The characteristic traits of pure consciousness are complete serenity, clarity, and freedom from distraction.
Nitāi: "After the manifestation of the mahat-tattva, these features appear simultaneously. As water in its natural state, before coming in contact with earth, is clear, sweet and unruffled, so the characteristic
traits of pure consciousness are complete serenity, clarity, and freedom from distraction."
Prabhupāda:
- svacchatvam avikāritvaṁ
- śāntatvam iti cetasaḥ
- vṛttibhir lakṣaṇaṁ proktaṁ
- yathāpāṁ prakṛtiḥ parā
- (SB 3.26.22)
In the previous verse we have discussed that yat tat sattva-guṇaṁ svaccham. Svaccham means transparent, clear. Now that svacchatvam is explained, what is the meaning of clarity, clear-uncontaminated. These are the symptoms: svacchatvam avikāritvam, without any change. "Freedom from all distraction." Just like here there are many mothers sitting, and the natural affection for the child and the child's complete dependence on the mother's mercy is visible. There is no need of explanation. That is natural. If the mother is taking care of the child, it is not artificial. And if the child is feeling uncomfort without being on the lap of the mother, that is also natural. This is called avikāritvam, natural affection between the mother and the son. Similarly, we have got our natural affection for Kṛṣṇa.