Book Review – Yoga Vasistha
By Sanjib Mukherjee
One of the greatest spiritual classics ever recorded, the Yoga Vasistha, is a mind blowing account of a detailed conversation between Rama (a divine incarnation of the Lord Vishnu), and a learned seer by the name of Vasistha. The book goes into great detail surrounding the subtle intricacies of the conscious and unconscious minds; unraveling the multitude of layers to our very existence along the way.
Much of the text is told through parable stories, which hold many hidden depths within them. The ongoing theme throughout the book revolves around the notion of worldly miseries being caused by our own illusion of the world, and how whatever we perceive on the outside, is merely a reflection of how we feel inside. Moving beyond these temporary illusions is the path to true enlightenment, and Vasistha goes into great depth as to how such a journey can be undertaken.
The nature of the stories and their deep-rooted philosophies are designed to open our levels of awareness, and legend states, that those who complete the book will have their spiritual growth significantly accelerated. It took me six months of sincere dedication and devotion to finish the book, as each page left me spellbound with its power and significance to every question I was yearning to have answered.
Some of the passages within the book are very simple and enjoyable to read; however, there are certain segments which will really expand your mind, and force you to analyse how we see the world, and why our mind behaves the way it does. Yoga Vasistha is intellectually challenging yet vastly stimulating at the same time. This is definitely not a book for beginners, yet I would encourage everyone to read it at some stage, as personally, I feel the book needs to be read many times over in one’s lifetime.
An aspect I found fascinating within the book is that Rama is an incarnation of a God, and Vasistha is a holy man, teaching his wisdom to those ready and willing to learn. The idea of a “mere mortal,” albeit a highly developed and enlightened one, teaching a God about spirituality and the truth, is somewhat different to the way most of us normally perceive God. The book demonstrates that all truth and knowledge lies deep within us all, and even God is merely an extension of our infinite selves.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna (another divine incarnation), speaks directly to Arjuna (a noble warrior), and imparts his wisdom. In the Yoga Vasistha, God himself becomes the student; such is the power and knowledge within this book.
Yoga Vasistha is one of all my all-time favourites and a book I highly endorse for the devoted spiritual seeker; however, be warned it is not for the faint hearted and will require a great deal of will power to read through to the end. The book is a challenge which I can personally guarantee you will forever be grateful if you decide to take it on.
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I am completely spellbound the way you deliver your thoughts in form of knowledge..brings a lot of positivity in our life.
Looks Good & as though it was written from the Heart – nothing to add
JGD & Love
Himesh
You know guys i have always felt that we can solve all our problems without getting stressed out or getting depressed just we need to know our selves from the inside.
Knowing our own strengths and weekness and living your life with the balance is the most important art a human being has to perfect.
These books are like a torch in your hand showing the path in the dark and scary path of life…
You have to be strong and brave to walk on it with holding the hands of others who are left alone or scared and find success.
Enjoy Living
Zameer Shroff
So very true in my case tooo… The Book was with me for 3 years..Never went past 13 pages during 2005 to 2008…… Then started a different approach… started reading 1 to 2 pages a day right after Sudarshan Kriya….I have read the entire book and reading it the second time… Absolute Divine nectar….recommended for all .. Soak in the knowledge till your soul in drenched…
Jai Gurudev.
dear sanjib, your review makes me curious to take up the challenge…will let you kno if i do
! JGD
I am hearing this name of book from childhood but cud not get chance to read it..but from ur review it looks like though as u said it need courage n will power to read this book..but it must b interesting as u said the episode of God himself learning as a student…nice concept…n as usual you explain it so nicely..(:(:
Many Thanks Sanjib. I’ve already started reading it on web written by Swami Venkateshananda [http://www.dlshq.org/religions/yogavasishtha.htm]. Can we download this book from anywhere on web?
great work … can you send me the copy
i have not read it -will check on the web on weekend,thnx sanjib–
hey well done Mr. Sanjib!!!!!!!!!!!! JGD……….god bless u …
must admire your tenacity…a blog a day !…after work I’m hardly able to keep my 2 line Facebook comments straight…and u write an entire blog a day..hats off to you
yeah hats off…………………….
Dear Sanjib:
Many a times, your articles work like reminders for me. Today’s article is very beautifully written and reminds me that I have to read Yoga Vasistha and Markandeya Purana.
If you get a chance, read “The book of Mirdad” by Mikhail Naimy Have a great day ahead
Lots of Good Wishes to You!
Kavita
hi guys…thanks for all your wonderful feedback and positive replies…..please feel free to let me know if there are any particular topics you would like me to write about…
love
Sanjib
Sanjib didn’t mention this, so I will put it here. Just like you won’t go to temple without taking a bath, it is not a good idea to open Yoga Vasishta if your mind is not calm. I was always advised to read it immediately after Kriya/meditation. With an agitated mind, it is like reading a book in a different language. I’d been reading it for the past 2+ years, and still at about 50%. As Sanjib mentioned, it needs a lot of discipline (which I’m obviously lacking
)
may be u r correct
thanks Sanjeev, you made some very good points which will surely help the true seeker….please do keep adding your wisdom to our posts…:)
Hi Sanjib.
Just a week ago (probably the day you wrote your review), I was discussing the meaninglessness of life with a friend, and he suggested I read Yoga Vasistha. Well I borrowed The Concise Yoga Vasistha (Swami Venkatesananda) from the library, and started reading it today. It is mind blowing in its similarity with Buddha’s teachings. I am a student of Buddhism, and it seems that I have been asking what Rama’s was asking, and I’m curious to find out Vasistha’s answers.
My questions: do you know when Yoga Vasistha was written (was it after Buddha?), and do you recommend a specific translation? In fact, this is what I was searching for on the web when I came across your blog. Thank you so much!
Hi Chand,
Yah that’s the beauty of true knowledge….it encompasses all religions and all thoughts of uncovered wisdom.
The version you have started reading is by far the best one available…it has been recommended by every swami or rishi I have spoken to. The book was written before’s Buddha’s time…..but we can get really philosophical here as in vedanta philosophy there is no such thing as time…but from a wordly sense, yeh the book was wriiten before Buddha came along.
Thanks for your nice reply:)
Where can I purchase this Book
Vasistha’s yoga by swami venkatesananda
Pl give me the details.
Regards
Vishwas Pethe
Ramayan and Yoga Vasistha were written after 400BC many decades after the death of Budhha.
I read the Yoga Vashishta “The Supreme Yoga” by Swami Venkatesananda of the Divine Life Society Publication. I was introduced to this book by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and enjoy reading one page at a time. Joy Guru Deb
Thanks Sanjib…I have this book…it is definitely a challenge.
What impressed me most is that someone like Lord Rama could also reach a level of despondency….I have always had deep admiration for Vashistha Maharishi….and his rendering of the philosophy is so non provocative, learned and intellectually spiritual if you know what I mean….
…Blessed are we as Indians to have such a phenomenal heritage….
I have read a lot of books on religious philosophy like “The book on the taboo against knowing who you are”, The way of zen,The wisdom of insecurity,and ‘ this is it ” all by Alan watts. And the “illusions” by Richard Bach,” I am that” by Nisargadutta maharaj,The conversation with God by Neal Donald walsch,”siddhartha” by Herman Hessee and all books of osho,The book of Mirdad by Michail naimy et al. But this one book Yoga vasistha is my my all time favorite and it is enough for whole life time for spiritual enlightment.There is no need to tell the true teachings of the “yoga vasistha ” to other ordinary men otherwise you will be treated as a laughing stock.Once you understand the teachings of the book ‘Yoga Vasista ” IT IS ENOUGH. I have no more words to tell about the book.
I HAVE READ MANY BOOKS ON RELIGOUS PHILOSOPHY THE INNER SERACH PLEASE CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THISB BOOK REGARD PINKY KAPAHI
JGD!
It was really nice to read this article as it highlights the importance of reading this book in once lifetime and yet make you aware about reality that reading it is a challenge in itself.Are there any translations of this book?also should one go for original book or for the translation and that also by whom?
please guide me as I am really interested in giving meaning to my life:)
JGD
Wow thanks Parul!!!
The best version is by Swami Venkatesananda… it’s an awesome book and one I highly recommend:)
People can download the complete Yoga Vasistha in 2 Word Documents from The Inner Guide homepage. http://userwebs.theriver.com/innerguide/index.htm
This English edition edited by Jay Mazo has all the 6 books fully translated. This is NOT an abridgement!!!!!