Yoga Vashishtha 1.27.11–21
(transient nature of worldly life and human striving)
श्रीराम उवाच।
कीर्त्या जगद्दिक्कुहरं प्रतापैः श्रिया गृहं सत्त्वबलेन लक्ष्मीम् ।
ये पूरयन्त्यक्षतधैर्यबन्धा न ते जगत्यां सुलभा महान्तः ॥ ११ ॥
अप्यन्तरस्थं गिरिशैलभित्तेर्वज्रालयाभ्यन्तरसंस्थितं वा ।
सर्वं समायान्ति ससिद्धिवेगाः सर्वाः श्रियः सन्ततमापदश्च ॥ १२ ॥
पुत्राश्च दाराश्च धनं च बुद्ध्या प्रकल्प्यते तात रसायनाभम् ।
सर्वं तु तन्नोपकरोत्यथान्ते यत्रातिरम्या विषमूर्च्छनैव ॥ १३ ॥
विषादयुक्तो विषमामवस्था मुपागतः कायवयोवसाने ।
भावान्स्मरन्स्वानिह धर्मरिक्तान् जन्तुर्जरावानिह दह्यतेऽन्तः ॥ १४ ॥
कामार्थधर्माप्तिकृतान्तराभिः क्रियाभिरादौ दिवसानि नीत्वा ।
चेतश्चलद्बर्हिणपिच्छलोलं विश्रान्तिमागच्छतु केन पुंसः ॥ १५ ॥
पुरोगतैरप्यनवाप्तरूपैस्तरङ्गिणीतु ङ्गतरङ्गकल्पैः ।
क्रियाफलैर्दैववशादुपेतैर्विडम्ब्यते भिन्नरुचिर्हि लोकः ॥ १६ ॥
इमान्यमूनीहि विभावितानि कार्याण्यपर्यन्तमनोरमाणि ।
जनस्य जायाजनरञ्जनेन जवाज्जरान्तं जरयन्ति चेतः ॥ १७ ॥
पर्णानि जीर्णानि यथा तरूणां समेत्य जन्माशु लयं प्रयान्ति ।
तथैव लोकाः स्वविवेकहीनाः समेत्य गच्छन्ति कुतोऽप्यहोभिः ॥ १८ ॥
इतस्ततो दूरतरं विहृत्य प्रविश्य गेहं दिवसावसाने ।
विवेकिलोकाश्रयसाधुकर्म रिक्तेऽह्नि रात्रौ क उपैति निद्राम् ॥ १९ ॥
विद्राविते शत्रुजने समस्ते समागतायामभितश्च लक्ष्म्याम् ।
सेव्यन्त एतानि सुखानि यावत्तावत्समायाति कुतोऽपि मृत्युः ॥ २० ॥
कुतोऽपि संवर्धिततुच्छरूपैर्भावैरमीभिः क्षणनष्टदृष्टैः ।
विलोड्यमाना जनता जगत्यां नवेत्युपायातमहो न पातम् ॥ २१ ॥
Sriram said:
11. "Those great souls, whose unshakable courage fills the world’s quarters with glory, their homes with splendor, and whose character attracts fortune by strength of virtue—such persons are extremely rare in this world."
12. "Whether hidden deep within a mountain or within the most fortified abode, all varieties of fortune, along with calamities, rush in with full force to reach them."
13. "Sons, spouses, wealth—these are secured through intellect and effort, like alchemical processes; yet, in the end, they bring no lasting benefit, being ultimately overpowered by the delightfully disguised poison of attachment."
14. "At life’s end, when the body and age decay, one enters a painful state filled with sorrow, recalling their actions, barren of righteousness, and is internally scorched by regret."
15. "After spending the early days of life chasing pleasures, wealth, and duty, the mind, restless and wandering like a peacock’s feather in the wind, finds no lasting rest."
16. "The fruits of actions, shaped by fate and as uncertain as the waves of a turbulent river, fail to satisfy the varied desires of people, leaving them mocked by destiny."
17. "These appealing endeavors, though charming from beginning to end, are designed to attract spouses and social praise, but in reality they drag the mind swiftly toward old age and decay."
18. "Just as leaves fall from trees after withering, similarly, people lacking discernment depart suddenly from life after gathering briefly, disappearing without trace."
19. "After wandering here and there through the day and returning home at sunset, who among those empty of virtuous deeds and devoid of wise association finds peaceful sleep at night?"
20. "Even when enemies are conquered, and fortune floods from all sides, pleasures are enjoyed only until death, which arrives suddenly from an unknown direction."
21. "Nourished by fleeting, hollow thoughts that seem meaningful but vanish in a moment, people are constantly shaken by delusions—and yet, astonishingly, they do not fall into despair."
Summary of Teachings:
These verses from the Yoga Vāsiṣṭha present a profound reflection on the transient nature of worldly life and human striving. They highlight how true greatness—anchored in steadfast courage, virtue, and inner strength—is extremely rare. While fortune and misfortune are inevitable and come uninvited, the Wise remain unaffected by their swings. The verses begin by praising those who live with unshakable moral character, yet quickly shift to show that even such lives are not immune to the impermanence of material existence.
The text criticizes the common pursuit of relationships, wealth, and success, likening them to alchemical experiments that ultimately fail. At life’s end, the fruits of such pursuits bring no true joy; rather, they often give rise to deep regret and inner suffering. The soul, recalling its dharmically barren actions, is tormented from within. The emotional restlessness of the human mind, symbolized by the fluttering peacock feather, finds no satisfaction in achievements shaped by desire or duty alone.
There is a powerful commentary on the deceptive nature of karmic outcomes. People chase after goals that are, by fate, as unpredictable and unstable as river waves. These pursuits often end in disappointment because they do not accommodate the diverse and conflicting inclinations of individuals. Though our efforts may seem noble or productive, they often serve superficial ends like societal praise or sensual enjoyment, hastening one toward decay and suffering.
The impermanence of human life is illustrated vividly with the analogy of leaves falling from trees. Human gatherings and relationships, devoid of true Self-Awareness and discernment (viveka), dissolve suddenly and without meaning. The day-to-day hustle, void of deeper purpose or introspection, leads to restless nights and spiritual emptiness. Without the guidance of wise souls or commitment to virtuous action, peace eludes the individual.
Finally, the verses deliver a striking insight into human delusion. Though life is shaped by fleeting and ultimately insubstantial desires, people rarely awaken to this Truth. They continue to be agitated by hollow hopes and ephemeral satisfactions. Yet, paradoxically, they do not question or despair, nor do they seek the way out. These verses nudge the reader toward introspection and spiritual discernment, emphasizing the urgency of inner wisdom and the futility of external grasping.
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