The Yoga Vasishta is a spiritual text on Self-realisation
and it is in the form of a dialogue between sage Vasishta and Lord
Rama. The first step is to look out for the permanent truth in
this creation that is characterised by its mystic quality — for
strangely enough, it is unchanging, though it appears to be subjected to myriad changes. A section of the teaching dwells on
songs of the Siddhas (Siddha Gita) that throw light on the essentials
of the Supreme Truth, said Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha in a lecture.
It is said that king Janaka of Videha once happened to listen to these songs and became enlightened when he began to reflect
deeply on their import. These songs contain their personal
description of the spiritual life they experienced once they
were able to withdraw from worldly attractions. “Knowledge of the Self confers bliss and arises when there is a merging of the knower and the known. Therefore, one should aspire for this alone,”
says one Siddha. “The Selfknowledge is effulgent and is the
eternal light illuminating all else. It is the same as the Self in
all beings as well,” says another Siddha.
They pointed out that if one were to look for God outside of
oneself, disregarding the eternal presence within, it was tantamount
to chasing mere seashells after giving up the invaluable Kaustuba gem on hand. Desires for worldly objects stand as a hindrance in this quest for Self knowledge. Knowing that all the visible plurality is delusion, and oneness alone is the truth, we should realise that the Self is full and self-contained. The mind then cannot add anything to it. Neither can anything be taken away from it. Hence there is no pain or joy.
Hearing such profound truths, Janaka withdrew into solitude to contemplate on them. When this was assimilated in his consciousness, he saw how people are deluded by ignorance
which distorts their perception of reality, thereby leading them to doom. Janaka reached a state of pure knowledge and was freed of delusion. He could engage in daily affairs and discharge his kingly duties in a dispassionate manner.
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