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.
Question 240: The young Rama asks about Lord Vishnu, Krishna and Arjuna
Although 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?
Question 238-9: The Subtle Body and the senses
The young Ram asks about the five senses and how they function in the body-mind complex. The sage responds explaining the presence of sarira, the subtle body, and its operations. What is it that enjoys the gratification of the senses?
Question 236-7: Duality and Brahman
The young Rama asks about Atma being non-dual. If this is the case, then how can ignorance arise in Brahman that is quiescent? The background noise of the Big Bang is actually the Sabda Brahman, the Pranava, OM. If OM is the source of pure consciousness, how is it we fall into duality and illusion?
Question 234 – 5: What is the nature, the basis of everything?
The 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.
Question 232: Seek the atmic principle within
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.
Question 231: The Story of Muni Kag Bhusunda and management of breath
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.
Question 229: What about the non-dual state?
The young Rama continues to ply the sage with questions. What about the non-dual state? If those self-realised persons are here in the world, how do they maintain equanimity, that state of balance in this world of action, change, suffering? How do the realised walk across the stage called life?