Story of Great Kaakbhushundi-II (from Yog-Vashishth)

Bhushundji replied, ‘O Munishvar, you had asked the Sun, Wind and Water undergo agitation and why I do not experience it. Listen to its answer. When there is agitation in the cosmos even then this tree of mine remains still. This tree of mine is inaccessible to all the jeevas. All life forms die even then I happily remain. When Hiranyaksh took everything to pataal even then my tree did not feel any agitation. When there was great war between the divines and demons even then my tree remained as it is. When lord Vishnu took Sumeru mountain to do churni ng of the ocean by divines and demons, even then my tree remained still. So, O Munishvar so many great disorders occurred in the cosmos and clouds, Sun, wind etc were affected, even then my tree remained as it is.’

On hearing this, O Ram, I again questioned when even wind and clouds of annihilation time are agitated why are you not agitated. He replied that when such a thing happen, he leaving his nest establishes into the space withdrawing all his organs inwards. As by pulling in the desires, mind contracts in the same way body parts get contracted. When the Sun of annihilation rises with great fire then performing concentration on water he becomes water, when great wind starts flowing then doing dharana of mountain he remains unmoving, when all the elements of the cosmos are agitated then leaving them he establishes pure state of self  beyond this cosmos like in Sushupati. When himself gets created and regenerates his cosmic creation, then I establish in this very nest on the Kalpvriksh on the Sumeru. On the question that as he continues to remain without any break on this tree, why other Yogishvars could not exist? He replied this is the way of God, whatever has been decided by him it has to be like that. I have to stay here in this nest on this mountain for eons and eon.

Vashishth ji said, ‘ O Ram then I asked him since he has such a long life, you know all different kinds of knowledges, then you must have seen many strange things. Kindly share some whichever you remember.’ Bhushundji replied, ‘Once there were only trees and grass on the Earth. Then for 11,000 years there were only ashes. All the trees and grass got burnt. Then there was such a creation that no moon or Sun existed and one could not find any difference of day or night. But some light of precious stones of Sumer shone forth. During one time there was great war between demons and divines and demons killed all the divines like humans. Apart from Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, demons won everything and for 20 yugas they ruled and their writ was acknowledged everywhere. For two yugas there were mountains and mountains only on the Earth. Once there was only water and water all around and nothing else was visible. Only Sumeru mountain stood like a pillar. Once Agastya muni came from South and during that time Vindhyachal mountain arose and annihilated everything. So Munishvar many things are remembered but listen in brief. During one time there were no humans or divines. Once Brahmins use to drink and Kshudras use to hold high posts. Dharmas of all the people were topsy-turvy. Once such a creation happened that there were no mountains. Once there were no Sun, Moon, Nakshatras or lokpals while once all of them were seen. Once Swami Kartik did not take birth and all the demons became strong and their kingdom reigned. I remember so many things, how much can I explain. When Hari killed Hiranyaksh who looted the Vedas, I remember that and I also remember the great churning of the ocean. I remember Brahma without Hamsa and Rudra without his transport of Bison. Thus I have seen so many things, how many things can I explain.’

Bhushundji said, ‘ When cosmos was created again, You Bhardwaj, Pulastaya, Narad, Indra, Marichi, Uddalak, Kratu, Bhrigu, Angira, Sanatkumar, Bhargvesh were born. Thereafter Sumeru, Mandrachal, Kailash and Himalyan mountains were created. Attri, Balmiki and Vasudev etc were born a little earlier. You are the son of Brahma and I remember your eight births. Some time you were born on water, sometime on earth, sometime in air and some time in fire. When divinities and demons with the help of Mandrachal mountain started churning the ocean they felt that the mountain has gone down into the ocean, at that time lord Vishnu converted in to a tortoise and supported it from below and helped take nectar out of the ocean. I remember this even 12  times. Three times Hiranyaksh took earth into pataal, six times Parshuram was born to mother Renuka. When demons started taking birth among Kshatriyas then Vishnu took the form of Parshuram. I remember such a time also when the meaning of scriptures were construed. During  different times, different scriptures are seen, their procedures their meanings are enacted differently. Some are made by humans and some are written by divines. I remember many stories and histories too. Balmiki ji wrote Ramayan twelve times, Vyas ji wrote Mahabharat twice and remember his seven appearances. Lord Vishnu takes form to kill demons from time to time, I remember Ram taking birth 12 times. To relieve the earth, Krishna took birth in the house of Vasudev for 16 times. Three times Vishnu took Narsingh avatar and killed Hiranya Kashyap. Thus I remember many such creations and all are confusing. When I see the cause of Atma then no creation is perceived and and everything look illusionary. As bubbles arise and disappear in water in tha same manner many creations appear and disappear in our mind. In some father is son and in some enemy is friend, in some relatives are strangers and sometime strangers are relations. Sometime nest is on this very mountain, some time on Hiumalya, sometime on Malav mountain, sometime in forests and some time on Kalpvriksh. But now for very-very long time it is on this very tree only. When cosmos is annihilated my body still remains. Sitting in asan I establish my puryashtak in the realm of Brahm and that is why I receive this body again. O Munishvar, this whole world has been created from attachment. Neither this creation is true and nor untrue. As the idea arises in the atma, it is felt like that only. Sometimes Satyug comes in Kalyug and sometime vice versa happens. Sometimes meanings of the vedas disappear. When 100 such yugas pass, one day of Brahma completes. Once for two days Brahmaji went into Samadhi and then whole creation became empty. I remember so many things, how many things should I recount.’     

Vashishth ji said, ‘ Hey Ram, like this when Bhushund ji explained then out of JIGYASA I again asked , ‘ O king of the birds, you have been here from the start why death has not eaten your body?’ Bhushund ji replied, ‘You know everything but still you ask me to explain. So as a disciple after studying the meaning of the vedas repeats them in front of his Guru, in the same manner on your instruction I also repeat. O Munishvar, listen, who the death kills whom it does not, I will tell you. Pearls of pain are strung in the desire form string. Who so ever has such a mala around his neck, that person is killed by the death. One in whose neck it is not, he is not killed by death. In the tree of this body sits a snake in the form of chit. The tree which is not burnt by this desire form of fire that person does not come under the sway of death. Whose chit is spoiled with likes, dislikes and greed, he alone is killed and eaten by death. O Munsihvar, ocean of this body gets burnt by the anger form fire. One who is not burnt by this anger, he is not killed by death. Whose mind is firmly established in the purity, he cannot be killed by death. One who has anger, greed, desire, fear, attachment, thirst, agitation of mind, ego etc. residing inside, he alone is killed and one who is not bound by these which are the cause of biding of the creation he is not touched by the worldly diseases of self or company. One who takes, gives and does everything, but whose chit is not touched ever by his ego, he is called all encompassed Chit. One who does not desire any benefit and is not offended by anything opposite, he is called one with all encompassed Chit. O Munishvar, whatever beautiful things which are seen around are all illusion and untrue. The great kings on Earth, Gandharvas, Vidyadhars, Kinners divinities and their wives, armies of divines, everything annihilates. Humans, demons, divines, mountains, rivers, ponds, all the big things are perishable. Whatever enjoyable things are there in heavens, earth and realm below, everything is untrue and not good. Nothing is great. Neither the kingdom of Earth, nor the form of divines; neither the lower realm of nagas and nor reading and learning of scriptures; neither long life nor dying of ignorance is good; neither going to hell and nor any thing of the three words is worth it. Where the mind of saint is affixed, that place only is best. This varied form world is going on. Those who are knowledgeable, they do not die ignorant in any gross thing and do not wish to live for long. O Munishvar, only great gaze of atma is the best getting which one achieves the ultimate state. It removes the tiredness acquired by jiva due to traversing of the life and death circle and burning by heat of all the three kinds of fires of Adhidevik, Adhibhautik and Adhyatmik. The reflection on the self kills the ignorance which is the cause of all the pains. As light annihilates the darkness, in the same manner in the heart of the jeeva cool light appears. It is easier to people like you and difficult for people like us. Because it is beyond all kinds of vibrations. O Munishvar, even if one can get any friend of that self contemplation, then all the pains get removed and great peace is achieved. Out of them I have acquired one friend who is vanquisher of all the pains and provider of all kinds of happiness. Name of it is Pran Chinta. O Ram, when Kakabhushundi explained like this to me, then though I knew all that but still to play I requested him to explain it to remove all doubts in the mind.’

Kagbhushundi replied, ‘O knower of all the vedas, remover of all the doubts, just to make fun of me, you are asking me this. You know everything but still like a student I ill explain in front of you because to speak in front of the Guru is also beneficial. The cause of my long life and realization is Atmachintan only. Take support of it only I am established in parampad or self-realization. I experience no bindings. In every state of sitting, walking, awaking, sleeping, my mind is always conscious due to it I experience no binding. I found movement is Pran and Apan and I have realized through this path and due to that all my attachments, intoxications have got annihilated and I have established in a peaceful state. O Munishvar, who has achieved this movement of pran and apaan, he may or may not indulge in anything, his time is spent in happiness. O Munishvar, I will explain that pran and apan to you now, listen to it.’     

To be continued to part – III…………..Om!