Chapter 1.1, Verses 61–66

Yoga Vāsiṣṭha 1.1.61–66

(Lord Vishnu's other curses) 

Verse 1.1.61:

भृगुर्भार्यां हतां दृष्ट्वा ह्युवाच क्रोधमूर्च्छितः ।

विष्णो तवापि भार्याया वियोगो हि भविष्यति ॥ ६१ ॥

Verse 1.1.62

वृन्दया शापितो विष्णुश्छलनं यत्त्वया कृतम् ।

अतस्त्वं स्त्रीवियोगं तु वचनान्मम यास्यसि ॥ ६२ ॥

Verse 1.1.63:

भार्या हि देवदत्तस्य पयोष्णीतीरसँस्थिता ।

नृसिंहवेषधृग्विष्णुं दृष्ट्वा पञ्चत्वमागता ॥ ६३ ॥

Verse 1.1.64:

तेन शप्तो हि नृहरिर्दुःखार्तः स्त्रीवियोगतः ।

तवापि भार्यया सार्धं वियोगो हि भविष्यति ॥ ६४ ॥

Verse 1.1.65:

भृगुणैवं कुमारेण शापितो देवशर्मणा।

वृन्दया शापितो विष्णुस्तेन मानुष्यतां गतः ॥ ६५ ॥

Verse 1.1.66:

एतत्ते कथितं सर्वे शापव्याजस्य कारणम् ।

इदानीं वच्मि तत्सर्वे सावधानमतिः शृणु ॥ ६६ ॥

"Seeing his wife slain (when she tried to shelter asuras being pursued by Lord Vishnu), Bhrigu, overwhelmed with anger, said: 'Vishnu, you too shall experience the separation from your wife.'" (1.1.61)

"Vishnu was cursed by Vrinda (wife of Asura king Jalandhar) for the deceit you have committed (Lord Vishnu impersonated her Asura husband to break her pativrata vow that was protecting her husband). Therefore, by my words, you shall undergo separation from your wife." (1.1.62)

"Devadatta's wife, residing on the banks of the Payoṣṇī river, upon seeing Lord Vishnu in the fierce form of Narasiṃha, met her demise." (1.1.63)

"Thus, Narasiṃha (Vishnu), afflicted by sorrow due to the separation from his consort, was cursed. You too shall experience separation from your wife." (1.1.64)

"Thus, Vishnu was cursed by Bhrigu, the young Devadutt, and Vrinda, leading him to take human form." (1.1.65)

"Thus, I have narrated to you all the reasons behind these curses. Now, listen attentively as I tell you everything." (1.1.66)

These verses highlight the intricate narratives involving curses and their profound implications, underscoring the themes of karma and destiny even for gods in heaven, prevalent in Hindu philosophy.

End of Section–1 of Chapter–1

Chapter 1.1, Verses 52–60

Yoga Vashishtha 1.1.52–60

(The curse on Lord Vishnu)

वाल्मीकिरुवाच ।

श्रृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि रामायणमखण्डितम् ।

श्रुत्वावधार्य यत्नेन जीवन्मुक्तो भविष्यसि ॥ ५२ ॥

वसिष्ठरामसंवादं मोक्षोपायकथां शुभाम ।

ज्ञातस्वभावो राजेन्द्र वदामि श्रूयतां बुध ॥ ५३ ॥

राजोवाच ।

को रामः कीदृशः कस्य बद्धो वा मुक्त एव वा ।

एतन्मे निश्चितं ब्रूहि ज्ञानं तत्त्वविदां वर ॥ ५४ ॥

वाल्मीकिरुवाच ।

शापव्याजवशादेव राजवेषधरो हरिः।

आहृताज्ञानसंपन्नः किंचिज्ज्ञोऽसौ भवत्प्रभुः ॥ ५५ ॥

Valmiki said: "O King, listen attentively as I narrate the unbroken Ramayana (the story of Rama). By hearing and carefully contemplating it, you shall attain Jivanmukti (liberation while living). (1.1.52)"

"The dialogue between Vasishta and Rama contains the auspicious discourse on the means of liberation (moksha).

O King of rulers, having realized its true nature, I shall now speak - listen carefully, O Wise One.(1.1.53)"

The King asked:"Who is Rama? What is his nature? To whom does he belong? Is he bound or already liberated? O best among the knowers of Truth, please tell me with certainty this Knowledge of the Absolute. (1.1.54)"

Valmiki replied: "By the pretext of a curse (shāpa), Hari (Vishnu) himself has assumed the form of a king (Rama). Though appearing with acquired ignorance (ajñāna), he is actually the Supreme Lord, possessing only partial (worldly) knowledge. (1.1.55)"

These verses introduce the essence of the Yoga Vashishta, where Sage Valmiki prepares an enquirer for the profound dialogue between Rama and Vasishta, which aims to reveal the path to Self-Realization.

राजोवाच ।

चिदानन्दस्वरूपे हि रामे चैतन्यविग्रहे।

शापस्य कारणं ब्रूहि कः शप्ता चेति मे वद ॥ ५६ ॥

वाल्मीकिरुवाच ।

सनत्कुमारो निष्काम अवसद्ब्रह्मसद्मनि ।

वैकुण्ठादागतो विष्णुस्त्रैलोक्याधिपतिः प्रभुः ॥ ५७॥

ब्रह्मणा पूजितस्तत्र सल्यलोकनिवासिभिः ।

विना कुमारं तं दृष्ट्रा ह्युवाच प्रभुरीश्वरः ॥ ५८ ॥

सनत्कुमार स्तब्धोऽसि निष्कामो गर्वचेष्टया ।

अतस्त्वं भव कामार्तः शरजन्मेति नामतः ॥ ५९ ॥

तेनापि शापितो विष्णुः सर्वज्ञत्वं तवास्ति यत् ।

किंचित्कालं हि तत्त्यक्त्वा त्वमज्ञानी भविष्यसि ॥ ६० ॥

The King asked: "If Rama is of the Nature of Pure Consciousness and Bliss, if he is the embodiment of Supreme Awareness, then what was the reason for his curse? Who cursed him? Please tell me. (1.1.56)"

Valmiki replied: "Sanatkumara, who was free from desires, resided in the abode of Brahman. At that time, Vishnu, the Lord of the three worlds, came from Vaikuntha. (1.1.57)"

"Brahma and the Divine beings residing in higher realms worshipped Vishnu, but when Vishnu did not see Sanatkumara there, the Supreme Lord (Ishvara) spoke thus. (1.1.58)"

"‘Sanatkumara, you remain unmoving, detached and dispassionate, but with an air of pride. Therefore, you shall be born as one afflicted by desire,

And be known by the name Sharajanma.’ (1.1.59)"

"In return, Sanatkumara also cursed Vishnu, saying: ‘Though you are omniscient, for a brief period, you shall abandon that omniscience and experience ignorance.’ (1.1.60)"

These verses narrate the mutual curses exchanged between 

Sanatkumara and Vishnu, explaining why Vishnu 

(as Rama) assumes a human form with partial ignorance. 

This passage highlights the philosophical interplay of Divine play (Lila), karma, and the concept of Divine incarnation in the Yoga Vashishta.