Yoga Vaisistha

Yoga Vaisistha is an ancient Hindu text that is considered one of the most important texts in the Indian spiritual tradition. The text is attributed to the sage Vaisistha, who is said to have been the guru of Lord Rama, the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana. The text is believed to have been written in the form of a dialogue between Sage Vaisistha and Lord Rama, in which Sage Vaisistha imparts spiritual wisdom and knowledge to Lord Rama. The text is considered to be a treatise on Advaita Vedanta and it is believed to have been written in the form of sutras, it is said to contain 32,000 verses in total.

 

The text is divided into six chapters, each of which deals with a different topic related to the path of spiritual enlightenment. The goal of the text is to lead the reader to the realization of the ultimate reality, which is the unity of the individual self and the ultimate self, or Brahman.

 

The first chapter, known as the Adhyatma Vimarshana, deals with the nature of the self and the attainment of self-realization. In this chapter, Sage Vaisistha explains that the individual self, or Jiva, is not separate from the ultimate self, or Brahman. He states that "The Jiva and the Brahman are not different from one another, just as the sun and its rays are not different." (Chapter 1, Sutra 3) He also explains that the ultimate goal of human life is to realize the oneness of the individual self and the ultimate self, and that this realization brings an end to all suffering. He states that "The ultimate goal of human life is to realize the oneness of the individual self and the ultimate self, and this realization brings an end to all suffering." (Chapter 1, Sutra 7)

 

The second chapter, known as the Vichara Vimarshana, deals with the nature of the mind and the attainment of mental control. In this chapter, Sage Vaisistha explains that the mind is the source of all our suffering and that by controlling the mind, we can attain peace and happiness. He states that "The mind is the source of all our sorrows and sufferings, and by controlling the mind, we can attain peace and happiness." (Chapter 2, Sutra 2) He also explains that the mind can be controlled through the practice of meditation and that this leads to the attainment of a state of inner peace. He states that "The mind can be controlled through the practice of meditation, and this leads to the attainment of a state of inner peace." (Chapter 2, Sutra 6)

 

The third chapter, known as the Karmajnana Vimarshana, deals with the nature of action and the attainment of right action. In this chapter, Sage Vaisistha explains that all our actions are ultimately determined by our past Karma and that by understanding this, we can attain freedom from the cycle of rebirth. He states that "All our actions are determined by our past Karma, and by understanding this, we can attain freedom from the cycle of rebirth." (Chapter 3, Sutra 3) He also explains that the only way to attain freedom from Karma is to detach oneself from the fruits of one's actions and to act in a selfless manner. He states that "The only way to attain freedom from Karma is to detach oneself from the fruits of one's actions and to act in a selfless manner." (Chapter 3, Sutra 7)

 

The fourth chapter, known as the Jivan Mukti Vimarshana, deals with the nature of liberation and the attainment of liberation. In this chapter, Sage Vaisistha explains that liberation can be attained in this lifetime and that it is the ultimate goal of human life. He states that "Liberation is the ultimate goal of human life, and it can be attained in this lifetime." (Chapter 4, Sutra 2) He also explains that the path to liberation involves the cultivation of the qualities of non-attachment, equanimity, and discrimination. He states that "The path to liberation involves the cultivation of the qualities of non-attachment, equanimity, and discrimination." (Chapter 4, Sutra 6)

 

The fifth chapter, known as the Yoga Vimarshana, deals with the nature of Yoga and the attainment of Yoga. In this chapter, Sage Vaisistha explains that the practice of Yoga involves the control of the mind and the body through the use of various techniques such as posture, breath control, and meditation. He also explains that the ultimate goal of Yoga is to attain a state of inner peace and to realize the oneness of the individual self and the ultimate self.

 

The sixth chapter, known as the Sannyasa Vimarshana, deals with the nature of renunciation and the attainment of renunciation. In this chapter, Sage Vaisistha explains that the path to liberation involves the renunciation of all desires and attachments. He states that "Renunciation is necessary for attaining liberation and it involves the renunciation of all desires and attachments." (Chapter 6, Sutra 2) He also explains that true renunciation is not just a physical act, but also a state of mind, and that it can be attained through the cultivation of the right understanding and the right attitude.

​

Adhyatma Vimarshana (Chapter 1):

 

"The Jiva is nothing but the reflection of the Brahman, just as the moon is nothing but the reflection of the sun." (Chapter 1, Sutra 4)

"The realization of the oneness of the Jiva and the Brahman is the ultimate goal of human life." (Chapter 1, Sutra 8)

Vichara Vimarshana (Chapter 2):

 

"The mind is the cause of all our happiness and sorrow, and it is by mastering the mind that we can attain freedom." (Chapter 2, Sutra 3)

"By the practice of meditation, the mind becomes purified and attains the state of inner peace" (Chapter 2, Sutra 7)

Karmajnana Vimarshana (Chapter 3):

 

"Karma is the cause of the cycle of birth and death, and by understanding Karma, we can attain freedom from it." (Chapter 3, Sutra 4)

"The only way to attain freedom from Karma is to detach oneself from the fruits of one's actions and to act in a selfless manner." (Chapter 3, Sutra 7)

Jivan Mukti Vimarshana (Chapter 4):

 

"Liberation is not something that can be attained in the future, but it is present here and now." (Chapter 4, Sutra 3)

"The path to liberation involves the cultivation of non-attachment, equanimity, and discrimination." (Chapter 4, Sutra 6)

​

Yoga Vimarshana (Chapter 5):

"Yoga is the union of the individual self and the ultimate self" (Chapter 5, Sutra 3)

"Yoga is the path to liberation and it involves the control of the mind and the body." (Chapter 5, Sutra 2)

​

Sannyasa Vimarshana (Chapter 6):

renouncing external possessions, but also about renouncing the attachment to the ego and the mind." (Chapter 6, Sutra 3)

"True renunciation is the state of mind where one is free from all desires and attachments" (Chapter 6, Sutra 6)