MIND : ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL :5. (f).1.

Chapter-5.THE THREE AVASTHAS :



(f). SUSHUPTI AVASTHA (DEEP SLEEP STATE) : 1.



When the mind enters the Puritat Nadi, the state of deep sleep sets in.

In Dridha Sushupti (dreamless sleep), you have a cessation of empirical consciousness.

There is no play of the mind in this Avastha (state).

There is neither Raga nor Dvesha (attraction or repulsion, like or dislike).

The mind gets Laya into its cause.

Manolaya (involution of the mind) takes place.

There is no play of the Indriyas (organs, senses) too.



This state of profound sleep is not a complete non-being or negative, for such a hypothesis conflicts with the later recollections of a happy repose of sleep.

The self continues to exist, though it is bereft of all experiences.

The consciousness is continuous.

You feel you have existed even during sleep as soon as you are awake.

You feel that you exist always.

Vedantins build their philosophy around this Sushupti Avastha.

This stage gives them the clue to the non-dual state (Advaitic state).

A careful study of the three states-Jagrat, Svapna and Sushupti (waking, dreaming and deep sleep)—is of immense practical use for the clear understanding of the Vedanta.


Swami Sivananda

To be continued  ...