Chapter CXXI - Exposition of the story of vipaschit

Argument:—Boundaries of Vipaschit's Realms. His adoration of fire and attempt to proceed further.

Vasishtha related:—

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Then the king Vipaschit and his companions, sat on the coast of the sea, and did whatever was requisite for the establishment of his sovereignty.

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They then chose spots for their abodes at that place, and made houses for themselves according to their positions; they settled the boundaries of the provinces, and set guards for their defence.

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At last they went down into the ocean, and then proceeded to the other side of the world; in order to show his glory; like that of Vipaschit, to other parts of the world.

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Then came on the dark night, in the form of an all overshading cloud; and the people all sank into the lap of sleep, after finishing their daily works and rituals.

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They were amazed to think in themselves, how insensibly they were led to so great a distance in so short a space of time, and to meet the ocean like currents of rivers falling into it.

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They said: "It is a wonder that we have come so far, without any attempt on our part; and therefore this great velocity must be attributed, to the swiftness of the vehicles of the great god Agni (or Electricity itself)".

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Lord! say they, how extensive is the view that lies before our sight;stretching from one end of the Jambudwipa to its other extremity of the vast salt ocean, and thence again to the islands in it, and other lands and seas beyond them.

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There are islands and seas beyond these, and others again beyond them; how many such and many more, may there be of this kind, and how inscrutable is the delusion which is thus spread before our minds. (i.e. All these are but our mental delusions).

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Let us therefore pray the god of fire (electricity), that we may see at once every thing on all sides by his favour, and with[out] any exertion of or pain on our sides.

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So saying and thinking in this manner, they all reflected on the god with one accord, and meditated on him, as they sat in their respective places.

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The god appeared to them, and stood manifest before their sight in his tangible form, and spoke to them saying:—"Ask ye my sons, what favour you desire of me."

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They said: O lord of gods, that abidest beyond this visible and elemental world, ordain, that by means of the vedic mantra and our purified minds, we may know the knowables in our minds.

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Give us, O God, this great and best boon, that we ask of thee; that we may know by thy light, whatever is knowable by either the external senses; mind or by our self-consciousness. (i.e. By the three means of knowledge).

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Enable us to see with our eyes O lord! the paths, which lead the siddhas and yogis to the sight of the invisibles; and make us also to perceive in our minds the things, that [are] imperceptible to them.

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Let not death overtake us, till we have reached to the ways of the siddhas; and let thy grace guide us in the paths, where no embodied being can pass (i.e. in our journey to the next world, when we have shuffled our mortal coil).

Vasishtha said:—

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"So be it", said the igneous god, and instantly disappeared from their sight; as the submarine fire bursts forth, and vanishes at once in the sea.

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As the fiery god disappeared, there appeared the dark night after him; and as the night also fled after a while, the sunshine returned with the reviving wishes of the king and his men, to survey the wide ocean lying before them.