Day 266 - The Story of Liberation: The Teachings of Vasistha

Day 266 - The Story of Liberation: The Teachings of Vasistha

The Nature of the Self and the Universe

Vasistha begins by explaining to Rama the profound truth about the universe and the self. He says that everything in the universe is essentially the same—the pure, non-dual consciousness. This self, which is the basis of all existence, is the only reality. There is no separate "I" or "mine" apart from this supreme self. Rama, curious about the need to perform good actions and avoid evil if everything is essentially one, asks Vasistha for more clarification.

Vasistha responds by asking Rama to consider what "action" really is. Actions, he says, arise from the body and are connected to the cycle of worldly existence, called samsara. Our actions, thoughts, and habits are rooted in the mind, and the mind itself comes from the conditioned consciousness (jiva). Ultimately, the root of all things is Brahman, the unconditioned reality. Thus, every action we do is based on this consciousness, but liberation comes when we stop identifying with these actions.

Understanding Action and Non-Attachment

Rama acknowledges that actions stem from mental habits and bodily senses. But Vasistha explains that the key to liberation lies in giving up the notion of "I" as the doer. True freedom does not come from abandoning action but from abandoning the belief that we are the ones doing the action. Enlightenment, he says, comes when one performs action spontaneously without attachment or ego.

Once the mind becomes free from its conditioning, there is no longer any attraction or repulsion toward objects or experiences. This leads to psychological freedom, which is the true state of peace known as Brahman. Vasistha stresses that real renunciation is about inner detachment, not about leaving worldly responsibilities.

The Illusion of Experience

Rama continues by asking how one can stop experiencing the world when life is full of experiences. Vasistha explains that experiences themselves are illusions, born from false understanding. By understanding that experiences arise from the mind’s conditioning, one can transcend them. This realization leads to nirvana, where the mind no longer clings to experiences or objects.

Good and bad actions, Vasistha says, cease to hold meaning when one understands that they do not exist in reality. Everything is rooted in consciousness, which is indivisible and infinite. Therefore, the root of action is destroyed when one realizes this truth.

Real Renunciation: Giving Up the Ego

Vasistha explains that true renunciation is not about giving up actions but about giving up the ego—the sense of "I" and "mine." The ego, which is responsible for our attachment to the world, is the source of all suffering. Once the ego is dissolved, the perception of the world as separate from oneself vanishes. The person who has given up the ego can live in peace and harmony without being disturbed by external events.

This renunciation, Vasistha emphasizes, is not an external act but an internal shift in understanding. It is about realizing that all ideas of individuality, ownership, and separation are false. When the ego fades away, the person remains in a state of eternal peace and freedom.

The End of the Ego and the Realization of Brahman

Vasistha goes on to describe nirvana as the state in which the ego-sense is completely quieted, and the world-appearance dissolves. In this state, the self shines in its own light, free from all conditioning and delusion. The ego is like a seed from which the universe sprouts. When that seed is destroyed, the sense of diversity dissolves, and all that remains is the indivisible, infinite consciousness of Brahman.

Vasistha encourages Rama to see that the self is all-encompassing, and nothing exists outside of it. By letting go of all notions of separation, one can attain liberation.

The Story of the Celestial's Awakening

To illustrate his teachings, Vasistha tells the story of a celestial being who had indulged in worldly pleasures for a long time. One day, the celestial realized that the pleasures he had been pursuing were fleeting and unsatisfying. He saw the futility of his sense-cravings and sought the guidance of the ancient sage Bhusunda.

The celestial approached Bhusunda and confessed that he had realized the destructive nature of his desires. He wanted to break free from the endless cycle of birth and death (samsara) and sought enlightenment. He described how the senses, which bring pleasure, ultimately lead to suffering and bondage. These desires, he said, are like an army led by the ego that constantly attacks the mind and body.

Bhusunda told him that the only way to overcome these desires is to firmly renounce all cravings for worldly pleasures. No medicines or rituals can cure this longing; only the strong determination to give up desire can lead to true freedom. Bhusunda’s wisdom helped the celestial realize that the senses are 

The Path to Liberation

Vasistha explains that the story of the celestial teaches us an important lesson: Liberation comes only when we overcome the desires of the senses and the ego. The true hero, according to Vasistha, is the one who battles the cravings of the senses and the ego and comes out victorious. The rest, he says, are like machines—mindlessly following their desires and suffering as a result.

The desire for worldly pleasures is like a disease that can only be cured by renouncing desire itself. This renunciation leads to freedom from samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Conclusion: Vasistha’s Teachings on Liberation

In his teachings, Vasistha emphasizes that the root of all suffering is the ego-sense. When the ego is destroyed, the mind becomes quiet, and the world-appearance disappears. The self, which is pure consciousness, then shines without any distractions or delusions. This is the state of nirvana—complete freedom and peace.

Vasistha urges Rama to focus on conquering his own ego and desires, for this is the path to true liberation. The key, he says, is to abandon the sense of "I" and "mine" and realize that everything is part of the same universal consciousness. When this realization dawns, the person becomes free from all suffering and is able to live in peace, even while fulfilling worldly duties.

Thus, Vasistha concludes his teachings by encouraging Rama—and all seekers—to pursue the path of self-knowledge and liberation, reminding them that true freedom lies in the dissolution of the ego and the realization of the infinite self.