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Yoga Vashishtha 3.71.1~42
(These verses teach about the temporary nature of power and the body)
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।
अथ सा बहुकालेन कर्कटी नाम राक्षसी।
सर्वेषां नरमांसानां नतु तृप्तिमुपाययौ ॥ १॥
पूर्वेणैव किलाह्ना सा तृप्ता रुधिरबिन्दुना।
सूच्याः किमिव मात्यन्तस्तृष्णासूची सुदुर्भरा ॥ २॥
चिन्तयामास हा कष्टं किमहं सूचिता गता।
सूक्ष्मास्मि हतशक्तिश्च अपि ग्रासो न माति च ॥ ३॥
क्व मे तानि विशालानि गतान्यङ्गानि दुर्धियः।
कालमेघविशालानि वने शीर्णानि पर्णवत् ॥ ४॥
मय्यस्यां मन्दभाग्यायां मनागपि न माति हि।
स्वादुमांसरसग्रासो वसावासित आसयन् ॥ ५॥
पङ्कान्तर्विनिमज्जामि पतामि धरणीतले।
हस्तास्मि जनपादौघैः शुक्रेण मलिनास्मि च ॥ ६॥
(७–३६)
हा नेत्रे कृष्णरजनीरजःशुष्केन्धनैजने।
कस्मान्न मे भूषयतो दृग्ज्वालामालया दिश ॥ ३७॥
हा स्कन्ध बन्धो नष्टोऽसि निषिद्धोऽसि महीतले।
कालेन विनिपिष्टोऽसि निघृष्टोऽसि शिलातले ॥ ३८॥
हा मुखेन्दो तपसि किं नाद्य त्वं मम रश्मिभिः।
कल्पान्तदावसंशान्तचन्द्रबिम्बमनोहर ॥ ३९॥
हा हा हस्तौ महाकारौ तावद्य क्व गतौ मम।
संपन्नास्मि महासूचिर्मक्षिकाखुरदोलिता ॥ ४०॥
हा भगोग्रकरञ्जाढ्यसत्कन्दश्वभ्रशोभन।
विन्ध्याद्वरेण्यविपुलनितम्बामलबिम्बक ॥ ४१॥
क्वाकारोऽम्बरपूरकः क्व च नवं तुच्छात्मसूचीवपू।
रोदोरन्ध्रसमं क्व वास्य कुहरं क्वेदं च सूचीमुखम्।
क्व ग्रासो बहुमांसभारबहुलः क्वाब्बिन्दुना भोजनं।
सूक्ष्मास्म्येतदहो मयैव रचितं स्वात्मक्षये नाटकम् ॥ ४२॥
Sage Vasishta said:
3.71.1–6
> Then, after a long time, that demoness named Karkati could not find satisfaction even after eating the flesh of many humans.
> She had felt satisfied earlier that day with just a single drop of blood. How can a needle ever be filled? This needle of thirst is extremely difficult to bear.
> She thought in distress, "Alas, what a misfortune! How have I become like a needle? I am now tiny and powerless, and even a small bite does not fit in me."
> "Where have my large and beautiful limbs gone, O foolish mind? They were once as vast as dark rain clouds but now lie withered in the forest like dry leaves."
> "In this unlucky state of mine, even a tiny piece of sweet, fat-smelling meat does not fit. I sink deeper into trouble."
> "I sink into mud and fall on the ground. I am trampled by the feet of people and polluted by semen."
3.71.7–36
> In these verses, the demoness Karkati continues her deep lamentation, recalling her past glory as a huge and powerful being who could devour large amounts of food and strike fear everywhere. She sadly describes how her massive body has shrunk to almost nothing, how her strength has completely vanished, and how she now suffers from extreme hunger and weakness in her tiny form. She questions her fate and feels the pain of her reduced condition.
3.71.37–42
> Alas, my eyes that once burned like dry fuel in the dark night! Why do they not decorate the directions with garlands of flame?
> Alas, my shoulders! Your strength is gone. You are now crushed and forbidden on the earth. Time has ground you and rubbed you against stone.
> Alas, my moon-like face! Why do you not shine today with my rays? You were once as beautiful as the moon image put out by the great fire at the end of time.
> Alas, alas, my large hands! Where have you gone now? I have become a great needle, tossed around by the hoof of a fly.
> Alas, my beautiful form rich with strong limbs and charming parts, with wide hips like the excellent Vindhya mountain!
> Where is that huge form that filled the sky? Where is this new tiny needle-like body? Where is the cave-like wide mouth? Where is this needle tip? Where is the heavy load of much meat for food? Where is the meal of just a water drop? I am now subtle. Alas! This drama of my own self-destruction was created by me alone.
Summary of the Teachings:
The demoness Karkati, once huge and strong, is now reduced to a tiny needle due to the effects of Time. This shows that no matter how powerful one becomes, physical strength and size do not last forever. Everything in the world changes, and pride in the body leads to suffering when that power fades.
The story highlights the danger of uncontrolled desires and greed. Karkati's endless hunger and thirst, even after eating so much, represent how desires can never be fully satisfied. Even a small drop cannot fill the "needle of thirst." True peace comes only when one controls desires instead of letting them control the mind.
It reminds us of the importance of humility and self-awareness. The demoness regrets her past actions and realizes that her current tiny state is the result of her own deeds. The verses encourage looking within and understanding that we create our own suffering through ignorance and wrong choices.
The teachings point to the impermanence of all things. By comparing her lost large body to withered leaves and clouds, the text shows that youth, beauty, and strength are like temporary illusions. One should not get too attached to the body or material things.
Finally, these verses convey that the mind creates its own Reality and drama. Karkati understands that she herself created this "play" of rise and fall. This encourages spiritual wisdom to rise above the ups and downs of life by Realizing the True Self beyond the changing body and mind.
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