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== अवस्था-त्रय-विवेकः ॥ Avastha-traya viveka ==

== अवस्था-त्रय-विवेकः ॥ Avastha-traya viveka ==

In the process of enquiring and understanding about the avastha-traya (अवस्था-त्रयम्) we are lead to the knowledge of Atman. Tattvabodha, Gaudapada Karikas, and the Mandukya Upanishad are good sources to explore the avastha-traya-viveka prakriya and their relation with the three shariras in detail. One can deduce whether Atman has the attributes of the waking state to assume the status of being a waker, whether it has the attributes of the dream to become the dreamer, or sleep to be the sleeper, or is free from all these attributes. As defined in Tattvabodha, Atman is अवस्थात्रयसाक्षी i.e., it is free from all the attributes of these states, and is a witness to all three states of experience, called as avastha-traya-saakshin. It is distinct from all the shariras, and all three states of experience.

In the process of enquiring and understanding about the avastha-traya (अवस्था-त्रयम्) we are lead to the knowledge of Atman. Tattvabodha, Gaudapada Karikas, and the Mandukya Upanishad are good sources to explore the avastha-traya-viveka prakriya and their relation with the three shariras in detail. One can deduce whether Atman has the attributes of the waking state to assume the status of being a waker, whether it has the attributes of the dream to become the dreamer, or sleep to be the sleeper, or is free from all these attributes. As defined in Tattvabodha, Atman is अवस्थात्रयसाक्षी i.e., it is free from all the attributes of these states, and is a witness to all three states of experience, called as avastha-traya-saakshin. It is distinct from all the shariras, and all three states of experience.

=== अवस्थात्रयं ॥ Avastha-traya ===

=== अवस्थात्रयं ॥ Avastha-traya ===

अवस्थात्रयं किम् '''?''' जाग्रत्स्वप्नसुषुप्त्यवस्थाः । (Tattvabodha)

<blockquote>अवस्थात्रयं किम् '''?''' जाग्रत्स्वप्नसुषुप्त्यवस्थाः । (Tattvabodha) </blockquote>What is avastha-trayam? What are the three states?  

 

What is avastha-trayam? What are the three states?  

They are the waking, dream, and deep sleep states.  

They are the waking, dream, and deep sleep states.  

Mandukya Upanishad starts with the exposition of the Pranava, the Om and describes the Vaishvanara Vidya or [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]] using the analogy of dreams. The second mantra, is

Mandukya Upanishad starts with the exposition of the Pranava, the Om and describes the Vaishvanara Vidya or [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]] using the analogy of dreams. The second mantra, is<blockquote>सर्वं ह्येतद् ब्रह्मायमात्मा ब्रह्म सोऽयमात्मा चतुष्पात् ॥ २ ॥ (Mand. Upan. 2)</blockquote>Meaning – All this, verily, is Brahman. The Atman is brahman. This Atman, has four quarters.

 

सर्वं ह्येतद् ब्रह्मायमात्मा ब्रह्म सोऽयमात्मा चतुष्पात् ॥ २ ॥ (Mand. Upan. 2)

 

Meaning – All this, verily, is Brahman. The Atman is brahman. This Atman, has four quarters.

The four quarters are depicted below with their characteristics. It should be noted that Atman here is present in all other three states also, which is the Sat that is required as an ashraya for all other three states to be displayed.

The four quarters are depicted below with their characteristics. It should be noted that Atman here is present in all other three states also, which is the Sat that is required as an ashraya for all other three states to be displayed.