Vil 27th DECEMBER 126
iaham kartesyarah karta karma va prakkrtam mama (32)
VASISTHA continued:
By the diligent practice of this yoga method, by resorting to the company of the holy ones and the avoidance of evil company, the truth is clearly revealed. When thus one realises the supreme which is the only essence or truth beyond this ocean of samsara, he realises ‘I am not the doer but god alone is the doer; not even in the past did I do anything.’ He abandons vain and meaningless words and remains inwardly and mentally silent. This is superior non-attachment or freedom. He has abandoned all dependency, above and below, within and without, tangible and in- tangible, sentient and insentient. He shines like supportless and limitless space itself. This is superior freedom. In it he enjoys peace and contentment, virtue and purity, wisdom and self-enquiry.
The first stage of yoga presents itself to one by accidental coincidence, as it were, after one has led a pure life full of virtuous deeds. One who sets his foot on it should cherish it and protect it with great zeal, diligence and effort. Thus he should proceed to the next state, enquiry. By diligently practising enquiry he should ascend to the third state. freedom.
RAMA asked:
How is it possible for an ignorant person born in a wicked family and who does not enjoy the company of holy ones, to cross this ocean of samsara? Also, if one dies while yet in the first or second or the third state of yoga, what happens to him?
VASISTHA said:
After very many lives, the ignorant man is awakened by accident coincidence. Till then he experiences this samsara. When dispassion arises in his heart, then samsara recedes. Even an imperfect practice of this yoga destroys the effects of past sins. If one leaves the body during the practice, he ascends to heaven and is then born in circumstances favourable to the pursuit of his practice. Very soon he ascends the ladder of yoga again.
These three states are known as ‘waking state’ because in them there is division in consciousness. However, the practitioner becomes an adorable person (Arya). -Seeing him, the ignorant are inspired. He who engages himself in righteous actions and avoids evil is adorable (arya). This adorable holiness is in a seed state in the first state of yoga, it sprouts in the second and attains fruition in the third. One who dies after thus having gained the status of an adorable one and who has obviously cultivated noble thoughts, enjoys the delights of heaven for a long time and then he is born as a yogi. By the diligent practice of the first three states of yoga, ignorance is destroyed and the light of wisdom arises in one’s heart.