Yoga Vasistha

Yoga Vasistha
Essence of Sanatana Dharma Sacred Texts- Bhagawd Geeta, Vedas & Upanishads

Yoga Vasistha, the spiritual teaching imparted by Spiritual Guru Vasistha to young Lord Shri Rama, has been dated between 11th and 14th century AD. Yoga Vasistha is regarded as one the longest texts after Mahabharta, containing 32,000 shlokas. Yoga Vasishta is also known as Maha Ramayana, Uttar Ramayana, Vasistha Ramayana etc. Yoga Vasishta in its original form written in Sanskrit language by Sage Valmiki (famous for writing Epic Ramayana).

Most of the scriptures in Sanatana Dharma were narrated by God to His devotees, but the Yoga Vasistha is one unique scripture that is narrated to God Himself, Lord Shri Rama.

Yoga Vasistha is a manual for the sincere spiritual seeker. Through the use of stories, parables and illustrations which hold many hidden depths within them, Guru Vasistha brings out the most subtle points, not for theorizing but for practice. The nature of the stories and their deep rooted philosophies are designed to open the levels of awareness.

Yoga Vasistha is in the form of replies given by Guru Vasishta, to young Lord Shri Rama’s queries regarding philosophical problems of life, death, human suffering etc. Guru Vasistha makes it very clear that, the problem is confusion of the real with the unreal, or change, due to the seeming reality of its appearance. Life is the field where this takes place and life must also be the field where this corrected.

The main theme of Yoga Vasistha:

The soul is undergoing a dream from which it must awake. This dream represents our association and identification with the world.

The sum total of pleasures of the whole world is a mere drop when compared to the bliss of Moksha.

Background of Yoga Vasistha:

During the period when young Lord Shri Rama returns from touring the country, and becomes disheartened after experiencing the apparent reality of the world. King Dasaratha, father of Lord Shri Rama, expresses his concern to Guru Vasistha upon Rama's dejection. Guru Vasistha consoles the king by telling him that Rama's dis-passion (viragya) is a sign that the prince is now ready for spiritual enlightenment. Further the sage said that, Rama has begun understanding profound spiritual truths, which is the cause of his confusion; he needs confirmation. Guru Vasistha asks the king to summon Prince Rama.

Then, in King Dasaratha's court, the Guru Vasistha begins his discourse to young prince Rama (which lasts several days). The answer to Lord Shri Rama's questions forms one of the entire sacred Sanatana Dharma scripture namely called as Yoga Vasistha.

    
The conversation between Guru Vasistha and young prince Rama is that between a great, enlightened sage and a seeker who is about to reach wholeness. The text of the book leads to spiritual liberation and is said to be among those rare conversations which directly leads to Truth. The scripture provides understanding, scientific ideas and philosophy; it explains consciousness, the creation of the world, the multiple universes in this world, our perception of the world, its ultimate dissolution, the liberation of the soul and the non-dual approach to creation.

 

These four Gate-Keepers are the four surest means by which one can save from the grievances of samsara (Material World). Self-Control is Supreme Happiness, Spirit of Inquiry is Supreme Wisdom, Contentment is the Supreme Gain and Satsanga is best Companion to the Destination (Eternal Abode of Supreme Personality of Godhead. The wise seeker should diligently cultivate the friendship of these, or at least one of them.

Note:
Sancita Karma: Accumulated or stored-up effects of past actions that are yet to produce results.
Agami Karma: Effects of actions that are being done in the current life, which will bear fruit in the future.
Prarabdha Karma: Effects of past actions that are already bearing fruit in the present life.

Regarding Holy Scriptures:

Lord Shri Rama said:

Thus, O sage, it is clear that self-knowledge is beyond the reach of the jugglery of words. How is it attained by the conflicting statements of scriptures? If it is not so attained what is the use of these scriptures? Pray tell me whether self-knowledge follows the instruction of the preceptor and the study of scriptures.
Guru Vasistha said:

It is true, O Rama, that the study of the scriptures is not the cause for the attainment of self-knowledge. Scriptures are composed of diverse expressions; the Supreme Being is indescribable. However, I shall explain to you how the study of scriptures has come to be associated with self-knowledge. Neither by the study of the scriptures, nor by hearing is the instructions of a preceptor, nor by charity nor even by the worship of god the direct realization of the supreme truth attained. Because that is beyond all these things. However, I shall tell you how these, though not the actual means, have come to be regarded as the means to self-realization. By the practice of the precepts of the scriptures, the mind becomes pure and transparent; then without even wishing for it one sees the Supreme Truth. The scripture promotes the satvika cut on ignorance, which is purity of mind. This purity destroys the tamasic (dull) cut of ignorance.

Concluding Words of Guru Vasistha:

In this world there are the fully enlightened ones, unenlightened ones and semi-enlightened ones who abandon right actions, too, and are thus neither here nor there. The forest-life is not essential for liberation, nor living in one’s own country nor an ascetic life, nor the abandonment of activity. Liberation is attained by one whose very nature is totally free and unattached. He whose mind is free and unattached does not get involved once again in this samsara. O Rama, you are the supreme state. Remain what you are, free from likes and dislikes, established in the supreme truth. In that Brahman there are no impurities, changes, veils, cravings or aversions. There is nothing more to say.

Guru Vasistha thus concluded his discourse, he remained silent. All the members gathered in King Dasrat's palace assembly, were deeply immersed and everyone present there worshiped and glorified the Guru Vasistha again and again. 

Then, Guru Vasistha asked Lord Shri Rama:

O Rama, what else do you want to hear from me? How do you perceive the world-appearance now? What is your inner experience?

Lord Shri Rama replied:

By your grace, I have attained supreme purity; all the impurities have cleared away. All my misunderstandings and delusions have been dispelled. My bondage has been cut. My intelligence is pure like a crystal. My mind does not crave for more instruction.

I have nothing to do with anything — neither instructions nor any objects, neither relatives nor scriptures, nor even renunciation. I behold the world as the pure, infinite, and indivisible Consciousness. The world is otherwise a void which disappears the moment the illusion vanishes.
Further Lord Shri Rama replied:

I am nirvana. I am free from doubt. I am free. I am blissful. I am as I am as the infinite. I am the all at all times or I am nothing and at peace. I am the one reality and I am not. Wonderful is this supreme peace. What is to be gained has to be gained. The perception of the objects has been abandoned. True enlightenment has dawned and it shall never set again.

Guru Vasistha’s final Comments in Poem Format: (Swami Suryadevananda)

By a study of this scripture
Which deals with liberation
Even the young become mature
And rise to their true heritage

Except through this mighty scripture
One cannot ever gain what is good
For perfect realization of the supreme truth
Eagerly investigate this scripture alone

Some Excerpt from Yoga Vasistha:

"The great remedy for the long-lasting disease of samsara is the enquiry, 'Who am I? To whom does this samsara belong?', which entirely cures it."

"When one realizes the truth of the unity between the Jivatma (soul of man) and the Paramatma (God), whether by instructions from the Guru or from spiritual texts that very moment the source of ignorance, along with the cause and effect, will mingle with Paramatma. The state mentioned above is called moksha (liberation). The self is ever-free."

“When the mind is at peace and the heart leaps to the supreme truth, when all the disturbing thought waves in the mind-stuff have subsided and there is unbroken flow of peace and the heart is filled with the bliss of the absolute, when thus the truth has been seen in the heart, then this very world becomes an abode of bliss.”

Aum Namoh Narayana
Aum Loka Samastha Sukinou Bhavantu

May all the beings in all the worlds be happy;
Peace, Peace and Peace be everywhere.

Sage Valimiki Remarks on Yoga Vasistha:

Even they who recite this scripture without understanding the meaning, they who write this in a book, they who make someone read it or comment upon it, they attain great merit and enjoy life in heaven, and in the third birth attain liberation.      ~ Rishi Valimiki

One should study at least a small part of this scripture daily. The beauty of this scripture is that its student is not abandoned to his despair; if something is not clear in the first instance, a further study of the scripture makes it clear.

Those whose minds are turned away from the worldly desires and have become indifferent towards the objects of this world and those who are longing for liberation will be really benefited by the texts of Yoga Vasishta.

Supreme Truth is established only in total silence, not by logic, discussion and argumentation

References:

1.    Yoga Vasistha Wikipedia
2.    Yoga Vasistha in Poem by Swami Suryadevananda
3.    Yoga Vasistha – The Art of Self Realization
4.    Essential Yoga Vasistha
5.    Google and Google Books

Note: The Yoga Vasistha is very complex but yet decisive knowledge; For better understanding about Yoga Vasistha concern above mentioned references. And there is book Laghu Yoga Vasishta (English Translation) having good meaningful translation on yoga Vasistha.
 

Note: Any mistake or any suggestion feels free to contact at munesh.kumar@gmail.com. Thanks for time to read this article. (Jai Shri Guru Vasistha .. Jai Shri RamaChandra)