Chapter 3.24, Verses 56–65

Yoga Vashishtha 3.24.56–65

(World is a chaotic mix of opposites—pleasure and pain, creation and destruction—all arising as mere mental projections, without any fixed Reality)

 

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

क्वचिद्धर्घरवातौघपक्षप्रोड्डीनपर्वतम् ।

क्वचिद्गन्धर्वनगरसुरस्त्रीवृन्दबन्धुरम् ॥ ५६ ॥

क्वचिद्वहद्गिरिध्वस्तवृक्षलक्षोच्छ्रिताम्बुदम् ।

क्वचिन्मायाकृताकाशनलिनीजलशीतलम् ॥ ५७ ॥

क्वचिदिन्दुकराकृष्टिशीतलाह्लादमारुतम् ।

क्वचित्तप्तानिलादग्धद्रुमपर्वतवारिदम् ॥ ५८ ॥

क्वचिदत्यन्तसंशान्तवातादेकान्तनिर्ध्वनि ।

क्वचित्पर्वततुल्याभ्रशिखाकूटशतोदयम् ॥ ५९ ॥

क्वचित्प्रावृड्भवोन्मत्तघनाभ्ररवघर्घरम् ।

क्वचित्सुरासुरगणप्रवृत्तरणदुगमम् ॥ ६० ॥

क्वचिद्व्योमाब्जिनीहंसीस्वनाहूताब्जवाहनम् ।

क्वचिन्मन्दाकिनीतीरनलिनीलुण्ठकानिलम् ॥ ६१ ॥

स्वशरीरेण गङ्गादिसरितां सन्निधानतः ।

प्रोड्डीनमत्स्यमकरकुलीराम्बुजकूर्मकम् ॥ ६२ ॥

पातालगार्कजनितभूच्छायाकाकचोपनैः ।

क्वचित्क्वचिन्मण्डलेषु ग्रस्तचन्द्रार्कमण्डलम् ॥ ६३ ॥

क्वचित्सर्गानिलाधूतमायाकुसुमकाननम् ।

पतत्पुष्पहिमासारत्रसद्वैमानिकाङ्गनम् ॥ ६४ ॥

उदुम्बरोदरमशकक्रमभ्रमज्जगत्त्रयान्तरगतभूतसंचयम् ।

विलङ्घ्य तद्वरललने खमुच्चकैर्महीतलं पुनरपि गन्तुमुद्यते ॥ ६५ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta continued:

3.24.56–60

Somewhere a mountain flying about, tossed by the strong blasts of long and violent winds; somewhere charming with groups of celestial cities and heavenly nymphs.

Somewhere a cloud rising high with millions of trees uprooted and destroyed by mountain torrents; somewhere cool with the waters of illusory sky-lotuses.

Somewhere a breeze pleasant and delightful, drawn by the moon's rays; somewhere a cloud scorched by hot winds, burning trees and mountains.

Somewhere completely calm with no wind at all, in utter silence; somewhere the rise of hundreds of mountain-like cloud peaks.

Somewhere the deep rumbling roar of mad monsoon clouds; somewhere the noisy battlefield of gods and demons in combat.

3.24.61–64

Somewhere a swan in the sky-lotus garden calling to lotus-carrying Vishnu; somewhere a breeze plucking lotuses on the banks of the heavenly Ganges.

With her own body, near rivers like the Ganga, tossing about schools of fish, crocodiles, crabs, lotuses, and tortoises.

Somewhere, with shadows of underworld crows created by eclipses, in some regions the circles of the swallowed sun and moon.

Somewhere a forest of illusory flowers shaken by creation-winds; heavenly women frightened by falling flower-snow showers.

3.24.65

Like a fig tree's interior filled with a swarm of buzzing insects—the collection of Beings inside the three worlds—she leaps over that, and with excellent women, rises high into the sky, eager to reach the earth again.

Summary of the Teachings:

These verses from the Yoga Vasistha form part of Sage Vasistha's description of the fantastic and varied visions experienced by the celestial nymph (Vidyadhara or Apsara) as she travels swiftly through vast spaces of Consciousness. 

The teachings emphasize the illusory and dream-like nature of all perceived phenomena, highlighting how the mind projects diverse worlds and experiences that appear real but lack inherent existence.

The imagery in verses 56 to 60 illustrates the extreme contrasts in the perceived universe: mountains flung by winds, enchanting heavenly realms, destructive storms, serene coolness, burning heat, absolute stillness, towering clouds, thundering rains, and epic battles. This shows that the world is a chaotic mix of opposites—pleasure and pain, creation and destruction—all arising as mere mental projections, without any fixed Reality.

Verses 61 to 64 continue with surreal scenes involving divine elements like swans calling to Vishnu, winds along celestial rivers, eclipses casting eerie shadows, and forests of imaginary flowers terrifying heavenly Beings. These depict how even Divine or Cosmic events are fabricated illusions, blending mythology with natural phenomena to underscore that gods, heavens, and natural forces are all part of the mind's playful creation.

Verse 65 uses the vivid metaphor of the fig tree's interior swarming with insects to represent the three worlds (physical, astral, causal) teeming with countless beings. The nymph effortlessly transcends this buzzing multitude, soaring freely, symbolizing the liberated soul's ability to leap beyond the confines of illusory worlds.

Overall, these verses teach the core Advaita principle that the entire cosmos—grand or grotesque, serene or violent—is a hallucination of the mind. True liberation comes from recognizing this unreality, allowing one to move freely through experiences without attachment, just as the nymph traverses impossible landscapes, ultimately pointing to the Boundless, Pure Consciousness beyond all appearances.

Chapter 3.24, Verses 46–55

Yoga Vashishtha 3.24.46–55

(The world is like a dream-sky: endlessly creative, contrasting, and empty at its core)

 

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

वैमानिकनिपातेन वहिलेखाङ्कितं क्वचित् ।

क्वचित्केतुशतोत्पातमिथःसंघट्टपट्टितम् ॥ ४६ ॥

क्वचिच्छुभग्रहगणप्रगृहीताग्र्यमण्डलम् ।

क्वचिद्रात्रितमोव्याप्तं क्वचिद्दिवसभास्वरम् ॥ ४७ ॥

क्वचिदुद्गर्जदम्भोदं क्वचिन्मूकामलाम्बुदम् ।

वातावकीर्णशुक्लाभ्रखण्डपुष्पोत्तरं क्वचित् ॥ ४८ ॥

क्वचिदत्यन्तनिःशून्यमवदातमनन्तरम् ।

आनन्दमृदुशान्ताच्छं ज्ञस्येव हृदयं ततम् ॥ ४ ॥

शुक्रवाहनभेकौघैः क्वचिद्गलकृतारवम्।

शून्यतावारिवलितं क्षेत्रमाकाशवासिनाम् ॥ ५० ॥

मयूरहेमचूडादिपक्षिभिः क्वचिदावृतम्।

विद्याधरीणां देवीनां वाहनैर्विहितास्पदैः ॥ ५१ ॥

क्वचिदभ्रान्तरोन्नृत्यद्गुहमायूरमण्डलम् ।

क्वचिदग्निशुकैः श्यामं शाद्वलानामिव स्थलम् ॥ ५२ ॥

क्वचित्प्रेतेशमहिषमहिम्ना वामनाम्बुदम् ।

क्वचिदश्वैस्तृणग्रामशङ्काग्रस्तासिताम्बुदम् ॥ ५३ ॥

क्वचिद्देवपुरव्याप्तं क्वचिद्दैत्यपुरान्वितम् ।

अन्योन्याप्राप्यनगरं नगरन्ध्रकरानिलम् ॥ ५४ ॥

क्वचित्कुलाचलाकारनृत्यद्भैरवभासुरम् ।

क्वचित्सपक्षशैलेन्द्रसमनृत्यद्विनायकम् ॥ ५५ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta continued:

3.24.46  

Somewhere marked with fiery streaks from the fall of aerial vehicles, somewhere battered by the clash of hundreds of comets against each other.

3.24.47  

Somewhere grasped by auspicious planets in its bright orb, somewhere covered in night darkness, somewhere shining with daylight brightness.

3.24.48  

Somewhere thundering with clouds, somewhere with silent clear clouds, somewhere adorned with white cloud fragments scattered by wind, like flowers.

3.24.49  

Somewhere extremely empty, pure, endless, spread out like the soft, peaceful, clear heart of a Knower.

3.24.50  

Somewhere filled with noise from flocks of frogs carried by Venus, a region of sky-dwellers enveloped in emptiness.

3.24.51  

Somewhere covered with birds like peacocks with golden crests, serving as mounts for celestial nymphs and goddesses.

3.24.52  

Somewhere with circles of peacocks dancing in the space between clouds, somewhere dark with fiery peacocks, like a ground with green grass.

3.24.53  

Somewhere a cloud darkened by the majesty of Shiva's buffalo, somewhere a black cloud seemingly grazed by horses mistaking grass villages.

3.24.54  

Somewhere filled with Divine cities, somewhere with demon cities, winds from city pores that cannot reach each other's cities.

3.24.55  

Somewhere brilliantly terrifying with dancing mountain-like forms, somewhere with Ganapati dancing alongside winged mountain lords.

Summary of Teachings: 

These verses describe the vast, varied, and wondrous appearances in the Infinite Space perceived in a State of deep Spiritual Realization. The sky is portrayed as a dynamic canvas filled with celestial phenomena, mythical beings, and contrasting elements—light and darkness, sound and silence, activity and emptiness. This vivid imagery illustrates the boundless diversity arising within Pure Consciousness, emphasizing that all such perceptions are manifestations of the mind.

The teachings highlight the illusory yet enchanting nature of the world. Just as the sky appears filled with comets, clouds, planets, birds, and cities of gods and demons, the universe is a projection of the infinite mind. These diverse forms—auspicious and inauspicious, beautiful and terrifying—coexist without inherent conflict, pointing to the non-dual reality underlying all appearances.

A key insight is the comparison to the heart of a Wise Knower (jnani): amidst all this variety, there exists a region of Absolute Emptiness, Purity, Peace, and Bliss. This represents the unchanging, Infinite Self, untouched by the play of phenomena, soft and serene like True Knowledge.

The presence of celestial beings—nymphs, goddesses, peacocks, frogs, buffalo of Shiva, and Ganapati—symbolizes how the mind populates empty space with imagined forms, including divine and demonic realms that never truly interact or reach one another, underscoring separation as mere illusion.

Ultimately, these verses teach that the world is like a dream-sky: endlessly creative, contrasting, and empty at its core. Recognizing this leads to liberation, as one rests in the peaceful, Infinite Heart of Pure Consciousness, beyond all dualities and manifestations.

Chapter 3.24, Verses 35–45

Yoga Vashishtha 3.24.35–45

(Infinite variations in the Universe, beautiful or terrifying, stable or transient, are mere appearances in the Pure Consciousness)

 

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

क्वचिन्निरम्बरोन्नृत्तमातृमण्डलमालितम् ।

क्वचिन्नित्यं नवक्षीबक्षुब्धयोगीश्वरीगणम् ॥ ३५ ॥

क्वचिच्छान्तसमाधिस्थविश्रान्तमुनिमालितम् ।

समं दूरास्तसंरम्भसाधुचित्तमनोहरम् ॥ ३६ ॥

गायत्किन्नरगन्धर्वसुरस्त्रीमण्डलं क्वचित् ।

क्वचित्स्तब्धपुराकीर्णं वहत्पुरवरं क्वचित् ॥ ३७ ॥

क्वचिद्रुद्रपुरापूर्णं क्वचिद्ब्रह्ममहापुरम्।

क्वचिन्मायाकृतपुरं क्वचिदागामिपत्तनम् ॥ ३८ ॥

क्वचिद्भ्रमच्चन्द्रसरः क्वचित्स्तब्धमयंसरः ।

क्वचित्सरत्सिद्धगणं क्वचिदिन्दुकृतोदयम् ॥ ३९ ॥

क्वचित्सूर्योदयमयं क्वचिद्रात्रितमोमयम् ।

क्वचित्संध्यांशुकपिलं क्वचिन्नीहारधूसरम् ॥ ४० ॥

क्वचिद्धिमाभ्रधवलं क्वचिद्वर्षत्पयोधरम् ।

क्वचित्स्थल इवाकाश एव विश्रान्तलोकपम् ॥ ४१ ॥

ऊर्ध्वाधोगमनव्यग्रसुरासुरगणं क्वचित्।

पूर्वापरोत्तरायाम्यदिक्संचाराकुलं क्वचित् ॥ ४२ ॥

अपि योजनलक्षाणि क्वचिद्दुष्प्रापभूधरम् ।

अविनाशितमःपूर्णं दृषद्गर्भोपमं क्वचित् ॥ ४३ ॥

अविनाशिबृहत्तेजः क्वचिदर्कानलोपमम् ।

हिमानीजठराशीतं क्वचिच्चन्द्रादिसद्मसु ॥ ४४ ॥

क्वचिद्वहत्पुरोवृत्तकल्पवृक्षलतावनम् ।

क्वचिद्दैत्यहतोत्तुङ्गप्रपतद्देवपत्तनम् ॥ ४५ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta continued:

3.24.35

Somewhere adorned with circles of dancing Matris in open spaces without obstacles; somewhere always filled with groups of Yogishvaris intoxicated with fresh joy.

3.24.36

Somewhere adorned with Sages resting peacefully in deep calm meditation; equally distant from all, free from agitation, with a charming mind like that of saints.

3.24.37

Somewhere a circle of celestial women, Kinnaras, Gandharvas singing; somewhere filled with motionless ancient cities; somewhere carrying excellent flowing cities.

3.24.38

Somewhere filled with the cities of Rudra; somewhere the great city of Brahma; somewhere a city created by illusion; somewhere a future town.

3.24.39

Somewhere a lake with swirling moon-like waters; somewhere a still metallic lake; somewhere a lake with moving groups of Siddhas; somewhere a lake with rising moon.

3.24.40

Somewhere full of sunrise; somewhere filled with night darkness; somewhere orange like twilight robes; somewhere gray with mist.

3.24.41

Somewhere white like snow clouds; somewhere with raining clouds; somewhere the sky itself appearing like land, resting multitudes of beings.

3.24.42

Somewhere gods and demons busy going up and down; somewhere crowded with movement in east, west, north, south directions.

3.24.43

Somewhere mountains hard to reach even after lakhs of yojanas; somewhere like a stone cave full of indestructible darkness.

3.24.44

Somewhere indestructible great brilliance like the sun's fire; somewhere cold like inside snow mountains in houses of moon etc.

3.24.45

Somewhere carrying forests of wish-fulfilling trees and creepers from ancient times; somewhere high Divine cities falling down destroyed by demons.

Summary of the Teachings of These Verses:

These verses from the Yoga Vasishta, spoken by Sage Vasishta, form part of a profound description of the infinite and varied appearances within the vast expanse of Consciousness or the mind. They illustrate the non-dual Advaita philosophy by showing how the one unchanging Reality manifests countless diverse worlds and scenes simultaneously.

The verses use the repetitive phrase "somewhere" (kvacit) to emphasize the boundless diversity within the single fabric of existence. From dancing divine mothers and intoxicated yoginis to serene sages in meditation, the imagery highlights contrasting states—activity and stillness, joy and peace—existing side by side without conflict, teaching that all opposites are reconciled in the Ultimate Reality.

Further, celestial realms with singing Beings contrast with ancient motionless cities or flowing urban landscapes, alongside godly abodes of Rudra and Brahma, illusory cities, and future ones. This underscores the illusory nature of time and creation: past, present, and future are mere mental projections, not separate Realities.

Natural elements like swirling or still lakes, sunrise or night, twilight or mist, snowy whiteness or rainy clouds, even sky appearing as land, reveal how phenomena arise and change within the unchanging space of awareness. Directions bustling with movement or inaccessible vast mountains symbolize the endless scale and variety of perceived worlds.

Finally, intense brilliance, cold realms, wish-fulfilling gardens, or destroyed divine cities point to creation, preservation, and destruction occurring eternally. The core teaching is that all these infinite variations—beautiful or terrifying, stable or transient—are mere appearances in the Pure Consciousness, like dreams in the mind. Nothing truly exists apart from the Self; Realizing this leads to Freedom from identification with the changing world.

Chapter 3.24, Verses 11–21

Yoga Vashishtha 3.24.11–21

(Even heavenly pleasures are transient, subject to change, heat, and impermanence, ultimately pointing toward the need for detachment and Realization of the Supreme)

 

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

उपर्युपर्युपर्युच्चैरन्यैरन्यैर्वृतं पृथक् ।

विचित्राभरणाकारैर्भूतलैः सुविमानकैः ॥ ११ ॥

परितः पूरितव्योम्नां मेर्वादिकुलभूभृताम् ।

पद्मरागतटोद्द्योतैः कल्पज्वालोपमोदरम् ॥ १२ ॥

मुक्ताशिखरभापूरैर्हिमवत्सानुसुन्दरम् ।

काञ्चनाद्रिस्थलार्चिर्भिः काञ्चनस्थलभासुरम् ॥ १३ ॥

महामरकताभाभिः शाद्वलस्थलनीलिमम् ।

द्रष्टृदृश्यक्षयासक्तजातध्वान्तोत्थकालिमम् ॥ १४ ॥

पारिजातलतालोलविमानगणकेतनम् ।

अतो मञ्जरिकाकारमिव वैदूर्यभूतलम् ॥ १५ ॥

मनोवेगमहासिद्धजितवातगमागमम् ।

विमानगृहदेवस्त्रीगेयवाद्यसघुंघुमम् ॥ १६ ॥

त्रैलोक्यवरभूतौघसंचाराविरलान्तरम् ।

अन्योन्यादृष्टसंचारसुरासुरकुलाकुलम् ॥ १७ ॥

पर्यन्तस्थितकूष्माण्डरक्षःपैशाचमण्डलम् ।

वातस्कन्धमहावेगवहद्वैमानिकव्रजम् ॥ १८ ॥

वहद्विमानसीत्कारमुष्टिग्राह्यघनध्वनि ।

ग्रहर्क्षघनसंचारात्प्रचलद्वातयन्त्रकम् ॥ १९ ॥

निकटातपदग्धाल्पसिद्धसिद्धोज्झितास्पदम् ।

अर्काश्वमुखवातास्तदग्धमुग्धविमानकम् ॥ २० ॥

लोकपालाप्सरोवृन्दसंचाराचारचञ्चलम ।

देव्यन्तःपुरिकादग्धधूपधूमाम्बुदाम्बरम् ॥ २१ ॥

3.24.11

Sage Vashishta continued: 

Higher and higher, one above the other, surrounded separately by various wonderful aerial vehicles resembling beautifully adorned lands.

3.24.12  

All around, the sky filled with mountain ranges like Meru and others, glowing with ruby-like slopes, fiery inside like the flames of world-dissolution.

3.24.13  

Flooded with the light from pearl peaks, beautiful like the Himalayas; shining with golden mountain rays, radiant like golden lands.

3.24.14  

Bluish from green grassy plains, shining with great emerald-like glow; darkened by the ignorance arising from attachment to Seer and seen.

3.24.15  

Adorned with clusters of aerial vehicles waving with Parijata trees; thus resembling a land of lapis lazuli, casket-like.

3.24.16  

Where travel is swift as the mind, attained by great siddhas conquering the wind; humming with songs and music from aerial vehicles, homes, gods, and celestial women.

3.24.17  

Dense movement of the best Beings from the three worlds, with little space in between; crowded with gods and demons passing each other, seeing one another.

3.24.18  

At the edges, circles of kushmandas, rakshasas, and ghostly beings; carrying crowds of aerial travelers on strong wind currents with great speed.

3.24.19  

Carrying the whistling sounds of flying vehicles, thick thunder graspable by fists; a wind-machine shaking from the movement of planets, stars, and dense clouds.

3.24.20  

Places abandoned by lesser siddhas burned by nearby sun heat; beautiful vehicles scorched by the hot winds from the sun and horse-faced Beings.

3.24.21  

Unsteady from the movement and conduct of guardian deities and groups of apsaras; sky filled with clouds of incense smoke burned in the inner apartments of goddesses.

Summary of the Teachings of These Verses:

These verses form part of Sage Vasishta's vivid description of the heavenly realms to illustrate the nature of higher worlds and experiences beyond the earthly plane. The first section highlights the layered structure of the heavens, stacked one upon another, filled with magnificent aerial vehicles (vimanas) that resemble ornate floating cities or lands. This imagery emphasizes the grandeur and multiplicity of celestial spheres, separate yet interconnected, adorned with intricate beauty.

In the second section, the description focuses on the luminous and colorful aspects of these realms, drawing parallels to precious gems and mountains like Meru and the Himalayas. The glowing ruby slopes, pearl peaks, golden radiance, emerald greens, and lapis-like blues paint a picture of extraordinary splendor, but also introduce subtle darkness from ignorance caused by dualistic perception (Seer and seen), hinting at the imperfection even in heavenly beauty.

The third section shifts to the lively and dynamic atmosphere of the heavens, featuring wish-fulfilling Parijata trees, swift travel powered by mind-like speed and siddhi powers, and constant music from Divine Beings. This portrays the heavens as places of sensory delight, accomplishment, and harmonious activity among gods, celestial women, and perfected Beings.

The fourth section describes the crowded and bustling nature of these realms, with constant traffic of exalted souls from the three worlds, including interactions between gods and demons. The edges are guarded by fierce demonic entities, and powerful winds carry hordes of travelers, underscoring the organized yet intense movement and diversity in the celestial order.

The final section reveals potential discomforts and instabilities in the heavens, such as scorching heat from the sun, abandoned spots, and unsteady skies filled with incense smoke from divine rituals. This contrasts the earlier splendor, teaching that even heavenly pleasures are transient, subject to change, heat, and impermanence, ultimately pointing toward the need for detachment and Realization of the Supreme Reality beyond all worlds.