A History of Indian Philosophy v2.c19.s4.5

v2.c19.s4.5

There is within us a principle of pure consciousness, which is also the vital principle (*jīva-dhātu*), vitality (*vīrya*), and body heat (*tejas*). In the active condition, when the body is associated with manas, action and speech, the vital principle moves through the body, and on account of this all sorts of knowledge arise, and the illusion of world-appearance inherent in it is manifested as coming from outside through the various sense apertures. This being of a steady and fixed character is called the waking state (*jāgrat*). The *suṣupta*, or deep sleep state, is that in which the body is not disturbed by the movement of the *manas*, action or speech. The vital principle remains still in itself, in a potential state without any external manifestation, as the oil remains in the sesamum (*taila-saṃvid yathā tile*)². When the vital principle (*jīva-dhātu*) is very much disturbed, we have experiences of the dream state.