The young Rama is curious about the nature of reality and cognition. Ideations that arise are illusory in fact and the question arises about ego, illusion and the goal of life. We have to ask ourselves, How can ego be got rid of?
Question 256: Names and Forms and the True Self
The young Rama is asking questions about how ideation arises in the purity of Atma. The sage replies citing one of the great mahakvakyas (utterance) and whether a doer, a spiritual aspirant has made themselves worthy of the great utterance. Names and forms, ideations or modifications of consciousness arise within the primeval ideation of Atma. The Atma is witness of all these objects with names and attributes. These have naught to do with the True Self.
Question 255: The Doer, the Consumer, the Renunciate
The young Rama has questions about greatness. Who is a great doer, who is a great consumer, who is a great renunciate, and why? The sage responds with the narrative between Lord Shiva and his gana, Bhringisa.
Question 254: What is Unreal, What is Truth?
The young Rama continues his questions to the Sage. He asks about the nature of reality, the perceived world. What is Truth in this world, and what is illusion?
Question 253: Kacha – Son of Brihaspati
The young Rama asks the sage about Kacha, the son of Sage Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods, the master of sacred wisdom, charms, hymns, and rites. Kacha has quite the journey in identifying exactly what it is he has to renounce, in order to achieve total renunciation and self-realisation.
Question 250-251: Prana, apana
The young Rama asks about breath in the body, prana and apana. In the next question, the topic is awareness of Brahman.
Question 246-249: Siddhi Powers …
The young Rama asks, “Sir, you have proved that the entire universe is just an ideation; then what is pranayama by which a seeker is able to fly? How do the ignorant (the unwise) master pranayama, and how do the wise participate in this sport?”
Question 245: What, then, is equanimity (samadhi)?
In Question 244, Vasishtha finished with reference to King Sikhidhvaja. Ramji, some time back there lived a king, Sikhidhvaja by name, who also remained in the non-ideational state and enjoyed immense bliss. You, too, should adopt the attitude like that of King Sikhidhvaja. In this new question from the young Rama, the story of King Sikhidhvaja and Queen Chudala is narrated.
Question 244: What are the types of silence?
We are told that Ganesha is one who has stilled the mind and has no master above him. Would we understand that this achievement was accomplished in silence? The youthful Rama asks the sage, what is the silence of deep sleep? The sage describes several kinds of silence.
Question 241-243: How does the Universe arise?
The mind is outward going, and like a little child, it reaches out and grasps that which it sees in its ambit. Due ignorance of the soul (Atma) the Universe has assumed form, and the mind – like a child – reaches out for what it desires. Non-ideation – a mind that is still – has no master above it. So the Sage explains to the young Rama.