Posts
Yoga Vashishtha 3.77.22–33
(These verses highlight the importance of discernment and respect for virtue in all actions, even for Beings like a demoness who might otherwise act violently)
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।
आदिसर्गे च नियमः कृतः पङ्कजजन्मना।
हिंस्राणां भोजनायास्तु मूढात्मानात्मवानिति ॥ २२॥
तस्मादिमौ मयैवाद्य भोक्तव्यौ भोज्यतां गतौ।
अभव्य एव निर्दोषं प्राप्तमर्थमुपेक्षते ॥ २३॥
कदाचित्ताविमौ स्यातां गुणयुक्तौ महाशयौ।
तादृङ्न रविनाशो हि स्वभावान्मे न रोचते ॥ २४॥
तदेतौ संपरीक्षेऽहं यदि तादृग्गुणान्वितौ।
तद्भक्षं न करोम्येतौ न हिंस्या गुणिनः क्वचित् ॥ २५॥
अकृत्रिमं सुखं कीर्तिमायुश्चैवाभिवाञ्छता।
सर्वाभिमतदानेन पूजनीया गुणान्विताः ॥ २६॥
अपि नङ्क्ष्यामि देहेन नैव भोक्ष्ये गुणान्वितम्।
सुखयन्ति हि चेतांसि जीवितादपि साधवः ॥ २७॥
अपि जीवितदानेन गुणिनं परिपालयेत्।
गुणवत्संगमौषध्या मृत्युरप्येति मित्रताम् ॥ २८॥
यत्राहमपि रक्षामि राक्षसी गुणशालिनम्।
तत्रान्यः को न कुर्यात्तं हृदि हारमिवामलम् ॥ २९॥
उदारगुणयुक्ता ये विहरन्तीह देहिनः।
धरातलेन्दवः सङ्गाद्भृशं शीतलयन्ति ते ॥ ३०॥
मृतिर्गुणितिरस्कारो जीवितं गुणिसंश्रयः।
फलं स्वर्गापवर्गादि जीविताद्गुणिसंश्रितात् ॥ ३१॥
तस्मादिमौ परीक्षेऽहं कयाचित्प्रश्नलीलया।
किंमात्रज्ञानकावेताविति तामरसेक्षणौ ॥ ३२॥
आदौ विचार्य सगुणागुणलेशयुक्तिं पश्चात्स्वतोऽधिकतरं च गुणैर्यदि स्यात्।
कुर्यात्ततः समुपपत्तिवशेन दण्डं दड्यस्य युक्तिसदृशं घनसंभवेन ॥ ३३॥
Sage Vashishta continued:
3.77.22–27
> In the beginning of Creation, Brahma established this rule: the violent ones may eat the foolish and those without Knowledge of the Self.
> Therefore, these two have now become fit for me to eat today. Only an unworthy person would ignore a faultless opportunity that has come their way.
> Perhaps these two might turn out to be noble-minded and full of good qualities. Destroying such Beings does not appeal to my Nature at all.
> So I will examine them carefully. If they possess such qualities, I will not eat them. Those with good qualities should never be harmed anywhere.
> Whoever truly desires natural happiness, fame, and long life should honor people with good qualities by giving them everything they desire.
> Even if I have to perish with this body, I will never eat someone with good qualities. Virtuous people delight the mind even more than life itself.
3.77.28–33
> One should protect a virtuous person even by giving up one's own life. Through the medicine of association with the virtuous, even death becomes a friend.
> If even I, a demoness, protect a person full of virtues, then who else would not cherish him in their heart like a pure necklace?
> Those embodied Beings who move about here endowed with noble qualities are like moons on the earth. Through their company, they greatly cool and refresh others.
> Disrespecting the virtuous is like death; taking refuge in them is true life. Fruits like heaven and liberation come from a life supported by the virtuous.
> Therefore, I will test these two lotus-eyed ones with some playful questions to see how much Knowledge they have.
> First, carefully consider the presence of even a trace of good or bad qualities. Then, if one is superior in qualities to the other, inflict punishment according to proper reasoning and evidence, in a fitting and firm manner.
Summary of the teachings:
The speaker recalls a Cosmic rule from Creation that allows the strong or predatory to consume the ignorant and unawakened. However, this is not applied blindly. Instead, one must pause and evaluate whether the potential victims possess inner qualities worth preserving. This teaches that raw power or hunger should not override Wisdom and ethical consideration.
The core message emphasizes protecting and honoring those with good qualities (guna). Even at great personal cost, including risking one's own life, one should safeguard the virtuous. Virtuous people bring joy, peace, and refreshment far greater than mere survival. Their presence is compared to cooling moonlight, suggesting they uplift everyone around them. Honoring them through generosity leads to true happiness, fame, and longevity.
Association with the good is portrayed as a powerful remedy that can transform even negative forces like death into something friendly. Disrespecting virtue leads to spiritual death, while relying on it brings real life and higher fruits like heavenly rewards or liberation. This underscores the transformative power of good company and the duty to nurture it.
The approach advocated is one of careful testing and inquiry rather than hasty judgment. Playful questioning helps reveal True Knowledge and character. This method promotes justice that is measured and evidence-based, avoiding unnecessary harm.
Finally, the verses promote a balanced sense of duty: uphold Cosmic or Natural order but temper it with compassion and superiority in virtue. Punishment or action should only follow thorough examination and should be proportionate, firm, and reasoned. Overall, these teachings guide towards ethical living, self-control, and the elevation of goodness in oneself and society.
No comments:
Post a Comment