Shukra's Advice

Sage Vasishtha

BALI said to himself:

Luckily I remembered all that my father said to me. Now that craving for pleasure has ceased in me, I shall attain to the state of tranquillity which is like nectar. I am really and truly tired of repeatedly earning wealth, fulfilling my desires and enjoying sexual pleasures. Delightful is the state of peace; in utter inner tranquillity all pleasures and pains cease to be of value. Life is one continuous round of repetitive experiences; nothing new is ever experienced. I shall give up everything and with my mind completely withdrawn from the pursuit of pleasure, I shall remain happily established in the Self. This universe is but the creation of the mind: what is lost by abandoning it? Enough of even this repentance! For, the important thing in a cure is the immediate treatment of the illness. 'Who am I?' 'What is all this?' I shall submit these questions to my guru Shukra.

BALI asked Shukra:

Lord, it is the reflection of your own divine radiance that prompts me to place this problem before you. I have no desire for pleasure; and I wish to learn the truth. Who am I? Who are you? What is this world? Please tell me all this.

SHUKRA replied:

I shall give you in a few words the very quintessence of wisdom. Consciousness alone exists, consciousness alone is all this, all this is filled with consciousness. I, you, and all this world, are but consciousness. If you are humble and sincere, you will gain everything from what I said; if not, an attempt at further explanation will be like pouring oblations into a heap of ashes. The objectivity (conceptualization) of consciousness is known as bondage and the abandonment of such objectivity is liberation. Consciousness minus such objectivity is the reality of everything: this is the conviction of all philosophies. When you are established in this vision, you will also attain the infinite consciousness. I shall now depart to do the work of gods; for as long as this body lasts, one shall not abandon appropriate action.