Question 224: What is the phenomena we call ‘Universe’?

Glossary:
vasana: tendencies or desires

chidakash: The causal aspect of the universe. The akash or space of Chit; the Absolute Consciousness, the all pervading Spirit;

akash: San. m., n. (ambara) sky, space, an expanse; the element of ether, the subtlest form of matter. Space gives things form and keeps them discrete. Its quality is sound. ‘It is through space that sounds are transmitted and heard. Love and play are products of akasha and seeds sprout on account of akasha.’ ‘Akasha pervades the cosmos but remains unstained.’ (BG: 23:32)

avidya San. f. ignorance, especially in a spiritual sense arising from the illusion of maya, the veil of separateness. The darkness of ignorance veils our perception, so that we see a snake in a rope and are deluded by our senses into believing the world is real; we are unaware of the true Reality that underlies and sustains it.

Abyasa (abhyaasa). Systematic, steady practice.

vichara: self-inquiry; contemplation, thought; reflection and introspection

vichara: inner inquiry as against blind unreasoning faith.

Question 224: Sir, you say that the universe, along with all its objects, is a reflection of Atma and nothing else has been created. What then should the perceptible universe be called ?

Answer: Ramji, the sentient and insentient universe that is experienced has not been created. Consider that manifestation to be a form of chidakash (the absolute consciousness). There is no idea of being or non-being in it; understand that there is nothing but Atma. Just as a rope perceived as a snake in darkness is seen as rope in light, even so is Atma seen as a phenomenon in the darkness of ignorance. When the light of wisdom arises, the phenomenal aspect vanishes and only Brahman is realised. Ignorance is a name for the modification or ideation in Pure Consciousness. When, as a result of discipline (abhyas) based on discrimination and contemplation the modification becomes quiescent, ignorance becomes extinct and the illusions of creation and destruction, joy and sorrow, also vanish.

Ramji, the Atma is always immutable, but because of the modification it is perceived as a universe with its variations. Vasana (desires or tendencies) is another name for ideation. One shackles oneself with one’s own vasana.

Question 225: Sir, what is the nature of the vasana of those souls that are embedded in immobile forms, such as trees, stones, etc.?

Answer: Ramji, the immobile souls (jivas) have not attained to the state of extinction of mind, nor are they in a state with mind. Rather, they are in an intermediary state, because in that state their jiva-kala (soul-potency) is in a dormant or deep-sleep like state. They are in the suppressed or unconscious state of mind. This is a state of great suffering because here the mind is not extinct but is inert. In due course when these souls will awake, their minds will wander as ideations and will attain to phenomenal expanse.