February 18, 2026
kālasattā nabhaḥsattā spandasattā ca cinmayī
śuddhacetanasattā ca sarvamityādi pāvanaṁ
paramātmamahāvāyau rajaḥ sphurati cañcalaṁ (72/1)
The KING said:
In the supreme self shine as dust-particles substances (concepts or relative realities) known as time, space, motion which are conscious (movement in and of consciousness) and pure intelligence.
The self or Brahman though appearing to migrate from one dream-world to another does not in fact abandon its own essential nature nor is it ever ignorant of itself.
Even as when the stem of a banana is peeled, every layer as it is peeled off reveals another similar layer, when this world-appearance is enquired into it is seen as none other than Brahman. This Brahman is referred to positively as the truth, Brahman, etc., and since it is beyond description it is also negatively indicated as emptiness and indescribable etc. Whatever is experienced as real is the reality. Though its particular form is put together by the experience, it is naught but pure consciousness, even as the banana stem is nothing but banana stem and every layer of it is of identical nature.
The self is considered to be of atomic nature because it is extremely subtle and intangible; yet since the self alone is it is the infinite and it is the very root of the entire existence. It is formless though it appears in all forms.
This world-appearance is but the flesh in which the truth which is pure consciousness is clothed.
VASIṢṬHA continued:
Having heard this answer from the lips of the king, the vampire became silent and deeply contemplative. It forgot its great hunger and entered into profound meditation.
Thus have I told you, O Rāma, the tale of the vampire which illustrates the truth concerning the subtle infinite consciousness. The universe is but an envelope or a veil of this consciousness; and it is rent asunder by a diligent enquiry into its real nature. It is in fact as real as the “body” of the vampire!
Rāma, expand the mind with the mind. Remain at peace within yourself, seeing the one infinite being in all. Like the king Bhagīratha you will achieve the impossible if you are able to remain firm in your knowledge of the truth and if you engage yourself in appropriate action in a life characterised by effortless experiencing of the natural course of events.