Absolute peace of mind is the ultimate goal mankind hopes to attain because only peace of mind brings true happiness. This calls for renunciation of material pursuits and practising one-pointed devotion devoid of self-interest with a sense of surrender to the Almighty. This is what the Lord calls by the word 'Sthitaprajna' who has attained equanimity of mind treating sorrows and joys alike and whose intellect becomes firmly established in God. In another context the Lord tells Arjuna " There is no doubt that the mind is turbulent and difficult to control; only by constant practice of meditation and by dispassion, this control can be achieved" ( Gita 6-35 ). Only a calm mind is conducive to meditation.

How one can by self-enquiry and renunciation attain peace of mind is told in the form of a story in Yoga Vasishta. The Yoga Vasishta composed by Valmiki comprises the teachings of Sage Vasishta to Lord Rama in the court of king Dasaratha at the bidding of Brahma Himself. This work consisting of 32000 verses is considered as the ultimate authority as far as the nature of the Reality and that of the world are concerned. In this exemplary classic in spirituality, sage Vasishta through his wise counsel made an extremely despondent Sri Rama a thoroughly enlightened person and a competent emperor with necessay courage and vision. These teachings of the sage Vasishta make one boldly face life without any misgivings or doubts. To attain liberation, the Baghavadgita emphasises Karma yoga, the Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana extols Bhaktiyoga whereas the Yoga Vasishta places emphasis on Jnana Yoga. Stressing the importance of perfect peace as indivisible, sage Vasishta recounts the story of King Suraghu to Lord Rama.

At the foot of the Himalyan peak , Kailasa, was Hemajata, the kingdom of the Kiratas. This kingdom was being ruled by a noble and valorous king by name Suraghu. Though as a king should, he was protecting the virtuous and punishing the wicked, he had no mental peace as his mind was swayed very much by the joys and sorrows of his actions. He could not understand the reason for his restlessness. He felt sad on seeing the

sufferings of others. At this juncture, one day the seer, Mandavya came to his palace. The king welcomed the seer with all respect and requested him to enlighten him as to the reason for his restlessness and show him the right path to lasting peace. The learned seer stated that the darkness of mind can be got rid of by one's own effort and self-abidance. Discrimination enables one to realize the Self and having attained such great heights, mind becomes unconcerned about worldly matters. By internal self-enquiry as to the nature of individual soul, the cause of the emergence of the universe as well as the cause of the cycle of birth and death one can come to know the Reality. Thereafter, the mind will attain tranquility discarding the doubts entertained so far.

Renunciation should be practised in order to realize the Supreme Self. After total renunciation only, the Supreme Self manifests itself. Some have attained immortality only through renunciation and not by doing scripture-ordained duties, progeny , nor wealth ( Mahanarayanopanishat 12.3.4 ). The king, Suraghu started his atma-vichara in all right earnest trying to find an answer to the question " who he was ?". He was neither the external or internal body nor the intellect. He understood that pure consciousness alone remained which pervades all and all directions . He realized that happiness and sorrow are all that Brahman. Enjoying equanimity of mind, king Suraghu ruled over his kingdom for thousands of years. Thus, freed from the delusion of samsara and all desires, Suraghu was able to abide in the blissful, serene and enduring Self. Through practice of detachment, the king attained supreme bliss on the instructions of the seer, Mandavya.