All is Self

Sage Vasishtha

RAMA asked:

Holy Sir, how have these concepts and categories come to be firmly accepted? Pray enlighten me.

VASISHTHA continued:

All this is indeed the self. However, even as waves rise in the ocean, the diversity known as the universe arises in the mind. Here and there, the self appears to be kinetic self. Elsewhere, the self remains in a static state. The static are inert substances like rock, and the kinetic substances are humans etc. In all these, the omnipotent self entertains the notion of ignorance and therefore remains as if ignorant. The infinite thus clothed in ignorance, is known as the jiva, who is like the trapped elephant in this world-appearance.

Because it lives, it is known as jiva. Because of its egoistic notion, it is known as the ego. Because it discriminates and determines, it is known as the buddhi or the discriminating faculty. Because of its ability to form concepts and percepts, it is known as the mind. Being natural, it is called nature. It itself is known as the body, because it changes. It is known as consciousness, because its nature is consciousness.

The supreme self which alone is the truth is right in the middle between the inert and the intelligent: that alone creates diversity and is known by all these diverse names. But, all these categories have been invented by men of perverse intellect for the pleasure of polemics and for the confusion of ignorant men.

Thus,  O Rama, it is this jiva alone which is the cause of this world appearance: what can this deaf and dumb body do? If the body perishes the self foes not perish, even as if a leaf falls the tree does not perish. Only the deluded person thinks otherwise.