Yoga Vasistha

Vasishta Yoga Samhita (Sanskrit: योगवासिष्ठम्, IAST: yoga-vāsiṣṭham; also known as Maha-Ramayana,
Arsha Ramayana, Vasiṣṭha Ramayana,[1] Yogavasistha-Ramayana and Jnanavasistha.[2]) is a
historically popular and influential[3][4] syncretic philosophical text of Hinduism, dated to the 6th CE or
7th CE — 14th CE or 15th CE.

The text is attributed to Maharishi Valmiki, but the real author is unknown.[3] It is named after sage
Vasistha who is mentioned and revered in the seventh book of the Rigveda.[5] The complete text contains
over 29,000 verses,[3] while the short version of the text, called Laghu yogavāsiṣṭham, contains 6,000
verses,[6][7] translated into Persian by the 15th-century.[3]

The text has a philosophical foundation similar to Advaita Vedanta,[8] and expounds the principles of
Maya and Brahman, as well as the principles of non-duality.[2] and its discussion of Yoga.[9][10] The text
is structured as a discourse of sage Vasistha to Prince Rama, and consists of six books,[11] describing the
search for liberation through self-effort and meditation, and presenting cosmology and metaphysical
teachings of existence embedded in stories and fables.[11][12]

Nomenclature
The name Vasistha in the title of the text refers to Rishi Vasistha.[13] The term Yoga in the text refers to
the underlying Yogic theme in its stories and dialogues, and the term is used in a generic sense to include
all forms of yoga in the pursuit of liberation, in the style of Bhagavad Gita.[13]

The long version of the text is called Brihat Yoga Vasistha, wherein Brihat means "great or large". The
short version of the text is called Laghu Yoga Vasishta, wherein Laghu means "short or small".[13] The
longer version is also referred to simply as Yoga Vasistha and by numerous other names such as Vasiṣṭha
Ramayana.[1][2]

Dating
The date or century of the text's composition or compilation is
unknown, and variously estimated from the content and references it Human effort can be used
makes to other literature, other schools of Indian philosophies.[3] for self-betterment and that
Scholars agree that the surviving editions of the text were composed in there is no such thing as an
the common era, but disagree whether it was completed in the first external fate imposed by the
gods.

—Yoga Vasistha philosophy,

Christopher Chapple[14]
millennium or second. Estimates range, states Chapple, from "as early as the sixth or seventh century, to
as late as the fourteenth century".[3][15]

References to contemporaries
The surviving text mentions Vijnanavada and Madhyamaka schools of Buddhism by name, suggesting
that the corresponding sections were composed after those schools were established, or about 5th-
century.[8] The translation of a version of the text in 14th- to 15th-century into Persian, has been the basis
of the other limit, among scholars such as Farquhar in 1922.[8]

Atreya in 1935 suggested that the text must have preceded Gaudapada and Adi Shankara, because it does
not use their terminology, but does mention many Buddhist terms.[8] Dasgupta, a contemporary of Atreya,
states that the text includes verses of earlier text, such as its III.16.50 is identical to one found in
Kalidasa's Kumarasambhava, thus the text must be placed after the 5th-century.[8] Dasgupta adds that the
philosophy and ideas presented in Yoga Vasistha mirror those found in Advaita Vedanta of Adi Shankara,
but neither mention the other, which probably means that the author(s) of Yoga Vasistha were scholars
who lived in the same century as Shankara, placing the text in about 7th- to early 8th-century.[8] The
shorter summary version of the text is attributed to the Kashmiri scholar Abhinanda, who has been
variously dated to have lived in 9th- or 10th-century.[8]

Evolving text theory

Mainkar states that Yoga Vasistha probably evolved over time. The first work, states Mainkar, was the
original ancient work of Vasistha that was an Upanishad with Brahamanical ideas, a work that is lost.[16]
This text, suggests Mainkar, was expanded into Moksopaya in or after 6th-century, which is now
commonly known as Laghu-Yogavasistha.[16] The Laghu (shorter) version was then expanded into the
full editions, over time, in the centuries that followed the completion of Laghu-Yogavasistha.[16] The
syncretic incorporation of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism ideas happened in the Laghu-Yogavasistha
edition, states Mainkar, while ideas from Kashmiri Shaivism, particularly the Trika school, were added to
the growing version by the 12th-century.[16] Similar serial expansion, revisions and interpolation is
typical in Indian literature. Peter Thomi has published additional evidence in support Mainkar's theory on
Yoga Vasistha's chronology.[15]

The oldest surviving manuscript of the Moksopaya (or Moksopaya Shastra) has been dated to have been
composed in Srinagar in the 10th century AD.[17][18][19]

Author
The Yoga Vasistha is traditionally attributed to Maharishi Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana. However,
scholars are uncertain about the exact authorship and date of composition. It is likely that the text evolved
over several centuries, starting as an ancient Upanishadic work and expanding into the Moksopaya in the
6th century CE. The text reached its current form between the 10th and 14th centuries, incorporating
influences from various Indian philosophical traditions, including Buddhism, Jainism, and Kashmiri
Shaivism."[8]

Composition

Number of verses
The text exists in many editions of manuscripts with varying number of verses, but similar message. The
full editions contain over 29,000,[3] to a few with 32,000 verses,[6] and in some editions about 36,000
verses.[20] The Nirnaya Sagar version of Yoga Vasistha manuscript has 1146 verses in the first Book, 807
in second, 6304 verses in third, 2414 verses in the fourth book, 4322 in the fifth, while the last is longest
with 14,296 verses, for a cumulative total of 29,289 verses.[21] An abridged version by Abhinanda of
Kashmir (son of Jayanta Bhatta) is Laghu ("Little") Yogavasistha and contains 6,000 verses.[6]

Structure
The verses of Yoga Vasistha are structured in the genre of ancient Indian literature, called Grantha.[20] In
this genre, each Shloka (verse) in the text is designed to equal 32 syllables, while conveying its
message.[20] A Grantha can be sung and depending on its meter, set to specific Raga music. This genre is
found in Bhakti movement literature, and Yoga Vasistha's Advaita theories and monism influenced the
Grantha literature of Sikhism, whose primary scripture is called Guru Granth Sahib.[22]

Influences
The Yoga Vasistha is a syncretic work, containing elements of Advaita Vedanta, Yoga, Samkhya, Jainism,
Pratyabhijña, Saivite Trika, and Mahayana Buddhism, thus making it, according to Chapple, "a Hindu
text par excellence, including, as does Hinduism, a mosaic-style amalgam of diverse and sometimes
opposing traditions".[23]

Content
This is one of the longest Hindu texts in Sanskrit after the
Gentle enquiry
Mahabharata, and an important text of Yoga. It consists of
numerous short stories and anecdotes used to help illustrate its
ideas and message. In terms of Hindu mythology, the You should either through
yourself, or the aid of the exalted
conversation in the Yoga Vasishta is placed chronologically
before the Ramayana. ones, be ceaselessly engaged in
the pursuit of this gentle enquiry,
The traditional belief is that reading this book leads to spiritual Who am I? What is this
liberation. The conversation between Vasistha and Prince Rama [U]niverse?
is that between a great, enlightened sage and a seeker of It is this true enquiry alone that
liberation.[25] The text discusses consciousness, cosmology, generates Jnana (knowledge).

—Yoga Vasistha[24]
nature of the universe and consciousness, the ultimate dissolution of body, the liberation of the soul and
the non-dual nature of existence.[25]

The text consists of six books:[26]

Vairagya-prakaranam (Dispassion): This book introduces Prince Rama's existential crisis,

highlighting the transient nature of life and human suffering.
Mumukshuvayahara-prakaranam (Behavior of the Seeker): It focuses on the qualities
required for spiritual liberation, emphasizing self-effort and the desire for moksha
(liberation).
Utpatti-prakaranam (Arising and Birth): This section delves into cosmology and the spiritual
awakening of Rama, exploring the origins of the universe and consciousness.
Sthiti-prakaranam (Existence and Settling): The text discusses the nature of existence, free
will, and human creativity, presenting numerous stories to illustrate these concepts.
Upashama-prakaranam (Tranquility): This book explores the practice of meditation and the
dissolution of dualistic thought, guiding the seeker toward inner peace.
Nirvana-prakaranam (Liberation): The final book describes the state of enlightenment
achieved by Rama, offering insights into the experience of nirvana and the nature of
ultimate reality.

Notable ideas

On Human Intellect
The Yoga Vāsiṣṭha states the following on the credibility of the provider and seeker of knowledge
through these words.

'Even a young boy's words are to be accepted if they are words of wisdom, else, reject it like
straw even if uttered by Brahmā the creator.'[27]

On who is ready for spiritual knowledge

The Yoga Vasistha states that there are four characteristics that mark someone ready for spiritual journey
who:[28]

1. Senses the difference between atman (soul) and non-atman

2. Is past cravings for anyone or anything, is indifferent to the enjoyments of objects in this
world or after
3. Is virtuous and ethical with Sama (equality),[29] Dama (self-restraint, temperance), Uparati
(quietism),[30] Titiksha (patience, endurance),[31] Sandhana (uniting, peace)[32] and Sraddha
(faith, trust)[33]
4. Has Mumukshatva, that is longing for meaning in life and liberation

On the process of spiritual knowledge

Yoga Vasistha teachings are divided into six parts: dispassion, qualifications of the seeker, creation,
existence, dissolution and liberation. It sums up the spiritual process in the seven Bhoomikas:
 1. Śubhecchā (longing for the Truth): The yogi (or sādhaka) rightly distinguishes between
permanent and impermanent; cultivates dislike for worldly pleasures; acquires mastery over
his physical and mental faculties; and feels a deep yearning to be free from Saṃsāra.
2. Vicāraṇa (right inquiry): The yogi has pondered over what he or she has read and heard,
and has realized it in his or her life.
3. Tanumānasa (attenuation – or thinning out – of mental activities): The mind abandons the
many, and remains fixed on the One.
4. Sattvāpatti (attainment of sattva, "reality"): The Yogi, at this stage, is called Brahmavid
("knower of Brahman"). In the previous four stages, the yogi is subject to sañcita, Prārabdha
and Āgamī forms of karma. He or she has been practicing Samprajñāta Samādhi
(contemplation), in which the consciousness of duality still exists.
5. Asaṃsakti (unaffected by anything): The yogi (now called Brahmavidvara) performs his or
her necessary duties, without a sense of involvement.
6. Padārtha abhāvana (sees Brahman everywhere): External things do not appear to exist to
the yogi (now called Brahmavidvarīyas); in essence there is a non-cognition of 'objects' as
the separation between subject and a distinct object is dissolved; and tasks get performed
without any sense of agency (doership). Sañcita and Āgamī karma are now destroyed; only
a small amount of Prārabdha karma remains.
7. Turīya (perpetual samādhi): The yogi is known as Brahmavidvariṣṭha and does not perform
activities, either by his will or the promptings of others.

On liberation
In Chapter 2 of Book VI, titled as The story of Iksvaku, the text explains the state of nirvana (liberation)
as follows, "Liberation is peace. Liberation is extinction of all conditioning. Liberation is freedom from
every kind of physical, psychological and psychic distress. This world is not seen by the ignorant and the
wise in the same light. To one who has attained self-knowledge, this world does not appear as samsara,
but as the one infinite and indivisible consciousness".[34]

On Jivanmukta
The Yoga Vasistha describes the Jivanmukta, or liberated person, as follows (abridged from the 1896
translation by KN Aiyer):

He associates with the wise. He has reached the state of mind, which sees happiness
everywhere. To him, neither sacrificial fires, nor Tapas, nor bounteous gifts nor holy waters
have any meaning. He is replete with wisdom and friendly to all.[35]
He is desireless and in his eyes there is nothing supernatural. His state is indescribable and
yet he will move in the world like anybody else. His mind will not be bound by any longings
after Karmas. He will be indifferent to joy or pains arising from good or bad results. He will
preserve a pleasant position in the happy enjoyment of whatever he obtains.[36]
He is never affected by anything, whether he is in a state of Jiva consciousness or state of
Shiva devoid of the Jiva consciousness.[36]
He is same whether he moves in a family or is a solitary recluse.[36]
He feels unbound by the delusions of Srutis and Smritis.[36]
Nothing matters to him, he is unaffected by griefs or pleasures. He is distant, he is close, he
in the one Reality of Atman.[36] He is neither clingy nor arrogant.[37]
He has no fear of anyone, no anger against anyone.[37]
 When the attraction towards external objects ceases, then there yet remains the internal
craving which is called Trishna (thirst). The Jivanmukta is beyond Trishna. He is, not
becoming. He does not even long for salvation. He is content.[37]
A Jivanmukta will always transact his present duties, but neither longs for things in the
future, nor ruminates upon things of the past.[38]
He is a child amongst children; as old men amongst the old; as the puissant amongst the
puissant; as a youth amongst the young, compassionate and understanding with the
grieved.[38]
In him is found nobleness, benevolence, love, clearness of intellect.[39]

On Samsara and reality

The Yoga Vasistha describes samsara and reality as follows:
11. There are three benefits
Samsara is mundane existence with rebirths.[41] derived from the study of books,
The universe is full of Samsara driven by Moha from lectures of a preceptor, and
(delusion), bondage, Tamas (destructive, chaotic from one's own industry, all of
behaviors), Mala (impurity), Avidya and Maya.[42] which are attendant on our
Ignorance feeds samsara, self-knowledge liberates.[43] exertions and not destiny.
Samsara is ephemeral and unreal. With birth, death is 12. This is the long and short of
inevitable.[44] all the Shastras, that diligence
preserves our minds from all
evils, by employing them to
Commentaries whatever is good and right.
13. To apply with diligence to
The following traditional Sanskrit commentaries on the Yoga
whatever is excellent, not low
Vasistha are extant:[45]
nor mean and not liable to loss or
Vāsiṣṭha-rāmāyaṇa-candrikā by Advayāraṇya decay, is the precept of parents
(son of Narahari) and preceptors to their sons and
Tātparya prakāśa by ānanda Bodhendra pupils.
Sarasvatī 14. I get the immediate fruit of
Bhāṣya by Gaṅgādharendra my labor in proportion to my
Pada candrikā by Mādhava Sarasvatī exertion, hence I say, I enjoy the
fruit of my labor and not of
fortune.
15. Activity gives us success and
Influence
it is this that elevates the
The Yoga Vasistha is a key text for understanding the late intelligent.
medieval synthesis of various Indian philosophical traditions.
The Yoga Vasistha, states David Gordon White, was one of the —Yoga Vasistha 2.7.11-2.7.15[40]
popular texts on Yoga that dominated the Indian Yoga culture
scene before the 12th-century.[4] It has, states White, served as a reference on Yoga for medieval era
Advaita Vedanta scholars.[4] According to Ayer, it is particularly associated with drsti-srsti subschool of
Advaita which holds that the "whole world of things is the object of mind".[46]
The practice of atma-vichara, "self-enquiry," described in the Yoga Vasistha, has been popularised due to
the influence of Ramana Maharshi, who was strongly influenced by this text.[47]

Translations

Indian languages
Originally written in Sanskrit, the Yoga Vasistha has been translated into many Indian languages, and the
stories are told to children in various forms.[6] There are multiple collections (https://www.hariomgroup.o
rg/books/shri-yogavashishtha-maharamayan) of audio, video and mini-articles available on the scripture.

Telugu translations

Complete translation
Vasishtha Rama Samvaadam, Sri Yeleswarapu Hanuma Ramakrishna.
Yogavasishtha hridayamu in seven Parts by Kuppa Venkata Krishnamurthy, also
rendered into English by Vemuri Ramesam.[48]
Yoga Vasistha Ratnakaram, Swami Vidya Prakashananda Giri[49]
Copies of the Telugu and English versions were also published by Avadhoota Datta
Peetham, Mysore 570025, India

Kannada Translations

Yogavasista Set Of 8 Vols - is a translation and commentary in Kannada by Devudu

Narasimha Shastry published by Hemantha Sahithya[50]
Yogavasista - is an abridged translation and commentary in Kannada by Nagesh R
Kulkarni published by Samaja Pustakalaya[51]

Malayalam Translations

Vasishtasudha - Yogavasishtasaram is a translation and commentary in Malayalam by

Professor G Balakrishnan Nair[52]

Persian
During the Mughal Dynasty the text was translated into Persian several times, as ordered by Akbar,
Jahangir and Darah Shikuh.[2] One of these translations was undertaken by Nizam al-Din Panipati in the
late sixteenth century AD. This translation, known as the Jug-Basisht, which has since become popular in
Persia among intellectuals interested in Indo-Persian culture. The Safavid-era mystic Mir Findiriski (d.
1641) commented on selected passages of Jug-Basisht.[53][54]

Russian
The unabridged text is currently being translated into Russian[55]
and published by Swamini Vidyananda Saraswati, first five books
are completed by 2017.

English translations
Yoga Vasistha was translated into English by Swami
Jyotirmayananda, Swami Venkatesananda, Vidvan Bulusu
Venkateswaraulu and Vihari Lal Mitra. K. Naryanaswami Aiyer
translated the well-known abridged version, Laghu-Yoga-Vasistha.
In 2009, Swami Tejomayananda's Yoga Vasistha Sara Sangrah
was published by the Central Chinmaya Mission Trust. In this
version the Laghu-Yoga-Vasistha has been condensed to 86 verses,
arranged into seven chapters. A list of all known English
translations follows:

1) Complete translation
The Yoga-Vásishtha-Mahárámáyana of Válmiki (htt
p://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/006660116),
Translated by Vihārilāla Mitra (1891-1899),
OCLC 6953699 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/695
3699) A painting from the Persian
The Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki in 4 translation of Yoga Vasistha
vols. in 7 pts. (bound in 4). Translated by Vihari- manuscript, 1602
Lala Mitra. Reprinted in LPP (Low Price
Publications), New Delhi, 1999. ISBN 81-7536-
179-4 (set)

The above have been published as e-books at the Gutenberg Project.[56]

The above has been compiled as plain text in a single file, to facilitate searches:
https://www.scribd.com/document/663078494/Yoga-Vasishtha-Complete-as-Plain-
Text-Gutenberg-Project

Yoga Vasishtha of Valmiki (4 volumes & unabridged). Translated by Vihārilāla Mitra

(1891-1899). Edited by Dr. Ravi Prakash Arya (1st. ed. 1998), to include Sanskrit text
with english translation. Parimal Publications, Delhi.
An edited version (ed. by Palotas) of the above as e-book (free) is available[57]

2) Abbreviated versions
Vālmīki (1896). Yoga-Vâsishta: Laghu, the Smaller (https://archive.org/stream/yogavas
ishtalagh00aiyeuoft#page/n3/mode/2up). trans. K Nārāyaṇaswāmi Aiyar. Madras:
Thompson and Co. p. 346 pages. OCLC 989105 (https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/989
105).
Venkatesananda, Swami (1993). Vasiṣṭha's Yoga. Albany: State University of New
York Press. p. 768. ISBN 0-585-06801-1. OCLC 43475324 (https://search.worldcat.or
g/oclc/43475324). Abbreviated to about one-third of the original work.
Venkatesananda, Swami (1984). The Concise Yoga Vāsiṣṭha (https://books.google.co
m/books?id=IbqFcTyGlEgC). Albany: State University of New York Press. p. 430.
 ISBN 0-87395-955-8. OCLC 11044869 (https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/11044869). A
shorter version of the above.
The Essence of Yogavaasishtha [Sri Vasishthasangraha]. Compiled by Sri
Jnanananda Bharati. Translated by Samvid. Samata Books 1982, 2002. ISBN 81-
85208-14-X. Printed in India. 344 pp.
Yoga Vasishta Sara (The Essence of Yoga Vasishta). An English Translation from the
Sanskrit Original. Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai, 1973, 2005. ISBN 81-88018-
45-7. 36 pp.
The Essence of Yogavaasishtha. Compiled by Sri Jnanananda Bharati. Translated by
Samvid. Samata Books 1982, 2002. ISBN 81-85208-14-X. 344 pp.
Tejomayananda, Swami: Yoga Vasishta Sara Sangraha. Central Chinmaya Mission
Trust, Mumbai 1998
Jyotirmayananda, Swami: Yoga Vasistha. Vol. 1–5. Yoga Research Foundation, Miami
1977. http://www.yrf.org
Abhinanda, Pandita (2003). The Yoga Vasishta (Abridged Version) (https://books.goog
le.com/books?id=tq9TSJGtemsC). trans. K.N. Subramanian. Chennai: Sura Books.
p. 588 pages. ISBN 9788174784223.
Vālmīki (1930). Yoga Vashisht or Heaven Found (http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/yvh
f/index.htm). trans. Rishi Singh Gherwal. Santa Barbara, USA: Author. p. 185 pages.

Portuguese translations
Yoga Vasistha was translated in 2018, from English into Portuguese by Eleonora Meier for Satsang
Editora (Brazilian publisher) of the version of Swami Venkatesananda and it is available at
www.lojasatsangeditora.com.br - ISBN 978-85-92598-26-6 - Páginas: 848 Swami Venkatesananda.

Latvian
Vāsišthas joga. Svami Venkatesananda, 2020, 630 pp. A Latvian translation by Inese Kausa, publisher
www.svami.lv

See also
Valmiki
Vasistha
Valmiki Samhita
Maithili Maha Upanishad
Vaishnava Matabja Bhaskara
Ramayana

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=yes&beginning=0) Sanskrit English Dictionary, Koeln University, Germany
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page 528
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Abhinanda, ISBN 978-0835674973, pages 107-108
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Abhinanda, ISBN 978-0835674973, pages 110-111, 129-130
37. KN Aiyer (1975), Laghu Yoga Vasishta, Theosophical Publishing House, Original Author:
Abhinanda, ISBN 978-0835674973, pages 349-350, 701-703
38. KN Aiyer (1975), Laghu Yoga Vasishta, Theosophical Publishing House, Original Author:
Abhinanda, ISBN 978-0835674973, pages 466-467
39. KN Aiyer (1975), Laghu Yoga Vasishta, Theosophical Publishing House, Original Author:
Abhinanda, ISBN 978-0835674973, pages 332-333
40. Vihari Lal Mitra (1993 Reprint), Yoga-vásishtha-mahárámáyana of Válmiki (https://books.goo
gle.com/books?id=q6VHAQAAMAAJ) at Google Books, Vol. 1, Boonerjee & Co., page 151
41. KN Aiyer (1975), Laghu Yoga Vasishta, Theosophical Publishing House, Original Author:
Abhinanda, ISBN 978-0835674973, page 43
42. KN Aiyer (1975), Laghu Yoga Vasishta, Theosophical Publishing House, Original Author:
Abhinanda, ISBN 978-0835674973, page 118
43. KN Aiyer (1975), Laghu Yoga Vasishta, Theosophical Publishing House, Original Author:
Abhinanda, ISBN 978-0835674973, pages 286-287
44. KN Aiyer (1975), Laghu Yoga Vasishta, Theosophical Publishing House, Original Author:
Abhinanda, ISBN 978-0835674973, pages 306-307
45. Surendranath Dasgupta (1932, Reprinted in 1978), A History of Indian Philosophy (https://ar
chive.org/stream/AHistoryOfIndianPhilosophyBySurendranathDasgupta-5Volumes/A.Histor
y.of.Indian.Philosophy.by.Surendranath.Dasgupta#page/n785/mode/2up), Volume 1,
Cambridge University Press, ISBN, pages 231-232
46. KN Aiyer (1975), Laghu Yoga Vasistha, Theosophical Publishing House, Original Author:
Abhinanda, ISBN 978-0835674973, page 5
47. Friesen 2006, p. 95–100.
48. Yogavasishta, Translated by Vemuri Ramesam (http://www.advaita.org.uk/discourses/Yogav
asishta/yogavasishta_contents.html)
49. Sri Vidya Prakashananda Giri Swamiji (2000). Yoga Vasista Ratnakaram. Geetha
Makarandhamu.
50. Currently available in some online stores like SapnaOnline
51. Currently available in some online stores like Exotic India Art
52. Vasishtasudha (https://archive.org/details/sreyas-ebooks) Archive, GB Nair
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gAAQBAJ) by Nikki R. Keddie, Rudolph P. Matthee, 2002, pp. 22–23
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Questions of Manakji Limji Hataria (http://bahai-library.com/bahaullah_cole_questions_mana
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56. "Books: Yoga Vasishtha" (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=yoga+vasishth
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Shivabalayogi Website. Retrieved 2024-03-23.

Sources
Chapple, Christopher (1984). "Introduction". The Concise Yoga Vāsiṣṭha (https://books.goog
le.com/books?id=1FFdOj2dv8cC). Translated by Venkatesananda, Swami. Albany: State
University of New York Press. ISBN 0-87395-955-8. OCLC 11044869 (https://search.worldc
at.org/oclc/11044869).
Friesen, J. Glenn (2006), Ramana Maharshi: Hindu and non-Hindu Interpretations of a
Jivanmukta
Leslie, Julia (2003). Authority and meaning in Indian religions: Hinduism and the case of
Vālmīki (https://archive.org/details/authoritymeaning00lesl). Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
ISBN 0-7546-3431-0.

Further reading
Chapple, Christopher Key; Chakrabarti, Arindam (2015). Engaged Emancipation: Mind,
Morals, and Make-Believe in the Moksopaya (Yogavasistha) (https://books.google.com/book
s?id=afrdCgAAQBAJ). State University of New York Press, Albany. ISBN 1438458681.
Yoga-vásishtha-mahárámáyana of Válmiki (https://books.google.com/books?id=q6VHAQAA
MAAJ) at Google Books By Vihari Lal Mitra (1891), First Translation
PDF of Hindi Yoga Vasistha (https://archive.org/details/ShriYogavasishtha1)
PDF of Marathi Yoga Vasistha (https://archive.org/details/YOGAVAASHISHTHAMARA)

External links
The Yoga-Vasistha of Valmiki with Vasistha Maharamayana - Tatparya Prakasa (https://archi
ve.org/details/The.Yoga-Vasistha.of.Valmiki.with.Vasistha.Maharamayana-tatparya) - The
complete Sanskrit scripture in 2 parts, at archive.org
Yoga Vasistha translated by Swami Venkatesananda (https://archive.org/details/yoga-vasish
ta) (The Supreme Yoga) -archive.org
Excerpts of Yoga Vasistha with illustrations (https://archive.org/search.php?query=yoga%20
vasistha%20Maharamayana%20AND%20subject%3A%22Yoga%20Vasistha%20Maharama
yana%22)
Yoga Vasistha Audio Book (listen online or download audio files free) (https://archive.org/det
ails/YogaVasistha-VairagyaPrakaran-HindiAudioBook)
Jog Bashisht - Persian Translation of Yoga Vasistha (https://archive.org/download/in.ernet.dl
i.2015.408963/2015.408963.Zogee-Bushtt.pdf)
Yoga Vasistha in Sanskrit (https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/योगवासिष्ठः) - Sanskrit verses of Yoga
Vasistha at Wikisource library

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