Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4

by Vihari-Lala Mitra | 1891 | 1,121,132 words | ISBN-10: 8171101519

The English translation of the Yoga-vasistha: a Hindu philosophical and spiritual text written by sage Valmiki from an Advaita-vedanta perspective. The book contains epic narratives similar to puranas and chronologically precedes the Ramayana. The Yoga-vasistha is believed by some Hindus to answer all the questions that arise in the human mind, an...

Chapter CXX - Description of various objects on all sides

Argument:—Prolusion on the winds and the forest trees and wild bees; then on celestial nymphs, birds &c.

The companions continued:—

1. [Sanskrit available]
Thus the loving pair after taking to one another in the aforesaid manner; began to sip their delicious wine. And now attend, O lotus eyed lord to the other things of things of this place.

2. [Sanskrit available]
Lo, there the winds, shaking the plantain leaves and clusters of their flowers, and blowing to all sides, with the dust of various sorts of flowers, with which they have adorned themselves.

3. [Sanskrit available]
There the breezes are blowing, loaded with odours exhaled by the flowers of the forest; and there the gentle zephyrs are wafting the perfumes, which they have stolen from the locks of their favourite fairies.

4. [Sanskrit available]
Here are the blasts blowing from the salt sea on the south; and driving as fastly as the stern lion rushes into the fastness of woods and mountain caves; and as forcibly, as the fierce giants attacked the gods on the top of Mount Meru.

5. [Sanskrit available]
Again there is the high wind playing and shaking with the high tamala, tala and other palm trees; while the gentle gales, are softly gliding over the waves, and wafting their moisture to the tender plants below.

6. [Sanskrit available]
There the soft breezes are wheezing, with the dust thrown out by the flowers; while gentle zephyrs are moving about as princes amidst the bowers and flower gardens.

7. [Sanskrit available]
There the god Aeolus plays his sweet sylvan pipe, in the holes of the hollow bamboo; in the manner of the female sweet musicians, tuning their reeds in the city of Pandu or Hastinapura. (Here is a palpable anachronism with regard to the anterior of prince Pandu).

8. [Sanskrit available]
Here every plant is fraught with bees, except the karnikara flower; which is avoided by them, on account of its disregard of the god of air, by withholding to pay him the tribute odour and farina.

9. [Sanskrit available]
The tala or palm tree, that rises as high as a column but yields no fruit nor flower to the hungry passenger, owing to its inaccessible height, is as disgraceful in itself as the uncharitable rich man.

10. [Sanskrit available]
Ignorant and unworthy people, build their pride on outward show, as the kinsuka flower displays the beauty of its colour to view, in absence of its fragrance.

11. [Sanskrit available]
Look at the Karnikara flower, blooming only to decay; because its want of fragrance makes it as worthless and despicable, as unworthy and ignorant men are disregarded by all.

12. [Sanskrit available]
So the tamala tree with its blushing blossoms, beguile the thirsty chataka by its false appearance of a rainy cloud, so the fair outside of the fool, deceives the unwise by his inward foulness.

13. [Sanskrit available]
Look at these robust, woody, shady and cloud-capt hills, which afford shade and shelter to others; and are possessed of many more qualities, befitting the kings of men; are standing in the manner of lofty bamboos (having all these qualities in them).

14. [Sanskrit available]
Look at yonder cloud on the mountain top, resting as it were upon the seat of its table land of bright gold, and twirling its yellow mantle of lightnings; appearing as the god Hari clad in his vest of aureate yellow.

15. [Sanskrit available]
Look on the blooming kinsuka flower, with the flutter-bees and birds about them appearing as a fighting warrior, pierced by flying arrows, and besmeared with crimson blood.

16. [Sanskrit available]
Lo the golden mandara flowers, touching the amber-coloured clouds of heaven; appearing as the giddy Gandharva lads, lying on the top of the Mahendra mountain.

17. [Sanskrit available]
Behold the weary wayfarers, laying and lulling themselves to rest, under the shade of the Kalpa trees in the garden of paradise; while the siddhas and Vidyadharas are sitting there at ease, and singing their songs to the tune of their stringed instruments.

18. [Sanskrit available]
Behold also the celestial nymphs, stretched there at ease, tittering and singing in the groves-bowers of the Kalpa arbour of Eden.

19. [Sanskrit available]
There is the silent abode of the great sage Mandapala, famed in the legends; and the cave of the celebrated vulture said to be his wife.

20. [Sanskrit available]
See there the line of hermitages of the ancient sages; where the envious animals forget their mutual animosities, and [live] together in perfect concord and amity.

21. [Sanskrit available]
There are the coral plants, growing with other shrubs and bushes, by the side of the sea coast; and the drops of water trickling upon them, glisten as gems by the solar rays.

22. [Sanskrit available]
The waves are rolling with precious gems, on the bosom of the ocean;like playful damsels rocking on with their ornaments on the breasts of their lovers.

23. [Sanskrit available]
Here the jingling noise of the jewelleries of the celestial nymphs, sauntering from the celestial regions, to the infernal abodes of the serpents through the midway skies.

24. [Sanskrit available]
Here those hollow mountain caves, whistling with a sound resembling the buzzing of wild bees, falling down giddy with drinking the ichor exuding from the forehead of elephants.

25. [Sanskrit available]
Lo the sea ebbing with the waning moon during the dark fortnight of the month; and the receding tides describing and leaving the linear marks of their regression upon the sands on the shore.

26. [Sanskrit available]
Lo the woodland decorated as a beauty, with clusters of flowers hanging as wreaths and garlands on every side; breathing fragrance all about, and attired in the robe of its cooling shade.

27. [Sanskrit available]
The variegated foliage from its party-coloured dress, and the waterfalls seem as its sweet smiles;and the flowers strewn about, appear as the flowery bed of the happy woodland dame. (The word vana means the vana-devi or woodland goddess, corresponding with a dryad, sylva or Flora).

28. [Sanskrit available]
Here the high-minded sages and hermits, are as highly delighted with their quiet sylvan retreats; as the celestials are joyous in gardens of Eden. (Eden and Udyana are both the same).

29. [Sanskrit available]
The placid and indifferent minds of sages, are equally delighted with these solitary woodlands, as the restless and impatient minds of lovers and worldly people.

30. [Sanskrit available]
The waters of the sea, whether running into the land, or washing the foot of the rock on the sea-shore; are equally shinning and sounding as their tinkling ornaments or anklets (nupurs).

31. [Sanskrit available]
The punnaga flowers blooming on mountains, appear as golden mines upon them; and the goldfinch birds flying over them, look like winged angels in the aerial course.

32. [Sanskrit available]
The mountain forests appear to be in a conflagration, with their full blown champaka flowers blazing as fire, and the bees and clouds hovering over them as smoke; while the current winds are spreading above their dust and petals like the sparks of fire.

33. [Sanskrit available]
Lo the kokila swinging and singing, on his seat of the topmost stalk of a karavira tree; when his mate comes and embraces him there, and sings responsive to his songs with her clamorous chattering. (It is a sarcasm on pettish wives, that often interrupt the silent musings of their consorts with their tastelessness).

34. [Sanskrit available]
See the salt waters of the briny ocean, roaring aloud against shore;but the coast-lands are kept in subjection under the hands of their able masters. (The rule of kings stretched to the seashore).

35. [Sanskrit available]
O lord! deign to make this earth (i.e. the continent of Jambudwipa or Asia), stretching to the four seas on the four sides, as thy footstool; and establish thy rule over the remaining potentates, that escaped the brunt of thy valour; appoint rulers over all the provinces on all sides; and provide them with proper force and arms, which are necessary to keep them in order; and continue to govern thy realms with mercy and moderation.

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