विज्रंभते यत्तमसो भीरोरिह पिशाचवत् ।
तदिदं जाग्रति स्वप्नलोकवत् दृश्यते बुधैः ॥ ३ ॥
What expands forth here in darkness is like a ghost to a coward;
That is seen by the intuitive person (for whom) this waking state is like a dream world.
Commentary
Darkness or non-knowledge expands forth or "yawns" which is another meaning for vijrimbhate, appearing frightfully ghoulish to the ignorant person who does not know how to overcome it, being fully immersed in the sensual waking state. As the Isvarapratyabhijna points out: "The waking state, precious to all, is the source of external action through the activity of the senses."
The man of intuition considers the waking state to be like a dream world. Waking and dreaming are linked together just as the Gaudapada Karika (II. 5) does, "Thoughtful people say that dream and waking indeed have one basis." The waking state does not lead to spiritual freedom because the mind is activated by the senses, and this is why an intuitive person considers the waking state to be like a dream world. He comes to this conclusion from his experience.