Jagrat

Jagrat is a term derived from Sanskrit, meaning "awake" or "conscious." In the context of spiritual and philosophical traditions, particularly within Indian thought, jagrat refers to one of the three traditional states of consciousness, alongside *nirmāṇa* (dream) and *turiya* (deep sleep). These states are often explored in texts such as the *Yoga Sutras of Patanjali* and the *Upanishads* to describe different levels of awareness.

The jagrat state represents ordinary waking consciousness, where an individual is fully alert, perceiving the external world through the senses and engaging with reality. It is characterized by active thought, perception, and interaction with the physical environment. Philosophically, this state is seen as the foundation of daily experience, though it is also viewed as limited by the ego and the illusion of separation from the ultimate reality.

In some esoteric traditions, particularly those influenced by Advaita Vedanta, the jagrat state is contrasted with higher states of consciousness, such as *turiya*, which is described as a state of pure awareness beyond ordinary perception. Practices like meditation and yoga aim to transcend the limitations of jagrat by cultivating deeper states of consciousness.

The concept of jagrat is also referenced in Hindu cosmology, where it symbolizes the active, manifest universe governed by the god Vishnu. In this context, jagrat represents the ongoing cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution, emphasizing the dynamic nature of existence. The term continues to be studied in comparative religion and psychology as a framework for understanding human awareness and spiritual evolution.