Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 11 Chapter 13:34-42

Book 11: Chapter 13

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 11: Chapter 13: Verses 34-42 One should look upon this (objective) world as an illusion in that lt is a creation of the mind, open to perception and evanescent as a dream and most unsteady like a revolving firebrand,. Consciousness, though one, appears as many (through a freak of imagination) and this threefold division (in the shape of the body, the Indriyas and the mind), wrought by the projection of the (three) Gunas (or modes of Prakrti) is a (mere) illusory appearance. (Therefore,) diverting one's eye (mind) from the body etc., (which are all superimposed on the Self), one should remain absorbed in the realization of one's own blissful nature. His thirst for enjoyment having ceased (once for all), he should keep quiet and effortless. Even if this body etc., is perceived (as a distinct reality) at times (while taking one's meals, answering the calls of nature and so on), what has been dismissed as unreal (other than the Self) can no longer delude us, although its impression on the mind may continue till death. Nay, a man established in the Self no longer cognizes (even) his perishable body, by means of which he realized his self, as risen (from his seat), or settled (again), gone out (to some other place) or come (back) by chance, any more than a man blinded by intoxication caused by wine cognizes the garment worn by him as (still) on his person or fallen therefrom. The body too, including the Indriyas and the vital principle, functioning as it does under the control of Providence, undoubtedly and invariably survives till the Karma (the stock of merit and sin) which brought it into existence stands (has not been reaped). He (however) who has climbed up to the highest ladder of Yoga (concentration of mind) known by the name of Samadhi (absorption,of mind into the Universal Spirit) and realized the truth does not recapture (as his own self or its own) the body alongwith the world (directly connected with it in the shape of one's wife, children, house and other material possessions) any more than the man who has awoke from sleep does his dream-body. This is the secret of Samkhya (the branch of knowledge which distinguishes Matter from Spirit) and Yoga (the system of philosophy founded by the sage Patanjali), which has been expounded by Me, to you, 0 Brahmana sages ! Know Me to be Yajna (Lord Visnu Himself) arrived (here) with intent to expound (unfold) to you (the secret of) Dharmas (the righteous courses leading to Liberation). I am the supreme goal of Yoga and Samkhya, virtue both in its ideal and practical form, glory and prosperity, celebrity and self-control, 0 jewels among the twice-born ! All virtues like even-mindedness and non-attachment, which are not products of the three Gunas (and therefore eternal) find shelter in Me, transcendent and free from desire as I am, the beloved friend, (nay,) the (very) Self (of all). Having (duly) worshipped Me with supreme devotion, the sages Sanaka and his (three) brothers-who had their doubts (as to the way in which the mind could be weaned from the objects of sense) thus resolved by Me (in the form of the divine Swan)_celebrated me through songs of praise. Honoured with due ceremony and glorified at length by the aforesaid great sages, I flew back to My (divine) realm, Brahma (the highest functionary of the universe) looking on. Thus ends the thirteenth discourse in Book-Eleven of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.