Yoga Vashishtha 1.33.28–35
(Rarity and value of True Wisdom)
श्रीवाल्मीकिरुवाच ।
वसिष्ठविश्वामित्राभ्यां सह ते नारदादयः ।
इदमूचुरनूचाना राममानमिताननम् ॥ २८ ॥
अहो बत कुमारेण कल्याणगुणशालिनी।
वागुक्ता परमोदारा वैराग्यरसगर्भिणी ॥ २९ ॥
परिनिष्ठितवक्तव्यं सबोधमुचितं स्फुटम् ।
उदारं प्रियमार्यार्हमविह्नलमपि स्फुटम् ॥ ३० ॥
अभिव्यक्तपदं स्पष्टमिष्टं स्पष्टं च तुष्टिमत् ।
करोति राघवप्रोक्तं वचः कस्य न विस्मयम् ॥ ३१ ॥
शतादेकतमस्यैव सर्वोदारचमत्कृतिः।
ईप्सितार्थार्पणैकान्तदक्षा भवति भारती ॥ ३२ ॥
कुमार त्वां विना कस्य विवेकफलशालिनी ।
परं विकासमायाति प्रज्ञाशरलतातता ॥ ३३ ॥
प्रज्ञादीपशिखा यस्य रामस्येव हृदि स्थिता ।
प्रज्वलत्यसमालोककारिणी स पुमान्स्मृतः ॥ ३४ ॥
रक्तमांसास्थियन्त्राणि बहून्यतितराणि च ।
पदार्थानभिकर्षन्ति नास्ति तेषु सचेतनः ॥ ३५ ॥
Maharishi Valmiki said:
28. Along with Vasishtha and Vishvamitra, Narada and others spoke thus to Rama, whose face was serene and free from pride.
29. Oh, how wonderful! The prince has spoken words filled with auspicious qualities, profoundly noble, and pregnant with the essence of dispassion.
30. His words are perfectly expressed, full of wisdom, appropriate, clear, noble, pleasing, worthy of the honorable, and unmistakably lucid.
31. The speech delivered by Rama, clear in its terms, precise, pleasing, and satisfying, causes astonishment in whomsoever hears it.
32. Even one among a hundred possesses such eloquence, wondrous and noble, capable of fulfilling desired meanings with utmost skill.
33. O Prince, apart from you, whose intellect, bearing the fruit of discernment, reaches such supreme blossoming like a creeper of Wisdom?
34. The one in whose heart, like Rama’s, the Flame of Wisdom burns brightly, illuminating without equal, is remembered as a true person.
35. Many are the machines of flesh, blood, and bones, and numerous other objects that attract attention, but none among them are truly conscious.
Summary of Teachings:
The verses from Yoga Vasishta (1.33.28–35) capture a moment of profound admiration for Rama’s Wisdom and eloquence, as expressed by Valmiki, Vasishtha, Vishvamitra, Narada, and other Sages. They praise Rama’s speech as not only articulate and clear but also imbued with noble qualities and the essence of vairagya
(dispassion). This reflects the text’s emphasis on the power of speech to convey deep Spiritual Truths when guided by Wisdom. Rama’s words are celebrated for their clarity, appropriateness, and ability to inspire awe, highlighting the ideal of communication as a vehicle for Truth and Enlightenment.
The teachings underscore the rarity and value of True Wisdom. Rama’s discourse is described as exceptional, a quality possessed by only a select few, capable of fulfilling profound meanings with precision. This suggests that genuine insight, marked by discernment and clarity, is a distinguishing trait of an enlightened individual. The sages’ praise elevates Rama as an exemplar of intellectual and spiritual maturity, whose words resonate with universal truth and captivate listeners.
The metaphor of Wisdom as a blossoming creeper in verse 33 illustrates the organic growth and expansiveness of enlightened understanding.
Rama’s intellect is portrayed as fruitful and flourishing, setting him apart as a rare individual whose discernment has reached its fullest expression. This imagery emphasizes the Yoga Vasishta’s teaching that true knowledge is not static but dynamically unfolds, leading to spiritual liberation.
Verse 34 introduces the concept of the “Flame of Wisdom” in Rama’s heart, which burns brightly and illuminates without parallel. This flame symbolizes the Inner Light of Consciousness that defines a true human Being (puman). The verse suggests that authentic personhood is not merely physical existence but is characterized by the presence of awakened awareness, aligning with the text’s broader philosophy that consciousness is the Essence of Reality.
Finally, verse 35 contrasts the lifeless nature of material forms—bodies made of flesh, blood, and bones—with the conscious essence of a True Being. While physical objects and bodies may attract attention, they lack True Awareness. This teaching reinforces the Yoga Vasishta’s core principle of distinguishing between the transient, material world and the Eternal, conscious Self. Collectively, these verses celebrate Rama’s embodiment of wisdom and dispassion, presenting him as a model for spiritual aspirants seeking to transcend the illusion of materiality through the light of True Knowledge.
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