Question 240: The young Rama asks about Lord Vishnu, Krishna and Arjuna

Everything is BrahmanAlthough the true author and time of creation is unknown, many believe the “Yoga Vasistha” was composed between the 6th and 14th centuries. Here we have a conversation between the Sage Vasishtha and the young Rama, about Lord Vishnu taking birth as Krishna and Arjuna, centuries before that event occurred. Does time actually exist, or is everything happening now?

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Question 234 – 5: What is the nature, the basis of everything?

Stone buddhaThe young Rama asks “What bondage and liberation?” The Sage replies that just as an image carved from stone remains stone, so the Universe is atma-roop, the form of Atma. The duality or diversity of names and forms perceived in Atma is because of ignorance. Faults and failings arise because of the potency of Atma, and Atma remains unaffected by faults and failings.

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Question 232: Seek the atmic principle within

meadow The young Rama asks “What is flesh, what is body, what are bones?” The Sage responds with an insightful explanation of consciousness, chitta, what we would know to be the body, the senses, the mind – in any other word, our consciousness, our bodily awareness, our perception of maya, this world of illusion. The solution? Seek the atmic principle within and discard everything else, the Sage advises.

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Question 231: The Story of Muni Kag Bhusunda and management of breath

Kalpa tree In answering a question to the young Rama, Vasishtha is reminded of his encounter with Muni Kag Bhusunda, who resides in the Sumeru Hills in a kalpa tree. Upon questioning, Kag Bhusunda explains how he has both form and immortality, through both creation and dissolution, again and again, and again. Kag Bhusunda explains the process of kumbhaka, stability in prana and apana, management of the breath process.

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