Introduction to Mandukya Upanishad Mantra 7 and Gaudapada’s Commentary on Deep Sleep
The Mandukya Upanishad is a profound scripture that explores the nature of consciousness through its description of four states of the Self: waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and the transcendental Turiya. Mantra 7 focuses on the state of deep sleep (Suṣupti), where the individual experiences a unified, undifferentiated consciousness free from mental activity and sensory perception. This state, though seemingly a state of ignorance, is actually the foundation of all experience and completeness. Gaudapada’s Karikas (10 to 12) provide a detailed philosophical commentary, explaining how the Self in deep sleep is bound by ignorance yet pure and beyond dualities such as pleasure and pain. The Self here is described as detached, fearless, and the ultimate reality — Brahman. Together, these texts offer deep insight into the nature of reality and the essence of our true Self. For More Information Click Here
The Third State of Consciousness in Mandukya Upanishad — Mantra 7 and Gaudapada’s Commentary
Mantra 7
Sanskrit:
सुषुप्त्यावस्था तु प्रज्ञालिङ्गनम्॥
तस्याऽऽत्मा अविद्यायाम् अवस्थायाम्॥
स पूर्णमदृष्टमव्यक्तमचेतनं निरञ्जनम्॥
अब्रह्मव्यापारं नान्तःकरणसमुद्धृतम्॥
न प्राग्ज्ञानं न चाप्राग्ज्ञानम्॥
न चोदितं न च प्रवृत्तम्॥
न निरुद्धं न चैकाग्रम्॥
न च विषयव्यवहारि न निरवसायि॥
न सुखं न दुःखं न शुभाशुभम्॥
तस्मात् तिष्ठन्नपरेतरं नान्तं न बहिर् न च मध्यम्॥
न सर्वं न किञ्चित्॥
न च संप्रकल्पः॥
न संप्रत्ययः॥
न प्रमाणम्॥
न अभावश्चेत्यपि वेदितव्यः॥
सर्वगः सर्वभूतानि मध्येऽप्यन्यत्र न स्थितः॥
Meaning
This Mantra describes the state of deep sleep (Suṣupti) — the third state of consciousness beyond waking (Jāgrat) and dreaming (Svapna).
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The Self in deep sleep is undifferentiated, unconscious, without mental impressions or dreams.
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It is pure, unmanifested, inert, beyond intellect and ego, free from all dualities like knowledge/ignorance, action/inactivity, happiness/sorrow, auspicious/inauspicious.
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The Self here is unaffected by sensory experience or internal thought.
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It is not inside, outside, or in between — transcending space and distinctions.
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It is the all-pervading substratum of all beings, yet is beyond all descriptions and conceptualizations.
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Though it appears to be a state of ignorance, it is actually the foundation for all experience and the source of all.
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The Self in this state is said to be complete, whole, and indivisible.
Gaudapada Karika on Mandukya Upanishad Mantra 7 (KARIKA 10 to 12)
KARIKA 10
Avidyaya pratibaddho hi prajna linganaatmanah |
Svasthasya sthiti hetutah susuptih parama gati ||
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The Self in deep sleep is bound by ignorance (Avidya).
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It appears as undifferentiated consciousness (Prajña-lingam).
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The Self is established in its own state.
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Deep sleep is the highest state of existence (Paramagati).
Explanation:
Gaudapada explains that the Self, in deep sleep, is seemingly enveloped by ignorance and appears as a unified consciousness without distinctions. This state is considered the cause for the individual’s stability and well-being, and it is the highest destination or state beyond waking and dreaming. For More Information Click Here
KARIKA 11
Asakti adwesha maitrinirbhayakarah sukha duhkha upasama guna lakshanah |
Samastha jagat prabhuh sadasatpriya parama satyam brahmetyabhidhiyate ||
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The Self in deep sleep is unattached, free from hatred and affection.
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It is fearless, beyond pleasure and pain, and devoid of qualities.
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It is the lord of all beings, beloved of the real and unreal alike.
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This highest reality is called Brahman.
Explanation:
The Self is characterized by complete detachment, absence of dualities like love and hate, and is beyond all experiences of pleasure and pain. It is the supreme ruler and reality, termed as Brahman.
KARIKA 12
Tadevam suptam svarupam dvaitam punah punar na vidyate |
Svatmanah svam sadrisham prakatya samsara pavana tathaa ||
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This state of the Self in deep sleep is its true nature.
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Duality (Dvaita) does not exist in this state.
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When the Self reveals itself, it purifies the cycle of birth and death (Samsara).
Explanation:
The deep sleep state is the true nature of the Self, where duality disappears. The manifestation of this true Self purifies and liberates one from the cycle of Samsara (reincarnation).
Adi Shankaracharya’s Insights on Mandukya Upanishad Mantra 7 (Suṣupti State)
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Deep Sleep as the Third State of Consciousness
Shankaracharya explains that Suṣupti is the state where the mind and senses are completely withdrawn, and there is no experience of the external world or dreams. It is characterized by the absence of duality and differentiation. -
Ignorance (Avidya) and the Self
Although the state appears as ignorance because of the absence of waking or dream experiences, it is not the ultimate ignorance of the Self but only apparent ignorance due to the mind’s inactivity. The Self remains pure and untouched, like a lamp covered by a cloth. -
The Self as Pure Consciousness and Bliss (Ananda)
In Suṣupti, the Self is experienced as a blissful, undivided consciousness without objects or distinctions. This bliss is real, but it is veiled by ignorance in the waking state. -
Non-Duality (Advaita) in Deep Sleep
Shankara emphasizes that the Self in deep sleep is the non-dual reality (Advaita Brahman), free from all attributes (Nirguna) and dualities such as pleasure and pain, knowledge and ignorance. There is no ‘otherness’ in this state. -
Foundation for Waking and Dream States
Deep sleep is the substratum for the waking and dream states; from this state, all experiences arise and into it they dissolve. The waking and dream states are superimpositions on this pure consciousness. For More Information Click Here -
The Highest State Leading to Liberation
Though deep sleep is often misunderstood as ignorance or unconsciousness, Shankaracharya points out that realizing the Self as this blissful, undivided consciousness leads to liberation (Moksha). The state of Turiya (the fourth state) transcends even deep sleep and is the ultimate goal.
Conclusion
The state of deep sleep (Suṣupti) reveals the Self as pure, undivided consciousness beyond all dualities and mental activity. Though veiled by apparent ignorance, it is the foundation of all experience and ultimate bliss. Gaudapada’s Karikas and Adi Shankaracharya’s commentary both affirm this state as a reflection of the non-dual Brahman. Understanding Suṣupti helps one transcend waking and dreaming, moving closer to the realization of Turiya—the supreme, transcendental state. This insight guides seekers toward liberation by recognizing the Self’s true nature beyond illusion. Ultimately, deep sleep points us to the eternal, blissful reality that is our innermost essence.
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