Day 280 - Vasistha's Deep Contemplation and Cosmic Vision

Day 280 - Vasistha's Deep Contemplation and Cosmic Vision

In this section of the Yoga Vasistha, Vasistha describes the cosmic dissolution or pralaya, which occurs as the Creator (Brahma) merges back into the infinite consciousness. This dissolution of the physical world unfolds progressively, illustrating the temporary and illusory nature of creation.

Vasistha's Deep Contemplation and Cosmic Vision

After entering deep samadhi (contemplation), Vasistha explains that his awareness of the physical world ceased. He experienced only the infinite consciousness, which is beyond all concepts of space and matter. This vision reveals that everything, even what seems like solid matter, is nothing but consciousness. The rock, the body, the physical universe—all are mere illusions, dream-like projections of the cosmic mind.

Vasistha emphasizes that man is a dream object within another dream, reinforcing the idea that duality and the material world are not truly real. Even though people perceive themselves and the world around them, this perception arises from ignorance (avidya) and is as illusory as a dream. However, he reassures Rama that eventually, everyone awakens to the truth of Brahman, as truth alone is eternal.

The Creation of the Celestial Woman and Her World

The celestial woman continues her narrative, introducing Vasistha to her world within the rock and the cosmic Creator (her husband). Vasistha questions the Creator about the origins of his creation, his relationship with the celestial woman, and his seeming disinterest in worldly matters.

The Creator explains that he and the celestial woman are mere notions or concepts arising within the infinite consciousness. They were never truly created, nor do they possess independent existence. The celestial woman represents vasana, the subtle desires and mental impressions that keep the individual bound to samsara (the cycle of birth and death). Her dispassion signals the dissolution of those desires as she and her world near the end of their cycle.

The Cosmic Dissolution (Pralaya)

Vasistha then describes the dramatic dissolution of the world as the Creator enters into deep meditation and begins the process of cosmic dissolution. The dissolution unfolds as follows:

  1. Earth-Element Dissolution: As the Creator merges into infinite consciousness, the earth-element begins to dissolve. The world undergoes severe natural catastrophes—fires, floods, and plagues ravage the land, and social order collapses. Morality disintegrates, and the people, having lost their connection to righteousness, fall into chaos.

  2. Water-Element Dissolution: Next, the water-element overflows its natural boundaries. The oceans rise and flood the land, engulfing mountains and forests. The forces of nature wreak havoc as lions flee their caves, mountains crumble, and creatures panic. The destruction reaches such an extent that even celestial realms are disturbed, and there is a collision of stars and planets.

This vivid description of the pralaya emphasizes the impermanence of the physical world. All created forms, including gods, demons, and humans, are subject to dissolution when the cosmic mind withdraws its awareness from them.

The End of Cosmic Vasana

The Creator explains that this cosmic dissolution signals the end of his vasanas (mental impressions or conditioning). His dispassion has led him to the desire for liberation, and as he merges into the infinite consciousness, all notions of creation dissolve as well. The cosmic woman, who represents the embodiment of vasanas, also follows him into dissolution, marking the end of samsara for both of them.

The passage highlights that liberation or moksha is achieved when one’s vasanas are completely dissolved. The illusion of the world and the false sense of self that perpetuates samsara are no longer able to bind the individual when the truth of non-duality is realized.

The Illusory Nature of Creation

Vasistha continually reinforces that the material world is an illusion, just like a dream. The rock and its world, the mountains, oceans, and gods, are all projections of the infinite consciousness. They arise from the cosmic mind and vanish when that mind is dissolved into Brahman.

In conclusion, this passage of the Yoga Vasistha offers a profound meditation on the illusory nature of reality and the inevitable dissolution of all forms. It illustrates the transient and dream-like quality of the world and emphasizes the importance of dispassion and self-knowledge as the means to transcend samsara. Through deep meditation and the realization of the indivisible infinite consciousness, one can attain liberation and merge into the eternal truth of Brahman.

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