MANDUKYA UPANISHAD with GAUDAPADA’S KARIKA : 7 - Swami Advayananda ji.

Chinmaya Mission :

Chinmaya Mission Seattle commenced its annual Bala Vihar classes for the year with great enthusiasm marking a promising beginning to another enriching year ahead. The event was graced by the blessings of Pujya Gurudev, infusing the gathering with spiritual energy and purpose.

The day witnessed a remarkable turnout, with a full house of eager students and dedicated volunteers. The children's excitement was palpable, reflecting the positive atmosphere that surrounded the event. The weather, seemingly in harmony with the occasion, was absolutely perfect.

Amidst this harmonious setting, the day was further brightened by the presence of generous individuals who contributed delicious food, fostering a sense of community and togetherness. These moments of joy and unity highlighted the significance of Chinmaya Mission Seattle's mission to provide spiritual education to the younger generation.

With such a propitious start, the mission is poised for another fulfilling and spiritually enriching year ahead, fostering the growth and well-being of all involved.

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Friday, 29 Sep 2023. 06:45.

MANDUKYA UPANISHAD 

with Part 1/4 of GAUDAPADA’S KARIKA

Agama Prakarana – “The Scriptural Treatise”

PART 1: Agama Prakarana (Mantras-29. )

Kar. Section 1.1: EXPERIENCE & ENJOYMENT (Mantras 1-5) 

Commentary on Mantras 1-5 of Mandukya Upanishad

Mantram - 4: The Second Pada – Dream State Consciousness

Post-7.

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Mantram - 4: The Second Pada – Dream State Consciousness.

1

swapnah sthaanah,  =  The sphere of activity in the dream state

antah prajnah;   =  is the internal, conscious world of impressions;

2

sapta-angah,   =   i) It has seven limbs;

ekona vimshati mukhah;  =   ii) and nineteen mouths; and

3 

pravivikta bhukh;   =  iii) it enjoys the subtle objects of the mental world –

4 

taijasah dviteeyah paadah.   =  Such is the second quarter called TAIJASA.

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 4 

The sphere of the Second Quarter of Consciousness named TAIJASA is the dream 

state. This state is restricted only to the individual mind, not the senses and body. As per the 

block above, it is also restricted to Taijasa and not extended to Hiranyagarbha.

1 Swapna: 

“the dream state”. In the dream state the senses (and, of course, the 

sense objects) are not available. The mind alone is active and energized. Its activity is 

unrestrained since the physical body is not there to restrict its expression. The mind’s 

energy and power of imagination is heightened. This is why it is called Taijasa, a name that 

reflects the unrestrained freedom and imagination enjoyed by the dream thoughts.

Antah Prajnah: 

During the waking state, the interaction of Consciousness with the 

world of objects leaves many impressions in the mind. For example, there may be 

impressions of anger associated with a certain object. These impressions become the 

material from which dreams are made or projected. The mind picks up its “objects” from 

the reservoir of memories stored in the mind.

There is no external stimulus acting upon the mind. Whatever happens in the mind is 

as a result of existing tendencies (Vasanas) of the mind. The content of mental impressions 

determines the dream produced. There is awareness only of internal objects, and these are

illumined by Prajna’s own light; an external light is not required to light up one’s dream.

2 

i) 

“The Seven Limbs” are the same as we had in the waking state, except that 

instead of gross objects, here it is subtle objects in the form of thoughts arising in the mind.

However, note that the thoughts can be on microcosmic as well as macrocosmic objects. 

Hence, the whole table of the “Seven Limbs” applies here just as in the first Quarter.

ii) 

“The 19 Mouths” of Taijasa are the same as for Vaishvanara in the previous mantram.

Here again we have to clarify that as a dreamer, only part of his subtle body is available; his 

intellect and his senses are not available to him. However, in his dream, his whole subtle 

body is available to him. He can dream about his senses carrying out various sensory 

functions; or he can dream that his intellect is solving some mathematical problem or 

planning some project. His whole subtle body can be part of his dream, just as his whole 

gross body can be part of his dream.

3 Pravivikta Bhuk: 

The gross world is not physically available in dream, except as a 

dream world. Thus the only real objects enjoyed in dream are the “subtle objects”, namely,

the impressions stored in the mind during the waking state. 

Common to both waking and dream states is Anyatha Grahana or the awareness of  “the other”, i.e. Duality. This entire text will deal exhaustively on this topic.

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Next

Mantram - 5: The Third Pada – Deep Sleep Consciousness(Vyashti)

To be continued

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