Philosophy and Religion / Yoga Vāsistha / Yoga-Vāsistha (1): Vairāgya-Prakarana

Válmiki

Yoga-Vāsistha, Book 1: Vairāgya-Prakarana (On Moral Apathy). Chapter 2 - Reason of Writing the Rāmāyana

Section 1 - Persons Entitled to its Perusal

Salutation to the Lord, the universal soul, shining manifest in heaven, earth and the sky, and both within and without myself.

One convinced of his constraint (in this mortal world), and desiring his liberation from it, and, who is neither wholly ignorant of, nor guite conversant with divine knowledge, is entitled to (the perusal of) this work.

The wise man, who having well considered the narrative (of Rāma) as the first step, comes afterwards to think on the means of liberation (as are expounded herein), he shall verily be exempt from transmigration (of his soul).

Know, O destroyer of your enemies! that I have first embodied the history of Rāma in this Rāmāyana (as the preparatoly step to salvation).

And I have given the same to my attentive pupil the obedient and intelligent Bharadvāja, as the sea yields his gems to their seeker.

These historical preparatories were rehearsed by the learned Bharadvāja in the presence of Brahmā, seated in a certain forest of the Sumeru Mountain.

Then the lord Brahmā, the great grandfather of the inhabitants (of the three worlds), was so highly pleased with him that he addressed him saying: "Oh my son! ask the best boon that you wish for."

Bharadvāja said- Oh you lord, that are maşter of the past and future times, grant me the desired boon of communicating to me the means whereby people are liberated from their miseries.

Section 2 - Brahmā' s Behest

Brahmā said- "Go ask diligently of your preceptor Vālmīki, to complete the faultless Rāmāyana that he has undertaken (to write).

By the hearing of which men will get over their manifold errors, in the same manner as they pass over the sea by the bridge built over it by the great Rāma, who was fraught with all good qualities.

Vālmīki said- Saying this to Bharadvāja, the supreme maker of all beings (Brahmā) accompanied him to my hermitage.

In right earnest was the god welcomed by me with the argha and offerings of water and the like, when the lord of truth spoke to me for the good of all creatures.

Brahmā spoke to me saying -"Do not Oh sage! give up your undertaking until its final completion. No pains ought to be spared to make the history of Rāma as faultless as it ought to be.

By this work of yours men will forthwith pass over this hazardous world, in the same manner as one crosses the sea in a vessel.

Again said the increate Brahmā to me- "I come to tell this very thing to you; that you complete the work for the benefit of mankind."

Then Oh king, the God disappearcd from my sacred hermitage in a moment, just as the wavc subsides in the water no sooner it has heaved itself.

I was stuck with wonder at the disappearance of that (deity), and then being composed in my mind, I inquired of Bharadvāja, saying-­

Tell me, Bharadvāja, what Brahmā spoke (to me) in the hermitage; to which he answercd saying-­

The God commanded you to complete the Rāmāyana for the good of men, and as a means of their crossing over the gulf of the world.

Section 3 - Inquiry of Bharadvāja

"Now Sir" said Bharadvāja, "explain to me how the great minded Rāma and Bharata conducted themselves amidst the troubles of this world.

Tell me also how did Śatrughna, Laksmana, and the renowned Sītā, and all those who followed Rāma, as also the ministers and their highly intelligent sons, conduct themselves ( on earth).

Tell me clearly how they escaped all its miseries, that I may do the same with the rest of mankind: (for our salvation).

Being thus respectfully addressed by Bharadvāja, I was led, Oh great King! to carly out the behest of my lord (Brahmā, and to narrate the Rāmāyana to him; saying­-

Hear my son Bharadvāja, I will tell you all that you have asked, and by the hearing of which you shall be enabled to cast away the dross of errors (under which you labour).

You are wise and have to manage yourself in the maniler of the felicitous and lotus-eyed Rāma, with a mind free from (worldly) attachments.

(Know that) Laksmana, Bharata, the great minded Śatrughna, Kausalyā, Sītā, Sumitrā as well as Daśaratha­-

With Krtāstra and the two friends of Rāma, and Vasistha and Vāmadeva, and the eight ministers of state as well as many others, had reached thc summit of knowledge (by this means).

Their names are Dhrsta, Jayanta, Bhāsa, Satya, Vijaya, Vibhīsana, Susena and Hanumān. And also Indrajit (who had attained his high-test knowledge).

These were the eight ministers of Rāma, who are said to have been equally dispassionate in their minds, and content with what was their lot. They were great souls, and free in their lives.

Well my son, if you follow the manner in which these men observed sacrificial rites, gave and received their offerings, and how they lived and thought, you are at once freed from the turmoils (of life).

One fallen in this boundless ocean of the worid, may enjoy (the bliss of) liberation by the magnanimity of his soul. He shall not come across grief or destitution, but remain ever satisfied by being freed from the fever of anxiety.

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