There is a great big forest. It is the forest that is created by none other than God. It is the forest of the universe. The forest has its origins in the unmanifest realm of sounds. It becomes gross and manifests as objects that are gross—both moving and unmoving. The forest is well lit by the sun and the moon. Its roof is decorated by the planets and the stars. It is interwoven and graced by the presence of rivers and mountains. This forest of God is the beginning, the sustaining factor and the ending place for all living beings. The one who knows this giant forest is called the knower of the field or kshethra.
At the time of dissolution or death, the first to go is all the physical beings that move and do not move. It is only later that the qualities generated by these beings are destroyed. Whether it is a human, an animal or a tree —there is a physical aspect and a subtle aspect to their existence. The subtle aspect is called the gunas or qualities. While the physical aspect dies, the subtle does not get destroyed. After the dissolution of the qualities, the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space are also dissolved.
All the different beings such as the celestials, the humans, the gandharvas, the pishachas, asuras and rakshasas are created by their own inherent qualities and not through any action. This whole universe is created again and again by the knowers of truth. Just as the waves rise from the ocean, all beings and creatures are born from these five elements and fold back into the five elements. The one who is released from the clutches of these five elements reaches that supreme state of the self.
It is by penance that the creator of all beings created this universe through the power of mind. In the same way, the rishis attained the state of gods by sheer penance. It is through tapas, yogic power and concentration, controlling the senses and living on fruits and roots that a thorough knowledge of all the three worlds of existence —the waking, dream and deep sleep states—are possible. Penance is the root for acquiring knowledge of anything, including herbs and medicines. Penance is the source for acquiring all knowledge.
Whatever it may be in the world that is difficult to get, difficult to know, difficult to conquer or difficult to find, is possible to achieve by penance. Even when one performs the worst of crimes gets free of sins by undergoing penance. It is by penance that the humans, ancestors, deities and even animals, birds and other creatures attain to greater heights in evolution.
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