Chapter 2.13, Verses 31–41

Yoga Vashishtha 2.13.31–41

(Rely on discernment, detach from worldly illusions, and focus on mastering the mind)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

विवेकं परमाश्रित्य वैराग्याभ्यासयोगतः।

संसारसरितं घोरामिमामापदमुत्तरेत् ॥ ३१ ॥

न स्वप्तव्यं च संसारमायास्विह विजानता ।

विषमूर्च्छनसंमोहदायिनीषु विवेकिना ॥ ३२ ॥

संसारमिममासाद्य यस्तिष्ठत्यवहेलया ।

ज्वलितस्य गृहस्योच्चैः शेते तार्णस्य संस्तरे ॥ ३३ ॥

यत्प्राप्य न निवर्तन्ते यदासाद्य न शोचति।

तत्पदं शेमुषीलभ्यमस्त्येवात्र न संशयः ॥ ३४ ॥

नास्ति चेत्तद्विचारेण दोषः को भवतां भवेत् ।

अस्ति चेत्तत्समुत्तीर्णा भविष्यथ भवार्णवात् ॥ ३५ ॥

प्रवृत्तिः पुरुषस्येह मोक्षोपायविचारणे ।

यदा भवत्याशु तदा मोक्षभागी स उच्यते ॥ ३६ ॥

अनपायि निराशङ्कं स्वास्थ्यं विगतविभ्रमम् ।

न विना केवलीभावाद्विद्यते भुवनत्रये ॥ ३७ ॥

तत्प्राप्तावुत्तमप्राप्तौ न क्लेश उपजायते।

न धनान्युपकुर्वन्ति न मित्राणि न बान्धवाः ॥ ३८ ॥

न हस्तपादचलनं न देशान्तरसंगमः ।

न कायक्लेशवैधुर्यं न तीर्थायतनाश्रयाः ॥ ३९ ॥

पुरुषार्थैकसाध्येन वासनैकार्थकर्मणा।

केवलं तन्मनोमात्रजयेनासाद्यते पदम् ॥ ४० ॥

विवेकमात्रसाध्यं तद्विचारैकान्तनिश्चयम् ।

त्यजता दुःखजालानि नरेणैतदवाप्यते ॥ ४१ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta said:

2.13.31: Relying on Supreme discernment and practicing detachment, one can cross over the dreadful river of worldly existence, fraught with dangers.

2.13.32: A Wise person, understanding the illusions of worldly existence, should not fall asleep in its delusions, which cause intoxication, fainting, and bewilderment.

2.13.33: One who remains careless after encountering this worldly existence is like someone sleeping on a bed of grass inside a burning house.

2.13.34: That State, once attained, from which there is no return and no sorrow, is indeed attainable by those who strive for it—there is no doubt about this.

2.13.35: If that State does not exist, what harm is there in inquiring into it? If it does exist, you will transcend the ocean of worldly existence.

2.13.36: When a person engages in contemplating the means to Realization, they quickly become worthy of attaining Realization.

2.13.37: Lasting, fearless, and delusion-free well-being is not found in the three worlds without attaining the State of Pure Consciousness.

2.13.38: In attaining that Supreme State, no effort is burdensome, nor do wealth, friends, or relatives contribute to it.

2.13.39: Neither the movement of hands and feet, nor traveling to distant lands, nor bodily austerities, nor reliance on sacred places can achieve it.

2.13.40: That State is attained solely through the conquest of the mind, with effort directed toward a single Purpose and actions aligned with Pure Intention.

2.13.41: That State, achievable through discernment alone and firm conviction through inquiry, is attained by a person who abandons the web of suffering.

Summary of Teachings:

The verses from Yoga Vasishta 2.13.31 to 2.13.41 emphasize the path to Realization through discernment (viveka), detachment (vairagya), and focused mental discipline. The text uses vivid metaphors, such as crossing a dangerous river or sleeping in a burning house, to illustrate the perils of worldly existence (samsara) and the urgency of awakening from its illusions. These verses underscore that samsara is fraught with delusion and suffering, and only through Conscious Awareness and discernment can one transcend its traps. The teachings caution against complacency, urging individuals to actively pursue Realization rather than passively succumbing to worldly distractions.

The path to Realization, as described, is not dependent on external factors such as wealth, relationships, physical efforts, or pilgrimages. Instead, it hinges on an internal transformation achieved through conquering the mind. The text highlights that true well-being—free from fear, delusion, and impermanence—exists only in the state of Pure Consciousness (kevalibhava). This State is attainable, and the verses encourage persistent inquiry into its nature, asserting that such contemplation is inherently valuable, whether or not the Ultimate Truth is immediately Realized.

The teachings stress the importance of single-pointed focus and purposeful action aligned with the Goal of Realization. External rituals, physical austerities, or reliance on sacred places are deemed insufficient for attaining this Supreme State. The mind, as the root of both bondage and Realization, must be disciplined through discernment and resolute conviction. This mental conquest is described as the sole means to transcend suffering, emphasizing self-effort (purushartha) as the key to spiritual success.

The verses also address skepticism about the existence of a Realized State, suggesting that inquiry itself is harmless and potentially transformative. If such a State exists, pursuing it leads to freedom from the cycle of birth and death; if it does not, no harm is done by the effort. This pragmatic approach encourages individuals to engage in philosophical and spiritual inquiry without fear of failure, fostering a proactive attitude toward Self-Realization.

Overall, these verses present a profound call to Inner Awakening, urging individuals to rely on discernment, detach from worldly illusions, and focus on mastering the mind. The teachings reject external dependencies and emphasize that Realization is an internal achievement, accessible through persistent effort and clear understanding. By abandoning the web of suffering through disciplined inquiry, one can attain a state of lasting peace and freedom, transcending the transient nature of worldly existence.

Chapter 2.13, Verses 1–10

Chapter 2.13: Peace and Tranquility of Mind

Yoga Vashishtha 2.13.1–10

(Enlightened are those who live in harmony with the Self, free from the bindings of duality and ego)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

एतां दृष्टिमवष्टभ्य दृष्टात्मानः सुबुद्धयः।

विचरन्तीह संसारे महान्तोऽभ्युदिता इव ॥ १ ॥

न शोचन्ति न वाञ्छन्ति न याचन्ते शुभाशुभम् ।

सर्वमेव च कुर्वन्ति न कुर्वन्तीह किंचन ॥ २ ॥

स्वच्छमेवावतिष्ठन्ते स्वच्छं कुर्वन्ति यान्ति हि ।

हेयोपादेयतापक्षरहिताः स्वात्मनि स्थिताः ॥ ३ ॥

आयान्ति च न चायान्ति प्रयान्ति च न यान्ति च ।

कुर्वन्त्यपि न कुर्वन्ति न वदन्ति वदन्ति च ॥ ४ ॥

ये केचन समारम्भा याश्च काश्चन दृष्टयः ।

हेयोपादेयतस्तास्ताः क्षीयन्तेऽधिगते पदे ॥ ५ ॥

परित्यक्तसमस्तेहं मनोमधुरवृत्तिमत्।

सर्वतः सुखमभ्येति चन्द्रबिम्ब इव स्थितम् ॥ ६ ॥

अपि निर्मननारम्भमव्यस्ताखिलकौतुकम् ।

आत्मन्येव न मात्यन्तरिन्दाविव रसायनम् ॥ ७ ॥

न करोतीन्द्रजालानि नानुधावति वासनाम् ।

बालचापलमुत्सृज्य पूर्वमेव विराजते ॥ ८ ॥

एवंविधा हि वृत्तय आत्मतत्त्वावलोकनाल्लभ्यन्ते नान्यथा ॥ ९ ॥

तस्माद्विचारेणात्मैवान्वेष्टव्य उपासनीयो ज्ञातव्यो यावज्जीवं पुरुषेण नेतरदिति ॥ १० ॥

Maharishi Vashishta said:

2.13.1: Adopting this vision, those with awakened intellects who have Realized the Self move through the world like Great Beings, as if radiant with enlightenment.

2.13.2: They neither grieve nor desire, nor do they seek good or evil; they perform all actions yet, in Essence, do nothing at all.

2.13.3: They abide in Purity, act with Purity, and move in Purity, free from notions of acceptance or rejection, firmly established in their own Self.

2.13.4: They come without coming, go without going, act without acting, and speak without speaking.

2.13.5: Whatever endeavors or perspectives arise, all notions of acceptance or rejection dissolve upon attaining the Ultimate State.

2.13.6: Having abandoned all sense of ego and with a mind sweetened by tranquility, they attain Bliss everywhere, like the Serene orb of the moon.

2.13.7: Even without initiating mental activity or being entangled in worldly curiosities, they abide solely in the Self, like nectar within the moon.

2.13.8: They do not create illusions nor chase desires, and, relinquishing childish restlessness, they shine forth as they always have.

2.13.9: Such States of Being are attained through the vision of the Self’s Essence, and not otherwise.

2.13.10: Therefore, through inquiry, one must seek, contemplate, and know the Self throughout life, and nothing else.

Summary of the Teachings:

The verses from Yoga Vasishta 2.13.1 to 2.13.10 articulate the qualities and state of being of enlightened individuals who have Realized the Self, offering a profound vision of Spiritual Realization. These verses describe the behavior and inner disposition of those who have transcended worldly dualities and abide in the non-dual Essence of the Self. By adopting a vision rooted in Self-Realization, these awakened beings navigate the world with Wisdom and Equanimity, appearing radiant as if illuminated by an inner light. Their actions, free from attachment or aversion, reflect a state of effortless existence, where they engage in the world yet remain untouched by it, embodying a paradox of doing without doing.

Central to these teachings is the idea of freedom from desire, grief, and the pursuit of good or evil. The enlightened do not cling to outcomes or reject experiences, as they see all phenomena as transient and illusory compared to the Eternal Self. Their purity of mind allows them to act spontaneously, without being swayed by dualities such as gain or loss, acceptance or rejection. This State of Being is marked by a serene detachment, where their actions align with the natural flow of existence, untainted by ego or personal motives. The verses emphasize that such individuals are not bound by conventional notions of movement, action, or speech, as their Awareness rests in the unchanging Reality of the Self.

The teachings further highlight the dissolution of ego and mental restlessness as essential to attaining this State. By relinquishing the sense of “I” and calming the mind’s fluctuations, the enlightened experience Universal Bliss, likened to the tranquil glow of the moon. This metaphor underscores their serene and unchanging nature amidst the flux of worldly life. The verses suggest that the enlightened do not create illusions (like a magician’s tricks) nor chase fleeting desires, having outgrown the impulsive tendencies of an immature mind. Instead, they shine in their inherent glory, rooted in the Eternal Truth of the Self.

The path to this Realization, as outlined in the verses, is through direct contemplation and Inquiry into the Nature of the Self. This process involves moving beyond superficial engagements with the world and cultivating a vision that pierces through illusions to perceive the underlying Unity of Existence. The teachings stress that such a State is not achieved through external means or rituals but through an inner transformation driven by Self-Inquiry. The final verse underscores the lifelong commitment to this pursuit, 

urging individuals to focus solely on Realizing the Self, as it is the Ultimate Purpose of human life.

In essence, these verses encapsulate the Yoga Vasishta’s non-dual philosophy, portraying the enlightened as those who live in harmony with the Self, free from the bindings of duality and ego. Their existence is a testament to the power of Self-Knowledge, which liberates one from the cycles of desire and suffering. The teachings encourage a disciplined inquiry into the Self, promising a state of unshakable Peace and Bliss that transcends the transient nature of the world. This vision serves as both an inspiration and a guide for spiritual aspirants seeking to attain True Realization.

Chapter 1.12, Verses 13–16

Yoga Vashishtha 2.12.13–16

(The root of suffering lies in Ignorance and attachment to the illusory world)

श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।

विचारवता पुरुषेण सकलमिदमाधिपञ्जरं सर्पेण त्वचमिव परिपक्वां संत्यज्य विगतज्वरेण शीतलान्तःकरणेन विनोदादिन्द्रजालमिव जगदखिलमालोक्यते सम्यग्दर्शनवता असम्यग्दर्शनवतो हि परं दुःखमिदम् ॥ १३ ॥

विषमो ह्यतितरां संसाररागो भोगीव दशति असिरिव च्छिनत्ति कुन्त इव वेधयति रज्जुरिवावेष्टयति पावक इव दहति रात्रिरिवान्धयति अशङ्कितपरिपतितपुरुषान्पाषाण इव विवशीकरोति हरति प्रज्ञां नाशयति स्थितिं पातयति मोहान्धकूपे तृष्णा जर्जरीकरोति न तदस्ति किंचिद्दुःखं संसारी यन्न प्राप्नोति ॥ १४ ॥

दुरन्तेयं किल विषयविषूचिका यदि न चिकित्स्यते तन्नितरां नरकनगरनिकरफलानुबन्धिनी तत्तत्करोति ॥ १५ ॥

यत्र शिलाशितासिशातः पात उपलताडनमग्निदाहो हिमावसेकोऽङ्गावकर्तनं चन्दनचर्चातरुवनानि घुणवृत्तान्तःपरिवेषोऽङ्गपरिमार्जनमनवरतानलविचलितसमरनाराचनिपातो निदाघविनोदनं धारागृहसीकरवर्षणं शिरश्छेदः सुखनिद्रामूकीकरणमाननमुद्राबान्धुर्य महानुपचयः ॥ १६ ॥

Maharishi Vashishta said:

2.12.13: A person who has cultivated discernment perceives this entire world, which is like a cage of illusion, as a snake sheds its old skin. With a tranquil mind, free from the fever of delusion, they view the world as a magical display, seeing it clearly with true insight. However, those lacking such discernment experience this world as a source of great suffering.

2.12.14: The attachment to worldly existence is extremely harmful; it bites like a venomous snake, cuts like a sword, pierces like a spear, binds like a rope, burns like fire, blinds like darkness, and overpowers unsuspecting people like a falling stone. It robs Wisdom, destroys stability, plunges one into the dark pit of delusion, and exhausts through insatiable craving. There is no suffering that a person entangled in worldly existence does not experience.

2.12.15: This insatiable craving for sensory objects is indeed a deadly fever. If left untreated, it leads to consequences as severe as dwelling in countless hellish realms, bringing about manifold miseries.

2.12.16: In this world of illusion, sharp weapons are mistaken for polished stones, falls are seen as embraces, being crushed by stones is taken as soothing baths, burns are perceived as cooling sprinkles, dismemberment is confused with sandalwood anointment, termite-infested forests are seen as pleasant groves, constant friction is mistaken for gentle massages, relentless battles are viewed as summer amusements, torrential rains are thought to be refreshing mists, beheading is imagined as restful sleep, and mute suffering is taken as charming eloquence—an accumulation of great delusion.

Summary of Teachings:

The verses from Yoga Vasishta (2.12.13–2.12.16) present a profound philosophical discourse on the nature of worldly existence and the transformative power of discernment. In the first verse (2.12.13), Vasishta emphasizes the importance of cultivating discernment (vichara) to perceive the world as an illusion, akin to a magical display or a snake’s discarded skin. A discerning individual, free from the agitation of delusion, views the world with clarity and tranquility, recognizing its transient and illusory nature. In contrast, those who lack this insight remain trapped in the cycle of suffering, perceiving the world as real and binding, which leads to endless misery.

The second verse (2.12.14) vividly illustrates the destructive nature of attachment to worldly existence (samsara). Vasishta uses powerful metaphors to describe how attachment inflicts pain in multiple forms—it bites, cuts, pierces, binds, burns, blinds, and overpowers like a falling stone. This attachment strips away Wisdom, destabilizes the mind, and plunges one into the depths of delusion, driven by insatiable desires (trishna). The verse underscores that no form of suffering is spared for those entangled in worldly pursuits, highlighting the all-encompassing nature of the pain caused by ignorance and attachment.

In the third verse (2.12.15), Vasishta compares the craving for sensory pleasures to a deadly fever (vishuchika), which, if not addressed through spiritual practice or discernment, leads to consequences as severe as dwelling in hellish realms. This untreated craving perpetuates a cycle of misery, binding the individual to endless suffering. The verse serves as a warning, urging the seeker to treat this “disease” of desire through Self-Inquiry and detachment to avoid its dire consequences.

The fourth verse (2.12.16) elaborates on the illusory nature of worldly experiences, where deluded perceptions transform pain into false pleasure. Vasishta describes how the ignorant mistake harmful experiences—such as being cut, crushed, burned, or dismembered—for pleasurable ones, like soothing baths, cooling sprinkles, or restful sleep. This vivid imagery illustrates the depth of delusion that clouds the mind, causing individuals to misinterpret suffering as enjoyment. The verse emphasizes the need to transcend this distorted perception through true understanding to break free from the cycle of illusion.

Collectively, these verses teach that the root of suffering lies in Ignorance and attachment to the illusory world. Discernment, cultivated through Self-Inquiry, allows one to see the world as a fleeting, magical display, thereby attaining Inner Peace and liberation from suffering. The metaphors of destruction and delusion highlight the urgency of overcoming attachment and craving, which lead to manifold miseries. By presenting the world as a web of misperceptions, Vasishta encourages the seeker to pursue True Knowledge and detachment, aligning with the core Advaita Vedanta principle that liberation comes from Realizing the illusory nature of samsara and abiding in the Truth of the Self.