Sleeping, Sleep: 4 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
See also
Buy products

Introduction:

Sleeping means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

Images (photo gallery)

(+2 more images available)

In Hinduism

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

1) Sleep refers to one of the “four obstacles to Rājayoga”, according to the Yuktabhavadeva.—Similar instances of laya as an obstacle to Yoga are also seen in late medieval yoga texts, such as the Yuktabhavadeva (1.38-39), which lists sleep (in Sanskrit: laya), distraction, defilements and the enjoyment of pleasure as the four obstacles to Rājayoga. These obstacles were derived from two verses of Gauḍapāda’s Māṇḍūkyopaniṣatkārikā (3.44-45), which Bhavadevamiśra quoted without attribution.

2) Sleep (in Sanskrit: Nidrā) no longer affects those students of Yoga having practices over four years, according to the Śivayogadīpikā, an ancient Sanskrit text dealing with Yoga possibly corresponding to the Śivayoga quoted in Śivānanda’s Yogacintāmaṇi.—Accordingly, [while describing a sequence of Haṭhayoga practices]: “Thus, by means of this Haṭhayoga which has eight auxiliaries, those [students who are] life-long celibates obtain the Siddhis of the [best of Sages] because of their untiring practice. [...] Then, in the third year, he is not hurt by noxious [animals] such as snakes. In the fourth year, he is free from [any] torment, thirst, sleep (anidrā), cold and heat. [...]”.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (natya)

Sleeping at ease (expression) is associated with Prasārita and Udvāhita: one of the nine kinds of śayyāsthāna or “lying down postures” (in Indian Dramas), as conveyed through Āṅgikābhinaya: one of the four divisions of Abhinaya or “ways to convey or represent one’s emotion to others”, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra and the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—The prasārita and udvāhita posture are almost similar as in both position one hand is used as pillow and the person is sleeping at ease. Lord Viṣṇu is seen to be in this position at the time of resting on the bed of anantanāga

Source: Shodhganga: Literary estimate of mudraraksasa

Sleeping should be avoided on a stage (where a dramatic play is performed).—A Nāṭaka should contain pañcasandhis which indicate five successive stages of the drama. This criterion also is present in the Mudrārākṣasa. [...] In the Sāhityadarpaṇa, Viśvanātha gives a list of certain actions which should not be presented on the stage. [...] Likewise sleeping, bath, use of cosmetics and siege of the city are strictly prohibited in a Sanskrit nāṭaka

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Vedanta (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): (Advaita Vedanta)

Sleep is denoted by the Sanskrit term Nidra, according to the Māṇḍūkyopaniṣatkārikā 3.35cd-36.—Accordingly, while discussing Brahma (without attributes): “That very [mind, free of thought and restrained,] is fearless Brahma, [which is] the light of gnosis [pervading] everywhere. [It is] unborn, devoid of sleep (nidra) and dreaming, unnamed, formless, manifested [all] at once and omniscient. [This statement] is not figurative in any way”.

context information

Vedanta (वेदान्त, vedānta) refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Relevant text

Search found 518 books and stories containing Sleeping, Sleep, Sleeps, The sleeping; (plurals include: Sleepings, Sleeps, Sleepses, The sleepings). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Sutra 3.2.7 < [Third Adhyaya, Second Pada]

Sutra 3.2.9 < [Third Adhyaya, Second Pada]

Sutra 1.4.18 < [First Adhyaya, Fourth Pada]

+ 30 more chapters / show preview

III, 2, 7 < [Third Adhyāya, Second Pāda]

I, 4, 18 < [First Adhyāya, Fourth Pāda]

I, 3, 30 < [First Adhyāya, Third Pāda]

+ 46 more chapters / show preview

Chapter CLXIX - Description of the calm and tranquil mind < [Book VII - Nirvana prakarana part 2 (nirvana prakarana)]

Chapter CV - Likeness of waking and sleeping dreams < [Book VII - Nirvana prakarana part 2 (nirvana prakarana)]

Chapter CXLVIII - Investigation into the nature of dreams < [Book VII - Nirvana prakarana part 2 (nirvana prakarana)]

+ 275 more chapters / show preview