Chapter 3.48, Verses 30–45

Yoga Vashishtha 3.48.30–45

(These verses teach that the entire visible world and all its objects including weapons, are created and controlled by the power of the mind and imagination)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

पदार्थाः सर्व एवेमे विषोष्मखिन्नतां ययुः।

सपर्वतवनाभोगा ययौ विवशतां मही ॥ ३० ॥

पूताङ्गारसमाकीर्णं विषवैषम्यशंसिनः।

ववू रूक्षोष्णनीहारवाता ज्वलनरेणवः ॥ ३१ ॥

विदूरथोऽथ सौपर्णमाददेऽस्त्रं महास्त्रवित्।

उदगुर्गरुडास्त्रेण सौपर्णाः पर्वता इव ॥ ३२ ॥

काञ्चनीकृतसर्वाशाः सर्वाशापरिपूरकाः।

पक्षपर्वतसंरम्भजनितप्रलयानिलाः ॥ ३३ ॥

घोणानिलजवाकृष्टश्वसद्भुजगमण्डलाः।

महाघुरघुरारावपूरिताम्भोधिखण्डकाः ॥ ३४ ॥

स सुपर्णघनोऽपात्तं सर्पौघं भूप्रपूरकम्।

कष्टं शलशलायन्तमगस्त्य इव वारिधिम् ॥ ३५ ॥

सर्पकम्बलनिर्मुक्तं भूमण्डलमराजत।

चिरात्तमवनीरन्ध्रमिव निर्वारिराशि च ॥ ३६ ॥

ततस्तद्गरुडानीकं क्वाप्यगच्छददृश्यताम्।

दीपौघ इव वातेन शरदेवाब्दमण्डलम् ॥ ३७ ॥

वज्रभीत्येव पक्षौघपर्वतप्रकरः पुरः ।

स्वप्नदृष्टं जगदिव संकल्पपुरपूरवत् ॥ ३८ ॥

ततस्तमोऽस्त्रमसृजत्सिन्धुरन्धान्धकारदम्।

तेनान्धकारो ववृधे कृष्णो भूजठरोपमः ॥ ३९ ॥

रोदोरन्ध्रे प्रविसृत एकार्णव इवाभवत् ।

मत्स्या इवाभवन्सेनास्ताराश्च मणयोऽभवन् ॥ ४० ॥

अन्धकारप्रवृत्तेन मषीपङ्कार्णवोपमम्।

कज्जलाचलसंभारोद्भूतकल्पानिलैरिव ॥ ४१ ॥

अन्धकूपे निपतिता इवासन्सकलाः प्रजाः ।

कल्पान्त इव संशेमुर्व्यवहारा दिशं प्रतिं ॥ ४२ ॥

विदूरथोऽथ मार्तण्डं दीपं ब्रह्माण्डमण्डपे ।

अस्त्रं मन्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठः सृष्ट्वा मन्त्रो व्यचेष्टयत् ॥ ४३ ॥

अथोदिततमोम्भोधिमर्कागस्त्यो गभस्तिभिः ।

अपिबत्कृष्णमम्भोदं शरत्काल इवामलः ॥ ४४ ॥

अन्धकाराम्बरोन्मुक्ता विरेजुरमला दिशः ।

भूपतेः पुरतः कान्ता इव रम्यपयोधराः ॥ ४५ ॥

Maharishi Vasistha said: 

3.48.30–39

> All things became tired and weak from the heat of poison. The whole earth with its mountains and forests turned helpless.

> Hot coals were spread everywhere, showing the uneven power of poison. Rough, hot, misty winds blew along with burning dust particles.

> Then Viduratha, the expert in great weapons, took the Garuda weapon. With this Garuda astra, huge eagle-like forces rose up like mountains.

> All directions turned golden, fulfilling every wish. Strong winds of destruction arose from the clash of winged mountains.

> Fast winds from the nose pulled hissing circles of snakes. Great rumbling sounds filled the parts of the ocean.

> The thick Garuda army swallowed the huge crowd of snakes that filled the earth, hissing loudly, just as sage Agastya once drank the ocean.

> The earth now shone without the blanket of snakes. It looked like an empty ocean hole with no water left after being drunk long ago.

> Then the entire Garuda army suddenly vanished from sight. It disappeared like a row of lamps blown away by wind or like autumn clouds.

> Like fear of a thunderbolt, the flocks of wings and mountains stood in front. It all appeared like a dream world or an imagined city full of thoughts.

3.48.39–45

> After that, he released the darkness weapon that brought black night even into ocean caves. Darkness grew thick and black like the belly of the earth.

> It spread into crying holes and became like one huge ocean. The armies looked like fish swimming in it, and stars turned into shining gems.

> Started by the flowing darkness, it looked like an ocean of black ink. It was as if storm winds of the end of the world blew from piles of collyrium mountains.

> All people fell as if into a dark well. Like at the end of a world-age, all activities sank away in every direction.

> Then Viduratha, the best among those who know mantras, created the sun weapon inside the hall of the Universe and chanted the mantra powerfully.

> The sun, like Agastya, rose and drank up the black ocean of darkness with its bright rays, just as a clear autumn sun drinks up a dark cloud.

> Directions now shone pure and clean, free from the cloak of darkness. They looked beautiful like the lovely breasts of a beloved queen standing before the King.

Summary of the teachings:

Just as Viduratha and his enemy use special weapons to create poison heat, huge armies, darkness and light, our own thoughts and desires instantly build the scenes we see around us. Nothing is solid or real by itself; everything rises and changes according to mental force, showing that the universe is like a magic show put on by the mind.

The verses illustrate how opposite forces appear and disappear quickly. Poison makes everything weak, Garuda eats snakes, darkness covers everything, and then the sun weapon removes all darkness in a moment. This teaches that joy and sorrow, life and death, light and shadow are not permanent. They are temporary plays of the mind. One who understands this never gets stuck in any situation because he knows it can end as fast as it began.

A key teaching is the power of Knowledge over ignorance. The sun weapon and the mantra of Viduratha represent true wisdom that swallows darkness completely, just as the sun clears the sky. The story reminds us that when we use the light of understanding, all confusion, fear and suffering vanish at once. Even the biggest problems of life melt away when we remember our Inner Pure Awareness.

These descriptions also show that the world is as unreal as a dream or imagination. Armies look real but vanish like lamps in wind; the earth looks full but becomes empty like a drunk ocean. Yoga Vasistha uses this battle to prove that what we call “real life” is only a thought-city built inside the mind. When the thinker wakes up, the whole scene dissolves without any effort.

Finally, the verses guide us to remain peaceful and detached. Even while watching terrible wars of weapons, the wise Sage Vasistha stays calm and teaches Rama. The lesson is to witness all happenings without fear or attachment, knowing everything is only a passing show in the mind. This leads to lasting freedom and joy beyond all changes.

Chapter 3.48, Verses 15–29

Yoga Vashishtha 3.48.15–29

(These verses describe a fierce battle full of magical weapons and counter weapons, but the deeper teaching in Yoga Vasistha is that everything happening here is only a play of the mind)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

तेन बाणसमूहेन जयमाशङ्क्य भर्तरि ।

उवाच वाक्यमानन्दविकसन्मुखपङ्कजा ॥ १५ ॥

जय देवि जयत्येष नाथोऽस्माकं विलोकय ।

किंचानेन शरौघेण मेरुरप्येति चूर्णताम् ॥ १६ ॥

तस्यामेव वदन्त्या तु घनस्नेहरवाकुलम्।

प्रेक्षणव्यग्रयोर्देव्योर्हसन्त्योर्मानुषीं हृदा ॥ १७ ॥

तच्छरार्णवमामत्तमपिबत्सिन्धुवाडवः ।

शरोष्मणा ह्यगस्त्येन जह्नुर्मन्दाकिनीमिव ॥ १८ ॥

बाणवर्षेण कणशस्तं सायकमहाघनम्।

छित्त्वा तनुरजः कृत्वा चिक्षेप गगनार्णवे ॥ १९ ॥

यथा दीपस्य शान्तस्य न परिज्ञायते गतिः ।

तस्य सायकसङ्घस्य न विज्ञाता तथा गतिः ॥ २० ॥

तं छित्त्वा सायकासारं शरीराम्बुधरं घनम् ।

व्योम्नि प्रसारयामास रसाच्छवशतान्वितम् ॥ २१ ॥

विदूरथस्तमप्याशु व्यधमत्सायकोत्तमैः।

सामान्यजलदं मत्तं कल्पान्तपवनो यथा ॥ २२ ॥

कृतप्रतिकृतैरेवं बाणवर्षैर्महीपती ।

व्यर्थीकृतैरनयतां प्रहारमविचारणैः ॥ २३ ॥

अथादधे मोहनास्त्रं सिन्धुर्गन्धर्वसौहृदात् ।

प्राप्तं तेन ययुर्लोका विना मोहं विदूरथात् ॥ २४ ॥

व्यस्तशस्त्राम्बरा मूका विषण्णवदनेक्षणाः ।

मृता इवाभवन्योधाश्चित्रन्यस्ता इवाथवा ॥ २५ ॥

यावद्विदूरथादन्यं मोहो नयति मन्दताम्।

तावद्विदूरथो राजा प्रबोधास्त्रमथाददे ॥ २६ ॥

ततः प्रबोधमापन्नाः प्रजाः प्रातरिवाब्जिनी ।

विदूरथे भवत्सिन्धुः कुद्धोऽर्क इव राक्षसे ॥ २७ ॥

नागास्त्रमाददे भीमं पाशबन्धनखेददम्।

तेनाभवन्नभो व्याप्तं भोगिभिः पर्वतोपमैः ॥ २८ ॥

सर्पैर्विलसिता भूमिर्मृणालैः सरसी यथा।

संपन्ना गिरयः सर्वे कृष्णपन्नगकम्बलाः ॥ २९ ॥

Maharishi Vasistha said:

3.48.15–22

> Thinking her husband would win because of that huge group of arrows, she spoke words with her lotus face blooming with joy.

> Victory, O Goddess! Our lord is victorious, look! With this flood of arrows even Mount Meru turns to powder.

> While she was speaking this way, the two Goddesses, filled with deep affection, with eyes eagerly watching, laughed heartily at the human lady.

> That wild ocean of arrows was drunk by Sindhu’s submarine fire, just as Agastya drank the ocean with the heat of his arrows or Jahnu drank the Ganges.

> With a shower of arrows he cut that great dense mass of arrows into tiny pieces, turned it into fine dust and scattered it into the ocean of the sky.

> Just as the path of an extinguished lamp is not known, the path of that group of arrows was also not known.

> Cutting that stream of arrows, the dense cloud-like body, he spread it in the sky along with hundreds of clear essences.

> Viduratha quickly destroyed even that with his best arrows, like the wind at the end of the world age destroys an ordinary mad cloud.

3.48.23–29

> In this way the two kings made each other’s arrow showers useless with counter actions and carried on the fight with thoughtless strikes.

> Then Sindhu took the deluding weapon because of his friendship with the Gandharvas. With it the armies became deluded except Viduratha himself.

> The warriors had scattered weapons and clothes, became silent, with sad faces and eyes, like dead bodies or like pictures fixed in a painting.

> While the delusion made others slow and dull, King Viduratha then took the awakening weapon.

> Then the people woke up like lotus flowers at dawn. Sindhu became furious at Viduratha like an angry sun towards a demon.

> He took the terrible serpent weapon that causes painful bondage with nooses. With it the sky filled with huge serpents like mountains.

> The earth shone with serpents like a lake with lotus stalks. All mountains were covered as if with black serpent blankets.

Summary of the teachings:

Arrows fly, get cut and disappear like dust in the sky, showing that all forms in the world are created by thought and can vanish in a moment. 

There is no real solid world outside our Consciousness; the battle teaches us to see life as a dream where one illusion quickly cancels another.

The queen feels joy thinking her husband is winning, and the Goddesses' smile at her human emotions. This teaches detachment. From the higher view of awakened Beings, our small victories and worries look funny and unimportant. We are asked to watch our own desires and fears without getting lost in them, just as the Goddesses' watch the fight with light laughter.

The deluding weapon puts the whole army into stupor and silence, but the awakening weapon brings them back to life like lotuses opening at sunrise. This is the central spiritual lesson: ignorance can bind even strong people in dullness, yet one touch of true Knowledge removes the veil instantly. The verses remind us that the path from confusion to clarity is always open through Inner Wisdom.

Huge clouds of arrows turn to nothing and giant serpents suddenly cover the earth and sky. These images show the changing and unreal nature of everything. Nothing stays, nothing has a lasting path or substance; all is like a lamp that goes out or a cloud blown away. The teaching is to stop clinging to temporary things and realise their empty, dream-like quality.

Finally, the verses drive home the non-dual truth of Yoga Vasistha. Kings, weapons, victory, defeat and even the entire battlefield exist only within one Consciousness. There is no Real “other” or real fight; it is all the same Self playing different roles. The seeker is guided to wake up from this dream, stop taking sides in illusory battles and rest in the peaceful Oneness beyond all appearances.

Chapter 3.48, Verses 1–14

Yoga Vashishtha 3.48.1–14

(These verses paint a vivid picture of a fierce battle to show how even a small action can grow into something enormous)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

प्राप्य राजा पुरः प्राप्तं सिन्धुमुद्धुरकन्धरम् ।

मध्याह्नतपनान्तेन कोपेन विततोऽभवत् ॥ १ ॥

धनुरास्फालयामास चिरारावितदिङ्मुखम् ।

कल्पान्तपवनास्फोट इव मेरुगिरेस्तटम् ॥ २ ॥

विससर्जोर्जितो राजा प्रलयार्कः करानिव ।

तूणीररजनीबद्धाः शिलीमुखपरम्पराः ॥ ३ ॥

एक एव विनिर्याति गुणात्तस्य शिलीमुखः ।

सहस्रं भवति व्योम्नि गच्छन्पतति लक्षशः ॥ ४ ॥

सिन्धोरपि तथैवासीच्छक्तिर्लाघवमेव च ।

वरेण वरदस्यैवं विष्णोर्धानुष्कता तयोः ॥ ५ ॥

मुसला नाम ते बाणा मुसलाकृतयोऽम्बरम् ।

छादयामासुरुन्नादाः कल्पान्ताशनयो यथा ॥ ६ ॥

रेजुः कनकनाराचराजयो व्योम्नि सस्वनाः ।

रसन्त्यः कल्पवातार्ताः पतन्त्य इव तारकाः ॥ ७ ॥

विदूरथाच्छरासारा अजस्रमभिनिर्ययुः ।

अब्धेरिव पयःपूराः सूर्यादिव मरीचयः ॥ ८ ॥

प्रचण्डपवनोद्धूतात्पुष्पाणीव महातरोः ।

अयःपिण्डादिवोत्तप्तात्ताडितात्कणपङ्कयः ॥ ९ ॥

धारा वर्षमुच इव सीकरा इव निर्झरात्।

तत्पुराग्निमहादाहात्स्फुलिङ्गा इव भासुराः ॥ १० ॥

तयोश्चटचटास्फोटं शृण्वत्कोदण्डयोर्द्वयोः ।

बलद्वयमभूत्प्रेक्षामूकं शान्त इवाम्बुधिः ॥ ११ ॥

वहन्ति स्म शरापूरा गङ्गापूरा इवाम्बरे ।

सिन्धोरभिमुखं युद्धे घर्घरारावरंहसः ॥ १२ ॥

कचत्कनकनाराचशरवर्षा अनारतम्।

वहच्छवशवाशब्द निर्ययुर्धनुरम्बुदात् ॥ १३ ॥

बाणमन्दाकिनीपूरं व्रजन्तं सिन्धुपूरणे ।

वातायनात्तमालोक्य लीला तत्पुरवासिनी ॥ १४ ॥

Maharishi Vasistha said: 

3.48.1–6

> The king reached before the proud Sindhu king with his neck held high. At the end of the midday sun's heat, he swelled with great anger.

> He twanged his bow loudly so that all directions echoed for a long time. It was like the wind of world-ending explosion hitting the slope of Mount Meru.

> The mighty king released streams of arrows tied in his dark quiver, just like the rays of the sun at the time of world dissolution.

> Only one arrow comes out from his bowstring, but in the sky it turns into a thousand, and as it flies it falls in lakhs.

> The Sindhu king too had the same power and quickness. By the boon given by Vishnu the boon-granter, both had such great skill in archery.

> Those pestle-shaped arrows called musala covered the sky with loud noise, like thunderbolts at the end of the world.

3.48.7–14

> The golden arrows shone and hummed in the sky, like stars falling while tormented by the winds of cosmic dissolution.

> Endless streams of arrows poured out from Viduratha, like floods of water from the ocean or rays coming from the sun.

> Like flowers shaken from a huge tree by a fierce wind, or like sparks flying from a hot iron ball when struck.

> Like rain showers from clouds, like spray from a waterfall, or like bright sparks from the huge fire burning that city.

> Hearing the loud clashing of both bows, the two armies became silent watchers, still and quiet like a calm ocean.

> The floods of arrows flowed in the sky like the Ganga river, rushing towards Sindhu with roaring speed in the battle.

> The continuous shower of golden arrows, making shava-shava sounds, poured out from the bow like clouds.

> The lady living in that city playfully watched from the window and saw the river-like flood of arrows going to fill the Sindhu river.

Summary of the teachings:

The king's anger and the release of arrows teach that the mind can create huge events from one single thought. In the Yoga Vasistha, this battle scene reminds us that the world we see is like a dream created by Consciousness. Nothing is solid; everything expands from the one mind, just as one arrow becomes thousands.

The way one arrow multiplies into lakhs in the sky explains the illusion of maya. It teaches that the whole universe appears from a single reality but looks like many separate things. The comparisons to the end of the world show that creation and destruction are two sides of the same play. We learn not to fear or get excited by big events because they are temporary and part of the cosmic drama.

When the armies fall silent while watching the bows clash, it points to the power of true seeing. Instead of fighting blindly, one should observe quietly like the calm ocean. This teaches inner peace and humility. Even the strongest forces stop when faced with higher energy, showing that real strength lies in stillness and understanding rather than action.

The arrows flowing like rivers and the queen's happy face highlight how people get caught in the drama of life. She feels joy thinking her husband will win, but this shows attachment to winning in an unreal world. The verses gently teach that all hopes and fears are part of the dream. True Wisdom comes when we see beyond these feelings to the Peaceful Self inside.

Finally, these verses use the battle as a metaphor for the entire Universe. Just as one arrow creates a flood of arrows, one thought creates the whole world. The teaching is to wake up from this dream, drop all attachment, and Realize the non-dual Truth. When Rama hears this story, he is guided towards freedom through Knowledge that everything is Brahm and nothing else is Real.

Chapter 3.47, Verses 17–35

Yoga Vashishtha 3.47.17–35

(These verses use a powerful battlefield picture to teach that the world we see is full of apparent glory and terror, yet it is only an illusion created by the mind)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

हारैः ससर्पनिर्मोकं कटैरिद्धं सुसंकुलम्।

लसल्लतं पताकाभिरुरुभिः कृततोरणम् ॥ १७ ॥

हस्तैः पादैः पल्लवितं शरैः शरवणोपमम् ।

शस्त्रांशुशाद्वलश्यामं शस्त्रपूरैः सकैतकम् ॥ १८ ॥

कीर्णमायुधमालाभिरुन्मत्तमिव भैरवम् ।

फुल्लाशोकवनाकारं शस्त्रसंघट्टवह्निभिः ॥ १९ ॥

उदघुंघुमहाशब्दैर्विद्रवत्सिद्धनायकैः।

सौवर्णनगराकारं बालार्ककचितायुधैः ॥ २० ॥

प्रासासिशक्तिचक्रर्ष्टिमुद्गरारणिताम्बरम् ।

वहद्रक्तनदीरंहः प्रोह्यमानशवोत्करम् ॥ २१ ॥

भुशुण्डीशक्तिकुन्तासिशूलपाषाणसंकुलम् ।

शूलशस्त्राहतिच्छन्नकबन्धपतनान्वितम् ॥ २२ ॥

कालताण्डववेतालकुलारब्धहलारवम् ।

शून्ये रणाङ्गणे दीप्तौ पद्मसिन्ध्वो रथौ चलौ ॥ २३ ॥

अदृश्येतां नभश्चिह्नौ चन्द्रसूर्यौ दिवीव तौ ।

चक्रशूलभुशुण्ड्यृष्टिप्रासायुधसमाकुला ॥ २४ ॥

सहस्रेण सहस्रेण वीराणां परिवारितौ ।

विचरन्तौ यथाकामं मण्डलैर्विततारवैः ॥ २५ ॥

सचीत्कारमहाचक्रपिष्टानेकमृतामृतौ ।

तरन्तौ रक्तसरितौ मत्तवारणलीलया ॥ २६ ॥

केशशैवलसंपन्ने चक्रचक्रजलेन्दुके ।

वहच्चक्राहतिक्षोभपातिताकुलवारणौ ॥ २७ ॥

मणिमुक्ताझणत्काररणत्कूबरकारवौ ।

वाताहतपताकाग्रपटत्पटपटारवौ ॥ २८॥

अनुयातौ महावीरैर्भूरिमिर्भीरुसैनिकैः ।

धारा वमद्भिः कुन्तानां शराणां धनुषामपि ॥ २९ ॥

शक्तीनां प्रासशङ्कूनां चक्राणां कचतां रणे ।

तत्र तौ क्षणमावृत्ये मण्डले भूमिकुण्डले ॥ ३० ॥

उभौ व्यतिबभूवाते संमुखावायुधावुभौ।

नाराचधारानिकरविक्षेपकरकध्वनौ ॥ ३१ ॥

अन्योन्यमपि गर्जन्तौ मत्ताब्धिजलदाविव ।

तयोः प्रहरतोर्बाणा वसुधानरसिंहयोः ॥ ३२ ॥

पाषाणमुसलाकारा व्योमविस्तारिणोऽभवन् ।

करवालमुखाः केचिन्मुद्गराननकाः परे ॥ ३३ ॥

शितचक्रमुखाः केचित्केचित्परशुवक्त्रकाः ।

केचिच्छक्तिमुखाः केचित्केचिच्छूलशिलामुखाः ।

त्रिशूलवदनाः केचित्स्थूला इव महाशिलाः ॥ ३४ ॥

प्रलयपवनपातिताः शिलौघा इव निपतन्ति शिलीमुखास्तदा स्म ।

प्रमिलितमभवत्तयोस्तदानीं प्रलयविजृम्भितसिन्धुसंभ्रमेण ॥ ३५॥

Maharishi Vashishta continued:

3.47.17–22

> The scene was adorned with garlands like snake sloughs, crowded with belts, shining with flag creepers, and arched with large thighs.

> It sprouted with hands and feet, looked like an arrow forest, turned dark green with weapon rays like grass, and bloomed with weapon flowers like ketaka plants.

> Scattered with weapon garlands, it appeared like a mad Bhairava, resembled a forest full of blooming ashoka flowers, and burned with fires from clashing weapons.

> Filled with loud rumbling noises and fleeing siddha leaders, it looked like a golden city, its weapons shining bright like the rising sun.

> The air rang with spears, swords, shaktis, chakras and mudgaras, while blood rivers rushed along carrying heaps of floating corpses.

> Packed with bhusundis, shaktis, spears, swords, tridents and stones, it showed headless bodies falling from strikes of spears and weapons.

3.47.23–29

> With huge sounds of Kala’s dance and vetala groups starting the battle roar, the two shining chariots like a lotus and an ocean moved in the empty battlefield.

> The two looked invisible like sky marks, like the moon and sun in heaven. They were crowded with chakras, tridents, bhusundis, spears and prasa weapons.

> Surrounded by thousands and thousands of warriors, they moved freely in wide circles making great noise.

> With loud cries they crushed many dead and living with huge chakras and crossed blood rivers like playful intoxicated elephants.

> In water full of hair like moss and chakras like lotus buds, the elephants fell in shock from chakra strikes.

> Jewels and pearls tinkled from the chariots, and flags fluttered with pat-pat sounds in the wind.

> Followed by great heroes and many scared soldiers who poured streams of spears, arrows and bows.

3.47.30–35

> Streams of shaktis, prasas, spikes and shining chakras filled the battle. For a moment the two were circled on the earth like a ring.

> Facing each other with weapons, they made the sound of arrow showers like hail clouds.

> They roared at each other like angry ocean clouds. When the two earth-lion heroes struck, their arrows...

> ...became like stone pestles spreading across the sky. Some had sword tips, others mudgara tips.

> Some had sharp chakra tips, some axe tips, some shakti tips, some trident-stone tips, some trident faces, and some thick like huge rocks.

> Like stone heaps thrown down by the wind of destruction, the arrows fell then. At that time the two clashed with the wild confusion of an ocean in cosmic dissolution.

Summary of the teachings:

The garlands, flags, weapons and limbs turn the field into a strange garden of death, showing how our daily life mixes beauty with pain. 

Nothing here is solid or lasting; everything arises from thoughts and disappears like a dream.

The two mighty heroes fighting with thousands of warriors stand for the inner battles of ego and desire that every person faces. Their roaring, circling chariots and crushing blows look heroic, but the verses remind us that even the greatest fighters and grandest scenes exist only in the dreamer’s mind. Yoga Vasistha tells us to watch such dramas without getting trapped, because they have no real power over the true Self.

Blood rivers, falling heads and flying arrows teach the truth of impermanence. What seems strong and lasting—armies, weapons, victory—vanishes in a moment. The verses warn that attachment to these changing forms brings only suffering, and the wise seeker turns away from the outer show to find the peaceful inner light that never changes.

Even the most frightening chaos is part of Maya, the Great Illusion. The verses paint the battle so vividly to prove that our whole universe is like this dream story: exciting, scary and completely unreal. When we understand this, fear and desire end, and we rest in the Knowledge that Brahm, the Pure Consciousness, is only Real.

Finally, these lines urge us to wake up from the dream of the world. By seeing the battlefield as empty appearance, we learn to live without clinging. The teaching is simple and hopeful: Realize your True Nature beyond birth and death, beyond victory and defeat, and you become free forever, like Vasistha guiding Rama toward lasting Peace.

Chapter 3.47, Verses 1–16

Yoga Vashishtha 3.47.1–16

(These verses reveal one of the central principles of Yoga Vashishtha: the law of inner desire and divine response is completely impartial and mechanical)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

एतस्मिन्वर्तमाने तु घोरे समरसंगमे।

लीलाद्वयमुवाचेदं ज्ञप्तिं भगवतीं पुनः ॥ १ ॥

लीलाद्वयमुवाच ।

देवि कस्मादकस्मान्नौ भर्ता जयति नौ रणे ।

वद त्वय्यपि तुष्टायामस्मिन्विद्रुतवारणे ॥ २ ॥

श्रीसरस्वत्युवाच ।

चिरमाराधितानेन विदूरथनृपारिणा।

अहं पुत्रि जयार्थेन न विदूरथभूभृता ॥ ३ ॥

तेनासावेव जयति जीयते च विदूरथः ।

ज्ञप्तिरन्तर्गता संविदेतां मां यो यदा यथा ॥ ४ ॥

प्रेरयत्याशु तत्तस्य तदा संपादयाम्यहम् ।

यो यथा प्रेरयति मां तस्य तिष्ठामि तत्फला ॥ ५ ॥

न स्वभावोऽन्यतां धत्ते वह्नेरौष्ण्यमिवैष मे ।

अनेन मुक्त एव स्यामहमित्यस्मि भाविता ॥ ६ ॥

प्रतिभारूपिणी तेन बाले मुक्तो भविष्यति ।

एतदीयः स्वयं शत्रुः सिन्धुर्नाम महीपतिः ॥ ७ ॥

जयाम्यहं स्यां संग्राम इत्यनेनास्मि पूजिता ।

तस्माद्विदूरथो देहं तत्प्राप्य सह भार्यया ॥ ८ ॥

त्वयानया च कालेन बाले मुक्तो भविष्यति ।

एतदीयः स्वयं शत्रुः सिन्धुर्नाम महीपतिः ॥ ९ ॥

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

हत्वैनं वसुधापीठे जयी राज्यं करिष्यति ।

एवं देव्यां वदन्त्या तु बलयोर्युध्यमानयोः ॥ १० ॥

रविर्द्रष्टुमिवाश्चर्यमाजगामोदयाचलम्।

चेलुस्तिमिरसंघाता बलानीवारिरूपिणः ॥ ११ ॥

असृजन्जीवसङ्घान्ये संध्यायां तारका इव ।

शनैः प्रकटतां जग्मुर्नीलाकाशाद्रिभूमयः ॥ १२ ॥

भुवनं कज्जलाम्भोधेरिवोत्क्षिप्तमराजत ।

पेतुः कनकनिःस्यन्दसुन्दरा रविरश्मयः ॥ १३ ॥

शैलेषु वरवीरेषु रणे रक्तच्छटा इव ।

अदृश्यत ततो व्योम तथा रणमहीतलम् ॥ १४ ॥

बाहुभिर्भ्रान्तभुजगं प्रभाभिः कीर्णकाञ्चनम् ।

कुण्डलैः कीर्णरत्नौघं शिरोभिर्दृष्टपङ्कजम् ॥ १५ ॥

आयुधैः खड्गनीरन्ध्रं शरैः शलभनिर्भरम् ।

रक्ताभास्थिरसंध्याढ्यं ससिद्धपुरुषं शवैः ॥ १६ ॥

Sage Vasishta said: 

3.47.1

> While this terrible battle was raging fiercely between the two armies, both Leelas once again addressed Goddess Jnaptim (the Goddess of Pure Knowledge).

Both Leelas said: 

3.47.2

> O Goddess, for what unknown reason is our husband not winning this battle, even though you are pleased with him and he has already driven away the enemy elephants in the fight?

Goddess Saraswati replied: 

3.47.3–9

> My dear daughters, this king Viduratha’s enemy has worshipped and propitiated me for a very long time specifically for victory in war — whereas your husband Viduratha never asked me for victory.

> Therefore that enemy is winning now, and Viduratha is being defeated. The Inner Consciousness (Knowledge) that dwells within everyone directs me exactly according to how and when a person turns toward me.

> Whosoever directs me in whatever manner, I immediately become the giver of exactly that result to him. I stand as the fruit of whatever way he approaches or invokes me.

> My essential nature never changes into anything else — just as fire never loses its heat. Because of this unchangeable nature I have been resolved (or meditated upon) by him in the form “I will certainly become liberated through this Knowledge.”

> Therefore, O young girl, that intelligent Leela, being of the nature of Pure reflection/Awareness, will become liberated along with him. The enemy king named Sindhu is himself the direct adversary of Viduratha.

> Because this King of Sindhu has worshipped me with the firm thought “I shall be victorious in battle,” I have been pleased by him in that way. Therefore Viduratha, along with his wife, will have to give up his body and fall into the hands of that enemy.

> O girl, in due course of time you too will attain liberation like her. But before that happens, this enemy of yours — King Sindhu himself — will rule over the earth for some time.

Sage Vasishta continued:

3.47.10–16

> When the Goddess was speaking in this manner, the sun rose over the eastern mountain as if coming to witness the wonderful spectacle, while the two armies were still fiercely engaged in combat.

> The masses of darkness fled away like the enemy forces; the armies of Viduratha shone forth like stars appearing in the twilight.

> Slowly the mountains, the blue sky and the earth became clearly visible. The whole world looked as though it had been lifted up again from an ocean of black ink.

> Golden rays of the rising sun fell beautifully like streams of molten gold. On the hills and on the excellent warriors they looked like splashes of fresh blood in battle.

> Then the sky and the battlefield appeared in such a way that the shining arms of the warriors moved like writhing serpents, their brilliant lustre scattered golden light everywhere.

> Their ear-rings poured floods of jewels, their heads appeared like blooming lotuses, their weapons made the sky look full of sword-like gaps, their arrows flew thick like swarms of locusts.

> The battlefield was rich with the red glow of twilight-like blood, crowded with accomplished siddha-like beings in the form of corpses.

Summary of the teachings:

Goddess Saraswati does not favour anyone emotionally; she simply fulfils whatever a person has intensely and consistently directed toward her. Sindhu’s long, single-pointed worship for victory produced victory, while Viduratha’s lack of any prayer for worldly success produced defeat. This shows that our outer fate is not random or caused by external gods being partial — it is the direct, exact reflection of our own deepest, most persistent inner orientation.

The unchanging nature of Consciousness is compared to the unchanging heat of fire. Just as fire can never become cold no matter how much one prays for it to become cold, Pure Knowledge can never fail to deliver liberation to one who has inwardly resolved “I shall become free through this Knowledge.” Viduratha’s secret, steady intention for liberation therefore guarantees his eventual liberation despite present defeat and death. This teaches that spiritual aspiration, when genuine and rooted in understanding, is invincible and cannot be cancelled by any worldly loss.

Even though Viduratha loses the war and his body, the teaching is optimistic: outer defeat does not cancel inner victory. Both the wise Leela (who possesses right understanding) and Viduratha will attain liberation because their deeper longing was for truth and freedom, not for power or survival. The unripe Leela will take longer, showing that readiness for liberation depends on inner ripeness and not on external events or even on physical death. Time and grace will eventually ripen her also.

The story illustrates the temporary and dream-like nature of worldly power. King Sindhu enjoys victory and rules the earth only for a limited period; it is not permanent. All empires, victories and defeats are transient appearances within Consciousness. The real teaching is to turn the mind away from craving transient results and instead cultivate the firm, quiet resolution for liberation, because that alone produces an eternal result.

The magnificent poetic description of sunrise over the battlefield serves as a profound metaphor. Darkness (ignorance, tamas) flees at the appearance of light (knowledge, sattva), just as illusion flees when true awareness dawns. Even amid terrible bloodshed and death the world is re-illuminated and appears beautiful again — reminding the reader that all wars, suffering and apparent chaos are only surface appearances. Beneath them Consciousness remains ever-shining, untouched and ready to reveal its splendour the moment the mind turns toward it.

Chapter 3.46, Verses 16–31

Yoga Vashishtha 3.46.16–31

(These verses vividly describe an intense cosmic battle as a metaphor for the inner turmoil of the mind and the illusory nature of the world)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

गर्भवासमिवापन्नं तेनासीत्तन्महापुरम्।

मूढत्वं यौवनेनेव घनतामाययौ तमः ॥ १६ ॥

प्रययुः क्वापि दीपौघा दिवसेनेव तारकाः ।

आययुर्बलमालोला नैशभूतपरम्पराः ॥ १७ ॥

ददृशुस्तन्महायुद्धं द्वे लीले सा कुमारिका ।

प्रस्फुटद्धृदयेनेव देवीदत्तमहादृशौ ॥ १८॥

प्रशेमुरथ हेतीषु प्रोद्यत्कटकटारवाः ।

एकार्णवपयःपूरैर्वालवा इव वह्नयः ॥ १९ ॥

शनैः सेनां समाकर्षन्नाज्ञायत बलान्तरम् ।

विवेशपक्षप्रोड्डीनो मेरुरेकमिवार्णवम् ॥ २० ॥

अथोदभूद्गुणध्वानं चटच्चटदिति स्फुटम्।

रचितांशुमयाम्भोदाश्चेरुः परपरम्पराः ॥ २१ ॥

ययुरम्बरमाश्रित्य नानाहेतिविहंगमाः ।

प्रसस्रुरलमात्तासुमलिनाः शस्त्रदीप्तयः ॥ २२ ॥

जज्वलुः शस्त्रसंघट्टज्वलना उल्मुकाग्निवत् ।

जगर्जुः शरधारौघान्वर्षन्तो वीरवारिदाः ॥ २३ ॥

विविशुः क्रकचक्रूरा वीराङ्गेषु च हेतयः ।

पेतुः पटपटारावं हेतिनिष्पिष्टयोऽम्बरे ॥ २४ ॥

जग्मुः शमं तमांस्याशु शस्त्रकानलदीपकैः ।

बभूवुरखिला सेना नवनाराचरोमशाः ॥ २५ ॥

उत्तस्थुर्यमयात्रायां कबन्धनटपङ्क्तयः।

जगुरुच्चै रणोद्रेकं पिशाच्यो रणदारिकाः ॥ २६ ॥

उदगुर्दन्तसंघट्टटंकारा दन्तिनां बलात् ।

ऊहुः क्षपणपाषाणमहानद्यो नभस्तले ॥ २७ ॥

पेतुः शवा निवातास्तसंशुष्कवनपर्णवत्।

निर्ययुर्लोहिता नद्यो रणाद्रेर्मृतिवर्षिणः ॥ २८ ॥

प्रशेमुः पांसवो रक्तैस्तमांस्यायुधवह्निभिः ।

युद्धैकध्यानतः शब्दा भयानि मृतिनिश्चयैः ॥ २९ ॥

अभवत्केवलं युद्धमपशब्दमसंभ्रमम्।

अनाकुलाम्बुवाहाभं खड्गवीचिसटांकृतम् ॥ ३० ॥

खदखदरवसंवहच्छरोघं टकटकितारवसंपतद्भुशुण्डि ।

झणझणरवसंमिलन्महास्त्रं तिमितिमिवद्रणमास दुस्तरं तत् ॥ ३१॥

Maharishi Vashishta continued:

3.46.16–23

> That great city became enveloped in darkness, like a child in the womb; ignorance thickened like the darkness of youth.

> The clusters of lamps went away somewhere, like stars in daylight. Rows of night spirits came in crowds, eager for strength.

> The two Lilas, that young girl, watched that great battle with eyes wide open in wonder, as if their hearts were bursting.

> Then the weapons became calm, with clashing sounds rising high; like fires extinguished by floods of ocean water.

> Slowly drawing the army, the other force could not be seen. It entered like Meru mountain flying on one wing into the ocean.

> Then arose a loud sound of qualities, clearly cracking and snapping. Rows of clouds made of rays moved in succession.

> Various weapon-birds took shelter in the sky. The lights of weapons spread, stained with blood and full of force.

> The fires from weapon clashes blazed like funeral pyres. Hero-clouds roared, raining streams of arrows.

3.46.24–31

> Cruel saw-like weapons entered the bodies of warriors. Weapons crushed in the sky fell with loud pat-pat sounds.

> Darkness quickly calmed by the lamps of weapon-fires. All the armies became hairy with fresh arrows.

> Rows of headless dancers rose in Yama's procession. Fierce demon women sang loudly the frenzy of battle.

> Loud clashing sounds of tusks rose from the elephant forces. Great rivers of enemy-destroying stones flowed in the sky.

> Corpses fell like dry leaves in windless forests. Red rivers flowed from the battle-mountain, showering death.

> Dust settled with blood; darkness by weapon-fires. Sounds from battle-focus; fears from death-certainty.

> Only the battle remained, without bad sounds or confusion, like calm waters with sword-waves splashing.

> With loud khad-khad sounds carrying arrow-floods, tak-tak sounds of falling weapons, jhan-jhan clashing of great missiles, that battle became unbearable and motionless like timiti.

Summary of the teachings:

The great city plunged in darkness represents the state of ignorance (avidya) enveloping the soul, similar to how a fetus is confined or youth brings denser delusion. 

The disappearance of lights and arrival of night spirits symbolize how clarity vanishes when tamas (inertia/darkness) dominates, and lower impulses rush in unchecked. The two Lilas watching in awe highlight the witnessing consciousness that observes the drama of existence without being affected, pointing to the detached Self beyond the play of phenomena.

The battle's chaos—with clashing weapons, blazing fires, roaring heroes, and falling corpses—illustrates the relentless conflict within samsara, driven by desires, ego, and karma. Elements like arrow-rains, elephant clashes, and blood-rivers depict how sensory battles and mental agitations create endless suffering and destruction. Yet, the weapons calming or darkness being dispelled by fires suggests that higher awareness (like knowledge or sattva) can subdue these forces, though temporarily in the worldly realm. The headless dancers and singing demons evoke the grotesque, death-bound aspects of ego-driven life, reminding that unchecked passions lead to ruin.

The focus shifts to the battle becoming "only war" without confusion or noise, resembling calm waters with sword-waves. This paradox teaches that even in apparent turmoil, the realized sage sees the world as a non-disturbing play of Consciousness. The absence of bewilderment indicates equanimity (samatva), where one perceives multiplicity as unreal vibrations of the One Brahm. 

The unbearable, motionless intensity of the final description (like the mythical timiti fish in stillness) underscores the overwhelming power of maya when fully engaged, yet its ultimate insubstantiality for the enlightened. The core teaching is the illusory (mithya) nature of all phenomena, including grand wars and Cosmic events. Vasishta uses this dramatic scene to show that what appears as real conflict is merely a projection of the mind, like a dream battle. True liberation comes from recognizing this as non-real, detaching from identification with the warring parties (body, ego, senses), and abiding in Pure Awareness.

Ultimately, these verses urge discernment (viveka) and dispassion (vairagya). By witnessing the world's turmoil without attachment—like the Lilas observing—one transcends birth, death, and suffering. The battle's ferocity serves as a mirror to inner chaos, encouraging inquiry into the Self to end the cycle of illusion and attain Unchanging Peace beyond all dualities.

Chapter 3.46, Verses 1–15

Yoga Vashishtha 3.46.1–15

(These verses form part of the story of Queen Lila in the Utpatti Prakarana, where Vasishta narrates to Rama the dramatic events involving King Viduratha, the husband of one form of Lila)

श्रीराम उवाच ।

एवं संकथयन्तीषु तासु तस्मिन्गृहोदरे ।

विदूरथः किमकरोन्निर्गत्य कुपितो गृहात् ॥ १ ॥

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

विदूरथः स्वसदनान्निर्गतः परिवारितः ।

परिवारेण महता ऋक्षौघेणेव चन्द्रमाः ॥ २ ॥

सन्नद्धसर्वावयवो लग्नहारविभूषणः।

महाजयजयारावैः सुरेन्द्र इव निर्गतः ॥ ३ ॥

समादिशन्योधगणं शृण्वन्मण्डलसंस्थितिम् ।

आलोकयन्वीरगणानारुरोह नृपो रथम् ॥ ४ ॥

कूटाकारसमाकारं मुक्तामाणिक्यमण्डितम् ।

पताकापञ्चभिर्व्याप्तं द्युविमानमिवोत्तमम् ॥ ५ ॥

चक्रभित्तिपरिप्रोतप्रकचत्काञ्चनाङ्कुरम् ।

मुक्ताजालरणत्कारचारुविक्रमकूबरम् ॥ ६ ॥

सुग्रीवैर्लक्षणोपेतैः प्रशस्तैः प्रचलैः कृशैः।

जवोड्डयनवेगेन प्रवहद्भिः सुरानिव ॥ ७ ॥

वायुं जवेन सहसा असहद्भिर्गतिक्रमैः।

प्रोह्यद्भिरिव पश्चार्धमापिबद्भिरिवाम्बरम् ॥ ८॥

योजितैरिव संपूर्णैश्चन्द्रैश्चामरदीप्तिभिः ।

अश्वैरष्टभिराबद्धमाशापूरकहेषितैः ॥ ९ ॥

अथोदपतदुद्दामनागाभ्ररवनिर्भरः ।

शैलभित्तिप्रतिध्वानदारुणो दुन्दुभिध्वनिः ॥ १० ॥

मत्तसैनिकनिर्मुक्तैर्व्याप्तं कलकलारवैः।

किंकिणीजालनिर्ध्वानैर्हेतिसंघट्टघट्टितैः ॥ ११ ॥

धनुश्चटचटाशब्दैः शरसीत्कारगायनैः ।

परस्पराङ्गनिष्पिष्टकवचौघझणज्झणैः ॥ १२ ॥

ज्वलदग्निटणत्कारैरार्तिमत्क्रन्दनारवैः ।

परस्परभटाह्वानैर्बन्दिविक्षुब्धरोदनैः ॥ १३ ॥

शिलाघनीकृताशेषब्रह्माण्डकुहरो ध्वनिः ।

हस्तग्राह्योऽभवद्भीमो दशाशाकुञ्जपूरकः ॥ १४ ॥

अथोदपतदादित्यपथपीवररोधकम्।

रजोनिभेन भूपीठमम्बरोड्डयनोन्मुखम् ॥ १५ ॥

Sriram said: 

2.46.1

> While the women were talking like this inside the tent, what did the angry Viduratha do after leaving the house?

Maharishi Vasishta said: 

3.46.2–9

> Viduratha left his residence, surrounded by a large retinue, like the moon encircled by a mass of stars.

> His body fully armored, adorned with necklaces and jewels stuck to him, he emerged like Indra, the king of gods, amid loud cries of victory.

> He ordered his troops, listened to reports about the enemy's positions, observed his warriors, and then climbed onto his chariot.

> The chariot had a peaked shape, decorated with pearls and gems, covered by five flags, resembling a superb heavenly vehicle.

> Its walls were fitted with shining golden spikes, its yoke poles beautiful with the tinkling sound of pearl nets.

> It was yoked to excellent, swift, lean horses with good marks, moving with the speed of flight, carrying the gods as if.

> They rushed forward with such speed that they seemed to outpace the wind, dragging the rear part as if drinking up the sky.

> It was harnessed to eight horses, fully equipped, shining like moons with their white tails and manes, neighing to fill all directions.

3.46.10–15 

> Then arose a terrible sound of war drums, fierce like the roar of wild elephants and clouds, echoing off mountain walls.

> The air was filled with the clamor of excited soldiers, the jingling of small bells, and the clashing sounds of weapons striking each other.

> There were the snapping sounds of bows, the whistling of arrows, the jingling of armor crushed against one another.

> Crackling noises of blazing fires, cries of pain, mutual calls of warriors, and the agitated weeping of bards.

> The sound became so intense that it seemed to fill the entire cavity of the Universe, a terrifying roar spreading through the ten directions.

> Then rose a thick cloud of dust, like earth itself rising upward, blocking the path of the sun and covering the ground as it flew into the sky.

Summary of the Teachings:

The scene depicts Viduratha's furious departure from his camp to wage war, after a Divine intervention and conversation among women, including Goddesses and queens. The vivid description highlights the transient and illusory nature of worldly power, glory, and conflict.  

The king's grand exit, with his majestic chariot, armored body, victorious shouts, and massive army, symbolizes the ego's pomp and the mind's attachment to external strength and victory. Everything appears magnificent and invincible, yet it is all built on impermanence. The horses racing as if devouring the sky and the dust rising like the earth itself ascending illustrate how worldly pursuits create chaos and obscure true vision, much like dust clouds the sun.  

The overwhelming noise—from drums, weapons, cries, and armor—represents the constant turmoil and agitation of the mind caught in desire, anger, and battle. This cacophony fills all directions, showing how delusion spreads everywhere when one is driven by rajasic (passionate) impulses. In the Yoga Vasishta's philosophy, such scenes demonstrate that what seems real and powerful in the world is merely a projection of the mind, like a dream or mirage.  

The teaching subtly contrasts this display of royal might with the Higher Truth revealed in surrounding chapters: the world and its conflicts arise from ignorance of the Self. Viduratha's rage and march to war stem from attachment to his queen and kingdom, but the story ultimately points to Realization that all forms, relationships, and battles are appearances within Consciousness. True liberation comes from seeing beyond these illusions.  

Overall, these verses serve as a dramatic illustration of samsara (worldly existence)—full of splendor, noise, and motion on the surface, but empty and unreal at the core. They encourage the seeker to turn inward, discriminate between the Eternal Self and transient phenomena, and recognize that even the grandest worldly drama is a play of maya, leading to peace through Knowledge and detachment.