, the Cause and the caused, and the sequence of parts and whole.

> Distinction and non-distinction, the illusion of change and so on, the play of Existence, Knowledge and ignorance, pleasure and pain.

> Thus, this limited false imagination full of such things is for the understanding of the ignorant. But there is no real difference in the Essence.

> This discussion arises due to lack of understanding. When Known, there is no duality. When Known, all calculations become silent, and only silence remains.

> Everything is One, without beginning or end, indivisible and unbroken. You will Realize this conclusion when Knowledge dawns in Time.

> The unawakened argue with the expansions of their own imaginations. This teaching is for instruction; when known, duality does not exist.

> Without duality, the understanding of speaker and spoken does not succeed. But duality also cannot truly exist, and silence fully suffices.

Summary of the Teachings:

The dialogue between Rama and Vasishtha highlights how language and concepts in scriptures use distinctions like exclusion or cause-effect only as temporary aids for the mind that is not yet fully Realized. In True Reality, such divisions do not exist independently.

The teaching stresses that duality is like a child's imaginary ghost—useful for some purpose but not Real. All pairs of opposites such as knowledge-ignorance, pleasure-pain, or change and stability arise from limited imagination. They help guide the ignorant towards understanding but dissolve completely upon True Knowledge.

When one attains proper insight, all debates and mental constructions quiet down into silence. The Ultimate Truth is recognized as one undivided, Eternal Existence without beginning or end. This Realization ends all arguments born from personal fantasies.

The verses clarify that teachings use words and duality because communication requires them, yet the Highest State transcends even the need for such expression. Silence becomes the natural outcome of Full Awareness, where no separate speaker or subject remains.

Overall, these verses guide seekers to move beyond intellectual discussions and dualistic thinking towards direct experience of non-dual Reality. They encourage patience, as this understanding comes with time and inner awakening, freeing one from the illusions of separation.