yogavasishta nirvaana prakaranam part 16

7/29/2019 YogaVasishta Nirvaana Prakaranam Part 16

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YOGA

VAASISHTA

A PHILOSOPHICAL TREATISE

COMPOSED BY

VAALMIKI MAHARSHI

ESSENCE OF YOGAVAASISHTA

Compiled by

Tejasvini


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FIRST HALF OF SECTION SIX

FINAL EMANCIPATION

PART SIXTEEN

[FINAL PART OF THE FIRST HALF]

INTRODUCTION

As Sage Vasishta completed his discourse on the Sapta-Bhoomikaas, Ramas mindmelted off in the contemplation of the Self. He remained like a painted picture of a lotus

with closed petals. Sage Vasishta, seeing Rama absorbed in Nirvikalpa Samaadhi did not

speak any further. He remained silent. Others seated in the hall also were sitting silently

experiencing the unique bliss of their silenced minds.

Silence reigned supreme.

The whole assembly was like a painted picture.

Sage Vaalmiki also stopped his discourse on Vaasishta Raamaayana at that stage and

remained silent as if enjoying the Samaadhi state of Rama within himself.

Bharadhvaaja who was intently listening to the discourse broke the silence by questioning

about the further events that took place after Ramas entering the Samaadhi state.

He wanted to know whether any more questions of Rama were left back and did SageVasishta had anything more to say.

OM TAT SAT


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FINAL PART OF THE FIRST HALF

{VASISHTAS DISCOURSE IS COMPLETE AND RAMA IS IN SAMAADHI STATE}

(Sage Vaalmiki finished his discourse on Vasishta and Ramas conversation and remained silent.)

CHAPTER ONE

Bharadvaaja spoke

After listening completely to the ever-new essence of knowledge related by of the Great

Sage, did Rama of the taintless mind, the foremost of the Raghus, present any more of his

doubts; or, did he remain overflowing with the bliss of equal-ness because of theattainment of complete enlightenment?

He was after all ParamaYogi; saluted by the entire world; Lord of all Gods; always free

of births and deaths; of the nature of pure knowledge; a store-house of all virtues; the

abode of Ramaa (Lakshmi); the Master who controls the creation and maintenance; and

acts compassionate towards all!

Shri Vaalmiki spoke

{RAMA IS ABSORBED IN THE NIRVIKALPA SAMAADHI}

Rama of lotus-eyes, after listening to Vasishtas words filled with the essence of Vedanta,

had the comprehension of all knowledge.

By the rise of the power of Kundalinee, within the wink of an eye, the Chit consciousness

flashed forth in him; and he remained absorbed for a Muhurta (some time-span) lost in

the overflowing ocean of bliss of the Pure Consciousness.

He now was free of all questions and their answers.

His Praanas were totally filled with the nectar of bliss.

His hairs stood on end.He remained as the all-pervading Chit, which is the common essence of all.

He was in a state where the eight powers acclaimed by the world appeared like worthless

piece of grass.

He had attained the auspicious state of the Supreme.

He did not speak anything and remained silent.


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Bharadvaaja spoke

Ah wonderful indeed that Rama attained the Supreme state.

Hey Lord of all Sages!

How can we get to such a level!Where are we who are foolish, stagnant intellects, idiots with so little knowledge; and

where is the state Rama attained, which is unattainable for even Gods like Brahma!

Ah! Hey Master of even the best of the Sages!

How will I ever rest in that state!

How will I cross over the Bhava-ocean, which cannot be crossed over easily!

Shri Vaalmiki spoke

Analyze well in your mind whatever Vasishta taught Rama from the beginning till now. I

will also add some suggestions thereof. Listen!

This world made of five elements rising from Avidyaa

is not real at all, even to the amount of an atom!

Wise men ponder about it; fools argue about it!

Nothing is there that is different from the Chit.

Why are you worried about the world made of five elements?

My dear companion!

Become adept in practicing the secrets (Knowledge of Brahman)

given in the scriptures!

The goings-on connected to the world is known as wakeful-sleep.

For a man who has woken up completely,

the taintless Chit-lamp shines forth.


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This world made of five elements is based on void.

Friend! It is the peak of voidness.It is essence-less even in the middle.

Non-attachment is the best course for the intelligent seeker of the Self.

Due to the fault of the Vaasanaas which are there from beginningless times,

the unreal alone is seen like this (as real).

This world is made of innumerable delusions and

is like the illusory city of Gandharvas.

Hey Bharadhvaaja!

Discard completely the delusion in your mind

through Discrimination.

You will doubtless attain the knowledge which is extraordinary.

Nothing has any special appearance;

and nobody is special at any time

among all these beings,

for the serpent called Time(Death), which consumes every one.

What to say of these mortal lumps

which have only momentary existence!

Even those with divine forms become the food for the wicked Time!


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Why are you dancing joyously on the dangerous stage,

with all your limbs broken?Remain without any movement for a moment,

and watch the drama of the world.

This world changes every moment

and is turbulent with countless waves.

Bharadhvaaja! A knower never is bothered by it.

Renounce the inauspicious grief

and contemplate on the auspicious things.

Contemplate on the pure nature of the Self

which is dense with knowledge and bliss.

Shivas grace will bless those

whose minds are adorned by faith towards Gods, Brahmins and Guru.

Bharadvaaja spoke

I have understood everything by your grace.

There is no friend like dispassion. There is no enemy like the world.( )

I want to hear now about the essence of knowledge spoken by Vasishta completely.


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CHAPTER TWO

Shri Vaalmiki spoke

Bharadvaaja!

Listen to this great knowledge which will bestow liberation.

By listening itself, you will not again drown in the ocean of this delusory existence.

Salutations to that form of Existence, Knowledge and Blisswhich stays divided as many

with the functions of destruction, maintenance and creation,

though is actually one single principle.

I will briefly explain to you that method mentioned in the scriptures, by which the world

will dissolve off and the truth will shine forth.

Where have you lost your sense of analyzing previous statements and coming to a

conclusion?

If you analyze well, all that has been taught will be understood like a gooseberry kept in

ones own palm.

Shri Vaalmiki spoke

[Summary:

Control the mind; control the senses; avoid prohibited actions; keep away from sense

pleasures; have faith in the scriptures.

Seated comfortably on a soft seat, with body in proper posture, utter Aum till the mind

becomes quiet and calm. Then practice Praanaayaama to purify the mind.One should withdraw the mind from the sense objects gradually.

Contemplating on the source-deities from which appear the fields of the body, senses,

mind, intellect, one should absorb them into those deities.]

(There is a detailed description of how the contemplation process is done, as mentioned in the Shrutis.

Bharadvaaja contemplates likewise and attains the state of the Self.)]


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Bharadvaaja spoke

I am now freed of the chains of Linga (subtle body) for ever and ever.

I have now entered the blissful ocean of consciousness

being of the essence of consciousness myself.

I have no divisions and am the Supreme Self indeed!

I am not identified with any limited adjuncts.

I am the changeless Supreme.

I am the only one without the second. I pervade all.

I am the Chit; not the power of cognition,

like when the pot breaks, the pot-space or the jar-space do not exist at all.

The Shrutis speak only of that Supreme with devotion

as many being the one!


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The fire thrown into the fire becomes equal to that fire.

So also, that which is named as That becomes that which gets absorbed into it

and absorbs that without any difference.

Like the grass etc thrown into the salty substance will become salty.like the salt lump thrown into the ocean become the ocean itself;

the non-conscious world thrown into the conscious

will attain the state of consciousness only.

They lose their names and forms and attain the nature of the ocean,

like the water poured into water;

like the milk into milk;

like the ghee into ghee.

They do not perish; but do not keep their differences.

Similarly,

as I have entered with my whole being into the principle of consciousness,

which is always blissful, which knows everything,

which is Supreme and which is the supreme cause;I am that Brahman,

which is beyond even all the Supremacies,

which is in all, which is quiescent, which is taintless,

which is undivided, which is action-less, which is pure.

I am the Supreme Brahman which is pure,which is not anything that can be sought or discarded,

which is real in nature,

which is without senses,

which is just what is not anything,

which conceives the world and makes it appear real.


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I am that Brahman, the Supreme light (which reveals all)

which is second- less,which is blissful, which is bereft of merits and sins,

which is the Supreme cause of the world.

A person who desires to realize the Self

should always contemplate on the Brahman,

which contains everything within,

which is described by all the above mentioned words,which is bereft of the qualities of Sattva etc.

When the aspirant practices such contemplation, the mind sets there.

When the mind sets, then the Self shines by itself.When the Self shines, all sufferings will end and the bliss of the Self will prevail.

The bliss is attained by the Self by itself in the Self.

Self shines within as-

I am the Supreme Brahman; the only one.

There is no one other than me.

I am the Lord! I am the principle of consciousness and bliss.


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CHAPTER THREE

Shri Vaalmiki spoke

Friend! If you are not able to get the restful state of the Self

caught in the rotating wheel of the Samsaara,

as a householder,

then renounce the actions (take over Sannyaasa)

and be a lover of Brahman only.

Bharadvaaja spoke

Hey Master!

I have understood all the knowledge instructed by you.My intellect has become taintless now.

Samsaara is not waiting!

Now I want to know about

how a seeker of Self-Knowledge should perform actions.

Should he do all the ordained and non-ordained actions on a regular basis,or should he do the minimal works necessary in his life,

or should he not bother about anything?


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Shri Vaalmiki spoke

The aspirants who desire liberation should do those actions

which do not have any faults.

Any selfish action or that which is prohibited should not be sought especially.

When the Jeeva is endowed with the qualities of Brahmanafter renouncing fully the qualities of the mind,

with all his senses under control,

then he will be the Lord who is everywhere.

A Jeeva is fully liberated when he meditates that

I am That, who is beyond that which is beyond the body, senses, mind and intellect.

A Jeeva is fully liberated

when he is freed of all the doer-ship and enjoyerships;

when he is freed of all false identifications;

when he is freed of all pains and pleasures.


when he sees the Self in all the beings and all the beings in the Self

without the dividing lines.


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when he discards the three states of Jaagrat, Svapna, Sushupti

and enters the blissful state of Turyaa.

That state of Turyaa of the Jeeva merged in the Supreme Self

is removed of the seeds of the three states

and is the blissful experience of the Chit.

That contemplative state of Yoga

is the greatest experience of bliss.

When the mind disappears in a man,

nothing else can be attained but That!

When the waves of nectar subside in the nectar ocean, only nectar remains.

Drown in that (nectar waters)!

Why do you drown in the waves of the salty ocean of duality-ideas?Take shelter in that Supreme Lord, the Master of the world,

who fills ups all the pleasures of the world with his bliss.


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CHAPTER FOUR

I have described to you all that was instructed by Vasishta.

Bharadvaaja! Wisest of all!

By following this path of knowledge,the path leading towards the unification of the individual self with the Supreme,

you will understand everything for sure.

The Vedas proclaim that all things succeed through practice,

along with the sincere study of the scriptures

and the understanding of Gurus instructions.

Therefore, ignoring everything else,

steady your mind in the practice.

Bharadvaaja spoke

Hey Sage! Rama attained the Supreme state of Yoga in the Self state by the Self.

How did divine Sage Vasishta get him interested in the worldly affairs?

When I understand that, I will also try to practice the same method,

so that it will benefit me in my progress

even when engaged in worldly activities.


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CHAPTER FIVE

Shri Vaalmiki spoke

When the greatest of minds Rama the virtuous one was absorbed in the Self,

Vishvaamitra said to Vasishta, the greatest of all Sages.

Vishvaamitra spoke

Hey Vasishta! Hey venerable Sage! Hey son of Brahma! You are indeed great!

You have shown the greatness of Guru-hood in this very instant as to how the power of

Guru acts! He alone is a true teacher who through his sight, touch, words and compassion

raises the contemplative state in the disciple!

Rama also is pure in the mind; and dispassionate by nature, he was intent only on

attaining the Self-state and attained the Supreme state just by listening to your words.

The understanding power of the student alone becomes the cause of enlightenment

through Gurus words.

If the three taints namely ego, delusion and Vaasanaas (Aanavam , Maayiyam , Karma)

have to ripen and end in dispassion, then how can one grasp knowledge as if it has

ripened? (Taints have to ripen to get thrown off.)

Both the Guru and the disciple should have perfect qualities to have effect on each other.Now please wake up Rama from his Samaadhi state.

You are indeed an expert in the know-how of that state of Samaadhi!

We have arrived here with some purpose. Remember Lord, why I have come here.

I have tried hard to convince King Dasharatha. Let it not go waste.

With no selfish purpose in my mind, I will try to get some events of the incarnation-work

fulfilled.

I will take Rama to Siddhaashrama. He will kill the demons there.

Ahalyaa will get freed of her curse.

He will marry Janakas daughter by breaking the bow for sure.

He will set right the path of Jamadagnis son Rama.He will leave the kingdom of his ancestors and reside in the forest without fear and any

desire.

He will sanctify many places and help many beings to attain enlightenment.

Through the event of Seetaas kidnapping, he will kill Raavana and show the world what

harm will be experienced by those who covet the wives of others.

He will make the dead monkeys and bears of his army, alive by the boon of Indra.

He will get Seetaa purified by fire; and show that he respects the approval of the world.


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As a JeevanMukta, though having no desires, he will perform all the actions ordained by

the scriptures. Thus, he will show the union of Karma and Knowledge in him.

He will bestow JeevanMukti on those devotees who have his vision, who remember him,

who listen to him or teach him and to everyone in all positions.

So there are endless works waiting for this RaamaChandra the great one, in the three

worlds and he has to finish some work for me also.

Hey people salute him! Salutations to him!

You are all liberated already by being with him.

Who among you there is like him?

May all of you be blessed with the bliss of the Self.

Shri Vaalmiki spoke

Hearing the words spoken by Vishvaamitra, all the Siddhas and the excellent Yogis led

by Vasishta remained silent and were absorbed in meditating on the dust of the lotus feet

of Rama, with devotion.

Sage Vasishta and other Sages had not enough of discussing all the future events in the

life of Rama, Lord of Maithili; even as they talked about the virtues of the mine of virtues

Rama, and listening to what was getting spoken,

Bhagavaan Vasishta then spoke to Sage Vishvaamitra.

Vasishta spoke

Vishvaamitra! Please tell us who was Rama before this?

Was he an enlightened God or a man?

(It has already been mentioned that Chit alone takes on the form of Trinities and appears as three different

God-heads. These Gods are ever-liberated. They are always in the state of Brahman.

Naaraayana also is Chit manifesting as Naaraayana with full knowledge of everything.

When this Naaraayana again takes on a human form, for some time-span of earth-life, he is ignorant as it

were. By honoring Sage Vasishta by becoming his disciple, Rama becomes a channel for the Supreme

Knowledge given by the Sage through which all the earth beings will benefit.As he listens to the discourse of his Guru, the clouds covering his Brahman state dissolve off. He returns to

his original state of Chit where even Naaraayanas form does not exist.

If he does not wake up again as Rama, the entire work of the incarnation will remain incomplete.

The drama that started on the stage of earth will have to draw the curtains in the first act itself.

But how to wake up Chit so that it manifests as Rama again?)


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CHAPTER SIX

Vishvaamitra spoke

Believe my words. This one is the Supreme Purusha.

He got the ocean churned for the good of the world.

He is seen only through the profound words of the Vedas.

(He is Chit appearing as the First Godhead! He is Lord Naaraayana.)

He is filled completely with the bliss of the Supreme.

He is equal.

He is adorned by the ShreeVatsa (particular mark or curl of hair on the chest).

He is compassionate towards all the beings and bestows the good upon them.

He gets angry and kills those who make false statements about the Vedas.

He is the beginning of the world.

He is the father of the world.

He is the support, Lord and friend of all.

He is the expansive ocean of bliss which is entered by

the clever tricksters (yogis)

who have escaped from the essence-less weak bindings of cause and effect

and are free of attachment and hatred.


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Sometime he remains absorbed in the Self like the liberated.

(Jnaana-Mukta/ liberated through knowledge)

Sometimes he is called the Turyaa state.

(Nitya-Mukta/ever liberated)

Sometimes he is worshipped by his devotees.

(Maayaa Niyataa/Controller of Maayaa)

Sometimes he stays as the Supreme Purusha.

(MaayaaBaddha/ within the binding of Maayaa)

This divinity who is of the form of three Vedas is

beyond the dense state of the three Gunaas.

He shines forth with the six limbs (Vedaangas).

He is the essence of Vedas.

He is the unique Purusha.

(He is the Chit-state which manifests as Trinities!)

He is four-armed.

He is the creator of the world, the four-faced Brahma.

He is MahaaDeva, the destroyer and three-eyed.

He is unborn.

He arises by the power of Maayaa.

The great one is always alert.

This great Lord has two forms and

he is the form of the world.


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Like victory by valor, light by the fire, excellent knowledge by Vedas,he is carried by Suparna (Garuda).

This Dasharatha is indeed blessed, for the Supreme Purusha is born as his son.

Blessed is that ten-headed Raavana that he gets thought off by his mind.

(If this Naaraayana in this projected form of Rama does not wake up from Samaadhi, all the worlds will be

in peril!)

Ha! The heaven has become empty without him!

Ha! The nether world is empty for he has come here!

By his arrival, this middle-world has attained an esteemed position.

(He is not just Rama the son of a Raghu dynasty king. He is Rama the Brahman, the ever-blissful state of

knowledge!)

He has descended down here as Rama. He is the great God who sleeps in the milk ocean.

He is dense with the bliss of the Self. He is the Supreme Self who is changeless.

(He is Chit projecting directly as Naaraayana the Supreme Godhead. This Rama is Naaraayana himself.

Now he is absorbed fully in the Chit state which is his natural state.)

(He the Supreme Brahman can be experienced only by Yogis.

He is beyond words.)

Yogis know this Rama as the one who has full control over his senses.

We are too inferior to describe his real nature.


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(Hey Vasishta! Now you have sent this Rama, the Brahman to his original state!

Wake him up somehow and make him complete the duties he has to do in this drama of the world.

If left to himself, this body will wither away and we will not even see him in the form of Naaraayana!

The world will then not have anyone to protect them.)

This Lord has also destroyed the sins of this Raghu dynasty,

by his getting born in this family.

Vasishta! Please make him get engaged in the world activities.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Shri Vaalmiki spoke

After saying these words, the great Sage Vishvaamitra remained silent.

Sage Vasishta of great luster spoke to RaamaChandra.

(Rama was not anymore Rama, the son of an earth-king.

He was RaamaChandra the moon of Chit which takes on the form of Rama and sheds the cool nectar of

bliss on all.)

Vasishta spoke

Rama! Rama!Hey Mighty armed!

Hey great one!

Hey You of the nature of Chit!

This is not the time to rest.

Bring happiness to the world!


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As long as the reasoning about the world is not removed from the Yogis,

till then the Samaadhi absorption will not become taintless.

Therefore be engaged for some time in the impermanent affairs of the kingdom etc;

and complete the works belonging to the God-world dear son, and be happy.

Shri Vaalmiki spoke

Though spoken like this, Rama did not say anything, as he was deeply absorbed in the

Self-state.

Then Vasishta entered Ramas body through Samkalpa; through the Sushumna Naadi

slowly entered the heart-lotus; he disturbed the Jeeva-vibration and made it strong; and

brought him out, like the air entering the seed makes the sprout come out.

Rama slowly opened his eyes.

He saw the eminent Sages like Vasishta in front of him.

He had no desires or wants.

He had no thoughts of what had to be done or not.

He just kept looking at the Sages who were seated before him, waiting for their words.Vasishta again repeated what he said before.

Vasishta spoke

Rama! Rama!Hey Mighty armed!

Hey great one!

Hey You of the nature of Chit!

This is not the time to rest.

Bring happiness to the world!


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As long as the reasoning about the world is not removed from the Yogis,

till then the Samaadhi absorption will not become taintless.

Therefore be engaged for some time in the impermanent affairs of the kingdom etc;

and complete the works belonging to the God-world dear son, and be happy.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Shri Vaalmiki spoke

Rama brought himself under control and hearing his Gurus words replied like this.

(Somehow Rama woke up. But he was unable to identify himself with the limited identity of a prince. He

could vaguely understand the presence of his Guru in front of him. He surrenders himself to his Master to

get guided in the further activities he has to do next.)

Shree Rama spoke

By your grace, there is nothing to be followed by me or avoided.Even then, your words must be obeyed by me at all times.

Hey Great Sage!

Even according to the Vedas, Puranas and Smrtis,

the words of the Guru are necessarily to be followed;

and going against Gurus words is prohibited.


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Shri Vaalmiki spoke

Having said these words, Rama held the two feet of the great Sage Vasishta and placed

them on his head.

Rama, the essence of all, the ocean of compassion spoke to all.

Shree Rama spoke

Hey, listen everybody!

Our welfare is definitely ascertained!There is nothing more supreme than Self-knowledge!

There is nothing more Supreme than the Guru who is in that state!

Siddhas spoke

Rama!

Everyone here is enlightened in the similar way.

By your grace and all the conversation that took place,

this has been confirmed.

Be happy O Great King RaamaChandra!

Salutations to you!

Permitted by Vasishta, we will go our way.


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CHAPTER NINE

Shri Vaalmiki spoke

After saying these words,

all of them went off praising Rama.

Flowers showered from above

on RaamaChandras head.

Now the entire story of RaamaChandra has been related fully.

Following the method of Yoga described here, Bharadvaaja be happy.

This event of Ramas realization which was related by me,

is a wonderful garland of gems of the words of the great Sage.

It is extolled by all the poets and Yogis alike.

It bestows the path of liberation by the graceful look of the Supreme Guru.

He who listens to this conversation of Rama and Vasishta daily,

in whatever state he is in,

will attain the state of Brahman,

by just listening.


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PART SIXTEEN OFSECTION SIX - NIRVAANA PRAKARANAM

COMPLETE

THE FIRST HALF

OF

NIRVAANA PRAKARANAM

IS

COMPLETE.


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About the Author:

Maa Tejasvini

The author spent many years doing research on ancient Sanskrit texts in the Himalayan

region. She was exposed to many unique spiritual experiences which are beyond human

comprehension.

Her mission in life was to translate all renowned spiritual texts and literature of Sanskrit

and bring them to the light of the public.

yogavasishta nirvaana prakaranam part 16

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