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Yoga Vashishtha 2.13.50–60
(Tranquility is both a means and an end in the journey toward Realization)
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
मोक्षद्वारे द्वारपालानिमाञ्छ्रणु यथाक्रमम्।
येषामेकतमासक्त्या मोक्षद्वारं प्रविश्यते ॥ ५० ॥
सुखदोषदशादीर्घा संसारमरुमण्डली।
जन्तोः शीतलतामेति शीतरश्मेः समप्रभा ॥ ५१ ॥
शमेनासाद्यते श्रेयः शमो हि परमं पदम् ।
शमः शिवः शमः शान्ति शमो भ्रान्तिनिवारणम् ॥ ५२ ॥
पुंसः प्रशमतृप्तस्य शीतलाच्छतरात्मनः ।
शमभूषितचित्तस्य शत्रुरप्येति मित्रताम् ॥ ५३ ॥
शमचन्द्रमसा येषामाशयः समलंकृतः।
क्षीरोदानामिवोदेति तेषां परमशुद्धता ॥ ५४ ॥
हृत्कुशेशयकोशेषु येषां शमकुशेशयम् ।
सतां विकसितं ते हि द्विहृत्पद्माः समा हरेः ॥ ५५ ॥
शमश्रीः शोभते येषां मुखेन्दावकलङ्किते ।
ते कुलीनेन्दवो वन्द्याः सौन्दर्यविजितेन्द्रियाः ॥ ५६ ॥
त्रैलोक्योदरवर्तिन्यो नानन्दाय तथा श्रियः ।
साम्राज्यसंपत्प्रतिमा यथा शमविभूतयः ॥ ५७ ॥
यानि दुःखानि या तृष्णा दुःसहा ये दुराधयः ।
तत्सर्वं शान्तचेतःसु तमोऽर्केष्विव नश्यति ॥ ५८ ॥
मनो हि सर्वभूतानां प्रसादमधिगच्छति ।
न तथेन्दोर्यथा शान्ते जने जनितकौतुकम् ॥ ५९ ॥
शमशालिनि सौहार्दवति सर्वेषु जन्तुषु ।
सुजने परमं तत्त्वं स्वयमेव प्रसीदति ॥ ६० ॥
Maharishi Vashishta said:
2.13.50: Listen to the gatekeepers of the door to Realization, in their proper order. By attachment to even one of them, one enters the gate of Realization.
2.13.51: The vast desert of samsara, with its prolonged states of pleasure and pain, becomes cool and serene for a Being, like moonlight radiating equal brilliance.
2.13.52: Through tranquility, the highest good is attained; tranquility is the Supreme State. Tranquility is auspicious, peaceful, and the remover of delusion.
2.13.53: For a person who is content with tranquility, with a cool and clear mind adorned with calmness, even an enemy becomes a friend.
2.13.54: Those whose hearts are adorned with the moon-like radiance of tranquility shine with Supreme Purity, like the ocean of milk.
2.13.55: Those whose hearts, like lotus buds, rest on the bed of tranquility, bloom as noble beings with hearts like lotuses, equal to Hari (Vishnu).
2.13.56: Those whose unblemished faces shine with the splendor of tranquility are revered like noble moons, their senses conquered by beauty.
2.13.57: The riches of tranquility surpass the joys of wealth or imperial prosperity found in the three worlds.
2.13.58: All sorrows, cravings, and unbearable afflictions vanish in those with tranquil minds, like darkness before the sun.
2.13.59: The mind of all beings finds serenity, but not as much as the calm person who sparks wonder, like the moon.
2.13.60: In a virtuous person endowed with tranquility and goodwill toward all beings, the Supreme Truth naturally reveals itself.
Summary of the Teachings:
The verses from Yoga Vasishta 2.13.50 to 2.13.60 emphasize the paramount importance of shama (tranquility or mental calmness) as a key to spiritual Realization. Vasishta introduces tranquility as one of the essential "gatekeepers" guarding the path to Realization. By cultivating even one of these qualities, particularly tranquility, an individual can access the doorway to Ultimate Freedom. These verses present tranquility not merely as a state of mind but as a transformative force that cools the burning afflictions of samsara, likened to a scorching desert, bringing serenity akin to soothing moonlight.
Tranquility is extolled as the Supreme State, the highest good, and a source of profound peace that dispels delusion. It is described as auspicious and a remover of mental confusion, underscoring its spiritual potency. The verses suggest that a tranquil mind is not only a personal refuge but also a universal harmonizer, capable of transforming enmity into friendship. This quality of calmness purifies the heart, making it radiant and serene, comparable to the pristine ocean of milk, a symbol of Divine Purity in Indian scriptures.
The teachings further illustrate the aesthetic and spiritual beauty of tranquility, likening it to a moon that adorns the face of the virtuous and a bed of lotuses where noble hearts bloom. Those who embody tranquility are revered as Noble Beings, their senses mastered and their presence radiating a beauty that surpasses worldly allure. The verses elevate tranquility above material wealth or imperial power, asserting that its richness brings a joy unmatched by the pleasures of the three worlds (earth, heaven, and the netherworld).
Moreover, tranquility is portrayed as a destroyer of suffering, cravings, and mental afflictions, dissolving them like darkness before the sun. A tranquil person not only finds Inner Peace but also inspires wonder in others, their serene presence likened to the captivating glow of the moon. This state of calmness fosters goodwill toward all beings, creating a fertile ground for the spontaneous Realization of the Supreme Truth, the Ultimate Goal of Spiritual practice.
In essence, these verses teach that tranquility is both a means and an end in the journey toward Realization. It is a transformative quality that purifies, harmonizes, and elevates the individual, leading to the dissolution of worldly suffering and the revelation of Divine Truth. By cultivating shama, one aligns with the highest spiritual ideals, attaining a State of Inner Peace that radiates outward, benefiting both oneself and the world.
