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Yoga Vashishtha 2.15.8–14
(Mind restless with desire and devoid of contentment is like a dirty mirror)
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
संतोषशीतलं चेतः शुद्धविज्ञानदृष्टिभिः ।
भृशं विकासमायाति सूर्यांशुभिरिवाम्बुजम् ॥ ८ ॥
आशावैवश्यविवशे चित्ते संतोषवर्जिते।
म्लाने वक्रमिवादर्शे न ज्ञानं प्रतिबिम्बति ॥ ९ ॥
अज्ञानघनयामिन्या संकोचं न नराम्बुजम् ।
यात्यसावुदितो यस्य नित्यं संतोषभास्करः ॥ १० ॥
अकिंचनोऽप्यसौ जन्तुः साम्राज्यसुखमश्नुते ।
आधिव्याधिविनिर्मुक्तं संतुष्टं यस्य मानसम् ॥ ११ ॥
नाभिवाञ्छत्यसंप्राप्तं प्राप्तं भुंक्ते यथाक्रमम् ।
यः सुसौम्यसमाचारः संतुष्ट इति कथ्यते ॥ १२ ॥
संतुष्टिपरतृप्तस्य महतः पूर्णचेतसः ।
क्षीराब्धेरिव शुद्धस्य मुखे लक्ष्मीर्विराजते ॥ १३ ॥
पूर्णतामलमाश्रित्य स्वात्मन्येवात्मना स्वयम् ।
पौरुषेण प्रयत्नेन तृष्णां सर्वत्र वर्जयेत् ॥ १४ ॥
Maharishi Vashishta said:
2.15.8: The mind cooled by contentment, illuminated by pure understanding, blossoms greatly, like a lotus under the rays of the sun.
2.15.9: In a mind overwhelmed by the restlessness of desire and devoid of contentment, Knowledge does not reflect, just as a face does not reflect clearly in a dirty mirror.
2.15.10: The human lotus does not wither in the dense darkness of Ignorance when the sun of contentment perpetually shines within.
2.15.11: Even if destitute, a person whose mind is content enjoys the happiness of an emperor, free from mental and physical afflictions.
2.15.12: One who does not crave what is unattained, enjoys what is obtained in due course, and conducts themselves with gentle behavior is called content.
2.15.13: The face of a great soul, fully satisfied with contentment and Pure like the ocean of milk, radiates with the brilliance of prosperity.
2.15.14: Relying on the Purity of fulfillment, one should, through self-effort and by the Self within the Self, abandon craving everywhere.
Summary of Teachings:
The teachings of Yoga Vasishta verses 2.15.8 to 2.15.14 center on the transformative power of contentment (santosh) as a cornerstone of spiritual growth and Inner Peace. These verses, spoken by Sage Vasishta, emphasize that a mind imbued with contentment becomes a fertile ground for Wisdom and Realization, contrasting sharply with a restless, desire-driven mind that obscures clarity and understanding. Contentment is portrayed as a cooling, nurturing force that allows the mind to flourish, much like a lotus blooming under sunlight, highlighting its role in fostering mental purity and receptivity to Higher Knowledge.
The verses draw a vivid analogy between a content mind and a clear mirror, capable of reflecting True Knowledge, while a mind consumed by unfulfilled desires is likened to a tarnished mirror, unable to grasp Wisdom. This underscores the idea that contentment is not merely a passive state but an active condition that dispels the darkness of Ignorance. By cultivating contentment, one ensures that the mind remains untainted by the turmoil of craving, allowing it to remain open to spiritual insight and free from the distortions caused by restless desires.
Furthermore, the teachings emphasize the universal accessibility of contentment, portraying it as a source of profound happiness that transcends material wealth. Even a person with nothing can experience the joy of an emperor if their mind is content, liberated from mental and physical suffering. This highlights the inner nature of true happiness, which depends not on external possessions but on an internal state of satisfaction and freedom from want, making contentment a great equalizer in the pursuit of well-being.
The verses also define the characteristics of a content individual: one who accepts what comes naturally without yearning for the unattained and maintains a gentle, balanced demeanor.
Such a person is depicted as radiating purity and prosperity, their inner fulfillment manifesting outwardly as a serene and luminous presence. This external radiance is not tied to material wealth but to the inner wealth of a mind at peace, fully satisfied and aligned with Spiritual Purity.
Finally, the teachings advocate for self-effort in cultivating contentment by consciously abandoning craving. This process involves relying on the Purity of one’s own inner fulfillment, achieved through disciplined effort and Self-Awareness. By emphasizing personal responsibility and the rejection of desire, the verses guide the seeker toward a state of complete self-sufficiency, where the Self rests in its own nature, free from external dependencies. Collectively, these verses present contentment as both a practice and a State of Being that leads to Realization, Wisdom, and enduring happiness.
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