Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 27
Guṇa-viveka, Haṁsa-gītā, and the Yoga that Cuts False Ego
जाग्रत् स्वप्न: सुषुप्तं च गुणतो बुद्धिवृत्तय: । तासां विलक्षणो जीव: साक्षित्वेन विनिश्चित: ॥ २७ ॥
jāgrat svapnaḥ suṣuptaṁ ca guṇato buddhi-vṛttayaḥ tāsāṁ vilakṣaṇo jīvaḥ sākṣitvena viniścitaḥ
ಜಾಗೃತ, ಸ್ವಪ್ನ ಮತ್ತು ಸುಷುಪ್ತಿ—ಇವು ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯ ಗುಣಗಳಿಂದ ಉಂಟಾಗುವ ಬುದ್ಧಿಯ ಮೂರು ವೃತ್ತಿಗಳು. ಈ ಮೂರರಿಂದ ವಿಭಿನ್ನವಾದ ಜೀವಾತ್ಮನು ಸಾಕ್ಷಿ-ಸ್ವರೂಪನೆಂದು ನಿಶ್ಚಯವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ; ಅವನು ಅವಸ್ಥೆಗಳನ್ನು ಅನುಭವಿಸಿದರೂ ಅವುಗಳಿಂದ ಅಲಿಪ್ತ ಸಾಕ್ಷಿಯಾಗಿ ಇರುತ್ತಾನೆ.
The spirit soul actually has nothing to do with the material world, having no permanent or natural relationship with it. Real renunciation means to give up the illusory identification with matter in its subtle and gross forms. Suṣuptam, or deep sleep, indicates sleeping without any dreams or conscious activity. These three states are described by Lord Kṛṣṇa as follows:
FAQs
This verse explains that waking, dream, and deep sleep are functions of the intelligence shaped by the material modes, while the true self (jīva) remains distinct as the witnessing consciousness.
To guide Parīkṣit toward self-realization at life’s end—showing that the ātmā is not the changing mental states but the steady witness, which supports detachment and devotion to the Lord.
Observe thoughts, emotions, and changing states without identifying with them; this reduces anxiety and strengthens steady bhakti by anchoring awareness in the soul’s witnessing nature rather than the mind’s fluctuations.