Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2, Verse 69

Sanskrit:

“या निशा सर्वभूतानां तस्यां जागर्ति संयमी

यस्यां जाग्रति भूतानि सा निशा पश्यतो मुनेः”

Translation:

“What is night to all beings, therein the self-controlled one is awake; and where all beings are awake, that is night for the sage who sees.”

At first glance, this may seem abstract poetic even. But when we unpack its meaning, it holds powerful lessons for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

Finding Meaning in a Complex World

Lord Krishna explains here that the wise and self-disciplined individual (the “sage”) operates on a different level of awareness than the average person. What the world considers “dark” or trivial, the sage sees as bright and meaningful. Conversely, what most people chase—money, fame, trends—is like “darkness” to the one who is truly awake.

Entrepreneurs and leaders can draw a key takeaway: success often requires seeing what others overlook and ignoring what others obsess over.

But how do we practice this in the real world? Let’s take this esoteric wisdom and ground it with practical steps.

The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Staying Awake: Bhagavad Gita

For entrepreneurs, this verse points to the value of focus on what really matters—discipline, purpose, and clarity—over distractions, short-term desires, and noise. Here’s how to apply this to your business and leadership journey:

1. See Opportunities Where Others See Risk

In a world that is noisy and constantly looking for the next big thing, an entrepreneur must stay awake to emerging opportunities that others dismiss as “crazy” or “too risky.” Visionaries throughout history—think Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, or Sarah Blakely—have thrived because they could clearly see potential long before the world did.

Action Tip: Train yourself to identify patterns others miss. Regularly step back from daily operations to analyze trends and shifts in your industry. Ask yourself: Am I focusing on surface-level noise, or am I building for the long term?

2. Detach from the “Herd Mentality”

Most people are driven by instincts—following trends, chasing shiny objects, or worrying about others’ opinions. But a differentiating entrepreneur takes a detached approach: they focus on essence, not appearance.

Action Tip: Build clarity around your business mission and values. Use these as your north star to filter decisions. When tempted by fads or the competition, pause and ask: Does this align with my purpose and vision?

3. Choose Deep Work Over Surface Distraction

For the sage, what others label as “night”—quiet introspection, focused discipline, and purposeful sacrifices—is where they find clarity. As an entrepreneur, this might mean building disciplines that others avoid: reading for inspiration, reflecting on strategy, or thinking long-term.

Action Tip: Identify your daily distractions. Commit to a set block of deep focus time each day to work on tasks that grow your vision. Say no to short-term gratification to say yes to long-term progress.

4. Accept That Visionaries Often Walk Alone

When you’re awake to things others cannot yet see, it can feel isolating. But this is where innovation is born. Every breakthrough first appears counterintuitive to the masses. When you know your “why,” trust it—even in solitude.

Action Tip: Surround yourself with mentors, books, or communities that foster bold thinking. They’ll keep you anchored even when others don’t understand your vision.

5. Awaken to the “Invisible Metrics”: Bhagavad Gita

While most entrepreneurs track visible metrics—revenue, growth, or followers—the sage focuses on what’s unseen but vital—like purpose, culture, and personal growth. These are the long-term assets that fuel sustainable success.

Action Tip: Invest in cultivating aligned leadership and strong company values. Build a business that does not just grow but matters. Periodically ask: Am I measuring what truly counts?

Entrepreneurship Is an Inner Journey: Bhagavad Gita

This verse from the Bhagavad Gita reminds us that entrepreneurship is not just an external hustle—it’s an inner awakening. What you choose to focus on, discipline yourself for, and elevate above noise defines your long-term success.

It’s easy to chase the same goals as the crowd. But the greats don’t think like everyone else—they chart their own course, fueled by deep clarity and purpose.

In the words of the Bhagavad Gita: stay awake to what matters, even if the world feels like it’s “sleeping” on it.

Reflection for You

1. Are you focusing on what truly matters, or are you moving with the noise of the crowd?

2. What are 1-2 distractions in your life right now that you could eliminate to gain clarity?

3. How can you build small daily habits to focus on your long-term purpose?

Practical Challenge for This Week

Here’s a small experiment to apply the wisdom of this verse:

1. Carve Out 30 Minutes: Spend 30 minutes this week just thinking about your long-term vision. (No email, no phone, no Slack.)

2. Identify 1 Thing to Let Go Of: Identify one activity or distraction (social media, unnecessary meetings, overanalyzing competitors) that has been pulling you away from true focus.

3. Act on Your Vision: Move one step closer to a meaningful goal you’ve been procrastinating on because it feels too big or misunderstood.

The Bhagavad Gita reminds us: “What is night to others is day to the awakened.”

Be among the awakened. Stay clear. Stay inspired. And stay committed to what truly matters in your entrepreneurial journey.

Let’s stay awake to greater purpose and clarity together.

This article is only a knowledge-sharing initiative and is based on the Relevant Provisions as applicable and as per the information existing at the time of the preparation. In no event, RMP Global or the Author or any other persons be liable for any direct and indirect result from this Article or any inadvertent omission of the provisions, update, etc if any.