മനഃപ്രശാന്തത (Manaprasantata)

Yogavasishta Ramayanam comprising 32,000 verses, composed by Valmiki himself, is a dialogue between Vasishta and Rama enacted in Ayodhya quite unexpectedly, to rid the mental agony experienced by a sixteen-year old Sree Ramachandra on his return from a pilgrimage. As it is a Yogic Principle that emanated from Vasishta’s mouth, it is Yoga-Vasishtam, and as it is about Rama, it is indeed Ramayanam; thus it became Yoga-Vasishta Ramayanam.

There are six Prakaranams or subdivisions in Yoga-Vasishta Ramayanam – Vairagyam, Mumukshu, Utpathi, Sthiti, Upashamam and Nirvanam. Upashamam brings about peace. ‘Quietitude of the Mind’ is a book Swamiji had written in English, selecting 488 relevant verses from this Prakaranam that contains 4272 verses, explaining their meanings and commenting on their values. ‘Manaprashantata’, the Malayalam version of this book, is being presented by Swamiji himself.

Intelligence is the only factor that can influence the mind. It is using this equipment, that Vasishta says and Rama listens. On hearing and getting enlightened, the agonies of the mind vanish, clarity and peace surface, and happiness and bliss are experienced. Let reading and getting introduced to this book ‘Manaprashantata’, a description of direct experiences, be self-compelling to devotees and seekers alike.