Chapter 3.112, Verses 20–27

Yoga Vashishtha 3.112.20–27

(The mind itself is both the trap and the only means of escape from the endless cycle of birth and death)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।

तृष्णाग्राहगृहीतानां संसारार्णवरंहसि।

आवर्तैरुह्यमानानां दूरे स्वं मन एव नौः ॥ २०॥

मनसैव मनश्छित्त्वा पाशं परमबन्धनम्।

उन्मोचितो न येनात्मा नासावन्येन मोक्ष्यते ॥ २१॥

या योदेति मनोनाम्नी वासना वासितान्तरा।

तां तां परिहरेत्प्राज्ञस्ततोऽविद्याक्षयो भवेत् ॥ २२॥

भोगौघवासनां त्यक्त्वा त्यज त्वं भेदवासनाम्।

भावाभावौ ततस्त्यक्त्वा निर्विकल्पःसुखीभव ॥ २३॥

अभावनं भावनायास्त्वेतावान्वासनाक्षयः।

एष एव मनोनाशस्त्वविद्यानाश उच्यते ॥ २४॥

यद्यत्संवेद्यते किंचित्तत्रासंवेदनं परम्।

असंवित्तिस्तु निर्वाणं दुःखं संवेदनाद्भवेत् ॥ २५॥

स्वेनैव तत्प्रयत्नेन पुंसः संवेद्यते क्षणात्।

भावस्याभावनं भूत्यै तत्तस्मान्नित्यमाहरेत् ॥ २६॥

रागादयो ये मनसीप्सितास्ते बुद्ध्वेह तांस्तांस्त्वमवस्तुभूतान्।

त्यक्त्वा तदास्याङ्कुरमस्तबीजं मा हर्षशोकं समुपैहि तृप्तः ॥ २७॥

Sage Vashishta further said: 

3.112.20–27

> For those seized by the crocodiles of craving and swept by whirlpools in the rushing Ocean of Worldly existence, their own mind alone is the far-off boat that can save them.

> By cutting the mind’s own noose—the greatest bondage—with the mind itself, if the Self is not freed, nothing else can free it.

> Whatever subtle desire arises under the name of mind and colours the Inner Being, the wise person should abandon it at once; then ignorance is destroyed.

> Give up the desire for streams of enjoyment; give up the desire for differences. Then abandon both existence and non-existence and become free of all mental constructs and be happy.

> Simply not thinking of things is the full end of desires. This very end of the mind is called the end of ignorance.

> Whatever is perceived, non-perception of it is the highest. Non-awareness is liberation; sorrow comes from awareness.

> By one’s own effort a person Realizes this in a moment. Not thinking of “being” brings true welfare; therefore practise it always.

> Know that the likes and dislikes desired by the mind are without real substance. Leave them, so their sprout has no seed left, and do not fall into joy or sorrow; remain content.

Detailed Summary of the Teachings: 

These verses teach that the mind itself is both the trap and the only means of escape from the endless cycle of birth and death. Craving acts like a crocodile and the World like a stormy Ocean; only the mind, when turned inward and controlled by itself, becomes the boat that carries one to safety. No outer force, teacher or ritual can liberate the Self if the mind does not first cut its own bonds of desire and attachment.

The wise are told to watch every subtle tendency the moment it rises and to drop it at once. Desires for pleasure and for seeing differences between things keep ignorance alive. When both the sense of “this exists” and “this does not exist” are set aside, the mind becomes still and free of all restless thinking, and lasting happiness appears.

Simply stopping the habit of mentally creating and holding on to ideas is the complete destruction of latent desires. That same quieting of the mind is the destruction of ignorance itself. Whatever the senses or thoughts present, the highest state is not to grasp or dwell on it; non-awareness of objects is true liberation, while continual awareness of them produces sorrow.

A person can reach this insight by personal effort in a single moment. Therefore the practice of refusing to give mental form to any “thing” or “being” must be kept up constantly, because that refusal itself brings real spiritual growth and prosperity of the soul.

Finally, all likes, dislikes and other mental longings must be seen as empty of substance. Once they are abandoned, the seed of further desire is burned and no new sprout can arise. One then remains calmly content, untouched by the swings of joy and grief that once ruled the mind.

Chapter 3.112, Verses 10–19

Yoga Vashishtha 3.112.10–19

(The restless mind is like a powerful demon that creates deep suffering when it is allowed to rise unchecked)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।

दुःखमुत्पादयत्युच्चेरुत्थितश्चित्तराक्षसः।

सुखायानन्तभोगाय तं प्रयत्नेन पातय ॥ १०॥

तस्य चञ्चलता यैषा त्वविद्या राम सोच्यते।

वासनापदनाम्नीं तां विचारेण विनाशय ॥ ११॥

अविद्यया वासनया तयान्तश्चित्तसत्तया।

विलीनया त्यागवशात्परं श्रेयोऽधिगम्यते ॥ १२॥

यत्तत्सदसतोर्मध्यं यन्मध्यं चित्त्वजाड्ययोः।

तन्मनः प्रोच्यते राम द्वयोर्दोलायिताकृति ॥ १३॥

जाड्यानुसंधानहतं जाड्यात्मकतयेद्धया।

चेतो जडत्वमायाति दृढाभ्यासवशेन हि ॥ १४॥

विवेकैकानुसंधानाच्चिदंशात्मतया मनः।

चिदेकतामुपायाति दृढाभ्यासवशादिह ॥ १५॥

पौरुषेण प्रयत्नेन यस्मिन्नेव पदे मनः।

पात्यते तत्पदं प्राप्य भवत्यभ्यासतो हि तत् ॥ १६॥

पुनः पौरुषमाश्रित्य चित्तमाक्रम्य चेतसा।

विशोकं पदमाश्रित्य निराशङ्कः स्थिरो भव ॥ १७॥

भवभावनया मग्नं मनसैव न चेन्मनः।

बलादुत्तार्यते राम तदुपायोऽस्ति नेतरः ॥ १८॥

मन एव समर्थं वो मनसो दृढनिग्रहे।

अराजा कः समर्थः स्याद्राज्ञो राघव निग्रहे ॥ १९॥

Sage Vashishta continued:

3.112.10–14

> The mind-demon, when it rises strongly, produces great suffering. For the sake of happiness and endless enjoyment, bring it down with careful effort.

> O Rama, this restlessness of the mind is called ignorance. Destroy that which is known as latent impressions through proper inquiry.

> When that inner mental existence made of ignorance and latent impressions is dissolved by the power of renunciation, the highest good is attained.

> O Rama, that which stands in the middle between the Real and the unreal, and between Consciousness and dullness, is called the mind. Its form swings between the two.

> When the mind is struck by constant thought of dullness and is intensified by its dull nature, it becomes dull itself through firm practice.

3.112.15–19

> Through one-pointed inquiry with discrimination, the mind, by its nature as a part of Consciousness, attains Oneness with Pure Consciousness through firm practice here.

> By human effort, whichever State the mind is made to settle in, it reaches that State and becomes that through practice.

> Again, taking support of self-effort, conquer the mind with the mind itself, take refuge in the sorrow-free State, and become steady and free from doubt.

> O Rama, if the mind that is sunk in thoughts of worldly existence is not forcibly lifted out by the mind itself, there is no other means.

> Only the mind itself is capable of firmly restraining the mind. O Raghava, who but a King is able to restrain a King?

Detailed summary of the teachings:

These verses teach that the restless mind is like a powerful demon that creates deep suffering when it is allowed to rise unchecked. The only way to gain lasting happiness and unlimited joy is to deliberately bring this mind under control through steady and determined effort. Without such effort the mind continues to produce pain.

The restlessness of the mind is itself ignorance. This ignorance appears in the form of latent tendencies or deep-seated desires that keep the mind moving. These tendencies must be completely destroyed by careful self-inquiry and clear thinking. When ignorance, the latent tendencies, and the sense of a separate mental existence dissolve through renunciation, a person reaches the highest good.

The mind occupies a middle position. It is neither fully Real nor fully unreal, and it stands between Pure Consciousness and pure dullness. Because of this middle nature it constantly swings between the two. If a person repeatedly dwells on dull and lifeless things, the mind itself becomes dull through long practice. On the other hand, if the mind is trained through discrimination and one-pointed attention to its own conscious nature, it merges completely into Pure Consciousness.

Whatever state a person deliberately places the mind in by firm personal effort, the mind eventually becomes that State through repeated practice. Therefore one must again and again use self-effort to seize and master the mind, settle it in the State that is free from sorrow, and remain steady and free from all fear or doubt.

Finally, the mind can be controlled only by the mind itself. There is no other power that can do this work. Just as only a King can properly restrain another King, only the mind, when it turns its own strength upon itself, can lift itself out of the deep immersion in worldly thoughts and establish lasting Freedom.

Chapter 3.112, Verses 1–9

Yoga Vashishtha 3.112.1–9

(The mind is by nature intensely restless and swift)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।

यस्मिंस्तस्मिन्पदार्थे हि येन तेन यथा तथा।

तीव्रसंवेगसंपन्नं मनः पश्यति वाञ्छितम् ॥ १॥

जायते म्रियते चैषा मनसस्तीव्रवेगिता।

सौम्याम्बुबुद्बुदालीव निर्निमित्ता स्वभावतः ॥ २॥

शीतता तुहिनस्येव कज्जलस्येव कृष्णता।

लोलता मनसो रूपं तीव्रातीव्रैकरूपिणी ॥ ३॥

श्रीराम उवाच।

कथमस्यातिलोलस्य वेगो वेगैककारणम्।

चलता मनसो ब्रह्मन्बलतो विनिवार्यते ॥ ४॥

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।

नेह चञ्चलताहीनं मनः क्वचन दृश्यते।

चञ्चलत्वं मनोधर्मो वह्णेर्धर्मो यथोष्णता ॥ ५॥

यैषा हि चञ्चला स्पन्दशक्तिश्चित्तत्वसंस्थिता।

तां विद्धि मानसीं शक्तिं जगदाडम्बरात्मिकाम् ॥ ६॥

स्पन्दास्पन्दादृते वायोर्यथा सत्तैव नोह्यते।

तथा न चित्तसत्तास्ति चञ्चलस्पन्दनादृते ॥ ७॥

यत्तु चञ्चलताहीनं तन्मनो मृतमुच्यते।

तदेव च तपःशास्त्रसिद्धान्तो मोक्ष उच्यते ॥ ८॥

मनोविलयमात्रेण दुःखशान्तिरवाप्यते।

मनोमननमात्रेण दुःखं परमवाप्यते ॥ ९॥

Sage Vasishtha said: 

3.112.1–3

> The mind, filled with intense swiftness, perceives the desired object in any substance, by any means, and in any manner whatsoever.

> This intense swiftness of the mind arises and perishes of its own nature without any cause, just like a succession of bubbles on calm water.

> Just as coldness is the nature of snow and blackness is the nature of collyrium, so restlessness is the very form of the mind, remaining one and the same in its intense and still more intense States.

Sriram said: 

3.112.4

> O Brahman, how can the movement of this extremely restless mind, whose sole cause is its own velocity, be forcibly restrained?

Sage Vasishtha said: 

3.112.5–9

> Nowhere is a mind found that is free from restlessness. Restlessness is the inherent nature of the mind, just as heat is the inherent nature of fire.

> Know that this restless vibrating power which resides in the essence of the mind is the mental energy that constitutes the entire display of the World.

> Just as the Existence of Air cannot be grasped apart from its vibration or non-vibration, so the mind has no existence apart from its restless vibration.

> That which is free from restlessness is like a dead mind. And that very State is declared to be liberation according to the settled conclusion of austerity and the scriptures.

> By the mere dissolution of the mind, the cessation of sorrow is attained. By the mere continued thinking of the mind, supreme sorrow is attained.

Detailed Summary of the Teachings:

These verses teach that the mind is by nature intensely restless and swift. It instantly projects and perceives whatever it desires in any object, through any means, and in any way. This restless velocity is not produced by external causes; it arises and disappears spontaneously, like bubbles forming and vanishing on still water. Restlessness is therefore the essential form of the mind, just as coldness belongs to snow and blackness to collyrium.  

Rama asks how this restless movement, whose only cause is its own velocity, can be forcibly stopped. Vasishtha answers that a mind without restlessness is never found anywhere. Restlessness is the mind’s own nature, comparable to the heat that is inseparable from fire.  

The restless vibrating power that constitutes the mind is identified as the very energy that creates the entire spectacle of the World. Without this constant vibration the mind cannot be said to exist at all, just as air cannot be conceived without its motion or stillness.  

A mind that has become free from restlessness is therefore described as “dead.” This State of the mind’s Stillness is what the scriptures and the practice of austerity call liberation.  

Finally, the verses declare that the complete dissolution of the mind alone brings the end of sorrow, while continued mental activity produces the greatest suffering. Peace is therefore gained not by controlling an active mind but by allowing the mind itself to subside completely.

Chapter 3.111, Verses 39–46

Yoga Vashishtha 3.111.39–46

(All the fearsome difficulties and confusions of life arise solely from the mind’s own imaginings, just as a Mirage appears in a waterless desert)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।

भीमाः संभ्रमदायिन्यः संकल्पकदनादिमाः।

विपदः संप्रसूयन्ते मृगतृष्णा मराविव ॥ ३९॥

कल्पान्तपवना वान्तु यान्तु चैकत्वमर्णवाः।

तपन्तु द्वादशादित्या नास्ति निर्मनसः क्षतिः ॥ ४०॥

मनोबीजात्समुद्यन्ति सुखदुःखे शुभाशुभे।

संसारखण्डका एते लोकसप्तकपल्लवाः ॥ ४१॥

असंकल्पनमात्रैकसाध्ये सकलसिद्धिदे।

असंकल्पनसाम्राज्ये तिष्ठावष्टब्धतत्पदः ॥ ४२॥

प्रयच्छत्युत्तमानन्दं क्षीयमाणं मनः क्रमात्।

काष्ठक्षीणाङ्गकाङ्गारो यथाङ्गारक्षयार्थिनः ॥ ४३॥

अपि ब्रह्मकुटीलक्षं मनसश्चेत्समीहितम्।

तदणोरन्तरे व्यक्तं विभक्तं परिदृश्यते ॥ ४४॥

संकल्पमात्रविभवेन कृतात्यनर्थं संकल्पमात्रविभवेन सुसाधितार्थम्।

संतोषमात्रविभवेन मनो विजित्य नित्योदितेन जयमेहि निरीप्सितेन ॥ ४५॥

परमपावनया विमनस्तया समतया मतयात्मविदामपि।

शमितया मितयान्तरहंतया यदवशिष्टमजं पदमस्तु तत् ॥ ४६॥

Sage Vashishta continued:

3.111.39–46

> Terrible troubles that cause confusion, arising first from mental imagining, spring up just as a mirage appears in the desert.

> Let the winds of the end of a world-cycle blow, let the oceans merge into one, let the twelve suns blaze – the one free of restless mind suffers no harm.

> From the seed of the mind arise pleasure and pain, good and bad; these are the fragments of worldly life, the sprouts of the seven worlds.

> Stand firm, holding fast to that State, in the empire of non-imagining, which is achieved solely by the absence of mental constructs and which grants every success.

> As the mind gradually fades away, it gives the Highest Bliss – just as a glowing ember from wood, its parts shrinking, gives the brightest light to one who wants the ember to burn out completely.

> Even if the mind’s desire reaches a hundred thousand worlds of Brahma, that is still seen clearly and separately inside a single atom.

> By the mere power of mental imagining great harm is done; by the mere power of mental imagining a goal is also well achieved. Having conquered the mind through the mere power of contentment, attain victory by means of that ever-present State free of craving.

> Through the most purifying freedom from mind, through evenness of understanding held even by Knowers of the Self, through a quieted and measured inner sense of “I” – may that unborn State which then remains be ours.

Detailed Summary of the Teachings:

These verses teach that all the fearsome difficulties and confusions of life arise solely from the mind’s own imaginings, just as a mirage appears in a waterless desert. Once this is understood, the seeker realises that the root of suffering is not external events but the restless activity of thought itself.

A person whose mind has become still remains completely unharmed even if the most catastrophic cosmic events take place – the dissolving winds of world-end, the merging of all Oceans, or the blazing of the twelve Suns. Outer conditions lose their power to disturb one who is free of mental agitation.

Everything experienced as pleasure or pain, good or bad, and even the entire structure of the seven Worlds, sprouts from the single seed of the mind. Therefore the whole of Worldly existence is nothing but mental construction.

The only reliable means to complete success and the highest good is the simple absence of mental imagining. By remaining established in this “empire of non-thinking,” every goal is attained and the True State is securely held.

As the mind slowly diminishes it yields Supreme Joy, comparable to the final brilliant glow of a dying ember. Even the grandest objects of desire are seen to be contained within the tiniest particle of Consciousness. By the power of pure contentment the mind is conquered, and what finally remains is the Pure, Unborn, ever-present Reality free from all craving and sense of “I.”

Chapter 3.111, Verses 30–38

Yoga Vashishtha 3.111.30–38

(No teaching, scripture or external method can bring lasting peace or liberation unless the mind itself is first quieted)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।

सति पथ्ये तते शुभ्रे चित्तोपशमनादृते।

तिर्यगूर्ध्वमधस्ताच्च भूयोभूयो विचारितम् ॥ ३०॥

यावन्नास्ति किलोपायश्चित्तोपशमनादृते।

ऋते तथ्ये तते शुभ्रे बोधे हृद्युदिते सति ॥ ३१॥

मनोविलयमात्रेण विश्रान्तिरुपजायते।

व्यायते हृदयाकाशे चिति चिच्चक्रधारया ॥ ३२॥

मनो मारय निःशङ्कं त्वां प्रबध्नन्ति नाधयः।

यदि रम्यमरम्यत्वे त्वया संविदितं विदा ॥ ३३॥

छिन्नान्येव तदाङ्गानि चित्तस्येति मतिर्मम।

अयं सोऽहमिदं तन्म एतावन्मात्रकं मनः ॥ ३४॥

तदभावनमात्रेण दात्रेणेव विलूयते।

छिन्नाभ्रमण्डलं व्योम्नि यथा शरदि धूयते ॥ ३५॥

वातेनाकल्पनेनैवं तथा तद्धूयते मनः।

भवन्ति यत्र शस्त्राग्निपवनास्तत्र भीर्भवेत् ॥ ३६॥

स्वायते मृदुनि स्वच्छे किमसंकल्पने भयम्।

इदं श्रेय इद नेति सिद्धमाबालमक्षतम् ॥ ३७॥

बालं पुत्रमिवोदारे मनः श्रेयसि योजयेत् ।

अक्षयं चानवं चेतःसिंहं संसृतिबृंहणम्।

घ्नन्ति ये ते जयन्तीह निर्वाणपददायिनः ॥ ३८॥

Sage Vashishta continued:

3.111.30–38

> Even when a proper, broad and pure path is present, nothing is of use without quieting the mind. This has been examined again and again from every side, above and below.  

> There is truly no other means except the quieting of the mind, once the true, broad and Pure Knowledge has arisen in the heart.  

> By the mere dissolving of the mind, rest arises. It spreads in the Space of the heart through the continuous flow of Pure Consciousness.  

> Kill the mind without any fear. Then the mental afflictions will not bind you, if you, the Knower, have truly understood the pleasant nature even within what seems unpleasant.  

> In my view, the limbs of the mind are then cut off. Thoughts such as “this is that,” “I am this,” “this is mine” — the mind is only this much.  

> By the mere non-thinking of them it is cut away as if by a sickle, just as a mass of torn clouds is scattered in the autumn sky.  

> In the same way the mind is scattered by the wind of non-imagining. Fear arises only where weapons, fire and storms are present.  

> When the mind settles in what is soft and clear, what fear can there be in the absence of mental imagining? The habit of judging “this is good, this is not” has been fixed unbroken since childhood.  

> One should gently turn the mind toward the good, just as one guides a child or a son. Those who destroy the undying, young mind-lion that expands the cycle of birth and death conquer here and bestow the state of nirvana.  

Detailed summary of the teachings:

These verses stress that no teaching, scripture or external method can bring lasting peace or liberation unless the mind itself is first quieted. All other paths remain useless until the restless activity of the mind is brought under control through clear understanding that arises within the heart.  

True rest and freedom appear the moment the mind dissolves. When mental activity ceases, Pure Awareness spreads naturally through the inner space of the heart, revealing an undisturbed state of Consciousness that needs no further effort.  

The mind must be decisively overcome without hesitation. Once a person clearly sees that even unpleasant situations contain an inherent pleasantness when viewed from Pure Knowledge, the usual torments of the mind lose their power to bind.  

The mind consists only of limited thoughts of identity and possession such as “I am this” and “this is mine.” Simply refusing to dwell on these thoughts causes the mind to dissolve completely, just as autumn winds scatter clouds that have already been torn apart.  

There is no danger in this process of non-imagining; fear belongs only to situations of external violence or upheaval. The mind should therefore be gently guided toward what is truly beneficial, like a child being led by a caring parent. Those who succeed in destroying this ever-young, expanding “lion” of the mind attain victory in this life and reach the State of final liberation.  

Chapter 3.111, Verses 21–29

Yoga Vashishtha 3.111.21–29

(The restless mind, though it appears unmoving because of confused perception, can be brought under control solely through personal effort and determination)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।

संवेदनविपर्यासरूपिणी धीरिवाचला।

जेतुमाशु मनो राम पौरुषेणैव शक्यते ॥ २१॥

अनुद्वेगः श्रियो मूलमनुद्वेगात्प्रवर्तते।

जन्तोर्मनोजयो येन त्रिलोकीविजयस्तृणम् ॥ २२॥

न शस्त्रदलनोत्पातपाता यस्यां मनागपि।

स्वभावमात्रव्यावृत्तौ तस्यां कैव कदर्थना ॥ २३॥

अपि स्ववेदनाक्रान्तौ न शक्ता ये नराधमाः।

कथं व्यवहरिष्यन्ति व्यवहारदशासु ते ॥ २४॥

पुमान्मृतोऽस्मि जातोऽस्मि जीवामीति कुदृष्टयः।

चेतसो वृत्तयो भान्ति चपलस्यासदुत्थिताः ॥ २५॥

न कश्चनेह म्रियते जायते न च कश्चन।

स्वयं वेत्ति मृतं स्वस्य लोकमन्यं स्वकं मनः ॥ २६॥

इतो याति परं लोकं स्फुरत्यन्यतया मनः।

तत्तस्यैत्येतदामोक्षमतो मृतिभयं कुतः ॥ २७॥

इहलोकेन विचरत्विहलोके परत्र च।

चित्तमामोक्षमास्तेऽस्य रूपमन्यन्न विद्यते ॥ २८॥

मृते भ्रातरि भृत्यादौ क्लेश आक्रियतेऽनृतः।

तत्स्वचित्तं स्वचैतन्यव्यावृत्तात्मेति मे मतिः ॥ २९॥

Sage Vashishta continued:

3.111.21–24

> O Rama, the mind, which appears fixed like the intellect due to reversed perception, can be conquered quickly only through one’s own effort.

> Freedom from agitation is the root of all prosperity; everything proceeds from it. For one who has conquered the mind, victory over the three worlds is as insignificant as a blade of grass.

> In a State where there is not even the slightest cutting by weapons, rising, or falling, and which comes about merely by turning away from one’s natural tendencies, what possible trouble can there be?

> Those lowest of men who cannot even manage themselves when overtaken by their own feelings—how will they ever conduct themselves properly in worldly affairs?

3.111.25–29

> The false notions “I am dead,” “I am born,” and “I am alive” are merely the restless movements of a fickle mind arising from unreality.

> No one dies here, and no one is born. The mind itself imagines its own death and another World as belonging to itself.

> From here the mind goes to another World and appears in a different form. That very arrival is its liberation—so why fear death?

> Let the mind wander with this World, whether here or in the beyond. Until liberation is attained, it has no other form.

> The sorrow felt at the death of a brother, servant, or the like is unreal. In my view, that is only one’s own mind turned away from its Pure Consciousness.

Detailed summary of the teachings:

These verses teach that the restless mind, though it appears unmoving because of confused perception, can be brought under control solely through personal effort and determination. No external force or ritual is required; sincere human striving is enough to master it quickly. Once the mind is conquered, freedom from inner disturbance becomes the true foundation of lasting well-being, and even the greatest worldly or cosmic victories become trivial.

The text emphasises that genuine transformation of one’s nature involves no struggle, conflict, or violence of any kind. When the mind simply turns away from its habitual patterns, all difficulties dissolve. Those who cannot govern their own feelings and reactions remain incapable of handling ordinary life situations effectively, showing that self-mastery is the first and essential skill.

False ideas of birth, death, and continued existence are exposed as mere products of a fluctuating, unreal mind. In truth, no one is born and no one dies. The mind alone invents the experience of dying and of moving to other realms. When the mind shifts to another appearance, that shift itself is liberation; therefore the fear of death has no real basis.

Wherever the mind wanders—whether in this World or another—it remains the same until liberation is reached. Grief over the death of relatives or dependents is likewise unreal, arising only because the mind has turned away from its own pure awareness. The verses repeatedly stress that no other method exists for attaining clear, true knowledge except the calming and subduing of the mind.

Ultimately, the teaching insists that pure, luminous understanding arises in the heart only when the mind is quieted. All other paths and examinations prove incomplete without this Inner Stillness. Mastery of the mind is therefore presented as the single indispensable means to freedom from fear, sorrow, and delusion.

Chapter 3.111, Verses 11–20

Yoga Vashishtha 3.111.11–20

(The work is simply to master one’s own mind, and that this work is both possible and close at hand)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।

स्वायत्तं च सुसाध्यं च स्वचित्ताक्रान्तिमात्रकम्।

शक्नुवन्ति न ये कर्तुं धिक्तान्पुरुषजम्बुकान् ॥ ११॥

स्वपौरुषैकसाध्येन स्वेप्सितत्यागरूपिणा।

मनःप्रशममात्रेण विना नास्ति शुभा गतिः ॥ १२॥

मनोमारणमात्रेण साध्येन स्वात्मसंविदा।

निःसपत्नमनाद्यन्तमनिङ्गनमिहोच्यताम् ॥ १३॥

ईप्सितावेदनाख्यात्तु मनःप्रशमनादृते।

गुरूपदेशशास्त्रार्थमन्त्राद्या युक्तयस्तृणम् ॥ १४॥

सर्वं सर्वगतं शान्तं ब्रह्म संपद्यते तदा।

असंकल्पनशस्त्रेण च्छिन्नं चित्तं गतं यदा ॥ १५॥

स्वसंवेदनसाध्येऽस्मिन्संकल्पानर्थशासने।

शान्तायामत्र वपुषि पुंसः कैव कदर्थना ॥ १६॥

नूनं दैवमनादृत्य मूढसंकल्पकल्पितम्।

पुरुषार्थेन संवित्त्या नय चित्तमचित्तताम् ॥ १७॥

तां महापदवीमेकां कामप्यधिगतं चिरम्।

चित्तं चिद्भक्षितं कृत्वा चित्तादपि परो भव ॥ १८॥

भव भावनया युक्तो युक्तः परमया धिया।

धारयात्मानमव्यग्रो ग्रस्तचित्तं ततः परम् ॥ १९॥

परं पौरुषमाश्रित्य नीत्वा चित्तमचित्तताम्।

तां महापदवीमेहि यत्र नाशो न विद्यते ॥ २०॥

Sage Vasistha said: 

3.111.11–14

> Shame on those jackals among men who cannot do what lies in their own power, is easy to achieve, and is nothing more than mastering their own mind.

> There is no good path except the calming of the mind. That calming is won only by one’s own effort, and it takes the form of giving up what one wants.

> By merely ending the mind — an ending reached through Knowledge of one’s own Self — let that State be known here which has no rival, no beginning, no end, and no restlessness.

> Apart from calming the mind, which means not feeling the things one longs for, a teacher’s instruction, the meaning of scripture, mantras, and other methods are only straw.

3.111.15–20

> When the mind is cut off and gone by the weapon of not forming wishes, then everything becomes the peaceful Brahm that is present everywhere.

> In this checking of the harm caused by mental wishes — a checking reached by one’s own awareness — when the body is quiet here, what real trouble remains for a person?

> Surely set aside fate, which is only imagined by a dull person’s fancies. By human effort and by clear awareness, lead the mind into the state of no-mind.

> Let Consciousness swallow the mind. Reach that one great path sought for so long, and become even beyond the mind.

> Be joined with steady contemplation and with the highest understanding. Hold the Self without agitation, the mind already swallowed, and then go beyond.

> Taking refuge in the highest human effort, and having led the mind into the State of no-mind, enter that great path where destruction does not exist.

Summary of the teaching:

These verses place the whole spiritual task inside a person’s own reach. Vasistha does not ask for rare powers or distant conditions. He says the work is simply to master one’s own mind, and that this work is both possible and close at hand. Those who will not attempt even this are compared to jackals among men: creatures who shrink from a task that is already theirs.

The method is equally plain. The mind is calmed by one’s own effort, and that effort consists in dropping desired objects rather than chasing them. Scripture, a teacher’s words, and mantras are not dismissed as useless in themselves, but they are called straw if they do not produce this quieting. What matters is the ending of the feeling of “I want this.” When longing is no longer felt, the mind loses its fuel.

The mind is treated as something that can be ended, not merely managed. Knowledge of one’s own Self is the means of that ending. The State that then remains has no rival passion, no beginning, no end, and no inner shaking. When the weapon of non-wishing cuts the mind away, what is left is not a blank, but the peaceful Reality present in everything. The body may still be here, yet once mental wishes no longer rule, the person is not truly afflicted.

Fate is set aside as a story made by dull imagination. Vasistha asks the listener to rely on human effort and clear awareness, and to carry the mind into a condition where it no longer functions as mind. Consciousness is said to swallow the mind. The seeker is told to stay joined to contemplation and to the highest understanding, holding the Self steady, and then to pass even beyond that swallowed mind.

The closing note is practical and final. Supreme effort is not opposed to freedom; it is the way into it. By that effort the mind is led to no-mind, and the person enters the great path where nothing is destroyed. The teaching of these verses is therefore one continuous instruction: stop feeding desire, cut off mental wishing by your own awareness, refuse the excuse of fate, and rest in the State that neither begins nor ends.