Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.69
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
या निशा सर्वभूतानां तस्यां जागर्ति संयमी । यस्यां जाग्रति भूतानि सा निशा पश्यतो मुनेः ॥६९॥
yā niśā sarvabhūtānāṃ tasyāṃ jāgarti saṃyamī | yasyāṃ jāgrati bhūtāni sā niśā paśyato muneḥ ||69||
Complete Shloka Translation
What is night for all beings is a time of wakefulness for the disciplined one. What beings are awake to is night for the sage who sees.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| निशा | niśā | night |
| जागर्ति | jāgarti | is awake |
| या | yā | [term] in context of What is night for all beings i... |
| सर्वभूतानां | sarvabhūtānāṃ | [term] in context of What is night for all beings i... |
| तस्यां | tasyāṃ | [term] in context of What is night for all beings i... |
| संयमी | saṃyamī | [term] in context of What is night for all beings i... |
| यस्यां | yasyāṃ | [term] in context of What is night for all beings i... |
| जाग्रति | jāgrati | [term] in context of What is night for all beings i... |
| भूतानि | bhūtāni | [term] in context of What is night for all beings i... |
| सा | sā | [term] in context of What is night for all beings i... |
| पश्यतो | paśyato | [term] in context of What is night for all beings i... |
| मुनेः | muneḥ | [term] in context of What is night for all beings i... |
| ६९ | muneḥ | [term] in context of What is night for all beings i... |
night
is awake
[term] in context of What is night for all beings i...
[term] in context of What is night for all beings i...
[term] in context of What is night for all beings i...
[term] in context of What is night for all beings i...
[term] in context of What is night for all beings i...
[term] in context of What is night for all beings i...
[term] in context of What is night for all beings i...
[term] in context of What is night for all beings i...
[term] in context of What is night for all beings i...
[term] in context of What is night for all beings i...
[term] in context of What is night for all beings i...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Night and wakefulness are contrasting metaphors for awareness and values. The verse is not a recommendation to reverse one's sleep schedule.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Wisdom changes what captures attention and what seems worth pursuing."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What do you attend to that might be overlooked by common priorities?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse when facing identity crisis or fear of failure: distinguish the unchanging inner self from transient life situations, and act with full dedication without anxiety over the final outcome.