Chapter 3.67, Verses 37–51

Yoga Vashishtha 3.67.37–51

(These verses beautifully capture Rama’s wonder at the illusory yet vivid appearance of the World within Brahm)

श्रीराम उवाच।

अहो चित्रं जगदिदमसत्सदिव भासते।

अहो बृहदहो स्वस्थमहो स्फुटमहो तनु ॥ ३७॥

ब्रह्मणि प्रतिभासात्मा तन्मात्रगुणगोलकः।

अवश्यायकणाभासो यथा स्फुरति तच्छ्रुतम् ॥ ३८॥

यथाऽसौ याति वैपुल्यं यथा भवति चात्मभूः।

यथा स्वभावसिद्धार्थात्तथा कथय मे प्रभो ॥ ३९॥

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।

अत्यन्तासंभवद्रूपमनन्यत्स्वस्वभावतः।

अत्यन्ताननुभूतं सत्स्वानुभूतमिवाग्रतः ॥ ४०॥

उल्लासफुल्लो फुल्लाङ्ग इति बालहृदि स्फुटम्।

यथोदेति तथोदेति परे ब्रह्मणि जीवता ॥ ४१॥

मानमेयात्मिका शुद्धा सत्यैवासत्यवत्स्थिता।

भिन्नेव च न भिन्ना स्याद्ब्रह्मणो ब्रंह्मणात्मिका ॥ ४२॥

यथा ब्रह्म भवत्याशु जीवः कलनजीवितः।

तथा जीवो भवत्याशु मनो मननवेदनात् ॥ ४३॥

चित्तं तन्मात्रमननं पश्यत्याशु स्वरूपवत्।

एष सद्योऽनिललवप्रख्यः स्फुरति खान्तरे ॥ ४४॥

अस्तनिमेषोऽनुभवत्यवश्यायकणोपमम्।

संवेदनात्मकं कालकलितं कान्तमात्मनि ॥ ४५॥

अहं किमिति शब्दार्थवेदनाभोगसंविदम्।

संविदं तत्त्वशब्दार्थं जीवः पश्यति सार्थकम् ॥ ४६॥

तादृक्षवेदनात्सोऽथ रसशब्दार्थवेदनम्।

भाविजिह्वार्थनाम्नैकदेशेऽनुभवति क्षणात् ॥ ४७॥

तादृक्षवेदनात्तेजःशब्दार्थोन्मुखतां गतः।

भविष्यन्नेत्रनाम्नैकदेशे भवति भासनम् ॥ ४८॥

तादृक्षवेदनात्सोऽथ घ्राणं तद्दृष्टिवेदनात्।

स्थितो यस्मिन्भवतीति तावद्दृश्यादिता स्थिता ॥ ४९॥

एवंप्रायः स जीवात्मा काकतालीयवच्छनैः।

विशिष्टसंनिवेशत्वं भावितं पश्यति स्वतः ॥ ५०॥

स तस्य संनिवेशस्य त्वसतोऽपि सतः सतः।

शब्दभावैकदेशत्वं श्रवणार्थेन विन्दति ॥ ५१॥

Sriram asked: 

3.67.37–39

> Oh, how wonderful! This World, though unreal, shines as if it is Real. Oh, how vast it is! Oh, how stable! Oh, how clear! Oh, how subtle!

> In Brahm, it appears as the nature of reflection, a sphere made of subtle elements (tanmatras), shining like a drop of dew. This is what I have heard.

> How does it expand? How does it become self-born? How does the Reality arise from its own Nature? O Lord, please explain this to me.

Sage Vasistha answered: 

3.67.40–43

> It has a form that is extremely impossible and non-different from its own Nature. Though never experienced before, it appears right in front as if fully experienced.

> Just as a fully bloomed flower with expanded parts clearly arises in a child’s heart, in the same way the State of being a Jiva arises in the Supreme Brahm.

> The Pure Nature of Knower and Known, though truly Real, stands as if unreal. It appears different yet is not different — it is the Brahm-nature within Brahm.

> Just as Brahm quickly becomes the Jiva endowed with limiting activities, similarly the Jiva quickly becomes the mind through the process of thinking and perceiving.

3.67.44–51

> The mind, which is the thinking of subtle elements, quickly sees everything as if it is its own form. This instantly vibrates like a light gust of wind in inner space.

> Without blinking, it experiences within itself the delightful, time-bound Consciousness, like a dewdrop.

> The Jiva sees the meaningful Knowledge in the form of “What am I?” — the enjoyment of word-meaning Awareness, the Knowledge of the meaning of Reality (tattva).

> From such perception, it then instantly experiences the meaning of the word “taste” (rasa) in the future part that will become the tongue.

> From such perception, turning towards the meaning of “light/fire” (tejas), it becomes illumination in the part that will become the eye.

> From such perception, it then develops the nose. From the perception of that sight, it becomes situated in the place of seen objects. Thus the State of Being the Seer is established.

> In this manner, that Jiva-self, like a crow and palm fruit falling together by chance, slowly perceives by itself its own special placement that it has conceived.

> Through the meaning of hearing, it attains the word-form of that placement — even though it is unreal, yet it appears real and existent.

Summary of the Teachings:

The world, though unreal, shines like a dewdrop or reflection in Pure Consciousness. Vasistha explains that this appearance is spontaneous and self-born, arising directly from Brahm’s own Nature without any real transformation. It seems completely new and experienced, even though it has no independent existence. The Jiva (individual soul) emerges in Brahm in the same natural way a thought or image appears in a child’s mind.

The process of manifestation is described as a rapid, spontaneous evolution. Brahm assumes the form of Jiva through subtle limitations, and the Jiva in turn becomes the mind through thinking and sensing. The mind then projects the subtle elements (tanmatras) and begins to experience them as its own reality. This happens instantly, like a breeze arising in Space. The Jiva starts with a basic sense of “I am” and gradually develops the organs of perception — tongue for taste, eyes for light, nose for smell — through its own conceptual power. All this unfolds as if by coincidence, yet it is self-conceived.

The teaching highlights the mysterious power of Consciousness to create the appearance of duality and multiplicity while remaining unchanged. The World of objects and senses appears very Real and stable, yet it is only a reflection or vibration within Brahm. There is no actual difference between Brahm and the Jiva or the World; the seeming difference comes from the mind’s perception. Everything arises, expands, and takes form through the power of imagination and self-identification within Pure Consciousness.

The verses explain how the Jiva slowly builds its sense of individuality and the external World step by step, starting from a subtle thought and developing into full sensory experience. This Creation is compared to natural, effortless processes like a flower blooming or a drop of dew sparkling. Even though the entire structure is unreal from the absolute standpoint, it appears solid and meaningful to the Jiva due to its own self-hypnosis and identification.

Overall, these verses teach the core of non-dual philosophy: the world and the individual soul are apparent projections in the One Brahm. Realizing this illusory nature liberates one from suffering. The seeker is encouraged to wonder at the appearance, inquire into its Source, and ultimately rest in the Pure Consciousness from which everything arises and into which everything dissolves.

Chapter 3.64, Verses 23–31

Yoga Vashishtha 3.64.23–31

(These verses explain the origin of the individual soul and the world through the power of thought)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।

सर्गादावादिजो देहो जीवः संकल्पसंभवः।

क्रमेण पदमासाद्य वैरिञ्चं कुरुते जगत् ॥ २३॥

आत्मभूकलनात्मासौ यत्संकल्पयति क्षणात्।

तत्स्वभाववशादेव जातमेव प्रपश्यति ॥ २४॥

चित्स्वभावात्समायातं ब्रह्मत्वं सर्वकारणम्।

संसृतौ कारणं पश्चात्कर्म निर्माय संस्थितम् ॥ २५॥

चित्तं स्वभावात्स्फुरति चित्तः फेन इवाम्भसः।

कर्मभिर्बध्यते पश्चाड्डिण्डीरमिव रज्जुभिः ॥ २६॥

संकल्पः कलनाबीजं तदात्मैव हि जीवकः।

कर्म पश्चात्तनोत्युच्चैरुत्थायाकर्मतः क्रमात् ॥ २७॥

क्रोडीकृताङ्कुरं पूर्वं जीवो धत्ते स्वजीवितम्।

पश्चान्नानात्वमायाति पत्राङ्कुरफलक्रमैः ॥ २८॥

अन्ये स्व एव ये जीवा एवमेवाकृतिं गताः।

पूर्वोत्पन्ने जगति ते यान्ति भूताश्रयां स्थितिम् ॥ २९॥

स्वकर्मभिस्ततो जन्ममृतिकारणतां गतैः।

प्रयान्त्यूर्ध्वमधस्ताद्वा कर्म चित्स्पन्द उच्यते ॥ ३०॥

चित्स्पन्दन भवति कर्म तदेव दैवं चित्तं तदेव भवतीह शुभाशुभादि।

तस्माज्जगन्ति भुवनानि भवन्ति पूर्वं भूत्वा निजाङ्गकुसुमानि तरोरिवाद्यात् ॥ ३१॥

Maharishi Vasishta said: 

3.64.23–25

> At the very beginning of Creation, the first body of the living Being (Jiva) arises from its own thought or will. Step by step, it reaches the position of Brahma and creates the world. 

> That Self-born Being, through its own nature, thinks of something in a moment and immediately sees it as manifested or born. 

> From the Nature of Pure Consciousness (Chit), it attains the State of Brahma, which is the Cause of everything. Later, in the cycle of worldly existence, it creates karma as a Cause and remains bound by it. 

3.64.26–31

> The mind arises and vibrates from its own nature, like foam from water. Afterwards, it becomes bound by its actions, just as a puppet is tied by strings. 

> Thought or Will is the Seed of all activity. That very Will is the living Being (Jiva). Later, from inaction, it gradually expands into actions and rises high. 

> The Jiva first holds its life like a sprout hidden in a Seed. Afterwards, it develops into many forms through leaves, shoots, flowers, and fruits in sequence. 

> Other living Beings who have taken the same form in this way, in the previously created world, attain a State dependent on physical elements or matter. 

> Then, through their own actions, they become Causes of birth and death. They move upwards or downwards. This movement of Consciousness is called karma. 

> The vibration of Consciousness becomes karma. That itself is destiny. That very mind becomes good and bad here. Therefore, worlds and Universes first come into being as flowers blooming from the body of a tree, right from the beginning. 

Summary of the Teachings:

The Jiva begins as a Pure Conscious Being at Creation, arising from its own sankalpa or mental resolve. By gradually evolving, it assumes the role of Creator like Brahma and manifests the entire Universe. This shows that the world is not separate from Consciousness but is a projection of it. Everything starts as an idea in the mind and becomes Real through sustained thinking.

The process highlights how Pure Consciousness (Chit) naturally takes on the form of Brahma, the Universal Cause. 

Once in the world of samsara, the same Consciousness generates karma, which then binds the Being like strings control a puppet. The mind bubbles up like foam, but actions create bondage. This teaches that Freedom lies in understanding the mind's role, while ignorance leads to entanglement in cause and effect.

Will or sankalpa acts as the root Seed for all life and activity. The Jiva nurtures its existence like a Seed holding a sprout, then unfolds into diverse experiences, forms, and multiplicities, similar to a plant growing leaves, flowers, and fruits. Other souls follow the same pattern in the already manifested world, taking on physical bodies and elemental existence. This illustrates the cyclic and creative power of mind in shaping individual lives.

Karma arises from the natural movement or vibration of Consciousness. It determines future births, leading souls upward or downward according to their deeds. What we call destiny is actually this inner movement of the mind. Good and bad experiences come from the quality of thoughts and actions. The verses emphasize personal responsibility, as our Inner State creates our outer journey through births and deaths.

Ultimately, all worlds and realms emerge like flowers from the cosmic tree of Consciousness right from the start. The Universe is the playful expression or blooming of the One Chit or Pure Awareness. Realizing this unity helps dissolve the illusion of separation and bondage, pointing towards liberation by transcending limited mental creations and resting in the original Conscious Nature.

Chapter 3.64, Verses 11–22

Yoga Vashishtha 3.64.11–22

(These verses explain the gradual formation of the individual - the Jiva - starting from Pure Consciousness)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।

चिद्रूपस्यात्मतत्त्वस्य स्वाभाववशतः स्वयम्।

मनाक्संवेदनमिव यत्तज्जीव इति स्मृतम् ॥ ११॥

तदेव घनसंवित्त्या यात्यहंतामनुक्रमात्।

वह्न्यणुः स्वेन्धनाधिक्यात्स्वां प्रकाशकतामिव ॥ १२॥

यथा स्वतारकामार्गे व्योम्नः स्फुरति नीलिमा।

शून्यस्याप्यस्य जीवस्य तथाहंभावभावना ॥ १३॥

जीवोऽहंकृतिमादत्ते संकल्पकलयेद्धया।

स्वयैतया घनतया नीलिमानमिवाम्बरम् ॥ १४॥

अहंभावो हि दिक्कालव्यवच्छेदी कृताकृतिः।

स्वयं संकल्पवशतो वातस्पन्द इव स्फुरन् ॥ १५॥

संकल्पोन्मुखता यातस्त्वहंकाराभिधः स्थितः।

चित्तं जीवो मनो माया प्रकृतिश्चेति नामभिः ॥ १६॥

तत्संकल्पात्मकं चेतो भूततन्मात्रकल्पनम्।

कुर्वंस्ततो व्रजत्येव संकल्पाद्याति पञ्चताम् ॥ १७॥

तन्मात्रपञ्चकाकारं चित्तं तेजःकणो भवेत्।

अजातजगति व्योम्नि तारका पेलवा यथा ॥ १८॥

तेजःकणत्वमादत्ते चित्तं तन्मात्रकल्पनात्।

शनैः स्वस्मात्परिस्पन्दाद्बीजमङ्कुरतामिव ॥ १९॥

असौ तेजःकणोऽण्डाख्यः कल्पनात्कश्चिदण्डताम्।

प्रयात्यन्तःस्फुरद्ब्रह्मा जलमापिण्डतामिव ॥ २०॥

कश्चिद्द्रागिति देहादिकलनाद्याति देहताम्।

भ्रान्तित्वं तदतद्रूपं गन्धर्वैश्च वसत्पुरम् ॥ २१॥

कश्चित्स्थावरतामेति कश्चिज्जंगमतामपि।

कश्चिद्याति खचार्यादिरूपं संकल्पतः स्वतः ॥ २२॥

Maharishi Vashishtha further said:

3.64.11–14

> The slight sense of Awareness that naturally arises in the Consciousness-form of the Self is known as the Jiva.

> That very jiva, through growing dense Awareness, gradually attains the sense of “I” (ego), just as a tiny spark of fire becomes its full illuminating power with more fuel.

> Just as blueness appears in the sky along the path of stars, in the same way the feeling of “I-ness” arises in this empty jiva.

> The Jiva takes up ego through the power of imagination and resolve. With its own growing density it creates “I-ness”, like the sky appearing blue.

3.64.15–18

> The sense of “I” creates divisions of direction and Time and gives form to the Formless. It vibrates by its own imagination like the movement of wind.

> When it faces towards imagination, it stands as the one called ego, and is known by names such as chitta, jiva, mind, maya, and prakriti.

> That Imaginative Consciousness creates the subtle Essences of the elements. From there, through imagination, it proceeds and reaches the State of the Five Gross Elements.

> The mind in the form of the Five Subtle Essences becomes a particle of light in the unborn World-Space, like a faint star.

3.64.19–22

> Through imagination of the Subtle Essences, the mind takes the form of a Light-Particle. Gradually, from its own vibration, it grows like a Seed turning into a sprout.

> That Light-Particle, called the Cosmic Egg through imagination, attains the State of an egg, with Brahma shining inside it, like water becoming a solid mass.

> Some quickly reach the State of body through the process of forming body and so on. This is delusion — appearing as something it is not — like a city of gandharvas (magical illusion).

> Some attain the stationary form, some the moving form, and some attain forms like sky-travellers and others, all through their own imagination.

Summary of the Teachings:

The Jiva begins as a subtle, natural Awareness in the Self. Through increasing density of this Awareness, it develops the strong sense of “I” or ego. This process is compared to a spark growing into a bright flame, showing how a small vibration becomes a powerful limited identity.

The ego creates the experience of Space, Time, and Form in what is actually Formless. It does so through imagination and resolve. The same Consciousness then takes on many names such as mind, intellect, maya, and prakriti when it turns towards Creation. This shows that all these are not separate realities but different aspects of the one vibrating Consciousness.

From the ego, the mind starts imagining subtle elements (tanmatras), which then condense into the five gross elements. The mind itself appears as a tiny spark of light or seed in the vast space of Unborn Consciousness. Gradually this Seed grows through its own movement, forming more complex structures like the Cosmic Egg containing Brahma.

The verses emphasize that all forms — bodies, moving beings, stationary objects, and even celestial forms — arise purely through imagination. What we see as the solid world is actually a play of delusion, like a magical city in the sky that looks Real but has no true substance. Everything is a Self-projection of the same Consciousness.

The teaching leads the seeker to understand that the limited Jiva, ego, mind, and the entire Universe are not Ultimate Realities but successive appearances caused by the natural creative power of Brahm. Recognizing this imaginary nature helps one return to the original Peaceful Consciousness and attain liberation.

Chapter 3.14, Verses 1–10

Yoga Vashishtha 3.14.1–10

(From this one Source, all souls appear in a shining line, lighting up one by one)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

इत्थं जगदहंतादिदृश्यजातं न किंचन ।

अजातत्वाच्च नास्त्वेव यच्चास्ति परमेव तत् ॥ १ ॥

परमाकाशमेवादौ जीवतां चेतति स्वयम् ।

निःस्पन्दाम्भोधिकुहरे सलिलं स्पन्दतामिव ॥ २ ॥

आकाशरूपमजहदेवं वेत्तीव हृद्यताम् ।

स्वप्नसंकल्पशैलादाविव चिद्वृत्तिरान्तरी ॥ ३ ॥

पृथ्व्यादिरहितो देहो यो विंराडात्मको महान् ।

आतिवाहिक एवासौ चिन्मात्राच्छनभोमयः ॥ ४ ॥

अक्षयः स्वप्नशैलाभः स्थिरस्वप्नपुरोपमः ।

चित्रकृत्स्थिरचित्तस्थचित्रसैन्यसमाकृतिः ॥ ५ ॥

अनिखातमहास्तम्भपुत्रिकौघसमोपमः ।

ब्रह्माकाशेऽनिखातात्मा सुस्तम्भे शालभञ्जिका ॥ ६ ॥

आद्यः प्रजापतिः एवं स्वयंभूरिति विश्रुतः ।

प्राक्तनानां स्वकार्याणामभावादप्यकारणः ॥ ७॥

महाप्रलयपर्यन्तेष्वाद्यकालपितामहाः ।

मुच्यन्ते सर्व एवातः प्राक्तनं कर्म तेषु किम् ॥ ८ ॥

सोऽकुड्य एव कुड्यात्मा दृश्यादृश्यः स्वयंस्थितः ।

न च दृश्यं न च द्रष्टा न स्रष्टा सर्वमेव च ॥ ९ ॥

प्रतिशब्दपदार्थानां सर्वेषामेष एव सः ।

तस्मादुदेति जीवाली दीपाली दीपकादिव ॥ १० ॥

Maharishi Vashishta said:

3.14.1: In this way, the world with its "I" and all seen things is nothing at all. Because it is never born, it does not exist even a little. What truly exists is only the Supreme Reality.

3.14.2: At the very beginning, the Supreme Space itself thinks and becomes the living souls, like still ocean water that seems to move and form waves in a quiet cave.

3.14.3: It takes the form of Space but never leaves its True Nature. It seems to Know things in the Heart, like the inner working of the mind in dreams, wishes, or tall mountains made in the imagination.

3.14.4: The body of the great king-like soul has no earth or other elements. It is only the subtle body that carries over after death. It is made purely of Consciousness, like soft snow.

3.14.5: It never ends, like a dream mountain. It is steady like a dream city. It looks like painted armies standing still in the mind of a calm painter.

3.14.6: It is like a crowd of doll children around big pillars that have no base. In the Space of the Absolute, the soul has no fixed place. It is like a carved wooden girl figure leaning on a strong pillar.

3.14.7: The first Creator of people, known as the Self-born One, is like this. He has no cause, even though past actions are missing for him.

3.14.8: The first grandfathers of time, who last until the great final end of the world, are all freed. So, what past actions can there be for them?

3.14.9: He stays by himself as the wall-like soul. He can be seen and not seen. There is no seen thing, no Seer, no Creator—everything is Him alone.

3.14.10: He is the true meaning behind every word and every thing. From Him, the line of living souls rises, like a row of lamps lighting up one after another from a single lamp.

Summary of the Teachings:

These verses explain that the world we see, including our sense of "I" and all objects, is not Real in any true way. It has no birth, so it does not exist at all. The only thing that really exists is the Supreme Reality, which is Pure and Unchanging. 

This teaching helps us understand that what seems solid and lasting is just an appearance, like a mirage in the desert. By seeing this, we stop holding on to false ideas and find Peace in the Truth that never changes.

The Supreme Reality, compared to endless Space, wakes up on its own and becomes all living souls. It is calm and still at first, like quiet ocean water, but then seems to move and create waves of life. This shows that souls are not separate from the One Reality—they come from it without any outside help. The mind inside works like thoughts in a dream or ideas in the imagination, making us feel we know things in our heart, but it never leaves its Space-like Nature.

The soul has a great king-like body that is not made of earth, water, fire, or other elements. It is a subtle body that continues after death, built only from Pure Consciousness, soft and white like fresh snow. This body never ends, strong like a mountain seen in a dream or a city built in sleep. It looks like bright painted soldiers frozen in place by a steady artist. Or it is like many toy children gathered around tall pillars with no roots in the ground. In the vast Space of the Absolute, the soul has no fixed spot, like a beautiful carved figure resting against a solid post.

The First Creator, called the Self-born Lord of all people, has this same Nature. He needs no Cause because no past actions exist for him at the start. The early grandfathers of Creation, who live through many great endings of the world, are completely free. They have no old karma to bind them. This means at the Pure beginning, everything is fresh and without chains from before.

In the end, the Supreme stays alone as the wall of the soul—both seen and unseen. There is no object to see, no one to see it, and no one to make it. All is just that One Reality. It is the Real meaning hidden in every sound, word, and thing we know. From this one Source, all souls appear in a shining line, lighting up one by one, just as lamps in a row get their flame from the first light. This teaches full Oneness and ends all ideas of separation.

Chapter 3.13, Verses 26–35

Yoga Vashishtha 3.13.26–35

(Inner Space of the jiva holds the Mind, Heart, Knowledge, and True Existence in a tiny shell)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

स्वप्नसंकल्पयोः संविद्वेत्त्येतज्जीवकोऽणुके ।

स्वरूपतारकान्तस्थो जीवोऽयं चेतति स्वयम् ॥ २६ ॥

तदेतद्बुद्धिचित्तादिज्ञानसत्तादिरूपकम् ।

जीवाकाशः स्वतस्तत्र तारकाकाशकोशगम् ॥ २७ ॥

प्रेक्षेऽहमिति भावेन द्रष्टुं प्रसरतीव खे ।

ततो रन्ध्रद्वयेनैव भाविबाह्याभिधं पुनः ॥ २८ ॥

येन पश्यति तन्नेत्रयुगं नाम्ना भविष्यति ।

येन स्पृशति सा वै त्वग्यच्छृणोति श्रुतिस्तु सा ॥ २९ ॥

येन जिघ्रति तद्घ्राणं स स्वमात्मनि पश्यति ।

तत्तस्य स्वदनं पश्चाद्रसना चोल्लसिष्यति ॥ ३० ॥

स्पन्दते यत्स तद्वायुश्चेष्टा कर्मेन्द्रियव्रजम् ।

रूपालोकमनस्कारजातमित्यपि भावयत् ॥ ३१ ॥

आतिवाहिकदेहात्मा तिष्ठत्यम्बरमम्बरे ।

एवमुच्छूनतां तस्मिन्भावयंस्तेजसः कणे ॥ ३२ ॥

असत्यां सत्यसंकाशां ब्रह्मास्ते जीवशब्दवत् ।

इत्थं स जीवशब्दार्थः कलनाकुलतां गतः ॥ ३३ ॥

आतिवाहिकदेहात्मा चित्तदेहाम्बराकृतिः ।

स्वकल्पनान्त आकारमण्डं संस्थं प्रपश्यति ॥ ३४ ॥

कश्चिज्जलगतं वेत्ति कश्चित्सम्राट्स्वरूपिणम् ।

भाविब्रह्माण्डकलनां पश्यत्यनुभवत्यपि ॥ ३५ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta further says:

3.13.26: In dreams and in thoughts that we make up ourselves, a tiny spark of Awareness knows all these things inside a very small living being. This living being stays in its own true form, right up to the shining stars at the end of everything, and it thinks and feels by itself.

3.13.27: All of this – the mind, the heart, knowledge, what really exists, and other such things – takes shape like that. The space of the living being is naturally inside there, hidden like the sky full of stars inside a small shell.

3.13.28: With the feeling “I am looking,” it seems to spread out into the open sky to see. Then, through two small openings (eyes), it again plans the outside world that will come later.

3.13.29: The pair of eyes that it uses to see will be called the two eyes. The skin that it uses to touch is the skin. What it uses to hear is the hearing.

3.13.30: The nose that it uses to smell is the nose. It sees its own self inside itself. After that, its own mouth will appear, and the tongue will shine forth to taste.

3.13.31: What moves is the air inside, and the actions come from the group of organs that do work. Think also that shapes, light, and the mind’s attention all come together in this way.

3.13.32: The Self that carries the subtle body stays like water in the sky. In the same way, imagine a tiny spark of fire swelling up in that subtle body.

3.13.33: Even though it is not Real, it looks like something true, just like the word “Living Being” that stands for Brahm. In this manner, the meaning of the word “Living Being” becomes full of imagined ideas and gets mixed up.

3.13.34: The Self that has the subtle body looks like the sky made of mind. At the end of its own imagining, it sees a whole circle of shapes standing there.

3.13.35: One kind of Living Being knows only the water it is in. Another kind, like a great king in its true form, sees and even experiences the future plan of the whole universe egg.

Summary of the Teachings:

The verses explain how a tiny Living Being (jiva) creates its own world inside dreams and thoughts. The Awareness in the jiva knows everything by itself, even though it stays in a very small space. This Awareness is like a spark that shines from its True Nature all the way to the stars. The teaching shows that the jiva does not need anything outside to think or feel – it does everything on its own.

Next, the verses describe the Inner Space of the jiva. This Space holds the mind, heart, Knowledge, and True Existence. It is like a small shell that contains the whole starry sky. From this Space, the jiva starts to imagine an outside world. It feels “I want to see,” and its awareness spreads out through two openings (which later become eyes). In the same way, it plans all the other senses – skin for touch, ears for hearing, nose for smell, tongue for taste, and the moving air for actions.

The verses then show how the subtle body forms. This body is not solid; it is like water floating in the sky or a tiny fire that grows bigger. The jiva imagines senses, light, shapes, and the mind’s focus. All these things appear step by step from its own imagining. Even though the subtle body and its world are not real, they look real, just like the word “jiva” points to the unchanging Brahm but seems to be a separate person.

After that, the teaching says the jiva gets lost in its own made-up ideas. The subtle body is like a sky made of mind, and inside its imaginations, it sees a full circle of shapes – a whole Universe. Some jivas only know the small world they live in, like a fish that knows only water. But a jiva that acts like a great king sees its true form and even experiences the future plan of the entire Universe.

Overall, these verses teach that the jiva, the mind, and the world all come from the same Awareness. Nothing is truly separate or outside. Dreams, thoughts, senses, and the Universe are all imagined by the jiva inside itself. When the jiva understands this, it stops being confused by false ideas and rests in its Real Nature, which is the same as Brahm.