Bhushunda's Contemplation During Dissolution - 6

 Sage Vasishtha

BHUSHUNDA continued:

This wish-fulfilling tree is not shaken by the various natural calamities nor by the cataclysms caused by living beings. There have been several of the latter when demons have tried to destroy or overwhelm the earth, as also when the Lord has intervened and rescued the earth from the grip of demons. During all these this tree has remained unaffected. Even the flood and the scorching heat of the sun attendant upon cosmic dissolution have not succeeded in shaking this tree. On account of this, we who dwell on this tree have also escaped harm: evil overtakes one who lives in an unholy place. 

VASISHTHA asked:

But, at the end of the life of the cosmos, when everything is dissolved, how have you managed to survive? 

BHUSHUNDA replied:

During that period, O sage, I abandon this nest. Even as in ungrateful man abandons his friends. Then I remain united with cosmic space, totally free from all thoughts and mental modifications. When the twelve cosmic suns pour unbearable heat upon this creation, I practice the varuni dharana and remain unaffected. (Varuna is the lord of waters: varuni dharana is contemplation of varuna.) When the wind blows with such force as to uproot even mountains, I practice the parvati dharana and remain unaffected. (Parvata is mountain and Parvati dharana is the contemplation of mountain.) When the whole universe is flooded with waters of cosmic dissolution, I practice vayu dharana and remain unaffected. (Vayu is wind and vayu dharana is contemplation of wind.) Then I remain as if in deep sleep till the beginning of the next cosmic cycle. When the new Creator begins to create a new cosmos, I resume my abode in this nest. 

VASISHTHA asked:

Why is it that others are not able to do what you have done?

BHUSHUNDA replied:

O sage, the will of the supreme being cannot be transgressed: it is his will that I should be like this and that the others should be as they are. One cannot fathom nor measure what has to be. In accordance with nature of each being, that which is to be comes to be. Therefore, in accordance with my thought-force or conception, this tree is found in every world-cycle at this place in this manner.