A Journey into the Depths of the Human Soul
Dreams are reflections of an individual’s temperament and character.
Different temperaments are associated with specific dream symbols, such as :
People who associate with air and space elements/temperament:
have dreams of flying or rising high in the sky, climbing trees or mountains or rivers, or riding camels (animals).
People who associate with fire and water temperament:
have dreams or visions of golden colour, or gold and fire, or red coloured sky, falling meteoric and lightening, and bright flames and light.
People who associate with water and earth temperament :
have dreams of lotuses, ponds, clouds and aquatic birds like geese or swans and ruddy shelducks.
Dreams, the mysterious realms of the sleeping mind, have fascinated humanity throughout the ages.
Across cultures, these nocturnal visions have held diverse meanings, ranging from glimpses of the future to mere flights of fancy.
However, it is the profound wisdom and emotional depth embedded within Hindu mythology and philosophy that truly shed light on the significance of dreams.
Ancient Hindu scriptures, such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas, are treasure troves of knowledge and understanding.
Hindu perspectives on sleep and dreams reveal a rich tapestry of beliefs, delving into the very essence of human consciousness and its connection to the divine.
From the Rig Veda, the oldest Hindu scripture, to the Upanishads, dreams have been a recurring theme.
The Upanishads present two fundamental views on dreams:
1. one considers them as reflections of inner desires, akin to Freudian wish fulfilment.
(The Interpretation of Dreams is an 1899 book written by Sigmund Freud. He was the founder of the theory of “psychoanalysis”, in which the author introduced his theory of the unconscious with respect to dream interpretation.)
2. while the other suggests that dreams serve as spiritual teaching, with the soul leaving the body to acquire knowledge until the dreamer awakens.
Throughout Hindu classics, dreams hold great significance. They are seen as omens, guides, and even warnings.
In Valmiki’s Ramayana, for instance, the defeat of the demon Ravana at the hands of Lord Rama is foretold through a prophetic dream experienced by Trijita, a rakshasi /an evil lady.
The classification of dreams in Hindu philosophy is both comprehensive and nuanced.
There are “Seven types of dreams” identified, encompassing various aspects of human experience.
These include dreams based on past observations, dreams influenced by desires and wishes, and even dreams that manifest in real life.
dreams have been linked to pregnancy, with certain dream experiences believed to reveal the gender of the unborn child.
Dream analysis, in this context, provides expectant mothers with intriguing insights into the future.
Conclusion
Intricately woven into the fabric of Hindu culture, dreams hold profound emotional significance.
They are gateways to self-discovery, divine teachings, and glimpses into the interconnectedness of the spiritual and earthly realms.
Exploring the Hindu perspective on dreams invites us
to embrace the mysteries of the sleeping mind and embark on a
soul-stirring journey of self-realization and enlightenment.
Happy Dreaming !!!
