Chapter 1.17, Verses 6–16

Yoga Vashishtha 1.17.6–16

(Desires) 

श्रीराम उवाच।

उद्दामकल्लोलरवा देहाद्रौ वहतीह मे।

तरङ्गतरलाकारा तरत्तृष्णातरङ्गिणी ॥ ६ ॥

वेगं सरोद्धुमुदितो वात्ययेव जरत्तृणम्।

नीतः कलुषया क्वापि तृष्णया चित्तचातकः ॥ ७ ॥

यां यामहमतीवास्थां संश्रयामि गुणश्रियाम् ।

तां तां कृन्तति मे तृष्णा तन्त्रीमिव कुमूषिका ॥ ८ ॥

पयसीव जरत्पर्णं वायाविव जरत्तृणम् ।

नभसीव शरन्मेघश्चिन्ताचक्रे भ्रमाम्यहम् ॥ ९ ॥

गन्तुमास्पदमात्मीयमसमर्थधियो वयम्।

चिन्ताजाले विमुह्यामो जाले शकुनयो यथा ॥ १० ॥

तृष्णाभिधानया तात दग्धोऽस्मि ज्वालया तथा ।

यथा दाहोपशमनमाशंके नामृतैरपि ॥ ११ ॥

दूरं दूरमितो गत्वा समेत्य च पुनःपुनः।

भ्रमत्याशु दिगन्तेषु तृष्णोन्मत्ता तुरङ्गमी ॥ १२ ॥

जडसंसर्गिणी तृष्णा कृतोर्ध्वाधोगमागमा ।

क्षुब्धा ग्रन्थिमती नित्यमारघट्टाग्ररज्जुवत् ॥ १३ ॥

अन्तर्ग्रथितया देहे सर्वदुश्छेदयाऽनया।

रज्ज्वेवाशु बलीवर्दस्तृष्णया वाह्यते जनः ॥ १४ ॥

पुत्रमित्रकलत्रादितृष्णया नित्यकृष्टया ।

खगेष्विव किरात्येदं जालं लोकेषु रच्यते ॥ १५ ॥

भीषयत्यपि धीरं मामन्धयत्यपि सेक्षणम्।

खेदयत्यपि सानन्दं तृष्णाकृष्णेव शर्वरी ॥ १६ ॥

ShriRam said:

Verse 1.17.6 "A tempestuous, roaring river—this body—carries me along, with the waves of restless desires forming its ever-changing surface."

Verse 1.17.7 "Like an old dry leaf swept away by a storm, the parched bird of my mind is driven forcefully by the impure wind of craving."

Desire is turbulent and overwhelming: 

It is likened to a flood, storm, or tempest that drags the individual without stability or rest. The metaphors show how uncontrollable and consuming desire can become. (Verses 6,7)

Verse 1.17.8 "Whatever noble virtue or excellence I try to take refuge in, desire cuts it down mercilessly, like a rat gnawing the strings of a lute."

Desire destroys virtue and wisdom: 

Even when one turns towards noble values, desire undermines them silently and persistently. (Verse 8)

Verse 1.17.9 "Like an old leaf drifting in water, like dry grass caught in wind, like autumn clouds scattered in the sky, my mind spins in the cyclone of anxiety."

The mind caught in desire becomes unstable: 

Like leaves, clouds, or dry grass, it is easily moved by external forces—never grounded. (Verse 9)

Verse 1.17.10 "Incapable of settling into anything truly my own, I remain confused in the net of thoughts, like birds trapped in a snare."

Lack of inner anchoring: 

Desire prevents the mind from resting in its own Nature, leaving it vulnerable and confused, caught in endless cycles of thought. (Verse 10)

Verse 1.17.11 "O Father, I am scorched by the blazing fire of craving. I long for relief from this burning, even if it means turning away from sweet nectar."

Desire brings inner suffering: 

Compared to a fire that burns from within, it creates discontent that no external satisfaction can extinguish. (Verse 11)

Verse 1.17.12 "Like a crazed horse, desire runs wild—racing far and fast, turning back again, endlessly circling the horizons in every direction."

Insatiability and restlessness: 

Like a mad horse or net-ensnaring birds, desire continually leads one from one object to the next without peace. (Verse 12)

Verse 1.17.13 "Desire, dwelling among dull minds, moves erratically up and down. Always agitated, it’s like a twisted, knotted rope perpetually being pulled taut."

Verse 1.17.14 "Woven deep within the body, impossible to sever, desire binds humanity like a powerful ox tied with rope, dragging it as it pleases."

It binds the soul to materiality: 

Deeply embedded in the very structure of the body and psyche, desire is likened to a rope controlling an ox—inescapable without wisdom (Verses 13–14).

Verse 1.17.15 "Tugged constantly by desire for children, friends, spouses, and more, this web of craving is spun across the world—like a net laid to trap birds."

Verse 1.17.16 "Desire terrifies even the wise, blinds the seeing, and troubles the joyful—like a dark night of delusion overwhelming the soul."

Universal affliction: 

Desire spares none. It terrifies the brave, blinds the wise, and exhausts the joyous—acting like the dark night that consumes all clarity. (Verse 16)

Summary of Teachings:

These verses are spoken by Śrī Rāma and form part of his profound introspection into the nature of desire (tṛṣṇā). The poetic imagery used across the verses reflects both the intensity and the destructiveness of unregulated desire on the human mind and soul.

Philosophical Essence:

The passage builds a powerful case for the renunciation of craving as a prerequisite for Realization. It reveals that bondage arises not from the world itself, but from one’s insatiable craving for it. The verses do not condemn life or its relationships but spotlight the inner compulsions that distort and enslave the mind. Through Rāma’s voice, Yoga Vāsiṣṭha articulates the disillusionment necessary for the seeker to embark on a deeper spiritual inquiry—leading ultimately to viveka (discernment) and vairāgya (detachment).