A Constructive Survey of Upanishadic Philosophy c6.s2.11

c6.s2.11

12. Another explanation of the phenomenon of sleep is offered by the seer of the Chhāndogya Upanishad when he says that sleep occurs when the mind is merged in Prāṇa, that is breath or energy: "As a bird when tied by a string flies first in every direction, and finding no rest anywhere, settles down at last on the very spot where it is fastened, exactly in the same manner, my Son, the mind, after flying in every direction, and finding no rest anywhere, settles down on breath; for indeed, my Son, mind is fastened to breath" (S. II. e). The next explanation of sleep occurs in the Bṛihadāraṇyaka Upanishad where we are told