How to Sleep Peacefully?

Preface

The modern day hectic lifestyle, domestic tensions, office tensions etc. have made peaceful sleep a rarity for most
people. Absence of peaceful sleep adversely affects the following days work-schedule. Many of those who suffer from
sleep disorders visit doctors in the hope of overcoming their problem. Doctors in turn prescribe sedative drugs to their
patients so that they get much needed sleep, and advise them certain physical exercises. Allopathy does not think
beyonda this. Disregard to natures laws pertaining to sleep and not following related chrs (Conducts conforming to
Shruti and Smruti) mentioned in Dharma collectively form the root cause of the problem of not getting a peaceful sleep.
This Holy text in particular elaborates the spiritual science underlying various aspects related to peaceful sleep, such as
in which direction the head should be while sleeping, why should the bedroom not be completely dark while going to bed
etc.

Sometimes, superficially, no reasons are evident for lack of sleep. At times, other sleep related disorders, such as
talking in sleep (somniloquy), sleepwalking (somnambulism) etc. are also noted. The main reason for all such disorders
is distress due to negative energies. The power of negative energies increases during the night, and hence, they can
easily attack an individual while he/she is asleep. As a result, distress such as inability to wake up early, inability to get
started immediately upon waking up, heaviness of the body, lack of enthusiasm etc. are experienced. All this distress
can be overcome only through spiritual remedies.

Once asleep, the direction and position in which an individual goes to sleep changes. Often, the cause is distress due to
negative energies. During such times, the individuals family members can take remedial measures such as altering the
posture, turning the head towards the east etc. To entirely prevent distress due to negative energies in sleep, guidance
is also provided in this Holy text on spiritual remedies, such as forming a manal (Protective sheath) using Name-strips
of Deities around the mattress, placing a lit sttvik (Sattva-predominant) incense-stick near the pillow etc.

Our earnest prayer unto the Holy feet of Shr Guru is that by adhering to the conduct mentioned in this Holy text, may
the reader get the benefit of a peaceful sleep and thereby, let his faith in the chr prescribed by Hindu Dharma be
enhanced!

- Compilers

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 Index

(An asterisk * sign has been placed alongside important points)

Preface

Commentary by A Scholar on the Divine Knowledge received about this Holy text

Some terms used in connection with the Subtle dimension and their meanings

Meaning of spiritual terminology

Introduction to the Recipients of Divine Knowledge and the Compilers

1. Origin and meaning of the word nidr (Sleep)

2. Importance of sleep
3. Duration of sleep

4. Reasons for getting sleep and the related processes

5. Place of sleep

6. Types of bedding and their advantages-disadvantages

* Advantages-disadvantages of sleeping on a mattress, sleeping on the floor and sleeping on a bed
* Sleeping on the floor, bed, bamboo mattress and a mattress made of darbha (A type of sacred grass)
* Ideal bedding

7. Preparations to be made before going to bed

* If the feet are wet, wipe them dry
* Why should a metal pot filled with water be kept near the head side while sleeping ?
* Science underlying the act of keeping a stick besides the bed while sleeping

8. Mantrs to be recited, prayers to be offered and chanting to be done before sleeping

* Shloks / mantrs to be recited before sleeping
* Pray unto Nidrdv or the Deity of worship
* Go to sleep while chanting the Name of Deity of worship

9. Some chrs (Conducts) pertaining to sleep and the underlying science

9A. Where should one not sleep ?
9B. According to yurvda, when to sleep and when not to sleep, and other related points
9C. When to sleep and when not to ?
9D. Do not sit or sleep with unwashed hands after meals
9E. Do not sleep wearing new clothes
9F. Do not sleep in the nude
9G. An individual having negative distress should not sleep or roam in a semi-naked state
9H. Do not sleep on a bed used by the elders
9I. Picture depicting subtle-effects observed when an average individual (without negative energy distress) sleeps on
the bedding of another average individual
9J. Do not cover yourself with a bedsheet
9K. Never sleep in complete darkness at night
9L. Do not cross over an indivdual who is sleeping
9M. Do not wake up an indivdual who is sleeping by frightening him
9N. Why should obeisance not be paid to a sleeping individual?
9O. Do not sleep on a bed made of wood from a flame tree, fig tree, bo tree, black plum tree etc.
9P. Never use different kind of wood, broken or cracked planks to sleep on
9Q. Do not sleep on a bed made from the tusk of a dead elephant

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 10. Appropriate and inappropriate ways of sleeping and the underlying science
* Benefits derived by sleeping on the left side
* Effects of sleeping on the right side
* Sleeping normally on one side and sleeping on one side while being attacked by a mntrik
* Subtle-effects of sleeping on the back and on the stomach
* Subtle-effects on an individual according to various sleeping positions
* Reasons for not sleeping with the feet towards the south or in the north-south direction
* Why should we not sit or sleep with our ankles crossed?

11. Sleep and negative energies

* Natural sleep and that induced by distress due to negative energies
* Process of feeling extremely sleepy because of distress due to negative energies
* Spiritual remedies to be adopted as protection from negative energies during sleep

12. Sleep and samdhi

13. Sleeping pattern of H.H. Dr. Athavale (Compiler)

14. Analysis based on the subtle-knowledge conducted by Mrs. Yoya Vallee, related to the effects on a seeker
when she slept in her own room and when she slept in the room in which H.H. Dr. Athavale earlier performed
sv

15. Scientific experiment conducted in the context of sleep, with Electrosomatograph scanning instrument

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