Yoga Vashishtha 2.2.15–28
(Power of True Knowledge to dissolve worldly desires and bring Peace to the mind)
विश्वामित्र उवाच ।
वसिष्ठ भगवन्पूर्वं कच्चित्स्मरसि यत्स्वयम् ।
आवयोर्वैरशान्त्यर्थं श्रेयसे च महाधियाम् ॥ १५ ॥
निषधाद्रेर्मुनीनां च सानौ सरलसंकुले।
उपदिष्टं भगवता ज्ञानं पद्मभुवा बहु ॥ १६ ॥
येन युक्तिमता ब्रह्मन्ज्ञानेनेयं हि वासना।
सांसारी नूनमायाति शमं श्यामेव भास्वता ॥ १७ ॥
तदेव युक्तिमज्ज्ञेयं रामायान्तेनिवासिने।
ब्रह्मन्नुपदिशाशु त्वं येन विश्रान्तिमेष्यति ॥ १८ ॥
कदर्थना च नैवैषा रामो हि गतकल्पषः ।
निर्मले मुकुरे वक्त्रमयत्नेनैव बिम्बति ॥ १९ ॥
तज्ज्ञानं स च शास्त्रार्थस्त्वद्वैदग्ध्यमनिन्दितम् ।
सच्छिष्याय विरक्ताय साधो यदुपदिश्यते ॥ २० ॥
अशिष्यायाविरक्ताय यत्किंचिदुपदिश्यते ।
तत्प्रयात्यपवित्रत्वं गोक्षीरं श्वदृताविव ॥ २१ ॥
वीतरागभयक्रोधा निर्माना गलितैनसः ।
वदन्ति त्वादृशा यत्र तत्र विश्राम्यतीह धीः ॥ २२ ॥
इत्युक्ते गाधिपुत्रेण व्यासनारदपूर्वकाः ।
मुनयस्ते तमेवार्थं साधुसाध्वित्यपूजयन् ॥ २३ ॥
अथोवाच महातेजा राज्ञः पार्श्वे व्यवस्थितः ।
ब्रह्मेव ब्रह्मणः पुत्रो वसिष्ठो भगवान्मुनिः ॥ २४ ॥
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
मुने यदादिशसि मे तदविघ्नं करोम्यहम्।
कः समर्थः समर्थोऽपि सतां लङ्घयितुं वचः ॥ २५ ॥
अहं हि राजपुत्राणां रामादीनां मनस्तमः।
ज्ञानेनापनयाम्याशु दीपेनेव निशातमः ॥ २६ ॥
स्मराम्यखण्डितं सर्व संसारभ्रमशान्तये ।
निषधाद्रौ पुरा प्रोक्तं यज्ज्ञानं पद्मजन्मना ॥ २७ ॥
वाल्मीकिरुवाच ।
इति निगदितवानसौ महात्मा परिकरबन्धगृहीतवक्तृतेजाः ।
अकथयदिदमज्ञतोपशान्त्यै परमपदैकविबोधनं वसिष्ठः ॥ २८ ॥
Maharishi Vishvamitra said:
2.2.15: O revered Vasishta, do you recall what you once taught for the resolution of our conflict and the welfare of the wise?
2.2.16: On the peak of Mount Nishadha, amidst a grove of pine trees, the Lord (Brahma) imparted much Knowledge to the Sages.
2.2.17: O Brahman, through that reasoned Knowledge, worldly desires surely attain Peace, like darkness dispelled by light.
2.2.18: Teach that same reasoned knowledge to Rama, the forest-dweller, O Brahman, so that he may find rest.
2.2.19: This is no futile request, for Rama is free from impurities; as a clear mirror effortlessly reflects a face.
2.2.20: That Knowledge, the essence of scriptures, and your flawless Wisdom are taught to a worthy, detached disciple.
2.2.21: Knowledge imparted to an unworthy, attached disciple becomes impure, like cow’s milk poured into a dog’s vessel.
2.2.22: Where dispassionate, fearless, anger-free, egoless Sages like you speak, there the mind finds rest.
2.2.23: Hearing Gadhi’s son (Vishvamitra), the Sages, led by Vyasa and Narada, praised the request as excellent.
2.2.24: Then, seated beside the king, the radiant Sage Vasishta, like Brahma’s son, spoke.
Maharishi Vasishta said:
2.2.25: O Sage, I shall fulfill your command without hindrance; who, even if capable, can defy the words of the virtuous?
2.2.26: I shall swiftly dispel the mental darkness of the princes, starting with Rama, with Knowledge, as a lamp banishes night.
2.2.27: I fully recall the Knowledge taught by the lotus-born (Brahma) on Mount Nishadha to pacify worldly confusion.
Maharishi Valmiki said:
2.2.28: Thus spoke the great soul (Vasishta), his eloquence bound by duty, teaching this Supreme Knowledge for the ignorant’s peace and awakening to the Ultimate State.
Summary of Teachings:
The verses from Yoga Vashishta 2.2.15 to 2.2.28 depict a dialogue initiated by Vishvamitra, who requests Sage Vasishta to impart profound Spiritual Knowledge to Rama. Vishvamitra recalls a past teaching delivered by Brahma on Mount Nishadha, emphasizing its power to dissolve worldly desires and bring peace to the mind. This sets the stage for the Transmission of Wisdom, highlighting the importance of sharing Knowledge to resolve conflicts and foster spiritual growth among the wise. The request underscores the belief that True Knowledge, when properly applied, can lead to liberation from the cycle of worldly existence, akin to light dispelling darkness.
Vishvamitra’s plea is specific: he urges Vasishta to teach Rama, whom he describes as Pure and Free from impurities, comparing him to a clear mirror that naturally reflects Truth. This metaphor emphasizes Rama’s readiness to receive wisdom, suggesting that a worthy disciple, detached from worldly attachments, is essential for the effective transmission of spiritual teachings. The verses stress that Knowledge is most fruitful when shared with those who are prepared, reinforcing the idea that spiritual instruction requires a receptive and virtuous recipient to yield transformative results.
The teachings also caution against imparting Knowledge indiscriminately. Vasishta is reminded that sharing wisdom with an unworthy or attached disciple taints its purity, likening it to pouring sacred milk into an impure vessel. This principle underscores the sanctity of Spiritual Knowledge and the responsibility of the Teacher to ensure it is given to those who are dispassionate, fearless, and free from ego. The presence of such qualities in a Teacher, exemplified by Vasishta, creates an environment where the mind naturally finds Peace, illustrating the profound impact of a sage’s words on the listener’s Consciousness.
Vasishta’s response reflects his humility and commitment to the virtuous path. He acknowledges Vishvamitra’s request as a sacred duty, vowing to dispel the mental darkness of Rama and other princes through Knowledge. His reference to the teachings of Brahma on Mount Nishadha reinforces the continuity of Divine Wisdom and its purpose of alleviating worldly confusion. Vasishta’s readiness to teach signifies the role of the Guru as a guide who illuminates the path to Realization, using Knowledge as a tool to eradicate ignorance and lead disciples toward Ultimate Truth.
The concluding verse, narrated by Valmiki, frames Vasishta’s discourse as a selfless act of compassion aimed at guiding the ignorant toward enlightenment. The teachings encapsulate the essence of the Yoga Vashishta: the pursuit of Supreme Knowledge to attain Peace and awaken to the Ultimate Reality. These verses collectively emphasize the transformative power of Wisdom, the importance of a qualified Teacher and disciple, and the sacred duty to share Knowledge for the upliftment of humanity, setting the foundation for Rama’s spiritual journey.
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