Yoga Vashishtha 1.15.12 - 21
(Shriram continues on egoism)
ब्रह्मन्यावदहंकारवारिदः परिजृम्भते ।
तावद्विकासमायाति तृष्णाकुटजमञ्जरी ॥ १२ ॥
अहंकारघने शान्ते तृष्णा नवतडिल्लता ।
शान्तदीपशिखावृत्त्या क्वापि यात्यतिसत्वरम् ॥ १३ ॥
अहंकारमहाविन्ध्ये मनोमत्तमहागजः।
विस्फूर्जति घनास्फोटैः स्तनितैरिव वारिदः ॥ १४ ॥
इह देहमहारण्ये घनाहंकारकेसरी ।
योऽयमुल्लसति स्फारस्तेनेदं जगदाततम् ॥ १५ ॥
तृष्णातन्तुलवप्रोता बहुजन्मपरम्परा ।
अहंकारोग्रखिङ्गेन कण्ठे मुक्तावली कृता ॥ १६ ॥
पुत्रमित्रकलत्रादितन्त्रमन्त्रविवर्जितम् ।
प्रसारितमनेनेह मुनेऽहंकारवैरिणा ॥ १७॥
प्रमार्जितेऽहमित्यस्मिन्पदे स्वयमपि द्रुतम् ।
प्रमार्जिता भवन्त्येते सर्व एव दुराधयः ॥ १८ ॥
अहमित्यम्बुदे शान्ते शनैश्च शमशातिनी ।
मनोगगनसंमोहमिहिका क्वापि गच्छति ॥ १९ ॥
निरहंकारवृत्तेर्मे मौर्ख्याच्छोकेन सीदतः।
यत्किंचिदुचितं ब्रह्मंस्तदाख्यातुमिहार्हसि ॥ २० ॥
सर्वापदां निलयमध्रुवमन्तरस्थमुन्मुक्तमुत्तमगुणेन न संश्रयामि ।
यत्नादहंकृतिपदं परितोऽतिदुःखं शेषेण मां समनुशाधि महानुभाव ॥ २१ ॥
12. Shriram continues: "As long as the cloud of ego expands and swells in the sky of Consciousness, the blossoms of desire — like the jasmine of craving — continue to bloom and open up."
Ego as the Source of Desire and Delusion:
The ego is likened to a swelling storm cloud that gives rise to the blooming of desires. As long as the ego exists, craving (tṛṣṇā) continues to flourish.
13. "When the dense cloud of ego subsides into Stillness, the lightning flash of desire too vanishes swiftly, like the extinguishing flame of a peaceful lamp."
Silencing the Ego Ends Suffering:
Once ego settles into Stillness, desire dissolves quickly, like lightning vanishing when clouds disperse. Peace returns, and illusion fades.
14. "In the great mountain range of ego, the wild elephant of the agitated mind roars forth loudly, like thunderclaps from storm clouds."
The Mind's Turmoil is Ego-Fueled:
The mind, compared to a mad elephant, becomes restless and loud within the massive mountain of ego. This metaphor illustrates how unchecked ego amplifies mental agitation.
15. "In this vast forest of the body, the lion of dense ego proudly roams, and by its massive presence, this entire world-illusion is projected and sustained."
The Body as a Jungle of Illusion:
The human body is portrayed as a vast forest where the lion of ego roars — creating and maintaining the illusory world (jagat). This suggests the illusion (māyā) we live in is rooted in ego.
16. "Threaded through with the fiber of craving and spun from countless past births, the garland of "I"-ness becomes a noose, strung tightly around the neck by the sharp sword of ego."
Ego as a Multi-Lifetime Bondage:
The thread of craving, spun over many births, strings together the beads of ego, forming a noose around the Self. It's a powerful metaphor for bondage built through karmic continuity.
17. "Without the protection of any spell or safeguard, this enemy called ego spreads its web here, O Sage, encompassing son, friend, spouse, and all else."
Ego’s Web Encompasses All Relations:
Ego, without resistance, spreads its net over personal relationships like children, friends, and spouses — showing how ego infiltrates and entangles the psyche through attachments.
18. "When the idea “I am this” is completely cleansed away, then all these formidable afflictions vanish swiftly and entirely on their own."
Liberation Requires Dissolving the “I” Idea:
The total removal of the notion “I am” leads to the spontaneous dissolution of all afflictions and impurities.
19. "As the ocean of "I"-sense becomes calm, the mist of delusion that obscures the sky of the mind gradually disappears through the rays of tranquility."
Calmness Dispels Mental Illusion:
As ego subsides, tranquility arises, and with it, the mist of delusion covering the inner sky disappears — revealing the clarity of True Awareness.
20. "O Brahman, I am sinking into dullness and sorrow because I have not yet established the state free of ego. Please instruct me in whatever is appropriate for my liberation."
The Seeker’s Humble Plea for Guidance:
The speaker, feeling helpless due to ignorance and sorrow, earnestly requests Divine instruction to transcend ego and reach the State of Truth.
21. "I do not seek refuge in anything impermanent, hidden within, tainted, or uncertain — even if it appears to possess noble qualities. O Great One, instruct me completely through all means, for the ego-centered state is utterly painful."
Renunciation of the Impermanent:
The seeker declares no desire for anything impermanent or contaminated with ego — no matter how attractive. Instead, they yearn for pure, ego-free wisdom and beg for comprehensive instruction from the sage.
Summary of Teachings:
These verses are a profound poetic exploration of the destructive role of ego (ahaṅkāra) and the inner transformation needed for Realization.
Overall Message:
This passage from the Yoga Vāsiṣṭha reflects deep non-dual (Advaita) wisdom. It teaches that ego is the root of suffering, craving, delusion, and bondage. The path to freedom lies in dissolving the “I”-sense, calming the mind, and detaching from desires born of identification with the body and relationships. The sincere seeker must abandon impermanence and seek guidance to attain the Peace and Realization found in egoless Awareness.
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