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Sthiti Prakarana

 

Sri Vasista
  1. O Rāma, as Sukra was musing thus sitting near Bhrigu, many years passed by.

  2. Due to the power of time, the body of Sukra slipped off into old age due to seasonal weathering and fell down like an uprooted tree.

  3. But his fickle mind rambled around in strange ways like a deer in a forest.

  4. It was rising and falling like one caught in a wheel and arrived at (after many mental deaths and births) the ‘Samanga’ Coast.

  5. During these (mental times) Sukra went through many profound and certain experiences which are of very inferior nature due to the strength of his mind.

  6. While on the ‘Mandara” mountain, the body of Sukra  became emaciated due to exposure of intense sun-rays. 

  7. Wind blowing through the many holes in his skeletal body made hissing sounds which sounded like gay songs sung by him on the decline of sorrow caused by his actions.

  8. Looking at the while teeth of the skeleton, it appeared as though he was laughing at the miserable mind which was still roaming in the earth regions wastefully.

  9. Looking at the face, holes of the nose and the eyes, it appeared as if the configuration is revealing to the onlookers the nature of the world with its deep valleys and wells.

  10. With the body full of water and burnt by heat, it appeared as if it was remembering its earlier existences and configurations and feeling happy.

  11. -14 His body was being shaken by the cold winds aided by moon-beams.  It was being drenched by rainwaters.  It was being covered by dust raised by blowing winds.  Like an dry log, it was being rolled around by the winds.  With the hissing sounds passing by it, the body looked as if it was in deep meditation.
    With the lean internals shaking, it was as if the child goddess of the forest was making dreadful noises on the ‘veena’ of nerves and intestines.

  1. Since the  hermitage of Bhrigu was devoid of hates and attachments, this body of Sukra was not touched by the beasts around in the forest (not consumed as food).

  2. While this is the case with this body, the subtle body of Sukra was performing long penance with all the necessary restraints and rules.

 

Sri Yoga Vasishtam
Translation by :
Dr. P.N. Murthy