Dream in Ancient India: A Study in Mythological Beliefs

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The 'subconscious' in humans has always been a subject inviting speculation. The subconscious expresses itself in a dream, but the dreamer has no control over it. Hence the study of dreams has become interesting and more so thought-provoking.

There have been various studies, including the clinical aspects of the phenomenon of dreams. The general consensus of the studies is that most dreams are in the form of narrations rearranged from memories of actual experiences and they are interrupted by frequent shifts of scenes and images.

The main idea underlying the discussion about dreams is always their auspicious or inauspicious nature. The age-old beliefs about 'auspicious' and 'inauspicious' are too firmly fixed in the mental set-up of society for being removed. The sphere of dreams is no exception to this.

The present book dealing with 'Dream' in ancient India takes us to the arena of the mythological beliefs, for solving the enigmatic nature of dreams.

(Late) Dr. Sadashiv Ambadas Dange, who had been R.G. Bhandarkar Professor and Head, Department of Sanskrit, University of Mumbai, is well-known in India and outside India for his contribution to the study of Sanskrit and Indology. He has numerous books and more than 280 research articles to his credit. An authority on Vedic and Puranic myths, rituals, and practices, several honours were conferred on him. To mention a few the Certificate of Honour from the President of India (1993), award by the State Government of Maharashtra (1990), 'Vishishta Puraskar' by the Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Academy (1989) and the Silver Medal from the Asiatic Society of Bombay (1983, for publications as a sole author).

Dr. (Mrs.) Sindhu Sadashiv Dange had been R. G. Bhandarkar Professor and Head, Department of Sanskrit, University of Mumbai. She has several books and 172 research articles to her credit. Well-known in India for her contribution to the field of Sanskrit, she has been the recipient of many honours, to mention a few, the Certificate of Honour from the President of India (2005), an Honorary Fellowship awarded by the Asiatic Society of Mumbai (27 Nov. 2017), the Degree of Mahamahopadhaya conferred by the Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit th University, Ramtek (11 August 2012), Silver Medal from the Asiatic Society of Mumbai (2005 for the publications, as sole author, of the years 2003-2005), Shri Guru Gangeshvarananda Rashtriya Veda-Vedanga Puraskara by Sarada Pratisthan, Nasik (24 Jan. 2004).

I am glad to present to the scholarly world this work on 'Dream' Lin Ancient India, long back envisaged by my husband (late) Dr. Sadashiv A. Dange. On the eve of his last journey on the path of a deadly ailment, he handed over to me some notes on this topic, which he had collected by squeezing some time from his work on bigger projects, which were published posthumously.

Being his former student and later on his wife, working in the same field of research for more than fifty years, I thought of completing this project of his on 'Dream', collecting more new material, arranging it to fit in the structure he had thought about, re- considering the concept of 'Collective Unconscious', propounded by psycho-analyst C.G. Jung and reviving the tenet of Bharata, the Father of the Natyasastra, Indian Dramaturgy, who was the first to propound the wellknown maxim of 'Aesthetic Pleasure' (Rasa), through the eight basic emotions of man (the ninth one added in later age). Indeed the first psychoanalyst in India of the third cent. AD (opinions may differ but definitely not later than third cent. AD), far far ahead of the stalwarts in the field of psychoanalysis in the western world.

I It is not necessary to give the meaning and concept behind the word 'dream', as it is one of many such words in common usage that has become flat. At the same time, it is necessary to look, with a fresh microscopic view at it to make sure that constant use and close familiarity have not crossed the various particles of concept it originally had. Dream is explained as "A series of thoughts or images passing through the mind in sleep; also the mental state in which this occurs." (Funk and Wangalls, Vol. I, p. 194). Without going to the figurative use of the word 'dream', such for example in the expression "Everybody has a dream" or "A dream has come true", indicating 'some aim in life' or 'something which is contrasted with the actual and beyond reach in actual life', it is clear from the definition noted above that a dream need not be a phenomenon restricted to sleep alone. The mental state, in which such a phenomenon of images presents before a person's wide awake eyes or closed eyes in the waking stage, is also a dream, though it is not sleep as such. In the latter case, it may be called 'day-dreaming' as distinct from a dream seen in daytime.