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After hearing the story of Ram concerning the Universe and its
miseries,
every one in the assembly hall were not only pleased but the Sidhas (masters of
psychic power who can remain in the air as long as they wish) showered flowers
and spoke words of praise.
"O Ram, your utterances are full of wisdom. It is very difficult to drive joy
from this world, for though it was created for Devas, who were full of joy, it
is now full of suffering and pain. if Ram's indifference toward the world is
true. O Rishis, then we may be justified with what we are doing. If we, the
Sidhas and Rishis, love the things or objects which Ram hated, we should perhaps
be classed with the ignorant."
Raja Rishi Viswamitra said to Ram: "Thou knowest all that should be known.
Thou and Rishi Suka are full of spiritual wisdom. Both of you have attained
equally the highest wisdom, but you need to acquire the state of quietness and
stillness."
Ram: "O, please inform me how Brahm Rishi Suka achieved wisdom without
quiescence of mind, and how he secured that blissful state?"
The Master: "Rishi Suka had absolute spiritual wisdom which is the only sword
to cut the rope of re-birth. Once he tried to inquire of the origin of things,
as thou art doing, and he then became doubtful of his wisdom. The object of his
mind became disturbed, but he was free from sensual desires. Rishi Suka went to
the Himalaya Mountains to his father, who was one of the Masters there, and
asked for instruction that he might not lose his faith. Thus he said to his
father: 'O Father, from whence came all this Maya (illusion), which produces
misery and darkness? How did it originate? How may it be destroyed?' What part
does it play in the origin of the universe?' His father replied with wisdom, as
he did unto all others, but his answer did not dispel his son's doubt. Suka said
to his father: 'I know all that'. And alas! his father was unable to remove his
doubt. His father then requested him to go to King Janak, who was the highest
being in spiritual wisdom of his time.
"Rishi Suka left the Himalaya Mountains and later approached the golden gates
of the King's palace. Although the King was aware of Brahm Rishi's (Suka)
arrival, he refused to go forth and meet him. He requested that the Rishi should
not be admitted into his palace, as he wanted to test the sincerity of his mind.
Rishi Suka waited full seven days at the golden gate. At last he was conducted
into a magnificent hall where beautiful women were indulging in worldly
enjoyments. But Suka's mind did not lose its balance. He was not affected by the
unjust act of the King in making him wait seven days at his gate, nor was he
moved by the disgraceful conduct of worldly association. The King came and
addressed him thus: 'O, Brahm Rishi (there are three kinds of Rishis), thou hast
reached the highest state. The worldly joys and sorrows do not affect thee. I
beseech thee to tell what hast brought thee here?' Rishi Suka asked: 'What has
caused my illusion? How does it generate? How can it be destroyed? Please
instruct me.' The King gave him the same explanation that his father had given
him. Rishi Suka returned: 'I know that, and my father gave me the same
information. If Maya (illusion) which is produced by a differentiation of one
Atma as breath, etc.) and merged again into the Atma, then no benefit can be
derived from this perishable Maya (illusion). O Highest Guru, Thou art able to
dispel this delusion of my mind! Please enlighten me on this matter.'
"The King: 'Thou hast known what shouldst be known, but still thou asketh
me—although thy father has instructed thee aright. The enlightenment we have
given to thee is the real one. Atma alone, is that which is everywhere, just as
the ether pervades all space and atmosphere. Wisdom is bound by naught else but
its own thought. Freeing thyself from sensual thoughts, is freeing thyself from
bondage. Thou hast clearly realized the Atmic wisdom for thou hast given up all
longing for sensual objects. Thou hast by thine own efforts, through the higher
mind, reached the highest Brahmic State; thou hast become a Jivanmukta (the
state of emancipated embodiment). But one thing thou hast yet to accomplish—that
of giving up the delusion of the illusion which has arisen through doubt in thy
mind. When thou hast accomplished this, then thou wilt be free.' King Janak thus
initiated Rishi Suka into the Atmic mysteries, where he acquired the highest
state of wisdom, and was freed from all misery, doubt, death and rebirth. He
lived for 1000 years, then merged into that higher wisdom, which is Brahm. As
water returns to the ocean, so the light which departs from the "I", returns to
the higher light (Atma), and becomes Brahm. Thus Rishi attained that liberation,
which is above all else. O Ram, you should follow the same path.
"To become a slave of desire is bondage; to master it, is liberation. Master
your desires and become indifferent to worldly enjoyments; become a Jivanmukta
(emancipated embodiment), without the assistance of austerities of religions;
follow the path of wisdom and you will realize the reality. O Ram, there is but
one person who can remove the doubt from thy mind, and that is the Omniscient
Vashisht, who knows the past, present, and the future. He is the Guru (spiritual
teacher) of all mankind."
Rishi Viswamitra turned toward Rishi Vashisht and suggested that he should be
taught the stories of Brahmic Wisdom, since he is qualified for such
instruction. The Brahmic Wisdom should be given only to those who have complete
control of themselves and withheld from those who doubt and are full of vice. Thus Viswamitra ends the story of
Suka.
The Munis and Rishis, who were present in the assembly hall, praised Rishi
Viswamitra's noble instruction.
Rishi Vashisht said: "O Muni, well Learned One in all Knowledge, I shall do
according to thy request. I shall relate the stories of pure wisdom, which have
been given out by Brahma, that mankind may be liberated from the chain of
rebirth."
Yoga Vashisht Chapter Links
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