Yoga Vashishtha 2.1.13–25
(Importance of seeking True Wisdom from an enlightened Teacher)
विश्वामित्र उवाच ।
एकदा सोऽमलप्रज्ञो मेरावेकान्तसुस्थितम् ।
पप्रच्छ पितरं भक्त्या कृष्णद्वैपायनं मुनिम् ॥ १३ ॥
संसाराडम्बरमिदं कथमभ्युत्थितं मुने।
कथं च प्रशमं याति कियत्कस्य कदेति वा ॥ १४ ॥
इति पृष्टेन मुनिना व्यासेनाखिलमात्मजे।
यथावदमलं प्रोक्तं वक्तव्यं विदितात्मना ॥ १५ ॥
आऽज्ञासिषं पूर्वमेतदहमित्यथ तत्पितुः ।
स शुकः शुभया बुद्ध्या न वाक्यं बह्वमन्यत ॥ १६ ॥
व्यासोऽपि भगवान्बुद्धवा पुत्राभिप्रायमीदृशम् ।
प्रत्युवाच पुनः पुत्रं नाहं जानामि तत्त्वतः ॥ १७ ॥
जनको नाम भूपालो विद्यते वसुधातले ।
यथावद्वेत्त्यसौ वेद्यं तस्मात्सर्वमवाप्स्यसि ॥ १८ ॥
पित्रेत्युक्ते शुकः प्रायात्सुमेरोर्वसुधातले।
विदेहनगरीं प्राप जनकेनाभिपालिताम् ॥ १९ ॥
आवेदितोऽसौ याष्टीकैर्जनकाय महात्मने ।
द्वारि व्याससुतो राजञ्शुकोऽत्र स्थितवानिति ॥ २० ॥
जिज्ञासार्थं शुकस्यासावास्तामेवेत्यवज्ञया ।
उक्त्वा बभूव जनकस्तूष्णीं सप्त दिनान्यथ ॥ २१ ॥
ततः प्रवेशयामास जनकः शुकमङ्गणम्।
तत्राहानि स सप्तैव तथैवावसदुन्मनाः ॥ २२ ॥
अथ प्रवेशयामास जनकोऽन्तःपुरं शुकम्।
राजा न दृश्यते तावदिति सप्त दिनानि च ॥ २३ ॥
तत्रोन्मदाभिः कान्ताभिर्भोजनैर्भोगसंचयैः।
जनको लालयामास शुकं शशिसमाननम् ॥ २४ ॥
ते भोगास्तानि दुःखानि व्यासपुत्रस्य तन्मनः ।
नाजह्नुर्मन्दपवना बद्धपीठमिवाचलम् ॥ २५ ॥
Maharishi Vishvamitra said:
2.1.13: Once, the pure-minded Shuka, in a secluded spot on Mount Meru, reverently questioned his father, the Sage Krishna Dvaipayana (Vyasa).
2.1.14: “O Sage, how did this spectacle of the world arise? How does it come to rest? In what way, by whom, and when?”
2.1.15: Questioned thus, the Sage Vyasa, knowing all, explained to his son clearly and completely what was to be Known.
2.1.16: Shuka, with his Pure intellect, did not fully accept his father’s words, thinking, “I had already understood this before.”
2.1.17: Vyasa, the blessed one, perceiving his son’s attitude, replied again, “I do not know the Truth fully.
2.1.18: There is a king named Janaka on this earth who truly knows what is to be Known. From him, you will learn everything.”
2.1.19: Upon his father’s words, Shuka descended from Mount Meru to the earth and reached the city of Videha, ruled by Janaka.
2.1.20: The gatekeepers informed the great-souled Janaka, “O king, Shuka, the son of Vyasa, stands at the gate.”
2.1.21: To test Shuka’s intent, Janaka, with indifference, said, “Let him stay there,” and remained silent for seven days.
2.1.22: Thereafter, Janaka allowed Shuka to enter the courtyard, where he stayed, composed, for another seven days.
2.1.23: Then Janaka brought Shuka into the inner palace, but the king did not appear before him for yet another seven days.
2.1.24: There, Janaka indulged Shuka, whose face shone like the moon, with enchanting women, food, and abundant pleasures.
2.1.25: Yet, those pleasures and pains did not sway the mind of Vyasa’s son, which remained steady like a mountain unshaken by gentle breeze.
Summary of the Teachings
The verses from Yoga Vasishta 2.1.13 to 2.1.25 narrate the beginning of Shuka’s quest for profound Spiritual Knowledge, emphasizing the importance of seeking True Wisdom from an enlightened Teacher. Shuka, despite being the son of the revered sage Vyasa, approaches his father with questions about the origin and dissolution of the world, indicating his deep curiosity about the nature of existence. Vyasa’s response, though comprehensive, does not fully satisfy Shuka, who senses that his understanding requires further refinement. This highlights the teaching that intellectual knowledge alone may not suffice for Ultimate Realization, and one must seek guidance from those who have directly experienced the Truth.
Vyasa’s humility in admitting the limits of his own understanding and directing Shuka to King Janaka underscores the value of intellectual humility and the recognition that Wisdom can reside in others, regardless of their worldly status. Janaka, a king known for his spiritual insight, represents the ideal of a householder who has attained Realization while living in the world. This suggests that True Knowledge transcends social roles and that a seeker must approach learning with openness to diverse sources of Wisdom.
The narrative of Shuka’s journey to Janaka’s city and his patient wait at various stages—first at the gate, then in the courtyard, and finally in the palace—illustrates the importance of patience, discipline, and detachment in the pursuit of Spiritual Truth. Janaka’s deliberate delay in meeting Shuka serves as a test of the seeker’s resolve, teaching that genuine aspiration for Wisdom requires perseverance and the ability to remain undisturbed by external circumstances or delays.
Janaka’s attempt to distract Shuka with sensual pleasures and comforts further tests his mental fortitude. Shuka’s unshaken composure, likened to a mountain unmoved by gentle winds, reflects the teaching that a true seeker remains unaffected by worldly temptations or sufferings. This steadfastness is a hallmark of spiritual maturity, where the mind, anchored in its pursuit of Truth, is not swayed by transient pleasures or pains.
Overall, these verses convey that the path to Ultimate Knowledge requires humility, perseverance, and inner stability. Shuka’s journey symbolizes the seeker’s need to move beyond partial understanding, seek out enlightened guidance, and maintain unwavering focus amidst worldly distractions. The interaction between Shuka and Janaka sets the stage for deeper philosophical teachings, emphasizing that Realization is attained through direct insight into the nature of Reality, achievable only by those who cultivate a disciplined and detached mind.
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