March 23, 2026
upalaṁbhastu yaścā ‘yameṣā cittacamatkṛtiḥ
cittatvamātrasattā ‘sti dvitvamaikyaṁ ca nāstyalaṁ (15)
KUṀBHA said:
In the case of gold, it may be said that at a certain time and at a certain place it gave rise to an ornament. But from the self (which is absolute peace) nothing is created and nothing ever returns to it. Brahman rests in itself. Hence, it is neither the seed nor the cause for the creation of the world which is a matter of mere experience. Apart from this experience nothing exists which could be referred to as the world or the egosense. Therefore, the infinite consciousness alone exists.
ŚIKHIDHVAJA said:
I realise, O sage, that in the Lord there is no world nor the egosense. But how do the world and the egosense shine as if they exist?
KUṀBHA replied:
Indeed, it is the infinite which, beginningless and endless, exists as pure experiencing consciousness. That alone is this expanded universe which is its body, as it were. There is no other substance known as the intellect, nor is there an outside nor void. The essence of existence is pure experiencing which is therefore the essence of consciousness. Just as liquidity exists inseparable from water, consciousness and unconsciousness exist together. There is no rationale for such existence, for what is is as it is.
Since there is neither a contradiction nor a division in consciousness it is self-evident.
If the infinite consciousness is the cause of something else, then how can it be regarded as indescribable and incomparable? Hence, Brahman is not a cause nor a seed. What then shall we regard as the effect? It is therefore inappropriate to associate the creation with Brahman and to associate the inert with the infinite consciousness. If there appears to be a world or egosense, these are but empty words meant to entertain.
Consciousness is not destroyed. However, if such destruction can be comprehended, the consciousness that comprehends it is free from destruction and creation. If such destruction can be comprehended, it is surely the trick of consciousness. Hence consciousness alone exists, neither one nor many! Enough of this discussion.
When thus there is no material existence, thinking does not exist either. There is neither a world nor the egosense. Remain well established in peace and tranquillity, free from mental conditioning, whether you are embodied or disembodied. When the reality of Brahman is realised, there is no room for worry and anxiety.