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Yoga Vashishtha 2.13.31–41
(Rely on discernment, detach from worldly illusions, and focus on mastering the mind)
श्रीवसिष्ठ उवाच ।
विवेकं परमाश्रित्य वैराग्याभ्यासयोगतः।
संसारसरितं घोरामिमामापदमुत्तरेत् ॥ ३१ ॥
न स्वप्तव्यं च संसारमायास्विह विजानता ।
विषमूर्च्छनसंमोहदायिनीषु विवेकिना ॥ ३२ ॥
संसारमिममासाद्य यस्तिष्ठत्यवहेलया ।
ज्वलितस्य गृहस्योच्चैः शेते तार्णस्य संस्तरे ॥ ३३ ॥
यत्प्राप्य न निवर्तन्ते यदासाद्य न शोचति।
तत्पदं शेमुषीलभ्यमस्त्येवात्र न संशयः ॥ ३४ ॥
नास्ति चेत्तद्विचारेण दोषः को भवतां भवेत् ।
अस्ति चेत्तत्समुत्तीर्णा भविष्यथ भवार्णवात् ॥ ३५ ॥
प्रवृत्तिः पुरुषस्येह मोक्षोपायविचारणे ।
यदा भवत्याशु तदा मोक्षभागी स उच्यते ॥ ३६ ॥
अनपायि निराशङ्कं स्वास्थ्यं विगतविभ्रमम् ।
न विना केवलीभावाद्विद्यते भुवनत्रये ॥ ३७ ॥
तत्प्राप्तावुत्तमप्राप्तौ न क्लेश उपजायते।
न धनान्युपकुर्वन्ति न मित्राणि न बान्धवाः ॥ ३८ ॥
न हस्तपादचलनं न देशान्तरसंगमः ।
न कायक्लेशवैधुर्यं न तीर्थायतनाश्रयाः ॥ ३९ ॥
पुरुषार्थैकसाध्येन वासनैकार्थकर्मणा।
केवलं तन्मनोमात्रजयेनासाद्यते पदम् ॥ ४० ॥
विवेकमात्रसाध्यं तद्विचारैकान्तनिश्चयम् ।
त्यजता दुःखजालानि नरेणैतदवाप्यते ॥ ४१ ॥
Maharishi Vashishta said:
2.13.31: Relying on Supreme discernment and practicing detachment, one can cross over the dreadful river of worldly existence, fraught with dangers.
2.13.32: A Wise person, understanding the illusions of worldly existence, should not fall asleep in its delusions, which cause intoxication, fainting, and bewilderment.
2.13.33: One who remains careless after encountering this worldly existence is like someone sleeping on a bed of grass inside a burning house.
2.13.34: That State, once attained, from which there is no return and no sorrow, is indeed attainable by those who strive for it—there is no doubt about this.
2.13.35: If that State does not exist, what harm is there in inquiring into it? If it does exist, you will transcend the ocean of worldly existence.
2.13.36: When a person engages in contemplating the means to Realization, they quickly become worthy of attaining Realization.
2.13.37: Lasting, fearless, and delusion-free well-being is not found in the three worlds without attaining the State of Pure Consciousness.
2.13.38: In attaining that Supreme State, no effort is burdensome, nor do wealth, friends, or relatives contribute to it.
2.13.39: Neither the movement of hands and feet, nor traveling to distant lands, nor bodily austerities, nor reliance on sacred places can achieve it.
2.13.40: That State is attained solely through the conquest of the mind, with effort directed toward a single Purpose and actions aligned with Pure Intention.
2.13.41: That State, achievable through discernment alone and firm conviction through inquiry, is attained by a person who abandons the web of suffering.
Summary of Teachings:
The verses from Yoga Vasishta 2.13.31 to 2.13.41 emphasize the path to Realization through discernment (viveka), detachment (vairagya), and focused mental discipline. The text uses vivid metaphors, such as crossing a dangerous river or sleeping in a burning house, to illustrate the perils of worldly existence (samsara) and the urgency of awakening from its illusions. These verses underscore that samsara is fraught with delusion and suffering, and only through Conscious Awareness and discernment can one transcend its traps. The teachings caution against complacency, urging individuals to actively pursue Realization rather than passively succumbing to worldly distractions.
The path to Realization, as described, is not dependent on external factors such as wealth, relationships, physical efforts, or pilgrimages. Instead, it hinges on an internal transformation achieved through conquering the mind. The text highlights that true well-being—free from fear, delusion, and impermanence—exists only in the state of Pure Consciousness (kevalibhava). This State is attainable, and the verses encourage persistent inquiry into its nature, asserting that such contemplation is inherently valuable, whether or not the Ultimate Truth is immediately Realized.
The teachings stress the importance of single-pointed focus and purposeful action aligned with the Goal of Realization. External rituals, physical austerities, or reliance on sacred places are deemed insufficient for attaining this Supreme State. The mind, as the root of both bondage and Realization, must be disciplined through discernment and resolute conviction. This mental conquest is described as the sole means to transcend suffering, emphasizing self-effort (purushartha) as the key to spiritual success.
The verses also address skepticism about the existence of a Realized State, suggesting that inquiry itself is harmless and potentially transformative. If such a State exists, pursuing it leads to freedom from the cycle of birth and death; if it does not, no harm is done by the effort. This pragmatic approach encourages individuals to engage in philosophical and spiritual inquiry without fear of failure, fostering a proactive attitude toward Self-Realization.
Overall, these verses present a profound call to Inner Awakening, urging individuals to rely on discernment, detach from worldly illusions, and focus on mastering the mind. The teachings reject external dependencies and emphasize that Realization is an internal achievement, accessible through persistent effort and clear understanding. By abandoning the web of suffering through disciplined inquiry, one can attain a state of lasting peace and freedom, transcending the transient nature of worldly existence.
