Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 174, October 29 2015
Sri Sadgurubhyo namaha
Om Santissantissantissantihi
Utpatti Prakarana, the third Prakarana is what we are studying now.
After about 15 days break we are resuming the study of Yoga Vasishtha. Sage Vasishtha explains what good scriptures should be studied, listened to, and followed, in response to Sri Rama’s query.
‘Sat’ is a word we often hear as in Sat Chit Ananda. Sat-Sastra is what we are now discussing. The Sastra, Veda, the Scripture that helps us to attain Liberation is a Sat-Sastra or Sachchaastra. Satpurusha, Sadaalochana are words using the prefix, Sat. A person of Truth, etc. Like a sword Sachchaastra slices our ignorance. It awakens the knowledge of Truth and Bliss within us.
Sage Valmiki is all-knowing. He is using this circumstance to praise the glory of Yoga Vasishtha through the words of Vasishtha. This work is called Maha Ramayana. It is a supremely holy scripture. Ramayana as we know, is only a part of the Maha Ramayana. This work is also called Vasishtha Gita. This work bestows Supreme Bliss upon us, and Jeevanmukti. While we are living, we can experience eternal bliss. Even while the world appears before us, we are enabled to treat it as a dream. Normally when we experience a dream, it is only when we wake up that we realize that it was only a dream.
This book has the capacity to establish one firmly in the Knowledge of Truth, Brahma Jnana.
Whatever has been mentioned in this work, has been repeated in other later works. There is nothing on the subject that has not been mentioned here. There are 28 persons with the title Vyasa. We have learned that before. One Vyasa’s name as mentioned in the Kurma Purana, was Valmiki. Whether this Valmiki was referred to there, we do not know.
Jnana alone is capable of granting eternal bliss.
Those who are not attracted to this work, may refer to other works. There is no objection to that. It is their misfortune that this work does not appeal to them. Valmiki has vowed that this work is the greatest because of its profound content. Only a sinner will find it unattractive or unappealing. Valmiki vows to that effect. Gita Sastra and other works are there. What is important is that one should learn about Paramatma.
This work is a remedy for spiritual ignorance, which is like a disease. It affords a personal experience. There is no need for any outside endorsement. If you have been worshiping a chosen deity, you will have a direct experience of the deity’s presence and company, and conversation with the deity. Some people perform penance and ask others if their penance was successful. It is something that one would experience oneself. It is not for others to endorse.
This work ends the cycle of birth and death, which is the source of all sorrow. No Karma can ever grant this.
Yajna, Yaga, and Karma done with Jnana will yield good results. But without Jnana, mere Karma will not give bliss. Pebbles in the river do not absorb any water.
Paramakaarana Varnana is the next sarga. Those who have immense love for spiritual Truth will find it in this work. The difference between a Jeevanmukta/liberated while alive, and a Videhamukta is explained. Even other works describe it. Sthithaprajna mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita is one step below the Jeevanmukta. This is not a state of the physical body. It deals with the soul. Videhamukta is one who is liberated after death.
We took a long leave. During the Navaratri festival, we have witnessed Sri Swamiji’s Navavarana Puja. We are now discussing the Utpatti Prakarana. We are the eighth sarga. Sacchaastra Niroopanam is the name of this section. To get Brahma Jnana what book should be studied? It is explained. It is proved beyond a doubt that this is a supreme work. What is true and eternal is Sat. That which is Truth is Sat. It may refer to a fact, a person, or a treatise. Sat Guru is Sadguru. Sat Chit Ananda also has the word Sat. Sat is Truth. In the Kali Yuga Satsanga is done in a group mostly. The company of noble souls may not always be available to us. One can remain alone and yet do Sat-sanga. Self-study, contemplation, hearing, thinking, speaking, studying good topics is all considered as Satsanga.
Sri Rama has a question. Vasishtha had assured Rama that in a very short time, his ignorance and sorrow will be removed. There is no need to fear. Some worry that they had committed numerous sins and had not done much spiritual practice. In the Bhagavatam, king Parikshit wept that he only had seven days to live and attain liberation. He was pacified and consoled that he should be happy that he had seven whole days to gain Liberation, whereas, Khatvanga was given Liberation in a very short time, in a few seconds. We must feel the confidence that while we are healthy, and have the time, we should listen to this work, and understand its meaning to achieve Liberation. The presence of Sadguru grants us such confidence.
Atmajnana
Sri Rama asks:
A Disciple must never doubt the extent of the knowledge of Guru. What Guru teaches, we may not be able to grasp. But Guru always knows the subject thoroughly. One must have complete faith in the knowledge of Guru. How Sadguru should be viewed is taught to us here. Sri Rama expresses his confidence and trust in Guru Vasishtha. For one to get Atma Jnana, it has to be personally experienced. What work has the capacity to grant such Knowledge? Happiness is not of the body alone. Bhagavad Gita removes grief. It says, you are grieving about what should not be lamented about. Atma jnana is the removal of sorrow. Bhagavad Gita is a Sastra that destroys grief. Its instruction is most needed in this world.
Rama expresses his confidence in his Guru and prays for instruction.
Sri Rama asks:
What is the greatest work? When Guru is speaking, is this a proper question to ask? What Guru is saying is the ultimate truth. But Yoga Vasishtha as a work, had not been published yet, at that time. That is why Sri Rama is asking this question. This is just an ordinary dialogue between Guru and disciple. Later on, Valmiki has composed it as a philosophical treatise. Rama had the Knowledge but not the personal experience of the Knowledge. For that Sadguru’s grace is essential. Gurus Viswamitra and Vasishtha assured Rama that they would bestow their grace upon him.
Can Valmiki praise his own work? Is it arrogance and ego? No. This tradition is seen in the Vedas and the Upanishads. Unless the Vedas are studied, it is said that knowledge cannot be obtained.
It is not arrogance or ego. Valmiki makes Sage Vasishtha himself declare the greatness of Yoga Vasishtha for the purpose of granting Atma Jnana.
Atmajnana
Vasishtha does not call his teaching as Yoga Vasishtha. He calls it as Maha Ramayana. In the Vairagya Prakarana, we have learned how the disciple Bharadwaja asked Valmiki to relate the complete story of Ramayana.
The incident of Viswamitra’s arrival to Ayodhya is described in the story of Ramayana. The incident of his taking Rama and Lakshmana with him to the forest is described. But the interim events have been left out of the Ramayana. The omitted part consists of spiritual knowledge. This matter has been left out of the story of Ramayana.
Valmiki had not composed this as a work by then. He chose not to include it there because it would not fit in properly in the story. He felt that the readers should first learn about Dharma and other things.
Later on, upon Brahma’s directive he has composed and included this section of Yoga Vasishtha in the Maha Ramayana.
O intelligent one, O knowing one, Sri Rama, this is my answer, that there is no greater truth than this. This is what I am going to explain to you.
Itihasa
This work is treated as an itihasa. What exists, the knowledge that is known, is easily explained. By studying this, one grasps the subject quickly. Swamiji has called his organization as Jnana Bodha Sabha. Bodha means both Knowledge and its instruction. The essence of all scriptures is included in this work. Different works focus on different aspects. The manner in which the subject is presented would be different, whereas, this particular work contains everything. The way certain medicines are advertised as a Cure-all, this work is guaranteed to give full satisfaction. No need to keep so many books. If you have just this, it is enough.
Srutesmin
If you listen to this with genuine interest, this collection of information will give you eternal bliss. The Sun is ever full of light. It is because the earth rotates, there is darkness. The Sun ever shines. It is not his doing that the earth rotates.
This eternal light of knowledge will always be with the disciple. The Jeevanmuktatva will be everlasting. It is not something that comes and goes. It is most sacred. It has a positive influence on the surroundings also. A noble person’s presence purifies his entire surrounding.
Sthitameva
Drsyamaarjanam is a major topic of Yoga Vasishtha. Wipe away the visible world. Brahma is the one and only Truth. With that knowledge, one should wipe out the visible world as unreal. It is as if in our intellect, this world will lose its sense of reality. It is not as if the world will physically get destroyed. That personal experience of the illusory nature of the world is granted by the study of this work.
During a dream, if one should realize that it is only a dream, it will prevent one from getting scared of the frightening incidents that might occur in the dream. This work gives that awareness. A Jeevanmukta is not concerned about the activities of the world.
Iti
Brahma made Valmiki compose this work. But only when it was taught to Rama, Yoga Vasishtha became famous.
One musician wished to sing in the presence of Swamiji. One listener, Swamiji, he considered as equivalent to an audience consisting of a thousand listeners.
What exists in this work, is the foundation for all other works. There is nothing that is not found here, be it regarding poetry, or Brahma Jnana. This exact same verse and description are also used as applying to the Mahabharata.
It teaches with great cleverness and logic. It is very convincing and becomes one’s own personal experience.
Amarakosa, Viswakosa, Sabdaratnakara etc. give different meanings of a word, how the expression may be used in different contexts, etc. It is like an encyclopedia. It is like an elaborate dictionary. This is a Vijnana Kosa, a Sastra Kosa. The fame of this work diminished because of the decreased intelligence of the people and the time available for modern readers. Laghu Yoga Vasishtha with 2000 verses is more popular. It is a condensed version of the 32,000 verses.
Yasya
Whoever listens to this constantly, will acquire a broad, sensitive, and compassionate perspective. They will also obtain the ability to clearly explain the content to others as well. Whatever they had heard before, will get overshadowed by the knowledge that they acquire by the study of this work. That is how powerful the Yoga Vasishtha is. It is undeniable.
Yasmai
Just in case one finds the Yoga Vasishtha unappealing for any reason, it is their misfortune.
Not wishing to witness the Navavarana Puja of Swamiji is a sign of one’s misfortune. We have to increase our good fortune by performing good deeds.
Some students begin the study of logic, or literature, or grammar, and if the aptitude is lacking, they keep switching to different subjects. It may be, that Yoga Vasishtha is not suited to everyone. If so, some other work may be studied. Other works are lesser than this. But regardless, do not get discouraged, but do Satsanga or listen to good information to learn the highest truth.
Jeevanmukta
The experience:” I am a Jeevanmukta” will be acquired by the disciple. A patient gets the experience that he is now cured. There are some, who are not convinced of their recovery, even if the doctor tells them.
Sruyamana
One who listens to this gets purified.
In the Bhagavatam it is said: Ganga purifies all the three worlds. Heaven, Earth, and Patala. Naga Ganga is another name for Patala Ganga. If went to different worlds beyond our earth. Either it went to the Netherworlds or to a different place of existence altogether.
Srota, vakta, prchhakaha – the listener, the speaker, and the questioner – all three are purified. Like the Bhagavatam. Personally it will be experienced, whether one receives a Varam/Boon or Sapam/Curse, both give direct experiences.
Trisanku and Nahusha have been given to us as examples. This Sastra gives direct experience.
The last verse has a different poetic meter.
The conclusion: If this is listened to: the sorrow of Samsara or fear of death, or the fear of getting stuck in the cycle of birth and death. One dies to die again and again. One gets identifies with the body and keeps dying over and over again. One’s Karma swallows them up. One wishes to exist forever. Immortality is gained by the study of this work, because the one who learns this knowledge will identify with the eternal soul, and not with the body.
Acquisition of wealth or knowledge will keep one in the Dvaita bhava, the perception of duality. Veda never speaks of duality. One must not abuse the Veda by using verses out of context. One should not break the sequence and misinterpret the statements given in the Veda. When one does that, Jnana and Liberation are not attained. Charity and Penance are not worthless if they are done with Jnana. When performed with ignorance, they do not yield Liberation. Penance with selfish aims increases Ajnana/ignorance. Doing Karma without Jnana causes a downfall, as has occurred to the Rakshasas. They do great penance but they face disaster. Penance itself is not harmful. But penance done with selfish aims bears negative fruits.
Brahmarpanam … Even while you eat, you must consider that the server, the ladle, the plate, the food, the consumer of the food, the process of digestion, the feces, everything is Brahma. Every act is like a Maha Yajna. The result obtained differs, based on which bhavana/intention or feeling you perform a karma with. Everyone’s stomach gets filled when food is eaten, but wrong attitude gives negative results.
The ninth sarga begins, called Paramakaarana Varnanam. The qualities of a Jeevanmukta are described by Sage Vasishtha. We also can become like that. We will discuss that tomorrow.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om Santissantissantihi