Ancient Knowledge from Indian Texts

Day 244 -  Why Lord Siva's Form is Unique Rama's question: Why does Lord Siva appear unclothed, living in cremation grounds, adorned with skulls, covered in ashes, and seemingly overcome by desires? Vasistha's response: The actions of divine beings like gods, enlightened sages, and liberated individuals do not follow ordinary rules or social norms—these are created by people who do not understand deeper truths. However, for the ignorant, who are strongly conditioned by their minds, rules are necessary to maintain order in society. Without these rules, chaos would reign, where the strong would overpower the weak. A wise person, on the other hand, naturally controls their desires and lives with awareness. They act spontaneously, without attachment to outcomes, like a coconut falling from a tree, unaffected by external events. Their actions are pure, beyond judgment, and they may choose to act or remain inactive. Even the divine beings like Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva take on inc...

  Day 243: The Nature of the Mind and Its Role in Bondage Understanding the Dynamics of the Mind and the Path to Liberation The Mind as the Source of Bondage Vasistha begins by emphasizing that the mind is the root cause of all bondage. He explains that the mind is a bundle of thoughts, impressions ( samskaras ), and desires ( vasanas ). When the mind identifies with the body, senses, and external objects, it creates the illusion of duality and separation. This illusion leads to attachment, desire, and suffering, which bind the jiva to the cycle of birth and death. The mind, when clouded by ignorance, perceives the world as real and independent, leading to the experience of pleasure and pain. Vasistha compares the mind to a mirror that reflects whatever it faces. When the mind is turned outward, it reflects the external world and becomes entangled in it. This entanglement is the source of bondage, as the mind loses sight of its true nature as pure consciousness. The Purification o...

  Day 242: The Subtle Body and the Notion of Rebirth Understanding the Ativahika and the Cycle of Birth Introduction On Day 242, Vasistha continues to explore the nature of the jiva and its connection to the physical and subtle bodies. He elaborates on how the jiva , through the subtle body known as puryastaka or ativahika , experiences the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The subtle body is the vehicle that carries the impressions and tendencies of the jiva from one life to the next, thus perpetuating the illusion of individuality and separation from the infinite consciousness. The Subtle Body: Ativahika Vasistha begins by explaining that the ativahika or puryastaka is the subtle body that accompanies the jiva throughout its journey across different lifetimes. This subtle body is composed of mind, intellect, ego, and the subtle forms of the five elements. It is this puryastaka that gives rise to the sense of individuality and the perception of the physical world. The sub...

  Day 241: The Nature of Perception and the Role of the Jiva Exploring the Illusory World The Illusory Nature of Perception Vasistha begins by explaining that the external world we perceive is not an independent reality but a projection of the jiva ’s consciousness. The jiva , due to its conditioning, sees this projection as something outside itself, thereby giving rise to the illusion of a separate, objective world. He emphasizes that this perception is like a reflection in a mirror. The mirror (consciousness) reflects the image (the world), but the reflection is not real; it is merely an appearance. Similarly, the world we experience is a reflection within consciousness, not an independent reality. The jiva ’s ignorance leads it to mistake this reflection for the true nature of reality, thus binding it further into the cycle of existence. The Role of the Senses and the Mind Vasistha explains that the senses and the mind are the primary instruments through which the jiva perceive...

  Day 240: Understanding Bondage and Liberation Unraveling the Layers of Conditioning Introduction Vasistha continues to delve into the concepts of bondage and liberation, explaining how the jiva (individual soul) becomes trapped in the cycle of birth and rebirth due to psychological conditioning. He elaborates on how this conditioning creates the illusion of separation from the infinite consciousness, leading to the experience of duality and suffering. Vasistha also discusses the different states of consciousness, outlining the path to liberation. The Role of Psychological Conditioning Vasistha explains that bondage arises from psychological conditioning, which shapes the jiva ’s perception of reality. This conditioning causes the jiva to identify with the body and mind, creating a sense of separation from the infinite consciousness. This identification leads to the experience of duality, suffering, and limitation. He compares conditioning to dust on a mirror. The mirror (the se...

  Day 239: The Beginning of the Journey Understanding the Illusion As we continue to embark on the journey with Vasistha and Rama, the very foundation of reality is questioned. The story begins with the sage Vasistha explaining to Rama the nature of the world they perceive around them. Vasistha, with his profound wisdom, emphasizes that what we consider to be real is not truly so. The world we see, the experiences we undergo, and the bodies we inhabit—all of these are part of an elaborate illusion crafted by the mind. The Illusory Nature of Reality Vasistha starts by describing how the world, as we perceive it, is essentially a projection of consciousness. This consciousness, infinite and boundless, manifests itself in various forms, giving rise to the universe and all its contents. However, these forms are not the ultimate reality; they are merely appearances, like reflections in a mirror. The reality behind these appearances is something far more profound, something that is beyon...

Day 238- Understanding the Story of the Hundred Rudras: A Journey Through Illusion and Reality The Yoga Vasistha   explores deep philosophical ideas through stories. One such story is the "Story of the Hundred Rudras," which helps us understand the nature of reality, illusion, and self-realization. The Swan Who Became Rudra The story begins with a swan who, upon seeing Lord Rudra (a form of the god Shiva), suddenly feels, "I am Rudra." This strong belief causes the swan to leave its body and actually become Rudra. Now, as Rudra, the swan begins to reflect on the strange nature of the world and life itself. Rudra's Realization Rudra, now fully aware of his transformation, starts to recall all his past lives. He realizes that everything he experienced was like a dream, a play of illusion known as Maya . He remembers being a monk, a king, a nymph, a deer, a creeper, and even a bee. Each time, he believed he was that specific form, and so he became it. This journey ...

Day 237:  The Legend of the Mendicant The Power of Thought Vasistha narrates the story of a mendicant whose purified mind could materialize thoughts. Tired of meditation, he dreamt of being born in a non-Brahmana family. He then dreamt of being a Brahmana, a king, and various other forms, each dream leading to another. The mendicant's mind, having been purified by meditation, possessed the power to materialize its thoughts. One day, tired of continuous meditation, he fancied birth as an illiterate person from a non-Brahmana family. Instantly, he became a tribesman and experienced life as Jivata. Cycle of Dreams In each dream, the mendicant experienced different lives, from a tribesman to a celestial nymph, a deer, a creeper, a bee, and an elephant. Each form led to another dream, illustrating the endless cycle of dreams and the power of the mind to create various realities. While living as Jivata, he got drunk, slept, and dreamt that he was a Brahmana endowed with scriptural know...

Day 236:  The Dreamlike Nature of Creation The Illusory World Rama asks how the world, though a dream of Brahma, appears so real. Vasistha explains that the first creation of Brahma is observed as real due to the infinite nature of consciousness. Creation, born of ignorance, appears solid due to the emergence of the ego-sense. Even though the world is a dream of the Creator, it appears real to those within the dream. The first creation of Brahma is observed as real because consciousness is infinite. The creation of the jiva also takes place everywhere. This creation, born of ignorance, appears solid due to the emergence of the ego-sense. The dreamer does not realize the evanescence of the objects seen in the dream; similarly, the cosmic dream of the Creator appears real. The Power of the Mind The mind has the power to create extraordinary phenomena, making the unreal appear real. This world, born of the unreal concept of the Creator’s dream, should be firmly rejected. The creati...

Day 235:  Attaining Liberation Nature of the Self The self is indestructible and eternal. The bodies have an end, but the self remains unchanged. Realizing the self as the witness of all changes leads to liberation. The self pervades all, from the creator to the blade of grass, and is the reality behind all forms. Krishna advises Arjuna to abandon mental conditioning and be a liberated soul. By giving up sorrow caused by relationships and being free from doubts, one attains the expansive vision of the self. Performing natural actions without attachment leads to liberation. The self is the witness of all changes and remains unaffected by them. By realizing the self as the witness, one attains liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The self is the reality behind all forms and pervades all beings. Overcoming Delusion Krishna advises Arjuna to abandon mental conditioning and be a liberated soul. By giving up sorrow caused by relationships and being free from doubts, one attain...

Day 234:  The Illusion of the World The Unreal Nature of the World Krishna explains that the world is an illusion, arising from the mysterious energy of the infinite consciousness. The self, which pervades all, is the reality behind the appearance of diversity. Realizing this truth leads to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The world is like an image in a mirror—intangible and without divisions. The infinite consciousness alone is the reality, and the world appearance is based on this reality. Arguments about the real or unreal nature of the world are of little consequence. Equanimity in Action One should remain equanimous in pleasure and pain, heat and cold. These experiences do not pertain to the self, which is eternal and omnipresent. Sense experiences arise from delusion, and the wise remain undisturbed, earmarked for liberation. Krishna teaches that one should perform actions without attachment to their fruits. True wisdom lies in seeing action in inaction and in...

Day 233:  The Path to Liberation Performing Duty Krishna emphasizes that Arjuna’s duty as a warrior, although involving violence, is noble and appropriate. Performing one’s natural duty, even if it seems despicable or unrighteous, is the best path to immortality. Engaging in action with the spirit of yoga and without attachment liberates one from bondage. Krishna advises Arjuna to be at peace, just as Brahman is peace. By performing all actions as offerings to Brahman, one becomes Brahman. Krishna teaches that one should perform all actions as offerings to Brahman, leading to instant realization and liberation. Krishna emphasizes that performing one’s duty, even if it appears despicable, is better than performing another’s duty perfectly. By engaging in natural actions without attachment, one becomes immortal. Even a fool's natural action is noble in his case. For a good person, it is even more valid. Equanimity and Renunciation True renunciation is the abandonment of hopes and a...

  Day 232:  Krishna’s Teachings to Arjuna Arjuna's Despondency Krishna and Arjuna play the roles of ordinary humans. When Arjuna sees his kinsmen on both sides of the battlefield, he becomes despondent and refuses to fight. At this moment, Krishna imparts the highest wisdom to Arjuna, leading to his spiritual awakening. Arjuna is distressed at the thought of fighting his relatives and teachers. He is filled with sorrow and confusion, questioning the purpose of the battle. At this critical juncture, Krishna begins to enlighten Arjuna with profound spiritual wisdom. Understanding the Self Krishna explains that the self is eternal and neither born nor dies. It is not killed when the body is killed. Ignorance lies in thinking that the self can kill or be killed. The infinite self, subtler than space, cannot be destroyed. Arjuna is advised to realize that he is unborn and eternal. Krishna tells Arjuna that the self is not the doer of actions. It is the egotistic and ignorant pers...