Yoga Vasistha

The Ram Gita The Crest Jewel Of Vedanta

- Dr. Arun Madhavan

Having learnt from Sage Vasistha about the key attainments of liberated souls, Prince Ram contemplated on how the body can be sustained and actions performed, if ego is abandoned.

Desire is the cause of repeated and continuous indulgence, said Vasistha. But in the case of liberated souls, desires are devoid of craving and ego-based notions do not exist. Overtly, they appear to be consumed by desires, but they remain detached from their minds. Only those who are bound by cravings for external objects are conducive to bondage.

Two kinds of renunciation

Those who firmly adhere to the faith that ‘Neither am I matter, nor do the objects belong to me’, have their psyche illumined by Atma. To them, actions performed are just a play or a sport. They cognise only Atma in everything and, therefore, they are not bound by actions or desires. They are the jivanmuktas, the liberated ones in a state of dhyeya renunciation.

Renouncing the mind, the vasanas of the body and also the very idea of renunciation, is the other kind - jneyatyaga. Such a state is that of one who exists in a body that is merely operational, non-ideational. Upon leaving the ideational body, he is established in the knowledge of true self and is worthy of reverence.

The wise therefore renounce all desires that tend toward bondage, including the desire for liberation. They remain unperturbed revelling in a state of absolute bliss.