Sri Yukteswar’s Resurrection

“Lord Krishna!” The glorious form of the avatar appeared in a shimmering blaze as I sat in my room at the Regent Hotel in Bombay. Shining over the roof of a high building across the street, the ineffable vision had suddenly burst on my sight as I gazed out of my long open third-story window.

“Lord Krishna!” The avatar’s glorious form appeared in a shimmering blaze as I sat in my room at the Regent Hotel in Bombay. The vision shone above the roof of a tall building across the street, too wondrous for words. It had suddenly appeared before me as I gazed out through my long, open third-floor window.

The divine figure waved to me, smiling and nodding in greeting. When I could not understand the exact message of Lord Krishna, he departed with a gesture of blessing. Wondrously uplifted, I felt that some spiritual event was presaged.

The divine figure waved to me, smiling and nodding in greeting. When I could not understand Lord Krishna’s exact message, he left with a gesture of blessing. Feeling wonderfully uplifted, I sensed that some spiritual event was about to happen.

KRISHNA, ANCIENT PROPHET OF INDIA

KRISHNA, AN ANCIENT PROPHET OF INDIA

A modern artist’s conception of the divine teacher whose spiritual counsel in the Bhagavad Gita has become the Hindu Bible. Krishna is portrayed in Hindu art with a peacock feather in his hair (symbol of the Lord’s lila, play or creative sport), and carrying a flute, whose enrapturing notes awaken the devotees, one by one, from their sleep of maya or cosmic delusion.

A modern artist’s vision of the divine teacher whose spiritual guidance in the Bhagavad Gita has become the Hindu Bible. Hindu art shows Krishna with a peacock feather in his hair and a flute in his hands. The feather symbolizes the Lord’s lila, play or creative sport. The flute’s captivating notes awaken devotees, one by one, from their sleep of maya or cosmic delusion.

My Western voyage had, for the time being, been cancelled. I was scheduled for several public addresses in Bombay before leaving on a return visit to Bengal.

My trip to the West had been canceled for the time being. I was scheduled to give several public talks in Bombay before returning to Bengal for a visit.

Sitting on my bed in the Bombay hotel at three o’clock in the afternoon of June 19, 1936-one week after the vision of Krishna-I was roused from my meditation by a beatific light. Before my open and astonished eyes, the whole room was transformed into a strange world, the sunlight transmuted into supernal splendor.

I was sitting on my bed in the Bombay hotel at three o’clock in the afternoon on June 19, 1936. One week had passed since my vision of Krishna. A blissful light drew me out of my meditation. Before my open, astonished eyes, the whole room became a strange world. The sunlight turned into heavenly splendor.

Waves of rapture engulfed me as I beheld the flesh and blood form of Sri Yukteswar!

Waves of joy overwhelmed me as I saw Sri Yukteswar in flesh and blood!

“My son!” Master spoke tenderly, on his face an angel-bewitching smile.

“My son!” Master said tenderly. His smile could enchant angels.

For the first time in my life I did not kneel at his feet in greeting but instantly advanced to gather him hungrily in my arms. Moment of moments! The anguish of past months was toll I counted weightless against the torrential bliss now descending.

For the first time in my life, I did not kneel at his feet to greet him. Instead, I rushed forward and eagerly gathered him in my arms. What a moment! The anguish of the past months seemed a small price to pay for the overwhelming joy now pouring over me.

“Master mine, beloved of my heart, why did you leave me?” I was incoherent in an excess of joy. “Why did you let me go to the Kumbha Mela? How bitterly have I blamed myself for leaving you!”

“My master, beloved of my heart, why did you leave me?” I was so overwhelmed with joy I could barely speak clearly. “Why did you let me go to the Kumbha Mela? How bitterly I’ve blamed myself for leaving you!”

“I did not want to interfere with your happy anticipation of seeing the pilgrimage spot where first I met Babaji. I left you only for a little while; am I not with you again?”

“I didn’t want to spoil your excitement about seeing the pilgrimage site where I first met Babaji. I left you only for a little while. Aren’t I with you again?”

“But is it you, Master, the same Lion of God? Are you wearing a body like the one I buried beneath the cruel Puri sands?”

“But is it you, Master, the same Lion of God? Are you wearing a body like the one I buried under the cruel sands of Puri?”

“Yes, my child, I am the same. This is a flesh and blood body. Though I see it as ethereal, to your sight it is physical. From the cosmic atoms I created an entirely new body, exactly like that cosmic-dream physical body which you laid beneath the dream-sands at Puri in your dream-world. I am in truth resurrected-not on earth but on an astral planet. Its inhabitants are better able than earthly humanity to meet my lofty standards. There you and your exalted loved ones shall someday come to be with me.”

“Yes, my child, I am the same. This is a flesh and blood body. Though I see this body as ethereal, you see it as physical. I created an entirely new body from cosmic atoms. This new body is exactly like the cosmic-dream physical body you buried beneath the dream-sands at Puri in your dream-world. I have truly been resurrected, not on earth but on an astral planet. The inhabitants of that planet are better able than people on earth to meet my high standards. Someday, you and your spiritually advanced loved ones will come to be with me there.”

“Deathless guru, tell me more!”

“Immortal guru, tell me more!”

Master gave a quick, mirthful chuckle. “Please, dear one,” he said, “won’t you relax your hold a little?”

Master gave a quick, cheerful chuckle. “Please, dear one,” he said, “could you loosen your grip a little?”

“Only a little!” I had been embracing him with an octopus grip. I could detect the same faint, fragrant, natural odor which had been characteristic of his body before. The thrilling touch of his divine flesh still persists around the inner sides of my arms and in my palms whenever I recall those glorious hours.

“Only a little!” I had been holding him in an octopus-like grip. I could smell the same faint, pleasant, natural scent his body had before. Whenever I recall those glorious hours, I still feel the thrilling touch of his divine flesh. The sensation remains along the insides of my arms and in my palms.

“As prophets are sent on earth to help men work out their physical karma, so I have been directed by God to serve on an astral planet as a savior,” Sri Yukteswar explained. “It is called Hiranyaloka or ‘Illumined Astral Planet.’ There I am aiding advanced beings to rid themselves of astral karma and thus attain liberation from astral rebirths. The dwellers on Hiranyaloka are highly developed spiritually; all of them had acquired, in their last earth- incarnation, the meditation-given power of consciously leaving their physical bodies at death. No one can enter Hiranyaloka unless he has passed on earth beyond the state of sabikalpa samadhi into the higher state of nirbikalpa samadhi. [^43]

“Just as prophets are sent to earth to help people work through their physical karma, God has given me a mission,” Sri Yukteswar explained. “I am to serve as a savior on an astral planet. The planet is called Hiranyaloka or ‘Illumined Astral Planet.’ There I help advanced beings free themselves from astral karma and thus gain freedom from astral rebirth. The beings who live on Hiranyaloka are highly developed spiritually. In their last incarnation on earth, all had gained through meditation the power to consciously leave their physical bodies at death. No one can enter Hiranyaloka without having gone beyond the state of sabikalpa samadhi while on earth. They must have reached the higher state of nirbikalpa samadhi. [^43]

“The Hiranyaloka inhabitants have already passed through the ordinary astral spheres, where nearly all beings from earth must go at death; there they worked out many seeds of their past actions in the astral worlds. None but advanced beings can perform such redemptive work effectually in the astral worlds. Then, in order to free their souls more fully from the cocoon of karmic traces lodged in their astral bodies, these higher beings were drawn by cosmic law to be reborn with new astral bodies on Hiranyaloka, the astral sun or heaven, where I have resurrected to help them. There are also highly advanced beings on Hiranyaloka who have come from the superior, subtler, causal world.”

“The inhabitants of Hiranyaloka have already passed through the ordinary astral spheres, where nearly all beings from earth must go at death. In those astral worlds, they worked through many seeds of their past actions. Only advanced beings can effectively do such redemptive work in the astral worlds. Then cosmic law drew these higher beings to be reborn with new astral bodies on Hiranyaloka, the astral sun or heaven. This rebirth would free their souls more fully from the cocoon of karmic traces lodged in their astral bodies. I have resurrected on Hiranyaloka to help them. Hiranyaloka also has highly advanced beings who have come from the higher, subtler, causal world.”

My mind was now in such perfect attunement with my guru’s that he was conveying his word-pictures to me partly by speech and partly by thought-transference. I was thus quickly receiving his idea-tabloids.

My mind was now perfectly in tune with my guru’s. So he conveyed his word-pictures to me partly through speech and partly through thought-transference. In this way, I quickly received his idea-tabloids.

“You have read in the scriptures,” Master went on, “that God encased the human soul successively in three bodies-the idea, or causal, body; the subtle astral body, seat of man’s mental and emotional natures; and the gross physical body. On earth a man is equipped with his physical senses. An astral being works with his consciousness and feelings and a body made of lifetrons. [^43] A causal-bodied being remains in the blissful realm of ideas. My work is with those astral beings who are preparing to enter the causal world.”

“You have read in the scriptures,” Master continued, “that God enclosed the human soul in three bodies, one after another. First came the body of ideas, or causal body. Next came the subtle astral body, home to a person’s mental and emotional nature. Finally came the physical body of solid matter. On earth, a person has physical senses. An astral being works through consciousness and feelings, with a body made of lifetrons. [^43] A being with a causal body remains in the blissful realm of ideas. I work with astral beings who are preparing to enter the causal world.”

“Adorable Master, please tell me more about the astral cosmos.” Though I had slightly relaxed my embrace at Sri Yukteswar’s request, my arms were still around him. Treasure beyond all treasures, my guru who had laughed at death to reach me!

“Beloved Master, please tell me more about the astral cosmos.” Though I had loosened my embrace slightly at Sri Yukteswar’s request, my arms were still around him. My guru was a treasure beyond all treasures. He had laughed at death to reach me!

“There are many astral planets, teeming with astral beings,” Master began. “The inhabitants use astral planes, or masses of light, to travel from one planet to another, faster than electricity and radioactive energies.

“There are many astral planets, filled with astral beings,” Master began. “The inhabitants travel from one planet to another using astral planes, or masses of light. They travel faster than electricity and radioactive energies.

“The astral universe, made of various subtle vibrations of light and color, is hundreds of times larger than the material cosmos. The entire physical creation hangs like a little solid basket under the huge luminous balloon of the astral sphere. Just as many physical suns and stars roam in space, so there are also countless astral solar and stellar systems. Their planets have astral suns and moons, more beautiful than the physical ones. The astral luminaries resemble the aurora borealis-the sunny astral aurora being more dazzling than the mild-rayed moon-aurora. The astral day and night are longer than those of earth.

“The astral universe is made of various subtle vibrations of light and color. It is hundreds of times larger than the material cosmos. The entire physical creation hangs like a small, solid basket beneath the vast, glowing balloon of the astral sphere. Just as many physical suns and stars move through space, countless astral solar and star systems do too. Their planets have astral suns and moons that are more beautiful than physical suns and moons. These astral lights resemble the aurora borealis. The astral sun’s aurora is more dazzling than the moon’s softly shining aurora. Astral days and nights are longer than those on earth.

“The astral world is infinitely beautiful, clean, pure, and orderly. There are no dead planets or barren lands. The terrestrial blemishes- weeds, bacteria, insects, snakes-are absent. Unlike the variable climates and seasons of the earth, the astral planets maintain the even temperature of an eternal spring, with occasional luminous white snow and rain of many-colored lights. Astral planets abound in opal lakes and bright seas and rainbow rivers.

“The astral world is infinitely beautiful, clean, pure, and orderly. There are no dead planets or barren lands. Earth's blemishes, including weeds, bacteria, insects, and snakes, are absent. Unlike Earth's changing climates and seasons, the astral planets keep the steady temperature of an eternal spring. Occasionally, there is glowing white snow and rain made of lights in many colors. Astral planets are filled with opal lakes, bright seas, and rainbow rivers.

“The ordinary astral universe-not the subtler astral heaven of Hiranyaloka-is peopled with millions of astral beings who have come, more or less recently, from the earth, and also with myriads of fairies, mermaids, fishes, animals, goblins, gnomes, demigods and spirits, all residing on different astral planets in accordance with karmic qualifications. Various spheric mansions or vibratory regions are provided for good and evil spirits. Good ones can travel freely, but the evil spirits are confined to limited zones. In the same way that human beings live on the surface of the earth, worms inside the soil, fish in water, and birds in air, so astral beings of different grades are assigned to suitable vibratory quarters.

“The ordinary astral universe is home to millions of astral beings who came from earth more or less recently. This is not the subtler astral heaven of Hiranyaloka. The ordinary astral universe also holds countless fairies, mermaids, fish, animals, goblins, gnomes, demigods, and spirits. All live on different astral planets according to their karmic qualifications. Different spherical dwellings, or vibratory regions, are provided for good and evil spirits. Good spirits can travel freely, but evil spirits are confined to limited zones. Human beings live on the earth’s surface, worms in the soil, fish in water, and birds in the air. In the same way, astral beings of different levels are assigned to suitable vibratory regions.

“Among the fallen dark angels expelled from other worlds, friction and war take place with lifetronic bombs or mental mantric [^43] vibratory rays. These beings dwell in the gloom-drenched regions of the lower astral cosmos, working out their evil karma.

“Fallen dark angels expelled from other worlds clash and wage war using lifetronic bombs or mental mantric [^43] vibratory rays. These beings live in the gloomy regions of the lower astral cosmos, working out their evil karma.

“In the vast realms above the dark astral prison, all is shining and beautiful. The astral cosmos is more naturally attuned than the earth to the divine will and plan of perfection. Every astral object is manifested primarily by the will of God, and partially by the will- call of astral beings. They possess the power of modifying or enhancing the grace and form of anything already created by the Lord. He has given His astral children the freedom and privilege of changing or improving at will the astral cosmos. On earth a solid must be transformed into liquid or other form through natural or chemical processes, but astral solids are changed into astral liquids, gases, or energy solely and instantly by the will of the inhabitants.

“In the vast realms above the dark astral prison, all is bright and beautiful. The astral cosmos is more naturally in harmony with the divine will and plan for perfection than earth is. Every astral object takes form mainly through God’s will and partly through the will of astral beings. These beings can change or enhance the beauty and form of anything the Lord has already created. He has given his astral children the freedom and privilege to change or improve the astral cosmos at will. On earth, a solid must undergo natural or chemical processes to become a liquid or take another form. But astral solids become astral liquids, gases, or energy instantly, solely through the will of the inhabitants.”

“The earth is dark with warfare and murder in the sea, land, and air,” my guru continued, “but the astral realms know a happy harmony and equality. Astral beings dematerialize or materialize their forms at will. Flowers or fish or animals can metamorphose themselves, for a time, into astral men. All astral beings are free to assume any form, and can easily commune together. No fixed, definite, natural law hems them round-any astral tree, for example, can be successfully asked to produce an astral mango or other desired fruit, flower, or indeed any other object. Certain karmic restrictions are present, but there are no distinctions in the astral world about desirability of various forms. Everything is vibrant with God’s creative light.

“The earth is dark with warfare and murder at sea, on land, and in the air,” my guru continued. “But the astral realms enjoy happy harmony and equality. Astral beings can make their forms vanish or appear at will. Flowers, fish, or animals can temporarily transform themselves into astral men. All astral beings are free to take any form and can easily communicate with one another. No fixed, definite law of nature limits them. For example, any astral tree can be asked to produce an astral mango, and the tree will do so. The tree can also produce any other desired fruit, flower, or object. Certain karmic restrictions exist, but the astral world makes no distinctions about how desirable different forms are. Everything is alive with God’s creative light.

“No one is born of woman; offspring are materialized by astral beings through the help of their cosmic will into specially patterned, astrally condensed forms. The recently physically disembodied being arrives in an astral family through invitation, drawn by similar mental and spiritual tendencies.

“No one is born of a woman. Astral beings use their cosmic will to materialize offspring in specially patterned forms made of condensed astral substance. A being who has recently left the physical body joins an astral family by invitation. The being is drawn to the family by similar mental and spiritual tendencies.

“The astral body is not subject to cold or heat or other natural conditions. The anatomy includes an astral brain, or the thousand- petaled lotus of light, and six awakened centers in the sushumna, or astral cerebro-spinal axis. The heart draws cosmic energy as well as light from the astral brain, and pumps it to the astral nerves and body cells, or lifetrons. Astral beings can affect their bodies by lifetronic force or by mantric vibrations.

“The astral body is unaffected by cold, heat, or other natural conditions. Its anatomy includes an astral brain, also called the thousand-petaled lotus of light. It also has six awakened centers in the sushumna, or astral cerebro-spinal axis. The heart draws cosmic energy and light from the astral brain. The heart pumps this energy and light to the astral nerves and body cells, or lifetrons. Astral beings can affect their bodies through lifetronic force or mantric vibrations.

“The astral body is an exact counterpart of the last physical form. Astral beings retain the same appearance which they possessed in youth in their previous earthly sojourn; occasionally an astral being chooses, like myself, to retain his old age appearance.” Master, emanating the very essence of youth, chuckled merrily.

“The astral body is an exact copy of the most recent physical body. Astral beings look just as they did in their youth during their previous life on earth. Occasionally, an astral being chooses to keep his elderly appearance, as I have.” Master radiated the very essence of youth and chuckled merrily.

“Unlike the spacial, three-dimensional physical world cognized only by the five senses, the astral spheres are visible to the all-inclusive sixth sense-intuition,” Sri Yukteswar went on. “By sheer intuitional feeling, all astral beings see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. They possess three eyes, two of which are partly closed. The third and chief astral eye, vertically placed on the forehead, is open. Astral beings have all the outer sensory organs-ears, eyes, nose, tongue, and skin-but they employ the intuitional sense to experience sensations through any part of the body; they can see through the ear, or nose, or skin. They are able to hear through the eyes or tongue, and can taste through the ears or skin, and so forth. [^43]

“The physical world is three-dimensional and perceived only through the five senses,” Sri Yukteswar continued. “Unlike the physical world, the astral spheres are visible through intuition, the all-inclusive sixth sense. Through intuition alone, all astral beings see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. They have three eyes, two of which are partly closed. The third and main astral eye is positioned vertically on the forehead and is open. Astral beings have all the external sense organs: ears, eyes, nose, tongue, and skin. But they use intuition to experience sensations through any part of the body. They can see through their ears, nose, or skin. They can hear through their eyes or tongue, and taste through their ears or skin, and so on. [^43]

“Man’s physical body is exposed to countless dangers, and is easily hurt or maimed; the ethereal astral body may occasionally be cut or bruised but is healed at once by mere willing.”

“The human body faces countless dangers and is easily hurt or permanently injured. The ethereal astral body may occasionally be cut or bruised, but heals instantly through will alone.”

“Gurudeva, are all astral persons beautiful?”

“Gurudeva, are all astral beings beautiful?”

“Beauty in the astral world is known to be a spiritual quality, and not an outward conformation,” Sri Yukteswar replied. “Astral beings therefore attach little importance to facial features. They have the privilege, however, of costuming themselves at will with new, colorful, astrally materialized bodies. Just as worldly men don new array for gala events, so astral beings find occasions to bedeck themselves in specially designed forms.

“Beauty in the astral world is understood as a spiritual quality, not a matter of physical appearance,” Sri Yukteswar replied. “Astral beings therefore place little importance on facial features. However, astral beings have the privilege of taking on new, colorful bodies at will, materialized from astral substance. Just as people in this world put on new clothes for special celebrations, so astral beings find occasions to dress themselves in specially designed forms.

“Joyous astral festivities on the higher astral planets like Hiranyaloka take place when a being is liberated from the astral world through spiritual advancement, and is therefore ready to enter the heaven of the causal world. On such occasions the Invisible Heavenly Father, and the saints who are merged in Him, materialize Themselves into bodies of Their own choice and join the astral celebration. In order to please His beloved devotee, the Lord takes any desired form. If the devotee worshiped through devotion, he sees God as the Divine Mother. To Jesus, the Father-aspect of the Infinite One was appealing beyond other conceptions. The individuality with which the Creator has endowed each of His creatures makes every conceivable and inconceivable demand on the Lord’s versatility!” My guru and I laughed happily together.

“Joyful astral celebrations take place on higher astral planets like Hiranyaloka when spiritual progress frees a being from the astral world. That being is then ready to enter the heaven of the causal world. On such occasions, the Invisible Heavenly Father and the saints united with him take physical forms of their own choosing. They join the astral celebration. To please his beloved devotee, the Lord takes whatever form the devotee desires. If the devotee worshiped through devotion, he sees God as the Divine Mother. To Jesus, the Infinite One’s aspect as the Father was more appealing than any other conception of God. The Creator has given each of his creatures individuality. That individuality makes every imaginable and unimaginable demand on the Lord’s versatility!” My guru and I laughed happily together.

“Friends of other lives easily recognize one another in the astral world,” Sri Yukteswar went on in his beautiful, flutelike voice. “Rejoicing at the immortality of friendship, they realize the indestructibility of love, often doubted at the time of the sad, delusive partings of earthly life.

“Friends from past lives easily recognize one another in the astral world,” Sri Yukteswar continued in his beautiful, flute-like voice. “They rejoice that friendship never dies and realize that love cannot be destroyed. People often doubt this during the sad partings of earthly life, which create the illusion of lasting separation.

“The intuition of astral beings pierces through the veil and observes human activities on earth, but man cannot view the astral world unless his sixth sense is somewhat developed. Thousands of earth-dwellers have momentarily glimpsed an astral being or an astral world.

“Astral beings use their intuition to see through the veil and observe human activities on earth. But people cannot see the astral world unless their sixth sense is somewhat developed. Thousands of people on earth have briefly glimpsed an astral being or an astral world.

“The advanced beings on Hiranyaloka remain mostly awake in ecstasy during the long astral day and night, helping to work out intricate problems of cosmic government and the redemption of prodigal sons, earthbound souls. When the Hiranyaloka beings sleep, they have occasional dreamlike astral visions. Their minds are usually engrossed in the conscious state of highest nirbikalpa bliss.

“The advanced beings on Hiranyaloka stay mostly awake in ecstasy throughout the long astral day and night. They help solve complex problems of cosmic government and redeem prodigal sons, souls bound to earth. When the Hiranyaloka beings sleep, they occasionally have dreamlike astral visions. Their minds are usually absorbed in the conscious state of the highest nirbikalpa bliss.

“Inhabitants in all parts of the astral worlds are still subject to mental agonies. The sensitive minds of the higher beings on planets like Hiranyaloka feel keen pain if any mistake is made in conduct or perception of truth. These advanced beings endeavor to attune their every act and thought with the perfection of spiritual law.

“People in all parts of the astral worlds still suffer mental anguish. Higher beings on planets like Hiranyaloka have sensitive minds. They feel deep pain if any mistake is made in behavior or in understanding truth. These advanced beings strive to bring every action and thought into harmony with the perfection of spiritual law.

“Communication among the astral inhabitants is held entirely by astral telepathy and television; there is none of the confusion and misunderstanding of the written and spoken word which earth-dwellers must endure. Just as persons on the cinema screen appear to move and act through a series of light pictures, and do not actually breathe, so the astral beings walk and work as intelligently guided and coordinated images of light, without the necessity of drawing power from oxygen. Man depends upon solids, liquids, gases, and energy for sustenance; astral beings sustain themselves principally by cosmic light.”

“Astral inhabitants communicate entirely through astral telepathy and television. They have none of the confusion and misunderstanding that people on earth endure through written and spoken words. People on a movie screen appear to move and act through a series of images made of light. The people on the screen do not actually breathe. In the same way, astral beings walk and work as intelligently guided and coordinated images of light. They do not need to draw energy from oxygen. Humans depend on solids, liquids, gases, and energy for nourishment. Astral beings sustain themselves mainly through cosmic light.”

“Master mine, do astral beings eat anything?” I was drinking in his marvelous elucidations with the receptivity of all my faculties-mind, heart, soul. Superconscious perceptions of truth are permanently real and changeless, while fleeting sense experiences and impressions are never more than temporarily or relatively true, and soon lose in memory all their vividness. My guru’s words were so penetratingly imprinted on the parchment of my being that at any time, by transferring my mind to the superconscious state, I can clearly relive the divine experience.

“My master, do astral beings eat anything?” I eagerly absorbed his wonderful explanations with all my faculties: mind, heart, and soul. Superconscious perceptions of truth are permanently real and unchanging. By contrast, fleeting sensory experiences and impressions are never more than temporarily or relatively true. Memories of those experiences and impressions soon lose all their vividness. My guru’s words were imprinted so deeply on the parchment of my being that I can clearly relive the divine experience. I can do so at any time by shifting my mind into the superconscious state.

“Luminous raylike vegetables abound in the astral soils,” he answered. “The astral beings consume vegetables, and drink a nectar flowing from glorious fountains of light and from astral brooks and rivers. Just as invisible images of persons on the earth can be dug out of the ether and made visible by a television apparatus, later being dismissed again into space, so the God-created, unseen astral blueprints of vegetables and plants floating in the ether are precipitated on an astral planet by the will of its inhabitants. In the same way, from the wildest fancy of these beings, whole gardens of fragrant flowers are materialized, returning later to the etheric invisibility. Although dwellers on the heavenly planets like Hiranyaloka are almost freed from any necessity of eating, still higher is the unconditioned existence of almost completely liberated souls in the causal world, who eat nothing save the manna of bliss.

“Glowing vegetables, like rays of light, grow abundantly in astral soil,” he answered. “Astral beings eat vegetables and drink nectar flowing from glorious fountains of light and from astral streams and rivers. Invisible images of people on earth can be drawn from the ether and made visible on a television. The images can then be sent back into space. In the same way, God-created, invisible astral blueprints of vegetables and plants float in the ether. Through their will, the inhabitants of an astral planet give these blueprints physical form on their planet. Likewise, these beings can bring whole gardens of fragrant flowers into being from their wildest imaginings. The gardens later return to invisibility in the ether. Although inhabitants of heavenly planets like Hiranyaloka are almost free from any need to eat, an even higher existence awaits. This is the unconditioned existence of almost completely liberated souls in the causal world. These souls eat nothing but the manna of bliss.

“The earth-liberated astral being meets a multitude of relatives, fathers, mothers, wives, husbands, and friends, acquired during different incarnations on earth, [^43] as they appear from time to time in various parts of the astral realms. He is therefore at a loss to understand whom to love especially; he learns in this way to give a divine and equal love to all, as children and individualized expressions of God. Though the outward appearance of loved ones may have changed, more or less according to the development of new qualities in the latest life of any particular soul, the astral being employs his unerring intuition to recognize all those once dear to him in other planes of existence, and to welcome them to their new astral home. Because every atom in creation is inextinguishably dowered with individuality, [^43] an astral friend will be recognized no matter what costume he may don, even as on earth an actor’s identity is discoverable by close observation despite any disguise.

“The astral being, freed from earthly life, meets many relatives, fathers, mothers, wives, husbands, and friends from different earthly incarnations, [^43] as these souls appear from time to time in different parts of the astral realms. He therefore does not know whom to love most. In this way, he learns to give everyone the same divine love, as children and individual expressions of God. Though loved ones may look different, he recognizes them through his unfailing intuition. Their appearance may have changed according to the new qualities each soul developed in its latest life. He recognizes all those once dear to him in other planes of existence and welcomes them to their new astral home. Because every atom in creation has an individuality that can never be extinguished, [^43] an astral friend is always recognizable. Whatever costume the friend wears, he can be recognized, just as an earthly actor can be identified through close observation, despite any disguise.”

“The span of life in the astral world is much longer than on earth. A normal advanced astral being’s average life period is from five hundred to one thousand years, measured in accordance with earthly standards of time. As certain redwood trees outlive most trees by millenniums, or as some yogis live several hundred years though most men die before the age of sixty, so some astral beings live much longer than the usual span of astral existence. Visitors to the astral world dwell there for a longer or shorter period in accordance with the weight of their physical karma, which draws them back to earth within a specified time.

“Life in the astral world is much longer than life on earth. A typical advanced astral being lives an average of five hundred to one thousand years, measured in earthly time. Some redwood trees outlive most other trees by thousands of years. Similarly, some yogis live several hundred years, though most people die before sixty. In the same way, some astral beings live much longer than the usual astral lifespan. Visitors to the astral world stay for longer or shorter periods, depending on the weight of their physical karma. That physical karma draws them back to earth within a specified time.

“The astral being does not have to contend painfully with death at the time of shedding his luminous body. Many of these beings nevertheless feel slightly nervous at the thought of dropping their astral form for the subtler causal one. The astral world is free from unwilling death, disease, and old age. These three dreads are the curse of earth, where man has allowed his consciousness to identify itself almost wholly with a frail physical body requiring constant aid from air, food, and sleep in order to exist at all.

“An astral being does not face a painful struggle with death when shedding his luminous body. Still, many astral beings feel slightly nervous about leaving their astral form for the subtler causal form. The astral world is free from unwanted death, disease, and old age. These three fears are the curse of earth. On earth, people have allowed their consciousness to identify almost entirely with a fragile physical body. That body constantly needs air, food, and sleep just to exist.

“Physical death is attended by the disappearance of breath and the disintegration of fleshly cells. Astral death consists of the dispersement of lifetrons, those manifest units of energy which constitute the life of astral beings. At physical death a being loses his consciousness of flesh and becomes aware of his subtle body in the astral world. Experiencing astral death in due time, a being thus passes from the consciousness of astral birth and death to that of physical birth and death. These recurrent cycles of astral and physical encasement are the ineluctable destiny of all unenlightened beings. Scriptural definitions of heaven and hell sometimes stir man’s deeper-than-subconscious memories of his long series of experiences in the blithesome astral and disappointing terrestrial worlds.”

“Physical death comes with the loss of breath and the breakdown of the body’s cells. Astral death involves the scattering of lifetrons, the units of energy that make up the life of astral beings. At physical death, a being loses awareness of the physical body and becomes aware of the subtle body in the astral world. In time, the being experiences astral death. The being thus moves from awareness of astral birth and death to awareness of physical birth and death. These repeated cycles of living in astral and physical bodies are the unavoidable fate of all unenlightened beings. Scriptural descriptions of heaven and hell sometimes awaken memories deeper than the subconscious. These memories come from a person’s long series of experiences in the joyful astral worlds and disappointing earthly worlds.”

“Beloved Master,” I asked, “will you please describe more in detail the difference between rebirth on the earth and in the astral and causal spheres?”

“Beloved Master,” I asked, “could you please explain in more detail how rebirth on earth differs from rebirth in the astral and causal spheres?”

“Man as an individualized soul is essentially causal-bodied,” my guru explained. “That body is a matrix of the thirty-five ideas required by God as the basic or causal thought forces from which He later formed the subtle astral body of nineteen elements and the gross physical body of sixteen elements.

“A person, as an individual soul, exists essentially in a causal body,” my guru explained. “The causal body is a framework of thirty-five ideas that God required as the basic, or causal, thought forces. From these thought forces, he later formed the subtle astral body of nineteen elements and the physical body of sixteen elements.

“The nineteen elements of the astral body are mental, emotional, and lifetronic. The nineteen components are intelligence; ego; feeling; mind (sense-consciousness); five instruments of knowledge, the subtle counterparts of the senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch; five instruments of action, the mental correspondence for the executive abilities to procreate, excrete, talk, walk, and exercise manual skill; and five instruments of life force, those empowered to perform the crystallizing, assimilating, eliminating, metabolizing, and circulating functions of the body. This subtle astral encasement of nineteen elements survives the death of the physical body, which is made of sixteen gross metallic and nonmetallic elements.

“The nineteen elements of the astral body are mental, emotional, and lifetronic. These components include intelligence, ego, feeling, and mind (awareness through the senses). There are also five instruments of knowledge, the subtle counterparts of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Next are five instruments of action. These are the mental counterparts of the abilities to reproduce, excrete, speak, walk, and use the hands skillfully. Finally, five instruments of life force carry out the body’s crystallizing, assimilating, eliminating, metabolizing, and circulating functions. This subtle astral covering of nineteen elements survives the death of the physical body. The physical body consists of sixteen basic metallic and nonmetallic elements.

“God thought out different ideas within Himself and projected them into dreams. Lady Cosmic Dream thus sprang out decorated in all her colossal endless ornaments of relativity.

“God formed different ideas within himself and projected them into dreams. So Lady Cosmic Dream emerged, adorned with all her vast, endless ornaments of relativity.

“In thirty-five thought categories of the causal body, God elaborated all the complexities of man’s nineteen astral and sixteen physical counterparts. By condensation of vibratory forces, first subtle, then gross, He produced man’s astral body and finally his physical form. According to the law of relativity, by which the Prime Simplicity has become the bewildering manifold, the causal cosmos and causal body are different from the astral cosmos and astral body; the physical cosmos and physical body are likewise characteristically at variance with the other forms of creation.

“Within the causal body’s thirty-five thought categories, God developed all the complexities of humanity’s nineteen astral and sixteen physical counterparts. He condensed vibratory forces, first into subtle forms, then into solid forms. In this way, he created the human astral body and finally the physical body. Under the law of relativity, the Prime Simplicity has become a bewildering variety of forms. Under this law, the causal cosmos and causal body differ from the astral cosmos and astral body. Likewise, the physical cosmos and physical body have characteristics that differ from those of the other forms of creation.

“The fleshly body is made of the fixed, objectified dreams of the Creator. The dualities are ever-present on earth: disease and health, pain and pleasure, loss and gain. Human beings find limitation and resistance in three-dimensional matter. When man’s desire to live is severely shaken by disease or other causes, death arrives; the heavy overcoat of the flesh is temporarily shed. The soul, however, remains encased in the astral and causal bodies. [^43] The adhesive force by which all three bodies are held together is desire. The power of unfulfilled desires is the root of all man’s slavery.

“The physical body is made of the Creator’s dreams, given solid, fixed form. Opposites are always present on earth: disease and health, pain and pleasure, loss and gain. Human beings face limits and resistance in three-dimensional matter. When disease or other causes severely weaken a person’s desire to live, death comes. The heavy overcoat of the flesh is temporarily shed. The soul, however, remains enclosed in the astral and causal bodies. [^43] Desire is the force that holds all three bodies together. The power of unfulfilled desires is the root of all human bondage.

“Physical desires are rooted in egotism and sense pleasures. The compulsion or temptation of sensory experience is more powerful than the desire-force connected with astral attachments or causal perceptions.

“Physical desires are rooted in self-centeredness and sensory pleasures. The urge or temptation to experience sensory pleasures is stronger than desires tied to astral attachments or causal perceptions.

“Astral desires center around enjoyment in terms of vibration. Astral beings enjoy the ethereal music of the spheres and are entranced by the sight of all creation as exhaustless expressions of changing light. The astral beings also smell, taste, and touch light. Astral desires are thus connected with an astral being’s power to precipitate all objects and experiences as forms of light or as condensed thoughts or dreams.

“Astral desires center on enjoying vibrations. Astral beings enjoy the heavenly music of the spheres. They are captivated by the sight of all creation as endless expressions of changing light. Astral beings also smell, taste, and touch light. Their desires are therefore linked to their power to bring all objects and experiences into being. These objects and experiences take the form of light, condensed thoughts, or dreams.

“Causal desires are fulfilled by perception only. The nearly-free beings who are encased only in the causal body see the whole universe as realizations of the dream-ideas of God; they can materialize anything and everything in sheer thought. Causal beings therefore consider the enjoyment of physical sensations or astral delights as gross and suffocating to the soul’s fine sensibilities. Causal beings work out their desires by materializing them instantly. [^43] Those who find themselves covered only by the delicate veil of the causal body can bring universes into manifestation even as the Creator. Because all creation is made of the cosmic dream-texture, the soul thinly clothed in the causal has vast realizations of power.

“Causal desires are fulfilled through perception alone. Nearly free beings, enclosed only in the causal body, see the whole universe as God’s dream-ideas made real. These beings can bring anything and everything into existence through thought alone. Causal beings therefore find physical sensations and astral pleasures crude and suffocating to the soul’s delicate sensibilities. Causal beings work through their desires by instantly bringing them into existence. [^43] Those covered only by the delicate veil of the causal body can bring universes into existence, just as the Creator does. All creation is made from the fabric of the cosmic dream. Because of this, the soul clothed only in the thin causal body experiences vast power.

“A soul, being invisible by nature, can be distinguished only by the presence of its body or bodies. The mere presence of a body signifies that its existence is made possible by unfulfilled desires. [^43]

“A soul is invisible by nature and can be recognized only by the presence of its body or bodies. The very presence of a body means that unfulfilled desires make its existence possible. [^43]

“So long as the soul of man is encased in one, two, or three body- containers, sealed tightly with the corks of ignorance and desires, he cannot merge with the sea of Spirit. When the gross physical receptacle is destroyed by the hammer of death, the other two coverings-astral and causal-still remain to prevent the soul from consciously joining the Omnipresent Life. When desirelessness is attained through wisdom, its power disintegrates the two remaining vessels. The tiny human soul emerges, free at last; it is one with the Measureless Amplitude.”

“As long as the human soul remains inside one, two, or three body containers, it cannot merge with the sea of Spirit. These containers are tightly sealed with the corks of ignorance and desire. When the hammer of death destroys the physical container, the other two coverings, astral and causal, still remain. These coverings still prevent the soul from consciously joining the Omnipresent Life. When wisdom brings freedom from desire, the power of that freedom breaks down the two remaining containers. The tiny human soul emerges, free at last. The soul is one with the Measureless Amplitude.”

I asked my divine guru to shed further light on the high and mysterious causal world.

I asked my divine guru to explain more about the higher, mysterious causal world.

“The causal world is indescribably subtle,” he replied. “In order to understand it, one would have to possess such tremendous powers of concentration that he could close his eyes and visualize the astral cosmos and the physical cosmos in all their vastness-the luminous balloon with the solid basket-as existing in ideas only. If by this superhuman concentration one succeeded in converting or resolving the two cosmoses with all their complexities into sheer ideas, he would then reach the causal world and stand on the borderline of fusion between mind and matter. There one perceives all created things- solids, liquids, gases, electricity, energy, all beings, gods, men, animals, plants, bacteria-as forms of consciousness, just as a man can close his eyes and realize that he exists, even though his body is invisible to his physical eyes and is present only as an idea.

“The causal world is too subtle to describe,” he replied. “To understand it, a person would need extraordinary powers of concentration. With eyes closed, they would have to picture the astral and physical cosmoses in all their vastness as ideas alone. The image would be a luminous balloon with a solid basket. If this superhuman concentration reduced both cosmoses, with all their complexities, to pure ideas, the person would reach the causal world. They would stand at the boundary where mind and matter merge. There, all created things are perceived as forms of consciousness. These include solids, liquids, gases, electricity, energy, and all beings: gods, humans, animals, plants, and bacteria. This is just as a person can close their eyes and know they exist. Their body is invisible to their physical eyes and is present only as an idea.

“Whatever a human being can do in fancy, a causal being can do in reality. The most colossal imaginative human intelligence is able, in mind only, to range from one extreme of thought to another, to skip mentally from planet to planet, or tumble endlessly down a pit of eternity, or soar rocketlike into the galaxied canopy, or scintillate like a searchlight over milky ways and the starry spaces. But beings in the causal world have a much greater freedom, and can effortlessly manifest their thoughts into instant objectivity, without any material or astral obstruction or karmic limitation.

“Whatever a human being can do in imagination, a causal being can do in reality. Even the most powerful human imagination can move from one extreme of thought to another only in the mind. In thought, a person can leap from planet to planet or fall endlessly down a pit of eternity. Or a person can soar like a rocket into the galaxy-filled sky. Or a person can flash like a searchlight across the Milky Ways and starry spaces. But beings in the causal world have much greater freedom. They can effortlessly turn their thoughts into reality in an instant, without any material or astral obstacles or karmic limits.

“Causal beings realize that the physical cosmos is not primarily constructed of electrons, nor is the astral cosmos basically composed of lifetrons-both in reality are created from the minutest particles of God-thought, chopped and divided by maya, the law of relativity which intervenes to apparently separate the Noumenon from His phenomena.

“Causal beings realize that the physical cosmos is not made primarily of electrons. Nor is the astral cosmos made mainly of lifetrons. In reality, both are created from the tiniest particles of God-thought, cut up and divided by maya. This law of relativity steps in to seemingly separate the Noumenon from his phenomena.

“Souls in the causal world recognize one another as individualized points of joyous Spirit; their thought-things are the only objects which surround them. Causal beings see the difference between their bodies and thoughts to be merely ideas. As a man, closing his eyes, can visualize a dazzling white light or a faint blue haze, so causal beings by thought alone are able to see, hear, feel, taste, and touch; they create anything, or dissolve it, by the power of cosmic mind.

“Souls in the causal world recognize one another as individual points of joyful Spirit. The only objects around them are their thought-things. Causal beings see the difference between their bodies and thoughts as nothing more than ideas. A person with closed eyes can picture a dazzling white light or a faint blue haze. In the same way, causal beings can see, hear, feel, taste, and touch through thought alone. Through the power of cosmic mind, causal beings can create anything or dissolve it.

“Both death and rebirth in the causal world are in thought. Causal- bodied beings feast only on the ambrosia of eternally new knowledge. They drink from the springs of peace, roam on the trackless soil of perceptions, swim in the ocean-endlessness of bliss. Lo! see their bright thought-bodies zoom past trillions of Spirit-created planets, fresh bubbles of universes, wisdom-stars, spectral dreams of golden nebulae, all over the skiey blue bosom of Infinity!

“Both death and rebirth in the causal world take place in thought. Beings with causal bodies feast only on the nectar of eternally new knowledge. They drink from the springs of peace and roam the pathless landscape of perceptions. They swim in the endless ocean of bliss. Look! See their bright thought-bodies race past trillions of Spirit-created planets, fresh bubbles of universes, wisdom-stars, and ghostly dreams of golden nebulae. They soar across the sky-blue expanse of Infinity!”

“Many beings remain for thousands of years in the causal cosmos. By deeper ecstasies the freed soul then withdraws itself from the little causal body and puts on the vastness of the causal cosmos. All the separate eddies of ideas, particularized waves of power, love, will, joy, peace, intuition, calmness, self-control, and concentration melt into the ever-joyous Sea of Bliss. No longer does the soul have to experience its joy as an individualized wave of consciousness, but is merged in the One Cosmic Ocean, with all its waves-eternal laughter, thrills, throbs.

“Many beings remain in the causal cosmos for thousands of years. Through deeper states of ecstasy, the freed soul then leaves its small causal body. The soul takes on the vastness of the causal cosmos. All the separate currents of ideas melt into the ever-joyful Sea of Bliss. So do all the individual waves of power, love, will, joy, peace, intuition, calmness, self-control, and concentration. The soul no longer has to experience its joy as an individual wave of consciousness. Instead, the soul merges into the One Cosmic Ocean, with all its waves of eternal laughter, thrills, and throbs.

“When a soul is out of the cocoon of the three bodies it escapes forever from the law of relativity and becomes the ineffable Ever- Existent. [^43] Behold the butterfly of Omnipresence, its wings etched with stars and moons and suns! The soul expanded into Spirit remains alone in the region of lightless light, darkless dark, thoughtless thought, intoxicated with its ecstasy of joy in God’s dream of cosmic creation.”

“When a soul leaves the cocoon of the three bodies, the soul escapes forever from the law of relativity. The soul becomes the Ever-Existent, beyond description. [^43] Look at the butterfly of Omnipresence, its wings etched with stars and moons and suns! The soul, now expanded into Spirit, remains alone in the realm of light without light, darkness without darkness, thought without thought. The soul is intoxicated with ecstatic joy in God’s dream of cosmic creation.”

“A free soul!” I ejaculated in awe.

“A free soul!” I exclaimed in awe.

“When a soul finally gets out of the three jars of bodily delusions,” Master continued, “it becomes one with the Infinite without any loss of individuality. Christ had won this final freedom even before he was born as Jesus. In three stages of his past, symbolized in his earth- life as the three days of his experience of death and resurrection, he had attained the power to fully arise in Spirit.

“When a soul finally escapes the three jars of bodily illusions,” Master continued, “the soul becomes one with the Infinite without losing its individuality. Christ had gained this final freedom even before he was born as Jesus. He had gained the power to rise fully in Spirit through three stages in his past. Those stages were symbolized in his earthly life by the three days of his death and resurrection.

“The undeveloped man must undergo countless earthly and astral and causal incarnations in order to emerge from his three bodies. A master who achieves this final freedom may elect to return to earth as a prophet to bring other human beings back to God, or like myself he may choose to reside in the astral cosmos. There a savior assumes some of the burden of the inhabitants’ karma [^43] and thus helps them to terminate their cycle of reincarnation in the astral cosmos and go on permanently to the causal spheres. Or a freed soul may enter the causal world to aid its beings to shorten their span in the causal body and thus attain the Absolute Freedom.”

“A spiritually undeveloped person must undergo countless earthly, astral, and causal incarnations to become free of all three bodies. A master who achieves this final freedom may choose to return to earth as a prophet. The prophet’s purpose is to bring other human beings back to God. Or, like myself, the master may choose to live in the astral cosmos. There, a savior takes on some of the inhabitants’ karma [^43]. By sharing this burden, the savior helps them end their cycle of reincarnation in the astral cosmos. They can then move permanently to the causal spheres. Or a freed soul may enter the causal world to help its beings spend less time in their causal bodies. In this way, the freed soul helps them attain Absolute Freedom.”

“Resurrected One, I want to know more about the karma which forces souls to return to the three worlds.” I could listen forever, I thought, to my omniscient Master. Never in his earth-life had I been able at one time to assimilate so much of his wisdom. Now for the first time I was receiving a clear, definite insight into the enigmatic interspaces on the checkerboard of life and death.

“Resurrected One, I want to know more about the karma that forces souls to return to the three worlds.” I thought I could listen forever to my Master, who knew everything. During his life on earth, I had never been able to absorb so much of his wisdom at once. Now, for the first time, I clearly understood the mysterious spaces between life and death on life’s checkerboard.

“The physical karma or desires of man must be completely worked out before his permanent stay in astral worlds becomes possible,” my guru elucidated in his thrilling voice. “Two kinds of beings live in the astral spheres. Those who still have earthly karma to dispose of and who must therefore reinhabit a gross physical body in order to pay their karmic debts could be classified, after physical death, as temporary visitors to the astral world rather than as permanent residents.

“A person’s physical karma or desires must be fully worked out before they can live permanently in the astral worlds,” my guru explained, his voice stirring. “Two kinds of beings live in the astral worlds. Some still have earthly karma to work out. They must therefore return to a physical body to pay their karmic debts. After physical death, these beings could be called temporary visitors to the astral world rather than permanent residents.

“Beings with unredeemed earthly karma are not permitted after astral death to go to the high causal sphere of cosmic ideas, but must shuttle to and fro from the physical and astral worlds only, conscious successively of their physical body of sixteen gross elements, and of their astral body of nineteen subtle elements. After each loss of his physical body, however, an undeveloped being from the earth remains for the most part in the deep stupor of the death-sleep and is hardly conscious of the beautiful astral sphere. After the astral rest, such a man returns to the material plane for further lessons, gradually accustoming himself, through repeated journeys, to the worlds of subtle astral texture.

“Beings with unresolved earthly karma cannot enter the high causal sphere of cosmic ideas after astral death. Instead, they must move back and forth only between the physical and astral worlds. They are conscious in turn of their physical body’s sixteen gross elements and their astral body’s nineteen subtle elements. However, after each physical death, a spiritually undeveloped being from earth remains mostly in the deep stupor of death-sleep. Such a being is hardly conscious of the beautiful astral sphere. After resting in the astral world, the being returns to the material plane for further lessons. Through repeated journeys, the being gradually grows accustomed to worlds made of subtle astral substance.

“Normal or long-established residents of the astral universe, on the other hand, are those who, freed forever from all material longings, need return no more to the gross vibrations of earth. Such beings have only astral and causal karma to work out. At astral death these beings pass to the infinitely finer and more delicate causal world. Shedding the thought-form of the causal body at the end of a certain span, determined by cosmic law, these advanced beings then return to Hiranyaloka or a similar high astral planet, reborn in a new astral body to work out their unredeemed astral karma.

“Ordinary or long-established residents of the astral universe, on the other hand, are forever free from all material longings. They no longer need to return to earth’s coarse vibrations. Such beings have only astral and causal karma to work out. At astral death, these beings pass into the infinitely finer and more delicate causal world. After a certain time, determined by cosmic law, these advanced beings shed the thought-form of the causal body. They then return to Hiranyaloka or a similar high astral planet. There, they are reborn in a new astral body to work out their remaining astral karma.

“My son, you may now comprehend more fully that I am resurrected by divine decree,” Sri Yukteswar continued, “as a savior of astrally reincarnating souls coming back from the causal sphere, in particular, rather than of those astral beings who are coming up from the earth. Those from the earth, if they still retain vestiges of material karma, do not rise to the very high astral planets like Hiranyaloka.

“My son, you may now understand more fully that I have been resurrected by divine decree,” Sri Yukteswar continued. “I serve as a savior especially for souls returning from the causal sphere to reincarnate in the astral realm. My role is less focused on astral beings coming up from the earth. If souls from the earth still carry traces of material karma, they do not reach the highest astral planets, like Hiranyaloka.

“Just as most people on earth have not learned through meditation- acquired vision to appreciate the superior joys and advantages of astral life and thus, after death, desire to return to the limited, imperfect pleasures of earth, so many astral beings, during the normal disintegration of their astral bodies, fail to picture the advanced state of spiritual joy in the causal world and, dwelling on thoughts of the more gross and gaudy astral happiness, yearn to revisit the astral paradise. Heavy astral karma must be redeemed by such beings before they can achieve after astral death a permanent stay in the causal thought-world, so thinly partitioned from the Creator.

“Most people on earth have not gained the vision through meditation to appreciate astral life’s greater joys and advantages. So, after death, they desire to return to earth’s limited, imperfect pleasures. In the same way, many astral beings cannot imagine the greater spiritual joy of the causal world. This happens as their astral bodies naturally break down. Instead, these beings dwell on the coarser, showier happiness of astral life and long to return to the astral paradise. Such beings must work through their heavy astral karma before they can remain permanently in the causal thought-world after astral death. Only a thin barrier separates that world from the Creator.

“Only when a being has no further desires for experiences in the pleasing-to-the-eye astral cosmos, and cannot be tempted to go back there, does he remain in the causal world. Completing there the work of redeeming all causal karma or seeds of past desires, the confined soul thrusts out the last of the three corks of ignorance and, emerging from the final jar of the causal body, commingles with the Eternal.

“Only when a being no longer desires experiences in the beautiful astral cosmos does he remain in the causal world. He must also be beyond any temptation to return there. In the causal world, he finishes clearing all causal karma, the seeds of past desires. Then the confined soul pushes out the last of the three corks of ignorance. The soul emerges from the final jar of the causal body and merges with the Eternal.

“Now do you understand?” Master smiled so enchantingly!

“Now do you understand?” Master gave such a captivating smile!

“Yes, through your grace. I am speechless with joy and gratitude.”

“Yes, thanks to your grace. I’m so full of joy and gratitude that I can’t speak.”

Never from song or story had I ever received such inspiring knowledge. Though the Hindu scriptures refer to the causal and astral worlds and to man’s three bodies, how remote and meaningless those pages compared with the warm authenticity of my resurrected Master! For him indeed existed not a single “undiscover’d country from whose bourn no traveller returns”!

Never had a song or story given me such inspiring knowledge. The Hindu scriptures speak of the causal and astral worlds and of man’s three bodies. Yet how distant and meaningless those pages seemed beside the warm reality of my resurrected Master! For him, there truly was no “undiscovered country from whose borders no traveler returns”!

“The interpenetration of man’s three bodies is expressed in many ways through his threefold nature,” my great guru went on. “In the wakeful state on earth a human being is conscious more or less of his three vehicles. When he is sensuously intent on tasting, smelling, touching, listening, or seeing, he is working principally through his physical body. Visualizing or willing, he is working mainly through his astral body. His causal medium finds expression when man is thinking or diving deep in introspection or meditation; the cosmical thoughts of genius come to the man who habitually contacts his causal body. In this sense an individual may be classified broadly as ‘a material man,’ ‘an energetic man,’ or ‘an intellectual man.’

“The way a person’s three bodies overlap is expressed in many ways through their threefold nature,” my great guru continued. “While awake on earth, a person is more or less aware of all three bodies. When focused on tasting, smelling, touching, listening, or seeing, a person works mainly through the physical body. When visualizing or using the will, a person works mainly through the astral body. The causal body finds expression when a person thinks or goes deep into self-reflection or meditation. The cosmic thoughts of genius come to a person who regularly connects with the causal body. In this sense, a person may be broadly classified as ‘a material person,’ ‘an energetic person,’ or ‘an intellectual person.’

“A man identifies himself about sixteen hours daily with his physical vehicle. Then he sleeps; if he dreams, he remains in his astral body, effortlessly creating any object even as do the astral beings. If man’s sleep be deep and dreamless, for several hours he is able to transfer his consciousness, or sense of I-ness, to the causal body; such sleep is revivifying. A dreamer is contacting his astral and not his causal body; his sleep is not fully refreshing.”

“A person identifies with his physical body for about sixteen hours a day. Then he sleeps. If he dreams, he remains in his astral body, effortlessly creating any object, just as astral beings do. If his sleep is deep and dreamless, he can shift his consciousness, or sense of self, to the causal body. This shift can last several hours, and such sleep restores his energy. A dreamer connects with his astral body, not his causal body, so his sleep is not fully refreshing.”

I had been lovingly observing Sri Yukteswar while he gave his wondrous exposition.

I had been watching Sri Yukteswar lovingly as he gave his wonderful explanation.

“Angelic guru,” I said, “your body looks exactly as it did when last I wept over it in the Puri ashram.”

“Angelic guru,” I said, “your body looks exactly as it did when I last cried over it at the Puri ashram.”

“O yes, my new body is a perfect copy of the old one. I materialize or dematerialize this form any time at will, much more frequently than I did while on earth. By quick dematerialization, I now travel instantly by light express from planet to planet or, indeed, from astral to causal or to physical cosmos.” My divine guru smiled. “Though you move about so fast these days, I had no difficulty in finding you at Bombay!”

“Oh yes, my new body is a perfect copy of the old one. I materialize or dematerialize this body whenever I wish, much more often than I did while on earth. By quickly dematerializing, I now travel instantly by light express from planet to planet. I can even travel from the astral cosmos to the causal or physical cosmos.” My divine guru smiled. “Though you move around so fast these days, I had no trouble finding you in Bombay!”

“O Master, I was grieving so deeply about your death!”

“Master, I was grieving so deeply over your death!”

“Ah, wherein did I die? Isn’t there some contradiction?” Sri Yukteswar’s eyes were twinkling with love and amusement.

“Ah, in what sense did I die? Isn’t there some contradiction?” Sri Yukteswar’s eyes twinkled with love and amusement.

“You were only dreaming on earth; on that earth you saw my dream- body,” he went on. “Later you buried that dream-image. Now my finer fleshly body-which you behold and are even now embracing rather closely!-is resurrected on another finer dream-planet of God. Someday that finer dream-body and finer dream-planet will pass away; they too are not forever. All dream-bubbles must eventually burst at a final wakeful touch. Differentiate, my son Yogananda, between dreams and Reality!”

“You were only dreaming on earth,” he continued. “On that earth, you saw my dream-body. Later, you buried that dream-image. Now my finer physical body has been resurrected on another, finer dream-planet of God. You can see this body, and you are even now hugging it rather tightly! Someday, that finer dream-body and finer dream-planet will pass away. Neither will last forever. All dream-bubbles must eventually burst at the final touch of awakening. My son Yogananda, learn to tell dreams apart from Reality!”

This idea of Vedantic [^43] resurrection struck me with wonder. I was ashamed that I had pitied Master when I had seen his lifeless body at Puri. I comprehended at last that my guru had always been fully awake in God, perceiving his own life and passing on earth, and his present resurrection, as nothing more than relativities of divine ideas in the cosmic dream.

The idea of Vedantic [^43] resurrection filled me with wonder. I felt ashamed for having pitied Master when I saw his lifeless body at Puri. At last, I understood that my guru had always been fully awake in God. He saw his earthly life and death, and his present resurrection, as merely relative expressions of divine ideas in the cosmic dream.

“I have now told you, Yogananda, the truths of my life, death, and resurrection. Grieve not for me; rather broadcast everywhere the story of my resurrection from the God-dreamed earth of men to another God- dreamed planet of astrally garbed souls! New hope will be infused into the hearts of misery-mad, death-fearing dreamers of the world.”

“Yogananda, I have now told you the truths about my life, death, and resurrection. Do not grieve for me. Instead, spread everywhere the story of my resurrection from the human earth dreamed by God to another planet! That planet, also dreamed by God, is home to souls clothed in astral bodies. This story will fill the hearts of the world’s dreamers with new hope, people driven mad by misery and afraid of death.”

“Yes, Master!” How willingly would I share with others my joy at his resurrection!

“Yes, Master!” I would gladly share my joy at his resurrection with others!

“On earth my standards were uncomfortably high, unsuited to the natures of most men. Often I scolded you more than I should have. You passed my test; your love shone through the clouds of all reprimands.” He added tenderly, “I have also come today to tell you: Never again shall I wear the stern gaze of censure. I shall scold you no more.”

“On earth my standards were uncomfortably high and did not suit the nature of most people. Often I scolded you more than I should have. You passed my test. Your love shone through the clouds of all my reprimands.” He added tenderly, “I have also come today to tell you: Never again will I look at you with stern disapproval. I will scold you no more.”

How much I had missed the chastisements of my great guru! Each one had been a guardian angel of protection.

How much I had missed my great guru’s scoldings! Each scolding had been a guardian angel protecting me.

“Dearest Master! Rebuke me a million times-do scold me now!”

“Dearest Master! Scold me a million times. Please scold me now!”

“I shall chide you no more.” His divine voice was grave, yet with an undercurrent of laughter. “You and I shall smile together, so long as our two forms appear different in the maya-dream of God. Finally we shall merge as one in the Cosmic Beloved; our smiles shall be His smile, our unified song of joy vibrating throughout eternity to be broadcast to God-tuned souls!”

“I won’t scold you anymore.” His divine voice was serious, yet held a hint of laughter. “You and I will smile together as long as our two forms seem separate in God’s maya-dream. Finally, we will become one in the Cosmic Beloved. Our smiles will be his smile. Our united song of joy will vibrate throughout eternity, reaching souls tuned to God!”

Sri Yukteswar gave me light on certain matters which I cannot reveal here. During the two hours that he spent with me in the Bombay hotel room he answered my every question. A number of world prophecies uttered by him that June day in 1936 have already come to pass.

Sri Yukteswar helped me understand certain matters that I cannot reveal here. He spent two hours with me in the Bombay hotel room and answered every question I asked. Several of his prophecies about world events from that June day in 1936 have already come true.

“I leave you now, beloved one!” At these words I felt Master melting away within my encircling arms.

“I’m leaving you now, beloved!” As he spoke, I felt Master melting away in my arms.

“My child,” his voice rang out, vibrating into my very soul-firmament, “whenever you enter the door of nirbikalpa samadhi and call on me, I shall come to you in flesh and blood, even as today.”

“My child,” his voice rang out, resonating in the very depths of my soul, “whenever you enter nirbikalpa samadhi and call on me, I will come to you. I will appear in flesh and blood, just as I have today.”

With this celestial promise Sri Yukteswar vanished from my sight. A cloud-voice repeated in musical thunder: “Tell all! Whosoever knows by nirbikalpa realization that your earth is a dream of God can come to the finer dream-created planet of Hiranyaloka, and there find me resurrected in a body exactly like my earthly one. Yogananda, tell all!”

With this heavenly promise, Sri Yukteswar vanished from my sight. A voice from the clouds repeated in musical thunder: “Tell everyone! Anyone who knows through nirbikalpa realization that your earth is a dream of God can come to Hiranyaloka. On that finer, dream-created planet, they can find me resurrected in a body exactly like my earthly one. Yogananda, tell everyone!”

Gone was the sorrow of parting. The pity and grief for his death, long robber of my peace, now fled in stark shame. Bliss poured forth like a fountain through endless, newly opened soul-pores. Anciently clogged with disuse, they now widened in purity at the driving flood of ecstasy. Subconscious thoughts and feelings of my past incarnations shed their karmic taints, lustrously renewed by Sri Yukteswar’s divine visit.

The sorrow of parting was gone. Pity and grief over his death had long robbed me of peace, but now fled in utter shame. Bliss poured like a fountain through countless newly opened pores of my soul. Long clogged from disuse, these pores now opened wider in purity under the surging flood of ecstasy. Subconscious thoughts and feelings from my past lives lost their karmic stains. Sri Yukteswar’s divine visit renewed those thoughts and feelings, making them radiant.

In this chapter of my autobiography I have obeyed my guru’s behest and spread the glad tiding, though it confound once more an incurious generation. Groveling, man knows well; despair is seldom alien; yet these are perversities, no part of man’s true lot. The day he wills, he is set on the path to freedom. Too long has he hearkened to the dank pessimism of his “dust-thou-art” counselors, heedless of the unconquerable soul.

In this chapter of my autobiography, I have followed my guru’s instruction and shared the good news. I have done so even though the news may once again bewilder a generation unwilling to ask questions. People know well how to grovel, and despair is rarely unfamiliar. Yet these are distortions, not part of humanity’s true destiny. The day a person chooses freedom, the path to freedom opens. For too long, people have listened to the gloomy pessimism of their “dust-thou-art” advisers, ignoring the unconquerable soul.

I was not the only one privileged to behold the Resurrected Guru.

I was not the only one privileged to see the Resurrected Guru.

One of Sri Yukteswar’s chelas was an aged woman, affectionately known as Ma (Mother), whose home was close to the Puri hermitage. Master had often stopped to chat with her during his morning walk. On the evening of March 16, 1936, Ma arrived at the ashram and asked to see her guru.

One of Sri Yukteswar’s disciples was an elderly woman affectionately known as Ma (Mother). Her home was close to the Puri hermitage. Master had often stopped to chat with her during his morning walk. On the evening of March 16, 1936, Ma arrived at the ashram and asked to see her guru.

“Why, Master died a week ago!” Swami Sebananda, now in charge of the Puri hermitage, looked at her sadly.

“But Master died a week ago!” Swami Sebananda was now in charge of the Puri hermitage. He looked at her sadly.

“That’s impossible!” She smiled a little. “Perhaps you are just trying to protect the guru from insistent visitors?”

“That’s impossible!” She smiled a little. “Perhaps you’re just trying to protect the guru from pushy visitors?”

“No.” Sebananda recounted details of the burial. “Come,” he said, “I will take you to the front garden to Sri Yukteswarji’s grave.”

“No.” Sebananda described the burial in detail. “Come,” he said, “I’ll take you to Sri Yukteswarji’s grave in the front garden.”

Ma shook her head. “There is no grave for him! This morning at ten o’clock he passed in his usual walk before my door! I talked to him for several minutes in the bright outdoors.

Ma shook her head. “There is no grave for him! At ten o’clock this morning, he walked past my door on his usual walk! I talked to him for several minutes outside in the bright daylight.

“‘Come this evening to the ashram,’ he said.

“‘Come to the ashram this evening,’ he said.

“I am here! Blessings pour on this old gray head! The deathless guru wanted me to understand in what transcendent body he had visited me this morning!”

“I am here! Blessings are pouring down on this old gray head! The immortal guru wanted me to understand what kind of transcendent body he had visited me in this morning!”

The astounded Sebananda knelt before her.

Amazed, Sebananda knelt before her.

“Ma,” he said, “what a weight of grief you lift from my heart! He is risen!”

“Ma,” he said, “you lift such a weight of grief from my heart! He has risen!”

43-1: In sabikalpa samadhi the devotee has spiritually progressed to a state of inward divine union, but cannot maintain his cosmic consciousness except in the immobile trance-state. By continuous meditation, he reaches the superior state of nirbikalpa samadhi, where he moves freely in the world and performs his outward duties without any loss of God-realization.

43-1: In sabikalpa samadhi the devotee has progressed spiritually to a state of inner union with God. But he can maintain cosmic consciousness only while completely still in a trance. Through continuous meditation, he reaches the higher state of nirbikalpa samadhi. In this state, he moves freely in the world and carries out his duties without losing his awareness of God.

43-2: Sri Yukteswar used the word prana; I have translated it as lifetrons. The Hindu scriptures refer not only to the anu, “atom,” and to the paramanu, “beyond the atom,” finer electronic energies; but also to prana, “creative lifetronic force.” Atoms and electrons are blind forces; prana is inherently intelligent. The pranic lifetrons in the spermatozoa and ova, for instance, guide the embryonic development according to a karmic design.

43-2: Sri Yukteswar used the word prana, which I have translated as lifetrons. The Hindu scriptures refer not only to the anu, “atom,” and the paramanu, “beyond the atom,” meaning finer electronic energies. They also refer to prana, “creative lifetronic force.” Atoms and electrons are blind forces, but prana is inherently intelligent. For instance, pranic lifetrons in sperm and egg cells guide embryonic development according to a karmic design.

43-3: Adjective of mantra, chanted seed-sounds discharged by the mental gun of concentration. The Puranas (ancient shastras or treatises) describe these mantric wars between devas and asuras (gods and demons). An asura once tried to slay a deva with a potent chant. But due to mispronunciation the mental bomb acted as a boomerang and killed the demon.

43-3: Adjective form of mantra, meaning chanted seed-sounds fired by the mental gun of concentration. The Puranas (ancient shastras, or treatises) describe these mantric wars between devas and asuras (gods and demons). An asura once tried to kill a deva with a powerful chant. But because the demon mispronounced the chant, the mental bomb acted like a boomerang and killed the demon.

43-4: Examples of such powers are not wanting even on earth, as in the case of Helen Keller and other rare beings.

43-4: Examples of such powers exist even on earth, as seen in Helen Keller and other rare individuals.

43-5: Lord Buddha was once asked why a man should love all persons equally. “Because,” the great teacher replied, “in the very numerous and varied lifespans of each man, every other being has at one time or another been dear to him.”

43-5: Lord Buddha was once asked why a person should love everyone equally. “Because,” the great teacher replied, “each person has lived many different lives. During those lives, every other being has been dear to that person at one time or another.”

43-6: The eight elemental qualities which enter into all created life, from atom to man, are earth, water, fire, air, ether, motion, mind, and individuality. (Bhagavad Gita: VII:4.)

43-6: Eight elemental qualities are part of all created life, from atoms to humans. They are earth, water, fire, air, ether, motion, mind, and individuality. (Bhagavad Gita: VII:4.)

43-7: Body signifies any soul-encasement, whether gross or subtle. The three bodies are cages for the Bird of Paradise.

43-7: Body means any covering for the soul, whether physical or subtle. The three bodies are cages for the Bird of Paradise.

43-8: Even as Babaji helped Lahiri Mahasaya to rid himself of a subconscious desire from some past life for a palace, as described in [^34].

43-8: Just as Babaji helped Lahiri Mahasaya let go of a subconscious desire for a palace from some past life, as described in [^34].

43-9: “And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.”-Luke 17:37. Wherever the soul is encased in the physical body or in the astral body or in the causal body, there the eagles of desires-which prey on human sense weaknesses, or on astral and causal attachments-will also gather to keep the soul a prisoner.

43-9: “And he said to them, Wherever the body is, the eagles will gather.” Luke 17:37. Wherever the soul is enclosed in a physical, astral, or causal body, the eagles of desire will also gather. These desires prey on human weaknesses of the senses, or on astral and causal attachments, to keep the soul imprisoned.

43-10: “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out (i.e., shall reincarnate no more). . . . To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”-Revelation 3:12, 21.

43-10: “I will make whoever overcomes a pillar in the temple of my God. He will never leave again (that is, he will never reincarnate). . . . I will grant whoever overcomes the right to sit with me on my throne. Just as I overcame, I now sit with my Father on his throne.” Revelation 3:12, 21.

43-11: Sri Yukteswar was signifying that, even as in his earthly incarnation he had occasionally assumed the weight of disease to lighten his disciples’ karma, so in the astral world his mission as a savior enabled him to take on certain astral karma of dwellers on Hiranyaloka, and thus hasten their evolution into the higher causal world.

43-11: Sri Yukteswar meant that during his earthly incarnation, he had sometimes taken on illness to lighten his disciples’ karma. Similarly, in the astral world, his mission as a savior enabled him to take on some astral karma of Hiranyaloka’s dwellers. By doing so, he could speed their evolution into the higher causal world.

43-12: Life and death as relativities of thought only. Vedanta points out that God is the only Reality; all creation or separate existence is maya or illusion. This philosophy of monism received its highest expression in the Upanishad commentaries of Shankara.

43-12: Life and death exist only as relative concepts in thought. Vedanta teaches that God is the only Reality. All creation or separate existence is maya or illusion. This philosophy of monism found its highest expression in Shankara’s commentaries on the Upanishad.