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 CXXII - The same. manu's admonition to ikshaku

Argument: On the Elevation of Humanity and its ultimate liberation.

Manu continued:—

1. [Sanskrit available]
Now the living liberated yogi, in whatever manner he is clad, and however well or ill fed he may be, and wherever he may sleep or lay down his humble head, he rests with the joy of his mind, and in a state of perfect ease and blissfulness, as if he were the greatest emperor of the world. (Hence the fakirs are called shah sahibs by people).

2. [Sanskrit available]
He breaks down all the bonds of his caste and creed, and the rites and restraints of his order by the battery of the sastra; and roves freed from the snare of society, as a lion breaking loose from his cage, and roaming rampant every where. (Here the sastra means the upanishads on the esoteric faith of spiritual freedom).

3. [Sanskrit available]
He has his mind abstracted from all sensible objects, and fixed on an object which no words can express (i.e. the unspeakable rapture of his mind); and he shines forth with a grace in his face, resembling the clearness of an autumnal sky.

4. [Sanskrit available]
He is always as deep and clear (i.e. grave in his mind and clear headed), as a large lake in a valley; and being rapt in holy and heavenly joy, he is always cheerful in himself, without his care for or want of anything else.

5. [Sanskrit available]
He is ever content in his mind without having anything for his dependance, or any expectation of the reward of his actions;and is neither addicted to any meritorious or unworthy acts, nor subject to joy or grief for aught of pleasure or pain.

6. [Sanskrit available]
As a piece of crystal does not receive or emit any other colour in its reflection, excepting that of its pure whiteness; so the spiritualist is not imbued with the tinge of the effects of his actions. (i.e. The spiritualist does not benefit by the retribution of his acts).

7. [Sanskrit available]
He remains indifferent in human society, and is not affected either by the torture or subministration of his body; he deems his pain and pleasure as passing on his shadow, and never takes them to his heart, as they do not touch his intangible soul. (It was by virtue of this indifference, that the holy saints did not shrink under their persecutions and martyrdom).

8. [Sanskrit available]
Whether honoured or slighted by men, he neither praises nor is displeased with them; and remains himself either connected or unconnected with the customs and rules of society.

9. [Sanskrit available]
He hurts no body, nor is hurt by any; and may be free from the feelings of anger or affection, fear and joy (and other passions which are allotted to humanity).

10. [Sanskrit available]
No one can have the greatness of mind of his own nature, but it is possible for the author of nature, to raise the greatness of mind even in a boy.

11. [Sanskrit available]
Whether a man quits his body (dies) in a holy place, or in the house of a low chandala; or whether one dies at this moment (in youth), or many years afterwards (in old age).

12. [Sanskrit available]
He is released from his bondage to life, no sooner he comes to his knowledge of the soul and gets rid of his desires; because the error of his egoism is the cause of his bondage, and the wasting of it by his knowledge, is the means of his liberation.

13. [Sanskrit available]
He the living liberated man is to be honoured and praised, and to be bowed down to with veneration, and regarded with every attention, by every one who is desirous of his prosperity and elevation. (Because we honour ourselves by honouring the great).

14. [Sanskrit available]
No religious sacrifice nor wilful austerity, no charity nor pilgrimage, can lead us to that supremely holy state of human dignity; which is attainable by us only by our respectful attendance upon the godly, who have got rid of the troubles of the world. (Hence attendance on saints and at their holy shrines, is accounted as productive of our sanctity).

Vasishtha said:—

15. [Sanskrit available]
The venerable sage Manu, having spoken in this manner, departed to the celestial abode of his sire Brahma; and Ikshaku continued to act according to the precepts, which were delivered to him by the sacred seer.

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