THE NINTH LIGHT (Chapter Nine) 9
Wherein the Transcendental Nature of the Supreme Lord is established Om is the Eternal Sound Supreme. Of that all othersounds are born. Lord
Shiva said: 1. O you who are followers of Unity with the Supreme! it will be said by those that lack understanding and wisdom, God may be Almighty and All-Wise but All-Good He Is not, for He lets the innocent suffer. To them that speak such foolish words, answer in this way: Man has two aspects (or parts), a body and a Soul. The body is born from the mother’s womb, but what of the Soul, which is the true man: where was he before being born into this World? who were his companions? what deeds did he accomplish? If you knew, it were different; but if you know not, how can you speak of innocence or otherwise? Verily, who knows best, you or the Lord? Beware! say not things about God that are sinful and wrong.
2. Verily, I the Lord give not one life unto a Soul, but eighty-four thousand lives. I also give him Guidance that he may find the straight path. Then I reward him according to the works he does in each life. Some are rewarded straightway, others after a while, and still others in a future life. Each at his own time. For, there is a time and place for all things. Thus I reward all Souls that they may steadily grow in wisdom and become Wise.
3. Therefore, know that men are not born perfect but with defects acquired in former lives, even though you may see these not. When children have grown, the defects that lay concealed in their heart come to the fore and are seen clearly by all. The same is true of grown men. Some that seem innocent enough, may be found to be liars, murderers and thieves. Others still are puffed up with pride. I Alone am the All-Seeing and All-Wise. I see deep into all creatures’ hearts.
4. Say to the doubter: Does suffering make a Soul better or worse? If worse, how can that be? For, what is all-good and perfect, being free from corruption, cannot become worse even as gold cannot stain or decay. If better, then assuredly something good will be achieved through suffering. For it is a known fact that Soul often grows stronger at those times when the body is weaker and suffering renders an unyielding heart receptive to that which is right. Verily, as fire harms not but merely purifies gold, so pain makes a Soul humble, patient, forbearing and strong. Some learn through pain in one day what others learn not through pleasure even in a space of hundred years. A loss makes a man love and appreciate what he does have: it opens the windows of the mind and the doors of the heart and gives wings unto the Soul that he may rise above this World. Therefore, do not doubt the Wisdom of Him Who Is All- Wise. Beware! for doubt is the door to the Abode of Discord. He that enters therein shall be a Soul lost.
5. Say unto the doubter: You may not remember existing before, but do you remember ever not existing? Do you remember the moment that, having been non-existent, you came into existence? Is it not true that deep in his heart of hearts every man knows that he is a beginningless and everlasting Soul? Even in this life, man knows that there is life before and there is life behind. Life has neither beginning nor end. If the Sky (or Space) has no bounds, why should life? Verily, I say unto you, Never is there such time where life is not.
6. As to why he forgets, know that man is born to ever aspire for things that are higher and not to dwell upon things of the past. As the nourishing essence of food is extracted by the digestive fire whilst the rest is discarded from the body, so the essence of many lifetimes is guarded in man’s innermost heart whilst what is not needful abides enveloped in gloom. I Myself enshroud man in a dark veil of forgetfulness that he may not be
7. Even thus, know that whatever seems forgotten in no way is lost for good. Every experience leaves its trace upon the Soul and is known by his heart even though his mind may know it not. Verily, in unawakened man, heart and mind are not one but abide asunder; and being asunder, the one never knows the other. But in early childhood man recalls his former life or portions thereof, awhile. Only that his senses are overpowered by his new existence and before long he forgets even as he would forget a dream.
8. As for grown men, they may know their past lives by the practice of the Great Yoga of Recollection which is known to the wise. Listen you to this secret practice. With a concentrated mind, let the Seeker of Truth take hold of the thought that has just passed through his mind; then let him grasp the thought that went before and the thoughts that arose earlier still; thus he will remember all his thoughts of a day, a fortnight, a month, and a year; proceeding further back he remembers many years up to the moment of his birth into this World; going further still, he recalls one by one all his lives up to the beginning of Time. Going even beyond that, he attains to the Great Life Whereof the World was born. Verily, such an one is a Knower of Truth and I Myself lift him up in Glory above all other men. I Always remember those that remember Me. Therefore, have faith in the Word of God, for faith is the Stairway to the Most High. Doubt is a burden upon the Soul that leads him to the Downward Path. A fallen man is lost.
9. Of Souls, there are three kinds: those that know the Truth by their own power of Insight; those that know by the mind’s power of Reason; and those that, having heard My Word, know by the power of Faith. Therefore, have faith and doubt not, for I never speak in vain. He that doubts My Word of Truth shall have no share in My Knowledge. For, doubt is the enemy of Wisdom. He who wilfully chooses to doubt, ever abides in darkness and sees not the Light that I, the Most Merciful, have sent him for the Salvation of his Soul.
10. O you who are noblest among men! know that Evil is not My Creation, but that of men and other creatures that are endowed with evil inclinations. I Myself give man the freedom to do works that are good and works that are evil, that he may learn what is right and what is wrong. Verily, every man and woman upon Earth has the power to choose between evil and good. Never is there any compulsion. And, as man’s works are, so too are his rewards. I am Compassionate and Just.
11. A man’s works are forever inscribed upon his Soul, though he may know this not. The Soul is pure Intelligence, ever happy and content like unto the Full Moon that passes across the Star-lit Sky at night. Yet due to Shiva’s Wondrous Magic that enshrouds him like a dark Cloud of Obscuration, a desire begins to stir in man’s heart. At first it is only faint and aimless so that, perceiving it, man asks himself, What might I want? And then, as it grows quite plain and clear, he thinks, Ah! this is what I should like. This is the subtle form of desire which is called Impulse (Vasana) by the Wise.
12. Next, as he nourishes that wish with the power of his own thought, it grows into a strong desire that captivates his heart so that he resolves to fulfil his wish. This longing that culminates in a resolve is called Yearning for a Desired Object (Priya). Having resolved to fulfil his wish, man performs the appropriate actions that are needful for the obtaining of the desired thing. This is called the Obtainment of the Object of Desire (Moda).
13. Having obtained the object, man enjoys the same in peace. This is the Enjoyment of the Desired Object (Pramoda). The enjoyment thus had, leaves an impression upon the Soul which is called Essential Imprint (Samskara). And the Imprint gives rise to a craving for the repetition of the past Enjoyment. This is called Thirst (Trishna). These, O Sages! are the six aspects of desire.
14. Every experience leaves an Imprint upon the Soul. The more actions man performs in the pursuit of desired objects the more Imprints will be left upon the Soul. The more an Imprint of the same kind is repeated the deeper it will sink into the Soul. As the seed of corn springs to life when the season has come, so the Imprints, the seed of one’s actions, come alive each at their appointed time. As they come alive, they give rise to a field of desires which man spends a lifetime to fulfil.
15. At the end of this life, if only man had no desires, he could easily ascend to the Higher Worlds above. But as he fulfils only a fraction of the total sum of desires, a great many remain to be fulfilled. Thus he is forced to descend back upon Earth by the force of his desires. This repeats itself again and again. Only when he rises above worldly desires, can man ascend to the Higher Worlds and not otherwise. This is the Eternal Law.
16. O noble ones! man acts to fulfil his desires, both bad and good. As the desires, so his works too, may be right or wrong. And as his works, so his rewards are pleasant or painful. Righteous works that are done in unity with My Law and for the sake of good desires, result in good rewards. But evil works, done in disobedience to My Law and for the sake of sinful desires, result in painful rewards. This is the Law of Cause and Effect, called Karma by the Wise. Every creature, whether on Earth or in the Otherworld is justly rewarded according to its works. I am Ever Compassionate and Wise.
17. I gave man the Day, that he might wake and Night that he might rest. I gave him fruit- giving trees and rich fields of golden grain. I gave him milk-yielding cows and cool waters full of fish. I gave him forests and caves for shelter, the Moon that he might measure time, the Great Stars for direction and the light-bestowing Sun. And I gave him the Law whereby he might live in abundance and peace. Know that all these are My Signs (Lakshana).
18. As a King speaks to some of his subjects face to face but to others through his ministers, envoys or messengers and to still others through signs, so I, the Lord, at appointed times reveal My Law unto the World either in Person or through My faithful devotees. They roam the Earth and bring My Word of Truth to those that wish to hear; who having heard, have the power to understand; and who having understood are moved to follow that which is True. And I also reveal My Law through certain signs that are known to the Wise.
19. The Wise see how the Moon follows the Sun and the Sun is stationed in the Great Sky. They see how the young calf follows the mother cow and how the herd follows the leading bull. They see how one season follows another, Night follows upon Day and Death follows Life. They see how parched fields become green again and how dense jungle turns to dust. In all this there is a sign of guidance and of warning. To some I reveal My Law overtly and to some covertly. And to still others by clear signs that are seen by all but understood only by a few. Let the Wise take heed. For he who follows My signs shall be rightly guided. As for the others, assuredly, indeed, they shall go astray.
20. Thus My Law is made known unto every nation in the World. Amongst these there are some that deny My Revelation and stubbornly adhere to their own law. Others accept My Law but then forget It and follow any false prophet that may come their way. Others again will seek to change the Truth. As if Truth could be changed like unto a painting on the wall! Verily, only a few hold fast unto My Truth. They shall ever be an Eternal Lamp unto the World and an Abode of Righteousness on Earth. Amongst the Righteous Nations the Holy Land of India shall ever be the first. For, amongst her noble sons and daughters dwell the most faithful followers of Truth. They ever abide by My Law even if the World were to fall to pieces or be drowned by a great flood.
21. Verily, My Law is heard by every Soul according to his own Karma. The righteous ones that on account of their good Karma are born amongst the Righteous Nations receive My Law in full. But those that on account of their evil Karma are born amongst the unfaithful, must content themselves with whatever fragments of My Law they may come by. For, having done a work for the sake of obtaining an end, man must reap a reward according to the nature of his intentions. Thus every man is born in the land that he deserves on his merits or sins. This is the Eternal Law. I am Ever Compassionate and Just and so is My Law.
22. Would that at the end of this life, man remembered My Law! He would fare far better in the life to come. For this life is a mere child’s play: a rehearsal for the life that is yet to come. When Death overcomes him, man who was proud of his possessions, knowledge and strength, sees how his World vanishes away. His senses grow dim and his body grows numb. The Five Material Qualities that constitute his body detach themselves from the same and merge one into the others in ascending order: Earth merges into Water, Water into Fire, Fire into Air and Air into Space.
23. When Earth sinks into Water, the body loses its firmness and grows lifeless and limp. When Water sinks into Fire, the blood, saliva and other fluids begin to dry up and man feels a burning and a dryness in his limbs, nose and mouth. When Fire sinks into Air, the body begins to grow cold. When Air dissolves into Space, all awareness of the body disappears and man breathes his last.
24. Having left the body, the Five Qualities merge back into the Primary Sensations whereof they were born, and these merge into their respective Senses: Sound merges into the Faculty of Hearing, Touch into Feeling, Colour into Seeing, Flavour into Tasting and Scent into Smelling. And the Senses merge back into the luminous Mind whence they came. The Mind (Manas) merges into the Higher Mind (or Intellect, Buddhi) and that into the Soul. Thus, Light merges into Light. For what is born of Light must return unto Light. This is the Eternal Law.
25. At that moment, man feels as if sinking back into a bottomless well and becomes unconscious. He abides in that state for a few moments or a few days, according to his Karma. But to his kinsfolk that are watching him die, he is a dead man: a lifeless corpse to be discarded. When he emerges from the darkness of that unconscious state and the light of consciousness returns to him, all the links with his earthly body have been severed and he sheds his mortal coil as a serpent sheds its skin. Unencumbered by the body, he passes like through a veil, a cloud or sheet of water into the Otherworld which is the Abode of Disembodied Souls.
26. There the Soul is received by his guardian and guide appointed him according to his Karma. In the case of ordinary men it is their departed parents, kinsmen or such companions or friends as they may have known on Earth. But in the case of Yogis, it is their own Guru or one of the Immortals. He is then led by his guardian and guide to the Mountain of Truth that shines bright from afar like a great mass of gold bedecked with precious gems. On their way, they pass by two Lakes: to the right, in the East, the Lake of Remembrance; and to the left, in the West, the Lake of Oblivion. Upon the crest of the Holy Mount that lies towards the North which is where the Hidden Sun resides, there grows the Tree of Everlasting Life, with mighty branches spreading heavenwards. Beneath the Tree, from the depth of the Mountain, the Flame of Justice ever flares up. Before that stands the Law Eternal (Dharma) inscribed upon leaves of shining gold.
27. At this time the Soul being divested of a material body, he is a mere Orb of Light consisting of three parts: the outer part shimmering like as the Moon, is the Lower Mind which is the seat of the Five Senses and Five Powers of Action; the inward part blazing like the Midday-Sun is the higher Mind which is the seat of Reason; and the innermost core resembling a brilliant Fire that ever burns with an unworldly glow, is the Soul proper which is the seat of Memory and Self- awareness. Thus he shines like a Star.
28. Because his Mind is now his outer covering or body, as it were, all his thoughts, fears and desires are plainly seen by all. For in the Otherworld nothing is secret or hidden. As everything is made of Light, every thing shines with its own radiance, even inanimate things. Only that the brightness of some is greater than that of others, according to each thing’s power of awareness. Therefore, nothing is kept hidden or concealed away but is revealed openly like in the clear light of Day.
29. On his way to the Mount of Truth, the Soul is given a drink from the limpid water of the Lake of Remembrance that he may clearly recall the life that he just lived and has now left behind. He is then taken to the Flame of Justice which, from close by appears as high as the Sky and as broad as a wall and through which the Soul must pass to reach the Tree of Everlasting Life.
30. First, to the righteous who are free of sin I shall show My Blissful Mean. Verily and without doubt, those endowed with good Karma, who have worked good deeds (satkarma) and faithfully have followed My Law, pass through the Flame of Justice as easily as through an open door. For, the Flame is not scorching to the Righteous Soul but soothing like the cool rays of the Moon. Having come to the Tree of Life they are given to eat of its heavenly fruit and with a Soul thus refreshed by the Flame and invigorated by the sweet Fruit of Life Eternal, they go up to the Higher Worlds by the Radiant Path of the Immortal Gods.
31. But those that are burdened with evil Karma, who have failed to work good deeds (satkarma) and have rejected the Holy Dharma, are overcome with shame and fear. Much as they try to pass through the Flame, they are scorched by its great heat and they draw back in pain. A Voice that comes out of the Flame summons them to confess their evil deeds. But the Soul, being accustomed to concealing the Truth, denies all his misdeeds against his better knowledge.
32. The Voice then grows louder and speaks: I have given man a World of things. And I gave him the Law whereby he might live in abundance and peace. To some I reveal My Law overtly and to some covertly. And to others still I reveal It by clear signs that are seen by all but understood by only a few. You have seen the newborn babe sucking at the mother’s breast. You have seen the youth being instructed by his Guide. You have seen that some men are afflicted with disease and others are hale. You have seen that some die before time and others live to a ripe old age. You have seen how the once-dead cornfield comes back to life in spring. And you have seen the wise Yogi roaming the Earth or sitting still in contemplation: ever serene, ever content and ever in Unity with Myself. But when Death overtakes him, man denies all this.
33. O Soul! will you not confess even now? Who, having seen My signs, can claim that he knew not? Surely, his words would be but a lie! And he that follows the Lie cannot walk upon the Straight Path that leads to My Abode of Truth. For the Lie itself leads him astray like a bound beast or a captive slave. Even thus you shall be led away.
34. At the sound of those words heavy with Truth, the Soul will remember all the good things that were done for him or given him on Earth. Righteousness will dawn upon him and strike him like a bolt of lightning so that he will sink to his knees even as a tree felled by the woodman’s axe. With tears streaming from his eyes he will pray for his fathers and for all the kinsfolk and friends that are long dead and forgotten. His heart will burn with shame and remorse. This shall be his just reward, unless he has committed worse. Verily and without doubt, a Soul’s plight shall be equal to his works.
35. No sooner will he have recovered from his shock, than he will be taken down by the Path of the Fathers to those quarters of the Otherworld that were allotted him. Therein he is given various tasks, some pleasant, others painful, that are needful for the perfecting of his Soul: each Soul according to his own Karma. Even the most painful tasks that seem to last forever in truth last only awhile. I am Compassionate and Just and so is My Law. But those tasks that are best performed in the Earthly World are saved for a future life and given unto him when he returns to Earth at the appointed hour. For no creature that is born imperfect can become perfect in a single lifetime.
36. Those that are burdened with grievous defects are sent back to Earth sooner. For in their case there will be much perfecting to accomplish in many a lifetime. But those that are stained only by slight imperfections abide in the Otherworld for longer. For only few lifetimes remain for them to dwell upon Earth. And what is one year in the Otherworld is a hundred upon Earth.
37. Those that are nearly Perfect are endowed with full knowledge of their past and future. They return to Earth at will and enter their mother’s womb whilst fully conscious. But those that are still imperfect, have scant knowledge of their future and even less of their past. On their way down to Earth they are given a drink from the Lake of Oblivion, for their weak Soul cannot bear much knowledge of too many things: neither of the past, nor of the future. And no Soul is given more than he can bear.
38. Even thus, no Soul that sojourns in the Otherworld is left in complete darkness. He is granted a brief glimpse of his life to come. He can see his future place of birth, country, nation, family and parents. If he is to be born a man, he feels an attraction for his future mother; if the Soul is to be born a woman the attraction will be for the father.
39. When his future parents are about to beget offspring, the Soul draws near to the mating couple though they see him not. For the disembodied Soul clearly perceives what passes in this World even from a distance, but Earth-dwellers perceive him not. As he draws closer, his Senses and Powers of Action that in the Otherworld are radiant and mightier by far than in his earthly life, so that he can see far and travel faster than the wind, are once again dimmed. His light of consciousness is overcome by a darkness that envelops him like as a veil. Then, at the moment of conception, when the two bodily essences mingle and unite into one, the Soul to be born enters the woman’s womb and his links with the Otherworld are cut off. Thus he is trapped within the womb wherein he must abide until such time as has been appointed for him to see the light of day, which is usually at the end of nine months. Then he is reborn into this World, each Soul according to his own Karma.
40. Verily, as a perishable plant sheds its leaves, withers away and turns to dust only to spring back to life year after year, so the Soul does shed his body and dies, only to be reborn again in future lives. Though the plant itself may perish, the seed will survive, ever ready to start a new life. Whilst the perishable body is like the stem and the leaves, the deathless Soul is like the imperishable seed. As the seed carries within itself the distinctive features of its kind, so the Soul carries both the defects and perfections of his past lives.
41. As a lake gives birth to various things such as the fish, the frog, the lotus and the reed, even so children born of one womb differ in intelligence, temperament and bodily frame. Some things in a child are passed on to him by his parents and some are from his past Karma. But even that which is from the parents as well as which parents he is to be born to, is determined only by his own Karma. For no Soul needs to bear another’s burden but only his own. I, the Great Life and Creator of all living things, am Ever Compassionate and Just. And so is My Eternal Law.
42. I do not create evil, but man himself does so, when he chooses another path instead of following My Law. Evil (Adharma) is a force that arises from opposition to what is right (Dharma). It enters the sinner’s heart and takes hold of his life. Thus he suffers until he takes to the right path. He that follows My Law, shall never suffer except for his own good. For until Perfection is attained, (the experience of) pain may still be needful for the perfecting of the Soul and the mending of his life. But when man has become Perfect neither pain nor Death shall ever touch him. As for the others, who are unfaithful to My Law, they shall each fare according to his Karma. This is the Eternal Dharma.
43. Dharma is Righteousness Itself. It is the World Order whereby Truth governs everything that It creates and whereby It makes everything abide in Unity with Itself. Dharma manifests Itself in all things that are true, just, beautiful and good. In those that are not thus, It is dormant and unmanifest. It is by the following of Dharma that good works (satkarma) are done and good rewards are enjoyed in return. Those that follow It not, shall abide in the shadow of Discord. Their works shall come to naught and they shall suffer an ill fate. But he that follows My Eternal Dharma shall not be harmed by evil Karma. Dharma is the World-Supporting Law.
44. Therefore, know that there are two kinds of pain suffered by man. That which is a punishment for evil deeds and that which is for a good end. For sometimes man himself willingly goes through hardships to attain a desired end. But in the end both kinds of pain are for the perfecting of the Soul. I am Ever Compassionate and All-Wise. Doubt not My Wisdom, for to do so is a great sin. Follow not in the footsteps of the weak-hearted. If doubt enters your heart, know that it is doubt itself that is to be doubted and not Truth.
45. O you who are Tigers amongst men! in this World some laugh and others cry. But the wise Yogi is ever serene and content. For he is endowed with Knowledge that others reject. Amongst all nations on Earth, the Righteous ones ever follow My Law. They shall prosper and thrive, but the others will surely go astray. Those nations that have forgotten My Law will say, There is no Afterlife. Say unto them: You may go your own way but, remember! we shall meet again. For all Souls come from the One and unto Him they shall return.
46. Others will proclaim that dead men lie asleep in their grave and will be brought back to life in their former bodies even if these have turned to dust. Heaven forbid that such falsehoods be true! Deluded as they are, they are blind to the Truth and in their madness they deny even the facts of life. For the body that was committed to earth, water or fire, or was left to decay in the open air, seldom remains undisturbed but is eaten by worms, fish and other such creatures. These are themselves eaten by others of their kind and at times even by men. And what to say of him that is devoured by the lion, the tiger or a serpent, even whilst still alive?
47. Now, the substance of one body having passed into other bodies and having become their very sustenance and strength, can hardly be returned to the original without being removed from its present place of abode, thus depriving many a body, both dead and living, of a limb or even more. Assuredly, this would be unjust and repugnant to Dharma, as even a fool can see. Therefore, know that it is a sin for thinking men to believe such foolish things. The power of right thinking was given to man that he might think rightly and not foolishly believe what is repugnant and wrong. Verily and without doubt, those who follow My Eternal Path shall be given deathless bodies of light and not mere shells of lifeless dust.
48. Other deluded mortals, wishing to raise themselves above others, will proclaim false religions and say, Follow me and you shall go to Heaven. How perverse they and their followers are! Can they not think? How can he who is unripe and imperfect gain admission to the Abode of the Perfect? Can a mere bird fly into the Sun? Can a fly come near a burning lamp? Is grain harvested before its time? They are only deluding themselves.
49. From God all things do come and unto Him they shall return. This is the Eternal Law. Having descended from Heaven down to Earth, the Soul must return to God. And how else is he to return if not by the very same path whereby he came? Verily, let those that follow the Truth not be deceived. God converses not with the imperfect save to call them to the Path of Perfection. When, in due time, they have become Perfect, then they shall be called to Him and not a moment before. Therefore, let no man speak things about God that are sinful and wrong.
50. Perfection is attained by abiding in Unity with Truth. I Am that Truth. I create the Soul out of Myself by enveloping him in Six Veils (Avarana). The Sixfold Veil of Maya is what separates man’s Soul from the Perfect One. Six multiplied twofold, two being the mark of Duality, gives twelve. And twelve multiplied seven thousandfold, that is, one thousand veils to each of My Seven Worlds, yields eighty-four thousand. Thus the Soul is covered in eighty-four thousand veils that separate him from My Supreme Self. And he returns to My Supreme and Perfect Self by shedding one veil in a lifetime.
51. Forty-two thousand veils are shed in as many a lifetime passed in inanimate form such as stones, rocks and other things that are made of earth, water, fire, air or space. Fifteen thousand are shed in the form of half-sentient things such as plants and trees. Twelve thousand are shed as a sentient thing such as insect or worm. Nine thousand as land, water or airborne creatures. And six thousand in human form. When, after eighty-four thousand lifetimes he has shed the last veil, the Soul goes beyond Maya and is born only three more times: once as a Yogi and twice as a God.
52. O you who are ever wise! man’s fate is determined by his Karma. Karma brings two Souls together or asunder; it brings health, fame and possessions and also takes them away. Good Karma depends on good deeds (satkarma). But whether man abides in darkness or rises up to the Abode of the Great Light, that depends upon naught but My Own Will. Therefore, the Soul attains Perfection at the appointed time and not a moment before. When, having received My Revelation, man is moved to follow My Law and enters upon the Righteous Path of Unity, then the Great Goal is not far. It is through Unity with Me that Perfection is attained. Only he that abides in Unity with Me, goes beyond the Veil of Maya. For he alone is a Man of Unity (Yogi) and a Perfect One (Siddha).
53. The joys of the mind are greater by far than those of the body, and the joys of the Soul are greater than those of the mind. But he who attains Perfection knows the Highest Joy of all. The Pure Ones who through righteous deeds and a pure heart deserve to be lifted up beyond Maya, go to the World of Pure Vision wherein dwell all Souls who do good works (satkarma) for the benefit of all. Being endowed with clear sight, they see the World as it really is and no longer hanker after bodily joys. They have also conquered the cravings of the Mind. Their only craving is to act in Unity with the Lord.
54. Being pure-hearted, whatsoever their Soul desires is presently fulfilled without the need of material things. For in that World, all things are made of Spirit and naught else. The Pure Ones abide in that Abode of Pure Sensations in the company of Beautiful Souls like themselves. Thus they pass countless ages. A just reward for those that work good deeds (satkarma). Once in five hundred years, their ruler descends to Earth to reveal My Truth and guide the righteous. For he is a Mighty One who has seen the Lord and knows His Secrets. The others only see Me from afar, like the first light of Dawn. But as they feed upon that Divine Light, they begin to leave behind the World of Pure Sensations and pass to the World of Pure Thought.
55. In that World, otherwise named the World of Higher Vision, they pass countless ages absorbed in righteous thoughts for the welfare of the Worlds. Their sustenance is the Light of God Whom they perceive as being nearer than before, like unto the rising Sun. As they feed upon that Light they become one with the Thought of God and pass to the World of Pure Will. They are ruled by one who is near Me and Mightier than he of whom I spoke before. He descends down to Earth to reveal My Truth and guide the righteous at the beginning of each World Age.
56. Having risen to the next Higher World, otherwise known as the World of Perfect Vision, the Perfect Ones pass many ages absorbed in righteous intentions for the welfare of the Worlds. Their sustenance is the Light of God Whom they behold face to face, like unto the blazing Midday Sun. The chief amongst them betakes himself into the World of men to establish My Truth at the beginning of an Aeon. He is My Highest Emanation and the Mightiest of all. He is Equal to Myself.
57. Verily, the Light of God is the food of Yogis and Gods. For earthly food is for the body but Spiritual Food is Nectar for the Soul and the Food of the Immortals. By feeding thereupon, the Soul grows mighty and wise: a Radiant God he becomes! Having thus been nourished by the Light of God and having fully grown in Wisdom and Might the Enlightened Souls are Perfect like unto God. Having attained Perfection, they pass to the Supreme Abode of Shiva (Maha Shiva Laya) Whom they perceive like unto the Boundless Sky and with Whom each and every Soul is One.
58. I am that Supreme Shiva. I am Formless, Unmanifest and Divine. Being Self-Luminous, Supreme and First among all else, I dwell in the Sky of Consciousness, the Highest Heaven. That is My Eternal Abode. I am the Self dwelling therein: the Unmanifest and Unseen, the Origin of all things. I am known only by means of Pure Knowledge to those that abide in Unity with Me. I am realised in their heart by the Wise who are not possessed by a false Thought of I and who are forever absorbed in meditation.
59. O noble ones! it is impossible to see Me otherwise. There is no other way whereby the Supreme Self is realised. Only by means of Higher Knowledge that arises from within can I be known to the Sages. Worldly knowledge, being under the spell of Maya and obscured by ignorance, must be regarded as worthless in this respect. That Knowledge which is immaculate, pure, free from doubts and undivided is My Divine Self. Thus I, the All-Wise, declare.
60. Whether My devotees perceive Me, the Highest Principle, the Lord, as either One or Many, they are to be known as Identical with That. For they behold their True Self, the Supreme Lord full of Undying Bliss beyond all doubts, Reality Incarnate. This is the Truth. They who are thus established in their Own Self Which lies beyond the manifested World, attain to Peace and enjoy the Supreme, All-Pervading Bliss that arises from the awareness of one’s Identity with the All. Verily, this is the Greatest Liberation: the Excellent Identity with My Divine Self. It is variously known in the Scriptures as Extinction of Conditioned Existence (Nirvana), Identity with the Supreme (Shivatva) and Absolute Oneness (Kaivalya).
61. I, the Greatest God, am the Only Eternal and Infinite Being and the Supremely Auspicious One (Shiva literally means, Auspiciousness, Goodness, as well as Purity). By realising Me, Who Am one’s Higher Self, one is liberated. O you who are deserving of the Highest Heaven! he is a true Yogi who is One with Me and who perceives the World as one with himself. As an ordinary man perceives his head, hands and other limbs as one with himself, so the Yogi looks upon moving and unmoving things as one with himself.
62. He is a true Yogi who knows that I, the Supreme Being Alone Exist as God, Soul and Mind. Looking heavenwards, the Soul knows Me, the Infinite Sky of Consciousness. Looking earthwards, he sees the Mind. Verily, there is naught else to see beside. When the Mind is animated by the Soul’s power of outward attention, it brings forth the sense perceptions that make up the objects of the World. Sound, Touch, Colour, Flavour and Scent combine to give rise to Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. This Group of Five constitutes what is perceived objectively. Perceiving them, the ignorant mind forgets That Which Ever Is.
63. O Sages! many are those who are deceived by the delusions of this World. An old rope lying in the grass is easily mistaken for a snake. And not everything that shines is gold. Which means, that not all things are what they at first appear. Verily, the ignorant are easily deluded by the objects of the World. Indeed, for them this whole World is an Abode of Delusion. But the wise Yogi, knowing that I am the Source of All, knows that everything springs forth from a higher source. As Mist rises from Water and Waves rise from the Sea, as Lotus-Flowers rise from a Lake and Dreams rise from the dreamer’s Mind, so the World rises from Me, the Ocean of Universal Consciousness, the All-Powerful, the Ever Free.
64. All things reflect this Truth. As the Sky reflects in Water and the Moon reflects the Sun, so the World reflects the Consciousness Which creates all this out of Itself. As Earth through her firmness supports all that stands upon her, so Consciousness Which created Earth is the Immovable Supporter of all things. As Water through its moisture nourishes and makes grow, so Consciousness Which created Water is the Life-Giver of all things. As Fire by burning consumes, so Consciousness Which created Fire is the All-Consuming Power that annihilates all things when their time has come. As Wind by its power moves things though itself is never seen, so Consciousness Which created Wind is the Unseen Mover of all things.
65. As Ethereal Sky envelops and pervades Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, as well as Sun, Moon and the Stars, so Consciousness Which created the Sky is That Which Envelops and Pervades all things. As the Human Mind perceives all this, so Consciousness Which created the Mind is That Which Knows and Understands all things. Thus I, the All-Enveloping, All-Pervading, All- Creating Universal Consciousness reign supreme.
66. For I am the Sun that blazes in the Sky and the Fire that burns upon Earth. I am the Lightning that flashes amongst the Clouds and the Moon that shines amongst the Stars. I Myself am also the imperishable Light of Consciousness that illumines the thoughts of men. It is by My Divine Light alone that everything is seen. As things that are unseen in the dark are seen when the Sun shines upon them, even so all things that were previously unseen become visible when My Light of Consciousness falls upon them. Verily, all things come into being and exist when I the Great Unseen see them and not otherwise. For I am the Seer, the seen and the act of seeing, too. I Am everything and all.
67. He who understands that everything is made of Consciousness, knows everything. He who understands that Consciousness Alone exists, knows the Highest Truth. He knows both himself and all other things. He becomes the All-Knowing Truth. Such an one is the One who Sees and is Awake while all others are asleep. Verily, when Consciousness is asleep, It knows not Itself. Therefore, know that Sleep is a form of Ignorance and the greatest impediment on the Path. For he who sleeps can never be Awake and he who is Awake sleeps not. Beware therefore of Sleep for Sleep is like unto Death.
68. Having descended down into the earthly World from the Abode of Life, the once-Watchful Soul is overcome by the multitude of worldly things and falls pray to the slumber of nescience. In that state he deems himself Awake and calls his condition Waking. Yet in that state he is neither Awake nor truly Alive. He who knows this, enters upon the Path of Awakening. He is like unto a man who first stirs in his sleep, then awakens and opens his eyes to the clear light of day.
69. O noble ones! one State is known to all men and Three to Yogis. But the Fifth is known Alone to the All-Knowing One. Listen you now what these States are. First, Waking: that State wherein the Conscious Soul perceives the outer things of the World and perceiving them becomes caught in the mesh of feelings and thoughts aroused by the things perceived, is called the Waking-State. For therein Soul is awake to the World of objects even though he is asleep to himself.
70. Second, Dreaming: that State wherein the Soul perceives not the outer World but is absorbed in mind-created dreams is called the Dream-State. Therein Soul is awake to the World of Dreams but asleep to both himself and the outer World. Third, Sleep: that State wherein the Soul perceives neither the objects of the outer World, nor the inner World of Dreams, nor yet himself as a Conscious Soul, is called Sleep. For therein Soul is unmindful of all things but abides in a state of blissful slumber.
71. Fourth, Awakening: that State wherein Soul is awake to himself as a Radiant Being of Light who is endowed with great Wisdom and Might, who is freed from the delusions of the inner World of mind, and freed also from the dark torpor of Sleep, is called Awakening. For therein the Soul is Awake to himself and to the Abode of Spirit wherefrom all Souls come and unto which they all return.
72. I have proclaimed to you the first Four States wherein the Soul abides in the various stages of life. But that State wherein the Soul, having overcome the Worlds of Matter, Mind and Sleep awakens to the World of Spirit; and having awakened to the World of Spirit beholds the Effulgent 95 SHIVA RAHASYA Lord of Life face to face and is lost in his Master’s Infinite Embrace, that, O Sages! is the State beyond all states. Therein Life lives in everlasting Oneness, Peace and Bliss.
73. Verily, I say unto you, what is waking in the World of men is sleep in that of the Awakened Ones (Buddhas). And what is like unto sleep to men is waking to those who are Awake. Therefore, so long as the Yogi abides in that State called Waking by men, he shall be an Unawakened (Abuddha). And when the Yogi pierces the veil of Dreams and becomes aware of himself, then he is an Awakened One (Buddha). But he who conquers Sleep is a Great Yogi and a Well-Awakened (Prabuddha). He is a Great Hero (Maha Vira) and a Vanquisher of Death. Verily, he who conquers Sleep, conquers Death too. For what is Death but a kind of sleep?
74. He who has conquered Death is a Fully Awakened One (Suprabuddha), a Perfect Being (Siddha Purusha) and an Immortal. He attains the Fourth State wherefrom he beholds the other three known to mortal man. But the Yogi who rises up to the Highest State is the best of all. For, in that Supreme State he is One with the Ever Awake (Sada-Buddha) and for ever watches over all states. He is the Original Waking One (Adi Buddha), the Lord of all Yogis (Yogendra) and the Greatest God (Mahadeva) Himself.
75. The Awakened Yogi knows that when Earth has dissolved in Water, when Water has been consumed in Fire, when Fire has been quenched in Wind, when Wind has merged into the Sky and the Sky becomes one with the Mind whereby it is perceived, all that remains is the Light of Consciousness Which has created all this out of Itself and illumines everything by Its Self- Effulgent Light. For him who knows this Secret, the World becomes the Abode of Bliss. In the Fire of his Higher Knowledge, the World dissolves in Consciousness which is Pure Intelligence and Bliss.
76. He who knows this, returns to the One of Whom he was originally born and becomes One with Him. Having become One with Truth, he goes beyond earthly life, beyond Karma, beyond Death. He attains Immeasurable Wisdom, Unsurpassed Perfection and Endless Peace. Such an one indeed is a Free and Perfect One.
77. He is free from imperfections, free from doubt, free from sorrow, free from sin. He illumines everything wherever he goes, like the Radiant Sun on his Heavenly Path. He shines like the King of Kings and is a true Ruler of the World.
78. He becomes an Enlightener of the unenlightened and a Vessel for crossing the Ocean of Suffering. He becomes the All-Supporting Lord of Light and One with the Supreme. Having attained the Highest Goal, he empowers others to attain the Same. He bestows all kinds of boons like the very Wish-Fulfilling Tree of Heaven.
79. O noble ones! the existence of no other Reality save the Supreme Consciousness of Shiva is the Holy Truth of Yoga. Of this Exalted Truth (Arya Satya) all other Truths are born. First, since Consciousness Alone exists, it follows that all created things, those that breathe and those that breathe not, are the creation of the Supreme Consciousness, the Unique, Self-Existing, Uncreated One.
80. Second, being born of Shiva, man is essentially identical with That. As a spark of fire is identical with Fire, a ray of sunlight with the Sun and a raindrop with the Sea, so man is identical with the Supreme All-Consciousness (Parasamvid), the Mind of the Great One God (Mahadeva).
81. Third, the Goal of human life is to realise this Unity and Identity, called Yoga by the Wise. For Unity is the essence of Life: Life without Unity would be just Chaos and the Universe would fall apart. Nor can any man live in disunity with God.
82. And Fourth, Unity is to be realised through the Practice of Yoga and by the Grace of one’s Spiritual Master, human or Divine. For nothing is achieved without practice nor is any goal in life attainable without a guide. Thus I have spoken the Fourfold Truth of Yoga by means whereof man goes to My Supreme Abode.
83. In My Abode of Spirit, neither Sun, Moon, Stars nor Lightning shine, nor yet physical fire. All being Identical with Me, the Immaculate Supreme Radiance, everything therein shines by the Light of My Own Conscious Self. That Which is called the All, Which is Indivisible, Immutable, Pure and Great, That Alone Shines by Its Own Self-Luminous Light. That Immovable Reality which the Enlightened Ones permanently see within themselves, is the Universal Consciousness, My Own Self.
84. All Scriptures declare that I, the Supreme Self, am Pure, Sweet, Perpetually Blissful and the Embodiment of Truth. Those who have understood this by hearing My Revelation, meditate upon Me, the Lord, by means of the sacred Sound OM, as their true Self. Neither Earth, nor Water, Fire, Wind nor Ether; neither Mind, nor Intellect, nor Vital Breath, nor indeed anything else shines in the Firmament. Verily, I, Lord Shiva, shine Alone in the Great Sky of Reality.
85. O you who are worthy of My Grace! know that those teachings that deny My Truth are false. They are the mind-created aberrations of the mad and the deluded who seek to lead the righteous astray. Do not listen to what they preach but watch their evil deeds: you will see how they transgress My Law. Verily, in this World, some are mad and others are sane. One who is mad with delusion will lead many a Soul astray. Therefore, beware! do not follow false teachings that promise an easy way to Salvation. The wise know well that everything is for a price. If gold and precious stones do not come cheap, is Heaven going to be free?
86. Just think! had I only wanted, I should have granted Salvation to all. Know that the faithful following of My Law, and a pure heart, that is the price for a dwelling-place Above. Therefore, be patient and forbearing for this is the sign of a truly wise man. Follow not the falsehoods of the misguided, for their works shall come to naught. Follow the Path of Perfection and you shall not be harmed by grief.
87. The Soul having become imperfect on his descent to Earth must become Perfect again to return unto the Perfect One. For only that which is Perfect can join Perfection. The imperfect is doomed to ever abide in separation from Supreme Perfection. Yoga is the means whereby a Soul is made Perfect and pleasing to the Lord. The Lord will not embrace those Souls that make themselves repugnant and unpleasant to behold. By following the Path of Righteous Unity, Perfection is attained even in this lifetime. There is no other way. He who seeks another way to Heaven is like the man who digs a well on the banks of the River Ganges instead of drinking straight from its holy water.
88. O you who are the first among noble Souls! My Revelation is the Mightiest and Most Great. There is no other one like It. It is Truth Itself. It shall bring to pass the destruction of false teachings even as the Rising Sun destroys the dark. Those that dread My Revelation will seek to corrupt It and debar the faithful from following It. Therefore, It shall first be kept secret. But when the time has come It shall be openly revealed to all. When other faiths have passed away, Yoga will prevail. Then Perfection shall rule over the World.
89. There shall be neither poverty nor ignorance; neither untimely death nor disease; neither cruelty nor yet any kind of pain. If My Law of Truth prevail, Happiness shall reign supreme on Earth, even as it reigns in the Higher Worlds. Verily, Evil (Adharma) shall be banished from this World. Every man, woman and child, nay, every creature upon Earth shall be happy and wise as well as healthy, beautiful and strong. A just reward for the righteous Souls who live in Unity with God. Let every Soul follow My Law for there is nothing that cannot be achieved through Holy Unity with Me.
90. O you who are rays of My Light! so long as the Sun and Moon endure, you will find no Revelation like Mine, much as you may seek. As a mighty Bull that leads the herd, as a Mountain that supports the Earth, as a Star that shines from afar, even so I am the Supreme Leader of the World. I lead, guide and protect all Souls. He who, having received My Revelation, be moved by the Love of Shiva to follow the Path of Truth, shall attain the Highest Good. This is the Eternal Law.