Complete abandonment of desires (vasana, mental conditioning) is called the best state of liberation (moksha) and is the only pure step towards happiness. The absence of desires leads to the extinction of mental actions, in the same manner as the absence of cold melts small particles of ice. Our desires uphold our living bodies and bind us tightly to our bodily prison like ropes. These being loosened, the inner soul is liberated. Mental conditioning is of two kinds: pure and impure. The impure ones cause reincarnation, while the pure ones serve to destroy it. An impure desire is like a mist of ignorance, the stubborn feeling that one is the individual ego. The wise say that individual ego is the cause of rebirth.

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Yoga Vashishtha of Valmiki
Chapter 3
Valmiki Explains Desires and Describes Rama’s Pilgrimage to Bharadwaja
Book I
On Detachment
(Vairagya Khanda)
This section opens with a description of the
mental state of Rama on his return from
pilgrimage. King Dasharatha summons Rama
into the presence of the sages Vashishtha and
Vishwamitra.
Vashishtha asks Rama to explain the reasons
for his melancholy state of mind and his
indifference towards all worldly affairs.
Rama responds by relating the thoughts and
reflections that had been troubling his mind and
giving him no peace. His words and attitude reveal
the awakening of a burning detachment (vairagya).
However, Rama has serious doubts about the
soundness of his conclusions about life, so he
asks his guru for instruction.
Vashishtha begins his teaching and all the
legendary saints and yogis gather in King
Dasharatha’s hall to listen to this heavenly
dialogue.
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Yoga Vashishtha of Valmiki
Chapter 3
Valmiki Explains Desires and Describes Rama’s Pilgrimage to Bharadwaja
Chapter 3
Valmiki Explains Desires and Describes Rama’s
Pilgrimage to Bharadwaja
1Bharadwaja said, “O Brahmin, first tell me about
Rama, and then enlighten me by degrees with the
knowledge of how to attain liberation in this life so that
I may be happy forever.”
2Valmiki replied:
Know, holy saint, that the things seen in this world are
deceiving, even as the blueness of the sky is an optical
illusion. Therefore it is better to efface them in oblivion
rather than to keep their memory.
3All visible objects have no actual existence. We have
no idea of them except through sensation. Inquire into
these apprehensions and you will never find them as
real.
4It is possible to attain this knowledge. It is fully
expounded here. If you will listen attentively, you shall
get at the truth and not otherwise.
5The conception of this world is a mistake. Though we
actually see it, it never exists. It appears in the same
light, O sinless saint, as the different colours in the sky.
6The conviction that the objects we see do not exist of
themselves leads to the removal of their impressions

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Yoga Vashishtha of Valmiki
Chapter 3
Valmiki Explains Desires and Describes Rama’s Pilgrimage to Bharadwaja
from the mind. Thus perfected, supreme and eternal
bliss of self-extinction springs in the mind.
7Otherwise, there is no peace to be had for men like you,
rolling in the depths of studies for thousands of years
and unacquainted with true knowledge.
8Complete abandonment of desires (vasana,
mental conditioning) is called the best state of
liberation (moksha) and is the only pure step
towards happiness.
9The absence of desires leads to the extinction of mental
actions, in the same manner as the absence of cold melts
small particles of ice. 10Our desires uphold our living
bodies and bind us tightly to our bodily prison like
ropes. These being loosened, the inner soul is liberated.
11Mental conditioning is of two kinds: pure and impure.
The impure ones cause reincarnation, while the pure
ones serve to destroy it.
12An impure desire is like a mist of ignorance, the
stubborn feeling that one is the individual ego. The
wise say that individual ego is the cause of rebirth.
13A pure desire is like a parched seed that is incapable
of bringing forth the germ of rebirth. It only supports
the present body. 14Pure desires, unattended with
rebirth, reside in the bodies of men who are living
liberated. They are like unmoving wheels.

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Yoga Vashishtha of Valmiki
Chapter 3
Valmiki Explains Desires and Describes Rama’s Pilgrimage to Bharadwaja
15Those who have pure desires are not liable for rebirth.
They are said to be knowing in all things that ought to
be known. These are called the living-liberated and are
of superior intelligence.
16I will explain to you how the high minded Rama
attained the state of liberation in life. Listen to this so
that old age and death may not come upon you.
17Hear, O highly intelligent Bharadwaja, the auspicious
course and conduct of Rama’s life, whereby you will be
able to understand everything at all times.
18The lotus-eyed Rama, after coming out of his school,
remained for many days at home in his diversions
without anything to fear. 19In the course of time he took
the reins of the government and his people enjoyed all
the bliss that absence of grief and disease could impart.
20At one time, Rama’s mind, virtuous as he was, became
anxious to see the different places of pilgrimage, cities
and hermitages.
21So with this view, Rama approached his father. 22“O
my father,” he said, “my mind desires to see the
different places of pilgrimage, temples of gods, forests
and homes of men.
24Thus solicited by Rama, the king consulted with
Vashishtha, and after much reflection granted him the
first request that Rama ever made.

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Yoga Vashishtha of Valmiki
Chapter 3
Valmiki Explains Desires and Describes Rama’s Pilgrimage to Bharadwaja
25Rama set out on his journey with his two brothers,
Lakshman and Satrughna, having received the
blessings pronounced on him by the priests.
26He was also accompanied by a body of learned
Brahmins, chosen by Vashishtha for the occasion, and
by a select party of his associate princes.
32He travelled and saw many rivers and their banks,
visiting the shrines of gods, sacred forests and deserts,
hills, seas and their shores far and remote from where
men lived.
39He saw various wonders, the coasts of the four seas,
the Vindhya Range, the groves of Hara, and the
boundary hills and level lands. 40He visited the places
of the great raja rishis and the Brahma rishis. He went
wherever there was any auspicious sanctuary of the
gods and Brahmins.
41The party, honouring Rama, travelled far and wide in
company with his two brothers and traversed all the
four quarters on the surface of the earth.
42Honoured by the gods, kinnaras and men, and having
seen all the places on earth, Rama, the descendant of
Raghu, returned home like Shiva returning to his own
world (shivaloka).
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