The Yoga Vasistha Ramayana- Translated into English From The Original Sanskrit Text (An Old and Rare Book)

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The Yoga Vasishtha Ramayana is one of the most outstanding works in Sanskrit on the Adwaita philosophy, which has since taken deep root in India. The volume is much valued on account of the thorough and systematic treatment of the subject matter, specially for citation of numerous illustrations from lives of high- souled persons to elucidate the issues under discussion.

The book was composed to illumine Sree Ramachandra of venerable memory when in the prime of youth he experienced a strong sense of detachment towards worldly affairs in view of the chain of thoughts running through his mind relating to the transitoriness of the worldly things and the hollowness of desires and attachment. The instructions imparted to him on that occasion by the great sage Vasishtha, that ultimately dispelled the doubts that lurked in his mind, are chronicled in the volume.

The merit of the work may well be understood when it is taken into consideration that a large number of sages and men of culture and religion used to assemble daily in the court of King Dasaratha at the time of the discourses. Even to this day the book is read out in religious assemblies in different parts of India.

The book is divided into six prakaranas, a brief survey of which has been given in the accompanying conspectus. These, along with the later part of the closing section, which may be considered as a separate section, fairly answer to the seven planes of consciousness described by the sage. The book lays great emphasis on bichara (self-examination) which is reckoned as the very basis of spiritual advancement. Great stress is as well laid on disciplinary processes that are helpful in stilling the pranic vibrations.

It has been stated in the work that one who peruses the con- tents intelligently and reflects on them with a pure heart receives true enlightenment and finds himself established peacefully in Brahma. The pitch of the discussions gradually gathers strength and mounts up. In fact when the sage was discoursing on Nirvana, Ramchandra and the persons regularly listening to it were all lifted to a plane of consciousness not experienced before. Ramachandra, freed from the distressing thoughts that weighed upon his mind, was at this stage absorbed in samadhi and had no questions to ask.