Day 228 - The Continuation of Rama and Vasistha's Dialogue

Day 228 - The Continuation of Rama and Vasistha's Dialogue

Rama's Inquiry on Sensory Experience

Rama said:

"What is to be known is known, what is to be seen is seen; we are all filled with the supreme truth, thanks to the nectarine wisdom of Brahman imparted by you. This fullness is filled with fullness. Fullness is born from fullness. Fullness fills fullness. In fullness, fullness is ever established. However, for the further expansion of awareness, I ask again: pray bear with me. The sense-organs are obviously present in all: yet how is it that the dead person does not experience sensations, though while living he experienced their objects through those organs?"

Vasistha's Explanation of Consciousness and Perception

Vasistha continued:

"Apart from pure consciousness, there are neither senses, nor the mind, nor even their objects. It is that consciousness alone which appears as the objects in nature and as the senses in the person. When that consciousness has apparently become the subtle body (puryastaka*), it reflects the external objects.

The Nature of the Jiva and Egosense

"The eternal and infinite consciousness is indeed free of all modifications; but when there arises the notion of 'I am' in it, that notion is known as the jiva. It is that jiva that lives and moves in this body. When the notion of 'I' arises (ahambhavana), it is known as egosense (ahamkara). When there are thoughts (manana), it is known as the mind (manas). When there is awareness (bodha), it is intelligence (buddhi). When seen (drs*) by the individual soul (indra), it is known as the sense (indriya). When the notion of the body prevails, it appears to be the body; when the notion of the object prevails, it appears to be the diverse objects. However, through the persistence of these notions, the subtle personality condenses into material substantiality. The same consciousness thereafter thinks 'I am the body', 'I am the tree', etc. Thus self-deluded, it rises and falls until it attains a pure birth and is spiritually awakened. Then by being devoted to the truth, it attains self-knowledge.

Perception of Objects

"I shall now tell you how it perceives the objects. I said that on account of the notion of 'I am', consciousness abides as jiva in the body. When its senses descend upon similar bodies outside itself, there is contact between the two and there is a desire to know (to become one with) them. When there is this contact, the object is reflected within oneself and the jiva perceives this reflection, though it believes that the reflection is outside! The jiva knows only this reflection, which means it knows itself. This contact is the cause of the perception of external objects; hence it is possible only in the case of the ignorant one whose mind is deluded and not in the case of the liberated sage. Of course, since the jiva (which is but a 'notion') and all the rest of it are inert and insentient, the reflection thus seen and experienced is in fact an optical illusion or intellectual perversion. The self is all-in-all all the time."

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Advisory to Modern Society

Embrace the understanding that what is perceived through the senses is not the ultimate reality but a reflection within consciousness. Realize that the self is the true essence, free from the limitations of the body and senses. Engage in the pursuit of self-knowledge and spiritual awakening to transcend illusions and perceive the oneness of all existence. Recognize that fullness and completeness are inherent in the self, and through this realization, attain peace and harmony in life.