Significance of At night

In Vaishnavism, "At night" encompasses multiple meanings, including the time of events, distress due to the absence of Bhagavan's darshana, and emotional weight associated with darkness. It contrasts with daytime, emphasizing solitude and contemplation, particularly highlighting moments when Shri Radha felt unhappy. Additionally, it serves as the setting for significant acts of worship and rituals, including the rasa dance and Krishna's flute playing. Furthermore, this time is also viewed as potentially perilous, relevant to both spiritual practices and worldly concerns.1

Synonyms: Evening, Nighttime, Dusk, Twilight, Nightfall, Dark, Midnight, In the evening

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'At night'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, "At night" signifies a period of introspection and emotion, characterized by rituals, worship, and the reverence of darkness, influencing events like Krishna's flute playing and the rasa dance amid feelings of solitude and distress.

Significance of At night in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):

Vaishnavism Books

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) The time during the dark hours when the events in the text take place.^[1] (2) The time frame in which the events are taking place.^[2] (3) The time when the event took place, suggesting a serene and introspective atmosphere.^[3] (4) Ratryam signifies the time period during which the events of the rasa dance and Krishna's flute playing take place.^[4] (5) The specific time when the events of worshiping Shri Radha occurred, highlighting the setting.^[5]

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) A specific time when the exalted devotee chose to honor the Ganges, possibly symbolizing contemplation and intimacy in worship.^[6] (2) The specific time mentioned in relation to when the atheists claim the devotees are engaging in inappropriate behavior.^[7] (3) The time when Gadadhara chose to go to the Kazi's house, highlighting a sense of daring.^[8] (4) The time referred to in contrast to during the day, indicating a different context.^[9]

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) The time period when sacrifices were traditionally not performed, and when the speaker felt distress due to absence of Bhagavan's darshana.^[10]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Significance of At night in Dharmashastra (religious law):

Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) The period when the individual rests after the day's activities, emphasizing a cyclical routine of labor and rest.^[11] (2) Specifies the time for conducting the sacrifice, indicating a period associated with rituals and offerings.^[12]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance of At night in Kavyashastra (science of poetry):

Kavyashastra Books

From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana

(1) A phrase indicating the time when darkness prevails, often associated with the fading of light or visibility.^[13]

Kavyashastra refers to the ancient Indian tradition of poetry (kavya). Canonical literature (shastra) of the includes encyclopedic manuals dealing with prosody, rhetoric and various other guidelines serving to teach the poet how to compose literature.

Significance of At night in Vedanta (school of philosophy):

Vedanta Books

From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)

(1) Indicates the time when the observation occurs, suggesting a setting of mystery and contemplation.^[14]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance of At night in Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology):

Jyotisha Books

From: Brihat Samhita

(1) When the rainbow appears, indicating peril for ministers.^[15]

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotisha or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Last Updated: 01 November, 2024