Yoga Vasistha

Yoga Vasistha (योग-वासिष्ठ), also known as Vasistha's Yoga, was authored by sage Vasistha, one of the teachers of Rama, as the name suggests, "Yoga" means union - with the Truth, and "Vasistha" was the sage who has imparted this knowledge.

Presented as the discourse of the great Sage Vasistha to Prince Rama when he is in a state of dispassion at a young age, it is the longest text in Sanskrit, after Mahabharat and Ramayana and an important text of Yoga as well as Advaita Vedanta ^[1].

Some other names of this text are : Maha-Ramayana, Arsha-Ramayana and Vasishtha-Ramayana. ^[2]

About Yoga Vasistha

It is said that this book alone can lead to spiritual liberation. The profound conversation between Sage Vasistha and Prince Rama is of that between a great enlightened sage and a seeker who is about to reach completeness. This is amongst those rare conversations which directly leads to Truth. The truths, wonders and mysteries of Reality are revealed in a fabulous and grandiose way by Sage Vasistha.

From time immemorial until now, this scripture is a well of wealth from which several understandings, scientific ideas, philosophies and perceptions have been realised.

Philosophy and origin of Yoga Vasishtha

Some scholars are of the view that Yoga Vasistha is a synthesis of the Upanishadic Brahman, Vijnanvad of Buddhism and the Shaiva Trika philosophy of Kashmir. The philosophy behind the Yoga Vasistha is that in truth there is only Brahman or God.

Importance of Yoga Vasistha

Yoga Vasistha is considered one of the most important scriptures of the Vedantic philosophy. ^[3]

Yoga Vasistha, the book in English

Yoga Vasistha was originally written in Sanskrit. It was translated to English by Swami Jyotirmayananda[1], Swami Venkatesananda, Vidvan Bulusu Venkateswaraulu, and Vihari Lal Mitra. K. Naryanaswami Aiyer translated the famous condensation Laghu-Yoga-Vasistha.

The book is divided into 6 parts:

Dispassion
Qualifications of a seeker
Creation
Existence
Dissolution
Liberation

Context of Yoga Vasistha

Prince Rama returns from touring the country and becomes utterly disillusioned after experiencing the apparent reality of the world. This worries his father, King Dasaratha. The King expresses his concern to Sage Vasistha, upon his arrival. Sage Vasistha consoles the king by telling him that Rama's dispassion (vairagya) is a sign that the prince is now ready for spiritual enlightenment. He says that Rama has begun understanding profound spiritual truths, which is the cause of his confusion and he just needs confirmation. Sage Vasistha asks king Dasaratha to summon Rama. Then, in the court of king Dasaratha, the sage begins the discourse to Rama which lasts for several days.

Quotes

"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."

"Nothing whatsoever is born or dies anywhere at any time. It is Brahman alone appearing illusorily in the form of the world."

"O Rama, there is no intellect, no nescience, no mind and no individual soul (jiva). They are all imagined in Brahman."

"That consciousness which is the witness of the rise and fall of all beings, know that to be the immortal state of supreme bliss."

References

^ Yoga
^ Encyclpopaedia of Indian Literature, pp 4638, By various, Published by Sahitya Akademi, 1992, ISBN 8126012218, 9788126012213
^ The Himalayan Masters: A Living Tradition, pp 37, By Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Contributor Irene Petryszak, Edition: illustrated, revised, Published by Himalayan Institute Press, 2002, ISBN 0893892270, 9780893892272

External links

[1] Yoga

[Encyclpopaedia-2] Encyclpopaedia of Indian Literature, pp 4638, By various, Published by Sahitya Akademi, 1992, ISBN 8126012218, 9788126012213

[3] The Himalayan Masters: A Living Tradition, pp 37, By Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Contributor Irene Petryszak, Edition: illustrated, revised, Published by Himalayan Institute Press, 2002, ISBN 0893892270, 9780893892272

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