Shloka 25
Brahmā’s Day, the Four Pralayas, and the Supreme Shelter Beyond Cause–Effect
बुद्धेर्जागरणं स्वप्न: सुषुप्तिरिति चोच्यते । मायामात्रमिदं राजन् नानात्वं प्रत्यगात्मनि ॥ २५ ॥
buddher jāgaraṇaṁ svapnaḥ suṣuptir iti cocyate māyā-mātram idaṁ rājan nānātvaṁ pratyag-ātmani
बुद्धेः त्रयः अवस्थाः—जागरणं स्वप्नः सुषुप्तिश्च—इति कथ्यन्ते। राजन्, प्रत्यगात्मनि यद् नानात्वं अनुभूयते, तत् सर्वं मायामात्रमेव॥
Pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness exists beyond the various stages of material awareness. Just as darkness vanishes in the presence of light, so illusory material intelligence, which is experienced as normal perception, dreaming and deep sleep, completely vanishes in the brilliant presence of pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the constitutional condition of every living entity.
FAQs
This verse explains that waking, dreaming, and deep sleep are modes of the intellect (buddhi), while the inner Self remains unchanged beyond these shifting states.
Śukadeva instructs Parīkṣit to see the changing experiences of consciousness as māyā-based variations, helping him fix his realization on the steady inner Self and thus prepare for liberation through spiritual absorption.
Observe thoughts and experiences as passing states of the mind/intellect, and practice steady remembrance of the Self and the Lord—reducing anxiety and attachment to temporary perceptions.