Vasishta gita.

 The Vasishtha Gita is a sacred philosophical text embedded within the Yoga Vasishtha, a dialogue between Sage Vasishtha and Lord Rama. It presents the essence of Advaita Vedanta and the path to liberation (moksha), focusing on self-inquiry, detachment, and the realization of the illusory nature of the world.

The Vasishtha Gita is a subset of the Yoga Vasishtha, a voluminous scripture attributed to Valmiki, which consists of about 32,000 verses. The Yoga Vasishtha itself is structured as a discourse between the enlightened sage Vasishtha and the young prince Rama, who is disillusioned with the transient nature of worldly life. Within this vast text, the Vasishtha Gita forms a concise exposition of non-dual wisdom.

1. Brahman Alone Is Real

The Vasishtha Gita emphasizes that Brahman (pure consciousness) is the only reality, while the world and individuality are mere appearances.

The Vasishtha Gita teaches that the ultimate reality is Brahman, which is pure consciousness, eternal, formless, and beyond all limitations.

Everything else, including the universe, body, and mind, is temporary and changing, and hence not absolutely real.

Just as a mirage appears real but disappears upon closer inspection, the world is an appearance upon the unchanging reality of Brahman.

2. The Illusory Nature of the World (Maya)

It asserts that the world is an illusion (maya), projected by the mind. Just as dreams appear real but vanish upon waking, the phenomenal world is unreal in the absolute sense.

The material world (jagat) is not real in an absolute sense, but it appears real due to maya (illusion).

Maya is the power that creates the sense of separateness and makes an individual believe they are distinct from Brahman.

Example: A rope in the dark may be mistaken for a snake. Similarly, due to ignorance, we mistake the transient world for reality.

3. Self-Knowledge Leads to Liberation

True knowledge (jnana) is the realization that one's true nature is not the body or mind but the eternal Self (Atman). This realization alone leads to liberation.

Liberation (moksha) is not about going to another world or gaining something new; it is about realizing one's eternal nature as Brahman.

The Self (Atman) is already free, but ignorance (avidya) makes a person feel bound.

By direct self-inquiry (vichara), one can remove this ignorance and recognize the Self as eternal and unchanging.

4. The Importance of a Quiet Mind

The mind, when agitated, creates bondage. When quiet and detached, it becomes a tool for liberation. The text advocates meditation and self-inquiry (vichara) to transcend mental fluctuations.

The mind, filled with desires, attachments, and thoughts, creates the illusion of bondage.

A restless mind keeps a person trapped in suffering, while a calm and disciplined mind leads to liberation.

The Gita advocates self-inquiry, meditation, and detachment to quiet the mind and realize the Self.

5. Non-Attachment and Renunciation

Liberation does not necessarily require physical renunciation but rather inner detachment (vairagya). A person who realizes the truth remains unaffected by the ups and downs of life.

Renunciation (sannyasa) does not mean leaving the world but giving up attachment to it.

A person can live in the world, fulfill responsibilities, and still be free internally by recognizing that everything is part of Brahman.

Example: A lotus grows in water but remains untouched by it. Similarly, an enlightened person lives in the world but remains unattached.

6. The Power of Inquiry

Constant questioning of one's identity ("Who am I?") and discerning the real from the unreal leads to enlightenment. This aligns with the teachings of Advaita masters like Adi Shankaracharya.

Constant questioning like "Who am I?", "What is real?", "What is the nature of consciousness?" leads to self-realization.

When all false identifications (body, mind, emotions) are removed, only pure awareness remains.

This is the highest wisdom (jnana), leading to liberation.

The Vasishtha Gita is highly practical for seekers of self-realization. It teaches that suffering arises from ignorance and that knowledge of the Self removes all sorrow. It encourages living in the world without attachment, much like the Bhagavad Gita’s concept of karma yoga.