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Yoga Vashishtha 2.11.1–12
Chapter XI - On the qualifications of the Inquirer and Guru
(Dissemination of Spiritual Knowledge to alleviate Ignorance in the world. )
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
एतत्ते कथितं सर्व ज्ञानावतरणं भुवि ।
मया स्वमीहितं चेव कमलोद्भवचेष्टितम् ॥ १ ॥
तदिदं परमं ज्ञानं श्रोतुमद्य तवानघ ।
भृशमुत्कण्ठितं चेतो महतः सुकृतोदयात् ॥ २ ॥
श्रीराम उवाच ।
कथं ब्रह्मन्मगवतो लोके ज्ञानावतारणे।
सर्गादनन्तरं बुद्धिः प्रवृत्ता परमेष्ठिनः ॥ ३ ॥
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
परमे ब्रह्मणि ब्रह्मा स्वभाववशतः स्वयम्।
जातः स्पन्दमयो नित्यमूर्मिरम्बुनिधाविव ॥ ४ ॥
दृष्ट्वैवमातुरं सर्ग सर्गस्य सकलां गतिम्।
भूतभव्यभविष्यस्थां दश परमेश्वरः ॥ ५॥
सक्रियाक्रमकालस्य कृतादेः क्षय आगते।
मोहमालोच्य लोकानां कारुण्यमगमत्प्रभुः ॥ ६ ॥
ततो मामीश्वरः सृष्ट्वा ज्ञानेनायोज्य चासकृत् ।
विससर्ज महीपीठं लोकस्याज्ञानशान्तये ॥ ७ ॥
यथाहं प्रहितस्तेन तथान्ये च महर्षयः।
सनत्कुमारप्रमुखा नारदाद्याश्च भूरिशः ॥ ८ ॥
क्रियाक्रमेण पुण्येन तथा ज्ञानक्रमेण च ।
मनोमोहामयोन्नद्धमुद्धर्तुं लोकमीरिताः ॥ ९ ॥
महर्षिभिस्ततस्तैस्तैः क्षीणे कृतयुगे पुरा ।
क्रमात्क्रियाक्रमे शुद्धे पृथिव्या तनुतां गते ॥ १० ॥
क्रियाक्रमविधानार्थं मर्यादानियमाय च।
पृथग्देशविभागेन भूपालाः परिकल्पिताः ॥ ११ ॥
बहूनि स्मृतिशास्त्राणि यज्ञशास्त्राणि चावनौ ।
धर्मकामार्थसिद्ध्यर्थं कल्पितान्युचितान्यथ ॥ १२ ॥
Maharishi Vasishta said:
2.11.1: I have narrated to you the entire descent of Knowledge on earth, as per my own wish and the actions of Brahma, the lotus-born.
2.11.2: This Supreme Knowledge, O sinless one, you are now eager to hear, your mind greatly longing for it due to the rise of your virtuous deeds.
Sriram said:
2.11.3: O Brahmin, how did the intellect of the Supreme Lord Brahma become inclined toward the descent of Knowledge in the world after the creation?
Maharishi Vasishta said:
2.11.4: In the Supreme Brahman, Brahma arose naturally due to his own nature, vibrant with activity, like a wave in the ocean.
2.11.5: Seeing the entire course of creation in haste and its past, present, and future states, the Supreme Lord perceived it all.
2.11.6: Observing the delusion of beings at the end of the cycle of actions and time, the Lord, out of compassion, contemplated their state.
2.11.7: Then, creating me, the Lord entrusted me with Knowledge and sent me to the earthly realm to dispel the Ignorance of the world.
2.11.8: As I was sent by Him, so too were other great sages like Sanatkumara, Narada, and many others.
2.11.9: Through the paths of action and Knowledge, we were directed to uplift the world, bound by the delusion of the mind.
2.11.10: By those great Sages, in the past Yuga, when Pure actions gradually diminished and became sparse on earth...
2.11.11: For the sake of establishing the order of actions and maintaining discipline, kings were appointed in various regions.
2.11.12: Many Smriti texts and sacrificial scriptures were composed on earth, appropriately designed for the fulfillment of dharma, desire, and wealth.
Summary of the Teachings:
The verses from Yoga Vasishta 2.11.1 to 2.11.12 present a dialogue between Sage Vasishta and Lord Rama, focusing on the origin and dissemination of Spiritual Knowledge to alleviate Ignorance in the world. Vasishta explains that he has shared the account of how Divine Knowledge descended to earth, fulfilling both his own intent and the Divine Will of Brahma, the Creator. This sets the stage for Rama’s inquiry into how Brahma’s intellect was inspired to initiate this process, reflecting the human quest for understanding the divine mechanism behind the spread of Wisdom.
Vasishta elaborates that Brahma, emerging naturally from the Supreme Brahm, is inherently dynamic, akin to waves arising in an ocean. This metaphor underscores the spontaneous and vibrant nature of Creation, where Brahma, as a manifestation of the Ultimate Reality, observes the entire trajectory of the Universe —past, present, and future. His awareness of the cosmos and its cycles highlights the omniscience of the Divine, setting the context for his compassionate response to the plight of Beings trapped in delusion.
The teachings reveal that Brahma, moved by compassion upon seeing the ignorance and confusion of Beings at the end of a cosmic cycle, decided to intervene. He created Vasishta and other great Sages, such as Sanatkumara and Narada, and entrusted them with Divine Knowledge to guide humanity. This act reflects the Divine intent to uplift the world by dispelling Ignorance, emphasizing the role of Enlightened Beings as conduits of Wisdom to restore balance and clarity in a world clouded by delusion.
The Sages were tasked with uplifting humanity through two primary paths: the path of action (karmic discipline) and the path of Knowledge (jnana). This dual approach addresses both the practical and spiritual dimensions of human existence, aiming to liberate minds bound by delusion. The verses further note that in the Treta Yuga, when Pure actions waned, Sages and kings were appointed to maintain order and discipline across different regions, ensuring the continuity of righteous conduct and societal harmony.
Finally, the establishment of Smriti texts and sacrificial scriptures is highlighted as a means to guide humanity toward fulfilling dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), and kama (desire) in an appropriate manner. These texts provided structured frameworks for living in alignment with Cosmic order. Collectively, these verses emphasize the Divine origin of Knowledge, the compassionate intervention of Brahma, the role of Sages in disseminating Wisdom, and the establishment of systems to sustain righteousness, offering a holistic approach to overcoming Ignorance and achieving Spiritual and worldly fulfillment.
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