FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.18.26

प्रतिरुद्धेन्द्रियप्राणमनोबुद्धिमुपारतम् । स्थानत्रयात्परं प्राप्तं ब्रह्मभूतमविक्रियम् ॥ २६ ॥
pratiruddhendriya-prāṇa-
[pratiruddhendriya-praana-]
mano-buddhim upāratam
[mano-buddhim upaaratam]
sthāna-trayāt paraṁ prāptaṁ
[sthaana-trayaat param praaptam]
brahma-bhūtam avikriyam
[brahma-bhootam avikriyam]
pratiruddha — restrained indriya — the sense organs prāṇa — air of respiration manaḥ — the mind buddhim — intelligence upāratam — inactive sthāna — places trayāt — from the three param — transcendental prāptam — achieved brahma-bhūtam — qualitatively equal with the Supreme Absolute avikriyam — unaffected.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
pratiruddhendriya-prāṇa-
pratiruddha
restrained
indriya
the sense organs
prāṇa
air of respiration
mano-buddhim upāratam
manaḥ
the mind
buddhim
intelligence
upāratam
inactive
sthāna-trayāt paraṁ prāptaṁ
sthāna
places
trayāt
from the three
param
transcendental
prāptam
achieved
brahma-bhūtam avikriyam
brahma-bhūtam
qualitatively equal with the Supreme Absolute
avikriyam
unaffected.
The muni’s sense organs, breath, mind and intelligence were all restrained from material activities, and he was situated in a trance apart from the three [wakefulness, dream and unconsciousness], having achieved a transcendental position qualitatively equal with the Supreme Absolute.

It appears that the muni, in whose hermitage the King entered, was in yogic trance. The transcendental position is attained by three processes, namely the process of jñāna, or theoretical knowledge of transcendence, the process of yoga, or factual realization of trance by manipulation of the physiological and psychological functions of the body, and the most approved process of bhakti-yoga, or the engagement of senses in the devotional service of the Lord. In the Bhagavad-gītā also we have the information of the gradual development of perception from matter to a living entity. Our material mind and body develop from the living entity, the soul, and being influenced by the three qualities of matter, we forget our real identity. The jñāna process theoretically speculates about the reality of the soul. But bhakti-yoga factually engages the spirit soul in activities. The perception of matter is transcended to still subtler states of the senses. The senses are transcended to the subtler mind, and then to breathing activities and gradually to intelligence. Beyond the intelligence, the living soul is realized by the mechanical activities of the yoga system, or practice of meditation restraining the senses, regulating the breathing system and applying intelligence to rise to the transcendental position. This trance stops all material activities of the body. The King saw the muni in that position. He also saw the muni as follows.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
The sage had withdrawn his senses, life air, mind and intelligence after controlling them. Having surpassed the three states, he had entered into trance and realized brahman. He did not move at all.
Commentary

The sage was Śamīka. He had surpassed the three states of waking sleeping and deep sleep and reached the fourth state, samādhi, and had realized brahman.

The muni's senses, breath, mind and intelligence were restrained from material activities. He was in a trance apart from the three states. The deep meditator looks unresponsive — but is most engaged.
Reflection Questions
  • Where do I mistake someone's quiet for absence?
  • What state am I cultivating that would look 'absent' to a casual observer?
📝 My note

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