Brahman Alone Exists

Sage Vasishtha

RAMA asked:

If such is the experience of Vitahavya, a liberated sage, then it seems as if bondage and liberation exist even for a sage!

VASISHTHA replied:

O Rama, for the liberated sages this world exists in all its purity, peace and perfection as Brahman, the infinite: how can there be bondage and liberation for them? Since Vitahavya had become one with the infinite consciousness, he experienced the experiences of all, and he does so even now!

RAMA asked:

If the creation of the sage was fictitious and imaginary, how were the embodied beings in conscious and sentient?

VASISHTHA replied:

If the creation of Vitahavya was fictitious, O Rama, so is this! That and this are both pure infinite consciousness, their appearance being the result of the delusion of the mind. In truth, neither that creation existed nor does this exist. Brahman alone exists in the three periods of time. Only till this truth is realized does this world appear to be a solid reality.

RAMA asked:

Lord, please tell me Vitahavya revived his body in the cave.

VASISHTHA continued:

The sage had realized that infinite consciousness; and he knew that the mind, called Vitahavya was but a trick of the infinite consciousness. While he was a servant of lord Shiva, he once thought of seeing the body of Vitahavya. When he thought thus, in his own consciousness, he saw all the other embodiment that he had had - some of them had come to an end and others were still functioning and, he saw the body known as Vitahavya sunk like a worm in mud. Seeing it thus, he reflected: "Surely, this body of mine is devoid of life-force and is therefore unable to function. I shall now enter the solar orbit and with the help of solar power known as pingala I shall enter that body. Or, shall I abandon it; for, what have I to do with the body of Vitahavya? On the other hand, this body is neither worth reviving nor worth abandoning. It is is the same to me, whether the body is abandoned or it is revived. Seeing that this body has not decomposed and returned to the elements, I shall enter into it and function for a while."

The sage's subtle body then entered into the orbit of the sun. Reflecting on the purpose of the sage's entry into the orbit and the approporiate action concerning that purpose, the sun ordained his own energy to execute the task. The subtle body of the sage thereupon saluted the sun. 

The energy of the sun led the way and, as ordained by the sun, it entered the region of the Vindhya after descending from the solar orbit. It descended right where the body of the sage was lying covered in mud in order to raise it. Following it, the subtle body of Vitahavya also entered that body. That body was instantly revived. Vitahavya thereupon bowed to the solar energy, pingala, who returned the salutation.

Pingala returned to the solar orbit and the sage proceeded to the lake for his bath and ablutions. Having had his bath and having worshipped the sun, the sage resumed his life as before, He lived an enlightened life, with friendliness, balanced mind, peace, compassion and joy.