Chapter 1.7, Verses 2~24

Yoga Vashishtha 1.7.2~24

(Request of Maharishi Vishwamitra) 

विश्वामित्र उवाच ।

सदृशं राजशार्दूल तवैवैतन्महीतले ।

महावंशप्रसूतस्य वसिष्ठवशवर्तिनः ॥ २ ॥

यत्तु मे हृद्गतं वाक्यं तस्य कार्यविनिर्णयम् ।

कुरु त्वं राजशार्दूल धर्मं समनुपालय ॥ ३ ॥

अहं धर्मं समातिष्ठे सिद्धयर्थं पुरुषर्षभ ।

तस्य विघ्नकरा घोरा राक्षसा मम संस्थिताः ॥ ४ ॥

यदा यदा तु यज्ञेन यजेऽहं विबुधव्रजान् ।

तदा तदा तु मे यज्ञं विनिघ्नन्ति निशाचराः ॥ ५ ॥

बहुशो विहिते तस्मिन्मया राक्षसनायकाः ।

अकिरंस्ते महीं यागे मांसेन रुधिरेण च ॥ ६ ॥

अवधूते तथाभूते तस्मिन्यागकदम्बके।

कृतश्रमो निरुत्साहस्तस्माद्देशादुपागतः ॥ ७ ॥

त्रातुमर्हसि मामार्तं शरणार्थिनमागतम् ।

अर्थिनां यन्निराशत्वं सत्तमेऽभिभवो हि सः ॥ १० ॥

तवास्ति तनयः श्रीमान्दृप्तशार्दूलविक्रमः ।

महेन्द्रसदृशो वीर्ये रामो रक्षोविदारणः ॥ ११ ॥

तं पुत्रं राजशार्दूल रामं सत्यपराक्रमम्।

काकपक्षधरं शूरं ज्येष्ठं मे दातुमर्हसि ॥ १२ ॥

शक्तो ह्येष मया गुप्तो दिव्येन स्वेन तेजसा ।

राक्षसा येऽपकर्तारस्तेषां मूर्धविनिग्रहे ॥ १३ ॥

श्रेयश्चास्य करिष्यामि बहुरूपमनन्तकम् ।

त्रयाणामपि लोकानां येन पूज्यो भविष्यति ॥ १४ ॥

न च ते राममासाद्य स्थातुं शक्ता निशाचराः ।

क्रुद्धं केसरिणं दृष्ट्वा वनेरण इवैणकाः ॥ १५ ॥

तेषां न चान्यः काकुत्स्थाद्योद्धुमुत्सहते पुमान् ।

ऋते केसरिणः क्रुद्धान्मत्तानां करिणामिव ॥ १६ ॥

हन्त नूनं विजानामि हतांस्तान्विद्धिराक्षसान् ।

नह्यस्मदादयः प्राज्ञाः संदिग्धे संप्रवृत्तयः ॥ २० ॥

अहं वेद्मि महात्मानं रामं राजीवलोचनम् ।

वसिष्ठश्च महातेजा ये चान्ये दीर्घदर्शिनः ॥ २१ ॥

अत्राप्यनुज्ञां काकुत्स्थ ददतां तव मन्त्रिणः ।

वसिष्ठप्रमुखाः सर्वे तेन रामं विसर्जय ॥ २४ ॥

2. Vishwamitra said: "It is most fitting, O tiger among kings, that you have spoken in such a way upon this earth. You belong to a noble lineage and are one who abides by the guidance of the great sage Vasishta."

3."However, I have something in my heart that requires a decisive resolution. O royal tiger, uphold righteousness with utmost diligence."

4."I am one who abides by dharma in pursuit of spiritual perfection. Yet, I am constantly obstructed by terrible demons who stand in my way."

5."Whenever I perform yajnas (sacrificial rites) to worship the divine beings, these nocturnal creatures (rakshasas) disrupt my rituals."

6."Numerous times, I have undertaken such sacrifices, but the leaders of these demons have defiled the sacred ground with flesh and blood."

7."Due to such repeated desecration, the sacred place of sacrifice has become polluted, and I, exhausted and disheartened, have left that place."

10."O King, you must protect me, for I have come to you in distress seeking refuge. To abandon those who seek protection is the greatest misfortune for the righteous."

11."You have a son who is magnificent, as powerful as a tiger, and whose valor is comparable to that of Indra himself. That son is Rama, the destroyer of demons."

12."O royal tiger, I ask you to entrust your son Rama, the one with unwavering valor, the courageous warrior, and your eldest, to me."

13."Under my protection and by the power of my divine energy, he will be capable of subduing these demons who obstruct my sacred rites."

14."I shall bestow upon him boundless blessings, ensuring that he gains immense glory. Through this, he shall be venerated across all three worlds."

15."The night-walking demons will not dare to face Rama. Seeing him in battle will be like deer encountering an enraged lion in the forest."

16."No warrior, apart from Rama, has the strength to combat these fiends—just as no elephant, however powerful, dares to face a raging lion."

20."I already foresee the destruction of these demons, for wise men like us do not hesitate once a righteous course of action is determined."

21."I know the greatness of Rama, the lotus-eyed prince. The great sage Vasishta knows it too, as do all the far-sighted sages."

24."Here, all your ministers, led by the venerable Vasishta, grant their approval. Therefore, release Rama for this noble task."

Summary of Teachings from These Verses:

1. The Role of Dharma (Righteousness): 

Vishwamitra emphasizes the importance of upholding dharma, even in the face of obstacles. He appeals to King Dasharatha to act in accordance with righteousness by assisting a sage in distress.

2. The Significance of Refuge and Duty: 

The idea that one must protect those who seek shelter is central to dharma. Vishwamitra reminds Dasharatha that denying protection to someone in need is a great failing for a righteous ruler.

3. The Glory of Rama:

 Vishwamitra recognizes Rama’s divine potential and heroic qualities. He foresees his greatness and the blessings he will receive, ensuring that he becomes venerated across all realms.

4. Facing Adversity with Strength: 

Rama is compared to a lion, a symbol of strength and courage. This highlights the idea that true warriors must confront challenges without fear, just as a lion dominates the jungle.

5. Divine Providence and Destiny: 

Vishwamitra declares his confidence in Rama’s victory, indicating that wise beings act without doubt when righteousness is clear. This underscores the concept of divine will and the role of destiny in human affairs.

6. Collective Decision-Making:

 The consent of sages and ministers shows that important decisions should be made with wisdom and collective consultation. This aligns with the Vedic principle of governance based on counsel and dharma.

Overall, these verses serve as an inspiration for upholding righteousness, courage, and duty in the face of adversity, while also highlighting the divine destiny of great souls like Rama.