New York University Press (SUNY) published a translation of the Yoga Vasistha text in the eighties because of the unique nature of the text. It is a text for psychology students. Per this text, creation began as a mental construct. Vedic literature calls the cosmic mind as Brahma, the creator. A strong intention arose in the cosmic mind for the universe to come into existence. We can liken this to the way an architect envisions the design for a building. Building blocks come together, after that, under the able supervision of engineers and manager. Of course, workers play a big role in giving a concrete shape to a building. Brahma is like an architect, then who is the supervisor?
Prajapati is the creator at the next level. The word Pra-ja-pati refers to a paternal figure who has a closer affinity at the physical plane to created beings. There is a single cosmic mind which implies that there is only one Brahma in this universe. However, several Prajapatis handle this responsibility in the subsequent step of creation. They make this creation to be diverse with their skills. A Prajapati maybe associated with beings of a certain genus or an era. Translators make a common mistake regarding the distinction between Brahma and Prajapati for the following reason. These translators of the Vedas today assume the nomenclatures of Brahma and Prajapati to be references to “the” creator.
Is creation a dream?
A rudimentary understanding of the above distinction enables one to appreciate the possibility that the cosmos may be consciousness. This creation is partly of the nature of a dream and partly of the nature of a tangible experiences. A human being belongs to two realms. Our mind is a part of the big mind or the Cosmic mind. Our body is a part of an evolving galaxy. Astronomers hold a conviction that every atom in the human body belonged long ago to a far away exploding star. Similarly, one other conviction is needed. Scientists need to recognize the the connection between human consciousness and the cosmic mind. It is good that Yoga Vasistha is exposing budding psychologists of SUNY to this idea.
I explore segments of text from Yoga Vasistha in my book Beyond Space Beyond Matter.
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