Types of Swapna in Hindu Philosophy: Are Your Dreams Trying to Tell You Something?

Why do some dreams disturb while others guide? Learn how Sanatangyan and Hindu philosophy explain the hidden meaning and types of swapna in simple language.

Dreams have always been a mystery for human beings. Every night, when the body rests, the mind enters another world. Some dreams bring happiness and hope, while others create fear and confusion. Many dreams disappear quickly, but some remain in the heart for a long time.

In Sanatan Dharma, dreams are not treated as meaningless stories. They are seen as an important inner experience. According to Sanatangyan, dreams help us understand our mind, our desires, and even our spiritual journey.

What Is a Swapna?

In Sanskrit, a dream is called Swapna. The word Swapna means a state where a person loses contact with the outer world. When we sleep, our eyes do not see and our ears do not hear, but the mind does not sleep. The mind continues to work silently. It creates images, sounds, and feelings using old memories. Sanatangyan explains that the dream world is created from what we have already experienced in life. This is why dreams often look familiar yet strange at the same time.

Four States of Consciousness in Hindu Thought

The Upanishads explain that human life moves through four states of consciousness. The first state is Jagrit, the waking state, where we experience the world through our senses. The second state is Swapna, the dream state, where the senses rest but the mind remains active. The third state is Sushupti, the state of deep sleep where there are no dreams or thoughts. The fourth state is Turiya, which is a higher spiritual state beyond the mind and body. Sanatangyan teaches that Swapna is important because it connects the outer world with the inner self.

Types of Swapna: Why Do Humans See Dreams?

According to Sanatangyan, dreams are not created by the brain alone. They are created by memory, desire, emotions, body condition, karma, and the soul. Whatever we see, hear, or feel during the day is stored in the mind. At night, when the mind becomes free from outer control, these memories appear in different forms. This is why dreams sometimes repeat daily events and sometimes create new scenes. Dreams show the true state of the mind.

Drishta Swapna – Dreams Based on What We Have Seen

Drishta Swapna are dreams based on things we have already seen in waking life. When a person dreams of known people, familiar places, or past events, it is called Drishta Swapna. These dreams come directly from memory. Sanatangyan explains that such dreams are natural and common. They do not predict the future. They simply show that the mind is active and recalling past experiences.

Shruta Swapna – Dreams Based on What We Have Heard

Shruta Swapna are dreams in which sound plays an important role. A person may hear voices, music, or other sounds while dreaming. These sounds may come from past memories or from the surrounding environment during sleep. According to Sanatangyan, the mind stores sounds just like images. When these stored sounds appear in dreams, they form Shruta Swapna.

Anubhuta Swapna – Dreams of Felt Experience

Anubhuta Swapna are dreams in which a person feels physical or emotional sensations. In such dreams, one may feel pain, happiness, fear, touch, or comfort. Even though the body is resting, the mind creates the feeling as if it is real. Sanatangyan explains that these dreams happen when the body and mind influence each other during sleep, especially when the body is affected by illness, fatigue, or stress.

Prarthita Swapna – Dreams Born from Desire

Prarthita Swapna are dreams created by strong desires. When a wish is not fulfilled during waking life, it appears freely in dreams. A person may dream of success, love, respect, or achievement. According to Sanatangyan, desires do not disappear when ignored. They remain hidden in the mind and express themselves during the dream state. Such dreams show what the heart truly wants.

Kalpita Swapna – Dreams Created by Imagination

Kalpita Swapna are dreams created purely by imagination. These dreams often have no connection with real life. A person may see impossible scenes, strange creatures, or unreal events. Sanatangyan explains that these dreams are the result of mental creativity. They do not carry spiritual or future meaning and should not be taken seriously.

Bhavita Swapna – Dreams That Later Come True

Bhavita Swapna are rare and powerful dreams. These dreams later become true in real life. They feel very clear and leave a deep impression on the mind. Sanatangyan believes that Bhavita Swapna are connected to past karma or divine guidance. Such dreams are not seen by everyone. They come to people whose mind is calm and sensitive.

Dosaja Swapna – Dreams Caused by Body Imbalance

Dosaja Swapna are dreams caused by imbalance in the body. According to Ayurveda, the body is controlled by three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. When these doshas are disturbed, they affect the mind and create specific dreams. A person with Vata imbalance may see fearful or falling dreams. A person with Pitta imbalance may see fire or anger. A person with Kapha imbalance may see water or heaviness. Sanatangyan teaches that these dreams are signs of health imbalance rather than spiritual messages.

Fruitful and Fruitless Dreams

Hindu scriptures explain that some dreams have no effect on life, while others do. Dreams that come from daily thoughts and disappear quickly are fruitless. They do not change anything. Other dreams leave a strong impression on the mind or affect health and life events. Sanatangyan teaches that only such meaningful dreams should be reflected upon with awareness.

Importance of Dream Timing in Sanatangyan

Ancient Hindu texts also explain that the time of a dream matters. Dreams seen in the early part of the night take a long time to show results. Dreams seen during Brahma Muhurta may show quick results. Dreams seen in early morning are mostly meaningless because the mind is half awake. Sanatangyan gives special importance to dreams seen in deep and peaceful sleep.

Role of the Soul (Atma) in Dreams

Acharya Charaka explains that the soul, or Atma, is responsible for memory, action, experience, and enjoyment. Since Swapna is a form of memory, it is guided by the Atma. This is why some dreams feel deeply personal and meaningful. Sanatangyan teaches that dreams are not only mental activity but also a reflection of the soul’s journey through karma.

Dreams are not useless illusions. They are messages from the inner world. Some dreams reflect daily life, some show hidden desires, some indicate health problems, and some carry spiritual meaning. Sanatangyan teaches us to observe dreams calmly and wisely. When understood correctly, dreams help us understand our mind, our karma, and our path toward self-awareness.