The Teaching Rāma Asked For

On the day Viśvāmitra came to Daśaratha's court to ask for Rāma, before Rāma went with him, Rāma was sunk in a deep sadness that had come over him after a pilgrimage to the holy places. He did his daily duties only when he was begged to, ate little, took no pleasure in anything, and sat alone. When Vasiṣṭha had counselled the king and Daśaratha sent for his son, Rāma, called before the king and the sages, spoke of how nothing in the world could give him lasting joy. The sages of heaven came down to hear him, Nārada and Vyāsa and many others, and sat in Daśaratha's hall.

Then Viśvāmitra said to them: Rāma has understood. What he needs is only a little wiping of the mirror of his mind. Let the blessed Vasiṣṭha, who is here, give him the reasoning that will bring his mind to rest. He has always been the lord and the family teacher of all the Raghus; he knows all things and sees the three times clearly. And he turned to his old rival and said, Vasiṣṭha, do you remember the knowledge that Brahmā taught long ago on Mount Niṣadha, for the ending of the enmity between the two of us and for the good of the sages? Teach that knowledge quickly to Rāma, your pupil, so that he may come to rest. It will be no labour, for his mind is clean, and a face is seen in a clear mirror without any effort.

The sages cried, Well said, well said. And Vasiṣṭha, sitting beside the king like a second Brahmā, said, Sage, I will do what you ask of me. Who can go against the word of the good? I will take away the darkness of the princes' minds with knowledge, as a lamp takes away the darkness of the night. I remember, whole and unbroken, the knowledge Brahmā gave on Mount Niṣadha for the ending of delusion. And he began to teach Rāma, and his teaching fills the long book that bears his name, the Yoga Vāsiṣṭha.