Yoga Vasistha
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Yoga Vasistha (योग-वासिष्ठ), also known as Vasistha's Yoga, was authored by sage Vasistha, one of the teachers of Rama, as the name suggests, "Yoga" means union - with the Truth, and "Vasistha" was the sage who has imparted this knowledge.
Presented as the discourse of the great Sage Vasistha to Prince Rama when he is in a state of dispassion at a young age, it is the longest text in Sanskrit, after Mahabharat and Ramayana and an important text of Yoga as well as Advaita Vedanta [1].
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[edit] About Yoga Vasistha
It is said that this book alone can lead to spiritual liberation. The profound conversation between Sage Vasistha and Prince Rama is of that between a great enlightened sage and a seeker who is about to reach completeness. This is amongst those rare conversations which directly leads to Truth. The truths, wonders and mysteries of Reality are revealed in a fabulous and grandiose way by Sage Vasistha.
From time immemorial until now, this scripture is a well of wealth from which several understandings, scientific ideas, philosophies and perceptions have been realised.
[edit] Importance of Yoga Vasistha
Yoga Vasistha is considered amongst the most important, if not the most important, scripture of the Vedantic philosophy. The knowledge and secrets revealed in Yoga Vasistha are highly beneficial in leading a seeker to spiritual liberation.
[edit] Yoga Vasistha, the book in English
Yoga Vasistha was originally written in Sanskrit. It was translated to English by Swami Jyotirmayananda, Swami Venkatesananda, Vidvan Bulusu Venkateswaraulu, and Vihari Lal Mitra. K. Naryanaswami Aiyer translated the famous condensation Laghu-Yoga-Vasistha.
The book is divided into 6 parts:
- Dispassion
- Qualifications of a seeker
- Creation
- Existence
- Dissolution
- Liberation
[edit] Context of Yoga Vasistha
Prince Rama returns from touring the country and becomes utterly dipassionate after seeing the apparent reality of the world. This worries his father, King Dasaratha. The King expresses his concern to Sage Vasistha, upon his arrival. Sage Vasistha consoles the king by telling him that Rama's dispassion (vairagya) is a sign that the prince is now ready for spiritual enlightenment. He says that Rama has begun understanding profound spiritual truths, which is the cause of his confusion and he just needs confirmation. Sage Vasistha asks king Dashratha to summon Rama. Then, in the court of king Dashratha, the sage begins the discourse to Rama which lasts for several days.
[edit] Quotes
"The great remedy for the long lasting disease of samsara is the enquiry, 'Who am I?, to whom does this samsara belong?,' which entirely cures it."
"Nothing whatever is born or dies anywhere at any time. It is Brahman alone appearing illusorily in the form of the world."
"O Rama, there is no intellect, no nescience, no mind and no individual soul (jiva). They are all imagined in Brahman."
"That consciousness which is the witness of the rise and fall of all beings, know that to be the immortal state of supreme bliss."
[edit] See also
- Nirankar Valmiki
- Vashisht (where English translations are mentioned in more detail)
[edit] External links
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