Stacking Geas

What happens when geas is cast multiple times on the same target, using a different command each time? Quoting from the 2024 Basic Rules:

"Combining Spell Effects

The effects of different spells add together while their durations overlap. In contrast, the effects of the same spell cast multiple times don’t combine. Instead, the most potent effect—such as the highest bonus—from those castings applies while their durations overlap. The most recent effect applies if the castings are equally potent and their durations overlap. For example, if two Clerics cast bless on the same target, that target gains the spell’s benefit only once; the target doesn’t receive two bonus dice. But if the durations of the spells overlap, the effect continues until the duration of the second Bless ends."

Does that mean that if I cast Geas at 9th level on somebody, and then the next day I cast Geas at 5th level on that same person, using a different command, then both of the spells are still on the target, it's just that only the second Geas takes effect, and the first Geas is suppressed until the second one's duration ends?

The "castings are equally potent" part might be interpreted to include spell level (or duration, which amounts to the same thing in this case) and not just the effect itself. If so, then in your example, the second casting simply would never apply unless the first one was somehow removed while keeping the second intact.

Quote from Necrift_Ikinlaw >>

Does that mean that if I cast Geas at 9th level on somebody, and then the next day I cast Geas at 5th level on that same person, using a different command, then both of the spells are still on the target, it's just that only the second Geas takes effect, and the first Geas is suppressed until the second one's duration ends?

I would agree with this ruling.  The effects are equally potent and the durations overlap.  Apply the most recent effect until it expires, at which point the ongoing earlier effect now applies again.  The key is that the target does not follow both commands at the same time.  It follows the first command, then it switches to following only the second command for a while, then it switches back to following the first command.

It's not entirely clear what they mean by only one applying. It could just be that if you are subject to two geas spells and you violate both of them, you only suffer damage once.