Chapter 1.31, Verses 19–27

Yoga Vashishtha 1.31.19–27

(Despair and disillusionment with worldly existence)

श्रीराम उवाच ।

यथा जानासि भगवंस्तथा मोहनिवृत्तये।

ब्रूहि मे साधवो येन नूनं निर्दुःखतां गताः ॥ १९ ॥

अथवा तादृशी युक्तिर्यदि ब्रह्मन्न विद्यते।

न वक्ति मम वा कश्चिद्विद्यमानामपि स्फुटम् ॥ २० ॥

स्वयं चैव न चाप्नोमि तां विश्रान्तिमनुत्तमाम् ।

तदहं त्यक्तसर्वेहो निरहंकारतां गतः ॥ २१ ॥

न भोक्ष्ये न पिबाम्यम्बु नाहं परिदधेऽम्बरम् ।

करोमि नाहं व्यापारं स्नानदानाशनादिकम् ॥ २२ ॥

न च तिष्ठामि कार्येषु संपत्स्वापद्दशासु च ।

न किंचिदपि वाञ्छामि देहत्यागादृते मुने ॥ २३ ॥

केवलं विगताशङ्को निर्ममो गतमत्सरः।

मौन एवेह तिष्ठामि लिपिकर्मस्विवार्पितः ॥ २४ ॥

अथ क्रमेण संत्यज्य प्रश्वासोच्छ्वाससंविदः ।

संनिवेशं त्यजामीममनर्थं देहनामकम् ॥ २५ ॥

नाहमस्य न मे नान्यः शाम्याम्यस्नेहदीपवत् ।

सर्वमेव परित्यज्य त्यजामीदं कलेवरम् ॥ २६ ॥

श्रीवाल्मीकिरुवाच ।

इत्युक्तवानमलशीतकराभिरामो रामो महत्तरविचारविकासिचेताः ।

तूष्णीं बभूव पुरतो महतां घनानां केकारवं श्रमवशादिव नीलकण्ठः ॥ २७॥

Sri Rama said: 

Verse 1.31.19: "O Bhagavan, please explain to me, as you know, the means by which the virtuous have surely attained a state free from suffering, so that my delusion may be dispelled."

Verse 1.31.20: "Or, O Brahman, if such a method does not exist, or if no one clearly explains it to me even though it exists, then I am at a loss."

Verse 1.31.21: "I myself am unable to attain that Supreme tranquility. Therefore, having abandoned all desires and having become free from ego, I am in this State."

Verse 1.31.22: "I will not eat, I will not drink water, I will not wear clothes, nor will I engage in activities such as bathing, giving, or eating."

Verse 1.31.23: "I do not involve myself in tasks, whether in times of prosperity or adversity. O Sage, I desire nothing except the abandonment of this body."

Verse 1.31.24: "Free from fear, attachment, and envy, I remain here in Silence, as if dedicated to the duties of a scribe."

Verse 1.31.25: "Gradually, I will abandon the awareness of inhalation and exhalation and relinquish this meaningless thing called the body."

Verse 1.31.26: "I am not this body, nor does it belong to me, nor is there another. Like a lamp without oil, I shall subside, abandoning everything, including this body."

Sri Valmiki said:

Verse 1.31.27:  "Having spoken thus, Rama, radiant as the pure, cool rays of the moon and with a mind expanded by profound contemplation, fell silent before the assembly of great sages, like a peacock exhausted by its own cries."

Summary of the Teachings:

In these verses from the Yoga Vasishta, Sri Rama expresses a deep existential crisis, seeking liberation from delusion and suffering. He appeals to the Sage Vasishta, addressing him as Bhagavan, to reveal the path taken by the virtuous to attain a state of freedom from pain. Rama’s plea reflects a yearning for spiritual clarity and a method to transcend the confusion and dissatisfaction that plague his mind. This opening sets the stage for the teachings that follow, emphasizing the importance of guidance from a Realized Teacher to overcome ignorance and attain Peace.

Rama’s subsequent statements reveal his despair and disillusionment with worldly existence. He questions whether a clear path to Realization even exists, expressing frustration that no one has provided him with a definitive solution. This highlights a universal human experience—the struggle to find meaning and tranquility amidst life’s uncertainties. Rama’s acknowledgment that he cannot attain Supreme Tranquility on his own underscores the necessity of Wisdom and guidance, while his renunciation of ego and desires signifies the beginning of his detachment from worldly attachments.

In verses 22 to 24, Rama articulates a radical rejection of physical and social engagement. He declares his intention to abstain from basic activities like eating, drinking, or dressing, and to withdraw from all worldly responsibilities, whether in times of joy or hardship. His sole desire is to abandon the body, which he views as a source of suffering. This extreme detachment reflects a profound disillusionment with the material world and a shift toward inner contemplation. By remaining silent and free from fear, attachment, and envy, Rama embodies the qualities of a seeker striving for liberation, aligning with the yogic ideal of renouncing ego-driven actions.

The final verses (25–26) deepen Rama’s resolve to transcend the physical body and its associated limitations. He plans to let go of even the awareness of breathing, viewing the body as a meaningless construct. His assertion that he is neither the body nor its owner, and his comparison of himself to a lamp extinguishing without oil, conveys a powerful metaphor for liberation—dissolving the sense of self to merge with the Infinite. This reflects the core Advaita Vedanta principle of the Yoga Vasishta, which teaches that the identification with the body and ego is the root of suffering, and liberation lies in realizing one’s True Nature as Pure Consciousness.

The concluding verse, narrated by  the scribe Sage Valmiki, paints a vivid picture of Rama’s state after this intense discourse. His silence, likened to a peacock exhausted by its cries, symbolizes a mind that has poured out its turmoil and now rests in contemplation. The imagery of the moon’s cool rays suggests purity and clarity in Rama’s thoughts, while his profound reflection indicates a transformative inner journey. 

These verses collectively underscore the Yoga Vasishta’s central teaching: Realization is achieved through Self-Inquiry, detachment from the ego and body, and Realization of the non-dual Self, guided by the Wisdom of a Realized Teacher.

Chapter 1.31, Verses 10–18

Yoga Vashishtha 1.31.10–18

(Mind’s liberation from its afflictions is central to spiritual progress)

श्रीराम उवाच ।

अपमृष्टमलोदेति क्षालनेनामृतद्युतिः।

मनश्चन्द्रमसः केन तेन कामकलङ्कितात् ॥ १० ॥

दृष्टसंसारगतिना दृष्टादृष्टविनाशिना ।

केनेव व्यवहर्तव्यं संसारवनवीथिषु ॥ ११॥

रागद्वेषमहारोगा भोगपूगा विभूतयः ।

कथं जन्तुं न बाधन्ते संसारार्णवचारिणम् ॥ १२ ॥

कथं च धीरवर्याग्नौ पततापि न दह्यते।

पावके पारदेनेव रसेन रसशालिना ॥ १३॥

यस्मात्किल जगत्यस्मिन्व्यवहारक्रिया विना ।

न स्थितिः संभवत्यब्धौ पतितस्याजला यथा ॥ १४ ॥

रागद्वेषविनिर्मुक्ता सुखदुःखविवर्जिता ।

कृशानोर्दाहहीनेव शिखा नास्तीह सत्क्रिया ॥ १५ ॥

मनोमननशालिन्याः सत्ताया भुवनत्रये ।

क्षयो युक्तिं विना नास्ति ब्रूत तामलमुत्तमाम् ॥ १६ ॥

व्यवहारवतो युक्त्या दुःखं नायाति मे यया ।

अथवा व्यवहारस्य ब्रूत तां युक्तिमुत्तमाम् ॥ १७ ॥

तत्कथं केन वा किं वा कृतमुत्तमचेतसा।

पूर्वं येनैति विश्रामं परमं पावनं मनः ॥ १८ ॥

Sri Rama said: 

10. "Just as a gem shines with ambrosial radiance when its impurities are washed away, by what means can the mind, tainted by the blemish of desire, be purified?"

11. "Having seen the course of worldly existence and the destruction of both the seen and unseen, how should one conduct oneself in the pathways of this worldly forest?

12. "How is it that the great diseases of attachment and aversion, and the enjoyments that bring suffering, do not afflict a being navigating the ocean of worldly existence?"

13. "How does the wise one, even when falling into the fire, remain unburned, like mercury in a flame, untouched by the fire due to its inherent nature?"

14. "Since, in this world, without engaging in action, existence is not possible—like a person fallen into the ocean without water—how can one live?"

15. "Free from attachment and aversion, devoid of pleasure and pain, like a flame without heat, is there no such thing as virtuous action here?"

16. "In the three worlds, the mind, immersed in its own contemplation, cannot be subdued without proper reasoning—tell me that Supreme method clearly."

17. "By what reasoning does one who engages in worldly actions avoid suffering, or else, tell me the Supreme method for dealing with worldly conduct?"

18. "How, by what means, or through what actions performed with a noble mind, does the mind attain Supreme, Pure tranquility as it did before?"

Summary of the Teachings

In these verses from the Yoga Vasishta, Sri Rama poses profound questions to the sage Vasishta, reflecting his deep inquiry into the nature of the mind, worldly existence, and the path to Realization. The verses capture Rama’s existential concerns about how to live wisely in a world filled with impermanence, desire, and suffering. Each question builds upon the previous one, revealing a systematic exploration of spiritual practice and philosophical understanding. The overarching theme is the purification of the mind and the attainment of Inner Peace through discernment, detachment, and proper conduct in the face of worldly challenges.

The first verse (1.31.10) uses the metaphor of a gem cleansed of impurities to describe the mind’s potential for purity. Rama asks how the mind, clouded by desires, can be purified to reveal its innate clarity. This sets the stage for the subsequent verses, emphasizing that the mind’s liberation from its afflictions is central to spiritual progress. 

The question reflects the yogic understanding that desires (kama) obscure the mind’s natural luminosity, and only through specific practices or wisdom can this clarity be restored.

In verses 1.31.11 to 1.31.13, Rama grapples with the transient and destructive nature of worldly existence. He observes that everything in the world—both visible and invisible—is subject to decay, yet one must still navigate the “forest” of samsara (worldly life). He questions how one can act in the world without being consumed by attachment, aversion, or the suffering that accompanies sensory pleasures. The metaphor of a wise person remaining unburned in fire, like mercury, suggests the possibility of transcending worldly afflictions through a state of inner detachment or wisdom, which protects the individual from being “burned” by life’s challenges.

Verses 1.31.14 to 1.31.16 address the necessity of action in the world and the paradox of performing actions without being bound by their consequences. 

Rama acknowledges that action is inevitable for existence, much like water is essential for someone in an ocean. However, he seeks a way to act without being entangled in attachment, aversion, pleasure, or pain. He further inquires about the “Supreme method” to subdue the mind, which incessantly generates thoughts and desires. This reflects the Advaita Vedanta principle of performing actions selflessly, with a mind free from egoistic motives, to avoid the cycle of suffering.

Finally, verses 1.31.17 to 1.31.18 culminate in Rama’s quest for a practical and philosophical approach to achieve mental tranquility. He seeks a method or reasoning (yukti) that allows one to engage in worldly duties without incurring suffering, or alternatively, a way to transcend the need for such engagement altogether. The emphasis on a “noble mind” and “Supreme tranquility” points to the Ultimate Goal of Self-Realization, where the mind rests in its Pure, undisturbed State. These verses collectively underscore the Yoga Vasishta’s teachings on cultivating wisdom, detachment, and disciplined action to attain Realization while living in the world.

Chapter 1.31, Verses 1–9

Yoga Vashishtha 1.31.1–9

(Transient and fragile nature of human life)

श्रीराम उवाच ।

प्रोच्चवृक्षचलत्पत्रलम्बाम्बुलव भङ्गुरे ।

आयुषीशानशीतांशुकलामृदुनि देहके ॥ १ ॥

केदारविरटद्भेककण्ठत्वक्कोण भङ्गुरे।

वागुरावलये जन्तोः सुहृत्सुजनसंगमे ॥ २॥

वासनावातवलिते कदाशातडिति स्फुटे।

मोहोग्रमिहिकामेघे घनं स्फूर्जति गर्जति ॥ ३ ॥

नृत्यत्युत्ताण्डवं चण्डे लोले लोभकलापिनि ।

सुविकासिनि सास्फोटे ह्यनर्थकुटजद्रुमे ॥ ४ ॥

क्रूरे कृतान्तमार्जारे सर्वभूताखुहारिणि।

अश्रान्तस्यन्दसंचारे कुतोऽप्युपरिपातिनि ॥ ५ ॥

क उपायो गतिः का वा का चिन्ता कः समाश्रयः ।

केनेयमशुभोदर्का न भवेज्जीविताटवी ॥ ६ ॥

न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा क्वचित् ।

सुधियस्तुच्छमप्येतद्यन्नयन्ति न रम्यताम् ॥ ७ ॥

अयं हि दग्धसंसारो नीरन्ध्रकलनाकुलः ।

कथं सुस्वादुतामेति नीरसो मूढतां विना ॥ ८ ॥

आशाप्रतिविपाकेन क्षीरस्नानेन रम्यताम्।

उपैति पुष्पशुभ्रेण मधुनेव वसुंधरा ॥ ९॥

Sri Rama said: 

1. "Life is as fleeting as a drop of water hanging from the trembling leaf of a tall tree, as delicate as a soft ray of moonlight in the body."

2. "It is as fragile as the throat of a frog in a dried-up field, caught in the net of associations with friends and good people."

3. "Swept away by the wind of desires, struck by the lightning of evil tendencies, it thunders and roars in the dense cloud of delusion and dense mist."

4. "It dances a fierce dance, swaying with the peacock of greed, blooming in the explosive and harmful kadamba tree of troubles."

5. "In the cruel cat of death, which preys on all beings like mice, it flows ceaselessly, falling from some unknown height."

6. "What is the means, what is the path, what is the concern, or what is the refuge? How can this inauspicious forest of life not come to be?"

7. "There is nothing on earth or in the heavens among the gods, however small, that the wise do not consider utterly insignificant and unpleasing."

8. "This burnt-up world, filled with endless troubles, how can it become sweet without the foolishness of ignorance?"

9. "Through the fulfillment of hopes and bathing in the milk of purity, the earth becomes as delightful as a flower adorned with sweet nectar."

Summary of the Teachings:

In these verses from the Yoga Vasishta, Sri Rama reflects on the transient and fragile nature of human life, using vivid metaphors to convey its impermanence and vulnerability. 

He compares life to a trembling water droplet on a leaf, a frog’s delicate throat, and a body as soft as moonlight, emphasizing its fleeting and delicate quality. These images highlight the precariousness of existence, suggesting that life is easily disrupted by external forces and internal desires. Rama’s contemplation sets the stage for a deeper inquiry into the nature of existence, urging the listener to recognize the impermanence that permeates worldly life.

The verses further explore the role of desires and delusions in perpetuating suffering. Rama describes life as being swept by the winds of desires, struck by the lightning of harmful tendencies, and clouded by delusion, which creates a tumultuous and noisy existence. The imagery of a fierce dance driven by greed and the harmful bloom of troubles underscores how attachment and ignorance entangle individuals in a cycle of pain. This teaching aligns with the broader philosophical framework of the Yoga Vasishta, which emphasizes that the mind, clouded by desires and misconceptions, is the root cause of suffering.

Rama also introduces the notion of death as an ever-present force, likening it to a cruel cat preying on all beings. This metaphor reinforces the inevitability of mortality and the relentless flow of life toward its end, originating from an unknown source. The verse suggests a sense of existential unease, as life appears to be an uncontrollable stream leading to an uncertain fate. This perspective encourages detachment from worldly attachments, as they are ultimately subject to decay and destruction, a core theme in the text’s non-dualistic philosophy.

In his existential questioning, Rama asks what means, path, or refuge can prevent life from becoming an inauspicious forest of suffering. This rhetorical inquiry reflects a search for liberation from the cycle of birth and death, pointing toward the need for wisdom and discernment. The subsequent verse reinforces this by stating that the wise see all worldly phenomena, whether on earth or in the heavens, as insignificant and devoid of lasting joy. This teaching underscores the importance of cultivating a higher understanding that transcends attachment to transient pleasures, aligning with the text’s emphasis on Self-Realization and detachment.

Finally, the verses offer a glimpse of hope, suggesting that life can become delightful through the fulfillment of pure aspirations and the cultivation of Purity, likened to bathing in milk or a flower adorned with nectar. This positive note indicates that while life is inherently fraught with challenges, spiritual clarity and alignment with truth can transform one’s experience of the world. The teachings collectively urge the seeker to move beyond ignorance and attachment, embracing Wisdom to find Realization and true contentment amidst the impermanent nature of existence.

Chapter 1.30, Verses 20–27

Yoga Vashishtha 1.30.20–27

(Navigating the complexities of life and attain Inner Peace)

श्रीराम उवाच।

किं तस्यादुचितं श्रेयः किं तत्स्यादुचितं फलम् ।

वर्तितव्यं च संसारे कथं नामासमञ्जसे ॥ २० ॥

तत्त्वं कथय मे किंचिद्येनास्य जगतः प्रभो।

वेद्मि पूर्वापरं धातुश्चेष्टितस्यानवस्थितेः ॥ २१ ॥

हृदयाकाशशशिनश्चेतसो  मलमार्जनम्।

यथा मे जायते ब्रह्मंस्तथा निर्विघ्नमाचर ॥ २२ ॥

किमिह स्यादुपादेयं किंवा हेयमथेतरत् ।

कथं विश्रान्तिमायातु चेतश्चपलमद्रिवत् ॥ २३ ॥

केन पावनमन्त्रेण दुःसंसृतिविषूचिका।

शाम्यतीयमनायासमायासशत कारिणी ॥ २४ ॥

कथं शीतलतामन्तरानन्दतरुमञ्जरीम् ।

पूर्णचन्द्र इवाक्षीणां भृशमासादयाम्यहम् ॥ २५ ॥

प्राप्यान्तः पूर्णतां पूर्णो न शोचामि यथा पुनः ।

सन्तो भवन्तस्तत्त्वज्ञास्तथेहोपदिशन्तु माम् ॥ २६ ॥

अनुत्तमानन्दपदप्रधानविश्रान्तिरिक्तं सततं महात्मन् ।

कदर्थयन्तीह भृशं विकल्पाः श्वानो वने देहमिवाल्पजीवम् ॥ २७ ॥

Sri Rama said: 

Verse 1.30.20: "What is the most suitable good for a person, and what is the appropriate fruit of that good? How should one conduct oneself in this world, which is full of inconsistencies?"

Verse 1.30.21: "O Lord, please explain something by which I may understand the Reality of this world, its past and future, and the nature of its restless activities."

Verse 1.30.22: "O Brahman, guide me so that my mind, like the moon in the sky of my heart, may be cleansed of impurities and attain purity without obstacles."

Verse 1.30.23: "What should be accepted here, what should be rejected, or what is neutral? How can my restless mind, unsteady like a mountain stream, find tranquility?"

Verse 1.30.24: "By what sacred means can the poisonous affliction of this painful worldly existence, which causes endless troubles, be effortlessly calmed?"

Verse 1.30.25: "How can I attain the coolness of the blossoming tree of Inner Bliss, like the full moon that never wanes, with great intensity?"

Verse 1.30.26: "O Knower of Truth, please instruct me so that, having attained inner fulfillment and becoming complete, I no longer grieve."

Verse 1.30.27: "O Great Soul, endless mental fluctuations torment me like dogs tearing at a small creature in the forest. Teach me how to find Supreme Peace, free from all else."

Summary of the Teachings:

In these verses from the Yoga Vasishta, Sri Rama, in a state of existential inquiry, poses profound questions to the Sage Vasishta, seeking guidance on how to navigate the complexities of life and attain Inner Peace. The verses reflect Rama’s deep yearning for wisdom to understand the nature of the world, the mind, and the path to Realization. His questions are not merely intellectual but arise from a sincere desire to transcend the restlessness and suffering inherent in worldly existence. This section highlights the human condition’s struggle with impermanence, confusion, and the search for lasting fulfillment, setting the stage for Vasishta’s forthcoming teachings on Self-Realization. 

The first two verses (1.30.20–21) reveal Rama’s quest for clarity about the highest good and the purpose of life. He asks what actions lead to true welfare and how to live meaningfully in a world marked by contradictions. His inquiry extends to understanding the essence of the world—its origins, future, and the restless activities that define it. This reflects a universal human concern: the desire to find purpose and coherence in a seemingly chaotic existence. Rama’s questions underscore the importance of discerning right action and understanding the metaphysical truth behind the world’s apparent flux.

In verses 1.30.22–23, Rama shifts focus to the purification of the mind, likening it to a moon in the sky of his heart that needs cleansing from impurities. He recognizes the mind’s restless nature, comparing it to an unsteady mountain stream, and seeks a way to calm it. These verses emphasize the centrality of mental discipline in spiritual practice, highlighting the need to discern what to accept (virtuous qualities), reject (negative tendencies), or remain neutral toward (transient phenomena). Rama’s plea for guidance reflects the yogic principle that a calm and pure mind is essential for spiritual progress.

Verses 1.30.24–25 deepen Rama’s inquiry into overcoming the suffering of samsara (worldly existence), which he describes as a poisonous affliction causing endless troubles. He seeks a sacred method to effortlessly pacify this pain and attain a state of inner coolness and Bliss, likened to a blossoming tree or an eternal full moon. These metaphors evoke a state of unshakable Joy and completeness, pointing to the Ultimate Goal of Self-Realization. Rama’s vivid imagery underscores the contrast between the turmoil of worldly life and the serene fulfillment of Spiritual Awakening. 

The final two verses (1.30.26–27) express Rama’s longing for lasting fulfillment and liberation from mental disturbances, which he compares to wild dogs tormenting a small creature. He appeals to the Wise Sages to guide him toward Supreme Peace, free from the fluctuations of the mind. These verses encapsulate the essence of the Yoga Vasishta’s teachings: the pursuit of Self-Knowledge to transcend the ego’s limitations and attain a state of inner wholeness. Rama’s questions set the foundation for Vasishta’s later exposition on non-duality, the illusory nature of the world, and the path to Realization through understanding the True Self.

Chapter 1.30, Verses 10–19

Yoga Vashishtha 1.30.10–19

(Restless nature of the mind and its constant wandering through desires and experiences)

श्रीराम उवाच।

चेतश्चञ्चलमाभोगि भुवनान्तर्विहारि च।

न संभ्रमं जहातीदं स्वविमानमिवामराः ॥ १० ॥

अतोऽतुच्छमनायासमनुपाधि गतभ्रमम्।

किं तत्स्थितिपदं साधो यत्र शोको न विद्यते ॥ ११ ॥

सर्वारम्भसमारूढाः सुजना जनकादयः ।

व्यवहारपरा एव कथमुत्तमतां गताः ॥ १२ ॥

लग्नेनापि किलाङ्गेषु बहुधा बहुमानद ।

कथं संसारपङ्केन पुमानिह न लिप्यते ॥ १३ ॥

कां दृष्टिं समुपाश्रित्य भवन्तो वीतकल्मषाः ।

महान्तो विचरन्तीह जीवन्मुक्ता महाशयाः ॥ १४ ॥

लोभयन्तो भयायैव विषयाभोगभोगिनः।

भङ्गुराकारविभवाः कथमायान्ति भव्यताम् ॥ १५ ॥

मोहमातङ्गमृदिता कलङ्ककलितान्तरा ।

परं प्रसादमायाति शेमुषीसरसी कथम् ॥ १६ ॥

संसार एव निवहे जनो व्यवहरन्नपि ।

न बन्धं कथमाप्नोति पद्मपत्रे पयो यथा ॥ १७ ॥

आत्मवत्तृणवच्चेदं सकलं कलयञ्जनः ।

कथमुत्तमतामेति मनोमन्मथमस्पृशन् ॥ १८ ॥

कं महापुरुषं पारमुपायातं महोदधेः ।

आचारेणानुसंस्मृत्य जनो याति न दुःखिताम् ॥ १९ ॥

Sriram said:

Verse 10: "O Sage, the mind is ever restless, wandering freely across worlds, indulging in endless experiences. Yet, like the celestial beings who do not abandon their aerial chariots, it clings to its turbulence."

Verse 11: "Therefore, tell me, what is that Supreme State —free of triviality, effortlessness, devoid of delusion and all adjuncts—where sorrow cannot exist?"

Verse 12: "Great souls like King Janaka engaged fully in worldly duties and responsibilities. How did they attain the Highest State while remaining so involved?"

Verse 13: "Even when one's limbs are engaged in manifold worldly acts and held in esteem by others, how does a person remain unsullied by the mire of samsāra?"

Verse 14: "By relying on what kind of Inner Vision or discernment do great sages —liberated while still alive—move about in this world, free from impurities?"

Verse 15: "Sensory enjoyments tempt and threaten with fear, yet they are unstable and perishable. How then can one who indulges in them ever attain spiritual greatness?"

Verse 16: "The intellect, sullied by the stain of delusion and crushed by the elephant of ignorance—how does it ever become serene and luminous?"

Verse 17: "How can one live and act fully in the world, amidst all its concerns, and still avoid bondage—just as water does not cling to a lotus leaf?"

Verse 18: "How does one attain the Highest Spiritual State —regarding all things as the Self or as insignificant as grass—while remaining untouched by the mind’s passions?"

Verse 19: "By recalling the conduct and example of a Realized Being who has crossed the vast ocean of existence, how does a person avoid sorrow and suffering?"

Summary of the Teachings:

These verses reflect a series of questions posed by Śrī Rāma to Sage Vasiṣṭha, rooted in deep philosophical inquiry. Rāma observes the restless nature of the mind and its constant wandering through desires and experiences. Despite this unrest, he yearns to understand the nature of a state of peace and liberation—a condition that is utterly free from sorrow, delusion, effort, and dependency. The essential question is: what is that state of being where no grief touches the heart?

He raises the paradox of the great sages and kings like Janaka, who were fully immersed in worldly duties and yet attained spiritual perfection. Rāma wants to know how such people could remain untouched by the mire of worldly attachment while actively engaging in life. This highlights a central theme of Yoga Vāsiṣṭha—that liberation is not necessarily about renouncing external life but about renouncing inner delusion and bondage.

Rāma then turns his focus to the inner faculties: the intellect (śemuṣī), discernment, and vision. He is curious about how they transform from being clouded and deluded to attaining Purity and Serenity. He asks how the soul, surrounded by unstable pleasures and dangers, can rise to greatness without being entangled in fear or desire. This reinforces the text's core concern with inner detachment rather than external renunciation.

The analogy of the lotus leaf and water is central here: just as water touches but does not stick to the lotus leaf, so too can one live in the world and remain unbound. The ideal is not to escape life, but to live it with a Consciousness so refined and unattached that nothing clings. This aligns with the doctrine of jīvanmukti—liberation while living—which Yoga Vāsiṣṭha promotes as its Highest Goal.

Finally, Rāma seeks practical guidance by turning to the role of exemplars— Realized Beings who have reached the shore of the vast ocean of Existence. He wonders how remembering their conduct and walking in their footsteps can help others transcend sorrow. This shows the importance of the Guru, of Spiritual Remembrance, and of modeling one’s life on the Wise. It reinforces the idea that Spiritual Realization is attainable not by escaping life, but by transforming our vision within it.

Chapter 1.30, Verses 1–9

Yoga Vashishtha 1.30.1–9

(disillusionment with pleasure)

श्रीराम उवाच ।

एवमभ्युत्थितानर्थशतसंकटकोटरे ।

जगदालोक्य निर्मग्नं मनो मननकर्दमे ॥ १ ॥

मनो मे भ्रमतीवेदं संभ्रमश्चोपजायते।

गात्राणि परिकम्पन्ते पत्राणीव जरत्तरोः ॥ २ ॥

अनाप्तोत्तमसंतोषधैर्योत्सङ्गाकुला  मतिः ।

शून्यास्पदा बिभेतीह बालेवाल्पबलेश्वरा ॥ ३ ॥

विकल्पेभ्यो लुठन्त्येताश्चान्तःकरणवृत्तयः ।

श्वभ्रेभ्य इव सारङ्गास्तुच्छालम्बविडम्बिताः ॥ ४॥

अविवेकास्पदा भ्रष्टाः कष्टे रूढा न सत्पदे ।

अन्धकूपमिवापन्ना वराकाश्चक्षुरादयः ॥ ५ ॥

नावस्थितिमुपायाति न च याति यथेप्सितम् ।

चिन्ता जीवेश्वरायत्ता कान्तेव प्रियसद्मनि ॥ ६ ॥

जर्जरीकृत्य वस्तूनि त्यजन्ती विभ्रती तथा ।

मार्गशीर्षान्तवल्लीव धृतिर्विधुरतां गता ॥ ७ ॥

अपहस्तितसर्वार्थमनवस्थितिरा स्थिता ।

गृहीत्वोत्सृज्य चात्मानं भवस्थितिरवस्थिता ॥ ८ ॥

चलिताचलितेनान्तरवष्टम्भेन मे मतिः।

दरिद्रा छिन्नवृक्षस्य मूलेनेव विडम्ब्यते ॥ ९ ॥

Sriram said:

1. "O Sage, I observe this world caught in a tangle of countless afflictions and catastrophes, and my mind, immersed in the mire of endless thoughts, is deeply disturbed."

2. "My mind spins restlessly, overwhelmed by confusion. My limbs tremble like the dry leaves of an old tree shaken by the wind."

3. "My intellect, deprived of true contentment, courage, and noble association, is gripped by fear, like a weak ruler presiding over an empty realm."

4. "The inner movements of my mind roll helplessly among conflicting thoughts, like deer slipping into ravines, deceived by the illusion of support."

5. "Falling from the ground of discernment, these faculties become entrenched in error, failing to reach the good path—like blind eyes plunged into a dark well."

6. "My thoughts do not attain stability, nor do they move toward what is truly desirable. They are bound to fleeting concerns, like a lover clinging to her beloved's home in his absence."

7. "Having worn out all objects of interest, my resolution abandons them even as it continues to carry them. It has become weary and desolate, like a vine in the late winter season."

8. "My mind has let go of all meaning and remains unanchored. It grasps at the Self, then discards it—this is the condition in which my being now remains."

9. "My intellect is mocked by the weakness within, unstable and broken, like a tree that has lost its roots and stands exposed in desolation."

Summary of Teachings:

These verses express a deep existential and psychological crisis experienced by Śrī Rāma. Through poetic imagery, they reveal the confusion and sorrow of a mind that has recognized the futility of worldly experience. The mental state he describes is not just sad but profoundly disoriented—where the faculties of thought, decision, and perception have become unreliable. This is a typical yogic depiction of vairāgya 

(dispassion), born not of defeat but of insight into the unsatisfactory nature of transient reality.

The imagery is particularly vivid and meaningful: trembling limbs, desolate vines, blind eyes, and uprooted trees all symbolize the fragility and instability of a mind caught in saṁsāra. Śrī Rāma is not simply depressed; he is awakening to the illusions of external gratification and the volatility of mental constructs. The “mire of thoughts” and “conflicting ideas” are portrayed as traps that deceive the soul and keep it bound to suffering.

This condition of mind is not condemned but presented as a significant spiritual threshold. The very disillusionment with pleasure, meaning, and control reveals a maturity that is necessary for genuine inquiry. 

Rāma's sense of helplessness and alienation from ordinary pursuits prepares the ground for Self-Knowledge. The Yoga Vāsiṣṭha often emphasizes that such existential despair is not a defect but a blessing when it turns one inward.

What also emerges here is the importance of viveka (discernment) and dhiḥ (intelligence) as stabilizing forces, whose absence leads to confusion and misidentification. 

The intellect that loses its root in wisdom becomes like a tree with no foundation—it may still stand, but only as a hollow form. This state is a warning and a lesson: without inner grounding, even the brightest mind falls into error.

Ultimately, these verses point toward the need for inner clarity, detachment, and insight. Śrī Rāma's anguish becomes the catalyst for his instruction under Vasiṣṭha. The Yoga Vāsiṣṭha uses this turning point to emphasize the unreliability of worldly supports and the necessity of self-inquiry (ātma-vicāra) as the way to peace and Realization. It is through the recognition of this inner collapse that the door to true spiritual knowledge opens.

Chapter 1.29, Verses 13–23

Yoga Vashishtha 1.29.13–23

(The inner world: a dense forest of ignorance, tangled with desires and latent impressions)

श्रीराम उवाच ।

विषं विषयवैषम्यं न विषं विषमुच्यते।

जन्मान्तरघ्ना विषया एकदेहहरं विषम् ॥ १३ ॥

न सुखानि न दुःखानि न मित्राणि न बान्धवाः ।

न जीवितं न मरणं बन्धाय ज्ञस्य चेतसः ॥ १४ ॥

तद्भवामि यथा ब्रह्मन्पूर्वापरविदां वर ।

वीतशोकभयायासो ज्ञस्तथोपदिशाशु मे ॥ १५ ॥

वासनाजालवलिता दुःखकण्टकसंकुला ।

निपातोत्पातबहुला भीमरूपाऽज्ञताटवी ॥ १६ ॥

क्रकचाग्रविनिष्पेषं सोढुं शक्नोम्यहं मुने।

संसारव्यवहारोत्थं नाशाविषयवैशसम् ॥ १७ ॥

इदं नास्तीदमस्तीति व्यवहाराञ्जनभ्रमः।

धुनोतीदं चलं चेतो रजोराशिमिवानिलः ॥ १८ ॥

तृष्णातन्तुलवप्रोतं जीवसंचयमौक्तिकम्।

चिदच्छाङ्गतया नित्यं विकसच्चित्तनायकम् ॥ १९ ॥

संसारहारमरतिः कालव्यालविभूषणम् ।

त्रोटयाम्यहमक्रूरं वागुरामिव केसरी ॥ २० ॥

नीहारं हृदयाटव्यां मनस्तिमिरमाशु मे।

केन विज्ञानदीपेन भिन्धि तत्त्वविदांवर ॥ २१ ॥

विद्यन्त एवेह न ते महात्मन् दुराधयो न क्षयमाप्नुवन्ति ।

ये सङ्गमेनोत्तममानसानां निशातमांसीव निशाकरेण ॥ २२ ॥

आयुर्वायुविघट्टिताभ्रपटलीलम्बाम्बुवद्भङ्गुरं भोगा मेघवितानमध्यविलसत्सौदामिनीच ञ्चलाः ।

लोलायौवनलालनाजलरयश्चेत्याकलय्य द्रुतं मुद्रैवाद्य दृढार्पिता ननु मया चित्ते चिरं शान्तये ॥ २३ ॥

Sriram said:

13. "The poison of sense-objects is more dangerous than ordinary poison. Normal poison only destroys one body, but the poison of sense-desires binds one to repeated births and deaths."

14. "Pleasures and pains, friends and relatives, life and death — none of these are bondage for the mind of one who is truly Wise."

15. "O Brahman, greatest among the Knowers of the past and the future! Teach me quickly how to become like that enlightened one — free from sorrow, fear, and fatigue."

16. "The forest of ignorance is thick with the thorns of suffering and overgrown with the creepers of latent tendencies. It is filled with falls and hazards and appears terrifying in form."

17. "O Sage, I am able to endure the grinding agony that arises from worldly duties. But I cannot endure the torment arising from the poisonous confusion of desires."

18. "The thoughts “this exists” and “this does not exist” are merely delusions caused by transactional speech. Let the mind shake them off like a gust of wind dispersing dust."

19. "The pearl-like essence of the individual soul is strung on the thread of craving. Yet it constantly shines as a spark of Pure Consciousness, enlivening the blooming lotus of Awareness."

20. "I will tear apart the cruel noose of worldly attraction — the garland of this samsara — adorned with the venomous serpent of Time, just as a lion snaps a trap without hesitation."

21. "O Knower of the Truth, shine the lamp of Wisdom into the dark fog of ignorance that clouds my heart’s forest and dispel this inner darkness at once."

22. "Indeed, O Noble One, obstacles exist — but they cannot withstand the presence of great souls whose minds are united in Purity, just as even sharp weapons cannot endure the cool light of the moon."

23. "Life is fragile like clouds driven by the wind. Enjoyments are fleeting like flashes of lightning in the midst of clouds. Having understood the impermanence of youth, beauty, and pleasure, I have firmly resolved to establish my mind in enduring Peace."

Summary of Teachings:

These verses from the Yoga Vāsiṣṭha reflect a profound philosophical turning point in the mind of Śrī Rāma. He Realizes that the root of suffering is not external events, but internal attachment — particularly to the fleeting pleasures of the senses. 

Unlike physical poisons, which only destroy the body, desires for sensory gratification act as subtle poison that perpetuate the cycle of rebirth. The message is clear: 

Realization requires mastery over the mind and its cravings, not mere control of external circumstances.

The wise — those grounded in Self-Knowledge — are unaffected by dualities like pleasure and pain, life and death. For them, these phenomena are superficial ripples on the surface of the unchanging Self. Rāma seeks this state of equanimity and calls upon his teacher Vasiṣṭha to guide him beyond the reach of sorrow and exhaustion. His urgency and sincerity echo the yearning of a true seeker, ready to abandon all worldly attachments for the sake of Truth.

A vivid metaphor is employed to describe the inner world: it is a dense forest of ignorance, tangled with desires and latent impressions (vāsanās), where suffering lurks in every corner. Though he has tolerated the ordinary burdens of life, Rāma confesses that he can no longer endure the torment of inner confusion and delusion. This reveals a central teaching of Vedānta: true suffering is psychological, not physical, and its remedy lies in spiritual clarity, not in external change.

Rāma’s mind begins to awaken as he perceives the illusory nature of conceptual distinctions like existence and non-existence, and the futility of worldly pleasures. He compares the mind’s craving to a thread upon which the jewel of individual Consciousness is strung. The Self continues to shine despite the entanglement, suggesting that Realization is not about becoming something new, but Realizing what has always been present beneath the surface.

Finally, the verses emphasize the fleeting nature of all worldly phenomena: youth, enjoyment, beauty, and even life itself are as transient as clouds, lightning, and foam. Having recognized this impermanence, Rāma resolves to turn inward, to anchor the mind in deep peace. The essence of these verses is vairāgya (dispassion), viveka (discrimination), and the plea for jñāna (wisdom) — the triad that lays the foundation for Self-Realization and freedom from bondage.