Stories from Yoga Vasishtha (Set of 3 Books)

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This bundle consists of Three books. To know more about each individual title, click on the images below:

Stories from Yoga Vasishtha
Stories from Yoga Vasishtha	Mystic Experiences	Stories From Yogavasishtham

Stories from Yoga Vasishtha About the Book

It is the crest jewel of all the works on Vedanta. It is a masterpiece. A study of the book raises a man to the lofty heights of divine splendor and bliss. It is really a vast store of wisdom. Those who practice Atma chintana or Brahma Abhyasa or Vedantic meditation will find a priceless treasure in this marvelous book. He who studies the book with great interest and one pointedness of mind cannot go without unique. Even the most worldly minded man will become dispassionate and will attain peace of mind solace and consolation.

The name is derived from the Sage Vasishtha. Though the book is called Yoga Vasishtha it treats of Jnana only. Practical Yoga is dealt with in two stories. The word yoga is used in the title of this work in its generic sense. It is known by the name Jnana Vasishtham also.

The yoga Vasishtha contains a system of ancient philosophical thought unique in its kind. This is a valuable heritage from the hoary past of this sacred land known as Bharatavarsha or Aryavarta. The system of thought that is presented in this book is a highly valuable contribution not only to Indian philosophical though but also to the philosophical thought of the world at large.

 

About the Author

Born on the 8th September, 1887, in the illustrious family of Sage Appayya Dikshitar and several other renowned saints and savants, Sri Swami Sivananda had a natural flair for a life devoted to the study and practice of Vedanta. Added to this was an inborn eagerness to serve all and an innate feeling of unity with all mankind.

His passion for service drew him to the medical career; and soon he gravitated to where he thought that his service was most needed. Malaya claimed him. He had earlier been editing a health journal and wrote extensively on health problems. He discovered that people needed right knowledge most of all; dissemination of that knowledge he espoused as his own mission.

It was divine dispensation and the blessing of God upon mankind that the doctor of body and mind renounced his career and took to a life of renunciation to qualify for ministering to the soul of man. He settled down at Rishikesh in 1924, practised intense austerities and shone as a great Yogi, saint, sage and Jivanmukta.

In 1932 Swami Sivananda started the Sivanandashram. In 1936 was born The Divine Life Society. In 1948 the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy was organised. Dissemination of spiritual knowledge and training of people in Yoga and Vedanta were their aim and object. In 1950 Swamiji undertook a lightning tour of India and Ceylon. In 1953 Swamiji convened a ‘World Parliament of Religions’. Swamiji is the author of over 300 volumes and has disciples all over the world, belonging to all nationalities, religions and creeds. To read Swamiji’s works is to drink at the Fountain of Wisdom Supreme. On 14th July, 1963 Swamiji entered Mahasamadhi.

 

Introduction

The earliest work in Sanskrit on Vedanta of the highest order is the Vasishtha Maha Ramayana or Yoga Vasishtha. This monumental work is one without a second in Sanskrit literature. Vasishtha, the great sage, taught the principles of Vedanta to his royal pupil, Sri Rama, the victor of Ravana and hero of the epic, Ramayana. He narrated beautiful and interesting stories to illustrate the principles. The book is written in the language of Valmiki.

It is the crest-jewel of all the works on Vedanta. It is a masterpiece. A study of the book raises a man to the lofty heights of divine splendor and bliss. It is really a vast store of wisdom. Those who practice Atma Chintana or Brahma Abhyasa or Vedantic meditation will find a priceless treasure in this marvelous book. He who studies the book with great interest and one-pointedness of mind cannot go without attaining Self-realization. The practical hints on Sadhana are unique. Even the most worldly-minded man will become dispassionate and will attain peace of mind, solace and consolation.

The Yoga Vasishtha was once one of the most widely read books in India. It greatly influenced the general philosophical thought. The late Pundit Brindawana Saraswati of Benares had read the Yoga Vasishtha one hundred and sixty-five times. It is a comprehensive, deep, systematic and literary philosophical work of ancient India.

The name is derived from the sage Vasishtha. Though the book is called Yoga Vasishtha, it treats of Jnana only. Practical Yoga is dealt with in two stories. The word “Yoga” is used in the title of this work in its generic sense. It is known by the name Jnana Vasishtham also.

Rishi Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana, compiled this remarkable book. He related the whole of the Yoga Vasishtha to Rishi Bharadwaja as it passed between Sri Rama and sage Vasishtha.

There are two books, namely, the Brihat Yoga Vasishtha and the Laghu Yoga Vasishtha. The former is a big book containing 32,000 Granthas or Slokas or 64,000 lines. “Brihat” means big. The latter book contains 6,000 Granthas. “Laghu” means small.

The Yoga Vasishtha contains a system of ancient philosophical thought unique in its kind. This is a valuable heritage from the hoary past of this sacred land known as Bharatavarsha or Aryavarta. The system of thought that is presented in this book is a highly valuable contribution not only to Indian philosophical thought but also to the philosophical thought of the world at large.

Those whose minds are turned from this world, who have become indifferent towards the objects of this world and who are thirsting for liberation, will be really benefited by a study of this precious book. They will find in this book a vast mine of knowledge and practical spiritual instructions for guidance in their daily life. The Yoga Vasishtha first enunciates a doctrine in its various aspects and then makes it very lucid through interesting stories. This is a book for constant study as many times as possible. It must be read and re-read, studied and mastered.

The Yoga Vasishtha deals with the subject of effecting union of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul amidst all the trials and tribulations of life. It prescribes various directions for the union of the Jivatma and Paramatma.

The nature of Brahman or Sat and the various methods of attaining Self realization are vividly described in this book. The main enquiry regarding the final beatitude or summum bomum is beautifully dealt with. This book embodies in itself the sciences of ontology the knowledge of the self the principles of psychology the science of emotions the tenets of ethics and practical morality discourses on theology etc. the philosophy of Yoga Vasistha is sublime and unique.

The book consists of six Prakaranas or sections namely 1. Vairagya Prakarana (on dispassion or indifference), 2. Mumukshu Prakarana (on longing for liberation); 3. Utpatti Prakarana (On Creation or origin); 4 Sthiti Prakarana (on preservation or existence); 5. Upasanti Prakarana (on dissolution or quiescence); and 6. Nirvana Prakarana (on Liberation). According to Yoga Vasishtha this world of experience with various objects time space and laws is a creation of the mind that is an idea or kalpana. Just as objects are created by the mind in dream so also everything is created by the mind in the waking state also. Expansion of the mind is Sankalpa through its power of differentiation creations. Through the play of the mind in objects nearness seems to be a great distance and vice versa. Through the force of the mind a kalpa is regarded as a moment and vice versa. A moment of waking experience may be experienced as years in dream. The mind can have the experience as a span only. Mind is not anything different and separate from Brahman. Brahman manifests himself as mind. Mind is endowed with creative power. Mind is the cause of bondage and liberation.

The doctrine of Drishti Srishtivada is expounded in the Yoga Vasishtha. In some places Vasishtha speaks of the Ajatavada of Sri Gaudapadacharya the great guru of Shankara. You begin to see and then there is creation. This is Drishti Srishtivada. This world does not exist at all in the three periods of time. This is Ajatavada or non origin of the universe.

This is a most inspiring book. Every student of Vedanta keeps this book for constant study. It is a constant companion for a student on the path of Jnana Yoga. It is not a Prakriya grantha. It does not deal with the Prakriyas or categories of Vedanta. Only advanced students can take up this book for their study. Beginners should first study the Atma Bodha, Tattwa Bodha and Atamanatma Viveka of Sri Shankara and the Pancheekaran before they take up the study of Yoga vasishtha.

Moksha according to yoga vasishtha is the attainment of the essence of the bliss of Brahman through knowledge of the self. It is freedom from births and deaths. It is the immaculate and imperishable seat of Brahman wherein there are neither Sankalpas nor Vasanas. The mind attains its quiescence here. All the pleasures of the whole world is a mere drop when compared to the infinite bliss of Moksha.

That which is called Moksha is neither in Devaloka nor in Patala nor on earth. When all desires are destroyed the extinction of the expansive mind alone in Moksha. Moksha has neither space nor time in itself nor is there in it any state external or internal. If the illusory idea of ‘I’ or Ahamkara perishes the end of thoughts (which is maya) is experienced and that is Moksha extinction of all Vasanas constitutes Moksha Sankalpa is only Samsara its annihilation is Moksha. It is only Sankalpa destroyed beyond resurrection that constitutes the immaculate Brahmic seat or Moksha. Moksha is freedom from all sorts of pains and the attainment of supreme bliss duhkha means pain or suffering. Births and deaths generate the greatest pain. Freedom from births is freedom from all sorts of pains. Brahma Jnana or knowledge of the self alone with give Moksha. The quiescence produced in the mind by the absence of desires for objects is Moksha.

Moksha is not a thing to be achieved. It is already there. You are in reality not bound. You are ever pure and free. If you were really bound you could never become free. You have to know that you are to immortal all pervading self. To know that is to become that. This is Moksh this is the goal of life. This is the summum bonum of existence. That state of non attraction of the mind when neither ‘I’ nor any other self exists for it and when it abandons the pleasures of the world should be known as the path that leads to Moksha.

The absolute according to the Yoga Vasishtah is Satchidananda Para Brahman who is non dual partless infinite self luminous changeless and eternal. He is the ocean of being in which we all live and move. He is beyond the reach of the mind and senses. He is the ultimate substance. He is the unity behind the subject and the object of experience. He is one homogeneous essence. He is all pervading he is beyond description. He is nameless, colorless, odourless, tasteless, timeless, spaceless, deathless and birthless.

He whose mind is calm who is endowed with the four means of salvation who is free from defects and impurities can realize the self intuitively through meditation. The scriptures and the spiritual preceptor cannot show us Brahman. They can only guide us and give us a hint by way of analogies and illustrations.

Shanti (quiescence of mind), Santosh (Contentment), Satsang (association with sages) and Vichara (atmic enquiry) are the four sentinels who guard the gates of Moksha. If you make friendship with them you will easily enter the kingdom of Moksh. Even if you keep company with one of them he will Surely introduce you to his other three companions.

The student should have an unshakable conviction that Brahman is the only Reality that everthing is Brahman that Brahman is the very self of all beings. Then he should realize this truth through direct cognition or intuition. This direct knowledge of Brahman alone is the means of liberation.

There is no difference between the waking and dream experiences. The waking state is a long dream. The dream experiences become unreal as soon as man comes back to his waking state. Even so the waking state becomes unreal for a sage who has attained self realization. For the man who dream the waking state becomes unreal.

A Jivanmukta roams about happily. He has neither attractions nor attachments. He has nothing to attain nor has he anything to give up. he works for the well being for the world. He is free desires egoism and greed. He is in solitude though he works in the busiest part of a city.

May you all drink the nectar of Yoga Vasishtha! May you all taste the honey of wisdom of the self! May you all become jivanmuktas in this very birth! May the blessings of sage Vasishtha sage valmiki and other Brahma vidya gurus be upon you all ! may you all partake of the essence of the bliss of Brahman!.

 

Contents

 

	Introduction	viii
	Hastamalaka Stotra	xiv
	Para Puja	xx
	Essence of Yoga Vasishtha	xxiii
	Prologue	2
1	Vairagya Prakarana (On Dispassion)	3
	The Story of Sukadeva	11
2	Mumukshu Prakarana (On Longing for Liberation)	15
3	Utpatti Prakarana (On Creation)	22
	The Story of Karkati	23
	The Story of Indra and Ahalya	30
	A Tale for a Bala	32
	The Story of a Siddha	36
4	Sthiti Prakarana (On Existence)	41
	The Story of Sukra	42
	The Story of Bhima, Bhasa and Dridha	48
5	Upasanti Prakarana (On Dissolution)	54
	The Story of King Janaka	55
	The Story of Gadhi	62
	The Story of Uddalaka	70
	The Story of Bhasa and Vilasa	75
	The Story of Veetahavya	85
6	Nirvana Prakarana (On Liberation)	90
	The Story of the Bilva Fruit	92
	The Story of Sikhidhwaja	92
	The Story of Ikshwaku	116
7	Appendix	125
	Sri Satya Narayana Vrata	125
	Realisation of the Ultimate Reality	141
	Prayers and Songs	143
	The Universal Prayer	143
	Invocatory Prayer	143
	Maha Mantra	144
	Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra	144
	Kirtans	144
	Song of Instructions	146
	Song of Eighteen "Ities"	147
	Song of Ethics	147
	Yoga of Synthesis	147
	Essence of Vedanta	148
	Song of Moderation	148
	Saints of India	148
	Saints of the World	149

 

Sample Pages












Mystic Experiences Back of the Book Valmiki's Ramayana, the story of Rama and his defeat of Ravana, the evil King of Lanka, is well known to the world. However, it is said that Valmiki also wrote a less known book called Yoga Vasishtha or Vasishtha Ramayana, which describes the inner life of Rama, telling how he triumphed over foes within himself, and so prepared to fight and conquer, for the helping of the world, the outer evil forces rampant at that time. The Vedantins consider it as a work for the philosopher-yogi, who having mas-tered the theory, is passing on to the practice of it; whereas the well-known works like the Bhagavad-Gita and the Upanishads are meant for those who are yet trying to master the theory.

Mystic Experiences is a highly abbreviated version of the Yoga Vasishtha, with notes by Annie Besant elucidating some obscure portions in the book. It is structured in the form of stories and fables, with a philosophical foundation similar to those found in Advaita Vedanta, holding that the 'whole material world is the object of the mind'. The text is notable for expounding the principles of Maya. and Brahman, as well as the principles of non-duality, and its discussion of Yoga.

About the Author Dr BHAGAVAN DAS (1869-1958) joined the Theosophical Society in 1884, attracted by the stirring lectures of Annie Besant and her dynamic work for the regeneration of India. He was Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Central Hindu College, where he was honorary lecturer of Sanatana Dharma. His distinguished career included membership of the Court of the Benares Hindu University. He was also Kulapati of the Kashi Vidyapith and General Secretary of the Indian Section of the Theosophical Society. Among his scholarly publications are Pranava Vada, The Science of Social Organization, The Science of Peace and The Science of the Emotions. He also assisted Annie Besant in translating the Bhagavadgita, and in preparing the Santana Dharma series of textbooks and The Universal Textbook of Religion and Morals. Dr Das was the first recipient of the Bharata Ratna, the highest civilian award given by the Indian government, for his erudite contributions to the study of Indian philosophy and culture.

Foreword Two histories the Sage Valmiki wrote, to teachthe growing world he loved so well, the way of virtue and of happiness. The one, intended for the younger souls, depicts the outer life of Rama, prince and king of Ayodhya, in the North, and tells of how he warred against and slew the evil king, Ravana, lord of Lanka in the South. This ancient book is known to the entire world as the Ramayana.

The other, less known, helpful at a later stage, is 135 called the Maha Ramayana, Greater Book, and it describes the inner life of Rama, telling how he triumphed over foes within himself, and so prepared to fight and conquer, for the helping of the world, the outer evil forces rampant at that time.

The story of this Greater Book is here essayed in brief.

Preface THE Yoga-Vasishtha, a Sanskrit work, in thirty-two thousand Rokas, or sixty-four thousand lines, is highly honoured among Indian Vedanta’s, for its philosophy and its hints on practical mysticism, as also its literary beauty and poetry. The saying about it, among the Vedanta’s, is that it is a work of the sadhana Avastha, that is, for the philosopher-yogi, who having mastered the theory, is passing on to the practice of it; while the other well-known works, even the Gita, the Upanishads, and the Brahma-sutras, are works of the sadhana-avastha, that is, for those who are yet trying to master the theory.

The very highly abbreviated version, of about a sixth of the work, which is here presented to the public, originally appeafed in The Theosophical Review (of London, then edited by Ivirs Annie Besant and Mr G. R. S. Mead), in 1899-1901. Mrs Besant very kindly added some valuable notes which greatly elucidate some very obscure portions of the 'Story of Leela'.

Friends have, from time to time, wished that the tales were rescued from the oblivion of the pages of a periodical. The present General Secretary of the Indian Section of the Theosophical Society,

Pandit Iqbal Narain Gurtu, kindly expressed the desire to fulfil that wish, through the publishing department of the Section. Thus the tales are re-appearing after having slept for nearly thirty years.

I have revised them, but with scarcely any alterations. There has been no opportunity to submit her notes to Mrs Besant, for revision. They have been printed exactly as they first appeared.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages

Stories From Yogavasishtham Foreword Yogavasishtham is an ancient philosophical text, unique in its kind. It contains the essence of all the Hindu Philosophical texts - The Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads and the Brahmasutra.

Those whose minds are turned away from the worldly desires and have become indifferent towards the objects of this mundane world, and those who are longing for liberation will be really benefited by this book. The nature of Brahman, Supreme God consciousness and the methods to attain Self Realization are vividly described in this book. It helps everyone who wants to know the Truth. Even an intellectual understanding of the Truth will help us overcome miseries of life to some extent, and that will gradually carry us to the Goal: the realization of the Ultimate Reality or Atman.

Much of this text is told through parables that have many hidden depths within them. Our Rishis of yore as well as modern saints tried their best to make the complicated theories and philosophical intricacies simple through similes, examples and stories in simple language to impart their experiences to the common people. This is one of the most important texts among them.

Dr. Jayasree Sukumaran, an ardent student of Vedanta and an experienced teacher who succeeded in conveying the ideas to the students, especially for the sake of the new generation, has taken much effort to write in a lucid language the stories of Yogavasishtham in a book form. I am confident that this book is helpful not only for beginners but for the practitioners also.

I wish the author and the Publisher the successful fulfillment of their wish.

Preface The Yogavasishtham is one of the greatest spiritual classics of Hinduism. It enunciates the quintessence of Advaita through stories that communicate to and inspire every one, old or young. The original text contains 32000 slokas. The Yogavasishtham as indicated by the title is the teaching of yoga or union of the Jivatma with Paramatma as expounded by Sage Vasistha to Sri Ramachandra who was only a teenager at the time. Rama had learnt all that has to be learnt as a prince. But learning had made him only withdrawn and unhappy. It was about this time that Sage Visvamitra reached Ayodhya to seek the help of Rama and Lakshmana to ward off the demons who had been disturbing his yagas. When Visvamitra asked the reason for Rama's dejection, unusual in a boy of that age, Rama opened out his heart and expressed his dispassion towards life, and his eagerness to understand the Truth about life. Visvamitra was pleased to sense the maturity, and the sincere yearning of the prince to gain the ultimate knowledge. Rama requested Sage Vasistha to clarify the doubts and give him jnanopadesha' or the knowledge of the Self, which would make him remain happy and peaceful always. Vasistha delightfully began the Upadesa. The teaching continued for eighteen days, at the end of which Sri Ramachandra became fully enlightened. The original text has six chapters- Vairagya Prakarana, Mumukshu Prakarana, Utpatti Prakarana, Sthithi Prakarana, Upasama Prakarana and Nirvana Prakarana.

The present volume is a brief summary of the stories and instructions in the original text. The stories are rendered in a simple narrative style so that the spiritual truth which cannot really be expressed verbally, may yet reach the hearts of the readers with the help of God's Grace, as was the experience of the first listener, the young Ramachandra.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages