Discourse on the words of Narayana

Sri Vasista

1. Thinking thus Hari, the all-soul, came out of the white island inside the milk ocean, like the winged mountain, Mandara.

2. Through a tunnel Hari entered Patala and reached the heaven -like city of Prahlada.

3. -7 There in the interiror of his golden palace, Prahlada was in samadhi. The demons there departed unable to tolerate the intense brilliance of Vishnu's effulgence. Vishnu, accompanied by his entourage, entered the palace guided by two prominent rakshasas. Hari took seat near Prahalada with all his armour and surrounded by his entourage. Laksmi was fanning him. Maharshis and Devarshis were prostrating. Vishnu blew his conch Panchajanya and shouted loudly 'O Great soul, awake'.

8. -12 The sound emanating from his conch shook the entire region. It waslike a thunder from clouds Many demons swooned hearing that fearsome sound, While Vishnu's followers enjoyed the music of the sound. Prahlada heard the sound and started gaining awarenss of the surroundings. Then the life-force entered the whole of Prahlada's body.

13. -21 . In an instant the vital force ocuppied every limb of Prahlada. Consciousness revived in the subtle body. His consciousness became oriented towards the externals and assumed the form of mind. Then his eyes became half opened. They were like blossoming blue lotuses. Prahalad's body started quivering. When the vital airs filled the whole body, mind became fully conscious when the eyes, mind and vital air opened fully Prahlada looked like a morning lotus. Then when Prahlada responded to the repeated call of Vishnu to become awakened, Vishnu started talking to Prahlada thus.

22. -30 . O gentle Prahlada, think of the kingdom of Rakshasas and of your own self once and reflect on the causes of your giving up the body. Now you do not have likes and dislikes or disires. You are without any mental imaginations or resolutions or wills. And so you will not suffer from any kind of sorrows or joys. Get up. You will bear the same body till the end of this aeon. I know the law guiding this and so I am telling you this. You are a Jivanmukta. Rule your kingdom without any anguish or worry. At the end of aeon, attain that supreme state and abide in it. The twelve suns (required for dissolution) are not yet born. The mountains have not yet sunk into the earth. The world is not in flames. Even so why are you thinking of leaving your body? The time of dissolution has not yet arrived.

31. -36 . Mountains are not yet shattered to pieces due to the vibrations of a burning earth. The walls of the universe are not shattered to pieces. The Trinity have not yet left this world. Why are you intent on shedding the body? I am still moving around the universe on my Garuda chariot. The time of dissolution has not yet started. Do not shed your body. All these beings, hills, you and the sky are still extant.

37. -44 . Only that one who is shaken by ignorance, who is beset with joys and sorrows should shed his body. Only a fellow who feels deeply aggrieved and is foolish deserved death. One who is torn by desires deserves death. Whoever is beset by the poisonous wine of hurt and desire is worthy of death.

45. -54 . In this world giving up body is called death. Death is for the body, not for the Self. The illusion about body will persist till one does not acquire knowledge One who sees truth will have bright life. One who is egoless and possesses equality will thirve in life. One whose mind assumes the role of a witness will enjoy life. One whose mind is yoked to Brahman in preference with enjoyments of the world will thrive in life. One who is devoid of vasanas and looks upon life as divine play will have good life.

55. The life of one whose birth makes the lives of others blossom, such a person will shine like full moon, not that of others.