AvadhootaDatta Peetham

Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 173, October 11 2015

Sri Sadgurubhyo namaha
Om Santissantissantissantihi

Yesterday in the Yoga Vasishtha, we said that we must take our mind to the time before Creation began. What was there then? There was nothing. Creation had not begun yet. We wonder how Creation began. It is a science. When we go to the time before Creation came into being, only the eternal and true entity called Brahman alone existed. It is the source for the entire Creation. Today we learn with examples how to arrive at that realization.
Jagannaamnaa

Even in name, the Universe did not exist. There was absolutely nothing. Nothing was seen. There was no anticipation that anything would even come into existence.

Sage Vasishtha told Rama that if he would stay with him for some time and follow his guidelines, then Vasishtha would effortlessly dust off Rama’s mirror-like mind and make it clean and clear. He would thus remove his sorrow and his ignorance. This was promised.

What originally was just gold, later was transformed into ornaments. What the ornaments consists of, is gold and that is why they are given value. We are not talking about fake jewels. The entire world is Brahman. If that fact is forgotten, then the world has no value. The wise one has a different perception than an unwise person. The wise one only sees the gold. The ignorant man does not recognize the gold. He sees only the jewel.

It is easy for Sadguru to remove our sorrow. We think it is a tough situation. Vasishtha says it is not difficult to remove your sorrow.

Verse

There are many techniques to follow. Don’t simply take my word for it. We must experience personally until you are convinced. The very first time we will not have the perfect experience. We have to keep listening until we become mature. A *** has to be fully burnt or baked before it can retain water. For the experience to be occur, many examples and theories are given. Once you experience, then you will have no doubts left. Till then, you have to keep listening and pondering over the subject. A wise disciple listens to the caution given by Guru. He does not obstinately try to have a personal experience of every lesson taught. He does not place his hand in the fire to see whether it would really burn. He will heed the advice of Guru with faith. You will get the personal experience when you have gained the eligibility to do so. Till then, keep listening and churning over the subject in your mind.

Aadaa

Beginning of Creation means, the earth had dissolved into water and water merged into fire, fire turned into air, air became space, and space became one with Brahman. What was left?

You will reach that stage. There you contemplate. Never assume that like us, he will also go through changes and have problems. It is not possible. What was yet unborn is non-existent. One does not speak about what is not even there. That is why the mind has to be transported to that situation.

Kuto

A wonderful example is given here. A river appears in a desert, where it really does not exist. The way a non-existent river becomes visible, sometimes two moons are seen, if the eyes are defective. Would it be right to say that the second moon is going through an eclipse? No. If we did, we will be asked to get our eyes tested and treated.

Many of our experiences occur due to some misunderstanding. Therefore, we cannot affirm that because our eyes are seeing two moons, there are actually two moons. We will be called mad if we did. This world also is a mirage just like the river in the desert. Brahman alone exists. We actually said there is no moon at all. There is certainly no second moon. Assume that only one moon exists. The second one is a delusion.

Yathaa vandhyaa

This example is much used in Vedanta. Vandhyaa suta means, the son of an infertile woman. A woman who lacks fertility will not have children. Trees do not grow in the sky. You cannot pluck fruits from those non-existent trees.

Develop that firm conviction that the world does not exist. This is a delusion. You should only see Brahman. Instead, you are seeing the world.

Yadidam.

Then, what is it that we see as the world? It is all Brahma, is the feeling you should cultivate. It is an easier method.

In a temple, some devotees prostrate to every pillar. Non-devotee eat the Pongal Prasadam and will wipe their dirty hands on the pillar. The pillars will become oily and soiled with saliva. It is surprising that people eat the Prasadam in the temple and throw the green chilies pieces right there, instead of throwing them in the dust bin. Fighting in the temple, arguing with others, and spitting inside the temple, all these activities are considered by them as acts devotion. People speak in a temple as if they are at a political or a social party. By doing so, whatever penance they had performed, all that merit gets destroyed.

The moment one enters the temple, the feeling of entering a sacred site should be there. How can this be called devotion, when you dirty the place? The entire premises should be treated as ***. The footwear should not be placed here and there. You must leave them at the right place. Knowingly people leave their footwear near the Dhwaja Stambha. It is wrong. You should not break the rules of Sastras. Children, when they do mistakes out of ignorance may be forgiven.

We laugh at people who see *** in each pillar. Lord Narasimha emerged out of a pillar, after all. In this Creation, every atom has the presence of ***. At least develop that feeling that all that you see as the world is Brahma. This is not complete Jnana. But as a first step, you may practice developing this type of perception.

Brahman is free from disease, birth, death, and growing old. Saaswati is a name for Mother Goddess. She is eternal and unchanging. She is not like us to take birth, grow old, and die. She is the same as Brahman. Do not treat Mother Goddess as a temporary incarnation to be prayed for to satisfy worldly desires. We keep entertaining desires. It is not good. It is not necessary to warn Sri Rama of this. He is not like us.

Verse

Explanations have to follow logic. Vasishtha says I will teach you Rama, with the proper strategies which show you how to succeed. O Sri Rama, whoever disrespects wise counsel is a fool. If one is warned of a pit that lie ahead, and if one still goes and falls, such a one, who neglects good advice will certainly face difficulties. He is called an ignorant person. This sarga ends there. This establishes that this world is unreal. …Drishya asattaa pratijna is the name of this sarga. Whatever is seen is unreal. This fact is established in this sarga.
Sacchaastra niroopanam is the next sarga.

Ayaitat

Sri Rama reminds Guru of the promise he had made that he will be informed of the proper techniques. How will I learn this so that this knowledge will be firm in my mind?

How will I learn and absorb these techniques? Please instruct me. Sri Rama is teaching us that we should remind Guru of promises he had made to teach.

Bahukaalam

This ignorance has been with us like a chronic disease. For many lifetimes it has been following us. The only remedy for it is Jnana. This illness called sorrow arising from ignorance will only be cured by the development of discretion.

Vadaam

O Sri Rama, in the coming Sargas, I will explain to you in the form of stories, all the important techniques. It will be easy for you to understand.

The story to learn next, is a story within a story. It has many twists and turns. Leelopaakhyaanam is a very interesting story about a collection of dreams and ultimately it will be proved that all of them all false.
By some means or another Guru attempts to open the eyes of the disciple to Truth. He tries many different methods to infuse Jnana into the mind of the disciple. Rama, you will experience the bliss right away. No ched

Yoyamartham

This sloka helps us to succeed in our attempts. It is beautifully stated. You should only make efforts in the direction of your goal. If you go in the wrong direction you will never reach your destination. Keep the focus on the goal and work only towards it. If you do, you will certainly reach your goal. If you go in the reverse direction, you will fail. If your intention is to reach Bengaluru but you go in the direction of Kerala, you will not reach your destination.

Listen with attention if you desire to attain Jnana. Simply traveling, without following the proper direction, you will merely get exhausted, and ultimately you will depart from the body. What is the use? Thus Vasishtha gives us the method to succeed. Have clarity of thought about your aim in life.

Leaving during the discourse, either physically or mentally, should be avoided. Change of heart midway during the course should be avoided.

Association with holy persons will help you in steadying the mind. One should drown in the study of good scriptures. When you are traveling also, if you look around, you will fine like-minded persons to give you company. You should always be earnestly seeking good company.

It does not take months. Only in a few days or even in a few moments, I can give you your desired experience. The Guru Gita also says: tatkshanaat. In an instant. When will that moment of awakening arrive? You have to wait.
Sri Rama questions again. Sadhu Sangama I have obtained. You are my Guru. I am in your presence. What should I be studying?

At this juncture, the Yoga Vasishtha is praised. In the end, he says, it is not necessary that you should only be studying the Yoga Vasishtha. You may study other scriptures as well.

Tomorrow is Amavasya. After that the Navaratri celebrations will commence with several important programs. Those who follow the path of devotion worship Mother Goddess certainly. But Mother Goddess also represents Parabrahma. She is adored as such by those who follow the path of Jnana.

Kakaararoopa means Mother Goddess is of the form of Brahman. For nine days she is worshiped as Brahma roopini, as Parabrahma. On Vijaya Dasami Day one who worships sincerely, will attain Self-Realization. Utilize the Navaratri Festival properly. Keep writing Sri Mata. Keep chanting the Lalita Sahasranama. Attain Jnana and Bliss.

We will resume our study of Yoga Vasishtha on Ekadasi Day, after the completion of the Navaratri festivities, since there will be many programs occurring during that time.

Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta

Om Santissantissantihi