August 17, 2026
ato jīvannapi mṛtā iva sarvo ‘vatiṣṭhate
asāvahaṁ ca tvaṁ ceti jīvanto ‘pi mṛtā iva (107/2)
VASIṢṬHA continued:
The whole universe is pure consciousness but as an object it is inert appearance. Hence, though alive, everything is as if dead; even so I and you are as if dead though alive. Abandoning the world-idea in the world and the I-you-idea in ourselves, engage yourself in appropriate action. Why? Why does this world-appearance arise at all? There is no reason, even as in the play of a young child there is no reason or motivation. Hence, one should not waste one’s life-time in useless pursuit of knowledge concerning matter and mind: if one seeks gold one does not clean the sky!
Listen to the following story: In this universe, in this continent known as Jaṁbūdvīpa, there was a famous city by name Tatam which was ruled by a king known as Vipaścit (lit: learned, wise). His glory was indescribable. Even the court poets had exhausted all their talents without exhausting a description of his virtues. But they loved and enjoyed his company. He was fond of them and gave them lavish gifts everyday. He was devoted to the brāhmaṇas (priests) and also to the fire which he devoutly worshipped every day.
He had four ministers who were zealously guarding his kingdom at its four boundaries. On account of their wisdom and valour, the king was victorious and unassailable. One day, he was visited by a wise man from the east. He had harsh and unpleasant words for the king.
He said: “O king, you have bound yourself hand and foot to this earth. Now listen to what I have to say and decide what to do. Your minister who was guarding the eastern side of your city is dead. The one guarding the south endeavoured to cover the eastern side, too, but he was overcome by the enemy. He, too, is dead. When the minister guarding the west rushed to the southern side, he was intercepted by the enemy and killed.”
As he was saying this, another man rushed into the court and announced that the minister guarding the north was at the palace gate. The king alerted his army and asked that the minister be brought in. The minister entered and saluted the king. He was weak and his breathing was laboured. He had been overpowered by the enemy on account of his weakness. He said to the king: “Lord, all the other three ministers have gone to the world of death to win that realm for you. Only you have the power to quell the enemy.”
In the meantime, yet another man entered the royal presence and reported: “Lord, the city has been completely surrounded by the enemy. Their weapons are seen everywhere. They are extremely powerful like demons. Their armour shines with the light equal to your own glory. Their armies are in excellent array. They are angry and their battle cries are fierce. The lord of that army sent me to convey this news to you. Now do what is appropriate.”
After having conveyed this message, that man went away. Everyone in the king’s army got ready for the battle with their arms and weapons uplifted.