Yoga Vashishta 1.2.1–7
(Eligibility criteria for seekers of Realization)
दिवि भूमौ तथाकाशे बहिरन्तश्च मे विभुः ।
यो विभात्यवभासात्मा तस्मै सर्वात्मने नमः ॥ १ ॥
वाल्मीकिरुवाच ।
अहं बद्धो विमुक्तः स्यामिति यस्यास्ति निश्चयः ।
नात्यन्तमज्ञो नोत ज्ञः सोऽस्मिञ्छास्त्रेऽधिकारवान् ॥ २ ॥
कथोपायान्विचार्यादौ मोक्षोपायानिमानथ ।
यो विचारयति प्राज्ञो न स भूयोऽभिजायते ॥ ३ ॥
अस्मिन्रामायणे रामकथोपायान्महाबलान् ।
एतांस्तु प्रथमं कृत्वा पुराहमरिमर्दन ॥ ४ ॥
शिष्यायास्मि विनीताय भरद्वाजाय धीमते ।
एकाग्रो दत्तवांस्तस्मै मणिमब्धिरिवार्थिने ॥ ५ ॥
तत एते कथोपाया भरद्वाजेन धीमता।
कस्मिंश्चिन्मेरुगहने ब्रह्मणोऽग्र उदाहृताः ॥ ६ ॥
अथास्य तुष्टो भगवान्ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः ।
वरं पुत्र गृहाणेति तमुवाच महाशयः ॥ ७ ॥
1. "In the heavens, on the earth, in the sky, both inside and outside of me, pervades the all-pervasive Essence of Light. Salutations to that Supreme Self, which shines as the Illuminator of all."
2. Valmiki said: "One who has the firm conviction — ‘I am bound, and I seek Realization’ —Such a person, neither completely ignorant nor a complete Knower, is eligible for this scripture."
3. "A wise person, after carefully analyzing the means of Realization in the beginning, who then contemplates these paths, does not take birth again."
4. "In this Ramayana, the powerful paths related to Rama’s Wisdom were first established, by me, long ago, O destroyer of enemies!"
5. "To my humble and intelligent disciple Bharadwaja, I gave this Knowledge with one-pointed focus, just as the ocean gives a jewel to a seeker."
6. "Then, these paths of wisdom were spoken by the intelligent Bharadwaja, at the peak of Meru mountain, as proclaimed by Brahma himself."
7. "Then, pleased with him, the blessed Brahma, the grandsire of the worlds, spoke to him and said, ‘O son, receive a boon.’"
These verses from Yoga Vashishta (1.2.1–7) set the stage for the discourse by invoking the all-pervasive Supreme Self and introducing the eligibility criteria for seekers of Realization. Valmiki explains that only those with a balanced level of knowledge — neither entirely ignorant nor fully enlightened — are fit to study this scripture. The importance of contemplating the means to Realization is emphasized, ensuring that True Wisdom prevents rebirth. Valmiki narrates how he originally composed these teachings and passed them to his disciple, Bharadwaja, with deep focus, likening it to the ocean granting a jewel to a seeker. These teachings were then further elaborated upon in a sacred location on Mount Meru, as revealed by Brahma himself. Finally, Brahma, pleased with Bharadwaja’s devotion, offers him a boon, signifying Divine approval of the Wisdom being transmitted.
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