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Yoga Vashishtha 2.9.33–43
(Disciplined cultivation of the mind through conscious practice)
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
समता सांत्वनेनाशु न द्रागिति शनेशनेः।
पौरुषेणैव यत्नेन पालयेच्चित्तबालकम् ॥ ३३ ॥
वासनौघस्त्वया पूर्वमभ्यासेन घनीकृतः ।
शुभो वाप्यशुभो वापि शुभमद्य घनीकुरु ॥ ३४ ॥
प्रागभ्यासवशाद्याता यदा ते वासनोदयम् ।
तदाभ्यासस्य साफल्यं विद्धि त्वमरिमर्दन ॥ ३५ ॥
इदानीमपि ते याति घनतां वासनानघ ।
अभ्यासवशतस्तस्माच्छुभाभ्यास मुपाहर ॥ ३६ ॥
पूर्वे चेद्धनतां याता नाभ्यासात्तव वासना।
वर्धिष्यते तु नेदानीमपि तात सुखी भव ॥ ३७ ॥
संदिग्धायामपि भृशं शुभामेव समाहर ।
अस्यां तु वासनावृद्धौ शुभाद्दोषो न कश्चन ॥ ३८ ॥
यद्यदभ्यस्यते लोके तन्मयेनैव भूयते ।
इत्याकुमारं प्राज्ञेषु दृष्टं संदेहवजितम् ॥ ३९ ॥
यूभासना युक्तस्तदत्र भव भूतये ।
परं पोरुषमाश्रित्य विजित्येन्द्रियपञ्चकम् ॥ ४० ॥
अव्युत्पन्नमना यावद्भवानज्ञाततत्पदः ।
गुरुशास्त्रप्रमाणैस्तु निर्णीतं तावदाचर ॥ ४१ ॥
ततः पक्वकषायेण नूनं विज्ञातवस्तुना ।
शुभोप्यसौत्वया त्याज्यो वासनौघो निराधिना ॥ ४२ ॥
यदतिसुभगमार्यसेवितं च्छुभमनुसृत्य मनोज्ञभावबुद्ध्या ।
अधिगमय पदं सदा विशोक तदनु तदप्यवमुच्य साधु तिष्ठ ॥ ४३ ॥
Maharishi Vashishta said:
2.9.33: Sage Vasishta said: With calmness and gentle effort, gradually protect the mind, like a child, through persistent endeavor.
2.9.34: The tendencies (vāsanās) you have previously cultivated through practice, whether auspicious or inauspicious, have become strong. Now, cultivate only auspicious tendencies.
2.9.35: When tendencies arise due to past practices, know that this is the result of your practice, O destroyer of enemies.
2.9.36: Even now, your tendencies gain strength through practice. Therefore, cultivate auspicious practices.
2.9.37: If your tendencies have not become strong due to past practice, they will not grow now either. Therefore, be happy, dear one.
2.9.38: Even if there is doubt, always cultivate auspicious tendencies. There is no fault in strengthening auspicious tendencies.
2.9.39: Whatever is practiced in this world, one becomes absorbed in that. This is observed among the wise, free from doubt, since childhood.
2.9.40: With auspicious tendencies, strive for your welfare by relying on supreme effort and conquering the five senses.
2.9.41: As long as your mind is not fully awakened and you have not Realized the Ultimate Truth, follow the teachings determined by the Guru and scriptures.
2.9.42: Thereafter, when impurities are purified and the Truth is Realized, even auspicious tendencies should be abandoned by one free from attachments.
2.9.43: By following the auspicious path with a mind full of noble thoughts, always attain the Sorrowless State. Then, having transcended even that, abide in the Supreme State.
Summary of Teachings:
The teachings in these verses from the Yoga Vasishta, attributed to Sage Vasishta, focus on the disciplined cultivation of the mind through conscious practice and effort to attain Spiritual Realization. The verses emphasize the importance of nurturing positive tendencies (vāsanās) to shape one’s character and destiny. Vasishta instructs that the mind, likened to a child, requires gentle and persistent guidance to develop calmness and clarity. This underscores the idea that spiritual growth is a gradual process, requiring patience and consistent effort to overcome negative habits and foster virtuous ones.
Central to these teachings is the concept of vāsanās, or latent tendencies, which are shaped by past actions and practices. Vasishta explains that tendencies, whether positive or negative, gain strength through repeated practice. He urges the cultivation of auspicious tendencies to replace any inauspicious ones, emphasizing that current efforts can reshape one’s mental and spiritual disposition. This highlights the transformative power of intentional practice, where one’s present actions can override past conditioning to align with Higher Spiritual Goals.
The verses also stress the importance of self-effort (pauruṣa) in overcoming sensory distractions and cultivating positive tendencies. Vasishta advises relying on supreme effort to master the five senses, which often pull the mind toward external desires. This disciplined approach ensures that one’s actions align with spiritual aspirations, fostering inner peace and happiness. The teachings emphasize that even in the face of doubt, prioritizing auspicious practices is inherently beneficial and free from harm.
Vasishta further guides that until one attains full spiritual awakening, adherence to the wisdom of Gurus and scriptures is essential. These serve as reliable guides for those still navigating the path to ultimate truth. However, once the mind is purified and the Truth is Realized, even attachment to auspicious tendencies must be transcended. This points to the non-dualistic goal of the Yoga Vasishta, where Realization involves freedom from all attachments, even those considered virtuous, to abide in a State of Pure Consciousness.
Finally, the teachings culminate in the vision of a Sorrowless State achieved through noble thoughts and auspicious practices. Yet, Vasishta instructs that True Realization lies beyond even these, in a state of complete transcendence where one abides in the Ultimate Reality. This reflects the text’s profound philosophy of moving from disciplined practice to Ultimate Freedom, encouraging the practitioner to progress from effortful cultivation to effortless abidance in the Supreme State, free from all dualities and limitations.
