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Yoga Vashishtha Chapter 1.6~29
(The coming of Maharishi Vishwamitra)
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु विश्वामित्र इति श्रुतः ।
महर्षिरभ्यगाद्द्रष्टुं तमयोध्यानराधिपम् ॥ ३ ॥
तस्य यज्ञोऽथ रक्षोभिस्तथा विलुलुपे किल ।
मायावीर्यबलोन्मत्तैर्धर्मकार्यस्य धीमतः ॥ ४ ॥
रक्षार्थं तस्य यज्ञस्य द्रष्टुमैच्छत्स पार्थिवम् ।
नहि शक्नोत्यविघ्नेन समाप्तुं स मुनिः क्रतुम् ॥ ५ ॥
ततस्तेषां विनाशार्थमुद्यतस्तपसां निथिः।
विश्वामित्रो महातेजा अयोध्यामभ्यगात्पुरीम् ॥ ६ ॥
स राज्ञो दर्शनाकाङ्क्षी द्वाराध्यक्षानुवाच ह ।
शीघ्रमाख्यात मां प्राप्तं कौशिकं गाधिनः सुतम् ॥ ७ ॥
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा द्वास्था राजगृहं ययुः।
संभ्रान्तमनसः सर्वे तेन वाक्येन चोदिताः ॥ ८ ॥
दशरथ उवाच ।
अशङ्कितोपनीतेन भास्वता दर्शनेन ते।
साधो स्वनुगृहीताः स्मो रविणेवाम्बुजाकराः ॥ २७ ॥
यदनादि यदक्षुण्णं यदपायविवर्जितम्।
तदानन्दसुखं प्राप्तं मया त्वद्दर्शनान्मुने ॥ २८ ॥
अद्य वर्तामहे नूनं धन्यानां धुरि धर्मतः।
भवदागमनस्येमे यद्वयं लक्ष्यमागताः ॥ २९ ॥
3. At that very moment, the great sage, known as Vishwamitra, arrived to meet the ruler of Ayodhya.
4. His sacrificial ritual had been disrupted by powerful and illusion-wielding demons, who, intoxicated by their might, had interfered with the sacred act of the wise sage.
5. Desiring protection for his sacrifice, the sage sought the presence of the king, for he was unable to complete his ritual without interruptions.
6. Determined to destroy those obstructing forces, the radiant ascetic, Vishwamitra, the treasure house of penance, arrived at the city of Ayodhya.
7. Wishing to have an audience with the king, he addressed the guards at the royal gate and said, "Go quickly and inform him that Kaushika, the son of Gadhi, has arrived."
8. Hearing these words, the gatekeepers, overwhelmed by a sense of urgency, hastily proceeded toward the royal palace, carrying his message with great concern.
27. King Dasharatha said: "O Sage! Your sudden and radiant arrival has graced us. Just as the sun nourishes a lotus pond, so too are we blessed by your presence."
28. "That which is beginningless, unchanging, and free from decay—such bliss and happiness have been attained by me through the sight of you, O Sage."
29. "Surely, today we dwell at the pinnacle of righteousness, for your arrival marks us as fortunate ones in this world."
Summary of Teachings from These Verses:
These verses from the Yoga Vashishta illustrate an episode where the great sage Vishwamitra approaches King Dasharatha, seeking assistance against demonic forces disrupting his sacrificial rites. The passage presents profound insights into duty, divine grace, and the transformative power of a sage's presence.
1. The Role of a King as a Protector:
Vishwamitra’s approach to Dasharatha emphasizes the king’s duty as a guardian of righteousness (dharma). A monarch’s role extends beyond governance to the protection of spiritual endeavors. This reflects the ancient Vedic principle that kingship is not just a political institution but a sacred trust ensuring the unhindered pursuit of righteousness.
2. Obstacles in the Path of Dharma:
The demons, symbolizing forces of illusion and obstruction, represent the ever-present resistance against noble efforts. Even great sages encounter hurdles in their spiritual undertakings, reinforcing the idea that perseverance and external support are sometimes necessary.
3. The Power of a Sage’s Presence:
Dasharatha’s words reflect the Vedic belief that the darshan (sight) of an enlightened being bestows immense spiritual benefit. He equates Vishwamitra’s arrival with the nourishing radiance of the sun upon lotus flowers, signifying the transformative and purifying presence of a realized sage.
4. Attainment of Bliss through Wisdom:
Dasharatha acknowledges that true, eternal bliss (ānanda)—which is beyond time and destruction—arises from contact with enlightened beings. This highlights the Vedantic notion that spiritual wisdom, rather than material achievements, leads to lasting happiness.
5. Recognizing Divine Favor:
Dasharatha perceives Vishwamitra’s arrival as a sign of divine grace and considers himself blessed. This conveys the idea that an individual’s spiritual merit is often reflected in the kind of company they attract, emphasizing the importance of association with the wise (satsang).
Overall, these verses intertwine duty, devotion, and wisdom, teaching that spiritual seekers, rulers, and householders alike must recognize and uphold righteousness while understanding the deeper metaphysical truths that sustain the Universe.
