The soul unattached to sensual gratification is liberated, having no idea of objects of the senses. Liberation, whether with or without the body, produces unselfishness. Know, O son of Raghu that everything in this world is obtainable by our efforts being properly employed. This knowledge — that there is no other way to gain results except but by our efforts — rises like the moon in the human mind and sheds its cooling and delightful influence to the heart. An effort, when directed according to the counsel and conduct of the good in the exercise of the action of the body and mind, is attended with success. Otherwise it is as vain as the freak of a madman.

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Yoga Vashishtha of Valmiki
Book II – The Aspirant Who Longs for Liberation
Chapter 4: Results Come from Effort, Not Fate or Chance
Book II
The Aspirant Who Longs for Liberation
(Mumukshu Khanda)
This section deals with the preparations required
of the person who seeks God and the moral and
mental qualities necessary to qualify for the
spiritual path.
Vashishtha states that peace of mind (shanti),
contentment (santosha), keeping the company
of realized sages (satsanga), and inquiry into
the nature of the soul (vichara) are the four
sentinels that guard the gates to moksha, or
liberation.
The belief that one is confined by fate is
severely condemned and the person who seeks
spiritual development is urged to rely on
personal efforts for progress on the spiritual
path.
The person should not shun action but should
learn to be indifferent to its fruits. One should not
be affected by the pleasures and pains that are the
inevitable accompaniment of action.
The person is advised to keep the company of
saints and to study the scriptures (Shastras),
particularly those dealing with self-knowledge
(atma vidya).

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Yoga Vashishtha of Valmiki
Book II – The Aspirant Who Longs for Liberation
Chapter 4: Results Come from Effort, Not Fate or Chance
Book II, Chapter 4
Results Come from Effort, Not Fate or Chance
Acts of the Present Life Are Stronger than Those of
Previous Lives
Vashishtha said:
1I know, gentle Rama, that liberation of the soul is
the same whether in its embodied or disembodied
state, just like seawater and its waves are the same
liquid substance.
2Liberation, whether of embodied or disembodied
spirits, consists in their detachment from the objects of
sense. Hence the soul unattached to sensual
gratification is liberated, having no idea of objects
of the senses.
3We see before us the living liberated sage (Vyasa)
as an embodied person, yet we have no doubt of
the detachment of his inner soul from this body.
4The difference between embodied and disembodied
souls, when they are equally enlightened and
liberated, is like that of the seawater in its calm and
billowy states.
5There is no more difference between liberation
in the body and without the body than there is
between the air in motion and at rest.

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Yoga Vashishtha of Valmiki
Book II – The Aspirant Who Longs for Liberation
Chapter 4: Results Come from Effort, Not Fate or Chance
6Liberation, whether with or without the body,
produces unselfishness. We have lost our
selfishness ever since we have come to the
knowledge of an undivided unity.
7Therefore attend to the true doctrine that I am
going to deliver to you, which will be a jewel to
your ears as it will dispel the darkness of
ignorance.
8Know, O son of Raghu, (a) that everything in this
world is obtainable by our efforts being
properly employed.
9This knowledge — (b) that there is no other way
to gain results except but by our efforts — rises
like the moon in the human mind and sheds its
cooling and delightful influence to the heart.
10It will become evident (c) that we see the
results of our efforts, and that nothing comes
from what the dull and mistaken call chance or
fate.
11An effort, when directed according to the
counsel and conduct of the good in the exercise of
the action of the body and mind, is attended with
success. Otherwise it is as vain as the freak of a
madman.

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Yoga Vashishtha of Valmiki
Book II – The Aspirant Who Longs for Liberation
Chapter 4: Results Come from Effort, Not Fate or Chance
12Thus he who hopes to acquire riches and
perseveres in its acquisition surely succeeds in
gaining them, or else he stops short midway.
13It was by means of their efforts that some
particular persons have obtained the paramount
dominion of Indra over the three worlds.
14It is by effort that one attains the rank of the
lotus-born (Brahma), and some by effort even gain
the inner joy of the state of Brahma.
15It is by virtue of effort that somebody becomes
the best among men, even as he who bears the flag of
the eagle (Vishnu among the gods).
16It was by the exertion of one’s efforts that some
succeeded to obtain the form of Shiva accompanied
by his female power and adorned by the crescent moon
as his crest.
17Know our actions to be of two kinds, namely
those of former and present lives. Know that the
acts of the present life generally supersede
those of the past.
18Know also that energy joined with constant
practice and supported by wisdom and some
stimulating force is able to break down Mount

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Yoga Vashishtha of Valmiki
Book II – The Aspirant Who Longs for Liberation
Chapter 4: Results Come from Effort, Not Fate or Chance
Meru and the demerits of acts in men’s former
lives.
19The exertions of a man proceeding from his good
efforts and countenanced by the law lead to his
success, or else they either go for nothing or turn
to his disadvantage.
20A man laid up in a state of disability is unable to
twist his figure to hold a little water in the hollow
of his palm to drink.
Meanwhile there is another who (by his well-
directed efforts) gets possession of seas, islands,
mountains and cities for himself, supports all his
dependents and relations, and does not think this
earth too great for him.
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Recap
(a) That everything in this world is obtainable by our
efforts being properly employed and (b) This
knowledge — that there is no other way to gain results
except but by our efforts clearly implies that the
creation of this world is based on activity and (c) what
we see is the result of our efforts. There is nothing by
fate or chance.

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Yoga Vashishtha of Valmiki
Book II – The Aspirant Who Longs for Liberation
Chapter 4: Results Come from Effort, Not Fate or Chance
The inherent feature of our soul is INACTIVITY but
ever since it was attached with mind and outer
coverings of causal, astral and physical bodies it has
become used to ACTIVITY.
ACTIVITY has become our second nature and our mind
is never at rest. In order to go back to the real nature of
our soul we shall have to use ACTIVITY to go back to
INACTIVITY.
This is advised by Lord Krishna in ‘The Gita’ and he
termed it as ‘Right Activity’ that will have to be
performed now while living as human being to lead us
to the real state of our soul i.e. INACTIVITY. This
technique has to be learnt from an adept Teacher and
then put into practice while living.
This calls for an effort i.e. RIGHT EFFORT now
while living as human being and mere thought
that just being good will get us anywhere is living
in a fool’s paradise.
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Meaning
Countenance: Consent to; give permission.
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