Posts
Yoga Vashishtha 3.82.48–60
(These verses illustrate the power of genuine friendship and transformation)
राक्षस्युवाच।
युक्तमुक्तं त्वया राजन्करोम्येवमहं सखे।
सौहार्देन प्रवृत्तस्य को वाक्यं नाभिनन्दति ॥ ४८॥
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।
इत्युक्त्वा राक्षसी तत्र संपन्ना सुविलासिनी।
हारकेयूरकटकपट्टस्रग्दाम धारिणी ॥ ४९॥
राजन्नागच्छ गच्छाम इत्युक्त्वा भूपमन्त्रिणौ।
अग्रे गन्तुं प्रवृत्तौ तौ रात्रावनुससार सा ॥ ५०॥
अथ ते पार्थिवगृहं प्राप्य तां रजनीं मिथः।
कथयैकगृहे रम्ये क्षपयामासुरादृताः ॥ ५१॥
प्रभातेऽन्तःपुरे तस्थौ पुरन्ध्रीजनलीलया।
राक्षसी मन्त्रिराजानौ स्वव्यापारौ बभूवतुः ॥ ५२॥
ततो दिवसषट्केन संचितानि महीभृता।
नृपः परपुरेभ्योऽपि स्वमण्डलगणात्तथा ॥ ५३॥
त्रीणि वध्यसहस्राणि तानि तस्यै तदा ददौ।
सा बभूव निशा काले सैवोग्रा कृष्णराक्षसी ॥ ५४॥
तानि वध्यसहस्राणि जग्राह भुजमण्डले।
धारानिकरजालानि मेघमालेव कोटरे ॥ ५५॥
ययौ राजानमापृच्छ्य तदेव हिमवच्छिरः।
दरिद्रा लब्धहेमेव ग्रहेषूग्रशरीरिणी ॥ ५६॥
तत्र तृप्ता भृशं भुक्त्वा सुखं सुप्त्वा दिनत्रयम्।
आसीत्प्रबोधसुस्वस्था सा समाधिमतिः पुनः ॥ ५७॥
पञ्चभिर्वा चतुर्भिर्वा वर्षैः सा संप्रबुध्यते।
तत्ततो मण्डलं याति तेन राजसभाजने ॥ ५८॥
तत्र विश्रम्भगर्भाभिः कथाभिः कंचिदेव सा।
स्थित्वा कालं गृहीत्वा तान्वध्यान्स्वास्पदमेत्यथ ॥ ५९॥
जीवन्मुक्ततयैवमेव विपिने साद्यापि रक्षोङ्गना तस्मिन्नेव गिरौ स्थिता विचलितध्यानैकतानाशया।
तस्मिन्राजनि शान्तिमागतवति त्यक्तैषणेनात्मना तद्राष्ट्राधिपसौहृदैः स्वकवलानास्वादयन्ती चिरं ॥ ६०॥
The demoness said:
3.82.48
> O King, what you have said is proper. I will do exactly that, my friend. Who would not welcome the words of someone acting out of true friendship?
Sage Vasishtha said:
3.82.49–52
> After speaking thus, the demoness transformed there into a beautiful and graceful woman, adorned with necklaces, armlets, bracelets, fine silken clothes, and flower garlands.
> O King, saying “Come, let us go” to the King and the Minister, those two moved ahead, and she followed them in the night.
> Then they reached the King’s palace and spent that night respectfully, talking with each other in a pleasant single room.
> In the morning she stayed in the inner palace, enjoying the company and play of the women there, while the King and the Minister attended to their own duties.
3.82.53–60
> Then, within six days, the King collected three thousand prisoners condemned to death from his own kingdom as well as from other cities.
> He gave those three thousand condemned prisoners to her. At night she again became that same fierce black demoness.
> She gathered those three thousand into her arms, like clusters of rain-bearing clouds holding streams of water in a mountain cave.
> Taking leave of the King, she went back to the same Himalayan peak, like a poor woman who had suddenly obtained gold, fierce in form among the stars.
> There, fully satisfied after eating a lot and sleeping comfortably for three days, she became awake, refreshed, and once again established in a meditative state.
> Every four or five years she awakens, goes to that kingdom, and thus honors the King’s assembly.
> There, through confidential and friendly conversations, she stays for some time, then takes the condemned prisoners and returns to her own place.
> Even today, as a liberated soul (jivanmukta), that demoness remains in the forest on that same mountain, with her mind steadily absorbed in meditation. When that King attained Peace by renouncing all desires, she continued for a long time enjoying her own food through the friendship of the ruler of that land.
Summary of the Teachings:
The demoness, moved by the King’s kind and wise words, agrees to change her ways. She transforms from a fearsome being into a beautiful woman, showing that positive guidance and heartfelt connection can bring out the best in anyone, even those with dark tendencies. This teaches that no one is beyond redemption if approached with sincerity and goodwill.
The story highlights the balance between worldly duties and inner spiritual practice. While the King and Minister carry out their responsibilities, the demoness lives among the palace women by day and returns to her fierce nature at night. This shows how one can engage with the outer world while maintaining a deeper Inner Reality. It reminds us that spiritual growth does not mean abandoning daily life but integrating wisdom into it.
The verses emphasize discipline, moderation, and periodic renewal. The demoness consumes the offered prisoners only as needed, rests deeply for days, and stays in meditation. Every few years she returns for her requirements. This teaches the importance of self-control, rest, and regular reconnection with one’s spiritual center rather than constant indulgence or distraction.
A key teaching is the value of liberation while living (jivanmukti). The demoness ultimately lives as a free soul, steady in meditation even while fulfilling basic needs through a harmonious relationship with the King. This shows that True Freedom comes from Inner Peace and detachment from desires, allowing one to live peacefully in the world without being bound by it.
Finally, these verses convey the long-lasting fruits of virtuous friendship and wise rule. The King’s renunciation of desires leads to Peace, and the bond with the demoness benefits both. It teaches that genuine relationships built on trust and wisdom support spiritual progress for all involved and create harmony that endures over Time.
