Chapter 1.32, Verses 15–27

Yoga Vashishtha 1.32.15–27

(Impactful nature of Spiritual experiences)

श्रीवाल्मीकिरुवाच ।

व्योमवातविनुन्नेव तारकाणां परम्परा।

पतितेव धरापीठे स्वर्गस्त्रीहसितच्छटा ॥ १५ ॥

वृष्यमूककचन्मेघलवावलिरिव च्युता।

हैयंगवीनपिण्डानामीरितेव परम्परा ॥ १६ ॥

हिमवृष्टिरिवोदारा मुक्ताहारचयोपमा ।

ऐन्दवी रश्मिमालेव क्षीरोर्मीणामिवाततिः ॥ १७ ॥

किञ्जल्काम्भोजवलिता भ्रमद्भृङ्गकदम्बका ।

सीत्कारगायदामोदिमधुरानिललोलिता ॥ १८ ॥

प्रभ्रमत्केतकीव्यूहा प्रस्फुरत्कैरवोत्करा ।

प्रपतत्कुन्दवलया चलत्कुवलयालया ॥ १९ ॥

आपूरिताङ्गणरसा गृहाच्छादनचत्वरा ।

उद्ग्रीवपुरवास्तव्यनरनारीविलोकिता ॥ २० ॥

निरभ्रोत्पलसंकाशव्योमवृष्टिर नाकुला ।

अदृष्टपूर्वा सर्वस्य जनस्य  जनितस्मया ॥ २१ ॥

अदृश्याम्बरसिद्धौघकरोत्कर समीरिता ।

सा मुहूर्तचतुर्भागं पुष्पवृष्टिः पपात ह ॥ २२ ॥

आपूरितसभालोके शान्ते कुसुमवर्षणे।

इमं सिद्धगणालापं शुश्रुवुस्ते सभागताः ॥ २३ ॥

आकल्पं सिद्धसेनासु भ्रमद्भिरभितोदिवम् ।

अपूर्वमिदमस्माभिः श्रुतं श्रुतिरसायनम् ॥ २४ ॥

यदनेन किलोदारमुक्तं रघुकुलेन्दुना ।

वीतरागतया तद्धि वाक्पतेरप्यगोचरम् ॥ २५ ॥

अहो बत महत्पुण्यमद्यास्माभिरिदं श्रुतम्।

वचो राममुखोद्भूतं महाह्लादकरं धियः ॥ २६ ॥

उपशमामृतसुन्दरमादरा दधिगतोत्तमतापदमेष यत् ।

कथितवानुचितं रघुनन्दनः सपदि तेन वयं प्रतिबोधिताः ॥ २७ ॥

Maharishi Valmiki said:

Verse 1.32.15: "Like a shower of stars scattered by the wind in the sky, or like a streak of laughter from celestial women falling upon the earth."

Verse 1.32.16: "Like a fine array of clouds adorned with raindrops, or like a row of fragrant butter-like flowers gently swaying."

Verse 1.32.17: "Like a noble shower of snow, resembling a heap of pearls, or like the moon’s rays or waves of milk spreading across."

Verse 1.32.18: "Like lotus filaments adorned with buzzing bees, stirred by a sweet breeze carrying melodious humming and fragrance."

Verse 1.32.19: "Like a cluster of blooming ketaki flowers, radiant with blossoming kairava, or a garland of moving jasmine and blue lotuses."

Verse 1.32.20: "Filling the courtyard with sweetness, covering homes, and captivating the men and women of the city who gaze upward."

Verse 1.32.21: "Like a rain from a cloudless sky, pure as blue lotuses, unseen before, it astonished everyone who beheld it."

Verse 1.32.22: "Stirred by the hands of invisible celestial beings, this shower of flowers fell for a quarter of a moment."

Verse 1.32.23: "When the flower shower ceased and the assembly was filled with light, those present heard the Divine speech of the siddhas."

Verse 1.32.24: “Roaming the heavens among celestial armies until the end of the age, we have never heard such an elixir-like discourse.”

Verse 1.32.25: “What this noble scion of the Raghu dynasty has spoken, free from attachment, is beyond even the eloquence of the lord of speech.”

Verse 1.32.26: “Oh, what great merit we have gained today by hearing these joy-giving words spoken by Rama, delighting the mind.”

Verse 1.32.27: “With reverence, Rama, the joy of the Raghu lineage, has spoken this fitting nectar-like teaching of tranquility, awakening us to the Highest State.”

Summary of the Teachings:

The verses from Yoga Vashishta 1.32.15 to 1.32.27 depict a Divine and awe-inspiring scene where a miraculous shower of flowers descends from the heavens, symbolizing a moment of spiritual significance. This celestial event, described through vivid imagery of stars, clouds, pearls, and fragrant flowers, captures the attention of all who witness it. The natural and supernatural beauty of the scene—likened to lotuses, bees, and moonlit waves—creates an atmosphere of Wonder and Reverence. This phenomenon serves as a prelude to the profound teachings delivered by Rama, emphasizing the Divine and transformative nature of his words.

The imagery of the flower shower, falling briefly from a cloudless sky and stirred by invisible celestial beings, underscores the transient yet impactful nature of spiritual experiences. It reflects the idea that Divine Wisdom, though fleeting in its manifestation, leaves a lasting impression on those who encounter it. The astonishment of the onlookers highlights the rarity and purity of such moments, which transcend ordinary human experience and evoke a sense of the sublime. This sets the stage for the assembly to receive Rama’s discourse with heightened awareness and openness.

Rama’s speech, as described in the later verses, is celebrated by the celestial beings (siddhas) as an unprecedented and elixir-like teaching. His words, free from attachment and rooted in profound wisdom, are portrayed as surpassing even the eloquence of the Divine Lord of speech. This emphasizes the exceptional nature of Rama’s insight, which is grounded in detachment (vairagya) and clarity of thought. The teachings resonate deeply, offering a path to Inner Tranquility and Realization, as they are described as delighting the mind and awakening the listeners to a Higher State of Consciousness.

The response of the celestial beings reflects the transformative power of Rama’s words, which are seen as a rare and meritorious gift. Their declaration that they have never heard such wisdom, even while roaming the heavens, underscores the uniqueness of Rama’s teachings within the spiritual realm. The verses highlight the theme of spiritual awakening through authentic and heartfelt discourse, suggesting that True Wisdom transcends even Divine eloquence and has the power to uplift and enlighten all who hear it.

Overall, these verses convey the Yoga Vashishta’s core teaching of the pursuit of Self-Realization through detachment and Wisdom. The celestial imagery and the reverence for Rama’s words illustrate the profound impact of spiritual teachings on both human and Divine audiences. The fleeting nature of the flower shower mirrors the ephemeral quality of life, urging listeners to seize the opportunity for enlightenment. Rama’s discourse, described as an “elixir” and a source of “great merit,” serves as a guide to attaining Inner Peace and the Highest State of Being, emphasizing the timeless value of Wisdom and Tranquility in the spiritual journey.

Chapter 1.32, Verses 1–14

Yoga Vashishtha 1.32.1–14

(Transformative force of Rama's words)

श्रीवाल्मीकिरुवाच ।

वदत्येवं मनोमोहविनिवृत्तिकरं वचः।

रामे राजीवपत्राक्षे तस्मिन्राजकुमारके ॥ १ ॥

सर्वे बभूवुस्तत्रस्था विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनाः ।

भिन्नाम्बरा देहरुहैर्गिरः श्रोतुमिवोद्धुरैः ॥ २ ॥

विरागवासनापास्तसमस्त भववासनाः ।

मुहूर्तममृताम्भोधिवीचीविलुलिता इव ॥ ३ ॥

ता गिरो रामभद्रस्य तस्य चित्रार्पितैरिव।

संश्रुताः श्रृणुकैरन्तरानन्दपदपीवरैः ॥ ४ ॥

वसिष्ठविश्वामित्राद्यैर्मुनिभिः संसदि स्थितैः ।

जयन्तधृष्टिप्रमुखैर्मन्त्रिभिर्मन्त्रकोविदैः ॥ ५ ॥

नृपैर्दशरथप्रख्यैः पौरैः पारशवादिभिः।

सामन्तै राजपुत्रैश्च ब्राह्मणैर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः ॥ ६ ॥

तथा भृत्यैऽरमात्यैश्च पञ्जरस्थैश्च पक्षिभिः ।

क्रीडामृगैर्गतस्पन्दैस्तुरंगैस्त्यक्त चर्वणैः ॥ ७ ॥

कौसल्याप्रमुखैश्चैव निजवातायनस्थितैः।

संशान्तभूषणारावैरस्पन्दैर्वनितागणैः ॥ ८॥

उद्यानवल्लीनिलयैर्विटङ्कनिल यैरपि।

अक्षुब्धपक्षततिभिर्विहङ्गैर्विरतारवैः ॥ ९॥

सिद्धैर्नभश्चरैश्चैव तथा गन्धर्वकिन्नरैः।

नारदव्यासपुलहप्रमुखैर्मुनिपुङ्गवैः ॥ १०॥

अन्यैश्च देवदेवेशविद्याधरमहोरगैः ।

रामस्य ता विचित्रार्था महोदारा गिरः श्रुताः ॥ ११ ॥

अथ तूष्णीं स्थितवति रामे राजीवलोचने।

तस्मिन्रघुकुलाकाशशशाङ्के शशिसुन्दरे ॥ १२ ॥

साधुवादगिरा सार्धं सिद्धसार्थसमीरिता।

वितानकसमा व्योम्नः पौष्पी वृष्टिः पपात ह ॥ १३ ॥

मन्दारकोशविश्रान्तभ्रमर द्वन्द्वनादिनी।

मधुरामोदसौन्दर्यमुदितोन्मदमानवा ॥ १४ ॥

Maharishi Valmiki said: 

1. "Thus spoke Rama, the lotus-eyed prince, with words that dispel the delusion of the mind."

2. "All those present there were wide-eyed with astonishment, their bodies adorned with divine garments, eager to hear his words as if drawn by them."

3. "Free from worldly desires and purified by dispassion, they were momentarily swayed like waves on the ocean of nectar."

4. "The words of the Noble Rama, as if adorned with wondrous meanings, were listened to by the Wise with Inner Joy and profound understanding."

5. "Sages like Vasishta and Vishvamitra, seated in the assembly, along with ministers like Jayanta and Dhrishti, skilled in counsel, heard them."

6. "Kings like Dasharatha, citizens, vassals, princes, and Brahmins well-versed in Vedic Knowledge also listened."

7. "So did the attendants, courtiers, caged birds, playful deer that stood still, and horses that ceased chewing."

8. "Kausalya and other women, stationed at their windows, silent with ornaments stilled, were absorbed in listening."

9. "Even the birds in the garden creepers, with unmoving wings and hushed voices, were attentive."

10. "Siddhas, celestial beings, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, and eminent sages like Narada, Vyasa, and Pulaha heard his words."

11. "Other Divine beings, gods, Vidyadharas, and great serpents also listened to Rama’s lofty and profound words."

12. "When Rama, the lotus-eyed moon of the Raghu dynasty, radiant as the moon, fell silent."

13. "A shower of flowers, accompanied by the praises of Siddhas, fell from the heavens like a canopy of blossoms."

14. "The air was filled with the humming of bees resting in Mandara flowers, and the sweet fragrance enchanted the hearts of all."

Summary of the Teachings

These verses from the Yoga Vasishta describe a profound moment where Prince Rama, with his insightful and dispassionate words, captivates an assembly of diverse beings, including Sages, kings, citizens, and even animals and celestial entities. The teachings embedded in these verses highlight the power of wisdom and spiritual discourse to transcend worldly attachments and evoke universal awe. Rama’s words are portrayed as a transformative force, capable of dispelling mental delusion and fostering a state of inner clarity and joy. This reflects the core Yogic principle that true understanding arises from detachment (vairagya) and insight into the impermanent nature of worldly existence.

The vivid imagery of the assembly—comprising humans, animals, and celestial beings—underscores the universal appeal and impact of Rama’s speech. 

The attentive silence of all, from Sages like Vasishta to caged birds and motionless deer, illustrates the magnetic quality of Spiritual Truth, which resonates across all levels of existence. This suggests that the Wisdom Rama imparts is not limited to human intellect but touches the Essence of all creation, aligning with the Yoga Vasishta’s emphasis on the Unity of Consciousness and the interconnectedness of all Beings.

Rama’s discourse, described as adorned with wondrous meanings, reflects the philosophical depth of the Yoga Vasishta, which seeks to guide the seeker toward liberation (moksha) through Self-Inquiry and the Realization of the Self. The reference to dispassion (vairagya) and the purification of worldly desires points to the text’s teaching that Realization is attained by relinquishing attachment to transient phenomena. The metaphor of waves on an ocean of nectar suggests a temporary but profound experience of Bliss and clarity, hinting at the potential for enlightenment when the mind is freed from delusion.

The celestial response, with flowers raining from the heavens and the hum of bees in fragrant Mandara blossoms, symbolizes Divine approval and the harmony of the Cosmos with Rama’s teachings. This imagery reinforces the idea that True Wisdom aligns with the natural order and evokes a response from the Universe itself. It reflects the Yoga Vasishta’s view that the pursuit of Truth elevates the individual and harmonizes their existence with the Cosmic Reality, creating a ripple effect of inspiration and reverence.

In essence, these verses encapsulate the transformative power of Spiritual Wisdom as exemplified by Rama’s words. They emphasize the importance of introspection, detachment, and the pursuit of Higher Knowledge to overcome the illusions of the mind. The universal attentiveness to Rama’s speech highlights the timeless and all-encompassing nature of these teachings, which guide individuals toward Realization by fostering an understanding of the Eternal Self beyond the ephemeral world.