Yoga Vasishta - Traditional Vedanta Books - Nisargadatta Maharaj

Yoga Vasishta is a Hindu spiritual text written by sage Valmiki, containing dialogues between Sage Vasishta and Sri Rama, during which Advaita (the doctrine of non-duality) in its pure form of ajatavada (theory of nonorigination) is expounded, with illustrative stories in between. The contents of Vasistha's teaching to Rama is associated with Advaita Vedanta, the illusory nature of the manifest world and the principle of non-duality. This is one of the longest texts in Sanskrit after the Mahabharata, and an important text of Yoga.

Prince Rama returns from touring the country, and becomes utterly disillusioned after experiencing the apparent reality of the world. This worries his father, King Dasaratha, who expresses his concern to Sage Vasistha upon Rama's arrival. Sage Vasistha consoles the king by telling him that Rama's dis-passion is a sign that the prince is now ready for spiritual enlightenment. He says that Rama has begun understanding profound spiritual truths, which is the cause of his confusion; he needs confirmation.Then, in King Dasaratha's court, the sage begins his discourse to Rama, which lasts 21 days. The answer to Rama's questions forms the entire scripture that is Yoga Vasistha.

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