Day 215 - The Lord's Explanation

Day 215 - The Lord's Explanation

Real and Unreal Universe

The Lord said that the universe is both real and unreal. The divine being, free of duality, unites and transcends these opposites. Manifest consciousness forms the universe, and the unmanifest universe is consciousness. When consciousness believes "I am this," it becomes bound, but it is freed by this very knowledge. Conceptualizing leads to self-forgetfulness, yet even in diversity and activity, consciousness remains undivided. It is the supremely peaceful Brahman that appears as the universe through the mind and its three modes: sattva, rajas, and tamas, or waking, dreaming, and sleeping.

Destroying the Mind's Illusions

When the mind destroys itself, the veil of illusion is lifted, and the truth is revealed. The notions of world appearance and individual existence vanish. The clear mind no longer clings to objective perceptions. This state is known as 'pasyanti'. In this pure state, the mind stops imagining objects and reaches a peace similar to deep sleep, going beyond the cycle of birth and death.

The Second State of Consciousness

In the second state, consciousness without the mind is pure light, free from darkness, and as beautiful as space. Infinite consciousness frees itself from all modifications and duality, transcending time and space. It remains as pure being beyond expression, surpassing the three states of consciousness, and exists in the fourth state of undivided infinite consciousness.

The Third State of Consciousness

The third state goes beyond even what is termed 'Brahman' or 'the self'. Known as turiya-atita (beyond the fourth state), it is supreme and ultimate. This state is indescribable, beyond all practices and understandings.

True Worship and Realization

The Sage's Guidance

The Lord advised the sage to remain forever in this third state, the true worship of the Lord. In this state, one goes beyond existence and non-existence, realizing that nothing has been created or destroyed. It is beyond duality, eternal, and pure consciousness, where diversity does not exist. This supreme blessedness and peace is beyond expression, the purest OM, transcendent and supreme.

(Valmiki said that after this, Lord Shiva remained in silent and deep contemplation for some time.)

Continuing Wisdom

After a period of silence, the Lord opened his eyes and continued, urging the sage to stop perceiving objects with the mind. He stated that those who know the self have seen all that is worth seeing. The body is alive and active due to the life force (prana). Without it, the body is inert. Consciousness, which is formless and purer than the sky, does not perish even when the life force leaves the body.

A pure mirror reflects what is in front of it, but a dirty mirror does not show reflections. Similarly, when the life force leaves the body, the intelligence ceases to reflect objects. Consciousness, though infinite and omnipresent, becomes aware of the mind and body's movements. When conceptualization is removed, consciousness shines as the supreme being, manifesting as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indra, the sun, the moon, and the supreme Lord.