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Yoga Vashishtha 2.14.11–20
(Value of introspection and perils of thoughtlessness in pursuit of meaningful and virtuous life)
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
या विवेकविकासिन्यो मतयो महतामिह।
न ता विपदि मज्जन्ति तुम्बकानीव वारिणि ॥ ११ ॥
विचारोदयकारिण्या धिया व्यवहरन्ति ये।
फलानामत्युदाराणां भाजनं हि भवन्ति ते ॥ १२ ॥
मूर्खहृत्काननस्थानामाशा प्रथमरोधिनाम् ।
अविचारकरञ्जानां मञ्जर्यो दुःखरीतयः ॥ १३ ॥
कज्जलक्षोदमलिना मदिरामदधर्मिणी ।
अविचारमयी निद्रा यातु ते राघव क्षयम् ॥ १४ ॥
महापदतिदीर्घेषु सद्विचारपरो नरः ।
न निमज्जति मोहेषु तेजोराशिस्तमःस्विव ॥ १५ ॥
मानसे सरसि स्वच्छे विचारकमलोत्करः।
नूनं विकसितो यस्य हिमवानिव भाति सः ॥ १६ ॥
विचारविकला यस्य मतिर्मान्द्यमुपेयुषः ।
तस्योदेत्यशनिश्चन्द्रान्मुधा यक्षः शिशोरिव ॥ १७ ॥
दुःखखण्डकमस्थूलं विपन्नवलतामधुः।
राम दूरे परित्याज्यो निर्विवेको नराधमः ॥ १८ ॥
ये केचन दुरारम्भा दुराचारा दुराधयः ।
अविचारेण ते भान्ति वेतालास्तमसा यथा ॥ १९ ॥
अविचारिणमेकान्तवनद्रुम सधर्मकम्।
अक्षमं साधुकार्येषु दूरे कुरु रघूद्वह ॥ २०॥
Maharishi Vashishta said:
2.14.11: The minds of the great, blossoming with discernment, do not sink in adversity, just as gourds do not sink in water.
2.14.12: Those who act with Wisdom born of reflection become recipients of exceedingly noble results.
2.14.13: The hopes of fools, rooted in the wilderness of their hearts and obstructed at the outset, yield buds of sorrow due to thoughtlessness.
2.14.14: May the sleep of Ignorance, dark as collyrium, intoxicating as liquor, and contrary to righteousness, be destroyed in you, O Rama.
2.14.15: A person devoted to proper reflection does not sink into delusion during great and prolonged calamities, just as a mass of light does not succumb to darkness.
2.14.16: One whose clear mental lake blooms with the lotuses of reflection shines like the Himalayan mountains.
2.14.17: The mind of one lacking reflection, fallen into dullness, gives rise to futile desires, like a goblin appearing to a child from the moon.
2.14.18: O Rama, completely abandon the ignorant person, who is a source of gross suffering and whose sweetness, like that of a fallen creeper, is lost.
2.14.19: Those who engage in harmful actions, wicked conduct, and evil thoughts shine falsely through Ignorance, like ghosts in the darkness.
2.14.20: O descendant of Raghu, keep far away the thoughtless one, akin to a solitary tree in a desolate forest, incapable of virtuous deeds.
Summary of Teachings:
The verses from Yoga Vasishta 2.14.11 to 2.14.20, spoken by Sage Vasishta to Rama, emphasize the paramount importance of discernment (vichara) and reflective wisdom in leading a virtuous and fulfilling life. They contrast the outcomes of a mind guided by thoughtful reflection with one mired in ignorance and thoughtlessness. The teachings underscore that discernment acts as a buoyant force, preventing the Wise from sinking into adversity, much like gourds float on water. This metaphor highlights the resilience and clarity that arise from a mind cultivated through introspection, enabling individuals to navigate life’s challenges without being overwhelmed by delusion or despair.
The verses further elaborate that those who operate with Wisdom derived from reflection reap noble and fruitful outcomes. In contrast, the ignorant, whose minds are likened to a barren wilderness, foster hopes that lead only to sorrow due to their lack of discernment. This dichotomy illustrates the transformative power of thoughtful deliberation, which not only ensures success but also aligns one’s actions with righteousness. The imagery of a clear mental lake blooming with lotuses of reflection, as seen in verse 16, vividly portrays the beauty and radiance of a mind illuminated by Wisdom, likening it to the majestic Himalayas.
Ignorance is portrayed as a destructive force, akin to a dark, intoxicating sleep that obscures Truth and righteousness. Vasishta urges Rama to dispel this ignorance, emphasizing that a lack of reflection leads to futile desires and harmful actions. The comparison of thoughtless individuals to ghosts shining falsely in darkness or solitary trees in a desolate forest underscores their spiritual barrenness and incapacity for virtuous deeds. These metaphors serve as a warning against the perils of an unexamined life, which yields only suffering and delusion.
The teachings also carry a practical directive for Rama to distance himself from those who lack discernment. Such individuals, described as sources of gross suffering and incapable of good deeds, are to be avoided to preserve one’s own clarity and virtue. This advice reflects the broader yogic principle of cultivating sattvic (Pure) associations and environments that support spiritual growth. By steering clear of the ignorant and their destructive tendencies, one can maintain a focused pursuit of Wisdom and righteousness.
In essence, these verses advocate for a life rooted in reflective Wisdom as the foundation for resilience, moral conduct, and spiritual clarity. They caution against the pitfalls of Ignorance, which lead to sorrow and unrighteous actions, and encourage the cultivation of a discerning mind to achieve noble outcomes and inner radiance. Through vivid imagery and direct counsel, Vasishta imparts to Rama—and by extension, to all seekers—the timeless value of introspection and the rejection of thoughtlessness in the pursuit of a meaningful and virtuous life.
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