Yoga Vashishtha 1.3.9–16
(True Knowledge)
वाल्मीकि उवाच।
क्षीणायां वासनायां तु चेतो गलति सत्वरम् ।
क्षीणायां शीतसंतत्यां ब्रह्मन्हिमकणो यथा ॥ ९ ॥
अयं वासनया देहो ध्रियते भूतपञ्जरः।
तनुनान्तर्निविष्टेन मुक्तौघस्तन्तुना यथा ॥ १० ॥
वासना द्विविधा प्रोक्ता शुद्धा च मलिना तथा ।
मलिना जन्मनो हेतुः शुद्धा जन्मविनाशिनी ॥ ११ ॥
अज्ञानसुघनाकारा घनाहंकारशालिनी ।
पुनर्जन्मकरी प्रोक्ता मलिना वासना बुधैः ॥ १२ ॥
पुनर्जन्माङ्कुरं त्यक्त्वा स्थिता संभृष्टबीजवत् ।
देहार्थं ध्रियते ज्ञातज्ञेया शुद्धेति चोच्यते ॥ १३ ॥
अपुनर्जन्मकरणी जीवन्मुक्तेषु देहिषु।
वासना विद्यते शुद्धा देहे चक्र इव भ्रमः ॥ १४ ॥
ये शुद्धवासना भूयो न जन्मानर्थभाजनम्।
ज्ञातज्ञेयास्त उच्यन्ते जीवन्मुक्ता महाधियः ॥ १५ ॥
जीवन्मुक्तिपदं प्राप्तो यथा रामो महामतिः ।
तत्तेऽहं शृणु वक्ष्याभि जरामरणशान्तये ॥ १६ ॥
9. Sage Valmiki said: "When mental impressions (vāsanās) are weakened, the mind quickly dissolves, just as a drop of dew vanishes when exposed to the warmth of the sun."
10. "This body, a cage of elements, is sustained by mental impressions, just as a delicate fiber holds together a bundle of threads."
11. "Mental impressions are said to be of two kinds: Pure and impure. The impure ones lead to rebirth, while the Pure ones bring about Realization."
12. "The impure impressions are dense, steeped in ignorance, and deeply rooted in egoism. The wise describe them as the cause of repeated births."
13. "Those who have abandoned the seed of rebirth, like a well-cleansed seed that no longer sprouts, retain only those impressions necessary for bodily existence, which are called Pure."
14. "In Realized Beings who still possess a body, there remain only Pure impressions that do not cause rebirth, much like the illusion of movement in a spinning wheel."
15. "Those whose impressions are completely purified never become subject to birth and suffering again. Such enlightened beings, who have Realized both the Knower and the Known, are called jīvanmuktas (Realized while alive)."
16. "Listen as I explain how the great-minded Rāma attained the state of jīvanmukti (Realization while alive), which removes the afflictions of old age and death."
These verses from the Yoga Vashishta focus on the role of mental impressions (vāsanās) in the cycle of birth and death. The text explains that the mind dissolves when impressions are eradicated, leading to Realization. It uses metaphors such as dew evaporating under the sun and a thread holding a bundle together to illustrate the fragile yet binding nature of vāsanās.
The text categorizes vāsanās into two types: impure (malinā) and pure (śuddhā). Impure impressions, rooted in ignorance and ego, cause rebirth, while Pure impressions eliminate the cycle of birth and death. A person who has removed all impressions except those necessary for bodily sustenance is considered Realized while alive (jīvanmukta). The analogy of a purified seed that no longer sprouts signifies the irreversible state of enlightenment.
Even in a Realized Being, residual vāsanās persist but do not create bondage. These residual impressions are likened to the illusion of movement in a spinning wheel — present but without real consequence. The Highest State is reached when all impressions are purified, ensuring freedom from rebirth.
Finally, the text introduces the example of Rāma as an ideal jīvanmukta, whose Realization freed him from the suffering of aging and death. The upcoming teachings aim to explain this profound State of Realization.
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