A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c12.18

v1.c12.18

Seven types of dreams are distinguished: based on visual perceptions (dṛṣṭa), based on auditory perceptions (śruta), perceptions by other senses (anubhūta),²⁹ based on wishes (prārthita), based on imagination (kalpita), pointing to future events (bhāvika), and based on disturbances of the doṣas (doṣaja) (5.43). The first five types have no effects (aphala);³⁰ the same applies to dreams experienced during day-sleep and to those which are very short or very long³¹ (5.44).³² Dreams occurring during the first part of the night have weak results (5.45ab).³³ The effect of a dream becomes operative at once if one does not sleep again after dreaming it (5.45cd).³⁴ The prognostic meaning of an inauspicious dream is annulled when it is followed by one to be regarded as auspicious (5.46).³⁵