Day 282 - The Cosmic Person (Virat) and His Two Bodies

Day 282 - The Cosmic Person (Virat) and His Two Bodies

In this continuation of Yoga Vasistha, Vasistha describes the cosmic dissolution, where the very fabric of the universe disintegrates as Brahma, the cosmic creator, withdraws his life force. The passage is filled with vivid, apocalyptic imagery, illustrating the immense power of cosmic forces at play during the final stages of creation's destruction.

The Cosmic Person (Virat) and His Two Bodies

Vasistha begins by explaining that the cosmic person (Virat) has two bodies:

1. The Superior Body: This is pure consciousness, eternal, without beginning, end, or division.
2. The World: This is the physical manifestation, akin to a temporary shell or "egg," that the cosmic person can perceive from outside, similar to how a hen views an egg.

In this vision, the cosmic person divides the universe, symbolically creating the sky from the upper part and the earth from the lower part of the egg, with the space in between representing the atmosphere. Various aspects of the world—mountains, rivers, the sun and moon—are described as body parts or features of the cosmic person, highlighting the interconnectedness of all things in the cosmos.

Vasistha asserts that everything originates within the cosmic person, and without him, the world ceases to exist. However, both the cosmic person and creation are mere notions or ideas within pure, infinite consciousness.

The Vision of Cosmic Destruction

Vasistha then describes his vision of the cosmic dissolution, beginning with the sight of multiple suns rising from all directions, including one from beneath the earth. These suns are likened to the fiery eyes of Rudra (Shiva), the destructive form of the divine. As the heat from these suns scorches the earth, life is devastated—cities are burnt, aquatic creatures perish, and mountains melt. The destruction is so total that even the gods are not spared.

During this fiery destruction, the Himalayas melt, while the Malaya mountain, known for its sandalwood, remains unaffected, symbolizing purity and resilience in the face of cosmic chaos.

The Supernatural Winds and Rains of Dissolution

After the fires, the winds of dissolution arise, drying out the earth and the remaining creation. Following this, massive clouds form, producing an ear-splitting roar, signaling the final stages of the universe's disintegration. Vasistha compares the sound of these clouds to the original sound created when Brahma first broke the cosmic egg, emphasizing the cyclical nature of creation and destruction.

These clouds are described as carrying more water than the combined seven oceans of the earth. Their rain is likened to thunderbolts, falling with such force that the remaining parts of creation are obliterated. The rainwater mixes with the cosmic fires, and while the two elements—water and fire—are of equal strength, their clash is terrifying to witness. The battle between the fires and the rain is a manifestation of the final cosmic conflict, marking the end of the world as we know it.

Symbolism of the Destruction

The cosmic destruction described here is not just a literal end to the physical universe but a symbolic dissolution of maya (illusion) and duality. The fire represents the purging of impurities, while the water represents the final quenching of all worldly attachments and desires. The two forces are balanced, neither conquering the other, symbolizing the inconclusiveness of the external world and the cycle of creation and dissolution within the infinite consciousness.

Key Insights from Vasistha's Teachings

1. The World as a Notion: Both the physical body of the cosmic person and the universe are ultimately illusory, mere projections of pure consciousness. Nothing truly exists apart from this consciousness.
2. End of Time and Space: During cosmic dissolution, time and space collapse. The stars fall, mountains melt, and the oceans rise to the heavens, signifying the return of all creation to its primordial state.
3. Cosmic Cycles: The universe is cyclical, moving through phases of creation, preservation, and destruction, driven by the cosmic forces of prana (life force) and apana (the downward force). When these forces are withdrawn by Brahma, everything unravels.
4. Purity (Sattva): In the final stages of dissolution, only space and gold remain, representing purity and transcendence. This symbolizes that the sattva (purity) quality is the only desirable trait, in contrast to rajas (activity) and tamas (inertia), which are consumed in the destruction.

Conclusion

The passage emphasizes the impermanence of the material world and the illusory nature of creation. Despite the terrifying descriptions of cosmic destruction, Vasistha reminds Rama (and the reader) that all of this is but a play of consciousness. The dissolution of the universe is not an end but a return to the eternal reality—the infinite, undivided consciousness that underlies all existence. True liberation lies in recognizing this reality and transcending the illusory divisions of time, space, and form.