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Yoga Vashishtha 1.13.1–10
(Sriram continues on the tragedy of riches)
त्रयोदशः सर्गः श्रीराम उवाच ।
इयमस्मिन्स्थितोदारा संसारे परिकल्पिता ।
श्रीर्मुने परिमोहाय सापि नूनं कदर्थदा ॥ १ ॥
उल्लासबहुलानन्तकल्लोलानलमाकुलान् ।
जडान्प्रवहति स्फारान्प्रावृषीव तरङ्गिणी ॥ २ ॥
चिन्तादुहितरो बह्वयो भूरिदुर्ललितैधिताः ।
चञ्चलाः प्रभवन्त्यस्यास्तरङ्गाः सरितो यथा ॥ ३ ॥
एषा हि पदमेकत्र न निबध्नाति दुर्भगा।
दग्धेवानियताचारमितश्चेतश्च धावति ॥ ४ ॥
जनयन्ती परं दाहं परामृष्टाङ्गिका सती।
विनाशमेव धत्तेऽन्तर्दीपलेखेव कज्जलम् ॥ ५ ॥
गुणागुणविचारेण विनैव किल पार्श्वगम्।
राजप्रकृतिवन्मूढा दुरारूढाऽवलम्बते ॥ ६ ॥
कर्मणा तेनतेनैषा विस्तारमनुगच्छति।
दोषाशीविषवेगस्य यत्क्षीरं विस्तरायते ॥ ७ ॥
तावच्छीतमृदुस्पर्शाः परे स्वे च जने जनाः।
वात्ययेव हिमं यावच्छ्रिया न परुषीकृताः ॥ ८ ॥
प्राज्ञाः शूराः कृतज्ञाश्च पेशला मृदवश्च ये ।
पांसुमुष्ट्येव मणयः श्रिया ते मलिनीकृताः ॥ ९ ॥
न श्रीः सुखाय भगवन्दुःखायैव हि वर्धते।
गुप्ता विनाशनं धत्ते मृतिं विषलता यथा ॥ १० ॥
Prince Ram continues speaking:
1. "O Sage, this grandeur that prevails in this world—imagined as delightful and expansive—is in truth misleading, and brings nothing but suffering and disappointment."
Prosperity as Illusory and Harmful:
Rāma opens with the recognition that what appears as grandeur and delight in the world is, in fact, a fabrication that misleads and causes suffering. Prosperity is personified as a fickle and dangerous entity, not a source of real Joy.
2. "Like a monsoon-swollen river, this worldly prosperity gushes with turbulent waves of endless excitements and burning desires, sweeping away the dull and thoughtless."
Comparison to Nature's Violence:
Prosperity is compared to a flood-swollen river—chaotic, forceful, and indiscriminate—sweeping away those who lack awareness. This metaphor highlights its uncontrollable nature and destructive potential.
3. "Its waves are like daughters of anxiety—numerous, enticing, and ever-restless—manifesting incessantly like the currents of a river."
Origin in Mental Agitation:
The “waves” of prosperity are born of anxiety and mental restlessness, much like how rivers are fed by countless streams. These are the inner disturbances that come with attachment to external pleasures.
4. "This misfortunate prosperity never remains fixed in one place. Like an uncontrolled fire, it leaps about wildly, dragging the mind in all directions."
Inconstancy and Mental Unrest:
Prosperity is said to lack permanence and discipline, likened to a fire that is out of control. It hijacks the mind, scattering it in all directions, destroying inner peace.
5. "Even when closely embraced, she brings intense torment. Like soot from an extinguished lamp, she only leaves behind ruin and darkness."
Causing Pain Despite Intimacy:
Even when attained and possessed, prosperity leads to burning pain and ultimate ruin. The analogy of soot after a flame signifies the residue of darkness and impurity that remains after material indulgence.
6. "Without discernment between good and bad, she clings irrationally—just like a foolish king’s retinue—without loyalty or purpose, difficult to grasp or contain."
Absence of Discrimination:
Prosperity does not discriminate between the virtuous and the corrupt; like a foolish king’s entourage, it follows arbitrary patterns, showing loyalty to none. This speaks to the randomness and unreliability of material gain.
7. "Prosperity grows and spreads with every action, just like poisoned milk flowing out—externally abundant, but inwardly harmful."
Growth of Harm Through Action:
Rāma reflects that actions taken in pursuit of wealth may seem productive, but like milk laced with venom, they only expand the poison of ego and attachment, corrupting the soul.
8. "People appear soft, gentle, and pleasant—both among friends and strangers—only until touched by prosperity, which turns them harsh like frost after a storm."
Hardening of the Heart:
People may appear gentle and affectionate, but once touched by prosperity, they often become cold, indifferent, and harsh. This change in character mirrors the freezing of warmth in a sudden storm.
9. "Even the wise, courageous, grateful, skilled, and kind-hearted—like gemstones among dust—are sullied by the presence of prosperity."
Corruption of the Virtuous:
Even those who are truly noble—wise, skilled, kind—are not immune to the contaminating influence of wealth. Like precious gems covered in dirt, their virtues are obscured by prosperity.
10. "O Lord, prosperity does not lead to happiness—it increases only to bring sorrow. Hidden in seeming delight, she carries destruction, like a poisonous vine bearing death."
Wealth as the Seed of Sorrow:
Finally, Rāma concludes that prosperity does not foster happiness. Rather, it increases sorrow and ultimately leads to destruction. Like a hidden venomous creeper, it disguises death in the form of beauty.
Detailed Summary of Teachings:
These ten verses form a vivid philosophical reflection by Śrī Rāma on the deceptive nature of worldly prosperity (śrī, or material wealth and status). Through poetic metaphors and psychological insight, he expresses a profound disenchantment with the illusory allure of material life.
Philosophical Message:
These verses encapsulate the vairāgya (dispassion) perspective of the Yoga Vāsiṣṭha. Rāma's contemplations are not merely complaints but are deeply introspective realizations meant to lead the seeker toward renunciation of saṁsāra (worldly life) and deeper inquiry into the Self.
They emphasize:
The impermanence and unreliability of external prosperity.
The mental agitation and moral degradation caused by attachment to wealth.
The spiritual necessity of dispassion as a step toward liberation (mokṣa).
