Chapter 2.6, Verses 21–31

Yoga Vashishtha 2.6.21–31

(rise above lamentation, dependency, and delusion by embracing self-effort, virtuous conduct, and scriptural Wisdom)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

क्रमेणोपार्जितेऽप्यर्थे नष्टे कार्या न खेदिता ।

न बलं यत्र मे शक्तं तत्र का परिदेवना ॥ २१ ॥

यन्न शक्नोमि तस्यार्थे यदि दुःखं करोम्यहम् ।

तदमारितमृत्योर्मे युक्तं प्रत्यहरोदनम् ॥ २२ ॥

देशकालक्रियाद्रव्यवशतो विस्फुरन्त्यमी।

सर्व एव जगद्भावा जयत्यधिकयत्नवान् ॥ २३ ॥

तस्मात्पौरुषमाश्रित्य सच्छास्त्रैः सत्समागमैः ।

प्रज्ञाममलतां नीत्वा संसारजलधिं तरेत् ॥ २४ ॥

प्राक्तनश्चैहिकश्चेमौ पुरुषार्थौ फलद्द्रुमौ ।

संजातौ पुरुषारण्ये जयत्यभ्यधिकस्तयोः ॥ २५ ॥

कर्म यः प्राक्तनं तुच्छं न निहन्ति शुभेहितैः ।

अज्ञो जन्तुरनीशोऽसावात्मनः सुखदुःखयोः ॥ २६ ॥

ईश्वरप्रेरितो गच्छेत्स्वर्गं नरकमेव वा।

स सदैव पराधीनः पशुरेव न संशयः ॥ २७ ॥

यस्तूदारचमत्कारः सदाचारविहारवान् ।

स निर्याति जगन्मोहान्मृगेन्द्रः पञ्जरादिव ॥ २८ ॥

कश्चिन्मां प्रेरयत्येवमित्यनर्थकुकल्पने ।

यः स्थितोऽदृष्टमुत्सृज्य त्याज्योऽसौ दूरतोऽधमः ॥ २९ ॥

व्यवहारसहस्राणि यान्युपायान्ति यान्ति च ।

यथाशास्त्रं विहर्तव्यं तेषु त्यक्त्वा सुखासुखे ॥ ३० ॥

यथाशास्त्रमनुच्छिन्नां मर्यादां स्वामनुज्झतः ।

उपतिष्ठन्ति सर्वाणि रत्नान्यम्बुनिधाविव ॥ ३१ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta said:

2.6.21: When wealth, earned gradually, is lost, one should not grieve. Where I have no power or control, what is the use of lamenting? 

2.6.22: If I sorrow over what I cannot achieve, then it would be fitting for me to weep daily, facing death itself. 

2.6.23: All phenomena in the world arise due to place, time, action, and material circumstances. The one who strives harder triumphs. 

2.6.24: Therefore, relying on self-effort, pure scriptures, and the company of the wise, one should cultivate clear understanding and cross the ocean of worldly existence. 

2.6.25: Both past and present efforts bear fruit like trees in the forest of human endeavor. The one who excels in these efforts prevails. 

2.6.26: The ignorant being who does not overcome past karma with virtuous actions remains powerless, subject to the whims of pleasure and pain. 

2.6.27: One who is driven by Divine will to heaven or hell is always dependent, like an animal, without doubt. 

2.6.28: But one who is noble, virtuous, and wondrous in conduct transcends the delusions of the world, like a lion breaking free from a cage. 

2.6.29: The fool who imagines, "Someone else directs me thus," clings to baseless notions and should be shunned as lowly. 

2.6.30: In the thousands of worldly affairs that come and go, one should act according to scriptures, detached from pleasure and pain. 

2.6.31: By adhering to the unbroken boundaries of scriptural conduct, all treasures come to one, as they do to the ocean.

Summary of Teachings:

The teachings in these verses from the Yoga Vasishta, as spoken by Sage Vasishta, emphasize the importance of self-effort, detachment, and adherence to righteous conduct in navigating the challenges of worldly existence. The verses begin by addressing the futility of grieving over losses beyond one’s control, such as wealth that is earned and lost. Vasishta advises against lamenting over what cannot be changed, highlighting that sorrow over unattainable goals is as irrational as weeping daily in fear of death. This sets the tone for a philosophy that encourages acceptance of life’s impermanence and limitations while focusing on what can be controlled—namely, one’s actions and mindset.

The verses underscore the critical role of self-effort (paurusham) in shaping one’s destiny. Vasishta explains that worldly phenomena arise from a combination of factors like time, place, and action, but success comes to those who strive diligently. By cultivating wisdom through association with the wise and studying sacred texts, one can purify their understanding and transcend the cycle of samsara (worldly existence). This emphasis on self-reliance contrasts sharply with the notion of being passively driven by fate or divine will, which Vasishta critiques as a mindset that reduces a person to the status of a dependent animal.

A key theme is the empowerment that comes from virtuous action and noble character. Vasishta contrasts the ignorant, who remain bound by past karma and external circumstances, with the wise, who through righteous conduct and effort break free from worldly delusions like a lion escaping a cage. This imagery highlights the transformative power of self-discipline and moral integrity. The teachings reject fatalistic beliefs that attribute life’s outcomes to external forces, labeling such thinking as baseless and urging individuals to take responsibility for their own paths.

The verses also advocate for a balanced approach to life’s challenges, encouraging action in accordance with scriptural wisdom while maintaining detachment from fleeting pleasures and pains. By adhering to righteous boundaries (maryada), one attracts all forms of prosperity, likened to treasures flowing into the ocean. This metaphor suggests that a life grounded in dharma 

(righteousness) naturally yields abundance, not through attachment to outcomes but through alignment with universal principles. The teachings thus promote a proactive, disciplined, and detached approach to life, where wisdom and effort lead to liberation.

In essence, these verses offer a practical and philosophical guide for living with purpose and resilience. They encourage individuals to rise above lamentation, dependency, and delusion by embracing self-effort, virtuous conduct, and scriptural wisdom. By doing so, one can navigate the complexities of existence, achieve inner clarity, and ultimately transcend the cycle of birth and death, attaining true freedom and fulfillment.