Chapter-18, Verse 94

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.94

सुप्तोऽपि न सुषुप्तौ च स्वप्नेऽपि शयितो न च।

जागरेऽपि न जागर्ति धीरस्तृप्तः पदे पदे॥९४॥

The Wise One is not asleep, even when in deep sleep. He is not lying down, even when dreaming. He is not awake, even in his waking state. He is contented under all conditions.

For the first time in the Saṁhitā, Aṣṭāvakra is making an attempt to describe the Man of Perfection with reference to our common experiences in the three different planes of Consciousness. Ordinarily a man gathers his total experiences of life from the planes of the waking, dream and dreamless sleep. The Liberated in life is one who has transcended all these usual planes, wherein we function through our gross, subtle and causal bodies. The Self-Realized, lives awakened to the Fourth plane of  Consciousness

(turīya), in a state of unbroken ‘ecstasy’. He has identified himself with the Pure Consciousness here, which is the very Consciousness that illumines all the experiences in the three lesser states of awareness in all creatures, everywhere.

Therefore, Aṣṭāvakra explains ‘the Wise One is not asleep even when in deep sleep; is not lying down even when dreaming; is not awake even when in the waking state’. The ego alone can experience, in its vanity, that ‘I am the waker, dreamer or the deep sleeper’ and directly lives the joys and sorrows in all these three planes.

Comparison with three similar verses from different Vedic texts:

1. From the Katha Upanishad (कठोपनिषद्), verse 2.2.15:

यस्त्वविज्ञानवान्भवत्ययुक्तेन मनसा सदा।

तस्येन्द्रियाण्यवश्यानि दुष्टाश्वा इव सारथेः॥१५॥

But when the self-controlled person, using his mind, realizes the soul as his supreme identity, the senses, like the horses of a chariot, gradually come under control.

This verse highlights the importance of self-control and the mastery of one's senses. It suggests that when an individual attains Self-Realization and recognizes the True Nature of their soul, their senses become obedient and submissive, akin to well-controlled horses pulling a chariot.

2. From the Yoga Vasistha (योग वासिष्ठ), verse 4.3.3:

यः स्वप्ने जाग्रति विश्वं यः स्वप्नेऽपि विश्रामयेत्।

तमाहुः सर्ववेदान्तिनः सोऽविज्ञात्मा स उच्यते॥३॥

One who remains aware even in a dream state and finds rest even in dreams, such a person is considered to be a Knower of the Self, for they remain unaffected by the illusions of the mind.

This verse from the Yoga Vasistha emphasizes the importance of Self-Awareness and the ability to find Inner Peace even in the midst of dream experiences. It suggests that those who remain unaffected by the illusions of the mind, maintaining a state of Awareness and tranquility, are considered to be enlightened individuals.

3. From the Mundaka Upanishad (मुण्डक उपनिषद्), verse 3.2.9:

यदा सर्वे प्रमुच्यन्ते कामा येऽस्य हृदि श्रिताः।

अथ मर्त्योऽमृतो भवत्यत्र ब्रह्म समश्नुते॥९॥

When all desires that dwell in the heart are set free, the mortal becomes immortal, and in Brahman, the Supreme Reality, they find complete fulfillment.

This verse highlights the concept of liberation from desires. It suggests that when one transcends worldly desires and attachments, they attain immortality and find ultimate fulfillment in the Realization of the Supreme Reality (Brahman).

These verses from different Vedic texts share a common theme of attaining Inner Peace, Self-Realization, and liberation from desires. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a balanced and contented state of mind, regardless of external circumstances or States of Consciousness.