Vidyāsaṁhāre tadutthasvapnadarśanam|| विद्यासंहारे तदुत्थस्वप्नदर्शनम्॥ (sūtra II.10)

Vidyā – pure form of knowledge (not purest), known as suddha vidyā; saṁhāre – absorption; tád – because; uttha – coming forth; svapna – dream state; darśanam – emerging.

When the mind is associated with both I (aham­) and this (idam), the dual consciousness is known as suddha vidyā. At the time of absorption of this knowledge leading to the next stage of consciousness emerges, the previous stage (dual consciousness) passes off as a dream.

This aphorism talks about the importance of consciousness. The highest level of consciousness is beyond the three levels of consciousness that one undergoes daily, awake, dream and deep sleep. When one is able to transcend these stages in quick succession when he is awake, he enters the stage of samādhi. Even in samādhi one has to keep his consciousness pure as afflicted thought processes are bound to affect the state of samādhi, which distorts the level of awareness. Because of the distortion, he could either slip into the dream state or even lower, the wakening stage. Technically speaking, unfulfilled desires during the active state emerge during dream state. Ultimately it is only the consciousness that manifests as God. The lowest level of consciousness means, the thought process associated with material life. The highest level of consciousness means the thought process that is not associated with anything at all, where it remains all alone. This can be compared to a lonely person in a desert. For miles and miles he sees only sand dunes. His mind gradually gets accustomed to this nothingness.

The stage of samādhi can be reached either from the awakened stage directly or through the successive stages of awake, dream, deep sleep and turya. When one develops by persistent meditative techniques, the skill of entering samādhi from the awakened state, the level of consciousness or awareness is in its purest form where Realization takes place with ease. When the gap between Self and self is progressively reduced, finally it leads to the merger of both when one confidentially affirms I am That of I am Śiva. This ultimate union is firmly established, only when the practitioner progresses in stages.

Awareness can be purified, first by dissociating the mind from pleasurable objects, next by reducing needs and finally beginning to develop focusing one’s attention on a point. Spiritual progression should happen in stages for a firm union with Śiva. Only in the advanced and well established stages spirituality, Realization happens like a flash of light.

The Second Chapter of Śiva Sūtra is concluded with the words of a living master about his realization.

“He is elusive, but I am tenacious! Today I got the key to catch Him finally (once and for all)! Of course, He had to reveal that to me after months of frustrating attempts to recover His Freedom. The perfectly awakened has constant Self-realization throughout the three states of consciousness. The partially awakened only has Self-realization at the beginning and at the end of those states. Because I have Self-realization during the states too, but not constantly. Believe or not, the key is to remember the state of Absolute Freedom I experienced before. When one remember that State, he acquires that quality. Well, I am surprised due to the simplicity of the method. I was waiting for His revelation, as taught, but He asked me to grab Him that way. The effect is immediate, i.e. He reveals Himself as the Perceiver immediately!”