Just as the branches and leaves of a tree exist to complete its form, you are now urged to see all things as non-different from your own self, for the sake of true understanding. This universe, in all its complexity, arises from the unfolding of one’s own nature. It is, at its essence, empty; the meanings attributed to the word 'universe' are nothing but Brahman itself, in which all abides. The world is neither truly real nor wholly unreal, much like the illusion of a snake seen in a rope. What is experienced as false may be deemed true or untrue only upon careful examination. When one knows the supreme cause, existence itself is understood as if it were life; by experiencing only that, one distinctly attains the sense of living. Whether true or untrue, this world—appearing in the vastness of space—colors the living atom with experiences arising from itself. These experiences may stem from previous memories, some may be unprecedented, some are equal, and others unequal. Sometimes, somewhere, those same experiences are equal, and sometimes they are not; within the space of the living being, experiences move as either untrue or true. Families, customs, births, intentions—all these become your counselors and citizens in the realm of intelligence. And, established in the Self, they are fully content, unaffected by actions bound to place and time, abiding in the radiance of the all-pervading nature of consciousness. Just as an image appears in the royal mirror of the sky, composed of pure being, so too does the reflection of truth arise in the radiance of consciousness. Through your habits, conduct, lineage, and form, the play of consciousness brings forth a reflection that appears as if it were you. In the mirror of all-pervading awareness, the reflection appears—whatever its nature, wherever it arises, it continues without ceasing. The reflection that moves within the space of the individual soul shines forth by itself; this, standing outside, is established as the image in the mirror of consciousness. This is you, I am the sky, this world is the earth, and so forth—thus, all appears as the unborn alone. Know, dear one, that the space of consciousness is like the womb of a bael fruit—be at peace and remain as you are here. Now, Viduratha, your husband, having left his body on the battlefield, will reach that very inner abode and become of such a nature. Upon hearing these words of the goddess, Lila, standing in her palace, bowed again with joined palms and spoke: “O Goddess, blessed awareness has always been worshipped by me; in dreams, O Devi, she grants me her vision in the nights. O Queen of the gods, just as she appears, so do you, O Mother; out of your compassion for the afflicted, O beautiful-faced one, grant me a boon.” The awareness, recalling Lila’s devotion, became pleased and spoke: “By your unwavering and lifelong devotion, O child, I am satisfied with you; receive the boon you desire.” Lila requested, “After abandoning my body in battle, wherever my husband abides, may I, with this very body, be present there as his wife.” “So be it,” replied the goddess. “You have long worshipped me without obstacle, O daughter, with single-minded devotion, with flowers, incense, and service, O Devi.” Then, as Lila’s wish blossomed in that place, prompted by the granting of the boon, the former Lila, her mind wavering with doubt, spoke to the goddess: “Those whose desires are true, whose resolve is solely truth, who are of the nature of Brahman—such as you—whatever they wish for, all is quickly accomplished for them. Why, with that very body, O Lady of noble complexion, have I not taken him to this other world, or to that mountain village?” The goddess answered, “I do nothing at all for anyone, O beautiful one; the living being himself swiftly accomplishes all that he intends. For I, O simple one, am pure awareness, the presiding deity of consciousness alone; in each being I am the power of consciousness, the very essence of the living force. The power of ‘I’ arises in each living being in its own way; as it appears, so it always bestows its corresponding result. When the power of the living being thus awakened quickly worships me, then, when the body is gone, it long remains liberated, thinking, ‘I am free.’ “In this and that manner, I have awakened you, O Lady of radiant complexion; by that pure reasoning, you have been led to a stainless state. When, for a long time, I have been awakened by this very contemplation, then, by the power of one’s own awareness, one attains that very goal. For whomever, in whatever way, their own effort in awareness arises for a long time, in due course, it yields fruit for each accordingly. Whether it is austerity or a deity, it is only the imperishable consciousness that, becoming such, freely grants its fruit, just as the sky lets its fruit fall. Apart from the illumination of one’s own awareness, nothing else ever produces a result; therefore, act as you wish, for the fruit comes swiftly in that way. “Is it not true that the state of consciousness alone, which is the inner self present everywhere, thinks and strives, and attains what it seeks, and its prosperity? Considering whether something is delightful or not, therefore, recognize what is pure and abide within it.” Meanwhile, as they conversed in that house, what did Viduratha do, having departed in anger? Viduratha, leaving his residence, was surrounded by a great retinue, like the moon encircled by a host of stars. Fully armored in every limb, adorned with necklaces and ornaments, he went forth amid loud cries of victory, like Indra, king of the gods. Commanding the ranks of warriors, listening to the arrangement of the formations, and observing the heroic battles, the king ascended his chariot. The chariot, resembling a mansion of spirits, decorated with pearls and rubies, covered with clusters of banners, appeared like a celestial vehicle.