(1) Hemalekhaa instructs Prince Hemachuda

 

SALUTATION TO

AUM,

THE PRIMAL AND BLISSFUL CAUSE,

THE TRANSCENDENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS SHINING AS

THE UNIQUE MIRROR OF

THE WONDERFUL WORLD

STORIES FROM TRIPURAA RAHASYAM

INTRODUCTION

Tripuraa Rahasya or Haritayana Samhita is the work of Haritayana, son of Harita. The Spiritual Truths given in this sacred scripture were given by Sri Parashuraama to Harita, who in turn obtained it from Sage Dattatreya. It is said to consist of 12,000 verses in three sections - The Maahaatmya Kaanda (Section on the Greatness of Sri Devi), Jnaana Kaanda (Section on Supreme Wisdom), and Charyaa Kaanda (Section on Conduct). Of these the first consists of 6,687 verses; the second of 2,163 verses; and the third is not traceable. The section on Greatness contains the prelude to the work and later treats mostly of the manifestations of the Supreme Being as Durga, Kaali, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Lalita, Kumaari, etc. and their exploits and found in Brahmaanda Puraana, Maarkandeya Puraana and Lakshmi Tantra. This Section contains Jnaana Kaanda. The text is in conversational form. Harita instructs Naarada that Knowledge which was taught by Dattatreya to Parashuraama. This work is a discourse on wisdom, which is unique because one will be permanently freed from misery, by listening to its discourse.

This is the concentrated extract of the essence of the Vedic, Vaishnava, Shaiva, Saakta and Paasupata lore.

The present work is a collection of all stories related by Sage Dattatreya to explain the Supreme truth.

 “No other Scripture will enlighten the mind as much as this one on Knowledge

 which was once taught by that renowned Guru Dattatreya to Parashuraama. 

The instruction was based on his own experience,

fully rational, and unparalleled.

He who cannot comprehend the Truth even after hearing this great work

must be dismissed as an idiot foremost among the ignorant

and stuck by misfortune.

  Shiva himself cannot make such a fool gain Knowledge.”

 

I

STORY OF HEMALEKHAA AND HEMACHUDA

[1]

Royal Gardens of Dashaarna!

On one side beautiful girls danced to the heavenly tunes of the orchestra.

On another side maids were bringing royal delicacies and preparing for a feast.

Some beautiful girls brought garlands of scented flowers and decorated the arena.

Everywhere there was a festive mood.

Everyone laughed for no reason.

Everyone felt happy for no reason.

The whole palace was celebrating the arrival of the new bride.

But the bride? She was nowhere to be seen.

The Prince knew where she would be; in some quite deserted corner of the garden or in her own room. The prince had thoroughly searched the whole of the vast grove of trees near the palace. His wife was nowhere. He treaded his steps slowly towards the private chambers of his young queen.

Prince Hemachuda was worried.

Actually in the worldly sense he lacked nothing to cause him any anxiety.

He was the son of the Muktachuda, renowned King of DASHAARNA.

He and his elder brother Manichuda were highly admired by the citizens for their noble character and wisdom. The two brothers never caused a blemish to taint the good name of their dynasty.

Moreover, Hemachuda was now married to the prettiest lady on this earth. The beauty of his beloved wife Hemalekhaa was incomparable to any divine damsel of heavens. Her physical charms were enhanced by the wisdom that shone in her eyes. She was different from all other girls of her age. So patient, so calm, so compassionate; she was the epitome of modesty and wisdom. He was very lucky; merits of million births were not enough to get blessed by such a wife as Hemalekhaa!

Hemachuda remembered vividly the first time he met her!

He and his brother had gone for hunting in the wild forests on the outskirts of the city. A big retinue of well trained soldiers had followed them as usual. In their enthusiasm they had gone too deep into the jungles hitherto un-treaded by any humans. As they were trying to find a good place to camp, the sky had darkened suddenly. Huge clouds had gathered within seconds. The day became night instantly as if stuck by the magic wand of an evil sorcerer. To add to the confusion, a heavy storm stuck the area like a curse fallen from heaven. A tornado hitherto unseen by any of them rose in the sky. Dust filled everywhere.

The atmosphere became misty. Horses screamed terrified by the storm. They ran madly trampling the soldiers mercilessly. Screams and shouts were carried away by the winds. Nobody could see anything; nobody could hear anything. All they felt was the continuous blasts of stones and pebbles on their person.

Some managed to hide under rocks. Some hugged the trees for support. Some withered on the ground in pain. But the princes had been lucky. Their loyal horses had carried them away from that danger in a flash. Fortunately his brother Muktachuda’s horse had returned to the palace safely. But Hemachuda’s horse had ventured deeper into jungles and entered an enchanting garden filled with fruit bearing trees. A stream of sweet water gurgled nearby. Beautiful flowers of countless hues blossomed everywhere mesmerizing the mind to a state of relaxed drowsiness. Birds of different colors flew in abandon singing their own songs of love.

The prince had washed himself in the cool waters of the stream and was wondering who could be the resident of such a heavenly garden. As if in answer he heard the sound of anklets behind a tree. Curious he had followed the anklet sound till he had reached a beautiful cottage constructed out of forest-wood and decorated with various creepers of flowers. The anklet sound now was coming from inside the cottage. He went inside slightly hesitant. No one was there. He sat on the mat already spread out for him to be seated. He waited patiently. No one seemed to be around.

Suddenly a lightning stuck; yes, a golden lightning! A beautiful damsel of golden hue stood before him. Her tender hands held a plate of delicious cut fruits dipped in honey and a bowl of sweet smelling milk. Before the prince could ask anything she had disappeared. He finished eating all that was offered silently. As he got up to go, she had again appeared and whispered, “Please! Do not go away. Wait for my Father to come!”

He had insisted that he would wait only if she sat with him and conversed. She had reddened like a ripened fruit and agreed hesitantly. She sat in a corner half hiding her beautiful face in a veil. He had enquired about her with concern.

“O Beautiful lady! Who are you?  Are you not afraid to live in this terrifying forest alone? Does nobody care for you? Whose daughter are you?” 

She was silent for a few minutes and had later revealed her identity. Her words were pouring like nectar in his ears. He wanted to lift her, put her on his horse and rush off back to his palace and marry her immediately. But he was not brought up that way. He had suppressed all his emotions and listened to her patiently. She was the abandoned daughter of a divine damsel VidyaaPrabhaa who had consented to the passionate pleadings of King Vena, when she had visited the Earth for sporting in the forest Rivers. The resultant baby had been aborted by her and thrown on the river bank to wither and die. Fortunately for the suffering baby, Sage VyaaghraPaada whose hermitage was nearby had come to the river to perform his evening ablutions and he took home the dying baby. His compassionate care soon filled life into the baby and now she was sitting before him as his adopted daughter. Her name was Hemalekhaa.

The prince had looked at her with lovelorn eyes.

What a beauty! Hemalekhaa! A Golden line!

Yes! The golden line had pierced his heart like a sharp knife.

Hemalekhaa had understood his heart but had only whispered asking him to wait for the Sage to return from his wanderings and ask for her hand.

Soon the Sage had returned accompanied by his disciples. They had brought all the flowers and sacred sticks to conduct the evening worship. The Prince had saluted the Sage and stood there silently wondering how to express his innermost thoughts. But he need not have worried. The Sage was aware of his mental state in no time and understanding that his daughter was also equally in love with the prince had consented to their union. He had performed the marriage immediately and the prince had left the hermitage in the morning with his bounty seated with him on the horse. Soon he was in the palace and his parents and brother had welcomed them with affection and joy.

A grand reception ceremony was held for the newly weds and Hemalekhaa was accepted into the royal family without a question.

For first few days after the marriage the prince enjoyed life with his wife like Indra with his wife Sachi. He felt he had attained the supreme happiness ever could be attained by a human. His joy knew no bounds. But he discovered soon that his wife was not happy with life as he was. She was usually silent and absorbed in some deep thoughts always. She did not show much enthusiasm about any royal entertainments. Thinking that she missed her forest life, the prince took her to many a forest resort too. But she still acted aloof and was disinterested in everything. That was what worried Hemachuda now. He was puzzled by her behavior and decided to tackle her directly and enquire about her mental depression.

[2]

Hemalekhaa was looking out through the window at the blue taintless sky.

But her mind was elsewhere

There was no one in her room. She had sent all the maids away and strictly ordered them not to disturb her. The maids had been actually surprised by her stern behavior.

Hemalekhaa was absorbed in deep thinking. Her forehead was creased in worry.

She was worried about her husband Hemachuda.

She had not given many thoughts to the future, when she had first met the prince and fallen in love with him. He was so charming, so good, so dignified. She had lost her mind to him at first sight. She knew at that time that her Father VyaaghraPaada was getting worried about her marriage for the past few months. She was thankful to him for rescuing her as a baby and caring for her all these fifteen years. She did not want to be a burden to him anymore.

If she was out of his hands he would become free to pursue his penance quietly in the hermitage she knew. So when the prince desired her, she had reciprocated equal love.

But now she missed her forest trees, her hermitage friends, her pet birds, her pet animals, in fact everything of her past.

She wished she could turn back the time and be forever with her father like a child. Not that she had lost her love for the charming prince. But she had never imagined that he would be so much interested in sense pleasures.

Music, dance, food, drinks, girls…! She shook her head in disgust. Not a moment was there any silence in the palace. Always shouts, screams, laughter…!

And her husband..!

He was infatuated with her beauty. Not a moment would he leave her alone. He never had enough of her. If he ever went to attend his royal duties, the maids would surround her immediately…; bathing her, dressing her, decorating her; teasing her; laughing at some vulgar jokes…!

Only if she could divert the Prince from sense pleasures to the joy of contemplation!

But how? Why would he listen to a young forest bred wife? To keep him quite even for a few minutes was difficult; he would tightly hold her and shower her with kisses even before she started to utter a word.

Bewildered about her future course of actions, she had somehow managed to get some free time in her private chambers. The prince had not noticed her slipping away. He was forcefully getting some wine fed by some of his pretty maids. It would be some time before he could free himself from their embraces. Hemalekhaa had escaped to her own private room and ordered all the maids out. She had removed all the gold ornaments and royal garments and attired herself in the forest clothing she had kept hidden in her box.

Her eyes were wet as she looked out into the blue sky. Some parrots flew suddenly making some noise. She wished she was one of them; she could have flown towards her father’s hermitage and hid herself there! Her thoughts were disturbed by someone approaching.

It was Hemachuda! She got up with a sigh!

She saluted her Lord in reverence.

Hemachuda embraced her gently and got her seated.

He observed the pale face and the wet eyes.

He held her like a child and asked:

“Dearest! Why? What happened? Did anybody hurt you by any harsh words? Do you lack any comfort in this palace? Did any maid insult you?

Tell me; I will not spare anyone who dared hurt you!”

Hemalekhaa said that no one had hurt her and nothing was the matter with her; that she was quite happy with everything. She removed herself from his tightening arms and looked out into the garden silently.

Hemachuda followed her. He questioned again with concern:

“My pretty wife!  I have been observing you lately. You seem to be lost in a world of your own. You do not show interest in anything. How is it that you are not as attentive to me as I am to you?

Thou fairest of girls radiant with smiles! How is it that you are never keen on seeking pleasure or enjoying it? Are not these pleasures to your taste?

You look indifferent even during the greatest pleasures. How can I be happy if your interest is not awakened?

Even when I am close to you, your mind seems to be elsewhere; when spoken to, you do not seem to listen. As I hold you in close embrace for a long while, you seem unconscious of me and then ask me, ‘Lord, when did you come?’

None of the carefully planned arrangements seem to interest you and you do not take part in them. When I turn away from you, you remain with your eyes closed; and so you continue whenever I approach you. Tell me how I can derive pleasure with nothing but an unresponsive painting which is what you are; you are indifferent to all enjoyments. What does not please you cannot please me either. I am always looking to you, trying to please you like a lily looking up at the moon.

Speak, dear! Why are you like this? You are dearer to me than even life. I adjure you! Speak and so relieve my mind."

Hemalekhaa turned towards him and looked at his face with her lotus like eyes. She slightly hesitated before she answered his question. She wanted to drag him into a philosophical discussion and guide him towards the Supreme state of Self realization. She was also doubtful about him not paying importance to her words! She knew that he thought of her only as a forest bred innocent girl. He had no true idea of her wisdom. Somehow she gathered up some courage and slowly disengaging herself from his tight embrace said:

“My Lord! I also do love you and want to be in your company always. But some deep question is troubling me like a thorn in the mind. I was just thinking about what greatest undiminishing joy is there in this world that can be sought after. Though I am continuously churning my mind for the answer, I have not succeeded so far! I am after all a woman who is not in any way equal to your intellectual capacity! Do you know the answer? Then please help me by telling me the answer and relieve me of my tension!”

Hemachuda burst into laughter.

‘Was that all she was worried about? Just some silly doubt befitting her young age!’

He suddenly felt lighter in the heart. He placed a tender kiss on her shining cheek and said:

“Oof! Only this little problem! Women are indeed silly and worry about worthless problems. What is the greatest joy? Indeed even the birds and beasts, nay the crawling insects know what is pleasant and what is painful. They run away from pain and seek that which makes them happy. What makes them happy they consider it to be good and pursue them; what gives them pain they avoid it as bad. What is there in it, my dear that you are always given to thinking about it? Is it not silly?”

Hemalekhaa did not let him know the stupidity of his answer. She flashed a silly smile at him and said: 

“Yes, my Lord! Women can never judge anything in proper way. They do act silly always. I am not an exception. So please be kind to this brainless female and teach me the right answers. No one can clear my doubts like you. You are wise beyond your years!

If you guide me in the correct way of thinking, I will stop being silly like other women. Then only will I be suited to be a perfect life partner to you in truth.

I will be then relieved of my silly thoughts and will take equal part in all enjoyments. Please be patient and clear my silly doubts.”

She flashed another charming smile at the handsome prince. The prince nodded his head in agreement! He was confident that he could tackle her questions easily and soon she would be participating in all amorous sports as he desired.

She continued: “Yes! What you told me is the right answer. What pleases one is happiness; what is not pleasing is misery. That is right. But I have a doubt here; forgive my silly objection! The same object gives pain or pleasure according to circumstances. Heat for example is pleasing in winter but unpleasant in summer. It is helpful as a fuel in cooking; but burns you to death even, if uncontrolled! Its results vary according to seasons, the places and its own size or intensity. Pleasure and pain are, therefore, functions of seasons; similarly of latitudes and altitudes.

Again, fire is good for people of certain constitutions only and not for others. Still again, pleasure and pain depend on circumstances. The same reasoning applies to cold, to riches, to sons, to wife, to kingdom and so on. Observe how your father, the great emperor spends his days in anxiety even though he is surrounded by wife, children and wealth. Why does he not feel dragged towards enjoyments any more? Of course not that all equal to his age feel the same anxiety. Why do not others grieve like this? What has happened to the enjoyments in his case? He is certainly on the look-out for happiness; are not all his resources directed towards that end?

Nobody is happy if you observe. There is always dissatisfaction in everybody’s life. There are people who are miserable with all the wealth and pleasures at hand; there are also people who do not own any wealth to speak of and are yet happy.

Do the objects really have inbuilt happiness in them? But we know it is not so. Everyone is miserable in some way or other. No one seems to possess everything that is sufficient for happiness. The question arises: Cannot a man be happy, even with such limited means? I shall give you the answer. That cannot be happiness, my Lord, which is tinged with misery.

Misery is of two kinds, external and internal.

External misery is connected to the body; internal misery is connected to the mind and its latent desires. Mental anxiety is worse than physical pain and no one born in the world can escape it. Desire is the seed of the tree of misery and never fails in its fruits. Even Gods are under it swaying; they live in celestial regions and have access to the nectar of immortality; yet they are slaves to desires and working incessantly as it dictates.”

Hemachuda had not expected this torrent of philosophical ideas from his little wife.

He wanted to end the conversation then and there and hold her in his embrace. But if he acted that away, she would think of him as unintelligent and resent him more. He had to prove that he was wiser then her. He had to continue the argument. So he questioned reluctantly:

“When a desire gets fulfilled we are happy! So what is wrong with it? Who does not have a desire? Maybe harming others to fulfill one’s wants might be wrong. But desires sanctioned by Scriptures lead a man towards the fulfillment of life!

 Oh come on; why waste time on worthless discussions?

Let us go out to the royal pond and play around happily! Surely such a desire in me is not a sin!”

He tried to pull her towards him forcefully.

Hemalekhaa gently pushed his hands away and continued innocently.

“Have you ever thought why one feels good when a desire gets fulfilled? It is because the gnawing pain caused by dissatisfaction disappears. That is all! But that is not the end. The moment one desire is satisfied, the mind makes alive another desire and we do not rest peacefully till that also gets over with. So we go on and on, fulfilling each desire of the mind; but never have a moment of peace in our lives.

Insects also are in the pursuit of such happiness only. They never rest satisfied; yet their enjoyment is distinctly better than that of men because their desires are less complex.

Can you state definitely that the happiness is gained by just satisfying one desire and rest of the desires need not be bothered about? If such is the case, everyone should be happy in this world.

Everyone is happy because some pain - mental or physical is removed by some act. When a man is severely burnt, smearing of the ointment is happiness for him.

A man is happy when embraced by his beloved. But if he is anxious about something else or physically afflicted, the same embrace is painful to him. What is a physical union after all? It is just a physical need like excretion or hunger or thirst. An animal also feels tired when carrying a load; a man also feels tired after copulation! What difference is there? Both are just physical exertions.

O My husband! What enjoyment do you get in sexual unions? It is just some thrill arising from some nerve-friction producing some changes in your brain! Same nerve friction is enjoyed by dogs also when they mate!”

Hemachuda was shocked! He had never though that sexual pleasures could be described in such degrading words. He retorted vehemently.

“No! Do not talk degradingly of my love like this. I am not just physically attracted to you. I love your simplicity, your innocence; I love you alone. Union with you is an expression of my love! There is a difference between my love and a dog’s love! They do not have the emotion of love! They mate prompted by nature. But I love you as my soul partner!” 

His face turned red in embarrassment! He looked away!

Hemalekhaa held his face in her hand and looked at his eyes directly.

She asked: “Yes! I know you love me! I also love you!  But what is love? Answer me honestly! Would you have loved me if I was ugly or ordinary looking?”

Hemachuda hesitated a moment. He replied with complete honesty!

“I fell in love with you because of your extraordinary beauty. I understood your character only later.”

He bent his head in embarrassment.

Hemalekhaa questioned again.

“I know! Nothing wrong with that! But tell me what beauty is?”

Hemachuda remained silent! He never had thought about these topics and had no answer to her simple question.

Hemalekhaa continued.

“Alright! I will give the answer myself! Beauty is just a fanciful notion; like a dream experience! There is no beauty in objects. Only we superimpose the quality of beauty in the objects. Beauty is only a creation of the mind. It is just a myth. It has no real existence in the objective world. Even in the absence of objects we can conceive beautiful objects in the dream too; because the concept of beauty is only in the mind!”

Hemachuda was thoughtful!

Hemalekhaa rang for her personal maid. She got some refreshments bought for the prince. As the prince silently partook of the snacks and drinks, Hemalekhaa continued to talk.

“Whatever happiness is experienced in the waking state can be experienced in the dream state too, where there are no gross objects present. You can have the same pleasure in the dream state too! Beauty is just a mental concept!

Listen to this story to understand this point.

There was once a most handsome son of a king; he was fairer than Manmatha himself. He was married to a fair damsel of extraordinary beauty. But she was attracted more towards an ugly servant of the royal household. They both skillfully deceived the prince and met in secret daily. In the evenings the servant got the prince drunk very heavily. As the prince lay on the bed almost in an unconscious state, the wicked servant would send a wily woman of loose morals to entertain the prince. Later the unchaste princess would meet the servant secretly and enjoy his company.

The prince never understood that he was only enjoying a worthless harlot daily. He thought that he was in the company of his devoted wife and felt himself to be a fortunate person to be blessed with such an angel as his wife.

But it so happened that one day the servant was very busy and did not personally attend to the drinks of the Master. He left the liquor on the table and went away. Consequently the prince did not drink as much as usual. Feeling desirous of his wife’s company he rushed to the private chambers. The harlot was waiting for him as usual. The prince did not recognize her in the heat of the passion. After his passion got satisfied he noticed that the female in his embrace was not his wife, but some ugly wretch. Shocked to his senses he questioned her angrily - who she was.

She remained silent terrified of the prince. The prince felt cheated. He suspected some foul play. He flew into a rage and held her by her hair and drawing his sword threatened her:  “Speak the truth or your filthy body will lie headless on this very bed!”

The wily woman confessed the whole thing. She took him to the place where the servant and his wife were enjoying each other. There he found the lovely and delicate body of his beautiful wife in the close and loving embrace of the dark, ugly loathsome savage of the servant.

The prince could not believe his eyes. He stood there speechless. He was in deep shock. He reflected within himself:

‘Fie on me who was addicted to intoxicating drinks! Fie on those who are infatuated with females! Women are like birds on trees hopping from one branch to another. I was a fool to have loved my wife like my own soul. I should have known that women are good for only sensuous fools. He who loves them is a wild ass. Even autumn clouds may sometimes become stabilized at one place; but women cannot be trusted to be loyal to one single person.

I loved her so much; I was devoted to her so much; she was unfaithful to me and was in illicit love with a savage, like a prostitute entertaining a lecherous fool! All the while she pretended to love me. I never even could imagine that she was not in my company at nights. I was too drunk but trusted her to be always a devoted wife. I believed that she served me like a shadow! I was deceived by this wicked wretch of a girl and felt happy as if I was with my wife’s company! But what is in that ugly servant that is not in me to make my wife seek his company?’

Thinking like this the prince felt disgusted with the affairs of the world. Developing extreme dispassion he retired to the forest and lived like a recluse contemplating on Higher Truths!”

Hemalekhaa continued: “So my good husband, does this story not prove to you that beauty is only a concept in the mind? You say that you love me because I am beautiful. There are many lovers whose love exceeds yours, even if their dear ones may not be beautiful in your eyes.

Let us analyze why one sees beauty in a woman. A woman who is perceived by the senses is just an object like all other objects.

All the people around her do not perceive her in the same way. A man alone sees the woman as beautiful and infatuating; because he already has the conception of a beautiful woman in his mind. He superimposes his own conception of the qualities of an attractive female on the female who stands in front of him and that female is nothing but a shape drawn by the brain.

The mind draws an image as per the preconceived idea and imagines that there is a beautiful woman standing there. The fair woman that appears as the object is only the reflection of the subtle concept already in the subjective mind. The process of super imposition of beauty on the outside object and drawing the picture of a beautiful woman are repeated till the shape outside becomes gross. The mind draws an image of her beauty in conformity with its own repeated conceptions. The repeatedly drawn image becomes clearer and clearer until it appears solidly as the object. An attraction springs up (and enslaves the mind) by constant mental associations. Since the mind now deludes itself that the object perceived is a beautiful object with inbuilt pleasure, the senses get provoked. Mind becomes more restless. The desire to enjoy her rises automatically. But a mind which does not have preconceived notions does not get provoked by her sight.

A composed mind does not react to the presence of the fairest maiden.

The reason for infatuation in the uncontrolled mind is the fulfillment of one’s own mental picture getting gratified. Children and Yogis do not get excited by the presence of young women because they do not have such conceptions of beauty in their mind.

Neither do women think of other women as beautiful. They have a preconceived idea that they are the most beautiful objects in the world. So whoever finds pleasure in anything, the beauty therein is only mental imagery. Even ugly and loathsome women are looked upon as delightful angels by their husbands. If the mind conceives anything as loathsome and not delightful, there will be no pleasure from such objects.

Fie on human beings who appraise the foulest part of the body as the most delightful. If one should see beauty in that body-part which is wet with impure excretions, where will not man see beauty? Tell me!

Listen Prince! The idea of beauty lies in one's own desire innate in the mind. Sweets are liked by almost everyone. Even children recognize the sweetness in the edibles. The same chemical changes happen in almost all human beings when the chemical in the sugar excites the tongue. But beauty is not innate in the object like a chemical; beauty is just a subjective concept which is different in different persons. If beauty is natural to the object of love, why is it not recognized by children too?

The form, the stature and complexion of people differ in different countries and at different times; their ears may be long; their faces distorted; their teeth large; their nose prominent; bodies hairy or smooth, their hair red, black, or golden, light or thick, smooth or curly; their complexion fair, dark, coppery, yellow or grey. Yet each man finds a particular woman as beautiful and enjoys her; she may look ugly and loathsome to another man with a different conception of beauty. All of them derive the same kind of pleasure as you, Prince! Even the most accomplished among men have fallen into the habit of seeking pleasure from women, for all consider her the best hunting ground for delight. An idea is inbuilt in the mind that a woman is an object of enjoyment; and no one escapes it. Similarly also a man's body is thought by woman to be the highest source of enjoyment. 

The provocation of senses occurs just by the natural process in the body.

To the provoked senses, the opposite sex looks beautiful and attractive till the passion is satiated. Later the same object which was pleasing and beautiful might look disgusting and loathsome. But consider the matter well, Prince!

What is this body after all? It is just a shape created by the mind; it is filled with flesh and fat; some ugly round shape with liquid mass is at the top moving this way and that way; the hard ugly bones hold the flesh together. Stinking hair covers the whole structure here and there. Bile and phlegm fill the insides. Body is a pitcher of urine and faeces. It is produced by semen and ova; born from the womb!

Just think of it! It is a wonder that men find pleasure in such limbs! Finding delight in such a thing, how are men any better than worms growing in offal?

My king! You love me; don’t you? You call me beautiful; don’t you?

But tell me what beauty you find in this body that you always dwell on it in your mind. Analyze this body in your mind part by part and understand the loathsome nature of it. Whatever be the exotic taste of the food consumed, it finally comes out as stinking material from one’s body. Body is nothing but a fleshy pitcher of nine stinking holes; you have to clean your hand thoroughly whichever hole you chance to touch!

In such a state of affairs, answer me as to what is pleasing and non- pleasing!”

The Prince was in a state of shock! He sat there like a statue. His mind was in turmoil. His whole body was bathed in sweat. He quickly took leave of his wife and went to his own chambers.

[3]

Hemachuda had changed. He understood the truth hidden in the words of his pretty wife.

He decided to control his mind and show her that he was no less than her in Self control.

He will know more than her and see to it that she admired his knowledge. He kept women, wine and delicacies away. He filled his chambers with various scriptures and spent his time studying them. He invited many worthy souls and discussed philosophy with them. He had now achieved at least a good store of spiritual vocabulary.

But he was bored; terribly bored. He did not get any great bliss from philosophical knowledge. Every topic was dry and boring.

‘Hemalekhaa might be right! Maybe beauty is the conception of the mind! But what is wrong with it? If it was real or unreal, the pleasure obtained was not less in degree because one knew about its unreal nature. After all, he did not do anything criminal by enjoying life. He was a prince; he had all facilities for enjoying life as a blessing from God! Why waste his life in worthless studies of impractical philosophies? To please whom? If Hemalekhaa did not want to be disturbed, he won’t trouble her. She was too young and inexperienced in the royal way of life. As she grows old she will change’.

So thinking the prince slowly got back to his old ways of life.

But again in a few days, he got disinterested in everything. He remembered the sensible advice given by his wife. He again refrained from pleasures and tried to spend his days in meditations and study of scriptures. Soon he got bored of all this again and reverted back to his pleasure seeking life. His mind was thus moving to and fro, like a swing.

Unable to stick to one particular way of life he oscillated between pleasure seeking and pleasure avoiding acts. He neither could enjoy any royal pleasures, nor feel any joy in the spiritual path. He became pale and melancholy. He felt lost.

Hemalekhaa soon observed that her husband was not in his normal moods.

He avoided her completely. Even if chanced to meet, he bent his head and walked away.

He looked pale and weak. The cheerful smile which always added charm to his handsome face had disappeared. He was not eating well.

He desisted from all types of royal sports.

He kept to himself in his room and avoided all his friends and relations. His maids and servants were worried and reported all this secretly to the Young Queen.

Hemalekhaa decided to meet him and find out the true state of affairs.

 [4]

The Prince was sitting on his bed.

He was leaning on the backrest. His eyes were closed in deep thoughts. He did not even hear the anklet sounds of his wife as she entered his room. Hemalekhaa gently placed her hand on his shoulder and whispered “My Lord”!

The Prince got up with a shock. He had not expected Hemalekhaa there at that time.

But feeling weak he collapsed on the bed again.

Hemalekhaa felt anxious about his condition. She knew he had no illness or ailment connected to the body. But he looked so pathetic, her mind melted in compassion towards him. She asked with concern:

“How is it, my Lord that you are not as cheerful as before? You look sad. Why so?

I do not see symptoms of any particular ailment in you. Diseases are usually caused by disharmony in the three tempers of the body. Tempers get displaced by food consumed, clothes worn, words uttered or heard, sights seen, objects contacted, changes of seasons and travel in different countries. There is no way to escape it; but one need not worry about it also too much; medicines always can cure such ailments rising due to imbalance in the tempers. But your ailment seems to be different. There is no medicine for unknown ailments.

Tell me dear, why you are so sad!”

Her tender words were like nectar to his parched mind. Hemachuda poured out all his problems to her immediately.

He said:  “After our talks on the last occasion, I felt averse to all pleasures. But I am not able to completely devote my mind to any particular spiritual path also. I do not feel any joy in the philosophical thoughts too. I cannot even revert back to my old ways of pleasure seeking. I feel like a person under death sentence. I do not relish any luxury that has fallen to my lot. I just go through everything as I have nothing better to do. I am habituated to only this sort of life. Please my dear tell me how I should try for real happiness”.

Hemalekhaa felt happy by his words. She knew that this slightest sign of dispassion is a sure sign of Goddess Tripuraa’s grace on him. But instead of a discourse on contemplative practices, she narrated to him a light story by which he would understand the higher truths.

   

[5]

Hemalekhaa said:

“Listen Prince, I will tell you my story.

I have a mother who is very pure. My mother and I lived alone at first.

Then my mother provided me a lady-in waiting to keep me company.

That companion of mine became acquainted with a wicked lady named ‘Avidyaa’ (Absence of Knowledge). This new friend could create new and wonderful things and even I started seeking her company.   

My lady- in- waiting was so pure that I could not remain without her company even for a second. All three of us - me, my companion and the wicked Avidyaa spent time together at all times.  

The wicked lady Avidyaa had an idiot son, Mr. Fool!

He was completely an idiot to the core and was even addicted to drinks and got intoxicated at all times.

My companion lost her reason and fell in love with him. They started living together. They did not even mind me watching all this. I was helpless. I somehow held on to my friend even as I witnessed her slow downfall.

My companion soon was the mother of a child. He was named ‘Inconstant’.

He was wicked like his grandmother Avidyaa and stupid like his father the Fool.

My friend also started acting like a fool in their company. She no more cared for me.

‘Fool’ tried to hook me too; but I was careful and remained as pure as ever.

But people talked! Everyone made light of me saying that I was his slave.

The baby ‘Inconstant’ was left to my care and his parents were always enjoying each other’s company without a break. The wicked lad at last grew up and was duly married to a girl named ‘Unsteady’.

‘Unsteady’ was always restless and attired herself in many forms to please her husband ‘Inconstant’. Her husband was fully under her control.

‘Inconstant’ flew hundreds of miles in a second; go here, there and everywhere to please his wife and was always restless. Whenever ‘Inconstant’ wished to go anywhere and whatever he wanted to have in any measure, ‘Unsteady’ was ready to meet his desires changing herself accordingly and creating new environments to please her husband.

She thus won his affection entirely. He was always in her company.

‘Unsteady’ bore him five sons who were highly devoted to their parents. Each one was skilled in his own way.

They were also entrusted to my care, by my friend.

Out of love for my friend, I brought them up with care, and made them strong.

Those five sons of ‘Inconstant’ and ‘Unsteady’ individually erected splendid palaces, invited their father to their homes and entertained him continually in turns.

The eldest of them entertained him in his mansion with different kinds of sweet music, with incantations of the Vedas, the reading of scriptures, the humming sounds of bees, the twittering of birds and other sounds sweet to hear.

The father was pleased with the son, who arranged for still further sounds for him which were harsh, fearful and tumultuous like the roar of the lion, the peal of thunder, the raging of the sea, the rumblings of earthquakes, the cries from lying-in-chambers, and the quarrels, moans and lamentations of many people.

Invited by his second son, the father went to stay in his mansion.

There he found soft seats, downy beds, fine clothes and some hard things, others hot or warm or cold, or refreshing things with various designs, and so on.

He was pleased with the agreeable things and felt aversion to the disagreeable ones.

Then going to the third son, he saw charming and variegated scenes, things red, white, brown, blue, yellow, pink, smoky grey, tawny, red-brown, black and spotted, others fat or lean, short or long, broad or round, bent or wavy, pleasing or horrible, nauseous, brilliant or savage, unsightly or captivating, some pleasing and others not pleasing.

The father was taken to the fourth son's mansion and there he was offered fruits and delicacies of manifold varieties. He had drinks, things to be licked, to be sucked, and to be masticated, juicy things, some refreshing like nectar, others sweet, sour, pungent or astringent, some decoctions of similar flavors, and so on. He tasted them all.

The last son took the father to his home and treated him with fruits and flowers, with various scented grasses, herbs and things of different odors, sweet or putrescent, mild or acrid, others stimulating or soporific and so on.

In this manner, he enjoyed himself uninterruptedly, one way or another, in one mansion or another, being pleased with some and repulsed by others.

The sons too were so devoted to their father that they would not touch anything themselves in his absence. But ‘Inconstant’ not only enjoyed himself thoroughly in his sons’ mansions, but also stole away things from them and shared them in secret with his dear wife ‘Unsteady’, in his own home, unknown to his sons.

After some time, one lady named Vorax (voracious eater) fell in love with

‘Inconstant’. They both were very much attached to each other. He used to fetch enormous provisions for her. She consumed them all in a moment; yet was still hungry for more. She kept her husband always on his legs to collect food for her. He was also incessantly striving to secure provisions for her.

Vorax was not even satisfied with the service of the father and his five sons put together, but wanted still more. Such was her insatiable hunger. She used to order all of them about for her needs.

In a short time she gave birth to two sons. They were ‘Master Flaming-mouth’ the elder and ‘Master Mean’ the younger - both of course were very dear to their mother. They always stuck to their mother.

Whenever ‘Inconstant’ sought his wife in privacy, his body was burnt by the fiery flames of ‘Flaming-mouth’ and swooned. Whenever he fondled the younger son ‘Mean’ affectionately, he was hated by all the world and he himself became as if lifeless.

‘Inconstant’ thus experienced untold misery. 

My good-natured companion was herself grieved because of her son Inconstant’s grief. Being also associated with her two grandsons, Flaming-mouth and Mean, she became quite miserable and was condemned by all.

I too, dear Lord, was drowned in sorrow because of her misery.

Several years passed this way.

Mr. Inconstant was dominated by his second wife Madam Vorax and lost all initiative. He acted like a slave in obedience when with her.

Soon, ‘Inconstant’, his wife ‘Vorax’, her sons, and my companion who was the mother of ‘Inconstant’ all started to live together in a city of ten gates.

Though Inconstant tried his best to be happy, he always ended up in endless miseries.    He was constantly burnt by the wrath of Flaming-mouth and treated with contempt by ‘Mean’.  He swung hither and thither greatly agitated. He visited the mansions of his other five sons but was only perplexed, without being happy.

My companion too was affected by her son’s plight that and completely drowned in sorrow. Yet she continued to live in the same city with all of them.

Madam Vorax, her two sons Flaming-mouth and Mean were all being nourished by Avidyaa, her husband's grandmother, and by ‘Fool’, her father-in-law.

‘Vorax’ got on well with her co-wife ‘Unsteady’ and was even intimate with her. (Ingratiating herself with all of them), she completely dominated her husband   ‘Inconstant’.

I was in a death-like state because my friend was also in the same condition.

I too continued to live there because of my love for my friend. I couldn’t be without her.

None of them could have lived in the town without me who was their support.

I was sometimes suppressed by Avidyaa; was made a fool of by ‘Fool’; became inconstant on account of ‘Inconstant’; grew unsteady with ‘Unsteady’; contacted wrath with ‘Flaming-mouth’; looked contemptible with ‘Mean’.

I reflected within myself all the moods of my friend, for she would have died if I had left her even a minute.

Because of my company, the common people always had doubts about my chastity, whereas discriminating men could see that I have always remained pure.

My Mother, the Supreme Good One, is ever pure and clear, more extensive than space and subtler than the subtlest.

She is omniscient, yet is of limited Knowledge.

She does everything, yet remains inactive.

She supports all, herself being unsupported.

All depend on her, and she is independent.

All forms are hers, but she is formless.

All belong to her, but she is unattached.

Though illumining all, she is not known to any one under any circumstances.

She is Bliss, yet not blissful.

She has no father or mother; innumerable are her daughters, like me.

My sisters are as many as the waves on the sea. All of them, O Prince, are just like me involved in their companions’ affairs.

Though sharing the lives of my friends, I am in possession of the most powerful potion by virtue of which I am also exactly like my mother in nature.

My companion’s son Inconstant always slept soundly on the lap of his mother when exhausted in his restless activities.

When Inconstant was asleep, all others, including his sons, were also asleep; for no one could remain awake when he slept.

On such occasions, the city was guarded by ‘Vibration’ the intimate friend of

‘Inconstant’. He always moved to and fro by two upper gateways.

My friend, the mother of Inconstant, along with him and her wicked friend Avidyaa her mother-in-law, kept a watch over the whole sleeping family.

I used that opportunity to seek my mother in that time interval and remained blissful in her fond embrace. But I was obliged to return to the city simultaneously with the waking of the sleepers.

This ‘Vibration’ the friend of ‘Inconstant’, is most powerful and keeps them all alive. Though single, he multiplies himself, manifests as the city and citizens, pervades them all, protects and holds them. Without him, they would all be scattered and lost like pearls in a broken string of the necklace.

He is the bond between the inmates and me.

Empowered by me, he serves in the city as the string in a necklace.

If that city decays, he collects all the inmates together, leads them to another city and remains as their master.

In this way ‘Inconstant’ rules over many cities always, remaining always under the sway of his friend ‘Vibration’.

Though supported by such a powerful friend, though born of such a virtuous mother and brought up by me, he is never otherwise than miserable, because he is tossed about by his two wives and several sons. He is torn asunder by his sons and finds not the least pleasure but only intense misery.

Tempted by his wife Unsteady, he grieves; ordered about by the other wife Vorax, he runs about in search of food for her; stricken by his son ‘Flaming-mouth’ he burns with rage, loses his sense and is baffled; approaching his other son ‘Mean’, he is openly despised and reviled by others and becomes as one dead under shame of public contempt.

Already of disreputable heredity, and now infatuated by love, and tossed about by his wicked wives and sons, he has been living with them in all kinds of places good or bad; in forests with woods or thorny bushes and infested with wild beasts; in deserts burning hot; in icy tracts pierced by cold; in putrid ditches or in dark holes and so on.

Again and again my friend is stricken with grief on account of her son’s calamities and she nearly collapsed to death by misery.

I too, though sane and pure by nature, dear Lord, got involved in the affairs of her family and became miserable.

Who can hope for even the least happiness in bad company? One may as well seek to quench one’s thirst by drinking water from a mirage!

Engulfed in sorrow, my friend once sought me in private.

Advised by me, she soon gained a good husband, killed her own son and imprisoned his sons.

Then accompanied by me, she quickly gained my Mother's presence. Being pure, she often embraced my Mother. She at once dived in the sea of Bliss and became Bliss itself.

In the same manner, you too can conquer your sense attractions which are only newly acquired habits and do not make your true nature.

My Lord, attain the Mother and gain eternal happiness. I have now related to you, my Lord, my own experience at the pedestal of Bliss.”

 [6]

Hemachuda waited till she completed her story. He looked displeased with the whole discourse. He addressed her in a stern voice:

“Enough of this fairy tale! I know you are the daughter of an apsara and Sage VyaaghraPaada brought you up. If you wanted to amuse me and make me cheerful, you need not have imagined such a meaningless story and wasted my time.

Do you think I am a fool to believe this story?

Listen to my story now! Long back a clown related the following story to amuse me.

A barren woman's son once mounted a chariot reflected in a mirror and decorated with silver taken from the sheen of mother-of-pearl; armed himself with weapons made of human horn; fought in the battle-field of the sky; killed the future king; subdued the city of aerial hosts; and enjoyed himself with dream maidens on the banks of the waters of a mirage.

Your story is as unbelievable as this story told by the clown. Both stories are meaningless and idiotic!”

Hemalekhaa retorted immediately:

“O Lord, how can you say my parable is meaningless?

I am the beloved daughter of the Great Sage and I have been taught never to utter untruths. People like us never can talk nonsense. If virtuous people resort to falsehood it will undermine the effect of their penance. Moreover, one who entertains an earnest seeker with hollow or false words will not prosper in this world nor advance in the next.

Listen, Prince! My object is to help you come out of your depression and understand the right method of attaining the Supreme Truth!

A man who is blinded by illness cannot have his eye-sight restored by merely hearing the prescription read.

He is a fool who thinks of good advice as meaningless.

Do you think, my dear, that I, your wife, would deceive you with a myth when you are so much in earnest? Use your intellect and analyze my story. An intelligent man always verifies the statement properly before deciding to accept or reject it. I will present to you the proofs myself.

After my talks last time, you got disinterested in sense pleasures. You understood the truth in my words and so with reason you were able to develop dispassion.

Now also I am speaking words of wisdom only. By understanding this, again you will develop more dispassion.

So trust my words. Mistrust in a well-wisher’s words is the surest way to ruin. A man who is always suspicious gains nothing.

Faith is like a doting mother who always saves her trusting son from dangerous situations. The fool who has no faith in his well-wisher's words is forsaken by prosperity, happiness and fame. A man who is always suspicious can never gain anything worthwhile. Trust alone holds the world and nourishes all.

How can a babe survive if it has no trust in its mother?  How can a lover gain pleasure if he does not trust his beloved? Similarly, how is the aged parent to be happy if he has no trust in his sons?

Will the farmer till the land, if he had no faith?  How can humanity exist without universal trust? Mutual distrust will put an end to all transactions.

Do not think everything happens by the law of ‘cause and effect’. There also one should have trust in that law. One must believe in the law that such and such a cause produces such and such a result. Is that not faith?

One can’t even breathe if he does not trust the air around him. Or he will fear the bacteria abounding everywhere; block his nose and die!

So develop faith before you aspire for the Supreme Beatitude.

If again, Prince, you hesitate to trust my words thinking that I am an incompetent person, how else can you get the solution to your problem?”

Hemachuda replied in a conciliatory tone:

“Dearest! What else can I do?

If faith should be placed on any one, my dear, it should certainly be placed on those worthy of it, in order that one's ends may be served.

He who is after the highest good should never trust an incompetent person. Otherwise, he comes to grief, like a fish attracted by the tempting bait at the end of a fishing line. Therefore, faith can only be put in the worthy and not in the unworthy.

Like the fish trusting the bait, many have ruined their lives. But by acting skeptical and cautious many have achieved their goals without fail.

I do not know your competence. I do not know whether you are competent to guide me towards my goal. Why then do you ask me how the desired end can be approached?"

Hemachuda laughed aloud.

Hemalekhaa would not give up. She asked again:

“How do you decide the competence of a person? You must have a standard of competence fixed in your mind. Right? Some one is considered to be an authority and their judgments are accepted.

How do you judge something is good or bad? Again you must have standard of goodness and badness fixed in your mind! Right? Some one is considered to be an authority and their judgments are accepted.

Then tell me, what is the accepted authority behind such standards? Those people are accepted as authorities due to reference to some accepted standards. Are the authors themselves worthy or unworthy? In this way, there will be no end to argument.

Moreover, the person who refers to these authorities has to be judged for his competence or incompetence. This can also lead to endless argument.

Therefore life moves by faith only.

I will convince you with proper reason how faith alone leads to the Supreme Goal.

Listen attentively.

Arguments and faith both should not be carried to the extreme. Either in the present life or life in the hereafter, people can’t achieve anything either by endless discussions or blind acceptance. Of the two, however, there is hope for the latter and there is none for the former. I will relate to you one anecdote which proves my point.

[7]

Hemalekhaa said:

“Once there lived a saint, by name Kaushika, on the Sahya Hill near the banks of the Godaavari. He was serene, pure, and pious. He also had the Knowledge of the Supreme Truth. He had many disciples who sought Knowledge under his guidance.

Once he had gone out on an important work.

His disciples finished their respective tasks and sat down to revise their lessons. They started discussing philosophy, according to their own lights.

There appeared on the scene a Brahmin of great intellect and wide learning. His name was Soonga. He joined the discussion and soon refuted all their arguments by his skill in logic. He had no faith in any philosophical thought. He had no conviction about anybody’s authority. He was adept in arguments of any sort; he could debate well on any topic.

The disciples of Kaushika argued that the truth must be ascertained by reference to some standard alone. But Soonga contradicted them on the basis of an unending series of standards and refuted them.

At the end of his well-worded argument he said:

“Listen, you Brahmins, standards cannot be applied for ascertaining the merits or demerits of any statement and you cannot reach the truth using those standards.

Standards can be either right or wrong. Erroneous standards will not lead to the proper end. They cannot serve the purpose of testing the statements.

First we have to establish the correctness these standards. We have to present other standards to test them. Are they in their turn infallible?

Proceeding in this way, no finality can be reached. Therefore no tests are possible.

Ascertainment of Truth being impossible without being tested, nothing can therefore be Truth. Even what statement is finalized by me cannot be proved by any standard; nor can you prove my competence.

Nothing is true. What then is the decision arrived at? Nothing!

Nothing – void - Shoonya alone is true.

All are Shoonya! All are void!

Even this statement cannot be proved by reliable facts.

Hence, the statement that all are void ends in void too.”

Hearing his discourse, some of them were impressed by the force of Soonga's logic and became scholiasts of the void. They got lost in the maze of their philosophy.

The discriminating ones among the hearers placed Soonga's arguments before their master and were enlightened by him. Thus they gained peace and happiness.

Therefore, beware of dry arguments parading as logic. Use logic in the same manner as presented by Sacred Scriptures. Surely one will reach his goal of Supreme truth in this manner."

[8]

Hemachuda looked at his wife in admiration! So young; yet so wise!

He addressed her with humility:

“Dearest! I did not realize your greatness till now.

You are indeed a blessed soul! You are wise beyond your age!

I too am blessed as I am wedded to you!

I know you have all the answers to my questions.

You are saying faith alone leads to the highest good! How does that happen?

Please explain! Where should one have faith; where should not?

Different scriptures teach different things.

Different teachers teach different things.

Even the commentaries written for the same scriptures differ.

Reasoning about them will also not prove their correctness.

Which of them is to be followed and which rejected?

Each one stamps his own views with the seal of authority and condemns the rest, not only as worthless but also as harmful, my dear!

That being the case, I cannot decide for myself.

What you condemned as the ‘School of the Void’ (ShoonyaVaada) turns round on others and attacks them. Why should not that school be respected? It has its own adherents and its own system of philosophy.

Explain to me dearest, all these things clearly. They must indeed be already clear to you."

Hemalekhaa who was well trained in the spiritual matters by her father spoke to him with extreme kindness:

“Dearest to my heart, listen to me attentively!

The cause of all the problems in the world is the Mind!

Mind is a continuous wave like vibration, never quite even for a fraction a second. It is like a restless monkey hopping from one thing to the other without a break. Mind is the cause of all anxieties in every one. A restless mind is the channel of endless troubles. But when we sleep the mind is quite and there is no anxiety or restlessness.

So listen to me with complete attention without getting diverted to anything else. Hearing with a distracted mind is as good as not hearing, for the words serve no useful purpose, resembling the fruit-laden tree seen in a painting.

Instead of dry logic, one must engage in purposeful discussions to reap the benefit of logic. And after arriving at the final truth of the statements through proper logic, one must follow it up with appropriate action to reap the full benefit of the discussion.

You already know, my dear that aimless discussions are fruitless and that earnest efforts are fruitful in the world.

A farmer ploughs the field in correct seasons because of earnest effort followed by reason. The same discrimination helps a person to estimate the value of gold, silver, precious stones, medicinal herbs and the rest.

No practical work will be done if people spend all their lives in vain discussions alone.

Therefore, one should discard aimless talk and start directing his efforts in accomplishing the highest aim of life as ascertained by appropriate sincere discussion. One should not refrain from individual effort like Soonga and his followers.

An earnest man never fails. How can effort fail to give results?

Men earn their food; gods earn their nectar; noble ascetics attain their Supreme beatitude only by individual effort alone. Any ordinary desire also is fulfilled by individual effort alone. When has any dry discussion without appropriate action led to any benefit?

True! Sometimes individual efforts meet with failures also. But they are exceptions.

One should never lose faith in individual exertion. The accursed man who loses faith in individual efforts is his own ruin.

Be guided by proper deliberation; be earnest about reaching the goal; follow it up with sincere effort; you will never fail; liberation is certain.

Of course there are various methods mentioned by various Gurus to reach that Supreme Goal. Choose that one among them which is the surest.

Which then is the surest?

We have to choose a perfect method by proper reasoning and judge its surety by looking at the examples of those Knowers who have attained the goal. After being sure of the method, one should immediately start the practice.

That is the best method which does not again yoke you to suffering.

A discriminating man sees all the aspects of life as endowed with pain.

Whatever has even the slightest misery as its accompaniment surely cannot be good.

Wealth, children, wife, kingdom, treasury, army, fame, learning, intellect, body, beauty and prosperity - all these are transient and already in the process of getting swallowed by time. All these things are seeds which sprout as pain and grow into miseries. The right means lies beyond these.

Why do we hanker after these evanescent things?

It is the deluding power of Maheshwara, the Master Magician! He is the Supreme Creator and all are deluded by him!

Everyone gets deluded even by the limited magical feats of an ordinary magician. But even there some intelligent ones see through his tricks and escape his delusion.

But who can escape the illusory power of Mahaadeva?

Even then, some men of wisdom manage to overcome the universal Maayaa (illusion), if the Lord is gracious. Therefore ‘HE’ should be worshipped by those who are anxious to cross the Ocean of Maayaa. He with whom God is graciously pleased, is endowed with

Mahaa Vidyaa, the Supreme Knowledge by means of which he surely crosses over the Ocean of Maayaa.

There are other methods which are put forward as leading to the Supreme end, but they are bound to fail in their purpose if the Lord's grace be not forthcoming.

Therefore worship the Primal Cause of the world as the starting point; be devoted to Him; He will soon enable you to succeed in your attempts to destroy the illusion.

Hemalekhaa continued:

Why should we believe that God is the Creator of this World?

Let us reason it out!

We perceive the world around us.

Clearly the world must have some origin.

Although the origin is shrouded in mystery, let us investigate the cause from the visible effect and be guided by the sacred scriptures; and then the conclusion will be reached that there is a Creator who in no way is comparable to any known agents.

All the arguments contradicting the existence of God have been logically refuted by many authoritative scriptural texts. We cannot admit sensory evidence as the only proof for disproving the existence of a Creator. Such an argument is merely an apology for philosophy and leads nowhere. Salvation is not its end but damnation is its fruit.

Dry logic also must be condemned.

Another system declares that the world is eternal, without beginning or end. It follows that the world and its phenomena are self-existent; thus lifeless insentient matter is its own agent and keeper, which is absurd, because action implies intelligence and no example can be cited to the contrary. Scriptures also say that the Primal Cause is an intelligent principle, and we know that action always originates from an intelligent source alone. The world is thus traced to its Creator who differs entirely from any agent known to us. Judging from the magnitude of the Creation, His power must be immeasurable in the same proportion as the unimaginable vastness of the Creation. Such a one must also be able to protect and elevate His own creatures.

Surrender therefore unreservedly unto Him.

I shall adduce an example as a proof of this.

We find in every-day life that a Master even if he be of limited means always ensures the prospects of the man who is sincerely devoted to him and pleases him. If the Lord of the world be pleased, will anything be withheld from the devotee? Tell me.

He is the only Solace of the devotees!

The Chiefs and Masters of this world are not necessarily kind; may be they are cruel and ungrateful also. Their patronage is also wavering and short-lived. The Supreme Lord has infinite mercy for His devotees; is most grateful and has unlimited powers. Otherwise would people continue to worship Him from untold ages?

Kingdoms perish because they do not have perfect rulers. But the world continues without ending ever. This Lord of mercy is well established and also rightly famed.

Surrender yourself directly and unhesitatingly to him. He will ordain the best for you and you need not ask for it.

Among the methods of approach to God, there are-

1. Devotion to cross over difficulties.

2. Devotion to get the fulfillment of desires.

3. Devotion without expecting anything in return.

The last one is the best and surest in its results.

Hemalekhaa continued:

“In practical life too, a Master usually helps a man who pleads for help; but if the man had not behaved properly in the past the Master may not heed to his prayers.  So also the service done only for some selfish gains bears indeterminate and limited fruit according to its intensity. Devoted service with no ulterior motive takes a long time to be recognized; yet it makes even the petty chief amiable. A human master may take long to recognize unselfish work; but God, the Lord of the world, the Dweller in our hearts, knows everything and soon bestows appropriate fruits.

In the case of other kinds of devotees, God has to await the course of destiny - that being His own ordainment; whereas for the selfless devotee, God, the Lord and the sole Refuge, is all in all and takes care of him without reference to the devotee’s past actions.

He may even break his own ordained laws. He compensates the devotee quickly, and that is because He is supreme and self-contained without depending on anything else.

The predestined fate or Divine will is powerless before Him. Every one knows how He set aside predestined fate and divine laws in the case of His famous devotee, Maarkandeya. I will explain to you now the fitness of this. Listen, my dearest!

(Once upon a time, there lived a sage called Mrikandu with his wife Marudvati. Both were devotees of Shiva. The couple was childless, and so decided to perform penance so that they would be blessed with a child. Pleased by their penance Shiva appeared before them. Shiva asked the couple if they desired an idiot son who would live a long life, or an intelligent son who would live a short life. The couple asked for the latter. In due course, Marudvati gave birth to a boy and the child was named Maarkandeya (literally: son of Mrikandu). Maarkandeya was an exceptionally gifted child, and became an accomplished Sage early in his childhood. He was highly devoted to Shiva, and had mastered the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra. At the age of sixteen, his time on this earth had come to an end, and so Yama the Lord of Death came to take him away. At that time, Maarkandeya was in a temple worshipping the Shiva-Linga.  Seeing Yama he embraced the Linga in fear. Immediately Shiva appeared and stuck at Yama with his trident. Yama pleaded his helplessness as he had to do his duty ordained by the Creator. Shiva blessed Maarkandeya to remain as a boy of sixteen always and thus saved him from Death. Yama returned satisfied.)

 Hemalekhaa continued:

“The idea that one cannot escape one’s destiny is applicable only to weak-minded and senseless idiots.

Yogis who practice control of breath conquer fate. Even fate cannot impose its fruits on yogis. Destiny seizes and holds only senseless people. Conforming to and following nature, destiny forms part of nature. Nature again is only the contrivance for enforcing God’s will. His purpose is always sure and cannot be prevented. Its edge can however, be blunted by devotion to Him and if it is not so blunted, the predisposing cause must therefore be considered a most powerful factor in a man’s life.

Therefore, eschew high vanity and take refuge in Him. He will spontaneously take you to the Highest State. This is the first rung in the ladder to the pedestal of Bliss.

Nothing else is worth while.”

[9]

Hemachuda felt immensely happy by her discourse.

Ignoring her age, gender and relation to him, he surrendered to Hemalekhaa completely in his mind and accepted her as his Guru.

He questioned her with extreme humility:

"Tell me, dear, who is this God, the Creator, the Self-contained One and the Ordainer of the world to whom I should take refuge in.

Some say He is Vishnu, others Shiva, some worship Ganesha, some adore the Sun, some praise Nara-simha or similar such avatars; others say Buddha or Arhat is the Supreme; still others are devoted to Vaasudeva; some only control Praana, the life-principle; some adore the Moon, Fire, Karma, Nature, primordial nature and what not.

Each sect gives a different origin for the world.

Tell me which of them is true.

I know for certain that there is nothing unknown to you.

You are the daughter and disciple of Sage VyaaghraPaada. Profound wisdom shines in your eyes even though you are a girl of tender age.

Please explain everything in detail to me, my precious wife! You indeed are a true guide in my journey towards the Supreme!”

Thus requested, Hemalekhaa spoke with pleasure:

“Lord, I shall tell you the final Truth about God. Listen!

God is the All-Seer who generates, permeates, sustains and destroys the world. He is all the deities worshipped by all sects; yet He is not those deities too.

He is Shiva, He is Vishnu, He is Brahman, He is the Sun, the Moon, etc.; yet He is not Shiva, nor Vishnu, nor Brahma nor any other exclusively.”

Hemachuda looked at her unable to comprehend her contradictory statements.

Hemalekhaa continued:

“I will explain my statements; wait!

Suppose one says that Shiva with five faces is the Primal Being; the Creator in this case is Shiva who would be limited by a form and endowed with a brain. He would be like an

ordinary potter making pots, endowed with a body and brain.

Any art or design presupposes the existence of an intelligent designer. In fact, the creative faculty in men belongs to something between the body and pure intelligence. Body itself cannot act without the brain and brain cannot complete the action without using the body as a tool.

In the dream state, the brain being intelligent conceives forms and environment suited to that state; and fulfills its latent desires. The gross body lies in a paralyzed state at that time. This proves that the body is only a tool for a purpose and the agent is intelligence.

Instruments are necessary for human agents because their capacities are limited and they are not self-contained. Whereas the Creator of the world is perfect in Himself and creates the whole world without any external aid.

So we have to conclude that God has no limitations of the body. Otherwise He would be reduced to the state a glorified human being requiring innumerable accessories for work and influenced by seasons and environments. He would be a super powered creature but not the Supreme Controller of

Creations.

To continue the argument, the accessories used by him should pre-exist or co-exist with him too. That would further impose limitations on his status as a Creator. This is absurd, as being contrary to the original premises.

Therefore He has neither a body nor the other aids; He still creates the world, O Lord of my life!

Only the ignorant superimpose a body on the Transcendental Being and worship him endowed with characteristics. But even such worship is accepted by Him and he assumes forms desired by them to please them. He is unique and fulfills the wants of all devotees of his. He is Bhakta-Chintamani. (a wish-fulfilling gem to his devotees)

Nevertheless, the conclusion must be reached that He is pure intelligence and His body can only be supreme and transcendental.

That ‘CHITI’- the Pure Consciousness is the Absolute; the Supreme Queen; the Supreme Ruler TRIPURAA DEVI.

SHE alone shines as the Creator and the created; and appears divided, though in reality SHE is undivided.

This entire world of movable and immovable things is like a reflection in the mirror.

Whatever patterns are seen in the mirror, all are actually of the nature of mirror only; there cannot be a conception of higher and lower in the patterns reflected in the mirror.

The noble characteristics like pre-eminence etc superimposed on godheads are imagined only in the lower nature of the Supreme. These Gods with forms are also reflections in the reflection-less mirror called Tripuraa.

Just like the mirror alone appears as all the reflections, Goddess Tripuraa alone appears as all these Gods with form. There is absolutely no difference at all among all types of Gods with forms.

There is no lower or higher God!

Therefore a wise man should worship the Undivided Supreme without attributes.

Suppose one is incapable of conceiving formless state of Tripuraa, he should worship any deity that he chooses with extreme devotion without expecting anything in return.

Gradually Tripuraa herself will gradually endow him with true Knowledge through that deity whom he adores.

These are the only two methods that can certainly lead one towards the ‘Goal of Supreme Beatitude’ even if one has to journey through million births.”

[10]

Hemachuda felt satisfied by Hemalekhaa’s advice. Hemalekhaa retired to her own chambers.

Hemachuda sought the advice of competent teachers and learnt the proper technique of appeasing Goddess Tripuraa Devi. Hemachuda soon gained peace of mind and took to the worship of the Goddess with intense devotion.

A few months passed in this manner.

The Supreme Mother’s grace descended on him, and he slowly developed true dispassion. His mind stopped its hankering after pleasures. He felt more composed and became cheerful. His mind naturally took to the enquiry of Self.

Dawn of ‘Vichaara’ or Self-enquiry is surely the result of the Grace of the Supreme; for the rise of Vichaara is the surest means for liberation. Whatever be the practices adhered to by seekers, unless Vichaara rises in the mind, there is no hope of enlightenment even in million births.

Hemachuda remembered one day the apparently meaningless parable presented by his wife. He decided to ask her about the true meaning hidden in that story. He had now lost all his arrogance of manhood and intellectual supremacy and approached his young wife like a humble disciple seeking the Guru for instructions.

Hemalekhaa saw through the window of her room, her husband coming towards her chambers. She immediately ran out; welcomed him with all the humility of a devoted wife. She got him seated on the royal chair, washed his feet and worshipped him with flowers. She saluted him with all reverence and offered him refreshments with extreme love and affection. After he was comfortable she seated herself close to him and garlanding his neck with her creeper like arms asked in her nectar like voice:

“Dearest! I see you again after such a long time. May be you were ill!

Are you in good health now? Why did you not visit me all these days?

You never could spend even a day without me. But nowadays I do not see you at all. Have I caused you any offense unknowingly?

Forgive this ignorant girl if I have hurt you in any way. Nights are painful without your company. Not a day passed before without your seeing me and conversing with me.

How have you been passing your time?

I could never have dreamt that you would be so indifferent to me! What makes you so? How do you spend your nights? You used to say that a moment without me was like eternity to you, and that you could not bear it.”

Saying this, she embraced him fondly and buried her face on his broad chest. She appeared highly distressed.

But Hemachuda had changed. His mind was not after senses pleasures now. His only thought day and night was to understand the nature of his own Self and the identity of his Self with the Supreme Self of Para Brahman.

Though embraced lovingly by his dear wife, he was not moved in the least.

He lifted her face up and replied tenderly:

“Dearest treasure of my heart!

You know that I have been guided into the right path by your compassionate heart.

I do not have interest in sense pleasures now. You need not feel obliged to act like the ordinary women of your age. I understand well that you are acting as if in need of my company only to please me. I can no longer be deceived by you. I am convinced of your strength; the presence or absence of anything can not affect your inherent happiness.

You are an unperturbed Sage. You know this world and beyond. 

I came here not to seek the company of your beautiful form. I am here to ask your advice. Now please listen.

Explain to me that tale you once related to me as the story of your life.

Who is your mother? Who is your friend? Who is her husband? Who are her sons?

Tell me, what relationship has all these people to me? I do not clearly understand it.

I no longer think it is a meaningless parable. I am sure you told me that story to teach some significant truths about our existence in this world. Tell me everything in detail so that I may understand it clearly. I bow to you reverently. Kindly clear these doubts.”

Hemalekhaa felt a sudden joy rushing through her limbs. She thought within herself-

‘My husband is now pure in mind and blessed of Goddess Tripuraa. He is evidently indifferent to the pleasures of life and is also strong in mind. This must be due to God’s Grace alone and his former virtues are now bearing fruit. The time is now ripe for him to be enlightened, so I will enlighten him.’

She kissed him in extreme delight and looked at him affectionately.

She said: “Lord, God’s Grace is upon you, and you are blessed!

Dispassion cannot arise otherwise. It is the sign of God’s Grace that the mind should be absorbed in the quest for truth after becoming detached from sensual pleasures.

I shall now solve the puzzle of my life-story.

Listen attentively.

My mother is ‘Transcendence’- Pure Consciousness.

My friend is ‘Intellect’ (discerning faculty/Buddhi).

Avidyaa- Ignorance- ‘Absence of Knowledge’ state is Madam Dark, the undesirable friend of the Intellect.

The play of ignorance is too well known to need elucidation. She can delude any one, making a rope seem to be a serpent and strike terror in the heart of the on-looker.

Her son ‘Fool’ is the greatest of illusions - the Mind.

His wife ‘Unsteady’ is ‘Thought’ or ‘Conception’ or ‘Imagination’.

Her sons are five in number, namely, Audition, Taste, Sight, Touch and Smell, whose mansions are the respective senses.

What the Mind was said to steal from them is ‘enjoyment of sense objects’ which leaves an impression on the mind to develop later into the proclivities (strong inherent inclination toward something objectionable) of the mind.

Sharing stolen objects with his wife is ‘manifestation of proclivities in dreams’.

Madam Vorax is the desire; her sons are anger (Flaming Mouth) and greed (Mean) ; their city is the body.

What was said to be my most potent talisman is ‘Realization of the Self’.

Mind’s (Fool’s) friend guarding the city is the ‘Vital principle’ (Vibration) which keeps moving as the ‘Life-breath’.

The different cities peopled by them are hells passed in the eternal passage of the soul. The consummation of the discerning faculty is Samaadhi.

My admission into my mother’s chamber is ‘Final Liberation’.

Such is in brief the tale of my life. Yours is likewise.

Think well and be absolved.”

[11]

Hemachuda was wonderstruck by her explanation of the parable. He regretted his harsh retort to such a wonderful tale when she had said it on the last occasion.

He embraced her with extreme love and in a voice choked with emotions said:

“My dearest wife! How can I express my feelings towards you? You are the result of my entire merits of the past lives. Or you must be sent as Tripuraa Devi’s emissary to save this person sitting here as a husband in front of you.

My salutations to Her again and again.

There are no words in the language of the humans to praise such an angelic wife like you! Your wisdom has no bounds. You are not an ordinary woman. You are a Sage in female form. Till now I was ignorant of your greatness. How shall I describe the profound wisdom of the story of your life, narrated to me in the form of a parable?

Now I understand everything like a gooseberry resting on the palm of my hand. I am now easily able to comprehend the workings of the mind and what is the ultimate end to be strived for by every human. But I still have to learn so many things from you. Be patient with me and answer my questions.

Who is this Mother of yours? How is she without beginning? Who are we? What is our real nature?”

Hemalekhaa was waiting for such a moment all these days. Thankfully saluting Mother Tripuraa in her mind she started to explain everything in detail to her handsome husband.

“My Lord, listen carefully to what I am going to say, for it is very subtle.

Investigate the nature of the Self with a pure intellect.

By realizing the Self alone can you realize the nature of the Supreme Mother.

Do not bother about the statements given in any book or by any person. Analyze the nature of your own Self by yourself. Reason it out by your own intellect.

What is Self?

It is not an object to be perceived, nor described; so how shall I then tell you of it?

You cannot specify or define the nature of the Self; so a teacher cannot teach it.

But it is your own Self; you know it all the time as yourself.

It resides in the unblemished intellect.

Self pervades all; beginning from the personal God to the amoeba; but it is beyond the cognitive powers of the mind or senses.

Self alone illuminates everything; but it cannot be illuminated by anything else.

Self is everywhere and is always there.

Self cannot be demonstrated; Self cannot be proved through discussions.

How, where, when, or by whom has it been specifically described even a little?

What you ask me dear, amounts to asking me to show your eyes to you. Even the best teachers cannot bring your eyes to your own sight. Similarly your own Self cannot be shown by a teacher. He can at best guide you towards it and nothing more.

I shall also explain to you the means to realization.

Listen attentively.

As long as you are contaminated with notions of me or mine (e.g., my home, my body, my mind, my intellect), the Self will not be found, for it lies beyond cognition and cannot be realized as ‘my Self’. That which cannot come under the category of ‘mine’ is the Self, because it is ‘You’ and ‘not yours’!

Retire into solitude, analyze and see what objects are cognized as ‘mine’; discard them all and transcending them, look for the real Self.

For instance, you know me as your wife and not as your Self. I am only related to you and not part of you; much less your very being.

Analyze everything in this way and discard it.

What remains left over, where you cannot cognize any object as ‘mine’ – that is the Self!

Self transcends all cognitions, all perceptions, all conceptions, all appropriations, and all relinquishments. That knowledge is final Liberation.”

[12]

Hemachuda was delighted by the instructions given by his wife. He felt the whole practice to be easier than he imagined. He wanted to realize immediately and attain the bliss which every known Sage strived for. He now trusted his wife implicitly. He felt realization was just a step away. What he needed was now a solitary place. He hurriedly took leave of his wife; mounted on his horse and galloped away from the city.

He soon entered a royal pleasure-garden beyond the outskirts of the town and into a well-furnished crystal palace. He dismissed his attendants and ordered the keepers:

“Let no one enter these rooms while I am in contemplation - be they ministers, elders or even the king himself. They must wait until you obtain my permission.”

Then he climbed up to a fine chamber in the ninth storey which looked out in all directions. Cool winds blew from all sides. Fragrant flowers filled the chamber with intoxicating scent. The room was well furnished befitting the royal status of the prince.

He sat down on a soft cushion. He collected his mind and began to contemplate thus:

“How the world is deluded by the Supreme power of Shiva! No one knows even the fringe of the Self! But everyone acts only for the sake of the Self!

Some recite the scriptures, a few study them and their commentaries; some are busy accumulating wealth; others are ruling the land; some are fighting the enemy; others are seeking the luxuries of life. Everyone is always engaged in selfish activities; yet they never enquire about the nature of their own Self! The whole world acts confused because no one has the Knowledge of the Self!  If one does not know his own Self, then everything is in vain and as unstable as a dream experience!

I am fortunate! I know now what the Self is! All that has to be done is to categorize all cognitions into ‘I’ and ‘mine’. When I no more have any ‘mine-cognitions’, then the remaining thing is the Self!

So easy!

Let me analyze now properly; hmmm..!

My home, wealth, kingdom, treasure, women, cattle - none of these is me, and they are only mine. Hmm..! This body…? It is fair in complexion; well built and handsome too as befitting my royal genes! I always thought of this body as my Self, but it is not ‘me’, but ‘mine’! It is only a tool to experience the world. Most people identify themselves with the body and suffer. Fools indeed! I know better!”

Reflecting thus, he considered the body. He could not identify the body as the Self, and so began to transcend it.

“This body is mine, not me. It is built up of blood and bones, and is changing each moment. How can this be the changeless, continuous ‘me’?

It is akin to a bonded slave; it is as aloof as a sleeping body from a dream experience.

‘I’ cannot be the body nor can the vital force be the Self; mind and intellect are clearly my tools so they cannot be ‘I’.

‘I’ am surely something apart from all these, beginning from the body and ending with the intellect.

When all cognitions are removed what do I see?

‘I exist’ – this thought is always there; ‘I do not exist’ – this thought is never there.

I exist always aware of my own existence is undoubtedly true.

I am always aware; I am aware of objects of the outside world; I am aware of my thoughts, actions; I am aware even of my thinking now; but I never seem to be aware of my own awareness!

I am aware of darkness; I am aware of light; but I am not aware that I am aware!

I am always aware, but do not realize that pure state of awareness. 

I am aware; true; but how my existence is made possible- I do not know! The reason of this inability is not clear to me.

I am aware of the objects of the outside world through the senses. If the senses were absent, I may not cognize them. The vital energy- Praana is cognized through the sense of touch; the existence of mind can be inferred by the Knowledge of the world obtained. The existence of intellect is proved by its action of discrimination and decision-making.

Existence of my own self is inferred by what? I do not know!

If my existence is not dependent on these other inferred entities like world, mind and intellect, then I will not think of them. I will put a stop to the workings of the senses, mind and intellect and remain quiet. Then only can the Self shine by itself.”

Thus reflecting, he abandoned everything that was accessible to the mind. He arrested his thoughts completely.

The next moment he saw deep darkness!

He decided that was the true nature of his Self and felt very happy; but feeling doubtful, he decided to try once more.

He forcefully arrested his thoughts once more through Hatha-yoga and plunged within.

Next instant he perceived a brilliant mass of light without beginning or end.

Then he again woke up.

He was surprised by his experiences. He wondered why he perceived the Self differently at different times.

He decided to try once more. He arrested his mind through Yoga again. This time his mind relaxed into sleep and he did not wake up for a long time. He had various types of dreams with many wonderful visions in his sleep. When he woke up he felt anxious about the whole thing.

He reflected like this: “Why did I fall asleep and had so many dreams? Then I believe that darkness and light seen were also must be of the nature of dream only.

Dream is just a play of the mind. How do I avoid it? I will try to attain the state of Self once more”.

Resolving thus he stopped the thoughts in the mind forcibly through Yoga. The mind became quiet. He felt as if he was drowned in the ocean of bliss. But within minutes there was a vibration in the mind and he woke up.

He wondered again: “What happened to me? Was it a dream or was I hallucinating?

Oh no! It was a real experience! It is inconceivable; I did not experience anything even a little. How did I become blissful?

Ah! Nothing so far experienced in this world equals even an infinitesimal part of that bliss. I was senseless as if in the state of deep sleep. How did this bliss occur? Nothing was there to cause such a state; then how did it happen?

Though I was engaged in knowing the Self, I do not yet know anything.

I see my Self differently at different times. What can it be?

Is it light, darkness or bliss or some other thing?

Or, is my Self is of the nature of all these appearing in succession?

I am not able to find an answer to my doubts.

I will clear my doubts with my learned wife.”

[13]

Hemachuda sent a messenger to his wife at the city-palace to come and meet him in the tower where he was now.

Within an hour or so, his wife Hemalekhaa was climbing the steps of the mansion like the Queen of night (Moon) moving across the sky. She hurriedly entered her husband’s room and found him cheerful, calm and of a peaceful mind. She seated herself very close to him and embraced him. As she nestled close to him he opened his eyes and found her sitting next to him. Hemalekhaa whispered with nectar like tenderness:

 “My Lord! What can I do for Your Highness? I hope you are well. Please tell me why you called me up to this place?”

Thus addressed, he spoke to his wife:

“Dearest!  As you yourself instructed I came to this solitary place and started to enquire about the Self exactly as you said, so that I could know the true nature of my Self. Though my mind was fully concentrated on the Self, why did I have different visions of the Self?

Tell me!

Self is always attained; we cannot newly attain it; I know!

It is always there as my awareness.

Thinking that the constant Self-awareness is dimmed by the uncalled-for interference of mental activities, I forcibly repressed my thoughts, and remained calm. Darkness superseded, light appeared, sleep supervened and finally a unique bliss overpowered me for a little while. Tell me my dear, is this the nature of the Self or could it be another somewhere? Analyze my experiences and tell me how to perceive the true nature of the Self.”

Hemalekhaa who was a knower of this world and beyond replied sweetly thus:

“Listen to me my dear, closely. 

Your effort in controlling the mind is indeed praiseworthy. All Knowers approve of it and it is a very important step in the process of realizing the Self. Without the control of the mind nobody can achieve Self-realization anywhere anytime.

But that alone does not become the cause of the attainment of the Self, because Self is always attained! You can attain a thing which is hitherto not attained. Self is always there as yourself; so Self cannot be attained newly. Mere mind control is not going to cause the attainment of the Self. The very word ‘attainment of the Self’ is fallacious.

When something is covered by darkness, you shine a lamp and you perceive the objects as if newly attained. 

When a man forgets his purse, he steadies the mind and remembers the location of the purse. He will again say- ‘I gained the lost purse’; but his steadying of the mind did not produce the purse newly. So just controlling the mind is not the cause of Self realization. Self is always there whether you control the mind or not. You do not recognize it because you never knew what it was.

A villager, who has always been spending his life with tiny lamps, if he chanced to see the dazzling lights of the royal court at night, will ignore its magnificence at first sight.

You also have missed the Self because you could not catch its magnificence.

You perceived darkness at the end of your mind control. There was an infinitesimal effortless natural state just after the mind control and before the perception of the darkness. Always reflect on that residual state which is the giver of highest bliss.

Here in the world, everyone is gripped by the great delusion and direct their sights outwards and do not reach the Self state even though they search for it repeatedly; they get frustrated by failure in their efforts.

Here in this world exist great scholars, intellectual wizards and good logicians. They too grieve day and night unable to understand the Self-state! That state cannot be attained by skill in interpreting words. They are like theoretical sculptors. As long as a scholar seeks the Self state through discussions only, he can never ever reach it because Self is beyond the grasp of the intellect.

By going far you cannot reach it; but remaining still you can always be in that state. You cannot analyze it and know it; but by remaining silent it shines forth. Like you cannot chase the shadow of your own head, Self state cannot be reached by any sort of activity.

A child who sees thousands of reflections in a taintless mirror fails to observe the existence of the mirror; similarly an ignorant man  seeing the reflection of the world in his own Self does not know his own Self; because he is not acquainted with his own Self.

Everyone perceives the objects only and never the space which exists all around! Though Self is always there as their own awareness, nobody seems to be aware of it.

My Lord!  See with your subtle eyes; the world consists of Knowledge and known. Knowledge is Self-evident. In the absence of Knowledge nothing can be known. Knowledge proves the existence of objects; known things are dependent on the Knowledge for their existence. Knowledge in turn is dependent on the knower for its existence. Knower is not dependent on any thing else for his existence. The knower is the only reality behind Knowledge and known objects.

That which is self-evident without the necessity to be proved, is alone real; rest are all unreal. The proof of all proofs itself must be Self-proved! You have to accept it as true as it need not be proved. It cannot be attained as such by proving its existence and attaining it like an accomplishment.

One who denies Knowledge has no support to stand on and neither questioning or answering is possible for him. Knowledge is undeniable. It is like the surface of a huge mirror which reflects everything. If mirror itself is denied, then there can be no chance for other discussions.

Everything exists like the reflections in the mirror. There is no differentiation of space and time even. Space and time are also reflections in the mirror. A pot may appear to be creating a division in space. But in truth there is no difference or division in the space outside and inside the pot.

Similarly all objects including the limitations of space and time appear in the mirror of Knowledge like reflections and have no existence apart from Knowledge. Objects and their knowledge are only reflections in the eternal, self-luminous, Supreme Consciousness which is the same as the knower and which alone is real.

Therefore, Prince, realize with a still mind your own true nature which is the one pure, undivided Consciousness underlying the restless mind which is composed of the whole world in all its diversity. By the complete attainment of the pervasion of that undivided consciousness, one attains the state of the ‘Doer of all’.

I will explain to you how to perceive it directly, so that you can reach that state.

The intervening part between sleeping and wakeful states; the interval between two perceptions; intermediate state between knowledge and the known (the state of pure knowledge before the recognition of object occurs); observe that state with your subtle intellect. This is the natural state of Self, obtaining which one does not grieve again. Ignorant of this truth, the world is in this deluded state.

In this state of the Self, exist not the form, taste, smell, touch or sound; neither happiness, nor sorrow; neither any to be grasped nor that which grasps!

Though the support of everything and though it exists as everything, it is free of everything. That alone is the supreme Lord, the Creator, Vishnu, Shiva and Sadashiva!

See inside controlling the mind for a little while; reject the outward going nature and be intent only on moving inward. There need not be a forced effort in controlling the mind.

The very concentration on one’s nature quietens the mind by itself.

Do not even entertain the thought that you are seeing anything. Be like a blind man - seeing yet not seeing with an unmoving mind. What you are that you are! Be that alone!”

[14]

Hemachuda did accordingly, and having gained that state referred to by his wife, he remained peaceful a long time, unaware of anything beside the Self.

Hemalekhaa noticed that her husband had attained the state of ‘Supreme Peace’ and so did not disturb him He remained in the Samaadhi state for about a muhurtha (48 minutes) and woke up. He saw his wife sitting next to him. He desired to be in the trance state alone and closed his eyes. Hemalekhaa immediately took hold of his hand and questioned sweetly:

“My Lord! Tell me, what you gain by closing your eyes and what you lose by opening the eyes? My dearest! I am very curious. Do tell me what happens on the eyes being closed or left open.”

Hemachuda slowly opened his eyes. He looked as if drunk. He replied reluctantly and languidly as follows:

“My dear, I have found at last pure untainted happiness. I cannot find the least pleasure in the activities of the world as they are evanescent and result in pain after the enjoyment is over. Enough of them! They are tasteless to me like a fruit whose juice has been sucked away or like the dried up cud chewed by the cattle; an indulgence for those who want to wastefully pass through their lives! What a pity that such people should be to this day unaware of the bliss of their own Self!

Just as a man goes a-begging being ignorant of the treasure buried under the floor of his own abode, so did I run after sensual pleasures unaware of the boundless ocean of bliss within me. Worldly pursuits are laden with misery and pleasures are transient. Still I was so infatuated that I mistook them for enduring pleasures, was often grief-stricken, yet did not cease to pursue them over and over again. The pity of it!

Men are fools, unable to discriminate pleasure from pain. They seek pleasures but gain only sorrow. Enough of these activities which only increase the relish for such pleasure!

My dear, I beg you with hands clasped. Let me fall again into the peace of my blissful self. I pity you that though knowing this state, you never seem to be in it and engage yourself in wasteful activities of the world.”

The wise Hemalekhaa gently smiled at all this, and said to him:

“My lord, you do not yet know the supremely sacred state, remaining in which the learned ones with noble hearts do not get perplexed; that state is still far from your reach like the sky for man standing on the ground! What little you know is equal to not knowing anything.

That state is not experienced by closing or opening the eyes. By doing any action or by not doing any action no one can ever attain that state. That state cannot be reached by not going or going anywhere. By closing the eyes, or by doing or by going how can it be completely attained? If due to the opened eye lid of the measure of eight barley grains only, that state can be hidden, then would that state be complete?

What shall I say of your muddled wisdom! The deluded state of yours is amazing!

That, in which millions of Worlds are situated in just an infinitesimal corner; that seems to be hidden on account of opening the eyelid measuring a finger’s breadth!

Listen Prince! I will tell you further.

As long as these knots are not cut asunder so long will bliss not be found! There are millions of knots apparent in the rope of delusion.

Non-recognition of one’s true nature is the rope of delusion.

Knots (Granthi) are of the form of false perceptions or mistaken understanding.

The first knot is the identification of oneself with the body; it causes the course of the worldly life to be spread for which there is no antidote. It gives rise to the perennial stream of happiness and misery in the shape of the cycle of births and deaths.

The second knot is the differentiation of the world from the Self on which the phenomena are simply reflected as in a mirror.

Similar knots of misconceived ideas are there like so many knots; one such is the firm belief in the difference between the individual soul and God.

These misconceptions came into existence long ago; by occurring repeatedly, they have assumed the form of knots; because of them a man is bound. Untying the knots leads to liberation Supreme!

That state which you easily obtain by closing the eyes is your true state- ‘Pure Consciousness’ which nothing can transcend. That alone is the great surface of the mirror which reflects the picture of the entire world. When, where and with what form does it not exist? Prove if you can, that everything is not contained in it. Whatever you admit as known to you, is in the knowledge conveyed by that consciousness. Even what may be surmised to be in another place and at a different time, is also within your consciousness. If you state that Self-consciousness does not exist in some place and in some form, it is indeed a false surmise like the description of the nature of a barren woman’s son.

Reflections cannot exist without a mirror; so also nothing can exist apart from consciousness. By renouncing that state, there exists nothing whatever anywhere.

So by opening the eyes what difference can occur in the state of the Self?

Now the main knot to be cut asunder by you is this misconception namely - “I know it as such and such”. Otherwise it proves you have not reached your true state. Whatever you think as the state of the Self cannot be the true state of the Self!

If you think that you have attained that state by closing or opening of the eyes, then it is not the complete state of the Self because you believe it is attained or lost by some action of yours.

O Lord! Where exist not the great undivided consciousness, the dazzling fire of destruction? It is the fire that consumes huge collections of fuel in the form of conceptions!

When you know the Supreme State, there is no activity left for you to perform.

Remove that knot sitting in your heart as – ‘I see my Self” and uproot the firmly anchored knot namely – ‘I am not this’!

See your own Self filling everything as unbroken bliss. See the entire world in your own Self like the reflection in a mirror.

Again do not ‘think’ that you are the Self filling everything; after reaching the residual reality, just remain as that alone.”

[15]

After listening to her, Hemachuda of pure heart was cleared of all his doubts.

He understood the true nature of his Self and was freed from delusion.

Gradually he was able to be established firmly in the Self-state. Later he spent his life sporting happily with Hemalekhaa and other pretty maidens. He ruled his kingdom well over and made it prosperous, engaged his enemies in war and conquered them, studied the scriptures and taught them to others, earned enough wealth, performed the sacrifices like Ashva-Medha and Rajasooya and lived for twenty-thousand years, liberated while yet alive (JivanMukta).

(Scholars say that "One thousand" is a peculiar expression for 'four.' Thus twenty-thousand stands for eighty.)

The king Muktachuda having heard that his son Hemachuda had become a Jivan-Mukta consulted his other son Manichuda. Both agreed that Hemachuda was not as before, but that he had changed so that he was no longer affected by the greatest of pleasures or the worst of sorrows; that he treated friend and foe alike; that he was indifferent to loss or gain; that he engaged in royal duties like an actor in a play; that he seemed like a man always intoxicated with wine; and that he did his duty well notwithstanding his absent-minded or other worldly look. They pondered the matter over and wondered. Then sought him in private and asked him the reason of his change. When they had heard him speak of his state, they too desired to be instructed by him, and finally became Jeevan-muktas like Hemachuda. The ministers were in their turn desirous of attaining that state, and eventually reached it after receiving proper instructions from the king. So were the citizens, the artisans and all classes of people in that city. All of them gained the summum bonum (highest good) of life and transcended desire, anger, lust, etc. Even the children and the very old people were no longer moved by passions.

There were still worldly transactions in this ideal state, because the people consciously acted their parts as the actors in a drama, in accord with the rest of creation. A mother would rock the cradle with lullabies expressive of the highest Truth; a master and his servants dealt with one another in the Light of that Truth; players entertained the audience with plays depicting Truth; singers sang only songs on Truth; the court fools caricatured ignorance as ludicrous; the academy only taught lessons on God-knowledge. The whole State was thus composed only of Sages and philosophers, be they men or women; servant-boys or servant-maids; dramatic actors or fashionable folk; artisans or laborers; ministers or harlots. They nevertheless acted in their professions in harmony with creation.

They never cared to recapitulate the past or speculate on the future with a view to gain pleasure or avoid pain, but acted for the time being, laughing rejoicing, crying or shouting like drunkards, thus dsipating all their latent tendencies.

The Rishis, Sanaka and others called it the City of Wisdom when they visited it.

Even parrots and cockatoos in their cages spoke word of wisdom:

“Consider the Self as pure intelligence bereft of objective knowledge.

What is known is not different from that intelligence; it is like a series of images reflected in a mirror.

Absolute consciousness is the world; it is ‘I’, it is all, sentient and insentient, mobile and immobile. Everything else is illuminated by it whereas it is alone and Self-luminous. Therefore let those sensible people who are desirous of CHIT (Pure Consciousness) turn away from illusory knowledge and contemplate their own Self - the Absolute Consciousness - which illumines all the rest, and which is their being too.”

The town where even the lower animals convey such supreme wisdom is famous to this day as (Vidyaa-Nagari) the ‘City of Wisdom’ on Earth, which reputation it owes to that one wise princess Hemalekhaa by whose advice Hemachuda became a Jivan-Mukta, all the rest following in his wake.

END