[Advaita-l] Question of Yoga Vashishta

[H S Chandramouli]

Namaste Sri Rao Ji,

Reg  <<  Yoga Vashishta (YV)  is by same Sage Valmiki, presumably before
Shankara and others, with profound wisdom. Then why did Sankara make any
reference to it, despite its richness in content. Not sure whether Ramanuja
made any reference to YV in his texts >>,

While the date of YV is not established with any certitude, it is generally
accepted that it was perhaps around the same time as that of Sri
Bhagavatpada or even later. Hence it is not surprising that it did not find
a place in his Bhashyas.

Reg   << Parts of ItiHasas are considered as essential texts for Sadhana
(eg, Gita, Sanatsujatiya etc). Why didn't parts of Vasishta Ramayana, find
a reference spot in Prakarana Grantham even. Is it that only works by Veda
Vyasa (Edited or written) are considered as Pramanas? >>,

As above as far as Prakarana Granthas of Sri Bhagavatpada are concerned.
However  YV is extensively cited in JMV of Swami Vidyaranya. Sri Ramana
Maharshi also referred to it often. Swami Sivabalayogi also was very  fond
of YV and recommended it to his disciples.

It may also be relevant to point out that  YV does differ  from Advaita
Sidhanta advanced by Sri Bhagavatpada  in many  sidhantic  aspects. However
the many of the sAdhanas  recommended in YV are  accepted as useful  in
advaita also. Just as with Yoga Darshana of Sage Patanjali.

My understanding.
Regards

On Mon, Sep 19, 2022 at 1:11 PM VTCS Rao via Advaita-l <
advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:

> Dear learned group,
>
> I have a couple of questions that often bother me; the group may have
> discussed earlier.
>
> 1. Yoga Vashishta (YV)  is by same Sage Valmiki, presumably before
> Shankara and others, with profound wisdom. Then why did Sankara make any
> reference to it, despite its richness in content. Not sure whether Ramanuja
> made any reference to YV in his texts.
>
> 2. Parts of ItiHasas are considered as essential texts for Sadhana (eg,
> Gita, Sanatsujatiya etc). Why didn't parts of Vasishta Ramayana, find a
> reference spot in Prakarana Grantham even. Is it that only works by Veda
> Vyasa (Edited or written) are considered as Pramanas?
>
> Appreciate comments from the elite group members.
>
> Best Regards/  VTCS
>
> VTCS Rao, Dean L&T IPM
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