Don’t Renounce – In Gita Verse 2.69 What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Verse 2.69 states, “What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.” This profound statement holds multidimensional meanings, which require a nuanced understanding.
The disciplined scholar awakens and rejoices in a vision of self-confidence, a realm beyond the ordinary perception of common beings. This higher state of awareness, which transcends the ego-centric behaviours of “I” and “mine,” is the domain of the Brahmagyani, who perceives the divine presence in all things. Just as ordinary beings are inactive at night, the enlightened sage remains unaffected by ignorance and ego.
What appears as a dark night to the general populace is a moment of awakening for the wise and patient. This statement, profound and multidimensional, requires careful consideration. One dimension is literal: while ordinary people sleep, the enlightened remain awake. This literal interpretation is often overlooked in commentaries on the Gita, which tend to favour metaphorical explanations. However, the literal meaning is crucial.
Even when ordinary people sleep at night, the wise do not. This does not mean they do not lie down or close their eyes; rather, their consciousness remains alert. For example, when Buddha initiated his cousin Anand, Anand imposed three conditions: to stay with Buddha at all times, to receive immediate answers to his questions, and to have access to Buddha at any time, even at night. Buddha agreed, and Anand observed that Buddha remained motionless throughout the night, never changing his position. When Anand inquired, Buddha explained that since attaining enlightenment, only his body sleeps; his consciousness remains awake.
Krishna’s statement that what is dark sleep for everyone is awakening for the wise underscores this literal interpretation. Even in sleep, a part of our consciousness remains alert. For instance, a mother may sleep through a storm but will awaken at the slightest sound from her child. Similarly, a wise person remains awake even in sleep, maintaining a state of awareness.
Mahavir also emphasised this concept, instructing his followers to remain awake even while sleeping. This paradoxical advice highlights the importance of maintaining awareness at all times. A person who can remain conscious during sleep can also face death with awareness, understanding Krishna’s profound statement.
The metaphorical meaning of this statement is secondary but still significant. It suggests that while ordinary people remain engrossed in desires and attachments, the wise remain detached and awake. This metaphorical interpretation aligns with the teachings of many spiritual traditions but should not overshadow the literal meaning.
An aura of drowsiness surrounds ordinary individuals, while an aura of awakening surrounds the enlightened. This is not merely a myth but a reflection of the inner light perceived by those who have awakened. Just as the enlightened radiate a circle of light, the unenlightened are enveloped in a circle of darkness.
Ordinary people, driven by ego and desires, repeat the same patterns of behaviour, living like automatons. In contrast, the wise, free from ego, act with awareness and purpose. The distinction between sleep and awakening lies in the presence or absence of ego. Awakening dissolves the ego, while sleep reinforces it.
The individual who remains conscious while sleeping is known as a Yogi. This state of being is unrelated to one’s physical location, whether in a jungle or an urban setting, or whether one has renounced material possessions. It is the manner in which one lives that defines a Yogi or Sannyasin, not the act of renunciation itself. Everyone must navigate life in the world, but with an awakened perspective.
The World Is Not to Be Renounced: Many religions advocate for the renunciation of the world. In contrast, Krishna teaches transformation of the world.
Krishna’s counsel to Arjuna is clear and resolute: there is no need to renounce life or its circumstances. By sustaining complete awareness, even amidst conflict, akin to how a Yogi remains aware during sleep, one can achieve a state of witnessing consciousness. Much like a lotus that remains untainted by the mud in which it thrives, an individual can navigate the world without being influenced by it. Renunciation is not required; instead, awareness and detachment are the genuine routes to enlightenment.
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