THE INFLUENCE OF YOG-VASISHTHA AND ITS KASHMIR CONNECTION

                                                                   

                             ( A portrait of Dara Shikoh held by British Museum , London )       

                                         

                                                 ( French translation of Yogavasishtha )

 
 THE INFLUENCE OF YOGA-VASISHTHA AND ITS KASHMIR CONNECTION              

“When pots , etc. are broken , the space within them becomes unlimited. So also when bodies cease to exist, the self remains eternal and unattached .” .....Yogavasishtha

Vasishtha Yog Samhita or Yogavasishtha is named after sage Vasishtha who is mentioned and revered in the seventh book of the Rigveda, and who was called  the first sage of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy by Adi Shankara.

ABHINANDA BHATTA ‘S  LAGHU  YOGAVASISHTHA

Yogavasishtha  is traditionally attributed to Maharishi Valmiki, the author of Ramayana. However, this vast work was summarised some centuries ago by Gauda Abhinanda ( also known as Abhinanda Pandita ), a Kashmiri scholar, into 6,000 couplets, which go by the name of "Laghu Yogavasishtha".Abhinanda Pandita was the illustrious son of Jayanta Bhatta.Abhinanda, gave details of his family tree in  the  introduction to his Sanskrit book , "Kadambari-katha-sara" . It is a versified abridgement of Bāṇabhaṭṭa’s prose-romance called the Kādambarī .In eight cantos , this work belongs to the class of poetical works composed in the age of decadence. Abhinanda’s work is quoted by Abhinavagupta, Kṣemendra and Bhoja . He was also known as Abhinanda Bhatta.

Abhinanda Bhatta( Pandita) 's father, Jayanta Bhatta was a poet , logician, philosopher, playwright and critic from Kashmir who lived during the rule of King Shankeravarman ( 883-902 AD) of the Utpala dynasty. Jayanta was also a scholar who had mastered Shastra and Agma . His great-grandfather, Shaktiswamin Bhatta was a minister of King Lalitaditya Muktapida. Jayanta was a prolific writer whose maximum work has been lost . Many Western scholars consider Jayanta as a master-scholar of Indian logic. About Jayanta  Bhatta , the well-known scholar , R D Hegde writes this :-

“ Jayanta Bhatta’s contribution to Indian philosophy is no less . He composed two Nyaya works ; Nyayakalika and Nyayamanjari . He also composed an allegorical drama Agamadambara apart from a commentary on Paninian Grammar . Except the Panini’s grammar , all other works have been located, edited and translated into English. “

Laghu Yogavasishtha of Abhinanda Bhatta gained worldwide popularity and was subjected to regular  translations. Abhinanda Bhatta ( Pandita)  also retained  the six chapters of the original text but did pruning and summarization.In this abridged text, almost all the words of the bigger one are reproduced verbatim but the author has extracted the quintessence after clipping the expansive descriptions etc. The text also has a commentary called  Vasistha-chandrika by Atmasukha.

Yogavasishtha  has been translated into Persian, English , Russian , German , Polish, French, Portuguese , Latvian, Tamil , Telugu ,Bangla, Gujarati, Marathi and many other languages.This  philosophical treatise is  divided into six chapters  known as:-

(1) Vairaagya Prakarana( The State of Dispassion )
(2)  Mumuksu Vyavahara Prakarana in (Exposition of the Behavior of the Seeker), (3) Utapatti Prakarana Exposition of the arising and birth)
(4) Sthiti Prakarana (Exposition of the existence and settling),
(5)  Upasama Prakarana  (Exposition of the Patience and Tranquility)
(6) Nirvana Prakarana  ( Exposition of the Liberation )

Thus , Yogavasishtha consists of six books and about 32000 verses. Within these six books are stories told by sage Vasishtha in the form of a dialogue with Sri Rama. When Sri Rama realises the futility of existence and the misery it brings with itself, he is struck with sorrow. When he seeks refuge in Rishi Vasishtha, the enlightened Rishi takes him to the pinnacle of truth through a dialogue between the two that later was captured in the scripture, Yogavasishtha. The timeless dialogue interspersed with deep philosophical stories brings out astounding truths about existence to destroy Sri Rama’s sorrow. In  Ramayana, we don't come across what Rishi Vashishtha taught to Sri Rama. Neither the teachings of Rishi  Vashishtha nor the circumstances that led to the dialogue between Sri Rama and Rishi  Vashishtha are  elaborated upon anywhere. For this, one needs to read Yogavasishtha to know both . It recounts a discourse of the sage Vasishtha to the young Prince  Sri Rama.

The six books  of the Yogavasishtha unfold the major Yogic and Hindu philosophical and religious themes. According to Yogavasishtha, happiness visits a human being should he sincerely work for it. His action or effort must always be in four components. These components of effort are, Samo (quietude of mind), Vichara ( spirit of Enquiry), Santosha ( contentment ) and Satsang (the company of the realized ones). The philosophy of Yogavasishtha says that true happiness resides in our nature. And our true nature is beyond pain and pleasure. Pain and pleasure are reactions that arise from our cravings and bind our consciousness. These verses have a philosophical foundation similar to those found in Advaita Vedanta. It is a treatise on the universe, the human mind, Maya, Brahman and the principles of non-duality.I am of a firm belief that Yogavasishtha is the highest form  of knowledge on subjects that have tormented human minds since ancient times. I mean issues like : the Nature of Self , Nature of Mind, Nature of Non-doer , Nature of attachment ,aversion acceptance and Rejection,Nature of Liberation, Nature of Maya or Illusion, Nature of Universe, Nature of Brahaman, Nature of Atman, Relative  Nature of Time, Life Outside  Earth, Nature of Divine Dispensation or Fate , Practice of Yoga, Causes is Human Suffering,  Purpose of Existence and Creation, Self Correction Through Neti Neti, Theories of Existence and Free Will  , Role of Meditation  and many many  similar issues .

According to Yogavasishtha , the world is as real as a mirage. In other words, it does not exist! Modern physics seems to agree. A 2017 CERN (The European Organization for Nuclear Research) study observes a complete symmetry between matter and anti-matter in the universe. So, all the anti-matter in the universe should have cancelled the matter in the universe, which further suggests that the universe should not exist in the first place. Rishi Vasishtha explains this mind-boggling truth when Sri Rama asks him where  the world goes during dissolution. To this query , Rishi Vasishtha says this :- 

“Water in the mirage does not come into being and go out of existence; even so, this world does not come out of the absolute nor does it go anywhere. The creation of the world has no cause, and therefore it has no beginning. It does not exist even now; how can it reach destruction?”

SOME  LOVERS OF YOGAVASISHTHA

Apart from Hindus and many Western writers and philosophers , many Muslims have also been lovers of Yogavasishtha .Dara Shikoh was not only a lover of Upanishads but more profoundly a lover of Yogavasishtha .The message and fame of Yogavasishtha reached the Safavids of Iran. In the late sixteenth century , Nizam-ud-Din Panipati translated Yogavasishtha into Persian and the translation came to be known as Jug-Basisht. He did so at the specific request of Jalaluddin Akbar and dedicated his translation to Prince Salim ( later Jahangir ). Akbar had heard about Yogavasishtha from many Brahmins whom he met. Akbar also became an admirer and lover of Yogavasishtha . The Safavid-era mystic Mir Findiriski (d. 1641) also got a translated copy of Jug- Basisht and commented upon its various passages. Mirza Abdul Qadir Bedil (1642-1720), a Sufi poet of the Indian School known as ‘Sabk e Hindi’ was a lover of Yogavasishtha.It may not be out of place to mention that Sultan Zain ul Abdin of Kashmir, fondly known as Budshah was also a lover of Yogavasishtha. It was Sanskrit scholar and his court historian Srivara who read passages from ‘Yogavasishtha ‘ and explained these to the liberal Sultan. Dr Zabiollah Safa ( former Professor Emeritus, University of Tehran )  ,the renowned Persian scholar was also a lover of Yogavasishtha .Dr Gopi Chand Narang, the well-known scholar and authority on Ghalib writes this :-

“ Ghalib was highly influenced by the Persian poetry of Mirza Abdul Qadir Bedil ( 1642-1720 ). Bedil was a lover of Upanishads and had with him a Persian translation of “Yogavasishtha” that he read and that influenced his thought."

Amongst Western scholars, David Gordon ( Professor University of  California) , Christopher Chapple( American scholar and Indologist ) , Eleonora Meier( renowned Vedic scholar and author) Inese Kausa(  Indologist from Belgium ) , Peter Thomi( German Indologist ) ,Francois Chenet( French scholar and Indologist )  , Walter Slaje( Austrian Indologist )  ,Dr. Peter F Freund( American Scholar and Indologist )and many more have done extensive work on Yogavasishtha .There is hardly any university in Europe and the US that has not encouraged work on ancient Indian scriptures including  Yogavasishtha .

Guru Gobind Singh ,Swami Vivekananda, Vinobha Bhave,Gurudev Tagore, Sri Aurobindo , Swami Ram Tirath ,  Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan are some names amongst many many lovers of Yogavasishtha in India. Indian freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar has praised Yogavasishtha. I Quote from his Autobiography "My Transportation For Life" 

"All of a sudden I fell upon the Yogavashistha, and I found it of such absorbing interest that I have come to regard it ever since as the best work on the Vedanta Philosophy. The propositions were so logical, the verse is so beautiful, and the exposition is so thorough and penetrating that the soul loses itself in raptures over it. Such a fine combination of philosophy and poetry is a gift reserved only for Sanskrit poets"

I end with some quotes from Yogavasishtha :-

(1) When pots, etc. are broken the space within them becomes unlimited. So also when bodies cease to exist,  the Self remains eternal and unattached.

(2) Whatever is seen does not truly exist. It is like the mythical city of Gandharvas or a mirage. That which is not seen, though within us, is called the eternal and indestructible Self.

(3) The world is full of misery to an ignorant man and full of bliss to a wise man. The world is dark to a blind man and bright to one who has eyes.

                                         

(4) Just as the cloth, when investigated, is seen to be nothing but thread, so also this world, when enquired into, is (seen to be) merely the Self.

(5) He who realizes that the whole universe is  nothing but consciousness and remains quite calm is protected by the armour of Brahman; he is happy.

(6) Just as a crystal is not stained by what is reflected in it, so also a knower of truth is not  affected by the result of his acts.

(7) He who neither likes nor dislikes the objects seen by him and who acts (in the world) like one asleep, is said to be a liberated person.

(8) O Rama, the mind has, by its activity, bound itself; when it is calm it is free.

(9) The mind is bound by the latent impressions (Vasanas). When there are no impressions it is free. Therefore, O Rama, bring about quickly, through discrimination, the state in which there are no impressions.

(10) O Raghava ! You are bound firmly on all sides by the idea, I am the body’. Cut that bond by the sword of knowledge ‘I am Consciousness’ and be happy.

( Avtar Mota)

PS

(1)…This author is  beholden to many Sanskrit scholars and translators from South India who made it possible for us  to know Kashmiri poets , scholars, critics, historians, aestheticians, logicians, chemists, musicians, rhetoricians, philosophers, grammarians,translators, playwrights and artists right up to the rule of Lohara Kings. Some of these great men from Kashmir who rose to eminence the world over for their original contributions are, Rishi Vasugupta , Abhinavgupta , Khemraja , Kshemendra , Bilhana, Kalhana,  Somadeva , Sharangadeva,Bhatta Narayana  , Jayanta Bhatta,Rajanka Bhatta ,Ratnakara ,Sivaswamin,Srivara ,Bhallaṭa,Vamana,Jonaraja,Anandavardhana, Udbhata, Kuntala , Mahima Bhatta,Silhana,Abhinanda Bhatta, Panini, Charaka, Bhamaha, Gopendra, Namisadhu, Rudrata, Kuntaka, Mammaṭa, Vallavadeva,Dandin, Varahamihira, Utpala, Visakhila, Vamanagupta, Manoratha, Padmagupta, Ratnakara, Mukula Bhatta, Kumarila Bhatta, Poetess Vijjika, Sabaraswami, Bhatta Nayaka, Bhatta Tauta, Hemachandra, Vidyadhara,Rajashekhara,Narendra, Ruyyaka, Sri Shankuka, Sambhunatha , Sumatinatha  , Lollata ,Somendra, Cakrapala, Muktakana, Bhogendra, Prakasendra and many more . In the rich history of Sanskrit literature, Kashmir stands out for its remarkable contribution. This author is also beholden to ‘The Adyar Library and Research Centre’, Chennai for preserving these translations for posterity and also for the scholars the world over. This author’s also  gratitude goes to ‘The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute’, Pune for preserving some rare books and Sharada and Sanskrit manuscripts from Kashmir. The contribution of the Kashmiris to the Sanskrit literature of India remains unparalleled. Even the Chitrasutra part of Vishnudharmotrapuran is believed to have been written by a Kashmiri Pandit. The best commentators on Rasa and Dhvani theory of Natyashastra have been Kashmiris. And Bilhana remains a distinguished poet from Kashmir in this contribution.

(2)…Rishi Vasishtha is a sage in Hindu religion. He is one of the seven seers or Saptarishi in the first Manvantara, and is considered one of the mind-born sons of the god Brahma. He is also the author of many hymns in the Rigveda and is considered one of the most respected Rishis in Hindu tradition. He is also known for being the teacher of Sri Rama. According to Ellison Findly – a professor of Religion, Vasishtha hymns in the Rigveda are among the most intriguing in many ways and influential. Vasishtha emphasizes means to be as important as ends during one's life encouraging truthfulness, devotion, optimism, family life, sharing one's prosperity with other members of society, among other cultural values. Rishi Vasistha is considered to be one of the most powerful sages in Hindu mythology for his immense knowledge, wisdom, and  power to control the elements of nature. His teachings and wisdom have been immortalized in various Hindu scriptures and are still relevant today.

(3)…Swami Tejomayananda , a disciple of Swami  Chinmayananda has done a wonderful work by  bringing out the essence of 32000 verses of  Yogavasishtha in only 86 verses that have been beautifully  translated into English with lucid commentary . These 86 verses are spread over 151 pages  of his  book titled, 'A Glimpse Into Yogavasishtha '  available for just 135 rupees.

 

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