Story

Once King Janak held a huge religious function. The horns of many cows were coated with gold, and he announced that only an enlightened sage could claim these cows. Maharishi Yagyavalkya told his disciples to collect the cows. Other learned sages who were present stood up and said. "Wait! First answer our questions. We want to be convinced that you are indeed enlightened." The Maharishi was answering all their questions. Finally, Gargi, one of the sages, approached him and said, "If you can answer my questions, there is no doubt that you are enlightened." Her last question was, "Space contains all the stars, solar systems and all, but in what is space held? What surrounds space?" So Maharishi Yagyavalkya answered, "Space is contained in the Word of God." This is a very profound idea. Earth is solid, and what surrounds the continents? They are surrounded by water, a liquid, which is of a finer substance than earth. And what surrounds both earth and water? The atmosphere surrounds them, and it extends to a distance of 220 miles high. Whatever we say travels through this atmosphere. If there were no air, you could not utter a single sound, and your words could not be heard. Sound travels through air. What is beyond the atmosphere? Space, or ether, Space is the absence of air. Space recedes into nothingness, it fades into formlessness, so it is extremely subtle. That means that we are held by something which is as subtle as can be. As Maharishi Yagyavalkya said to Gargi, the most subtle thing, which is even subtler than subtle, is the Holy Word. Even the most subtle things ultimately exist in it. The subtle atmosphere surrounds us. Water stays in places like rivers and lakes, but once it is converted into water vapour, it spreads everywhere. The more subtle something is, the further it permeates. That is why one saint said, "God pervades every particle, but only those who have eyes to see can see Him."
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