
audiobook
by Valmiki
Transcriber’s Notes
THE YOGA-VÁSISHTHA-MAHÁRÁMÁYANA.
CONTENTS OF STHITI PRAKARANA.
CONTENTS OF UPASAMA KHANDA. (ON QUIETISM.) BOOK V.
BOOK IV. STHITI PRAKARANA ON ONTOLOGY OR EXISTENCE.
CHAPTER I. JANYA-JANI-NIRÚPANA.
CHAPTER II. THE RECEPTACLE OF THE MUNDANE EGG.
CHAPTER III. ETERNITY OF THE WORLD.
CHAPTER IV. TREATING OF THE GERM OF EXISTENCE.
CHAPTER V. STORY OF BHÁRGAVA.
An ancient Indian dialogue unfolds as sage Vasishtha guides the curious prince through the mysteries of existence. The text weaves together mythic episodes and deep philosophical reflections, inviting listeners to contemplate the nature of reality, the mind, and the eternal cycle of birth and death. Its storytelling style makes profound concepts feel vivid and immediate.
The volume covers the Utpatti Khanda, Sthiti Prakarana, and the Upasama Khanda up to chapter LIII, presenting tales of gods, demons, and sages such as Bhrigu, Sukra, and Dásúra. Through these narratives, listeners encounter vivid descriptions of creation, the soul’s journey, and the struggle between ignorance and insight, all framed within a poetic Sanskrit tradition.
A careful translation by Vihari‑Lala Mitra brings the original language to life, smoothing out textual gaps and inconsistencies while preserving the work’s lyrical tone. The result is an accessible yet richly layered experience that encourages contemplation of the self and the cosmos.
Language
en
Duration
~17 hours (991K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
India: Low Price Publications, 1899, reprint 1999.
Credits
Mark C. Orton, Juliet Sutherland, Édith Nolot, Krista Zaleski, windproof, readbueno and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2023-06-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Celebrated in Indian tradition as the sage-poet behind the Ramayana, he stands at the beginning of one of the world’s great epic storytelling traditions. He is also remembered as the Adi Kavi, or “first poet,” a title that reflects his lasting place in Sanskrit literature.
View all books
by Valmiki

by Valmiki