1. Just like wind was created in space, in the same way, the Primal Illusion (Moolamaya) was created in Brahman. Being of the nature of wind, the Primal Illusion is made up of the three gunas and the five elements.
2. A mighty tree exists contained within the seed of the Banyan tree, but upon breaking open the seed, the tree cannot be seen there. From one seed a great many trees can come to be.
3. Similarly, the Primal Illusion is in the form of a seed, and the entire expanse of Illusion has come from there. Its true nature can be seen if one takes up proper investigation.
4. Two different things can be seen in one's actual experience if one looks using the power of discrimination. There is stillness, and there is a state of movement or restlessness, which is the wind itself.
5. Contained within that wind is Pure Consciousness, which is the source of the Life-Energy that is the "Light of the Universe." That Pure Consciousness in combination with the motion of wind is called the "Primal Illusion."
6. Sarita is the word for river, which is a feminine gender word that reminds us of a woman, but if we look at the river, all that is seen there is water. Oh thoughtful people, understand that the Primal Illusion is like that.
7. Wind, and Pure Consciousness, the "Light of the Universe," conjoined together are called the Primal Illusion. The words "Prakriti" (Primordial Female, the Energy of Manifestation) and "Purusha" (Primordial Male, Pure Consciousness) are names that are given to it.
8. The wind is called Prakriti or the "Energy of Manifestation," and Purusha is called the "Light of the Universe." Shiva and Shakti are other names given to this combination.
9. The special quality of Pure Consciousness in the wind is Purusha, which is conjoined with the Life-Energy of Manifestation, that is Prakriti. Some faith is required initially to understand the meaning of this statement.
10. People use the terms "Power" or Shakti, for wind, and "God" for Consciousness, and refer to this combination as half man and half woman.
11. The quality of Consciousness that is in the wind is what is described by the term God. It is from that Consciousness that the three gunas become manifest.
12. Foremost among those three gunas is the Sattva guna, which is the quality of "objectless Consciousness," or awareness in living beings. Lord Vishnu is the embodiment of this Sattva quality.
13. In the Bhagavad Gita it is told that the world is sustained by a fraction of His Consciousness. Those who look, and inquire into this, understand, even though they are engaged in the visible world.
14. It is this one Consciousness, or "knowingness," that is dispersed around in all living beings, and being of the nature of awareness, it protects all bodies everywhere.
15. The name of it is the "Light of the Universe" and all living beings are alive because of this Universal Light. The actual experience of it is evident and can be seen directly for oneself.
16. It is this Consciousness that animates the bodies of the birds, wild animals, insects, ants, and all other living beings in the world.
17. It is with this Consciousness that all creatures knowingly run away to save their lives, and that they knowingly hide and conceal themselves.
18. Because this Consciousness protects all life in the universe it is called the Universal Light. If this Consciousness leaves the body, the living being will die right then and there.
19. First there is the basic Consciousness, and then some changes occur in its form and like the spray of water with an endless number of droplets, it gets expanded spreading out the display of Consciousness everywhere.
20. Similarly, the various gods, goddesses, deities, and ghosts move about in nature with their respective strengths and power, and should not be considered to be non-existent.
21. They wander around in the form of wind. They change their forms with their own wish and affect the ignorant people who are under the delusion of imagination.
22. However, those who are knowledgeable are not under the sway of imagination and are not affected. Therefore, one should gain Self-Knowledge through study and spiritual practice.
23. By gaining Self-Knowledge through study and spiritual practice all of the bondage of the fruits of actions (karma) is broken. This is proven with actual experience. There is no doubt about this.
24. It has never happened that the bondage of karma has been released without Self-Knowledge. Likewise, it cannot happen that one can gain Self-Knowledge without the instruction of a Sadguru.
25. Therefore, one should seek out a Sadguru, as well as seek out and keep the company of virtuous and Self-realized people. One's mind and attention should be utilized to inquire within and reflect upon the explanations about Reality.
26. By analyzing the elements and dissolving one element into another, one remains singularly alone in oneself, and in this way, one’s life is spontaneously fulfilled.
27. Whatever is done without giving proper thought to it, is useless, and only goes waste. Therefore one must first be thoughtful before acting.
28. One who investigates and sees clearly with thoughtfulness is a true human being, while one who does not investigate and see clearly is only an animal. Statements such as this are said by God in many various places.
29. In order to arrive at the proof of the Final Reality one must first analyze and reflect on the primary premise presented in the Vedas. However, for a sincere aspirant, Self-Realization can come by only listening to explanations.
30. By listening, reflecting, and verification in one’s own experience (shravana, manana, and nididhyasana) one gains confidence and surety. This is the direct path to Self-Realization which does not require strenuous effort.