The Philosophy of the Upanishads c11.s3.t5.7

c11.s3.t5.7

This suppression of consciousness of objects and union with the eternal knowing subject which is brought about by the yoga and is coincident with absolute wakefulness, is designated as the "fourth" state of the âtman by the side of waking dreaming and deep sleep; as *caturtha*,¹ or, adopting the ancient Vedic and therefore more formal word for *caturtha*, as *turîya*;² and in the latter case both "the *turîya*" (sc. *âtmâ*, masc.) and also "the *turîyam*" (sc. *sthânam*, neut.) were employed. Since this state forms in fact a part of the yoga system, we shall learn more of it in detail in our discussion of the latter in a later connection, and here we propose merely to cite the passages in which the doctrine of the *turîya* makes its first appearance. This conception is undoubtedly anticipated by the ancient doctrine of the four feet of Brahman in his character of Gâyatrî;³ but the oldest passages in which the *turîya* is announced as a fourth distinct state of the âtman are Mânḍ. 7 and Maitr. 6. 19, 7. 11. Of these the passages from the Maitr. Up. (appendix) would seem to be the later, since they assume the *turîya* state as already known, which is not the case in Mânḍ. 7. In the latter also the technical term *turîya* is still missing, and in its place *caturtha* is once employed. This passage, of which later writers make much use, runs as follows:—