Summary of Prashna Upanishad Chapter 4: Verses 5–9
In the dream state, the mind creates vivid experiences, making the individual assume various roles and feel diverse emotions, all shaped by past impressions. During deep sleep, these mental activities cease, and the mind along with the senses withdraws into a state of rest. Though the individual appears unaware, the vital life forces continue to function, and the mind merges with its source. This state reveals the true Self—fearless, beyond sorrow, and free from attachment. The Self is eternal, unborn, and unaffected by the changing world or actions. It is the pure witness and knower, untouched by pain or pleasure. For More Information Click Here
Prashna Upanishad Chapter 4: Verses 5 to 9 – Explained
Verse 5
“In that state (dream), the individual becomes a king, or noble, or scholar, or servant. He imagines various things, good and bad, seen and unseen, created by his own mind.”
Explanation:
The dreamer experiences various roles and situations—pleasure or pain—projected from past impressions and mental constructs. The mind acts as the creator, painting an illusory world based on desires, fears, and memories. For More Information Click Here
Verse 6
“But when he becomes absorbed in deep sleep, there are no chariots, horses, roads, joys, or sorrows, because the mind is at rest and the senses are withdrawn.”
Explanation:
In deep sleep, all dualities and dream-created objects disappear. There is no activity, as the mind and senses are inactive, and the Self remains as pure awareness, untouched by experience.
Verse 7
“In this state, the vital breaths (pranas) remain, and the mind is absorbed in its source. The individual does not know anything — neither inner nor outer — in this deep stillness.”
Explanation:
Though unaware, the life-force (Prana) continues functioning. The mind becomes merged in its causal state, and the individual experiences non-dual, undisturbed existence, though without awareness of it.
Verse 8
“That is the Self (Atman), the one who is fearless and beyond evil. Just as people who know him do not grieve, so also this knower becomes free from sorrow.”
Explanation:
This deep sleep state hints at the nature of the Self — peaceful, untouched by suffering. Knowing this Atman leads to fearlessness and liberation from sorrow, as all grief arises from duality.
Verse 9
“This Self is unborn, undying, not attached to anything. It is not affected by actions or pain. It is the seer, thinker, knower — the eternal.”
Explanation:
The Atman is eternal, not subject to birth, death, or karma. It is the witness of all experiences but remains unaffected, just like the sun illumines everything but remains untouched by what it shines upon. For More Information Click Here
Adi Shankaracharya’s Insight: The Self Beyond Dreams and Sleep
- Dreams are mind-made illusions:
Shankara emphasizes that the dream state is not real. It’s constructed by the mind using past impressions (samskaras). The individual seems to become a king or a beggar, but this has no objective reality — it is Maya at play. - Deep sleep reveals the nature of the Self:
In deep sleep, all mental activity ceases — there is no “I”, no world, no suffering. Yet consciousness remains, pointing to the true nature of the Self (Atman) as unchanging awareness. - The Self is different from mind and body:
Even when the mind is inactive (as in deep sleep), the Self remains — showing it is not the mind, senses, or even Prana. The witnessing Self is independent and real. - Knowing the Self leads to freedom from sorrow:
Just as sages who know the Self are free from grief, so too the seeker becomes fearless and detached upon realizing the Self. Sorrow arises only due to ignorance of one’s true nature. - The Self is eternal, actionless, and pure:
Shankara explains that the Self is unborn, undecaying, and unaffected by karma or duality. It does not act or enjoy — it only illumines all experiences, just as a lamp illumines objects without involvement. For More Information Click Here - Liberation comes through Self-knowledge:
The purpose of studying dream and deep sleep is to discriminate between the real (Self) and unreal (mind/world). Realizing the Atman as distinct and untouched brings moksha (liberation).
Conclusion
These verses teach that beneath waking and dreaming lies a profound reality—the Atman, which is pure consciousness. The Self remains unchanged by the fluctuations of mind and body, symbolizing the ultimate truth and freedom. Recognizing this eternal Self dissolves fear and sorrow and leads to liberation. The dream and deep sleep states are pointers to the inner Self’s transcendental nature. This knowledge encourages seekers to look beyond transient experiences to the unchanging reality within. Ultimately, it is the realization of this Self that brings lasting peace and bliss.
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