Yoga Vasishta — epic philosophical text. 32,000 verses. By Maharishi Valmiki. Dialogue between Rama and guru Vasishtha.
Equal importance to Upanishads-Gita. Expansion on maya, chitta, moksha, jnana yoga. 6 prakaranas.
✦ 6 Prakaranas
1. Vairagya (Renunciation): Ram's world-renunciation.
2. Mumukshu-vyavahara (Yearning): liberation desire.
3. Utpatti (Creation): creation tattva.
4. Sthiti (Existence): world existence.
5. Upashama (Dissolution): maya destruction.
6. Nirvana (Liberation): moksha nature.
✦ Main Stories
Leela story: dream-reality.
Chudala story: female guru.
Shikhidhwaja: yoga sadhana.
Gadhi story: consciousness journey.
Kakupsundi: samadhi state.
Bhushunda: chitta expansion.
Teaching through stories.
✦ Main Teachings
World is mind's creation.
Chitta is everything.
Dream and waking equal.
Brahman is self-luminous.
Both action-inaction renounceable.
Witness consciousness.
Sahaja samadhi.
✦ Study Notes
Complete text long.
Laghu Yoga Vasishta (3000 verses) easier.
Hindi: Gita Press.
English: Swami Venkatesananda.
Guru guidance needed.
Best for Advaita Vedantins.
📚Sources & References
Content in this article is verified against the following classical and modern authoritative sources. Readers may independently verify against the original sources.
- ▪Surya Siddhanta — classical Sanskrit astronomical text (~5th century CE)
- ▪Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra — foundational text on Vedic astrology by Maharishi Parashara
- ▪Muhurta Chintamani by Ram Daivajna (16th century) — standard reference for muhurat selection
- ▪Astronomical Algorithms by Jean Meeus (Willmann-Bell, 1998) — basis for all astronomical computations on this site
- ▪Lahiri Ayanamsa — standard sidereal reference adopted by the Indian Calendar Reform Committee (1955)
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
Where Ram-Vasishtha dialogue?▼
Before Ram's marriage. At age 16, Ram's vairagya. Vasishtha gave jnana. 6 prakaranas.
Gita vs Yoga Vasishta?▼
Gita: pre-war dialogue, action-focused. Yoga Vasishta: young Ram, jnana-focused. Both complement.
🔗Related Topics
Note: This content is published for educational and cultural reference. For personal religious or astrological decisions, please consult a qualified pandit or jyotishi.