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Yoga Vashishtha 3.74.15–28
(The verses describe the extreme penance of Suchi, the needle form of the demoness, who disciplined her body and desires through intense austerity to overcome hunger and elemental disturbances)
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच।
बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन वाताद्यशनशान्तये।
यया स्वोदरसौषिर्यं पिण्डीकृत्वा निवारितम् ॥ १५॥
शान्तसंकोचसूक्ष्मार्थं विकास्यास्यं रजोणुना।
तयाद्य स्थगितं शीतवाताशननिवृत्तये ॥ १६॥
तस्यास्तीव्रेण तपसा तुहिनाकरमुत्सृजन्।
अग्न्याकारमयो गृह्णन् देव दुःसेव्यतां गतः ॥ १७॥
तदुत्तिष्ठाशु गच्छामः सर्व एव पितामहम्।
तद्वरार्थमनर्थाय विद्धि तत्सुमहत्तपः ॥ १८॥
इति वातेरितः शक्रः सहदेवगणेन सः।
जगाम ब्रह्मणो लोकं प्रार्थयामास तं विभुम् ॥ १९॥
सूच्या वरमहं दातुं गच्छामि हिमवच्छिरः।
ब्रह्मणेति प्रतिज्ञाते शक्रः स्वर्गमुपाययौ ॥ २०॥
एतावताथ कालेन सा बभूवातिपावनी।
सूची निजतपस्तापतापितामरमन्दिरा ॥ २१॥
मुखरन्ध्रस्थितार्कांशुदृशा स्वच्छाययैव सा।
विकासिन्या विवर्तिस्था चोदितान्तमवेक्षिता ॥ २२॥
कौशेयरूपया सूच्या मेरुः स्थैर्येण निर्जितः।
मज्जनं नैति वृद्ध्वैवं मुक्तमाद्यन्तयोर्दिने ॥ २३॥
मध्याह्ने तापभीत्येव विशन्त्या मारुतान्तरम्।
अन्यदा गौरवाद्दृष्ट्वा दूरतः प्रेक्षमाणया ॥ २४॥
सा तामवेक्षते क्षारात्तापादङ्गे निमज्जति।
संकटे विस्मरत्येव जनो गौरवसत्क्रियाम् ॥ २५॥
छायासूची तापसूची यश्चात्मा स तृतीयया।
त्रिकोणं तपसा पूतं वाराणस्या समं कृतम् ॥ २६॥
गतास्तेन त्रिकोणेन त्रिवर्णपरिखावता।
वायवः पांसवो येऽपि ते परां मुक्तिमागताः ॥ २७॥
विदितपरमकारणाद्य जाता स्वयमनुचेतनसंविदं विचार्य।
स्वमननकलनानुसार एकस्त्विह हि गुरुः परमो न राघवान्यः ॥ २८॥
Sage Vasistha said:
3.74.15–20
> Why say much here? To calm the winds and such hunger, she contracted her own belly's hollow into a solid form and restrained it.
> With her mouth expanded subtly for peace and contraction, using the particle of rajas, she blocked it today to stop cold winds and eating.
> By her intense austerity, abandoning the cool-rayed one (moon) and taking the form of fire, she became hard to serve, O God.
> "Therefore, arise quickly, let us all go to the grandfather (Brahma). Know that great tapas of hers as for a boon but leading to trouble."
> Thus urged by the wind (Vata), Indra with the host of gods went to Brahma's world and prayed to that lord.
> "I go to give the boon at the peak of the Himalayas," Brahma declared. Having promised, Indra returned to heaven.
3.74.21–28
> In due course of time, she became supremely purifying. The needle (Suchi), heated by her own tapas, scorched the abode of the gods.
> With her eye as the sun's ray positioned in the mouth's opening, she remained in her clear shadow, expanded, and observed the end as prompted.
> By the silk-like form of the needle, Mount Meru was conquered by firmness. She does not sink even when grown, free at the beginning and end of the day.
> At midday, entering the space of winds out of fear of heat; at other times, due to dignity, watching from afar.
> She looks at that one; from the caustic heat, she sinks into the body. In distress, a person forgets even respectful service.
> Shadow needle, heat needle, and the Self as the third. The triangle purified by tapas was made equal to Varanasi (holy place).
> By that triangle with three-colored boundary, even the winds and dust particles that went attained supreme liberation.
> Having known the Supreme Cause and so on, one becomes self-aware Consciousness by inquiry. Following one's own reflection and calculation, here the one supreme guru is none other than the self, O Raghu's descendant.
Summary of the Teachings:
This illustrates the power of tapas (austerity) in transforming one's form and controlling natural urges like wind, cold, and appetite. It shows how focused self-restraint can lead to extraordinary capabilities, even affecting the Divine realms, highlighting that inner discipline surpasses physical limitations.
The narrative emphasizes seeking Divine intervention through collective effort, as the gods approach Brahma for resolution. It teaches that while tapas can grant boons, unchecked or misguided intensity may cause unintended harm or trouble. This underscores the importance of Wisdom in using spiritual power responsibly, balancing personal transformation with harmony in the larger Cosmic order.
Suchi's purified state as a subtle, needle-like entity demonstrates the refinement of Consciousness through penance, allowing penetration into subtle realms and observation of Reality from a clear, expanded perspective. Her daily cycles of behavior in response to heat and dignity reflect mindful adaptation to environmental conditions, symbolizing how the Awakened Being navigates existence with Awareness and restraint.
The symbolism of the triangle formed by shadow, heat, and Self, equated to a holy site, represents the integration of dualities and the Self into a sacred, purified geometry that leads to liberation. Even minute particles like winds and dust attain freedom through this structure, teaching that all levels of existence can be elevated through the purifying force of tapas and Self-Realization.
Ultimately, these verses point to the Supreme Guru as one's own Self after inquiring into the Ultimate Cause. True Knowledge arises from self-reflection and Conscious Awareness, independent of external authorities. This Advaitic teaching encourages direct inquiry into one's nature for liberation, affirming the Self as the highest guide in the spiritual journey.
