Chapter 3.14, Verses 75–86

Yoga Vashishtha 3.14.75–86

(Consciousness is the One Reality that is Self-evident and ever-present)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

जगच्चित्पुष्पसौगन्ध्यं चिल्लताग्रफलं जगत् ।

चित्सत्तैव जगत्सत्ता जगत्सत्तैव चिद्वपुः ॥ ७५ ॥

अत्र भेदविकारादि नखे मलमिव स्थितम् ।

इतीदं सन्मयत्वेन सदसद्भुवनत्रयम् ॥ ७६ ॥

अविकल्पतदात्मत्वात्सत्तासत्तैकतैव च ।

अवयवावयविता शब्दार्थौ शशशृङ्गवत् ॥ ७७ ॥

अनुभूत्यपलापाय कल्पितो यैर्धिगस्तु तान् ।

न विद्यते जगद्यत्र साद्र्यब्ध्युर्वीनदीश्वरम् ॥ ७८ ॥

चिदेकत्वात्प्रसङ्गः स्यात्कस्तत्रेतरविभ्रमः ।

शिलाहृदयपीनापि स्वाकाशे विशदैव चित् ॥ ७९ ॥

धत्तेऽन्तरखिलं शान्तं संनिवेशं यथा शिला ।

पदार्थनिकराकाशे त्वयमाकाशजो मलः ॥ ८० ॥

सत्तासत्तात्मतात्वत्तामत्ताश्लेषा न सन्ति ते ।

पल्लवान्तरलेखौघसंनिवेशवदाततम् ॥ ८१ ॥

अन्यानन्यात्मकमिदं धत्तेऽन्तश्चित्स्वभावतः ।

समस्तकारणौघानां कारणादि पितामहः ॥ ८२ ॥

स्वभावतो कारणात्म चित्तं चिद्ध्यनुभूतितः ।

न चासत्त्वमचेत्यायाश्चितो वाचापि सिद्ध्यति ॥ ८३ ॥

यदस्ति तदुदेतीति दृष्टं बीजादिवाङ्कुरः ॥ ८४ ॥

गगन इव सुशून्यभेदमस्ति त्रिभुवनमङ्ग महाचितोऽन्तरस्याः ।

परमपदमयं समस्तदृश्यं त्विदमिति निश्चयवान्भवानुभूतेः ॥ ८५ ॥

इत्युक्तवत्यथ मुनौ दिवसो जगाम सायतनाय विधयेऽस्तमिनो जगाम।

स्नातुं सभा कृतनमस्करणा जगाम श्यामाक्षये रविकरैश्च सहाजगाम ॥ ८६ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta concluded:

3.14.75  

The world is the fragrance of the flower of Pure Consciousness. The world is the fruit that hangs on the creeper of Pure Consciousness. The very existence of the world is nothing but Consciousness; the very body-substance of Consciousness is nothing but the existence of the world.

3.14.76  

In this (Pure Consciousness), differences, changes, and all modifications exist merely like dirt under a fingernail. Therefore, this entire triple world—whether Real or unreal—is nothing but the Real (Sat).

3.14.77  

Because it is without any mental modification and is the Self of everything, Existence and non-existence are one and the same. The notions of “part” and “whole” are mere words, like the “horn of a hare”—they have no Reality.

3.14.78  

Woe to those who, in order to deny direct experience, imagine a world! In truth, there is no world at all—neither mountains, nor oceans, nor rivers, nor earth, nor God.

3.14.79  

Since Consciousness is one alone, how can any “other” delusion arise there? Even a heart hard as stone has a clear sky-like space within; Consciousness is always pure and transparent.

3.14.80  

Just as a rock silently holds everything within itself in perfect peace, so does Consciousness contain the entire arrangement of things within its own sky-like space. This apparent impurity (the world) is born of that very sky of Consciousness.

3.14.81  

There is no embracing of Existence, non-existence, Selfhood, or otherness. It is spread out like the host of delicate lines inside a tender leaf.

3.14.82  

By its own Nature, Consciousness contains within itself everything that appears as “other.” It is the grandfather, the Primal Cause of all Causes and the entire multitude of Causes.

3.14.83  

By its very Nature Consciousness is the Cause; it is Consciousness because it is directly experienced. Non-existence or unconsciousness can never be proved of Consciousness even by words.

3.14.84  

Whatever truly exists, that alone arises—just as a sprout arises only from a Real seed.

3.14.85  

O dear One, the three worlds exist within the Great Consciousness like an absolutely empty differentiation in the sky. Know with certainty through your own direct experience that this entire visible Universe is nothing but the Supreme State.

3.14.86  

After the Sage had spoken thus, the day came to an end and the Sun went to its resting place. The assembly, having bowed down, went to bathe; the sun’s rays also departed along with the dark-blue horizon.

Summary of the Teachings:

The verses emphatically declare the complete identity between the world and Pure Consciousness (Chit). The world is not something separate that exists outside Consciousness; it is the fragrance, fruit, and very body of Consciousness itself. Its apparent Existence is nothing but the existence of Consciousness, and the substance of Consciousness is nothing but the world. There is no real duality—whatever appears as the universe is Brahm alone.

All distinctions, modifications, parts, wholes, Existence, non-existence, Self and other are mere verbal illusions or fleeting appearances, like dirt on a nail or lines on a tender leaf. They have no Ultimate Reality. Even the grand ideas of Creation, Causes, gods, mountains, oceans, and rivers are imagined only to deny the direct, non-conceptual experience of Pure Consciousness. In truth, none of these exist apart from Consciousness.

Consciousness is the One Reality that is Self-evident and ever-present. It is the Primal Cause of all causes, the grandfather of the entire chain of causation, yet it remains untouched and unchanging. Non-existence or unconsciousness can never be attributed to it, because it is the very ground of all experience. Only that which truly exists (Consciousness) can ever arise or appear; unreal things never come into being at all.

The three worlds and everything seen are like empty differentiations in the Infinite sky of Consciousness—there is no real substance to them. The wise person, through firm direct experience, recognises this entire visible universe as nothing but the supreme, non-dual state of pure Being-Consciousness.

Thus Vasishta concludes this teaching, and the day ends, symbolising that when the light of this knowledge dawns, all apparent multiplicity naturally subsides, just as the sun sets and the world of daily activity comes to rest.

Chapter 3.14, Verses 64–74

Yoga Vashishtha 3.14.64–74

(The world is the movement of the wind of Consciousness)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

स्वयं विचित्रं स्फुरति चिदण्डकमनाहतम् ।

स्वयं विलक्षणस्पन्दं चिद्वायुरण्डजात्मकः ॥ ६४ ॥

स्वयं विचित्रं कचनं चिद्वारि न निखातगम् ।

स्वयं विचित्रधातुत्वं श्रेष्ठाङ्गमपि निर्मितम् ॥ ६५ ॥

स्वविचित्ररसोल्लासा चिज्ज्योत्स्ना सततोदिता ।

स्वयं चिदेव प्रकटश्चिदालोको महात्मकः ॥ ६६ ॥

स्वयमस्तं गते बाह्ये स्वज्ञानादुदिता चितिः ।

स्वयं जडेषु जाड्येन पदं सौषुप्तमागता ॥ ६७ ॥

स्वयं स्पन्दितयास्पन्दिचित्त्वाच्चिति महानभ ।

चित्प्रकाशप्रकाशो हि जगदस्ति च नास्ति च ॥ ६८ ॥

चिदाकाशैकशून्यत्वं जगदस्ति च नास्ति च ।

चिदालोकमहारूपं जगदस्ति च नास्ति च ॥ ६९ ॥

चिन्मारुतपरिस्पन्दो जगदस्ति च नास्ति च ।

चिद्धनध्वान्तकृष्णत्वं जगदस्ति च नास्ति च ॥ ७० ॥

चिदर्कालोकदिवसो जगदस्ति च नास्ति च ।

चित्कज्जलरजस्तैलपरमाणुर्जगत्क्रमः ॥ ७१ ॥

चिदग्न्यौष्ण्यं जगल्लेखा जगच्चिच्छङ्खशुक्लता ।

जगच्चिच्छैलजठरं चिज्जलद्रवता जगत् ॥ ७२ ॥

जगच्चिदिक्षुमाधुर्यं चित्क्षीरस्निग्धता जगत् ।

जगच्चिद्धिमशीतत्वं चिज्ज्वालाज्वलनं जगत् ॥ ७३ ॥

जगच्चित्सर्षपस्नेहो वीचिश्चित्सरितो जगत् ।

जगच्चित्क्षौद्रमाधुर्यं जगच्चित्कनकाङ्गदम् ॥ ७४ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta continued:

3.14.64  

The Consciousness-egg (the Universe) shines by itself in wonderful variety, without being struck by anything. The wind of Consciousness itself moves in a unique way and takes the form of the Cosmic egg.

3.14.65  

The water of Consciousness shines in endless variety without ever falling. Consciousness itself has created even the best body with its many parts.

3.14.66  

The moonlight of Pure Consciousness always rises with delightful taste. Consciousness itself appears as the great light of Awareness.

3.14.67  

When the outer world sets (disappears), Consciousness rises by its own Knowledge. It then reaches the state of deep sleep by making even inert things inert.

3.14.68  

Because Consciousness vibrates, the great sky vibrates with it. The light of Consciousness shines, so the world both exists and does not exist.

3.14.69  

The world is pure emptiness like the sky of Consciousness – it both exists and does not exist. The world is the great form of the light of Consciousness – it both exists and does not exist.

3.14.70  

The world is the movement of the wind of Consciousness – it both exists and does not exist. The world is the blackness of the darkness in consciousness – it both exists and does not exist.

3.14.71  

The world is the daylight of the Sun of Consciousness – it both exists and does not exist. The world arises like soot particles, dust, and oil drops in Pure Consciousness.

3.14.72  

The world is the heat-line of the fire of Consciousness; the world is the whiteness of the conch of Consciousness. The world is the inside of the mountain of Consciousness; the world is the liquidity of the water of Consciousness.

3.14.73  

The world is the sweetness of the sugarcane of Consciousness; the world is the smoothness of the milk of Consciousness. The world is the coolness of the snow of Consciousness; the world is the burning flame of Consciousness.

3.14.74  

The world is the oil in the sesame of Consciousness; the waves are the rivers of Consciousness – that is the world. The world is the sweetness of the honey of Consciousness; the world is the golden ornament of Consciousness.

Summary of teachings:

1. Everything in the Universe – space, air, water, light, bodies – arises only from Pure Consciousness by its own power. Nothing outside is needed to create it.

2. Consciousness is like an unlimited sky that shines by itself. It plays in countless forms, yet it never really changes or gets limited.

3. When we think the world is there, it appears because Consciousness is awake and shining. When Consciousness rests (as in deep sleep), the world disappears.

4. The same Consciousness becomes the world in many ways – sometimes like light, sometimes like darkness, heat, coolness, sweetness, hardness, waves, gold – everything is just Consciousness appearing differently.

5. Therefore the world both exists and does not exist at the same time. It exists as an appearance in Consciousness, but in Reality there is only Pure Consciousness, nothing else.

Chapter 3.14, Verses 56–63

Yoga Vashishtha 3.14.56–63

(The jīva [individual soul] is nothing but the vibrating movement of Consciousness)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

यच्चिच्चित्त्वेन कचनं स्वसंपाद्याभिधात्मकम् ।

स्वविकारैर्व्यवच्छेद्यं भिद्यते नो न विद्यते ॥ ५६ ॥

चित्स्पन्दरूपिणोरस्ति न भेदः कर्तृकर्मणोः ।

स्पन्दमात्रं भवेत्कर्म स एव पुरुषः स्मृतः ॥ ५७ ॥

जीवश्चित्तपरिस्पन्दः पुंसां चित्तं स एव च ।

मनस्त्विन्द्रियरूपं सत्सत्तां नानेव गच्छति ॥ ५८ ॥

शान्ताशेषविशेषं हि चित्प्रकाशच्छटा जगत् ।

कार्यकारणकादित्वं तस्मादन्यन्न विद्यते ॥ ५९ ॥

अच्छेद्योऽहमदाह्योऽहमक्लेद्योऽशोष्य एव च ।

नित्यः सर्वगतः स्थाणुरचलोऽहमिति स्थितम् ॥ ६० ॥

विवदन्ते तथा ह्यत्र विवदन्तो यथा भ्रमैः ।

भ्रमयन्तो वयं त्वेते जाता विगतविभ्रमाः ॥ ६१ ॥

दृश्ये मूर्ते ज्ञसंरूढे विकारादि पृथग्भवेत् ।

नामूर्ते तज्ज्ञकचिते चित्खे सदसदात्मनि ॥ ६२ ॥

चित्तरौ चेत्यरसतः शक्तिः कालादिनामिकाम् ।

तनोत्याकाशविशदां चिन्मधुश्रीः स्वमञ्जरीम् ॥ ६३ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta continued: 

3.14.56  

That which shines as Consciousness (cit) never truly becomes the mind (citta), yet it appears as mind through its own self-created modifications. Because of these very modifications it seems separated and divided, but in reality it is neither divided nor does it ever cease to exist.

3.14.57  

Between the Pure Consciousness (cit) and its vibration (spanda), there is no real difference between the doer and the action. The vibration alone is the action, and that very vibration is called the individual person (puruṣa).

3.14.58  

The jīva (individual soul) is nothing but the vibrating movement of Consciousness. The mind of Beings is that very same Consciousness. The mind that takes the form of the senses never truly becomes many separate entities; it remains One.

3.14.59  

The world is Pure Consciousness that has become calm and free of all distinctions, yet it shines forth as the manifold Universe. There is nothing else—no effect, no cause, no beginning—at all different from it.

3.14.60  

“I am unbreakable, unburnable, undissolvable, undryable, eternal, all-pervading, immovable, unchanging”—this is the firm Truth.

3.14.61  

Here in this world people argue and quarrel exactly the way deluded dreamers quarrel in a dream. We ourselves were once such quarrelling dreamers, but now we have awakened and all delusion has vanished.

3.14.62  

When Consciousness becomes identified with the seen, with forms and objects, then modifications, differences, and separateness appear. But in the Formless, in Pure Consciousness that Knows Itself, in the sky of pure intelligence which is both Being and non-being—there no separateness ever arises.

3.14.63  

From the mind and its objects, which are unreal, arises a power that carries names such as time, etc. Yet the Pure Consciousness, beautiful like honey, spreads forth its own clear, sky-like blossom of Pure Being.

Summary of the Teachings:

These verses emphatically declare the absolute non-duality of Pure Consciousness 

(cit). Consciousness never truly becomes the mind, the individual soul, or the world; it only appears to do so through its own self-modifications (vikāra). What we call mind (citta), individual person (puruṣa), or living being (jīva) is nothing but a momentary vibration (spanda) within the one Undivided Consciousness. There is no real division between doer and deed, subject and object, or cause and effect. Everything that appears as separate is merely Consciousness playing with Itself, never actually leaving its own Nature.

The world, the body, Time, Space, and all causality are only apparent superimpositions on the One Conscious Reality. Just as waves are never different from the ocean, all actions, agents, and objects are nothing but the self-vibration of Consciousness. When this vibration calms down, the entire Universe dissolves back into the peaceful, distinctionless shining of Pure Consciousness. Nothing exists apart from it—no creation, no dissolution, no bondage, no liberation.

The True Nature of the Self is described in the famous words of the Upaniṣads: unbreakable, unburnable, eternal, all-pervading, and immovable. 

These are not qualities added to the Self; they are direct pointers to what remains when all false identification with body, mind, and world is dropped. The moment one firmly abides in this understanding, all sense of limitation falls away.

All philosophical disputes, arguments, and sectarian quarrels are like the quarrels of people inside a dream who have forgotten they are dreaming. Those who Realize the Truth wake up from the dream of individuality and multiplicity. Once awake, they see that there was never anyone to quarrel, never anything to argue about. The awakened ones smile at their own former confusion.

Finally, even the concepts of Time, Space, Causality, and the power that seems to create the Universe arise only from the unreal interplay of mind and its objects. Pure Consciousness itself remains untouched, clear, and luminous like Space or sweet honey. It effortlessly manifests its own infinite possibility without ever becoming limited or divided. To rest as this Conscious sky—free of all distinctions of Real and unreal—is the highest teaching of these verses.

Chapter 3.14, Verses 46–55

Yoga Vashishtha 3.14.46–55

(The individual jiva and the sense of “I” are nothing more than a slight stir or imagination within Consciousness)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

चितश्चेत्यमहंकारः सैव राघव कल्पना।

तन्मात्रादि चिदेवातो द्वित्वैकत्वे क्व संस्थिते ॥ ४६ ॥

जीवहेत्वादिसंत्यागे त्वं चाहं चेति संत्यज ।

शेषः सदसतोर्मध्ये भवत्यर्थात्मको भवेत् ॥ ४७ ॥

चिता यथादौ कलिता स्वसत्ता सा तथोदिता ।

अभिन्ना दृश्यते व्योम्नः सत्तासत्ते न विद्महे ॥ ४८ ॥

विश्वं खं जगदीहाख्यं खमस्ति विबुधालयः ।

साकारश्चिच्चमत्काररूपत्वान्नान्यदस्ति हि ॥ ४९ ॥

यो यद्विलासस्तस्मात्स न कदाचन भिद्यते ।

अपि सावयवं तस्मात्कैवानवयवे कथा ॥ ५० ॥

चितेर्नित्यमचेत्याया निर्नाम्न्या वितताकृतेः ।

यद्रूपं जगतो रूपं तत्तत्स्फुरणरूपिणः ॥ ५१ ॥

मनो बुद्धिरहंकारो भूतानि गिरयो दिशः।

इति या यास्तु रचनाश्चितस्तत्त्वाज्जगत्स्थितेः ॥ ५२॥

चितेश्चित्त्वं जगद्विद्धि नाजगच्चित्त्वमस्ति हि ।

अजगत्त्वादचिच्चित्स्याद्भानाद्भेदो जगत्कुतः ॥ ५३ ॥

चितेर्मरीचिबीजस्य निजा यान्तश्चमत्कृतिः ।

सा चैषा जीवतन्मात्रमात्रं जगदिति स्थिता ॥ ५४ ॥

चित्तात्स्वशक्तिकचनं यदहंभावनं चितः ।

जीवः स्पन्दनकर्मात्मा भविष्यदभिधो ह्यसौ ॥ ५५ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta continued:

3.14.46: Consciousness (chit), the objects of Consciousness (chetya), and ego (ahankara) – all these are nothing but the same Consciousness, O Rama. They are mere imagination (kalpana). Therefore, where can duality or oneness truly exist?

3.14.47: When you completely give up the ideas of “jiva (individual soul)”, “cause of jiva”, etc., and also abandon the notions “you” and “I”, what remains in the middle – neither Real nor unreal – becomes the Pure meaning (Essence) itself.

3.14.48: The Pure Existence that Consciousness first imagined for itself is the very same Existence that has now arisen. It appears undivided, just like the existence of empty Space. We do not find any real Existence or non-existence in it.

3.14.49: The Universe is empty Space; this world called “jagat” is empty Space; the abode of the gods is empty Space. Yet because Consciousness has the nature of wonderful play with forms, nothing else truly exists apart from it.

3.14.50: Whatever play or manifestation arises from Consciousness never separates from it even for a moment. Even something that has parts does not become separate from that which has no parts – so how could anything without parts ever be different?

3.14.51: The form that the world has is exactly the form of the Eternal Consciousness that has no objects, no name, and no fixed shape. It is nothing but the throbbing, sparkling, self-radiance of Consciousness itself.

3.14.52: Mind, intellect, ego, the five elements, mountains, directions – all the countless creations that appear are nothing but constructions arising from the One Reality of Consciousness in which the world exists.

3.15.53: Know the world to be nothing but the “Consciousness-Nature” of Pure Consciousness. The world has no separate “Consciousness-Nature” of its own. Because the world is Unborn, Consciousness remains non-dual. When there is only the shining of Consciousness, from where can any difference or separation in the world arise?

3.14.54: The inner wonder and play that belongs to Consciousness – the seed that is like a mirage – that very play has settled and become this world consisting only of jivas and the subtle elements (tanmatras).

3.14.55: The slight movement or vibration in Consciousness, produced by its own power, that takes the form of “I am” – that is the jiva. It is nothing but vibrating activity and will become whatever it imagines in the future.

Summary of the Teachings:

The core message of these verses is absolute non-dualism (advaita): everything that appears as the world, the individual ego, objects, space, gods, elements, and even the sense of “I” and “you” is nothing but Pure Consciousness (chit) playfully imagining Itself. There is no second thing at any time. Duality and oneness are themselves only apparent concepts within the same Consciousness; they have no ultimate location or Reality.

When all superimposed ideas – such as “I am the jiva”, “the jiva has causes”, “this is mine”, “that is other”, “you exist”, “I exist” – are completely dropped, what remains is neither existent nor non-existent in the ordinary sense. It is the Pure Essence or meaning (artha) that is beyond both Being and non-being, like the empty sky that has no substance yet appears vast.

The Universe is repeatedly described as pure empty Space (kha, vyoman), yet this emptiness is alive with the wondrous play (chamatkara, vilasa) of Consciousness taking apparent forms. Mountains, directions, bodies, minds, and gods are mere momentary ripples or sparkles (sphurana) in that single Formless Consciousness. Nothing ever separates from it, just as waves never separate from the ocean or sunlight never separates from the Sun.

Because the world is unborn (ajagat), it never truly comes into existence apart from Consciousness. It alone shines as everything; the world has no independent Consciousness of its own. Therefore, no real difference or division can ever arise. The apparent Creation is only Consciousness vibrating within itself through its own inherent power (svashakti).

Finally, the individual jiva and the sense of “I” are nothing more than a slight stir or imagination within that same Consciousness. This stir identifies itself as a separate doer and enjoyer and then projects a future, past, and present. Yet even this jiva and its entire world is only Consciousness playing, never anything else. Realizing this directly ends all delusion.

Chapter 3.14, Verses 36–45

Yoga Vashishtha 3.14.36–45

(The feeling of “I” starts from very small Beings and gradually becomes stronger until One Realizes the True Infinite Self)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

चेत्यसंवेदनाज्जीवो भवत्यायाति संसृतिम् ।

तदसंवेदनाद्रूपं समायाति समं पुनः ॥ ३६ ॥

एवं कनिष्ठजीवानां ज्येष्ठजीवक्रमाक्रमैः ।

समुदेत्यात्मजीवत्वं ताम्राणामिव हेमता ॥ ३७ ॥

अत्रान्तरे महाकाश इत्थमेष गणोऽप्यसन् ।

स्वात्मैव सदिवोदेति चिच्चमत्करणात्मकः ॥ ३८ ॥

स्वयमेव चमत्कारो यः समापद्यते चितः।

भविष्यन्नामदेहादि तदहंभावनं विदुः ॥ ३९ ॥

चितो यस्माच्चिदालेहस्तन्मयत्वादनन्तकः ।

स एष भुवनाभोग इति तस्यां प्रबिम्बति ॥ ४० ॥

परिणामविकारादिशब्दैः सैव चिदव्यया ।

तादृग्रूपादभेद्यापि स्वशक्त्यैव विबुध्यते ॥ ४१ ॥

अविच्छिन्नविलासात्म स्वतो यत्स्वदनं चितः ।

चेत्यस्य च प्रकाशस्य जगदित्येव तत्स्थितम् ॥ ४२ ॥

आकाशादपि सूक्ष्मैषा या शक्तिर्वितता चितः ।

सा स्वभावत एवैतामहंतां परिपश्यति ॥ ४३ ॥

आत्मन्यात्मात्मनैवास्या यत्प्रस्फुरति वारिवत् ।

जगदन्तमहंताणुं तदैषा संप्रपश्यति ॥ ४४ ॥

चमत्कारकरी चारु यच्चमत्कुरुते चितिः ।

स्वयं स्वात्मनि तस्यैव जगन्नाम कृतं ततः ॥ ४५ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta continued:

3.14.36  

As soon as the Pure Consciousness (Chit) becomes aware of any object of thought (chetya), a individual soul (jiva) is born, and because of that awareness, the cycle of birth and death (samsara) begins. When that same Consciousness stops being aware of any object, it again becomes calm, even, and peaceful, just like pure sky with no clouds.

3.14.37  

In this way, among the lower or ordinary living beings, step by step, from the smallest souls to the highest souls, the feeling of “I am the Self” arises, just like ordinary copper gradually turns into gold through many processes.

3.14.38  

In the meantime, this great emptiness (maha-akash, Pure Space of Consciousness) which actually has no crowd or group at all, still appears as if it has many Beings. It rises as Pure Consciousness that is full of wonder and Self-Awareness.

3.14.39  

The wonder (chamatkar) that Consciousness itself feels within itself, and the future thought of “I will have a name, a body, and so on” – Wise people know that this very thought of “I am this” is the root of everything.

3.14.40  

Because Consciousness is endlessly touching and embracing itself (chid-aaleha), everything becomes made only of Consciousness. That is why the whole expanse of the world appears as a reflection inside that Consciousness.

3.14.41  

The same Unchanging Consciousness is called by words like “change”, “modification”, “transformation”, etc. Even though it can never really be cut or divided, it appears to know itself differently through its own power.

3.14.42  

The unbroken play and sweet self-tasting that belongs only to Consciousness, and the shining of objects that can be known – all this together is steadily present as what we call “the world”.

3.14.43  

This power of Consciousness is subtler than even the emptiest sky and spreads everywhere. By its own Nature only, it keeps seeing the feeling of “I” (ahanta, ego).

3.14.44  

When waves of the Self sparkle inside the Self by the Self alone, just like waves in the ocean, Consciousness clearly sees the world along with the tiny “I”-feeling inside it.

3.14.45  

The beautiful wonder-making power that Consciousness itself plays within itself – because of that play, the name “world” has been given to that very play inside its own Self.

Summary of the Teachings:

These ten verses explain how the One Pure Consciousness, which is originally calm and without any second thing, itself becomes the individual soul and the entire world simply through its own power of Self-Awareness and wonder. When Consciousness starts “Knowing” or “feeling” any thought-object, the limited jiva and the chain of births and deaths appear. When it stops that Knowing, everything again becomes the same peaceful Consciousness. Nothing actually happens to Consciousness itself; it never changes or gets divided.

Consciousness is compared to Pure Space (akasha) that is empty yet appears full of countless Beings. Just as copper can be turned into gold step by step, ordinary limited souls can rise to the Highest Realization of being the Pure Self. The feeling of “I” (ahamkara) starts from very small Beings and gradually becomes stronger until One Realizes the True Infinite Self.

The main Cause of the world is the inherent wonder in Consciousness. It enjoys tasting itself, embraces itself, and feels delighted in itself. This Self-delight and Self-wonder is mistakenly taken as “I am this body, this name, these things”. That very mistaken feeling projects the whole Universe as a reflection inside Consciousness, just as a mirror shows images without leaving the mirror.

Even words like change, modification, or transformation are used for Consciousness, but they are only apparent. 

Consciousness is Unchanging, indivisible, and Eternal. Yet by its own free power (shakti), which is subtler than the subtlest space, it plays as if it becomes many. This play is continuous, unbroken, and sweet – it is the Self-enjoyment of Consciousness.

Finally, the world is nothing but the beautiful play of Consciousness wondering at Itself inside Itself. There is no Real Creation, no Real world outside Consciousness. The moment one truly sees that the wave is only water, the tiny “I” and the vast world both dissolve into the one ocean of Pure Consciousness, and only peace and wonder remain as one’s own True Nature.

Chapter 3.14, Verses 28–35

Yoga Vashishtha 3.14.28-35

(Only Brahm, the Maha-Jiva, really exists forever. Countless jivas and Universes appear for some time because of its wish, just like millions of dreams appear in one sleeping person)

श्रीराम उवाच ।

एवमेतत्कथं ब्रह्मन्नेकजीवेच्छयाखिलाः।

जगज्जीवा न युज्यन्ते महाजीवैकतावशात् ॥ २८ ॥

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

महाजीवात्म तद्ब्रह्म सर्वशक्तिमयात्मकम् ।

स्थितं तथेच्छमेवेह निर्विभागं निरन्तरम् ॥ २९ ॥

यदेवेच्छति तत्तस्य भवत्याशु महात्मनः ।

पूर्वं तेनेष्टमिच्छादि ततो द्वित्वमुदेति यत् ॥ ३० ॥

पश्चाद्द्वित्वविभक्तानां स्वशक्तीनां प्रकल्पितः ।

अनेनेत्थं हि भवतीत्येवं तेन क्रियाक्रमः ॥ ३१ ॥

तं विनानुदये त्वासां प्रधानेच्छैव रोहति।

शक्त्या ह्यजातया ब्राह्म्या नियमोऽयं प्रकल्पितः ॥ ३२ ॥

यस्या जीवाभिधानायाः शक्त्यपेक्षा फलत्यसौ ।

प्रधानशक्तिनियमानुष्ठानेन विना न तु ॥ ३३ ॥

प्रधानशक्तिनियमः सुप्रतिष्ठो न चेद्भवेत् ।

तत्फलं शक्त्यधीनत्वान्नेहितानां क्वचिद्भवेत् ॥ ३४ ॥

एवं ब्रह्म महाजीवो विद्यतेऽन्तादिवर्जितः ।

जीवकोटि महाकोटि भवत्यथ न किंचन ॥ ३५ ॥

Sriram asked:

3.14.28: O Brahman, if everything happens only because of the wish of one single Great Being (Maha-Jiva), then how can countless small living beings (jivas) and the whole world appear? It does not make sense that millions of jivas should appear just because of the will of One Great Jiva.

Maharishi Vashishta answered:

3.14.29: That Great Jiva is itself Brahm. It is full of all powers and has no divisions inside it. It remains forever as Pure wish alone, without any break or separation.

3.14.30: Whatever this Great Being wishes instantly becomes true for Him. In the beginning, He first wished “I want this and that.” Because of that first wish, the feeling of two things (duality) arises.

3.14.31: Later, He divides His own powers into many parts and decides: “By this power it will happen in this way, by that power it will happen in that way.” In this manner, He Himself creates the order of actions and events.

3.14.32: Without Him, none of these divided powers can ever arise or do anything. The main rule is that the great Brahm power must first wish; only then can the smaller powers start working. This rule is set by the Unborn Brahm-power itself.

3.14.33: The power that is called “jiva” (individual soul) needs the help of that main power to get its results. The jiva cannot get anything without following the laws set by the main power.

3.14.34: If the law of the main power is not firmly established and followed, then no result desired by the smaller powers can ever happen anywhere, because all results depend completely on that main power.

3.14.35: In this way, only Brahm, the Great Jiva, truly exists. It has no inside or outside, no beginning or end. Then millions and billions of small jivas appear, and later nothing at all remains (everything dissolves back into Brahm).

Summary of the Teaching:

These verses answer Rama’s doubt: “If there is only one Reality, how do many jivas and the world appear?” Vasistha explains that the highest Reality is Brahm, which is also called the Maha-Jiva (the Great Living Being). This Brahm is Pure, Unlimited Consciousness full of all powers. It has no divisions, no second thing exists beside it. Everything that seems to happen starts only from its own free wish.

In the beginning, Brahm is alone and wishes to experience something. The very first wish (“I want this”) creates the idea of duality – “I” and “this.” From that single wish, the appearance of two arises. All later multiplicity (many jivas, many worlds) comes only from this first movement of desire in the One Consciousness.

Brahm then splits its own infinite power into countless smaller powers and gives each a particular role and order: “You will do this, you will do that.” It sets fixed rules (niyama) so that everything happens in sequence. These rules are not made by anyone else; Brahm itself decides the laws of Creation while remaining Unborn and Unchanging.

Every individual jiva is nothing but one tiny part of Brahm’s power. A jiva can never act independently or get any result on its own. It is completely dependent on the main power of Brahm. If the great law set by Brahm is not followed, no small power can produce any fruit. All success, all experience, all worlds depend totally on the wish and law of the one Great Jiva.

Finally, the teaching is clear: only Brahm, the Maha-Jiva, really exists forever. Countless jivas and universes appear for some time because of its wish, just like millions of dreams appear in one sleeping person. When the wish ends, everything dissolves, and again only the one undivided Brahm remains. There is never truly more than One Reality; the many are only a temporary appearance inside the One Consciousness.

Chapter 3.14, Verses 18–27

Yoga Vashishtha 3.14.18–27

(Only Pure Consciousness exists, and I am That. When this Truth becomes unshakable, all bondage ends forever)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

एक एव न जीवोऽस्ति राशीनां संभवः कुतः ।

शशशृङ्गं समुड्डीय प्रयातीव हि ते वचः ॥ १८ ॥

न जीवोऽस्ति न जीवानां राशयः सन्ति राघव ।

न चैकः पर्वतप्रख्यो जीवपिण्डोऽस्ति कश्चन ॥ १९ ॥

जीवशब्दार्थकलनाः समस्तकलनान्विताः ।

नेह काश्चन सन्तीति निश्चयोऽस्तु तवाचलः ॥ २० ॥

शुद्धचिन्मात्रममलं ब्रह्मास्तीह हि सर्वगम् ।

तद्यथा सर्वशक्तित्वाद्विन्दते याः स्वयं कलाः ॥ २१ ॥

चिन्मात्रानुक्रमेणैव संप्रफुल्ललतामिव।

ननु मूर्ताममूर्ता वा तामेवाशु प्रपश्यति ॥ २२ ॥

जीवो बुद्धिः क्रियास्पन्दो मनोद्वित्वैक्यमित्यपि ।

स्वसत्तां प्रकचन्तीं तां नियोजयति वेदने ॥ २३ ॥

साऽबुद्धैव भवत्येवं भवेद्ब्रह्मैव बोधतः।

अबोधः प्रेक्षया याति नाशं न तु प्रबुध्यते ॥ २४ ॥

यथान्धकारो दीपेन प्रेक्ष्यमाणः प्रणश्यति ।

न चास्य ज्ञायते तत्त्वमबोधस्यैवमेव हि ॥ २५ ॥

एवं ब्रह्मैव जीवात्मा निर्विभागो निरन्तरः ।

सर्वशक्तिरनाद्यन्तो महाचित्साररूपवान् ॥ २६ ॥

सर्वानणुतया त्वस्य न क्वचिद्भेदकल्पना ।

विद्यते या हि कलना सा तदेवानुभूतितः ॥ २७ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta answered:

3.14.18  

There is not even one single jiva (individual soul) that truly exists. So how can there be heaps or groups of jivas? Your words that speak of many jivas are exactly like saying a “hare’s horn” (which does not exist at all) can fly high in the sky.

3.14.19  

O Raghava (Rama), no jiva really exists, and therefore no collections or crowds of jivas exist either. Nor is there any single huge mountain-like mass or lump made up of many jivas.

3.14.20  

All the ideas and meanings that the word “jiva” creates in the mind, together with every other imagination connected to it – none of these truly exist anywhere. Let this Truth become completely firm and unshaken in your mind.

3.14.21  

Only Pure Consciousness exists here – Spotless, Unlimited Awareness alone, the One Brahm that is present everywhere. Because this Brahm has all powers, it itself willingly takes on different forms and appearances (kalas), exactly as it wishes.

3.14.22  

Just like a creeper plant slowly opens and blooms flower after flower in a beautiful sequence, Pure Consciousness, remaining Formless, instantly sees and experiences its own Self-created forms – both with shape and without shape – as itself.

3.14.23  

The same Consciousness makes itself appear as the jiva (individual person), as buddhi (intellect), as the slight movement of action, as the feeling of “two-ness” (I and you). It then uses these appearances to experience the world of objects.

3.14.24  

When it remains unaware of its own True Nature, it becomes the ignorant jiva. When it awakens and knows itself, it is Brahm alone. Ignorance disappears simply by being looked at carefully; it does not need to be awakened – it simply vanishes.

3.14.25  

Just as darkness completely disappears the moment a lamp is brought and seen, and no one can later find any Real substance of that darkness, in exactly the same way the Ignorance called “I am a separate jiva” has no Real substance – it vanishes when True Knowledge shines.

3.14.26  

Therefore the jiva and the Supreme Self (Atman) are nothing but Brahm alone – without any parts, unbroken, full of all powers, with no beginning or end, and whose Real Form is the great ocean of Pure Consciousness.

3.14.27  

Because Brahm is smaller than the smallest atom and all-pervading, no real difference or division can ever be imagined in it. Whatever seeming division appears, that very appearance is nothing but Brahm itself when truly experienced.

Summary of the Teachings:

These verses present the highest non-dual teaching (advaita) of Vedanta: there is no real individual soul (jiva) separate from Brahm. The idea of many jivas, or even one huge collection of jivas, is completely imaginary, like believing a rabbit can grow a horn and fly. The moment we deeply examine the concept of “jiva,” we see that it has no Real existence at all. Only one thing truly exists – Pure, Limitless Consciousness (Brahm).

Brahm is Spotless Awareness that contains all powers. Out of its own free will and infinite creativity, it projects countless appearances – forms, minds, bodies, worlds – exactly like a dream arises in the mind of a sleeper. These appearances seem Real while we are under Ignorance, but they are never separate from Brahm itself. Even the sense of being a limited person (jiva), having an intellect, performing actions, or seeing “me” and “others” – all of this is only Brahm playing within itself.

Ignorance (avidya or ajnana) is the false belief “I am a separate jiva.” This Ignorance has no real substance; it is exactly like darkness, which seems to exist until light comes. The moment true knowledge dawns – the clear seeing that “I am Brahm alone” – ignorance instantly disappears without leaving a trace. No separate effort is needed to destroy Ignorance; simply looking at it with the light of Awareness is enough.

Therefore the jiva is not something that needs to be transformed or improved to become Brahm. The jiva was always Brahm alone. There never was any real division, limitation, beginning, or end. Brahm is part-less, endless, and all-pervading. Whatever differences appear are only temporary imaginations superimposed on the One Reality.

The final teaching is Realization through direct recognition: any sense of separation or individuality that seems to exist is nothing but Brahm itself when truly known. Rest firmly in this understanding – “Only Pure Consciousness exists, and I am That.” When this Truth becomes unshakable, all bondage ends forever, and one abides as the infinite, peaceful, ever-free Self.