Psychological Disorders Arising from Ignorance Avidyā in the Yoga Vāsiṣṭha and Their Treatment: Yogvashishtha mein Avidya se utpann Manorog aur unki Chikitsa
Published 05-12-2025
Keywords
- Yogavāsiṣṭha,
- Ignorance (Avidyā),
- Mental Disorders,
- Mental Healing,
- Self-Inquiry
- Meditation,
- Vedāntic Psychology,
- Self-Knowledge,
- Detachment (Vairāgya),
- Purification of the Mind (Citta-Śuddhi),
- Consciousness. ...More
How to Cite
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Abstract
The Yogavāsiṣṭha presents a profound psychological and philosophical understanding of the human mind, in which avidyā (ignorance) is regarded as the root cause of all suffering and mental disorders. According to the text, when the mind becomes clouded by false notions, ego-based attachments, and illusory thoughts, various forms of mental disturbances such as anxiety, fear, grief, restlessness, and inner conflict arise. These disorders are not seen merely as emotional disturbances, but as deep psychological afflictions originating from erroneous knowledge of reality.
For the treatment of these ailments, the Yogavāsiṣṭha offers a holistic therapeutic framework grounded in self-awareness, rational inquiry and discernment (viveka-vicāra), detachment (vairāgya), purification of the mind, and realization of one’s true Self. Through meditation, the understanding of the impermanent nature of the world, and the cultivation of equanimity, the text proposes transformative practices that destroy ignorance and establish mental balance and inner peace.
The present study analyzes the ignorance-induced mental disorders described in the Yogavāsiṣṭha, their philosophical foundations, and the therapeutic paths suggested therein, demonstrating that this ancient text remains highly relevant for contemporary psychological and spiritual approaches to healing.
References
- “This fragile and insignificant world appears real only due to ignorance; by false imagination alone, the universe is rendered obscure and bewildering.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 113, Verse 56
- “O Descendant of Raghu, ignorance is the subtle seed of worldly existence; though unreal, it appears vast and expansive.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 223, Verse 22
- “Know ignorance to be nothing but a grand illusion created by the mind. Through the power of mental illusion, it produces this entire world. There is no real difference between ignorance, mind, intellect, and the individual soul—just as there is no difference between the words ‘tree’ and ‘wood’.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 226, Verse 8
- “The mind alone is the cause of bondage and liberation for human beings.”
- — Dvaita Upadeśa, Book 3, Chapter 11, Verse 222
- “O Lord, how is the mind afflicted by curses and defects, and how can it be freed from them? Please explain this to me, O Supreme One.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 92, Verse 7
- Yogavāsiṣṭha, Gita Press Edition, p. 171
- “Ignorance, though unreal, becomes the subtle seed of worldly existence and appears greatly expanded.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 223, Verse 22
- “Thus, like an insurmountable illusion, the power of consciousness expands. This pure Brahmic power remains untouched and free from inner divisions.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 6, Chapter 80, Verse 28
- Nand Lal Dashora, Yogavāsiṣṭha (Mahārāmāyaṇa), Utpatti Prakaraṇa, p. 22
- Dashora, Nand Lal, Yogavāsiṣṭha (Mahārāmāyaṇa), p. 101
- “Due to ignorance of reality, without control over the senses, attachment and aversion arise within the body.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 5, Chapter 81, Verse 15
- “Through improper conduct, unwholesome actions, association with wicked people, and cultivation of impure thoughts, delusion increases.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 5, Chapter 81, Verse 18
- “O Rāghava, listen to the remedy for the widespread disease of ignorance that destroys discernment.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 223, Verse 22
- “Ignorance appears endless as long as it is not properly understood; once known, it vanishes like the mirage of water in a desert.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 6, Chapter 260, Verse 8
- Yogavāsiṣṭha, Gita Press Edition, Upaśama Prakaraṇa, p. 21
- “Just as frost disappears upon exposure to sunlight, ignorance is destroyed by direct realization of the Self.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 114, Verse 2
- “So long as ignorance remains, it relentlessly agitates the embodied soul with waves of suffering.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 114, Verse 3
- “Those who seek refuge in the Supreme Self attain Self-realization, just as shade follows one seeking protection from heat.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 114, Verse 4
- “As darkness disappears when the sun rises, so ignorance dissolves when discernment arises.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 224, Verse 2
- “When ignorance is examined in the light of Brahmic knowledge, its distinction between the known and unknown disappears.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 220, Verse 22
- “When closely examined, ignorance flees and vanishes, for being unreal, it cannot withstand inquiry.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 2, Chapter 20, Verse 36
- “Through tranquility alone is supreme good attained; tranquility is the highest state. It is auspiciousness, peace, and the destroyer of delusion.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 2, Chapter 13, Verse 51
- “The one who is established in tranquility becomes cool-minded and pure; even enemies turn into friends.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 2, Chapter 13, Verse 51
- “Contentment alone is the highest good; the contented person attains supreme rest.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 15, Chapter 2, Verse 2
- “Through inquiry, the intellect becomes sharp and perceives the Supreme Truth; inquiry alone is the great medicine for the long disease of worldly existence.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 14, Chapter 2, Verse 3
- “There is no means for the wise apart from inquiry; through inquiry, the intellect abandons the impure and attains the auspicious.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 14, Chapter 2, Verse 3
- “In this world, the only force that conquers delusion like frost is the association with noble souls.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 2, Chapter 16, Verse 4
- “Listen to the seven stages of knowledge; through them, one crosses the mire of delusion.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 171, Verse 2
- “Is one deluded or wise? The sages declare that noble desire preceded by detachment is called ‘Śubhecchā’.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 171, Verse 8
- “Through inquiry and noble desire, attachment to sense objects weakens; this state is called ‘Tanu-mānasā’.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 171, Verse 10
- “Through disciplined practice, one abides in the pure Self; this state is known as ‘Sattvāpatti’.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 171, Verse 11
- “Through the practice of detachment, the state of non-attachment is attained, known as ‘Asaṁsakti’.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 171, Verses 11–12
- “By constant practice of the fifth stage, firm establishment in the Self arises, free from inner and outer objects.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 171, Verse 13
- “Through long practice of the sixth stage, duality ceases; this supreme state is known as ‘Turyagā’.”
- — Yogavāsiṣṭha, Book 3, Chapter 171, Verse 15