Ramayana has always been a source of inspiration. For any student, Lord Sri Rama is an ideal role model. Rama is described as a eka santha grahi (one who can grasp any knowledge at the first attempt). Such was the power of concentration, interest and love for knowledge :)
I was always interested in understanding the relationship between the Lord and his Guru. Yoga Vasishta is the apt text to understand this subtle relationship and revel in the role of Sri Rama as the ideal student. Here, it would be pertinent to bring out the subtle comparison with the Bhagavad Gita, where the Lord is the teacher and Arjuna is the student. Sri Rama's questioning seems crisp, and precise and that of a student determined to seek the truth while Arjuna's approachis that of a confused student.
The setting of Yoga Vasishta is right after the gurukala vasam of Lord Sri Rama and before Vishwamitra's arrival. Sri Rama, just like, Siddhartha wants to understand the reason behind the pursuit of pleasure and subsequent pain, the impermanent nature of life and the pursuit of truth. Sri Rama refuses to go with Vishwamitra unless he gets clarity on the above topics. So, the stage is set for the delivery of Yoga Vashishta.
I can relate to how happy, Vashista would have felt on having such a worthy student :) Vasishta mentions in the first chapter that this text is meant for aspirants who feel "bound in this world" and aspire to be liberated, meant for aspirants who are neither totally ignorant nor spiritually illumined. Again, this seems to be like the specifications are designed for Lord Rama ... quite Bhagavad Gita, where the Lord prepares his student, Arjuna, for the message that he is going to deliver :)
What is stunning is the way the first chapter concludes. Lord Rama says that he knows that he does not have the answers to the questions related to supreme truth (quite unlike the fountainhead of spiritual bliss), but is ready to face any physical hardships to attain this knowledge. Lord Rama goes on to say that he will abandon all desires and remain in complete silence (like a picture/sculpture) till he receives the knowledge by the blessings of his Guru :) Makes me wonder if the Lord is still standing in his silent glowing benevolent form all over our country, reminding us about the day he took this vratam in the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and peace:)
NOTE : points referred from Yoga Vasishta Sara Sangraha - Swami Tejomayananda - Chinmaya Mission Trust
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