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Yoga Vashishtha 2.11.35–43
(Critical role of Divine Knowledge & the right Master to get it)
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
विषमेयमनन्तेह राम संसारसंसृतिः ।
देहयुक्तो महाजन्तुर्विना ज्ञानं न पश्यति ॥ ३५ ॥
ज्ञानयुक्तिप्लवेनैव संसाराब्धिं सुदुस्तरम् ।
महाधियः समुत्तीर्णा निमेषेण रघूद्वह ॥ ३६ ॥
तामिमां ज्ञानयुक्तिं त्वं संसाराम्भोधितारिणीम् ।
शृणुष्वावहितो बुद्ध्या नित्यावहितया तया ॥ ३७ ॥
यस्मादनन्तसंरम्भा जागत्यो दुःखभीतयः।
चिरायान्तर्दहन्त्येता विना युक्तिमनिन्दिताम् ॥ ३८ ॥
शीतवातातपादीनि द्वन्द्वदुःखानि राघव ।
ज्ञानशक्तिं विना केन सह्यतां यान्ति साधुषु ॥ ३९ ॥
आपतन्ति प्रतिपदं यथाकालं दहन्ति च ।
दुःखचिन्ता नरं मूढं तृणमग्निशिखा इव ॥ ४० ॥
प्राज्ञं विज्ञातविज्ञेयं सम्यग्दर्शनमाधयः ।
न दहन्ति वनं वर्षासिक्तमग्निशिखा इव ॥ ४१ ॥
आधिव्याधिपरावर्ते संसारमरुमारुते।
क्षुभितेऽपि न तत्त्वज्ञो भज्यते कल्पवृक्षवत् ॥ ४२ ॥
तत्त्वं ज्ञातुमतो यत्नाद्धीमानेव हि धीमता ।
प्रामाणिकः प्रबुद्धात्मा प्रष्टव्यः प्रणयान्वितम् ॥ ४३ ॥
Maharishi Vashishta said:
2.11.35: The cycle of worldly existence is perilous and endless, O Rama. A great being, even when embodied, cannot perceive this without Knowledge.
2.11.36: With the boat of Knowledge and reasoning, great souls have crossed the extremely difficult ocean of worldly existence in an instant, O descendant of Raghu.
2.11.37: Listen attentively with constant focus to this Knowledge and reasoning, which enables you to cross the ocean of worldly existence.
2.11.38: Endless activities in this world bring suffering and fear, tormenting the heart for a long time unless countered with faultless reasoning.
2.11.39: How can the dualities of cold, heat, and other pains be endured by the virtuous, O Raghava, without the power of Knowledge?
2.11.40: Sorrows and anxieties afflict the ignorant person at every step, burning them like fire consumes dry grass, as they arise in due time.
2.11.41: Just as flames cannot burn a forest drenched by rain, sorrows do not afflict the Wise One who has Realized the Knowable through correct understanding.
2.11.42: Even when stirred by the whirlwinds of mental and physical afflictions in the storm of worldly existence, the Knower of Truth remains unshaken, like a wish-fulfilling tree.
2.11.43: To know the Truth, the Wise seeker, with earnest effort and humility, should approach an Awakened, authoritative Teacher.
Summary of the Teachings:
The verses from Yoga Vasishta 2.11.35 to 2.11.43, spoken by Sage Vasishta to Rama, emphasize the critical role of Knowledge and reasoning in transcending the suffering inherent in worldly existence. The cycle of samsara is depicted as a perilous, endless ocean that traps beings in suffering due to Ignorance. Vasishta underscores that without True Knowledge, even a great being remains blind to the nature of Existence, unable to escape its torments. This sets the stage for the necessity of Wisdom as the means to Realization, portraying the human condition as one bound by illusion unless illuminated by understanding.
The metaphor of the "ocean of worldly existence" is central, with Knowledge and reasoning described as a boat that enables great souls to cross it swiftly.
This imagery highlights the transformative power of Wisdom, which allows one to overcome the formidable challenges of life effortlessly. Vasishta urges Rama to listen attentively to this Knowledge, emphasizing the importance of focused, consistent effort in absorbing these teachings. The verses suggest that Realization is not a distant goal but achievable through immediate, disciplined engagement with Wisdom.
The teachings further explore the nature of suffering, portraying it as an inevitable consequence of worldly activities driven by Ignorance. Endless tasks and desires fuel fear and pain, tormenting the mind like fire consumes dry grass. The dualities of life—such as cold and heat—are presented as sources of affliction that cannot be endured without the strength derived from Knowledge. This reinforces the idea that suffering is not merely external but deeply tied to one’s perception and understanding, which can be transformed through Wisdom.
In contrast, the Wise, who have attained true understanding, are depicted as immune to the afflictions that plague the ignorant. Like a forest protected from fire by rain, the enlightened remain untouched by sorrow due to their clear perception of Reality. The Knower of Truth is likened to a wish-fulfilling tree, unshaken by the storms of mental and physical afflictions. This resilience stems from a deep Realization of the Ultimate Truth, which anchors the individual amidst life’s turbulence.
Finally, the verses stress the importance of seeking guidance from an authoritative, Awakened Teacher to attain this Knowledge. The seeker must approach with humility and earnest effort, recognizing that True Wisdom requires both personal dedication and the guidance of a Realized Master. This underscores the traditional Guru-disciple relationship in spiritual practice, where the teacher provides the clarity needed to navigate the path to liberation. Collectively, these verses advocate for the pursuit of Self-Knowledge as the key to transcending the suffering of worldly existence, offering a practical and philosophical framework for achieving lasting Peace.
