Deliberation on liberated and nouliberated

Sri Vasista

1. -8 O Rama, king Janaka was never bewildered or anguished. He was ruling his kingdom happily. Your grandfather, Dilipa, was free of all attachments in his heart and ruled the earth for a long time. Englightened Manu ruled over his people while being liberated while in life. Mandhata participated in many battles and engaged himself in many activities for his people. At the end he reached the supreme state. Bali is living like a 'jivanmukta', while being engaged in the activities of the nether world. Nanuchi, the King of danavas was constantly involved in wars with gods. Even so he was never unhappy in his heart. Vritrasura was fighting battles with gods. Even so he was always peaceful inside. Prahlada obtained the indescribable supreme state.

9. -10 O Rama, Sambara was constantly engaged in battle with Lord Vishnu on behalf of Danavas' He was always using the tricks of 'maya' to win his wars. Even so he remained totally detached. And so he acquired the highest knowledge of Self and attained unity with the supreme Consciousness-ether. He was enjoying the offerings in the sacrificial offerings for a long time. Moon has the life-giving nectar in himself and is abiding without any link with anyone. Brihaspati, the Guru of gods fought with Chandra, the moon, for regaining his life. He performs all the rites for the gods. (Even with such activity) he remains liberated. Sukra is the teacher of 'Danavas'. He is a 'jnani' and has written treatises on morality and ethics. He remains unattached to anything and is biding his time. Vayu, the god of wind, is responsible for all movements in the world. He is incesantly active. Yet he remains liberated. Brahma is a knower of time in all the three phases. He is liberated even being active in the activities of creation.

18. -25 . Lord Vishnu is engaged in the sustenance of this world. He is constantly engaged in wars, death and old age. Yet he remains liberated. The three-eyed Maheswara holds his lovely wife in left half of his body like a lover who is extremely enamoured of his lady. Know that he is a liberated being. Goddess Parvati is a liberated lady. And yet She holds her husband in her neck like a pearl necklace. Kartikeya is a great jnani, a ocean of knowledge. Yet he engages himself in battles. Bhringiruta offered his body with its flesh and blood to his mother Parvati. Narada is a great liberated Sage. He is a man of peace and action. He roams around the world performing various works. This great sage Viswamitra is a liberated one yet he performs scripture- ordained rites and sacrifices. Lord Sesha bears the burden of the world on his head. Lord Yama distributes justice to people. Lord Sun constantly gives light to the world. All these are liberated people.

26. -31 . Some Jivanmuktas are engaged in a varriety of strange activities and persuits. Even so they are internally very peaceful. some Jivanmuktas live inactive. Bhrigu, Bharadwaja, Viswamitra, Suka and some others took to forests after gaining the perfect knowledge. Janaka, Saryati, Mandhata, Sagara and some others engaged themselves in the duties of the state. Brihaspati, Chandra, Surya and the Seven Rishis and some others stationed themselves in the bright starry sky. Agni, Vayu, Varuna, Yama, Tumbura, Narada and some others wandered around in the celestial flying vehicles. Bali, Suhotra, Andha, Prahlada, Alhada and some other jivanmuktas took residence in the nether world.

32. -34 . Jnanis can be seen among animal species too. While in the celestial kind, there can be foolish people. In the all pervading, all-form Self everything of every kind is possible everywhere and anywhere. The law of that infinite supreme Self is extremely strange and wonderful. All is possible because of the immense variety in its design capability.

35. Self is said to wear names like Brahma, Vishnu, Fate, Dhata, Sarveswara, Siva, Iswara as individual consciousness entitities.

36. There is substance in something that is really not existing. It is like gold in gold dust. There is nothing real in a something that is with substance. It is like impurity in gold.

37. There can be something inproper in a thing that is proper. One can notice something proper even in something improper if observed with skill and logic. Dharma which is proper is extant in the world due to the fear the improper 'sin'.

38. In untruth, eternal truth is observed. Through void and meditation one is attaining the eternal state.

39. Through magic, it can be shown that a rabbit has horns. Similarly by the mere play of time and space, something that is nonexistent is being born.

40. At the end of a aeon moon, sun, earth, oceans, gods all are vanishing/getting destroyed. Thus even a diamond, which is the hardest, gets destroyed.

41. -42 . O mighty Rama, knowing all this about becomings and nonbecomings, reject all sorrows and joys. Move towards equality. In this world the nonexistent appears as existent and vice versa. And so abandon all likes and dislikes. Move towards equality.

43. -46 . O Rama, discrimination (viveka) is most important. Without that one can never get liberation. Millions of people are remaining in a state of ignorance due to lack of discrimination. Liberation is easily possible with discrimination. Otherwise it is impossible. Develop this discrimination through extinction of mind. Effort to achieve this is very essential for all seekers of liberation. Perceiving Self leads to uprooting of all sorrows.

47. -49 . Great and courageous, steadfast, wise souls like Janaka and Suhotra are living even now as jivanmuktas. You also develop steadfast intelligence and move towards equality and act in the world. In this world there are two kinds of liberation, liberation while in body and liberation while out of body.

50. -52 . O sinless one, the peace that is caused by disinterest in and detachment for all things will occur whether while in body and while disembodied. To quell the love for body is the best way to eternal union with the Absolute-say the wise. Such a union can occur while in body or out of it. One who has no interest in or passion for body is called a Jivanmukta. To have passion for body is bondage.

53. -55 . One should strive for liberation. With effort through appropriate practices one can achieve the goal of liberation. Without proper practices even an inch of progress is impossible. Abandoning practice, one should not get into self- deception and delusion. O Rama, there is nothing impossible for a man of courage and determination. Engage in self-inquiry with a steadfast mind till you reach your goal.

56. Buddha attained the supreme state through effort. Some people could not reach the goal due to slippage in their effort. Many a great soul gained the supreme state as fruit of the tree of effort.