Yoga Vashishtha 1.1.52–60
(The curse on Lord Vishnu)
वाल्मीकिरुवाच ।
श्रृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि रामायणमखण्डितम् ।
श्रुत्वावधार्य यत्नेन जीवन्मुक्तो भविष्यसि ॥ ५२ ॥
वसिष्ठरामसंवादं मोक्षोपायकथां शुभाम ।
ज्ञातस्वभावो राजेन्द्र वदामि श्रूयतां बुध ॥ ५३ ॥
राजोवाच ।
को रामः कीदृशः कस्य बद्धो वा मुक्त एव वा ।
एतन्मे निश्चितं ब्रूहि ज्ञानं तत्त्वविदां वर ॥ ५४ ॥
वाल्मीकिरुवाच ।
शापव्याजवशादेव राजवेषधरो हरिः।
आहृताज्ञानसंपन्नः किंचिज्ज्ञोऽसौ भवत्प्रभुः ॥ ५५ ॥
Valmiki said: "O King, listen attentively as I narrate the unbroken Ramayana (the story of Rama). By hearing and carefully contemplating it, you shall attain Jivanmukti (liberation while living). (1.1.52)"
"The dialogue between Vasishta and Rama contains the auspicious discourse on the means of liberation (moksha).
O King of rulers, having realized its true nature, I shall now speak - listen carefully, O Wise One.(1.1.53)"
The King asked:"Who is Rama? What is his nature? To whom does he belong? Is he bound or already liberated? O best among the knowers of Truth, please tell me with certainty this Knowledge of the Absolute. (1.1.54)"
Valmiki replied: "By the pretext of a curse (shāpa), Hari (Vishnu) himself has assumed the form of a king (Rama). Though appearing with acquired ignorance (ajñāna), he is actually the Supreme Lord, possessing only partial (worldly) knowledge. (1.1.55)"
These verses introduce the essence of the Yoga Vashishta, where Sage Valmiki prepares an enquirer for the profound dialogue between Rama and Vasishta, which aims to reveal the path to Self-Realization.
राजोवाच ।
चिदानन्दस्वरूपे हि रामे चैतन्यविग्रहे।
शापस्य कारणं ब्रूहि कः शप्ता चेति मे वद ॥ ५६ ॥
वाल्मीकिरुवाच ।
सनत्कुमारो निष्काम अवसद्ब्रह्मसद्मनि ।
वैकुण्ठादागतो विष्णुस्त्रैलोक्याधिपतिः प्रभुः ॥ ५७॥
ब्रह्मणा पूजितस्तत्र सल्यलोकनिवासिभिः ।
विना कुमारं तं दृष्ट्रा ह्युवाच प्रभुरीश्वरः ॥ ५८ ॥
सनत्कुमार स्तब्धोऽसि निष्कामो गर्वचेष्टया ।
अतस्त्वं भव कामार्तः शरजन्मेति नामतः ॥ ५९ ॥
तेनापि शापितो विष्णुः सर्वज्ञत्वं तवास्ति यत् ।
किंचित्कालं हि तत्त्यक्त्वा त्वमज्ञानी भविष्यसि ॥ ६० ॥
The King asked: "If Rama is of the Nature of Pure Consciousness and Bliss, if he is the embodiment of Supreme Awareness, then what was the reason for his curse? Who cursed him? Please tell me. (1.1.56)"
Valmiki replied: "Sanatkumara, who was free from desires, resided in the abode of Brahman. At that time, Vishnu, the Lord of the three worlds, came from Vaikuntha. (1.1.57)"
"Brahma and the Divine beings residing in higher realms worshipped Vishnu, but when Vishnu did not see Sanatkumara there, the Supreme Lord (Ishvara) spoke thus. (1.1.58)"
"‘Sanatkumara, you remain unmoving, detached and dispassionate, but with an air of pride. Therefore, you shall be born as one afflicted by desire,
And be known by the name Sharajanma.’ (1.1.59)"
"In return, Sanatkumara also cursed Vishnu, saying: ‘Though you are omniscient, for a brief period, you shall abandon that omniscience and experience ignorance.’ (1.1.60)"
These verses narrate the mutual curses exchanged between
Sanatkumara and Vishnu, explaining why Vishnu
(as Rama) assumes a human form with partial ignorance.
This passage highlights the philosophical interplay of Divine play (Lila), karma, and the concept of Divine incarnation in the Yoga Vashishta.
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