Day 259 - The Realization of True Freedom: Sikhidhvaja’s Awakening

Day 259 - The Realization of True Freedom: Sikhidhvaja’s Awakening

Sikhidhvaja’s Liberation

Sikhidhvaja, enlightened by Kumbha’s guidance, realized his delusion had vanished, and wisdom had emerged within him. He proclaimed that his ocean of illusion had been crossed, leaving him at peace, free from the false notion of "I," and filled with pure knowledge.

Kumbha responded by reaffirming that, in truth, there is no "I" or "you." Everything is Brahman, the ultimate reality, and words like "world" or "I" are empty notions. When one understands the insubstantiality of these ideas, what we once called the "world" is recognized as Brahman itself. The concept of bondage and liberation is tied to how one interprets the idea of self. Thinking "I am" creates bondage, while realizing "I am not" brings liberation. In the awareness of this truth, all notions subside, and only perfection remains.

The Illusion of Causality

Sikhidhvaja questioned if the world and Brahman were real, could Brahman be the cause of the world? Kumbha explained that causality is only assumed when there is a cause and effect. Since Brahman is without cause, the world cannot be its effect. The universe and everything in it is not born from Brahman, for Brahman has no seed or reason to create. The world, therefore, is simply a self-reflection of Brahman, an illusion that arises due to a misunderstanding.

Kumbha emphasized that the mind, or self-destruction, occurs when Brahman mistakenly considers itself as something separate. This error is temporary but gives rise to the world, which is only a notional existence. When right knowledge dawns, the illusion of the world ceases naturally.

The Nature of the Mind and the Universe

Sikhidhvaja asked about the existence of the mind and how it leads to the experience of the world. Kumbha explained that the mind is nothing but non-comprehension of truth, an illusion that clouds the vision of pure consciousness. The mind arises when the infinite consciousness veils itself with notions, but when the mind is understood as unreal, only the infinite consciousness remains.

Kumbha further explained that when this false perception disappears, so do the ideas of ego, mind, and world. In truth, only the infinite consciousness exists. The mind, the senses, and even the three worlds are part of this illusion, and nothing is ever truly born or dies.

Sikhidhvaja's Spiritual Awakening

Kumbha inquired if Sikhidhvaja had been fully awakened. Sikhidhvaja, grateful, admitted that by Kumbha’s grace, he had finally attained self-realization, wondering why it had eluded him for so long. Kumbha explained that only when the mind is quiet and desires have ceased can the teachings of the preceptor be truly understood. The spiritual efforts made in the past were not in vain—they prepared Sikhidhvaja for this moment of realization, where the impurities of his mind had been cleansed.

Through satsanga (holy company), Kumbha explained, Sikhidhvaja's karmas and the residual impressions of past actions had been destroyed. With the abandonment of the mind, Sikhidhvaja had finally been liberated, free from all sorrow and attachment.

Does a Liberated Person Have a Mind?

Sikhidhvaja asked Kumbha if the liberated person still has a mind and how they function in the world without it. Kumbha responded that while the psychological conditioning known as the mind causes rebirth, the liberated ones live with a mind free from such conditioning. This purified mind is not really a mind at all but pure light or sattva. The enlightened live in this state of sattva, while the ignorant are bound by the mind.

Supreme Renunciation and True Wisdom

Kumbha confirmed that Sikhidhvaja had attained complete renunciation and his mind had become as pure and vast as infinite space. He had reached a state of equilibrium and perfection, where all attachments had been abandoned without residue. Kumbha remarked that true happiness arises from equanimity, not from external austerities or rituals.

He emphasized that those who are unaware of their true nature cling to lesser things, seeking happiness through rituals or external efforts. However, self-knowledge provides a direct path to true fulfillment, beyond the ups and downs of austerities. In reality, everything arises and dissolves within the infinite consciousness, and once this is realized, even the need for spiritual practice disappears. All these indirect methods fade in the face of self-realization.

Cudala's Return and Sikhidhvaja's Meditation

After imparting this wisdom, Kumbha disappeared. Sikhidhvaja, reflecting on his words, entered into deep meditation, completely free from desires and firmly rooted in the unconditioned state of consciousness. Cudala, observing this transformation, returned to the palace to manage the affairs of the kingdom while Sikhidhvaja remained immersed in his inner state.

After three days, Cudala returned to the forest and found Sikhidhvaja still absorbed in deep meditation. Concerned that he might abandon his body in this state, she considered bringing him back to world-consciousness so they could rule the kingdom together and later abandon their bodies simultaneously.

She examined his body and found that the seed of individuality was still present, indicating that he had not yet fully attained final liberation.

Key Takeaways

1. True Wisdom is the Realization of Brahman: Sikhidhvaja’s delusion faded as he realized that the world, the ego, and the mind are all illusions. Only Brahman (the infinite consciousness) is real.

2. Renunciation of the Mind Leads to Liberation: The mind is the cause of bondage and suffering. When the mind and ego are renounced, one experiences pure consciousness and becomes liberated.

3. Liberation is a State of Pure Awareness: A liberated person functions without a conditioned mind, living in the state of sattva, a mind of pure light and awareness.

4. Self-Knowledge is the Direct Path: While austerities and rituals offer temporary relief, self-knowledge leads to lasting peace and freedom from all worldly attachments.

5. The Role of the Guru: Sikhidhvaja’s journey shows that true understanding arises when the mind is quiet and receptive, allowing the teachings of the preceptor (guru) to fully enter the heart.

Through Kumbha’s teachings, Sikhidhvaja awakened to the truth of non-duality and entered into a state of equanimity, free from the illusions of the world and self.