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Yoga Vashishtha 2.18.24–32
(Qualities of a Wise, Realized Mind )
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
धर्मभित्तौ भृशं लग्नां धियं धैर्यधुरं गताम् ।
आधयो न विधुन्वन्ति वाताश्चित्रलतामिव ॥ २४ ॥
न पतत्यवटे ज्ञस्तु विषयासङ्गरूपिणि ।
कः किल ज्ञातसरणिः श्वभ्रं समनुधावति ॥ २५ ॥
सच्छास्त्रसाधुवृत्तानामविरोधिनि कर्मणि ।
रमते धीर्यथाप्राप्ते साध्वीवान्तःपुराजिरे ॥ २६ ॥
जगतां कोटिलक्षेषु यावन्तः परमाणवः।
तेषामेकैकशोऽन्तःस्थान्सर्गान्पश्यत्यसङ्गधीः ॥ २७ ॥
मोक्षोपायावबोधेन शुद्धान्तःकरणं जनम्।
न खेदयति भोगौघो न चानन्दयति क्वचित् ॥ २८ ॥
परमाणौ परमाणौ सर्ववर्गा निरर्गलाः।
ये पतन्त्युत्पतन्त्यम्बुवीचिवत्तान्स पश्यति ॥ २९ ॥
न द्वेष्टि संप्रवृत्तानि न निवृत्तानि काङ्क्षति ।
कार्याण्येष प्रबुद्धोऽपि निष्प्रबुद्ध इव द्रुमः ॥ ३० ॥
दृश्यते लोकसामान्यो यथाप्राप्तानुवृत्तिमान् ।
इष्टानिष्टफलप्राप्तौ हृदयेनापराजितः ॥ ३१ ॥
बुद्ध्वेदमखिलं शास्त्रं वाचयित्वा विविच्यताम् ।
अनुभूयत एवैतन्न तूक्तं वरशापवत् ॥ ३२ ॥
Maharishi Vashishta said:
2.18.24: The mind, firmly established in righteousness and steadfast in patience, is not shaken by afflictions, just as the winds do not disturb a delicate creeper.
2.18.25: The Wise one does not fall into the pit of attachment to sense objects. Who, knowing the True path, would chase after a mirage?
2.18.26: The steadfast mind delights in actions aligned with sacred scriptures and the conduct of the virtuous, like a devoted wife in the inner courtyard of her home.
2.18.27: In the countless millions of worlds, the unattached intellect perceives creations within each atom, as if observing them from within.
2.18.28: Through understanding the means to Realization, a person with a purified Inner Being is neither distressed by the flood of sensory pleasures nor overly elated by them.
2.18.29: In every single atom, all groups of Beings arise and fall freely like waves in the ocean, and the wise one perceives them as such.
2.18.30: The Awakened One neither hates what arises nor desires what ceases. Though engaged in actions, they remain as unaffected as an unawakened tree.
2.18.31: They appear ordinary in the ways of the world, acting according to circumstances, yet remain inwardly unconquered by the outcomes of desirable or undesirable results.
2.18.32: Having understood this entire teaching, let it be studied and discerned. It must be experienced directly, not merely accepted like a boon or curse.
Summary of the Teachings:
The teachings in these verses from the Yoga Vasishta emphasize the qualities of a Wise, Realized Mind that is grounded in spiritual understanding and detachment.
Verses 24 to 26 highlight the stability and righteousness of such a mind. It is described as being firmly rooted in dharma (righteousness) and fortified by patience, unshaken by external disturbances like afflictions or sensory temptations. The Wise person avoids the pitfalls of attachment to fleeting sense objects, recognizing them as illusory, much like a mirage. Their actions align with sacred scriptures and virtuous conduct, reflecting a natural harmony with truth, akin to a devoted wife’s serene presence in her home.
Verses 27 to 29 delve into the expansive perception of the enlightened intellect. The unattached mind perceives the infinite creations within every atom, understanding the transient nature of existence as akin to waves rising and falling in an ocean. This Cosmic perspective underscores the non-dualistic vision of Reality, where the Wise see the interconnectedness and impermanence of all phenomena, remaining unaffected by the constant flux of the material world.
Verse 30 introduces the concept of Realization through purified understanding. A person who comprehends the path to Realization maintains an Inner Purity that renders them indifferent to the extremes of sensory pleasure or pain. This equanimity arises from a deep Realization of the transient nature of worldly experiences, allowing the individual to remain balanced regardless of external circumstances.
Verses 31 describe the practical demeanor of the awakened individual. They engage in worldly actions without attachment, neither resisting what comes nor craving what departs. Outwardly, they may seem ordinary, blending seamlessly into societal norms, but inwardly, they remain untouched by the dualities of success or failure, pleasure or pain. This Inner Freedom distinguishes them as spiritually awake, even while participating in the world like an unaffected tree standing firm amidst changing seasons.
Finally, verse 32 emphasizes the importance of direct experience over mere intellectual acceptance of these teachings. The Wisdom of the Yoga Vasishta is not to be passively received like a bestowed gift or curse but must be actively studied, discerned, and internalized through personal Realization. This underscores the text’s focus on experiential Knowledge as the key to True Realization, urging the seeker to go beyond theoretical understanding to embody the teachings in their life. Collectively, these verses guide the aspirant toward a state of Inner Freedom, characterized by detachment, equanimity, and a profound understanding of Reality’s transient yet interconnected nature.
