Musings on Yogavaasishta (Yoga Vasistha) Part I (Vairaagya and Mumukshu Vyavahaara Prakaranaa)

It is the solution given by Sage Vasishta when Sri Rama was caught in the storm of doubts regarding the ultimate nature of Supreme-self.

It is the solution in the form of logical deductions and practical observations for a better understanding of the nature of Supreme-self.

It is a correlations of apparently divergent references of Upanishads.

It is a poetic classic but allegorically explains the absolute and presented in his unique, graceful way by the sage poet Valmiki

It is a presentation from Brahmasri Kuppa Venkata Krishna Murthy, the Vidyadhikari of Avadhoota data Peetham Mysore in the form of his “Musings on Yogavaasishta – III (Sustenance)” – a treatise of comparisons and correlations of the ancient traditional knowledge and the modern scientific knowledge, through his lectures in the Gemini T.V on “Yogavaasishta”.

Jagadguru Parama Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji

‘Yogavaasishtam’ is a very useful book for all those who know many things in the spiritual line, or who do not know any thing in that line, and who wish to enter into that line. To know about spirituality is different and experiencing is different. Our endeared devotee Kuppa Krishna Murthy experienced spiritual flavor in all the three ways due to his continual presence at the feet of Sadguru. So your Swamiji has been using him as His mouthpiece to serially analyse and explain this rare classic the way He wanted through the TV Channel for his devotees and the entire mankind at large and also go this trentise written by him.

All of you should read nay study this with a steady mind and sincerely render yourself deserving for the grace of Sri Datta

Why should one muse over a book?
To see clearly what is hidden in the heart of the author.
Why does an author hide his heart'?

He does so to make it more luminous for those who find. So the poet hides his heart in the petals of words and not in the iron boxes

His heart should reach the readers, but only to those who strives to get it. This is the view of great poets! It is the inner vision in their creation.

Though my effort in writing ‘Yogavaasishta’ is not considerable, it is through the grace of my revered Sadguru Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji that the heart of the Sage Poet Valmiki has been revealed to me without much effort and it continued to be the feeling in the throughout the exercise. It is my fortune. The Gemini TV Serial telecast of the discourses on ‘Yogavaasishta’ enabled me to share my musings with my brother readers.

The Great Poet Kalidas Said: "Madhumaya Phaniteenaam Marghadarsi Maharshih" — the paths shown by Maharshi Valmiki are blended with honey. It is truer in respect of Vasishta Ramayana than the original Ramayana.

It might not be very difficult even for an ordinary poet to have his creation invested with a sense of fulfillment when he selected such a person as Sri Rama as the hero of his subject and the annihilation of Ravana as the central theme. But, with sheer philosophy as the crux of the subject and packing it with subtle and scientific arguments, stretching it to 32000 verses, and maintaining its poeticality has been possible only to Sage Poet Valmiki. So far none has been there to compete with him and fulfill such a task. Perhaps none might be there in future too.

Having got the perception with the blessings of my revered master, I began eagerly to search for the ‘heart’ of the great poet. In this respect, Paramahamsa Sri Samadaananda Bodhendra Saraswathi came to my rescue again and again. His commentary, “Taatparya Prakaasa” enabled me to have the fruits and the essence of ‘Yogavaasihta’. It is with this strength that I could gain access to the heart of Yogavaasishta.

What am I but a small twig of a mighty tree of spiritual mission of a great Sadgurudev Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji of Avadhuta Datta Peetham, Mysore, India. In this exercise of English Translation of a Soul—stirring classic, YOGA VAASISHTA with its unalloyed essence in Telugu shaped forth in the hands of an unostentatious scholar Sri Kuppa Venkata Krishna Murthy, Educational Officer, Datta Peetham, Mysore.

All the same, I deem it a rare opportunity for contributing my small bit thus in the Maha Yagna of knowledge undertaken by the writer, Sri Kuppa Krishna Murthy. It is indeed a pleasant coincidence that Sri Kuppa Krishna Murthy should think of bringing out his Gemini TV discourses on Yogavaasishta in the book form in Telugu first with the encouragement of the Neuland Labs Chief, Dr. D.R.Rao and his wife Mrs.Vijaya, staunch devotees of Sri Swamiji and subsequently meet the wish of Sri Swamiji to get it translated into English. The choice of me both by the writer and the sponsorer for translation also perhaps met with the ‘samkalpa’ of Sri Swamiji.

My humble obeisance to Sri Swamiji for making me an instrument again in this service, In the series of ‘Sri Guru Gita’, ‘Jnaana Saagar’ and `Katha Saagar’ volumes in English.

I, now offer my gratitude to Sri Kuppa Venkata Krishna Murthy and Dr.Rao for trusting me to fulfilling their expectations before entrusting me with the task.

I would fail in my duty if do not acknowledge Sri A.V.Sarma`s ungrudging help in correcting the proofs in respect of the aforesaid translations time and again. I also thank Mr.S.Nagaraj of Neuland Labs for computerizing 1 the matter in parts even as Mr.Y.Bhaskar, Lecturer in Computer Science, Progressive Degree College, Hyderabad.