Day 278 - Vasistha's Story of the Rock and Infinite Creations

Day 278 - Vasistha's Story of the Rock and Infinite Creations

Vasistha shares with Rama the profound realization that creation is illusory and exists only within the infinite consciousness of Brahman. He begins by explaining that within a seemingly solid object like a rock, countless universes and creations exist. These universes are not real in the conventional sense but exist as reflections in consciousness, much like how infinite potentials exist within the core of Brahman.

The Illusory Nature of Creation

In his story, Vasistha describes how all objects and elements—whether air, fire, water, or mountains—are merely names and forms that arise in consciousness. He asserts that there is no real division between Brahman and creation. Even terms like unity and duality are misleading, as they are nothing more than concepts created by the mind. When one transcends these mental notions, inner peace prevails, even in the midst of worldly activity. Everything is nirvana because all is Brahman. Just as dreams are mere mental projections, the universe is a projection of consciousness.

Vasistha recounts that after entering a prolonged state of samadhi (deep meditation), he returned to body-consciousness and heard a sigh. Curious about its source, he entered meditation again and saw in his consciousness the existence of countless universes. Each universe was unique, with different atmospheres, elements, and beings. Some were orderly, while others were chaotic. In some, there was no light, and time did not exist. Yet, all these universes were creations of ignorance, a play of consciousness, and not independent realities.

He further emphasizes that ignorance envelops creation, leading beings in one universe to be unaware of the existence of others, much like people dreaming in the same room are unaware of each other's dreams. In this cosmic dream, Vasistha saw countless Brahmas, Visnus, and Rudras—creators, preservers, and destroyers—who themselves were mere projections in consciousness. The diversity of these universes was an illusion, and beneath it all was the truth that consciousness alone exists.

Consciousness as the Ultimate Reality

Vasistha points out that when we perceive the world and name objects, we are simply projecting consciousness onto those objects. The space of consciousness is the true reality, and everything else is a misperception. He saw countless Vasisthas and Ramas in various universes and world cycles, and realized that these arise only when the perception of diversity exists. When the truth is realized, all diversity dissolves, and what remains is the pure, indivisible, infinite consciousness—Brahman.

Vasistha explains that the nature of creation is paradoxical. In some universes, moonlight is hot, sunlight is cool, and darkness brings sight. The laws of cause and effect are reversed, and beings in these universes experience the world in vastly different ways. All these perceptions arise in consciousness, and this is what we call the mind. In truth, however, there is no distinction between mind and matter, just as there is no real distinction between good and evil or light and darkness. Everything is simply consciousness playing with itself.

The Eternal Nature of Consciousness

Rama asks how the next creation arises after a cosmic dissolution if everything attains liberation. Vasistha answers that Brahman is an indescribable mass of cosmic consciousness, and creation is its heart. Since the creation is false, there is no real beginning or end to it. Cosmic dissolution and creation are merely terms, just as birth and death are, but in reality, nothing truly perishes or arises. These concepts exist only in the mind, and the supreme truth is indestructible.

Vasistha then reveals that in his expanded consciousness, he did not roam around in space nor stay in one spot. He witnessed everything within the self—the indivisible consciousness. He compares this to how one can perceive their body without opening their eyes. Just as everything experienced in a dream is pure consciousness, so too is this world. The dream state and the waking state are both long dreams experienced in consciousness. Ultimately, Brahman alone exists.

Brahman as the Only Reality

Vasistha concludes by emphasizing that there is no essential difference between the dream state and the waking state of creation. Both are projections of consciousness, and both are unreal. He compares this long dream of creation to a void, where consciousness alone remains eternal. Whether we experience the world as solid and substantial or as immaterial, it is all Brahman, which is uncreated and without form.

In this realization, the observer, the observed, and the observation are all one—indivisible Brahman. Therefore, creation is not a solid, material reality but a play of consciousness. Just as a dream is immaterial, so too is the long dream of creation. Ultimately, Brahman is the only reality, and all else is an illusion.

Through this story of the rock and the diverse universes, Vasistha illuminates the profound truth that everything—whether it is perceived as real or illusory—exists in the infinite consciousness of Brahman, and nothing exists outside of it.