36. All this is but an air drawn city, of our imagination and dream; and everything here, appears to be stretched out in a fairy dance all about us; but in reality it is only a calm and quiet vacuity, full with the unchanging and undecaying spirit of God.
37. The whole is the hollowness of the divine heart, and the vacuous sphere of the Omniscient Intellect; it is its intellection, that reflects many a transparent image in its own sphere and to no end. This it is which is called the world or the image of the divine soul, which continues forever and ever, (and is said—the world without end. Amen).
CHAPTER CCVI.
The great inquiry, or questions of the Buddhist.
Argument:—Entity of Brahma and non-entity of the world, illustrated in the story of the king of Kushadwípa.
Vasishtha resumed:—The uncreated phenomenon of creation, that appears to view, is nothing in reality. It is the transcendental principle of supreme Brahma, that is the only true reality.
2. It was on this subject, that I was once asked by some one, to my reply to a certain question of his; which I will now relate to you, O high-minded Ráma, for strengthening your understanding to the full knowledge thereof.
3. There is the great island of Kushadwípa, surrounded by the seas on all sides; like a watery belt about it, and this land is renowned (for its beauty), all over the three regions of the world.
4. There is the city called Ilávatí, situated on its north eastern side, and is beset by a colonnade of pillars, gilded all over with gold, and glittering with radiant beams, reaching from earth to the skies.
5. There formerly reigned a prince, known by the name of Prajnapti; who ruled on earth as the god Indra in heaven; and to whom this earth or land paid its homage (as the skies do to the regent of heaven).
6. It was on one occasion, that I happened to alight at the presence of this prince; as the sun descends on earth on the last day of desolation.