या निशा सर्वभूतानां तस्यां जागर्ति संयमी । यस्यां जाग्रति भूतानि सा निशा पश्यतो मुनेः ॥
जेथ समस्त भूतें निजलीं । तेथ तो एकु जागा भलीं । आणि जेथ जीव जागे झाले । तेथ निजला तो ॥
"Where all beings have fallen asleep, there he alone is wide awake; and where the creatures are awake, there he is asleep."
💡 Meaning
Where all beings are asleep (in ignorance), the sage is wide awake (in self-realization). Where all beings are awake (in worldly affairs), the sage is asleep (detached).
🔍 Deep Interpretation
In this verse, Dnyaneshwar Maharaj describes the paradoxical awareness of a realized soul. What is considered 'night' (ignorance) by common people is the 'day' (enlightenment) for a sage. Conversely, the material world that common people are intensely 'awake' to and engaged in, is perceived as a dream or 'night' by the sage, who remains detached from its illusions.
🎯 Practical Application
In a world obsessed with temporary trends and external validation, staying focused on inner peace and long-term values is a practical application. Example: Staying calm and focused on your work while others are distracted by gossip.
📌 Context
Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the state of a Sthitaprajna (a person of steady wisdom) using the metaphor of day and night.