Contents and stories of the Yoga Vasistha

The below list gives an overview of the contents and stories in the Yoga Vasistha, as it appears in Swami Venkatesananda's translation. The same stories are included in the Moksopaya, on which the Yoga Vasistha was based, as well.

In the beginning of the book Vasistha states that the stories have a "definite purpose and a limited intention. They are not to be taken literally, nor is their significance to be stretched beyond the intention."

Section Two: On the Behavior of a Seeker

 * The Story of Śuka
 * Self Effort

Section Three: On Creation

 * The Story of Lila
 * The Story of Karkati
 * The Story of the Sons of Indu
 * The Story of Ahalya
 * The Story of the Great Forest
 * The Story of the Three Non-Existent Princes
 * The Story of Lavana

Section Four: On Existence

 * The Story of Sukra
 * The Story of Dama, Vyala and Kata
 * The Story of Bhima, Bhasa and Drdha
 * The Story of Dasura
 * Kaca’s Story

Section Five: On Dissolution

 * The Story of King Janaka
 * The Story of Punya and Pavana
 * The Story of Bali
 * The Story of Prahlada
 * The Story of Gadhi
 * The Story of Uddalaka
 * The Story of Suraghu
 * The Story of Bhasa and Vilasa
 * The Story of Vitahavya

Section Six: On Liberation

 * Discourse on Brahman
 * The Story of Bhusunda
 * Description of the Lord
 * Deva Puja
 * The Story of the Wood-apple
 * The Story of the Rock
 * The Story of Arjuna
 * The Story of the Hundred Rudra
 * The Story of the Vampire
 * The Story of Bhagiratha
 * The Story of Sikhidvaja and Cudala
 * The Story of the Philosopher’s Stone
 * The Story of the Foolish Elephant
 * The Story of Kaca
 * the Story of the Deluded Man
 * The Story of Vipascit
 * The Story of the Hunter and the Sage
 * The World Within the Rock
 * The Story of the Sage from Outer Space
 * The Story of Bhrngisa
 * The Story of lksvaku
 * The Story of the Hunter and the Deer
 * The Seven States of Yoga