
audiobook
by Valmiki
Transcriber’s Notes
THE YOGA-VÁSISHTHA MAHÁRÁMÁYANA OF VÁLMÍKI
THE YOGA-VÁSISHTHA-MAHÁRÁMÁYANA
CHAPTER CVI. Invalidation of the Doctrine of Cause and Effect.
CHAPTER CVII. The Nature of Ignorance or Illusion of the Mind.
CHAPTER CVIII. Description of the Knowledge and Ignorance Of The Soul.
CHAPTER CIX. Fighting with the invading armies at the Gate of the City.
CHAPTER CX. Battle of the Wise Princes, with the Ignorant Barbarian.
CHAPTER CXI. The flight of the soldiers on all sides.
CHAPTER CXII. Flight of the Foreign Foes.
This expansive work presents the ancient dialogue between a sage and a prince, unfolding as a series of vivid stories and philosophical reflections. Rendered from Sanskrit into clear English, the translation preserves the poetic cadence while making the profound teachings accessible to modern ears. Listeners are guided through discussions on illusion, the nature of the mind, and the cycles that shape existence. The text weaves mythic episodes with rigorous inquiry, inviting contemplation at every turn.
In this final segment, the narrative shifts to vivid accounts of battles, royal voyages, and transformative encounters—such as the tale of Vipaschit’s metamorphosis and the enigmatic journey of the soul through dream, sleep, and waking states. Themes of nirvāṇa, the dissolution of the world, and the unity of the divine with the mundane are explored through dialogues, allegories, and striking cosmological descriptions. The listener will hear vivid imagery of oceans, lotus lakes, and celestial realms, all serving as mirrors for inner investigation. Whether seeking philosophical depth or poetic storytelling, the work offers a rich tapestry of insight into consciousness and liberation.
Language
en
Duration
~18 hours (1053K 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
Jul 21, 2023
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Best known as the traditional author of the Ramayana, this ancient sage is remembered in Indian tradition as the “first poet,” a storyteller whose work shaped centuries of literature, religion, and performance.
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by Valmiki

by Valmiki