Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 18, Verse 94
Order Now 
Ashtavakra Gita 18.94 -
सुप्तोऽपि न सुषुप्तौ च स्वप्नेऽपि शयितो न च ।
जागरेऽपि न जागर्ति धीरस्तृप्त: पदे पदे
supto’pi na suṣuptau ca svapne’pi śayito na ca .
jāgare’pi na jāgarti dhīras-tṛptaḥ pade pade .. 18-94..
In sleep not asleep, in dream not lying also, in wakefulness not awake, the wise one is contented in all states.
Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
The world is but our experience, which is its sole proof. In evaluating the world and allied matters, one’s experience thus becomes paramount. Our experience is spread over three basic states – waking, sleep and dream. World is displayed only in waking. It ceases to be for one third of the day, when we sleep. Dream transpiring during our sleep clearly shows that the sleeping Consciousness is capable of producing all by itself a full world of matter and energy, similar to that we interact with during wakeful hours.
The three states transit and recur. They can do so only around a non-transiting substratum. That is the ‘I’, the Self. Every one is that Self, and the three states are its creation. Knower abides in their changeless substratum. That is his identity. He only glides through waking, sleep and dream. The three states become lighter, less and less impressive for him.
Thus, even while sleeping, he sleeps not. In wakefulness he does not have the deluding wakeful effects. Dream incidents taint him not. He only witnesses the display in the three states.
Sage Vasishtha tells Rama (5.16.22 ): In wakefulness, he is as if in sleep, with mental modifications sublimated. Like the brilliant moon, its digits waxing and waning, he is ever graced with the splendorous delight of the Self. When neither wakeful distractions, nor stupor of sleep, nor flood of dream has any delusional effects, such a one is said to be liberated, the ever-blissful substratum, the Self.
Select Chapter and Verse
