Shloka 25
Kapila on Liberation: Detachment, Devotional Discipline, and the Soul’s Aloofness from the Guṇas
यथा ह्यप्रतिबुद्धस्य प्रस्वापो बह्वनर्थभृत् । स एव प्रतिबुद्धस्य न वै मोहाय कल्पते ॥ २५ ॥
yathā hy apratibuddhasya prasvāpo bahv-anartha-bhṛt sa eva pratibuddhasya na vai mohāya kalpate
ସ୍ୱପ୍ନାବସ୍ଥାରେ ଅପ୍ରବୁଦ୍ଧର ଚେତନା ପ୍ରାୟ ଆବୃତ ହୋଇ ବହୁ ଅମଙ୍ଗଳ ଦେଖାଯାଏ; କିନ୍ତୁ ଜାଗ୍ରତ ହେଲେ ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକ ମୋହିତ କରିପାରେ ନାହିଁ।
In the condition of dreaming, when one’s consciousness is almost covered, one may see many unfavorable things which cause disturbance or anxiety, but upon awakening, although he remembers what happened in the dream, he is not disturbed. Similarly the position of self-realization, or understanding of one’s real relationship with the Supreme Lord, makes one completely satisfied, and the three modes of material nature, which are the cause of all disturbances, cannot affect him. In contaminated consciousness one sees everything to be for his own enjoyment, but in pure consciousness, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he sees that everything exists for the enjoyment of the supreme enjoyer. That is the difference between the dream state and wakefulness. The state of contaminated consciousness is compared to dream consciousness, and Kṛṣṇa consciousness is compared to the awakened stage of life. Actually, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā, the only absolute enjoyer is Kṛṣṇa. One who can understand that Kṛṣṇa is the proprietor of all the three worlds and that He is the friend of everyone is peaceful and independent. As long as a conditioned soul does not have this knowledge, he wants to be the enjoyer of everything; he wants to become a humanitarian or philanthropist and open hospitals and schools for his fellow human beings. This is all illusion, for one cannot benefit anyone by such material activities. If one wishes to benefit his fellow brother, he must awaken his dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The Kṛṣṇa conscious position is that of pratibuddha, which means “pure consciousness.”
FAQs
This verse explains that the same experience (like sleep) binds an ignorant person in confusion, but does not create delusion for one who is spiritually awakened.
Kapila is teaching Devahuti bhakti-yoga and discrimination: bondage and illusion arise from ignorance, while realization changes how one relates to the same material conditions.
Cultivate daily spiritual “awakening” through bhakti—hearing, chanting, and remembrance—so ordinary life situations stop producing confusion and instead support clarity and devotion.