Puryashtaka

Sage Vasishtha

THE LORD said:

But for the mind and prana the body is an inert mass. Just as a piece of iron moves in the presence of a magnet, even so the jiva moves in the very presence of consciousness which is infinite and omnipresent. The body is inert and dependent; it is made to function by the consciousness which believes itself to be similar to the vital airs (prana). Thus, it is the karma-self or the active self (karmatma) that keeps the body in motion. It is, however, the supreme self itself that has ordained both the mind and the prana as the promoters of life in the body. It is the consciousness itself, assuming inertia which rides the mind as the jiva. 

Once this limitation is established, then other consequences follow. They are the physical and mental diseases! This is like waves first arising on the surface of the ocean and then creating ripples and so forth. The consciousness as jiva becomes dependent, having abandoned the self-knowledge as consciousness. Laboring under a thick veil of ignorance, it is foolishly unable to recognize the harm that it has brought upon itself, even as a drunkard wielding a sword cuts his own leg. However, even as the drunkard can soon become sober, this consciousness can soon regain self-knowledge. 

When the mind is divested of its support, it remains alone in the self. When the puryashtaka (the subtle body) is rid of all its supports, it attains a state of quiescence and falls motionless. When consciousness, on account of objectification, becomes deluded, the latent psychological tendencies become active; identifying with these, consciousness forgets its essential nature. 

When the lotus of the heart unfolds, the puryashtaka functions; when that lotus folds, the puryashtaka ceases to function. As long as the puryashtaka functions in the body, the body lives; when it ceases to function, the body dies. This cessation can be caused by some form of inner conflict between the impurities and inner awakening. If only pure vasanas or tendencies fill one's heart all conflicts cease and there are harmony, liberation and longevity. Otherwise, when the puryashtaka ceases to function, the body dies and the subtle body chooses another suited to fulfil the hidden vasanas. Due to these vasanas, the puryashtaka forges new links with the new subtle body, forgetting its nature as pure consciousness. However, since consciousness is infinite and omnipresent, the mind riding the puryashtaka roams everywhere. Bodies are taken up and abandoned by the jiva even as trees sprout new leaves and discard old ones. Wise men do not set any store by these changes.