December 8, 2025
aho bhagavatā ‘smākaṁ prasādo darśitaś cirāt
darśanāmṛtasekena yat sikttāḥ saddrumā vayaṁ (16/10)
VASIṢṬHA continued:
I descended right in front of Bhuśuṇḍa. He knew that I was Vasiṣṭha and welcomed me appropriately. By his mere thought-force he materialised flowers with which he worshipped me. He made me sit near him. Bhuśuṇḍa then said to me:
”I consider it a great blessing that after a long time you have given us your darśan (visit). Bathed in the nectar of your darśan (presence and company), we have been renewed like a good tree. You are the greatest among those who are worthy of adoration: and you have come here only as a result of my accumulated merit. Pray tell me the immediate reason for this visit. Surely, in your heart there shines the light of self-knowledge kindled by continuous and intense enquiry into the nature of this unreal world-appearance? What is the purpose of your visit? Ah, by the very sight of your blessed feet, I have divined your purpose. You have come here in pursuit of your enquiry into the secrets of extreme longevity. Yet, I would love to hear the purpose from your own lips.”
I replied as follows: You are truly blessed in that you enjoy the supreme peace all around you, in that you are endowed with the highest wisdom (self-knowledge) and in that you are not caught in the net of illusion known as world-appearance. Pray enlighten me in regard to a few facts concerning yourself.
In what clan were you born? How did you acquire the knowledge of that which alone deserves to be known? What is your age now? Do you remember anything concerning the past? Who is it that ordained that you shall be long-lived and that you shall live on this tree?
BHUŚUṆḌA replied:
”Since you ask these questions concerning me, O sage, I shall duly answer them. Pray listen attentively. The story I am about to narrate is so inspiring that it will destroy the sins of those who relate it and those who listen to it.”
Having said this, O Rāma, Bhuśuṇḍa began the following narration. His words were grave and polite. They had power for he had risen beyond all desires and the pursuit of pleasure. His heart was pure for it had reached its own fulfilment. He was fully aware of the birth and the extinction of the creations. His words were sweet. He had the dignity of the creator Brahmā himself. His words were like nectar. And he commenced his discourse which follows.