Notions, Ideas .. World

Sage Vasishtha
This unreal world has acquired substantiality on account of the persistence of the notion of its existence. All the beings in this universe sustain it by their own notions and ideas.

After creating the universe by his own thought-force, the Creator reflected thus: "I have created all this by the power of a little agitation in the cosmic mind. I have had enough of it. It will now perpetuate itself. Let me rest." Contemplating thus, BrahmA the creator rested - rested in his own self in deep meditation.

Then, out of compassion for the created beings, the Creator revealed the scriptures which treat of self-knowledge. Once again he became absorbed in the knowledge of his own self which is beyond all concepts and descriptions. This indeed is the highest 'state of the Creator' (brAhmI-sthiti).

From there on, created beings acquired the character of the things with which they associated. By associating with the good they became good, and those who associated with the worldly, became worldly. Thus one gets bound to this world-appearance; and thus one is liberated too.