PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page
1
Qn No
PROBABLE QUESTION
MAR KS
YEAR
1
DISCUSS ABOUT DREAMS & WRITE ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME THE EFFECTS OF BAD DREAMS
10
2008
2
WRITE IN BRIEF ABOUT THE PRESCRIBED REMEDIES FOR BAD DREAMS
10
2007
3
WRITE ABOUT DREAMS EXPLAINED IN PARASAHARA SAMHITA & REMEDIES FOR BAD DREAMS
15
2012
4
HOW MANY VERIETIES OF DREAMS ARE THERE? MENTION SOME AUSPICIOUS & INAUSPICIOUS DREAMS
10
2012
5
EXPLAIN 10 EXAMPLES OF GOOD & BAD DREAMS
15
2013
6
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES FOR BAD DREAMS
10
2013
KINDS OF DREAMS AND REMEDIES FOR BAD DREAMS 1. Before you sleep think of Hanuman, Garuda and Bhima. Ramaskandam Hanumantam, Vainateyam, Vrukodara s’ayane yassmarate nityam, dusswapnam tasya nas’yate. The shoulder of Rama – Hanuman, Vynateya (Garuda), the wolf stomached one (Bhima, the Pandava) One who thinks of them when sleeping, his bad dreams are destroyed. 2. According to the Vamana Purana, Pulastya (the son of Brahma, grand father of Ravana रावण), told Narada that any one who reads, listens properly to or remembers Gajendra Moksha, has their bad dreams destroyed. It is simple and beautiful and easy to read. 3. The story is set in the Trikuta Parvata, the son of Sumeru Parvata. It begins with the description of the magical Trikuta Parvata and all the wonderful beings you might meet there. One of its golden peak is served by the one who causes the day – the Sun, another by the Moon and the third is the residence of Brahma. 4. (This golden peak bit is just like Mt. Kailas which reflects awesomely grandly the early morning Sun and looks like it is made of pure gold. This description may also be the reason why some mlecchas (foreigners) like Megasthanes expected to find gold in the Himalayas, whereas
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page
2
Chanakya wrote that it was in the deccan that gold and gems were to be found! The gems you find in the Himalayas are a completely different kind. In that divine place, visible only to the pure folks, there lived a fierce crocodile and a majestic elephant.(In such stories look for symbolism, what do those animals represent?)
5. The crocodile caught hold of the elephant’s foot and the elephant – king, gaja – indra, Gajendra, prayed to Vishnu in the most charming and endearing words. 6. (It interesting that he praised Vishnu as Varaha, Trivikrama (Vamana) and Vasudeva but there is no reference to Matsya that I could easily see, and none to Narasimha, Kurma, Rama or Krishna. See Also : Kurma Avatara is after the Narasimha Avatara : Matsya Purana ) 7. Then Vishnu came there, with his sankha, chakra and gada, on his Garuda and he killed the crocodile with his chakra and freed the king of the elephants (Gajendra – Moksha). The crocodile (makara) was really a Gandharva named huhu, and he was freed from a sapam (curse) and went to heaven. Pothana wrote that Vishnu left at once and his Sankha, Chakra And Gada flew after him, since he did not stop to gather them. The elephant got a divine body since it was touched by Vishnu. Then Bhagavan spoke sweetly to Gajendra. He said that anyone who remembers Vishnu, Gajendra, the Trikuta Parvata, the crocodile, the asvattha, Sun, Ganga, Naimisaranya, with an effort and a steady mind, devoted and clean, their bad dreams get destroyed and they get good dreams. He also said that those who remember, in the morning, matsya, kUrma, varAha, vAmana, tArkshya, narasimha and nAgEndra, the cause of creation and pralaya, have their papAs destroyed and attain the puNyalokAs. Then Vishnu praised by all the beings of various kinds, including Indra, went to a place that’s hard to find and everyone was full of wonder. 8. And Pulastya said that anyone who hears this story is blessed with punya (good Karma), and all their papa (vikarma – bad action) gets destroyed.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
3
9. If you are disturbed by the haunting/bad dreams for more than two days continuously, keep an iron knife under your pillow before you sleep. Alternatively you can keep some alum under your pillow as well. – 10. Rape in dreams by spirits with an orgasm that is real, removal of cloths in nights. 11. Bad Dreams & strange erection in body at times. You dream of dead bodies and horrible looking people who want to kill you in your dream. 12. - Dreams of snakes & dirty birds/ places 13. - Waking up suddenly in fear with shortness of breath. 14. - Dreaming of falling from Heights. If any of the above symptoms match your situation, you should immediately get professional help. There are some specific mantras ,Jyotisha
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
4
Remedies/Special Power Zodiac Pandent(Kavach)/Gems that can start protecting you immediately. Here are some precautions that you can take from becoming a victim :
Dream state (avastha chathushtaya) is one of the four states of the soul; the first is waking; the second dreaming the third, dreamlessness. The fourth state is known as thureeya in which the atman in its purest form, detached from the earlier states, subsists alone and by itself. The first three states cover the totality of the experiences of the soul in the relative world. Thus dreams are experiences of man in sleep where there is no feeling of his physical existence. Causes of dreams The causes of dreams are many and they need not spring as products always merely of physical and mental states, though these two states have their primacy of importance. Physical and mental: Bad dreams are generally seen in fever or acute pain. Dreams are induced by external objects also. In an unfavourable or dirty atmosphere bad dreams occur. At the time of sleep sweet sounds give sweet dreams and hot words bad ones. Even an external sweet, hot or cool touch can show its reaction in dreams. An individual’s disturbed mind can also be the cause for dreaming of two types: 1. Due to experiences in the waking state. 2. Due to desires (unfulfilled) buried in the mind. When man sleeps pondering over the objects he has seen, they appear as dreams. Sometimes even an unfulfilled desire appears as a dream.
Yad Vaanchati divaa martyo Veekshathe vaa Karoti va, Thath Svapne Thadhabhyaasaadh bhrute Vaatha Karoti va Shubham va Yadhi Papam Yannrunaam hrdi Samasthithan, Sugooddamapi Thageyam Svapna Vaakyadhatha madhath Freud underlines and emphasizes lust as the main basis of all dreams. Hatred, desire, jealousy and other disturbed feelings can also trigger off dreams. The phenomenon of dream is beautifully delineated in the commentary of Prasthaspada on Vaisheshika sutras. Tired physically or mentally, when man sleeps at night for rest or for the digestion of food, sense organs merge into the mind. The functions of prana and apana continue. Mental experiences without the sense objects constitute dreams. Dreams as aid to medical diagnosis According to the same Vaisheshika philosophy, dreams are caused by any one of the following. 1. Samskara Pata Svaat or previous experiences. 2. Dhatu doshat or the disorder of the elements. 3. Adhrishtat or the unknown (invisible after effects of past acts).
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page
Samskaras In the dreams of a lustful person, the sensual objects his mind dwells on appear in variegated patterns in his dreams. Generally dreams are related to the experiences of the dreamer. Whatever good things he sees in dreams, emanate from his good samskaras (dharma). All bad dreams are due to bad samskaras (adharma.)
5
Dhatu Dreams occur owing to variance in what are known as vaatha (wind), pithhakapha (phlegm). A person afflicted by vaatha. A person tormented by pithha sees dreams relating to bright things like, fire, gold etc. A kapha (bile) and predominant person sees watery things like rivers, ocean, snowy mountains etc. The detection of vaatha, pithha and kapha of the dreamer can be detected from the types of dreams he gets. It helps in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The reference here is to ayurvedic treatment, obviously. Adhrishta Mysterious, enigmatic and baffling dreams are attributed to Adhrishta. C.G. Jung: Among psychologists of the west only C.G. Jung had taken a superior view and adopted a different line of interpretation. Dreams, according to him, are not mere embodiment of suppressed wishes and fears, but they convey much more. To quote him: “Dreams may give expression to ineluctable truths, to philosophical pronouncements, illusions, wild fantasies, memories, plans, anticipation, irrational experiences, even telepathic visions, and heaven knows what besides.” Ayurvedic classification of dreams In ayurveda, there is a reference to seven types of dreams in the classic Charak Samhita :
Dhristam Shruthanubhutham cha Prarthitham Kalpitham Thatha Bhaavikam Doshajam chaiva Svapnam Sapthavidham Vidhuhu 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Seen by the eyes. Heard by the ears. Experienced by other sense organs. Desired ones. Imagined by the mind. Indicator of good or events that are to take place. Arising out of humours or vaatha (wind), pithha (bile) and kapha (phlegm).
Puranas-based Dream Interpretations Puranas, the undying sources of spiritual wisdom and such metaphysical truths which modern man under the spell of physical sciences finds it difficult to comprehend, have created in the Hindu mind and psyche a clear division into good and bad dreams of various types. In a nutshell, good dreams are harbingers of good tidings while bad ones can bring grief. In Agni Purana and Brahma Vaivarta Purana, there are many verses indicating different results in chapters on dreams.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page
There are references to meaning of dreams in also chapters not dealing specifically with dreams.
6
Auspicious dreams Some of the auspicious dreams are: 1. Riding or mounting the peak of a mountain, of a palace, of an elephant or a bull or climbing the top of a tree having white flowers, or flying skyward.
ShailaPraasaadanagashva Vrshabhaarohanam hitam 2. Having many heads. 3. Having hair turned white. 4. Holding the Sun, the Moon or the stars. 5. Holding the water of a stream spring from the earth. 6. Success in discussion, gambling or in a battle. 7. Getting coronated. 8. Breaking one’s head or seeing one’death. 9. Being burnt by fire. 10. Gain of royal insignia. 11. Seeing a clear sky. 12. Seeing a king, an elephant, a horse, a bull, a cow or gold. Auspicious dreams of Jamadagni Parashurama 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Seeing himself climbing a fruits-laden tree. Boarding a tree. Sandalwood paste sprinkled all over his body. Eating betel leaf. Seeing himself in the midst of a river with fully blown lotuses. Receiving blessings from a Brahmin. Seeing flowers, fruits and lamps. Fleeing out of fear after being bitten by a scorpion or fish.
Sarvani Shuklani Prashamisthani Bhasmasthikarpasa Vivarijitani Some Auspicious Dreams 1. Seeing one’s head being shaven completely. 2. Seeing one’s body being anointed with oil. 3. Seeing one’s body being smeared with mud. 4. Seeing oneself falling from a higher to a lower level. 5. Seeing oneself getting married. 6. Seeing oneself playing a musical instrument other than the lute. 7. Seeing oneself going towards the south. 8. Seeing the Sun and the Moon falling down. 9. Seeing oneself being overpowered by a disease. 10. Seeing oneself wearing the hermit’s coloured (saffron) cloth. Bad dreams Instances of bad dreams of Kamsa and Kartavirya Arjuna have been referred to in the
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
Puranas.
7
Seeing all black things except the cow, elephant, horse, Brahmin and deity have been described as inauspicious.
Sarvaani Krishnaanyati nindhithani go hasti Vaaji dvija deva varjyam Remedial Measures If bad dreams are seen, they should not be mentioned to anyone. After the bad dream, the person should either sleep again or take bath.
Theshamakathanam Shubham Bhuyayascha Svapnam Thadhvathkaaryam snaanam dvijarchana After the dream of Vishnu, Lord Shiva or Lord Surya or Lord Ganesha. One should recite Purusha Sukta or Gayatri mantra. Prayers to the sacred river, the Ganga, is also mentioned as a remedy. Dreams and their results The indications of different kinds of dreams are specifically referred to in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. For example: Happy results 1. If one dreams of entering a red city or a sea or sees himself drinking nectar, he will hear good news and gain wealth.
Nagarm Pravishethraktham Samudram Vaa Sudham Pibeth Shubha Vaartham Vaapnoti Vipulamchaarthamaalabheth 2. Seeing a mare, hen, or a female heron, one gets a wife. If one sees oneself fettered it is a promise of gain of a respectable position and birth of male children. 3. Freedom from diseases are promised if a dream the Sun or the Moon is sighted. Sapne Surya Vidhum dhrshtwa muchyate Vyadhibandhanath Calamities Different types of calamities are also indicated by various dreams. Thus, 1. Laughing in a dream, seeing a marriage ceremony, dancing or singing indicates calamity. 2. Breaking teeth, falling off hair indicates loss wealth or bodily pain.
Yesham dhanthaashcha bhagnaascha Keshaashchaapi Pathanthi hi
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
8
Dhanahaanir bhaveththasya Peedaa Vaa Thachchareerajaa
3. Deities running and dancing, crying and yelling indicate death 4. When in a dream, one is harmed by horned animals or camel, children and men, fear from the king is indicated. When to expect the results of Dreams ? The Brahmavaivarta Purana mentions the time of the fruition of dreams. The basis of the timing is the time when a dream occurs. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Dreams Dreams Dreams Dreams Dreams Dreams
seen seen seen seen seen seen
in the first part of the night will come into effect within one year. in the second part of the night will fructify within six months. in the third part of the night will fructify within three months. in the fourth part of the night will fructify within a fortnight. at dawn will fructify within ten days. during daytime will come out true.
Dine manasi Yad drshtam Tat sarva labhate dhruvam 7. If a bad and a good dream are seen in one night, the last one will take effect. Ekasyaamatha ched raathrow shubham vaa Yadhi Vaashubham Pashchaad dhrishtasthu Yastatra Thasya Paakam Vinirdhisheth Thasmaaththu shobhane Svapne Pashchchatt Svaapo na shasyate
1. 8. Having seen a good dream one sleeps again, it becomes fruitless. Relationship between Dream and Reality Dream is a means and reality is an achievement. Dreaming is easier than the reality. Dream is ephemeral. Events in dream appear to be real. There is a close relationship between the dream and reality. The analysis of a dream can be done better on the basis of happenings in waking state. And on the basis of dreams, the experiences in the waking state can be understood better. Dreams are not useless. Even modern psychologists admit this. Good dreams gladden the heart. Bad dreams also serve as an outlet for the suppressed feelings with the result that the poise of the mind and the body is maintained. Dreams are helpful as they aid good sleep. Dreams occur due to external stimulants. If dreams do no occur, the external stimulants may affect sleep and memory. Even in ordinary life also, dreams aid achievement by enhancing the will-power. Man at first dreams of the goal. Constant dreaming over the goal provides will power and strength in overcoming the obstacles and transforms the dream into a reality. So
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page
9
dreams are a necessity in man’s life. As long as the mind does not become pure, till then dreaming is natural and is needed for preservation of health
Dream
Meaning
Accident
Obstacles in plans
Aeroplane
Change of environment
Angle
Escape from troubles
Animals
Laborious life
Ants
Difficulties
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
10
Apples
Success
Auction
Improvement in business
Bank
Warning of hard times
Banquet
Good time , gains
Barber
Disease, worries
Bath in a lake
Gain of respect
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page Bath in river
11
Relief from disease
Beads
Hard work ahead
Begging
Good luck
Being insulted
Misfortune, quarrels with loved ones
Black cloth
Grief
Blind Man
Journies, Worries
Building a house
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
12
Gain, happy, love
Catch a snake
Victory over enemies
Cemetary
Ill health
Children
Success in business, happy life
Climbing a mounten
Working towerds rise in life
Closed door
Worries, loss
Clouds
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page Journies, discord
13
Commit murder
Good health
Courting an old woman
Success in wordly affairs
Cow
Promotion , happy news
Crocodile
Enemies, opponents
Cross the river
Difficulties, struggle
Crying Baby
Trials and turbulation
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
14
Damsel
Worries
Dancing
Good luck
Dead body
Relief from disease
Dead father
Troubles which will be assisted
Diamond
Warning of trouble
Digging a grave
Gainful property
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page Digging earth
15
Worries
Dirty toilet
Good luck
Drinking milk
Good news
Drinking vine
Prosperity and happiness
Drown
Blemish on character
Eating bread
Gain of object
Eclipse Sun or Soon
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
16
Planning a long trip with a friend or opposit sex
Enemy
Victory
Escape
Escape from troubles
Fall
Loss of position
Falling from a mounten
Misfortune
Falling teeth
Grief
Father
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page A good time
17
Fear or terror
Someone trying your downfall
Fire
To meet a beloved
Firing a pistol
Stedy rise in life
Flood
Gain in personal affairs
Floting in air
Desire to rise in life
Flowers
Success in next few days
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
18
Get in a boat
Blames, Worries
Get out of boat
Relief from worries and gain
Ghost
Watch your relation with friends
Giving Kiss
Good deeds
Gold
Beware of taking risk in business
Hair cut
Clearance of debts
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page Hearing of many voices
19
A joyous event
Hell
Loss in business
Husband
Faliure of desires
In a university
Gain of prominent position
Intercourse
Gain and betterment
Jungle
Victory over enemies
King
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
20
Respect, promotion, gain
Lake
Happy life, success in business
Laughing man
Quarrels, disapointment
Light
Obstacles in promotion
Lion
Victory over enimies
Loosing in sport
Gain in near future
Lose a job
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page Misfortune
21
Making a bed
Change of present occupation
Marriage
Worries, Danger
Mirror
Departure of loved
Monkey
Disease and worries
Moon
Meeting a lady or fortune in business
New house
Bad luck
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
22
Old house
Good luck
Operation
Recovery from illness
Opponent
Overcome of obstacles, happiness
Prayer
Health and happiness
Rain
Quarrels, Disease
Reach Sky
Gain of wish
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page Reading a letter
23
A good news
Ride an elephant
Gain , Good health
Riding a plane
Work with caution
Riding of automobile
Warning of poverty
River with clean water
Good news, promotions
River with muddy water
Obstacles
Robbed
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
24
Losses
Roses
Happiness, Success
Saint
Peace in life
Scissors
Quarrels with partener
Ship wreck
Misfortune
Shopping
Domestic happiness or success in business
Sky
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page Promotion, Happy
25
Smile
Good luck
Snake
Enemies seeking your ruin
Snake bite
Worries
Stars
Favour from superiors
Storm
Gain
Sun
Wealth, up lift
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
26
Sun Rise
Worries, loss
Swiming a clean water river
Promotion
Swimming
Relief from disease
Taking Kiss
A sincere friend
Tears, crying
Happiness, good fortune
Thorns= Difficulties ahead To donate= Relief from worries To drink water= Uphill struggle in profession Washing cloth= Toiling life for others
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page Watch= Prosperity, wealth
27
Water= Happiness, prosperity Wealth= Poverty Wearing of bead= Warning of discord Weeping= Good news, overcome of worries Winning sport= Misfortune Worms= Good luck Wound = Prosperity Young people
= Happiness
States of Consciousness and Dreams
Modern materialistic science is not sure about the origin and nature of most psychic phenomena including dreams. This information can be found in Vedic scriptures.
Srimad Bhagavatam 6.16.53-54, 7.7.25 or 7.15.61 describes three material states of consciousness:
1. jagrata, awakened state (beta, 14-40 Hz, alpha, 7-14 Hz) 2. svapna, dreaming state (theta, 4-7 Hz) 3. susupti, deep sleep (delta, 0.5-4 Hz)
Beyond them is the fourth state (turya) which is non-material (SB 6.5.12, 7.9.32, 7,15.54). On this level the Supreme Lord can be perceived. Gaudiya Vaisnavas describe another, fifth state (turyatitah), dimension of love between the jiva and Krsna.
What follows are paraphrases of Vedanta-sutra (by Suhotra Prabhu) and corresponding Srimad Bhagavatam verses:
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page Dreams are created by the Supersoul to award the living entity with the results of insignificant karma. (Vs 3.2.1) SB 6.16.55
28
The Supersoul causes objects of desire to appear in dreams as they do in other situations (e.g. the waking state). (Vs 3.2.2) SB 11.13.32
Dreams are features of the Supreme Lord's maya. (Vs 3.2.3) SB 11.13.33
Some dreams are omens; sastra and experts so declare. (Vs 3.2.4) SB 10.42.26-27
Objection: When one awakes from dreaming, he knows that his dreams were unreal. Therefore no value should be imparted to dreams.
Reply: The manifestation and the withdrawal of the dream world within the consciousness of the living entity is effected by the Lord. In the same way, bondage and liberation proceed from him also. (Vs 3.2.5) SB 3.7.10-12
The state in which consciousness is focused on the physical body (the waking state) is created by the Supreme Lord. (Vs 3.2.6) SB 6.16.53-54
Different statements in the Upanisads indicate that deep sleep is the result of the soul entering 1) the nadis (subtle channels that pervade the body from the center of the heart), 2) the pericardium, or 3) the Supersoul. The resolution is that the soul sleeps within the bed of the Supersoul, after having entered the palace (the pericardium) through the door of the nadis. (Vs 3.2.7) SB 11.3.35, 1.10.21
Because the Supersoul is the resting place of the soul in deep sleep, it is the Supersoul alone who awakens the sleeping soul. (Vs 3.2.8) SB 3.26.71
[Koran 6.60: "And He is it who takes your souls at night (in sleep), and He who knows what you acquire in the day (...)."]
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page
29
When the living entity awakes from deep sleep, he is the same person. This is certain because of four proofs: 1) the living entity continues his unfinished karma, 2) he retains memory of his identity, 3) the scriptures so describe him as returning to the same body, and 4) he is bound by the scriptural injunctions (i.e. it is enjoined that the jiva cannot attain liberation while in the state of deep sleep, so he is obliged by sastra to return to the body from that state). (Vs 3.2.9) SB 11.3.39, 11.13.27,28
The state of swoon (mugdha) is midway between deep sleep and wakefulness. That is to say, the soul partially attains rest in the Supersoul. (Vs 3.2.10) SB 7.13.5
Interpretation of dreams can be found for example in Agni Purana, ch. 229 (here abridged):
"Some dreams are bad omens. In fact, they are nightmares. Examples: dreams about grass or trees growing on one’s body, when the dreamer is shaven-headed or is wearing shabby clothes or is falling from above. It is also bad to dream of marriages, singing, the killing of snakes, chandalas or animals, drinking oil, eating bird meat, playing with monkeys or chandalas, or when devas, brahmanas, the king or the guru is angry or when one's house had collapsed."
Remedies have to be found if one dreams such evil dreams. Brahmanas have to be worshipped, a yajna has to be performed and the dreamer has to pray to Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Ganesha or Surya.
Dreams dreamt in the first quarter of one’s sleep normally come true over the next one year. Dreams from the second quarter come true over the next six months and dreams from the third quarter over the next three months. Dreams from the last quarter come true over the next fortnight and dreams dreamt right at dawn come true within the next ten days. If one first dreams a good dream and then an evil one, it is the evil dream that will come true. Therefore, if one dreams a good dream, one should not sleep anymore and should immediately arise.
There are many good dreams. For example, dreams that involve mountains, palaces, snakes, the dreamer riding on a horse or a bull. It is also good to dream of white flowers in the sky or of trees. Especially good dreams are those of the dreamer’s possessing many arms or many heads, of grass and bushes sprouting form his navel, wearing white garlands or clothes, of eclipses of the sun, the moon or the stars. If in a dream you see that you have caught hold of the enemy’s flag, that surely means that
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page you will triumph over the enemy. If you actually dream of defeating the enemy, the interpretation is clear enough. Eating rice pudding, drinking wine or blood or even of eating wet meat are good too, like those of a clear sky, of milking a cow, a buffalo, a lioness or a she-elephant with one’s own mouth. Other dreams which have good interpretations are, for example, dreams of the dreamer’s receiving blessings from devas or brahmanas or of being anointed with water. The dreamer who dreams of his coronation is blessed. And he is doubly blessed if he dreams that his head has been cut off or that he has died or even that his house has been burnt down. The relatives of such a dreamer increase in number and he also prospers. It is good to dream of musical instruments being played, of riding a bull, or climbing a tree. Wet clothes, trees laden with fruit and clear blue skies in dreams are especially good.
30
Some dreams are produced by ghosts: (Garuda Purana 2.23.1-12)
Garuda said:
1. What do the ghosts do in their ghosthood? When do they speak sometime? Please tell me, o Lord of gods!
The Lord said:
2. I shall tell you about their form, signs and dreams. Being oppressed by hunger and thirst they enter their former home. 3. Though possessed of airy forms, they give signs to their sleeping descendants, o bird. 4. They visit the place where their sons, wives and relatives sleep. 5. If a person dreams of a horse, an elephant, a bull, or a man with deformed face, if a person awakened from sleep sees himself in the opposite side of the bed, this is all due to the workings of a ghost. 6. If a man is fastened with chains in dream, if his dead ancestors demand food in dream, 7. If one snatches the food from him while he is eating in dream, if thirsty, one drinks water, 8. If in dream one rides a bull or moves with bulls or if one springs up in the sky or goes to a holy place hungry,
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page 9.-10. If one speaks aloud among cows, bulls, brahmanas, horses, elephants, deities, ghosts and demons - this is due to the working of a ghosts. Many are the signs of ghosts in dream, o bird. It is due to a ghost if one sees his wife, relative, son or husband as dead.
31
11. He who begs in dream oppressed by hunger or thirst should give pindas to the manes to ward off coming distress. 12. If one sees in dream his son, cattle, father, brother, wife, getting out of house, it is due to the working of a ghost.
Counteracting bad dreams
viSNu-dharmottare sadyaH phala-pradaM puNyaM sarva-pApa-vinAzanam sarva-maGgala-maGgalyaM sarva-duHkha-vinAzanam
duHsvapna-nAzanaM puNyaM viSNu-pAdodakaM zubham sarvopadrava-hAntAraM sarva-vyAdhi-vinAzanam
In the ViSNu-dharma PurANa, Uttara-khaNDa, it is said: "The beautiful water that has washed Lord ViSNu's feet quickly brings great auspiciousness and the benefits of pious deeds, destroys all sins, nightmares, obstacles, diseases, and sufferings. (Hari bhakti vilAsa 9.57-58, from ViSNu dharmottara)
tad ahaM zrotum icchAmi nRNAM duHsvapa-nASanam
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page "I wish to hear how one may become free from bad dreams."
32
duHsvapna-darSanaM ghoram AvekSya bharatarzabha prayAtaH kiM japej jApyaM vibudhaH kim anusmaret "O best of the BhAratas, what mantra should one chant, or whom should one meditate upon and remember to become free from bad dreams?" Lord Narayana answered this question in the following words: ye mAM tvAM ca saraz caiva grahasya ca vimokSaNam ye smarizyanti manujAH prayatAH sthira-buddhayaH duHsvapno nazyate tezAM susvapnaz ca bhavizyati "Those sincere devotees who attentively remember the history of how I delivered Gajendra from the crocodile [Srimad Bhagavatam 8, ch. 2-4], will become free from the influence of bad dreams Only two types of dreams on snakes are premonitive while all the other dreams on snakes are Freudian expression of something seen or imagined or sifted by brain or experienced by inner mind. The two types are (1) getting bitten by a snake (2) eating or swallowing or biting a snake. Both these have meaning in Swapna sastra. If a snake bites you, or if any poisonous insect or an animal such as a scorpion or leech or a bee bites you, it foretells that a disease that you have been suffering from will be gone. Or the medication that you have been taking will bear good effect. Or you will be healthy. If you bite a snake or eat a snake, it shows that you will get riches or some growth in position. Or you will get progeny or your progeny will do well. Or you will get some gains by way of property or money. Whichever is applicable to you at that moment will happen. There won't be any good or bad result from those dreams, however frightening those dreams may be. Snakes are to be feared in real life, but not in dreams.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
33 Even if a snake chases one in dreams, it is only an expression of some underlying fear that one may have. According to the sages who have written on dreams, only if a pig or a monkey chases you, it will be indicative of some trouble from your employer. You may expect a pink slip after such a dream. Seeing these two animals in dream is indicative of bad news. In Ramayana, Sita was at first shocked to see Hanuman in the Ashoka vana. Seeing Hanuman in monkey form, she wondered if she was dreaming.
saa tam dR^iSTvaa harishreSThaM viniitavadupasthitam | maithilii chintayaamaasa svapno.ayamiti bhaaminii || 5-32-6
dR^iSTvaa= seeing; tam= that; harishreSTham= excellent monkey; upasthitam= appraoching; viniitavat= humbly; saa= that; bhaaminii= splendid woman; maithilii= Seetha; chintayaamaasa= thought; ayam= it; iti= as; svapnaH= a dream.
Seeing that excellent monkey approaching humbly, that splendid woman Seetha thought it as a dream.
svapno mayaa ayam vikR^ito adya dR^iShTaH shaakhaa mR^igaH shaastra gaNaiH niShiddhaH | 5-32-9 adya= today; shaakhaamR^igaH= a monkey; vikR^itaH= in an ugly form; dR^iSTaH= was seen; mayaa= by me; svapne= in a dream; niSiddhaH= which is forbidden; shaastragaNaiH= according to a series of scriptures;
"Today, I saw an ugly monkey in my dream, which is forbidden according to a body of scriptures."
Similarly seeing horned animals and animals with protruding incisors is also indicative of getting into the bad books of the employer.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page But snakes are harmless if seen in any way in the dream.
34
Though not told in scriptures, in reality we find a correlation between certain dreams on snakes and some relief from whatever trouble that one is experiencing until then. If a snake is seen climbing down the cot or bed or chair or leaving the house or seen going away from one in a dream, it is seen in some cases that the dasa of the nodes (Rahu / Ketu) of the dreamer had come to an end or the malefic transit of the nodes had come to an end. Seeing a snake in real life too – like crossing your way – is not a bad omen. If a snake is seen crossing the road or a lawn or climbing a tree, it in indicative of sudden rains. Suppose you have experienced a bad dream or a frightening dream, the next morning you go to a temple and worship god. Traditionally the remedy for a bad or frightening dream is to recite Vishnu Sahasranama or Gajendra Moksham form Srimad Bhagavatham. Sage Parashara recommends worship of god followed by chanting, charity and sipping of Ganga jal. Sage Susruta recommends the same and also suggests Gayathri japa. Those not initiated into Gayathri japa can do japa on their favorite god. The earliest references to dreams are found in Rig veda which are mystic than symbolic. It is said that dreams are manifestations of evil spirits. By praying to Lord Varuna, a person can protect himself from the evil dreams. Lord Varuna is also called as Lord of Rta, the Law-giver who distributes the good and evil dreams in tune with the punya or papa-karma that the subject has to experience. By praying to this Lord, the evil dreams are consigned to Trita Aptya. (the 3rd level of consciousness or antharyamin?).
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page
35 There are verses on dreams in Atharva veda which speak about swapna in two-fold characteristics, namely, the state of sleep whose Lord is Yama and what it (sleep) contains. The second one is about dreams which are in nature of retributive justice done to the dreamer by the Lord of Rta – by praying whom one can get the evil dreams transferred to the evil-doers (how?)
But one important verse in Atharva veda found in XIX-57 gives an indication of prophetic nature of dreams. It says, " Thee that are `harsh' by name, mouth of the black-bird (shakuni) – thee, o sleep, we thus know completely.' The term `krishna shakuni', meaning black-bird is symbolic of omens. It had been in vogue in those days to listen to the signs and sounds of birds to predict what is to come. The word shakunam indicates that dreams are speculative.
Coming to upanishaths, there are many references to dreams in a number of upanishaths. But the core theme of all had been that it is Brahman who creates the dreams – something that runs counter to Freud and other modern psycho-analysts.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page The pramanas for dreams as being
36
the creation of Brahman can be found in Ramanuja Bhashyam to Brahma sutras 3-2-1 to 3-2-5. (available in ramanuja.org). But the very next sutra says that dreams serve as omen. Thirijada's dream in sundara khandam and Andal's dream are worth mentioning here.
Two inferences are drawn from Ramanuja's write-ups (according to K.C. Varadhachari who has done an elaborate research in Ramanuja's works)
(1) Not all dreams are prophetic. The individual who is selfcontrolled, leads a moral life and is self-surrendered at the feet of the Divine would be relieved of evil dreams. With an increase in his morality and Divine consciousness, he would not dream at all. For him the dreams are of true nature, occurring in real life. The true dream is said to happen to him at twilight, the sandhya between waking and sleep state when he is receptive (consciously) to Divine manifestation within himself. The impressions as unfolded by the Divine at that time is remembered by him as dreams and they are found to happen in real life.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page
37 (2) Most dreams are retributive in nature having an ethical justification. They evoke joy or sorrow or pleasure or pain. There are dreams in which the dreamer smells or tastes etc. (the causes are discussed in some upanishaths like ShArIrakOpanishath and SarvasArOpanishath). These feelings are in consonance with the nature of karma that the dreamer is destined to undergo. This is understood by the fact that good dreams have after-results of bodily fitness and bad dreams leave one physically and mentally exhausted and weak. Added to this is the feeling of dis-quiet and fear after a bad dream or a nightmare.
The main book of reference for dream –interpretation is Charakasamhita by Charaka, part of which is supposed to be based on Valmiki Ramayana. Scholars are of the opinion that Charaka has based his interpretations on `consensus of opinion' on different dream – implications that existed at his time – than on shAstric pramanas.
One pramana we have is from Chandogya which states that dreaming of women means success. But going by Bramha sutra 3-2-6, we know that
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page dream- reading has sruti-pramana and that there were dream –readers
38
too. But as far as this writer knows, any literature on pramana-based dream-reading (other than charaka's) is not existent today.
What we have with us now is based on interpreting from the retributive angle. (In contrast, Charaka's linking of dreams to specific diseases or success or defeat seem to have no logical or retributive basis.) Based on the above notion, it is possible to bring out a logic between dreams and reality. For instance to the question on snake, biting the dreamer in dreams, the logic is related to Rahu dosham, if ever it exists in the subject's (dreamer) horoscope. If it does and if the subject is issueless (the most common debilitation caused by Rahu), the dream is said to signify an end to that debilitation.
Under other conditions (than the one mentioned), it is interpreted that the impediments caused by Rahu in Gochara or in dasa-bhukti cease to exist from now onwards. By the snake-bite, it is implied that the harm is done (or over) and the subject is now free from the
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page harm. This is both retributive and predictive. (The retributive-ness
39
contains in itself the predictive aspect) Food for thought:There is a story from Vikramaditya's life, whereby it is stated that a person approached him with a plea that he (Vikramadithya) help him retrieve the gold coins that was lent by him to another one in his dream!! The king asked him to come back the next day with the promise that he would get back the gold coins from the other person. The king then had the same number of gold coins tied in a bag and hung on top of a pole. A mirror was placed at the ground in such a way that the image of the coin-bag can be seen in the mirror.
The king delivered justice by asking the `lender' to take back from the image found in the mirror, what he has lent in his dreams!! What a wonderful piece of mini-research? I had been looking for any reference to the dream interpretation in the Hindu tradition for a long time until came across your article. It is very useful. Thank you very much. By the way, do you know anything about Hindu dream interpreters? I mean what kind of titles they had? E.g. in Islam they were called mu'abbirs, exc. Thanks in advance. Dream interpretation is part of astrology. The Hindu astrology is broadly classified into 5, of which samhita is one and sakuna is another. Dreams come under both these.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
401.
TYPE OF DREAMS: The eight most common types of dreams, what they mean, and how knowing can work to your advantage. 1. Processing Dreams These dreams can feel quite annoying in that they are a rehashing of the events of your day -- in other words, "sleep-working." (And who needs that?) Processing dreams are a way for our subconscious to digest the bazillion message units we are exposed to all day. In these dreams you are tying up loose ends from the office or rehearsing ways to resolve a conversation that went awry. As tedious as these dreams may feel they can give you a tremendous advantage (like eyes in the back of your head), like a rehearsal before a play. You can also think of your processing dreams as your own personal after-hours assistant whose job is to render spotless the messy office of your mind. Every night while you're asleep she (or he, whatever turns you on) gets out the Dustbuster and cleans up the clutter, files important documents, discards irrelevant scraps, and helps find solutions and ideas for questions that were posed throughout the day. Is it any wonder that when you are unsure about a decision you say, "Let me sleep on it." 2. Venting Dreams These are your nightmares where you're being chased, falling, failing a test or arriving naked to a job interview. Venting dreams can be, let's face it, terrifying. But before you delete these unwanted dreams from your psychological inbox, consider that they can either help you get ready for an important opportunity (like cautioning you to prepare for your job interview instead of winging it) or help you release beliefs that are blocking the full breadth of your creativity and passion (think about how great you feel after a good cry). Think "out with the old, in with the new" or "you can't heal what you can't feel." 3. Integration Dreams You dream that you or someone else is acting out in an extreme way that you either greatly admire or seriously judge (i.e., pole dancing in the lobby at work.) What this dream is trying to teach you is that this character or behavior is a vital aspect of you (as disturbing as that may sound), and in embracing it you become more whole. In other words, the behavior you're busy judging may be a part of yourself you're afraid to embrace -- or secretly dislike. 4. Breakdown/Breakthrough Dreams Dreams of disaster, death, fires, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, oh my! These dreams are indicative of great change on the horizon. If you are a creature of habit who clings to routine then these dreams might be helping you to loosen up and break out of business as usual, so you can be prepared for what's next. The trick is to embrace change, since it is an inevitable part of the adventure of life. 5. Recurring Dreams Your recurring dreams are like a Secret Agent on a mission for the S.I.A. (Subconscious Intelligence Agency). Their mission: to deliver a message to your conscious mind that will enhance your well-being and happiness, should you choose to accept it. Until the mission is accomplished, the agent (repetitive dream) will try again and again until the message is received and decoded successfully. Pay attention to the clues!
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
41
6. Precognitive Dreams These are dreams where you look into the dreamtime crystal ball and actually see the future. You can never quite be sure that yours is a precognitive dream until an aspect of it plays out in "real" life. But here's a clue that your dream may be prophetic: You dream of people, places and situations that are future extensions of what is currently taking place in your life. (For example, you dream of engagementring shopping and you wake up and he actually pops the question.) 7. Prophetic Dreams Prophetic dreams are like your own personal Burning Bush that can, if you heed their messages, reveal more than any psychic ever could. How they work: you dream of a wise, loving being (i.e. Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Mother Teresa, Ammachi, Gandhi, your departed pet, a favorite grandparent, etc.) and you feel that you've been given a gift or taught a life lesson. Make this dream a real part of your conscious reality by writing down its message and recalling the feeling this dream gave you, often. 8. Wish-Fulfillment Dreams A wish-fulfillment dream, like a genie in a bottle, aligns you with the resonance of your heart's and soul's desires. Just as people who are wealthy attract more wealth to them and happy people attract more of what makes them happy, when you move in the direction of your dreams by acting as if they've already come true, you add velocity to the process of manifestation. Wish-fulfillment dreams might include dreams about an upcoming vacation, an ideal scene at work, or the resolution of a conflict that you've had with a sibling. Because your subconscious mind cannot discern between actual events and that which is vividly imagined, your wish-fulfillment dreams actually create an energetic map that can lead you from where you are to where you would like to be.
2. Swapna sastra (science of dream) as it is called, is a samhita dealing with meaning of dreams. 3. It is also part of sakuna (that depends on instant recognition of an ensuing event based on common sense knowledge of happenings in Nature) because it is possible for even a layman to understand what a dream conveys. 4. The prasna marga suggest the following as an fyi, Chapt 31 is on dreams... 5. Dreams are of 7 kinds: drishta, sruta, anubhuta, prarthita, kalpita, bhavija and doshaja i.e. seen in life, heard in life, experinced in life, desired in life, fancied or imaginary things, (bhavija) - not included in the list above, and doshaja - caused by tridoshas. 6. If one takes the night and divides it into 4ths, dreams is the 1st quarter will result within 1 year; the 2nd quarter will take place in 6 months, the 3rd quarter within 3 months and the 4th quarter within 1 month. 7. If the dream takes place during dawn, then the event will take place soon ( prasna marga suggests 10 days as soon - sutra 68). 8. Now the prasna marga gives a multitude of dream events, yet I see no snakes... it calls out cats, camels, pigs, tiers, jackals, birds, crows, eagles, buffalo, dogs, preta (departed , deceased ,
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page
42
dead , a dead person), rakshasa, etc. to name a few. Also devata, ghee, sun and moon thorns, creepers, bamboo, trees, flowers, etc - yet no snakes.
9. That said dreams caused by dasa of planets ( the graha) indicate the influences appropriate to them... snakes are related to rahu. If you look at your chart are you in a rahu period or subperiod of rahu? And in what house ( bhava) and sign ( rasi). Human beings have been trying to figure out the meaning of their dreams probably for as long as humankind has existed. The need to make sense of our lives is as human as dreaming is, and dreaming represents an important part of our lives — we do it every single night! Some of the earliest recorded attempts to interpret dreams are from Ancient Babylon, Greece and Egypt. In those ancient societies, dreams were considered a sacred communication with the divine that could deliver omens of the future. Thousands of years later, psychologists such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung interpreted dreams based on the theory that dreams are a depiction of our unconscious fears and desires. Some modern scientists who have tackled the subject of dream interpretation argue that dreams exist to aid our survival. These researchers theorize that dreams act as a “threat rehearsal” wherein we can confront primal threats, such as threats to our life or status, so that we can better confront these challenges in real life. Read on to discover the meanings of the most common dreams, as defined by today’s top dream experts. Keep in mind that dream interpretation is pretty subjective, so different experts may interpret the same dream in different ways.
1. Spiders As spiders weave intricate webs to catch unsuspecting prey, dreaming about spiders can indicate that the dreamer is being manipulated or is manipulating a situation or person herself, according to Cynthia Richmond, a behavioral therapist and dream expert who has appeared on Oprah. If the spider is poisonous, this may mean that the dreamer is concerned about some especially venomous, or even deadly force, says Richmond. However, if the dreamer is afraid of spiders in his/her waking life, a dream of spiders has a different meaning: he/she needs to come to terms with and overcome this phobia. According to dreammoods.com, a comprehensive online dream dictionary, dreaming about bugs in general can also represent something that is “bugging” or scaring you.
2. Being Chased Being chased in a dream is typically your subconscious mind telling you that you’re avoiding a painful or frightening emotion, person or issue, according to Richard Nicoletti, J.D., a psychotherapist at the Jung Institute. Says Nicoletti, in dreams about being chased, the context also is important, i.e., who or what is chasing you. Lauri Loewenberg, author of So What Did You Dream Last Night? and founder of thedreamzone.com, says that you need to confront the threatening situation in real life in order to stop having such dreams.
3. Being Naked in Public A very common dream, being naked in public represents feeling vulnerable or exposed. According to Keith Stevens, author of The Dreamer and the Beast – How Dreams Exercise Our Primal Instincts and one of the pioneers of the “threat rehearsal” theory of dream interpretation, in primitive terms, being naked in public puts you at a disadvantage – you have nowhere to hide a weapon, for example. Thus, such dreams provide the benefit of stimulating your instinct to not let yourself get into disadvantageous positions. In a more figurative sense, dreaming of public nudity could represent exposing yourself emotionally, e.g., revealing a potentially damaging personal secret.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page
4. Losing Your Teeth
43
From an evolutionary standpoint, teeth are important for survival (you need them to eat) and reproduction (you need a decent set of chompers to attract a good mate). Accordingly, dreaming about losing your teeth exercises your instincts to protect yourself and your appearance, says Keith Stevens. On a more symbolic level, teeth represent how powerful and confident you feel, according to psychologist and dream interpreter Ian Wallace. Therefore, losing your teeth in a dream could represent a waking-life situation that is eroding your confidence.
5. Falling It is a myth that you will die in real life if you dream about falling and hitting the ground. However, a “falling” dream could mean things in your life aren’t going so great. Lauri Loewenberg interprets this type of dream as your subconscious mind sending out a red flag that something in your life is moving rapidly in the wrong direction. This could be your relationship, career, finances or something else. These dreams are also common among people with depression, says Loewenberg. A more literal dream interpretation from Keith Stevens says that this “natural element threat” dream activates your survival instinct to be wary of heights.
6. Flying According to Russell Grant and Vicky Emptage, authors of The Illustrated Dream Dictionary, dreaming about flying has to do with your sexual ambitions. Flying high and proud means you’re happy with and even boastful of your sex life, while trying to fly and failing might mean that you’re striking out a lot or feeling sexually inadequate. Alternatively, psychologist Ian Wallace says being able to fly in a dream is about the desire to “rise above” difficult circumstances or a heavy responsibility in your waking life. Finally, Keith Stevens theorizes that dreaming of flying is about feeling superior to others. Think of the advantage you’d have if you actually had this super power! Dreaming of being able to breathe underwater is in this same class of “superiority” dreams, says Stevens.
7. Being Pregnant/Giving Birth This is a very common dream, especially (but not exclusively) among women. On a basic, human-instinct level, these dreams stimulate a woman’s instinct to reproduce, says Keith Stevens. From the perspective of Ally Mead, a self-proclaimed psychic who has studied dream interpretation at the Jungian Institute of Los Angeles, pregnancy dreams are about creativity; the dreamer has an unacknowledged desire to come up with a new idea, create a piece of art, or embark on a new creative project. Men who dream of being pregnant may be craving the power that women are able to wield by becoming a mother, says Mead.
8. Death/Dying A dream about dying could be a subconscious contemplation of your mortality, or the death could symbolize an end, change or absence. Dying in a dream could symbolize that you are looking for a new start or are going through a spiritual transformation, whereas dreaming about the death of a loved one could mean that this person is no longer part of your life, or that you lack a certain quality that this person embodies. Looking at death dreams as a straightforward representation of death itself, Keith Stevens says these dreams stimulate our survival instinct, and dreams about the death of a love one encourage us to protect and cherish the ones we love.
9. Being Lost Being lost in a labyrinthine building or unfamiliar city is a very stressful and very common type of dream. In many cases, the dreamer may be worried about “getting lost” in her own life circumstances. These types of dreams may occur when you feel anxious or insecure about “finding your way” in a new life situation, such as when starting a new job or moving to a new city, according to Cathleen O’Connor, Ph.D. and author of The Everything Law of Attraction Dream Dictionary. You may be especially
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page prone to dreaming about being lost if you are embarking on a new challenge that you feel unprepared for, or are struggling to get
44
accustomed to a situation where the rules are constantly changing. Dreaming that another person is lost could mean that you have unresolved feelings about this person, according to the dream dictionary at smartgirl.org.
10. Water According to psychotherapist and author Jeffrey Sumber, dreaming about water reflects change, renewal and purification, sometimes symbolizing a change in consciousness accompanying some life transformation. Context is important, however. Says Sumber, if you dream about offering water to others, this could represent that you are offering new life or positive change to others, whereas if you dream about being caught in a typhoon, you could be feeling overwhelmed by a life change.
Common Dream Symbols and Their Meanings Altars: Dreaming about an altar tends to symbolize that a project you've been working on will be successful. If there are lighted candles on your altar is a double sign of success. Kneeling in front of the altar suggests you are a deeply spiritual person, and that divine intervention will assist in your success.
Angels: Angels in dreams are the personification of a divine idea that has occured to us. Angels appear in our dreams when we are examining our attitudes, and indicate that we need to also examine our motivations. The Angel is a messenger. When we take the time to trust and soul-search, they will lead us to new insights and new directions. Dream appearances of Angels also indicate a strong desire of harmony, guidance, strength, friendship and emotional connection.
Bags: The dream Bag contains character and personality traits that either hinder or help you. As such, it is necessary to pay attention to what is hiding in the Bag. When a Bag ocurrs in our dreams, it is a message to search our unconscious deeper to uncover what is blocking us or what is supporting us. By identifying these things we are able to accelerate our growth.
.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
45
Clocks: The dream Clock, as you would guess, deals with time. Specifically, the Clock may indicate that you are afraid that life is moving by you, or things are moving too fast. If you are dreaming that you are winding a Clock, this means that you may be starting a new phase in your life, or heading in a new direction. If the Clock alarms then you are faced with a life-changing decision. See blog post on Clock Symbolism here.
Devils: The Devil in dreams symbolizes darkness and confusion. Its dreamtime visitation may also mean you are preoccupied with negative thoughts, or someone in your life is bringing you down to a negative emotional level. The Devil may also indicate you are dealing with temptations. The Devil is also the personification of ego - it may be time to soften your ego a bit.
Eyeglasses: Dream symbol meaning for Eyeglasses deals with how you see things in your world. If you are wearing Eyeglasses in your dream it is a symbol of moderation, balance, and virtue. If you've lost your Eyeglasses, you are going need to be aware of lies being told in your life, and some unsolved mysteries may be coming your way. If you dream of Eyeglasses by themselves, it may mean you have a distorted view of your world and surroundings at this time. .
Forest: Have you heard the adage: "can you see the Forest for the trees?" Dream Forests deal with experience, vision, emotions and shadows. Forests in our dreams may indicate unresolved feelings about something, or not being able to see our way clear of a problem. Forests may indicate we feel lost in our lives. On the otherhand, if you are dreaming of a beautiful, lush Forest, this indicates an unshakable faith in the Divine and prosperity is your destiny. Seeing a Forest fire indicates health problems. See also: Celtic symbolic tree meanings page.
.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
46
House: Dream symbol meaning for House deals with the body, as well as a desire for security and safety. The condition of the House in your dream represents how you truly feel about your current sitation. If the House is in ill-repair or disarray, you need to take a close look at your health. If you are building a House, you should expect visits from old friends and you'll make new friends. A picture-perfect House means you are ready to settle down into a more stable situation.
.
Mask: Dream Masks deal with the inability to be comfortable with being ourselves. When we dream of Masks, it often inferrs that we are not comfortable in our own skin, or we are incabable of showing others our true selves. Often, Masks represent overuse of drugs, alcohol or food to cover up our emotions. If others are wearing Masks in your dreams, it may mean that others are not being fully honest with you.
.
Mountain: Mountains in our dreams symbolize conquering, overcoming, hard work, willpower, and ascending above petty circumstances. Climbing theMountain implies hard work in learning a new skill. Descending the Mountain implies stepping back from a situation, taking time to think about your actions, getting a second opinion. A Mountain range in your dream represents a new adventure, and is a message encouraging expansion in your life.
Rings: Dream rings represent a promise or bond we have with our destiny, with another person, or with our community. This symbolic bond is incredibly strong and infinite. When we dream of a Ring slipping off our finger, we must rekindle the relationships we've let slip. When we dream of Rings that are stuck on our finger, we need to re-examine an unhealthy relationship.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
47
Shoes: Shoe dreams deal with walking certain paths in our lives. If you are wearing tight Shoes, the road you are traveling is hard, and much sorrow is involved. Comfortable Shoes indicate you are in a good place in your life and success is around the corner. Buying Shoes indicates you still have quite a distance to travel until you reach your goals. Dirty, worn-down Shoes encourages us to examine our spiritual walk, or asks us to take a walk of faith. See Shoe Symbolism and Superstitions (blog) here.
.
Tunnel: Dream symbol meaning of Tunnels deals with birth, and sometimes death. Tunnels in our dreams ask us to look back to a starting point. In Tunnels we often encounter our deepest mind - our unconscious thoughts. Tunnels encourage us to follow a path into the unknown. They are a message for us to begin exploring our own concepts of life, death, and birth.
Umbrella: Umbrellas in our dreams indicate our need to take a closer look at our worries and fears. When we have an open Umbrella in our dream we must act carefully and watch how we behave with others. A closed Umbrella means we are worrying and obsessing unnecessarily. When Umbrellas appear, we must ask what we are afraid of because our fears are holding us back from progress.
Water: Dream symbol meaning of Water deals with cleansing and emotional stirrings. If the Water is murky in your dream, this is a warning not to get involved in new endeavors. If the Water is clear, success is coming your way. Seeing yourself in waters reflection means that you aren't being fully honest with yourself. When you contemplate your dream of Water, keep in mind Water is a symbol of your emotional state
Water Symbolism in Astrology Astrologically, we can find symbolism of water through the zodiac signs.
•
Cardinal water sign of Cancer (the crab) indicates purity, clarity and refreshment
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page •
• 48
Fixed water sign of Scorpio (the scorpion) speaks of mystery, stillness and reflection Mutable water sign of Pisces (the fish) indicates depth, motion and life
As water is essential to our very existence, it is no wonder the symbolism of water is so far-reaching and profoundly deep. The suggestions above are merely the tip of the iceburg. As usual (but particularly with this subject) I recommend doing your ownpersonal research on the philosophical brilliance water holds. The wisdom of water is infinite, and you will find if you invest the time to meditate and contemplate its vastness your rewards will be quite enlightening (if not enlightenment itself).
Further, we can incorporate symbolism of circulation, life, cohesion and birth by associating the creative waters of the earth with the fluids found in our own body (i.e., blood). The symbolism of water has a universal undertone of purity and fertility. Symbolically, it is often viewed as the source of life itself as we see evidence in countless creation myths in which life emerges from primordial waters.
2. - Do not eat or drink any item from anyone unless the person shares that food item with you. 3. - Stop intake of Liquor/Non Vegetarian Food/drugs etc immediately. 4. If you are victim of bad dreams, ghosts, evil souls trouble you, and you are not able to sleep due to this reason in that case. Bring a branch of Peepal Tree at home. Wash it with Gangajal and keep it under the pillow while sleeping. Your problem will be solved. This is a very good Remedy. 5. Sometimes the only dreams we remember are the ones we wish we could forget. Nightmares can be instructive, and most psychologists believe that they are a healthy part of life. But if you are plagued by repetitive nightmares and are losing sleep, sometimes changing your daily habits can reduce nightmare frequency. In general, nightmares can be caused by insufficient sleep, poor exercise and diet, and stress. The tips below all are aimed at cultivating a healthier sleep and dream life.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page 6. Don’t go to sleep angry or stressed out. Give yourself time to cool down.
497.
Regular sleep patterns = better dreams. Including weekends.
8. Don’t eat right before bed. In particular, foods that take longer to digest, like meats and cheeses, can increase nightmares. 9. Reduce alcohol and caffeine consumption. 10. Cultivate gratitude. If this doesn’t come easy, do a “thankfulness” exercise every day in which you list the aspects of your life that you are thankful for. 11. Reduce exposure to violent images in the media, especially in the evenings. Horror movies can cause lingering nightmares for years. 12. Spend time in nature as often as possible, even if this means sitting in a city park for fifteen minutes every day. Many therapists believe that we all suffer from “nature deficiency disorder.” 13. Don’t sleep on your back. This encourages a special kind of nightmare known as sleep paralysis, in which you feel like you are awake and alert while at the same time you cannot move. Sufferers also feel breathless and/or sense an “unknown presence” in the room. 14. Start a gentle body practice like yoga, walking, or tai chi. In general, moderate exercise increases the quality of sleep. 15. If you have repetitive nightmares, role-play how you will face your nightmare attackers next time. 16. Keep a dream journal. Often writing it out can dispel a lot of the powerful emotionality. 17. Join a dream-sharing group. Many larger cities have them. If not, start your own. 18. Give yourself some self-love and acceptance. Easy to suggest, but hard to do. I use journaling to remind myself that I am loved. Affirmations — while they can seem cheesy at first — are effective as well. My backlog of journals is essentially a history of pep-talks I’ve given myself over the years… and it still works. 19. Keep fresh flowers or aromatic oils in the bedroom. Research shows that good smells positively effects your dreams. 20. Nightmares are bad dreams that bother, upset, or frighten an individual, which wakens them during the night or during sleep. Some people can remember their dream and some don’t. 21. 22. Children can experience them as night terrors which causes them to scream out, need a nightlight or even cause them to jump into bed with a sibling or parents.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page 23.
5024. Causes are largely unknown in the medical field, and sedating medication may be the only tool, along with the side effects. 25. 26. From the natural viewpoint nightmares are the result of stress and nervous disorders. Treat the nervous system during the day with nervines or other natural therapies and nightmares will diminish. 27. 28. For added nutrition include magnesium to relax muscles and reduce nerve tension. Use Bcomplex vitamins in double amounts as recommended on the package for several weeks or longer if in a stressful life situation. 29. Nightmares are vividly realistic, disturbing dreams that rattle you awake from a deep sleep. They often set your heart pounding from fear. Nightmares tend to occur most often during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when most dreaming takes place. Because periods of REM sleep become progressively longer as the night progresses, you may find you experience nightmares most often in the early morning hours.
30. A lot of adults have nightmares about not being able to run fast enough to escape danger or about falling from a great height. If you've gone through a traumatic event, such as an attack or accident, you may have recurrent nightmares about your experience.
31. Although nightmares and night terrors both cause people to awake in great fear, they are different. Night terrors typically occur in the first few hours after falling asleep. They are experienced as feelings, not dreams, so people do not recall why they are terrified upon awakening
32. Sleep deprivation may contribute to adult nightmares, which themselves often cause people to lose additional sleep. Though it's possible, it has not been confirmed whether this cycle could lead to nightmare disorder.
33. There can be a number of psychological triggers that cause nightmares in adults. For example, anxiety and depression can cause adult nightmares. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also commonly causes people to experience chronic, recurrent nightmares.
34. Nightmares in adults can be caused by certain sleep disorders. These include sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome. If no other cause can be determined, chronic nightmares may be a distinct sleep disorder. People who have relatives with nightmare disorder may be more likely to have the condition themselves. 35.
36. ****************************************************************************************************************** 37.
38. (The 12th house and its lord represent, sleep of all types, insomnia and what are known as veridical or prophetic dreams. In the Hindu scriptures, particularly the Puranas, dreams have been discussed as GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV ‌ SAMHITAS
Page
51
deeply as astrology but the 12th house connection has not been stressed. It will be useful to work in this area both for mental disturbances, sleep disorders and for an illuminating understanding of dream phenomena.
39.
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES
PAPER IV … SAMHITAS
Page
52
GOOD & BAD DREAMS & REMEDIAL MEASURES