Posts
Yoga Vashishtha 2.10.10–23
(The world arises from Divine Consciousness, yet it is marked by suffering due to Ignorance)
श्रीराम उवाच ।
केनोक्तं कारणेनेदं ब्रह्मन्पूर्व स्वयंभुवा।
कथं च भवता प्राप्तमेतत्कथय मे प्रभो ॥ १० ॥
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
अस्त्यनन्तविलासात्मा सर्वगः सर्वसंश्रयः।
चिदाकाशोऽविनाशात्मा प्रदीपः सर्वजन्तुषु ॥ ११ ॥
स्पन्दास्पन्दसमाकारात्ततो विष्णुरजायत ।
स्यन्दमानरसापूरात्तरङ्गः सागरादिव ॥ १२ ॥
सुमेरुकर्णिकात्तस्य दिग्दलाद्धृदयाम्बुजात् ।
तारकाकेसरवतः परमेष्ठी व्यजायत ॥ १३ ॥
वेदवेदार्थविद्देवमुनिमूण्डलमण्डितः ।
सोऽसृजत्सकल सग विकल्पौघं यथा मनः ॥ १४ ॥
जम्बूद्वूपिस्य कोणेऽखिरवर्षे भारतनामनि।
ससज जनसर्गौधं ह्याधिव्याधिपरिप्लुतम् ॥ १५ ॥
भावाभावविषण्णाङ्गमुत्पात ध्वसतत्परम् ।
सर्गेऽस्मिन्भूतजातीना नानाव्यसनसकुलम् ॥ १६ ॥
जनस्यैतस्य दुःखं तद्दृष्ट्वा सकललोककृत्।
जगाम करुणामीशः पुत्रदुःखात्पिता यथा ॥ १७ ॥
क एतेषां हताशानां दुःखस्यान्तो हतायुषाम् ।
स्यादिति क्षणमेकाग्रं चिन्तयामास भूतये ॥ १८ ॥
इति संचिन्त्य भगवान्ससर्ज स्वयमीश्वरः ।
तपो धर्म च दानं च सत्यं तीर्थानि चैव हि ॥ १९ ॥
एतत्सृष्ट्वा पुनदवाश्चन्तयामास भूतकृत्।
पुंसां नानेन सर्गस्य दुःखस्यान्त इति स्वयम् ॥ २० ॥
निर्वाणं नाम परमं सुखं येन पुनर्जनः ।
न जायते न म्रियते तज्ज्ञानादेव लभ्यते ॥ २१ ॥
संसारोत्तरणे जन्तोरुपायो ज्ञानमेव हि ।
तपो दानं तथा तीर्थमनुपायाः प्रकीर्तिताः ॥ २२ ॥
तत्तावदुःखमोक्षार्थ जनस्यास्य हतात्मनः।
प्रत्यग्रं तरणोपायमाशु प्रकटयाम्यहम् ॥ २३ ॥
Sriram said:
2.10.10: By whom and for what reason was this taught earlier by the self-existent one, O Sage? How did you receive this teaching? Please tell me, O Lord.
Maharishi Vashishta said:
2.10.11: There exists an Infinite, playful Consciousness, all-pervading, the support of all, the indestructible essence of Pure Consciousness, like a lamp illuminating all beings.
2.10.12: From that Consciousness, both active and inactive, Vishnu arose, like a wave emerging from the ocean’s flowing Essence.
2.10.13: From the lotus of Vishnu’s heart, like the filament of a lotus on the peak of Mount Sumeru, Brahma, the creator, was born.
2.10.14: Adorned with the knowledge of the Vedas and their meanings, surrounded by Divine Sages, Brahma created the entire world with its manifold imaginations, as the mind creates thoughts.
2.10.15: In a corner of Jambudvipa, in the land called Bharata, he created a multitude of people afflicted by physical and mental ailments.
2.10.16: This creation of beings, overwhelmed by sorrows of existence and non-existence, is ever prone to calamities and filled with various miseries.
2.10.17: Seeing the suffering of these beings, the creator of all worlds felt compassion, like a father moved by the pain of his children.
2.10.18: He pondered for a moment, with focused mind, on how to end the suffering of these unfortunate beings with limited lifespans for their well-being.
2.10.19: Having reflected, the Lord himself created penance, righteousness, charity, truth, and sacred places.
2.10.20: After creating these, the creator of beings reflected again, realizing that these alone would not end the suffering of creation.
2.10.21: The Supreme Bliss called liberation, through which one is neither born nor dies, is attained only through Knowledge.
2.10.22: For crossing the ocean of worldly existence, Knowledge alone is the true means; penance, charity, and sacred places are declared to be secondary.
2.10.23: Therefore, for the sake of these suffering beings, I shall now reveal the direct means to liberation from sorrow.
Summary of the Teachings:
The verses from Yoga Vasishta 2.10.10–2.10.23 present a dialogue between Rama and Sage Vasishta, where Rama inquires about the origin and transmission of the teachings, and Vasishta responds by elucidating the metaphysical and practical framework of creation and liberation. The discussion begins with Rama’s question about the source of the teaching, prompting Vasishta to describe the Ultimate Reality as an Infinite, all-pervading Consciousness from which the Universe emanates. This sets the stage for a cosmological narrative that traces the emergence of Vishnu and Brahma, emphasizing the hierarchical manifestation of Existence from Pure Consciousness to the material world.
Vasishta explains that Brahma, born from Vishnu’s Divine Essence, creates the world, including the land of Bharata, also populated by beings plagued by physical and mental afflictions. This portrayal of creation highlights the inherent suffering in worldly existence, characterized by impermanence and distress. The description underscores a fundamental teaching of the Yoga Vasishta: the world, as a product of Divine imagination, is inherently transient and fraught with challenges, reflecting the illusory nature of material existence.
Moved by compassion for the suffering of created beings, Brahma contemplates solutions to alleviate their pain. Initially, he creates practices such as penance, righteousness, charity, truth, and sacred places. These are traditional means of spiritual upliftment in Vedic thought, intended to guide beings toward a virtuous life. However, Brahma soon realizes that these practices, while valuable, are insufficient to eradicate the root of suffering, which lies in the cycle of birth and death. This realization introduces the theme of discernment, a key aspect of the Yoga Vasishta’s philosophy, which prioritizes Wisdom over ritualistic practices.
The teachings culminate in Vasishta’s assertion that true liberation (nirvana) is attained only through Knowledge (jnana). This Knowledge is not merely intellectual but a profound understanding of the Self and Reality, which frees one from the cycle of reincarnation. Vasishta emphasizes that while practices like penance and charity have their place, they are secondary to the transformative power of Self-Knowledge. This aligns with the text’s non-dualistic (Advaita) perspective, where Realization of the Oneness of the Self with the Infinite Consciousness is the ultimate path to freedom.
In conclusion, these verses encapsulate the Yoga Vasishta’s core teaching: the world arises from Divine Consciousness, yet it is marked by suffering due to ignorance. While traditional practices offer temporary relief, only the direct path of Self-Knowledge can lead to liberation. Vasishta’s response to Rama sets the stage for further exploration of this Knowledge, promising to reveal the means to transcend suffering. This teaching encourages introspection and the pursuit of Wisdom, urging individuals to look beyond external rituals to the Inner Truth of their Being.
No comments:
Post a Comment