Answer
The 69th verse of the second chapter states: “What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled, and what is the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.” At first glance, this verse may appear difficult to understand, but Srila Prabhupada explains it very clearly in his purport.
Here, Krishna is comparing two categories of people. One category consists of the general population, and the other consists of self-controlled or Krishna conscious persons (samyami).
The general population is mostly engaged in sense gratification. Their main focus is material enjoyment, and they are constantly absorbed in seeking pleasure through the senses. For them, sense enjoyment is “daytime activity”—it is what they are awake and active for.
On the other hand, Krishna conscious persons are not interested in sense gratification. They understand that material enjoyment is ultimately temporary and unfulfilling. Therefore, what is considered “daytime activity” for the materialistic person becomes like “night” for them—they are not attracted to it.
Instead, Krishna conscious persons are awake and active in devotional service. Their engagement is in hearing about Krishna, chanting His names, remembering Him, and serving Him. For them, this spiritual engagement is their true “day.”
Thus, the verse describes a reversal of consciousness: what the world values as enjoyment is rejected by the devotee, and what the world ignores or considers insignificant becomes the devotee’s source of awakening and activity.
Ordinary people constantly search for enjoyment through the senses—through taste, sight, sound, smell, and touch. In contrast, a devotee consciously engages all these senses in Krishna’s service: hearing Krishna-katha, seeing the Deity or sacred images, tasting prasadam, speaking about Krishna, chanting His holy names, and associating with devotees.
In this way, all the senses are positively engaged in Krishna consciousness. This leads to real satisfaction and spiritual happiness.
Therefore, this verse teaches that one should not remain active in sense gratification, but rather become fully active in Krishna consciousness. That is the essential message of this teaching.
