मोक्षसाधना - १ Mokṣa-Sādhanā - 1 These are selections from Yogavasiṣṭa, where Vasiṣṭa gives lessons to Sri Rāma.

 

।। १ ।।

सीमानं सर्वदु:खानां आपदां कोशमुत्तमम् । बीजं संसारवृक्षाणां प्रज्ञामान्द्यं विनाशयेत् ।।

Aviveka (lack of discrimination) is the breeding ground for all miseries, warehouse for all dangers, and also the seed of the trees of worldliness. You have to destroy it first and foremost.

 

।। २ ।।

य एव यत्न क्रियते बाह्यार्थोपार्जने जनै: । स एव यत्न कर्तव्य: पूर्वं प्रज्ञाविवर्धये ।।

Therefore, the diligence shown by the people for gaining the external objects of enjoyment should first be directed for gaining an adequate measure of viveka (discrimination), so that the cause of miseries, dangers and worldliness may be removed.

 

।। ३ ।।

न दैवं न च कर्माणि न धनानि न बान्धवा: । शरणं भवभीतानां स्वप्रयत्नादृते नृणां ।।

Not God, not the rituals, nor riches, nor the relatives can be any source of refuge for those afflicted by the worldly life. The only source if at all, is their own intelligent efforts (swa-prayatna).

 

।। ४ ।।

सुन्दर्या निजया बुद्ध्य़ा प्रज्ञयैव वयस्यया । पदमासाद्यते राम न नामक्रिययान्यया ।।

One's own handsome buddhi (intellect) and the trusted friend 'discrimination', with the help of these two alone does man, O Rama, reach the ultimate abode. Not through (the chanting of) Names, nor through rituals and the like.

 

।। ५ ।।

नाहं ब्रह्मेति संकल्पात सुदृढात् बध्यते मन: । सर्व ब्रह्मेति संकल्पात सुदृढान्मुच्यते हि तत् ।।

Mind courts bondage by imagining 'I am not the sentient spirit'. The same mind attains freedom by imagining 'everything is the sentient spirit (Brahman)'.

 

।। ६ ।।

सर्वातीतपदालम्बी पूर्णेन्दुशिशिराशय: । नोद्वेगी न च तुष्टात्मा संसारे नावसीदति ।।

He who always depends upon the transcendental source and thereby remains cheerful and calm like the full moon, devoid of both depression and delight, is not tormented by the worldly life (samsaara).

 

।। ७ ।।

नाभिनन्दति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काँक्षति । ईहितानीहितैर्मुक्त्त: संसारे नावसीदति ।।

He who neither appreciates nor depreciates, neither grieves nor desires but keeps himself always free from ishta-anishtas (desirables and undesirables), is never put to pain by the worldly life. Every moment will be peaceful to him.

 

।। ८ ।।

अयं बन्धुरयं नेति गणना लघुचेतसां । उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुंबकम् ।।

'This one is my friend, this one is not so', only one with a contracted mind will have a differential feeling like this. For the noble and high-souled, the entire world will indeed be their family.

 

Harih Om Tat Sat