“The Jivanmukta remains unaffected by praise or criticism.”
The verse: Yoga Vasistha 6.1.28.52
The quote above is our paraphrase. This is the verse as it reads in the Vihari-Lala Mitra translation (1891–99):
“Right discernment gives the mind its peace and tranquillity, and its freedom from all desires; and makes it indifferent to joy and grief, and callous to all praise and censure.”
About the text: Yoga Vasistha
The Yoga Vasistha is a long Sanskrit philosophical work, traditionally attributed to Valmiki, in which the sage Vasistha teaches Prince Rama through stories and dialogue. Its six books teach liberation through self-effort and insight. Scholars date it anywhere from about the 6th to the 14th century, and it probably grew over time.
More from the Yoga Vasistha
- “The Guru reveals the path when the disciple is ready.”
- “The wise see the world as it is—transient and insubstantial.”
- “Offer all actions to the divine without attachment.”
- “The wise move through life like a lotus on water—untouched.”
- “Renounce desires, and the universe becomes your playground.”
- “Right living paves the way to spiritual growth.”