[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.5128.2 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.5128.2 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.5128.2 - **Language:** English ### [c9.5128.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.5128.2) Janaka :—Which is the light that gives us guidance during the day time? Yājña :—The Sun. Janaka :—After sunset which is the light that guides us? Yājña :—The Moon. Janaka :—And in the absence of the sun and moon? Yājña :—Agni. Janaka :—Which is the light that guides us in the absence of the sun, moon and Agni? Yājña :—Vacana. Janaka :—Which is the light that shines in the absence of all these luminaries? Yājña :—Ātmajyotis (soul’s light). Janaka :—Who is Ātman? Yājña :—“Puruṣa” who is formed by the union of “vyāna” in prāṇas (lives) and jyotis (light) in the heart. The soul is disposed to action with the help of intelligence. In the end it transcends the body, senses and mind and attains Mokṣa. In the state of consciousness the soul’s activities become manifest to us. When in sleep, after deputing “Prāṇa” for the protection of the body, the soul remains outside the body. The senses become inactive. Therefore we should never wake up one who is asleep. When the soul remains in the body and the senses are active, it is in a most vigilant state. Thus the soul is above the states of wakefulness, dream and slumber. The soul is the divine light of pure energy. Janaka who was pleased, gave the sage a thousand cows more. After that Yājñavalkya spoke about liberation from worldly bonds. Yājña :—The soul has no connection with the three conditions. Just as the actions in a dream do not affect the soul, the actions in a wakeful state also do not affect it. - [Previous: c9.5128.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.5128.1) - [Next: c9.5128.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.5128.3) - [Up: c9.5128](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.5128) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.5128.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.5128.2) · Pramāṇa