Chapter 2.15, Verses 1–7

Yoga Vashishtha 2.15.1–7

(Necessity of cultivating inner contentment to uproot the causes of suffering)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

संतोषो हि परं श्रेयः संतोषः सुखमुच्यते संतुष्टः परमभ्येति विश्राममरिसूदन ॥ १ ॥

संतोषैश्वर्यसुखिनां चिरविश्रान्तचेतसाम्।

साम्राज्यमपि शान्तानां जरत्तृणलवायते ॥ २ ॥

संतोषशालिनी बुद्धी राम संसारवृत्तिषु ।

विषमास्वप्यनुद्विग्ना न कदाचन हीयते ॥ ३ ॥

संतोषामृतपानेन ये शान्तास्तृप्तिमागताः ।

भोगश्रीरतुला तेषामेषा प्रतिविषायते ॥ ४ ॥

न तथा सुखयन्त्येताः पीयूषरसवीचयः ।

यथातिमधुरास्वादः संतोषो दोषनाशनः ॥ ५ ॥

अप्राप्तवाञ्छामुत्सृज्य संप्राप्ते समतां गतः ।

अदृष्टखेदाखेदो यः स संतुष्ट इहोच्यते ॥ ६ ॥

आत्मनात्मनि संतोषं यावद्याति न मानसम् ।

उद्भवन्त्यापदस्तावल्लता इव मनोबिलात् ॥ ७ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta said:

2.15.1: Contentment is the highest good; contentment is called true happiness. One who is contented attains Supreme Peace, O destroyer of enemies.

2.15.2: For those whose minds are ever at Peace, endowed with the wealth of contentment, even an empire seems as insignificant as a blade of grass.

2.15.3: A mind imbued with contentment, O Rama, remains undisturbed even amidst the painful fluctuations of worldly life and never falters.

2.15.4: Those who are Tranquil and satisfied, having drunk the nectar of contentment, find that worldly pleasures and riches become like poison to them.

2.15.5: Even waves of nectar-like pleasures do not bring as much joy as the supremely sweet taste of contentment, which destroys all faults.

2.15.6: One who relinquishes desires for what is unattained, remains equipoised with what is obtained, and is free from sorrow over unseen losses is called contented here.

2.15.7: As long as the mind does not find contentment within itself, afflictions arise like creepers from the cave of the mind.

Summary of the Teachings:

The verses from Yoga Vasishta 2.15.1 to 2.15.7, spoken by Sage Vasishta to Lord Rama, extol the virtue of contentment (santosh) as the cornerstone of true happiness and spiritual Realization. Contentment is presented as the highest good, a state of inner fulfillment that surpasses all external achievements or pleasures. It is described as the source of Supreme Peace, enabling one to remain unperturbed by the ups and downs of worldly existence. By emphasizing contentment as the essence of joy, these verses set the stage for a deeper exploration of how inner tranquility outshines fleeting material gains.

The teachings highlight the transformative power of contentment in reshaping one’s perspective on worldly desires. For those who cultivate a contented mind, even the grandeur of an empire loses its allure, appearing as trivial as a blade of grass. This reflects the idea that true wealth lies not in external possessions but in the inner richness of a peaceful mind. Contentment detaches one from the endless pursuit of material success, fostering a state of enduring calm that renders external achievements insignificant in comparison.

These verses further emphasize the resilience that contentment brings to the mind. A contented intellect remains steady and undisturbed, even in the face of life’s challenges and adversities. 

Unlike a mind swayed by desires or external circumstances, the contented mind is unwavering, never succumbing to distress or agitation. This steadfastness underscores contentment as a shield against the volatility of samsara (worldly existence), enabling one to navigate life’s difficulties with equanimity.

Moreover, contentment is portrayed as a nectar-like elixir that not only satisfies but also neutralizes the allure of worldly pleasures. Those who embrace contentment find that material enjoyments, which might otherwise captivate the mind, lose their appeal and even become distasteful, akin to poison. This shift in perception highlights the purifying nature of contentment, which eradicates the flaws of craving and attachment, replacing them with a profound sense of fulfillment that no external pleasure can match.

Finally, the verses define the truly contented person as one who is free from longing for the unattained, balanced in what is received, and unaffected by unseen sorrows. The absence of contentment, conversely, breeds mental afflictions, likened to creepers growing uncontrollably from the mind’s depths. This teaching underscores the necessity of cultivating inner contentment to uproot the causes of suffering. Collectively, these verses advocate for contentment as the path to lasting peace, urging one to seek fulfillment within rather than in the transient pleasures of the external world.