With immense pleasure, Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust, Chennai, brings out its half-yearly magazine, Vivekananda Kendra Patrika for the year 2026, Volume 55 No.1, on ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’. Broadly speaking, our scriptures have been divided into Karmakanda and Jnanakanda. One of the best scriptures that elaborates on the Jnanamarga is ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’. Maharshi Valmiki is credited with the authorship of the great epic, the Ramayana. Similar to the Bhagavad Gita which was taught to Arjuna by Lord Krishna, we have a wonderful spiritual treatise called the ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’.‘YogaVāsiṣṭha’ is a separate distinct work of Sage Valmiki, and it is not found in the Ramayana. This is a life-lesson taught to Rama in his teenage of around 15 years by his Guru Vasishta. This issue of the Kendra Partika seeks to bring out the essence of the teachings of the great Sage, Vasishta, through articles written by some of the most eminent scholars. Here are presented a few highlights from the contents giving a foretaste of the nectarian sweetness together with the exalted message of the scripture par excellence, ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’.
For a student of Vedanta, ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’ is an essential text and it should be a constant companion too. ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’ says, a person who thinks that he is ignorant and is bound by this samsara is the one qualified to read this text. What a royal path! Sri Raghunandanji has shared three articles to cover the six prakaranas. He says, “The act of accepting the events and persons as they are, is the fundamental and mandatory step towards the Quest Divine.” “Anyone can choose this ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’ “ says Swami Guruvaraananda in his article. The humble Swami Swaprabhananda, the ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’ practioner, blesses everyone by asking us to follow the instructions of the Acharyas and the Shastras, practice Jnanabhyasa regularly and become a Jivan Mukta and enjoy the bliss. Life moves on by His grace. Bhoomananda Thirtha Swami assures that a spiritual quest can arise in one anywhere, any time. In the Vedic Tradition, Knowledge was viewed as a sacred transmission and not mere information. And Swami Mitrananda emphasizes that Knowledge must be earned through purity, patience, and preparedness.
Sri Padmanabhanji says that Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’s synthesis of idealism, non- dualism, realism and spiritualism provides a significant framework to those aiming for Self-realization. We have ample examples or role models like Shankara, Jnanadeva, Gadhadhar, Naren, and Venkataraman who have realized their mission of life very early. Our history is full of such persons who have helped us to overcome challenges by living a spiritual life which is the essence of our culture. Dr. Prativa provides from ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’ a clear road-map for a spiritual aspirant. Vimal Sharma says that Ego is an Illusion; first destroy the Ego through Atmavichara. Muralidharan explains two types of Vairagya. The Truth heard in the satsangh should be put into practice. Atmavichara, meditation on the self, finally culminates in enlightenment says Sreekutty. Smt Kasthuri illustrates Shanti, Vichara, Santosha and Satsanga. “Past fate is eradicated by the performance of present acts” Lavanya defines. Sachit says in Life present effort can overpower past effects. In no way ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’ recommends escape from action, but convinces us that calm, intense and efficient action is very much possible by identifying with the eternal, tranquil consciousness. Pranav states that “Divinity is not to be sought outside, but experienced as an inner state of awareness. Here the Upasaka, Upasana and Upasya merge into a single experience of pure awareness.”
‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’ is full of stories. Smt. Gayatri has shared one famous story of Chudala and Shikidwaja. Adding to it, Professor Nagaraju has given the complete references of the stories. The rising sun, setting sun and rising moon and the setting moon is compared to Inhalation and Exhalation. Sit quietly, have a vision in the mind Tranquillity is assured by Thangalakshmi Balasubramaniam. Shri Ramaswami Subromoni the professor quotes the latest realised soul Nisargadatta Maharaj of Mumbai and Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi as the embodiments of the essence of ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’. ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’ is not only a spiritual text but it is full of practical examples which assure that they can be practised. Chidanandamrita Chaitanya has explored the hidden gems in his article. The point discussed in ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’ is ‘Sapta Bhumika’. Rajesh says that “Self-Realisation does not happen accidentally but through discipline, enquiry, dispassion, purification, and direct experience. It is a gradual awakening, not an abrupt attainment.” Sri Seshadri explains that mind control and strong resolution are the key to attain stillness and true peace.
In response to our request, we received a number of good articles from Sastra Sangamam participants. In order to avoid the overdose of the nectar, we have compiled this Kendra Patrika with limited number articles, which otherwise would have become a Bruhat (Kendra) Patrika. We are confident that, the essence of the six chapters of ‘Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’ that are dealt in this volume through various articles by eminent scholars, will definitely increase the self-confidence level of the youth in handling their day-to-day life by:
a) balancing their ambitions with contentment, b) having a calm and balanced mind to face failure as an opportunity for growth, c) understanding who they truly are beyond their achievements, d) living the present moment without worrying about future or regretting the past, e) realizing that happiness can be cultivated through mental awareness and proper response instead of reaction, f) valuing real-life experiences and genuine relationships without being trapped by illusions, g) creating self-respect, inner strength and stability, h) living with simplicity and purpose, and i) coming out from social media, distractions and digital dependence, etc.
See the world like a just-born baby! Total blank look, no expression (Shunya)! Attain this state of Sakshibhava. As in the Nirvana Prakarana, even this Sakshibhava has to be dropped. Nirvana refers to the blowing off of even this inner flame which is the watching agent or the witness. Then we will become one with the Ultimate revelling in eternal bliss.
- Editorial Team
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