Chaturtha Prashna — The Nature of Waking, Dreaming, and Deep Sleep
Introduction
The Prashna Upanishad, belonging to the Atharva Veda and the Pippalada Sakha, contains six profound enquiries placed before the sage Pippalada by six sincere seekers. In particular, the Essence of Prashna Upanishad Fourth Question delves into a compelling aspect of the mystical journey. Each question explores a different dimension of life, consciousness, and the spiritual journey.
Before studying the Fourth Question, readers may refer to the earlier parts of this series for continuity:
The Fourth Question investigates the three states of human experience — waking (jagrat), dream (svapna), and deep sleep (sushupti). It reveals how the mind functions in these states, how Prana continues its essential work even when the senses rest, and how the Self remains the silent witness throughout.
In this post, we study the Fourth Question through its mantras, along with explanations designed to help the aspirant understand the inner journey toward the Self.
Chaturtha Prashna
The Fourth Question: The Mystery of Dreams and Deep Sleep
Kausalya, the son of Asvala, approaches Rishi Pippalada and asks a profound psychological question:
“What exactly sleeps in man? What remains awake? Who sees the dreams? On what is all this founded?”
These enquiries take us to the very core of Vedantic psychology — the layers of mind, its withdrawal in sleep, the vivid projections of the dream state, and the silent bliss of deep sleep.
Mantra 4.1 — The Question of Kausalya
Mantra 4.1:
Kausalya, the son of Asvala, approached the Rishi and asked respectfully:
“O revered one, when a person sleeps, what in him sleeps? What remains awake within him? Who is the deity that sees the dreams? On what is everything in man established?”
Commentary:
This is one of the earliest psychological analyses in world literature.
Kausalya wants to understand:
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What is the nature of sleep?
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What faculty dreams?
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Which principle remains awake?
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On what foundation does life function?
The Upanishad shifts from cosmology (Q1), physiology (Q2), and pranic origin (Q3) to inner consciousness and experiential states in Q4.
Mantra 4.2 — Withdrawal of the Senses
Mantra 4.2:
Pippalada replied: “Just as the rays of the setting sun withdraw into the sun, even so the senses withdraw into the mind during sleep.”
Commentary:
A beautiful symbol:
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At sunset, all sunlight returns to its source.
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In sleep, all sense organs — eyes, ears, speech, touch, taste — withdraw into the manas (mind).
Sleep is not destruction of senses; it is temporary withdrawal.
This mantra establishes that mind is the center that collects and absorbs sensory functions.
Mantra 4.3 — What Sleeps and What Remains Awake
Mantra 4.3:
“When speech, eyes, ears, and mind withdraw, man is said to sleep. But the vital fires (Pranas) remain awake, constantly working inside.”
Commentary:
Two principles emerge:
✔ 1. The organs sleep.
They stop their external activities.
✔ 2. Prana never sleeps.
The five pranas continue:
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Prana: breathing
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Apana: elimination
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Vyana: circulation
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Samana: digestion
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Udana: upward-moving energy, key to dream and post-death movement
Thus even in deep sleep, life is active.
Mantra 4.4 — The Deity Behind Dreams
Mantra 4.4:
Pippalada continues: “When a person dreams, he becomes his own light. The mind creates its own world from impressions stored within.”
Commentary:
This is a precise Vedantic description of dreams:
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The mind stops receiving input from outside.
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It becomes self-luminous — it projects its own ideas.
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Dreams arise from vasanas (tendencies), memories, desires, fears.
Modern psychology echoes this:
Dreams are internal reorganizations of impressions.
The Upanishad says the dreamer:
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Creates his own universe
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Experiences joy, fear, sorrow
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Moves in his own field of imagination
All without external organs.
Mantra 4.5 — Deep Sleep: Entry Into Bliss
Mantra 4.5:
“When one is in deep sleep, he does not see dreams. The mind becomes merged in the Self. He experiences bliss but does not know it.”
Commentary:
Deep sleep (sushupti) is unique:
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No dreams
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No mind activity
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No duality
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No desire or fear
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Experience of peace and rest
Yet upon waking, one says:
“I slept well and knew nothing.”
This shows:
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Consciousness was present (to recognize later).
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Mind was absent.
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Bliss was there, but not consciously known.
Vedanta teaches that deep sleep gives a glimpse of our true nature — peace without objects.
This concept of the three states of consciousness — waking, dreaming, and deep sleep — is explored in greater depth in the Mandukya Upanishad, the smallest of all Upanishads with just twelve mantras.
Mantra 4.6 — Udana and the Pathways
Mantra 4.6:
“When the mind becomes absorbed, Udana leads the person in different directions according to his knowledge and actions.”
Commentary:
Udana, the upward-moving prana, is responsible for:
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Transition from waking to dream
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Transition from dream to deep sleep
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The journey after death
The Upanishad states:
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Those with purity rise to higher realms
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Those with mixed actions return to earthly life
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Those with ignorance go downward
This introduces the doctrine of Gati — paths taken by the subtle body.
Mantra 4.7 — Everything is Founded on the Self
Mantra 4.7:
“All this — waking, dreaming, sleeping, and the very life-process — is supported by the Supreme Purusha.”
Commentary:
This is the climax of the Fourth Question:
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The Self (Purusha) is the witness.
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It is untouched by mind or senses.
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It does not sleep, dream, or wake.
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It illumines all states.
Just as electricity remains unchanged though bulbs glow or go dark,
the Self remains unchanged while mind passes through states.
External Reference:
For traditional commentaries on the Upanishads, visit
👉 Advaita Ashrama – https://advaitaashrama.org
Conclusion
The Fourth Question brings clarity to the nature of experience. It teaches:
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The senses withdraw in sleep.
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The mind dreams through its own impressions.
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In deep sleep, the mind merges into the Self.
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The pranas remain active, sustaining life.
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Udana governs transition, influencing future destinies.
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The Supreme Purusha is the eternal witness behind all states.
This understanding refines the aspirant’s awareness and prepares him for the subtle teachings of the Fifth and Sixth Questions.
Note for Readers
The three states of consciousness — waking, dreaming, and deep sleep — are introduced here in the Fourth Question of the Prashna Upanishad.
For a deeper and more direct analysis, readers may explore the Mandukya Upanishad, the smallest Upanishad with only twelve mantras, which examines these states with great precision and reveals the Fourth, Turiya, the silent witness of all experiences.
Detailed explanations are available in the following articles: