Staying Awake at Night Increases Negativity

We are seeing the events that happened soon after Hanumanji landed in Lanka. He released both Mrityu Deva and Shani Deva, whom Ravana had held captive. They both blessed that they will not harm the devotees of Hanumanji.

Hanumanji could see Ravana’s capital from where he was. It had high walls on all sides, with well-guarded gates on all four sides. The name of the capital is also Lanka. The entire island is also called Lanka. It was a well-planned city. Hanumanji could see a well-planned, prosperous city.

He could see one temple — only one temple — which Hanumanji later found out was called Nikumbhila Mandir. It was here that Ravana would practice black magic. Attached to every house was a shed in which buffalos were kept — not cows. There were beautiful gardens attached to every house. Every house was golden, bearing a swarna kalasha on top.

Rakshasas thought that they themselves were gods and hence made golden homes for themselves like temples. For them, it was their own bodies which deserved respect and every kind of comfort. They never could think beyond their own bodies.

As Hanumanji was watching, many of them were outside — some roaring, some getting into fights for no reason. This was their nature. They were all well built. Hanumanji could not find anyone who was weak or old among them. There were many wrestling grounds. Rakshasas were very concerned about their physical fitness.

Some were seen chewing big buffalos raw, just like that. Some were drinking huge potfuls of liquor.

It was evening. Lanka was slowly waking up. Rakshasas are active during night. They are called Nishacharas. When all of us wake up towards the end of the night, which is called Brahma Yama, that's when they get sleepy. They start going to sleep. This is because of excess of tamoguna in the body.

Of late, we have been seeing this tendency among youngsters — to stay awake till three or four in the morning and then sleep till noon. Whatever may be the reason, even studies — try to avoid this, because over a period of time, tamoguna or negativity will build up in the body.

Body clock is naturally set with the movement of the sun. It will change — if you keep awake in the night, it will change. It will look like it’s natural. Many people say this — it is very comfortable to study or work in the night. It is quiet. There is no one to disturb. But over a long period of time, this is neither good for the mind nor for the body.

These are all innovations of western culture. What Sanatana Dharma shows us is to synchronize with nature. That way, you are making the most efficient use of your body and mind. Nobody wants negativity to build within themselves. You will not even know why this is happening. It could be your sleeping habit.

Brahma Yama or Brahma Muhurta is the best time to wake up and start your day. Keeping awake at night is the nature of asuras and rakshasas. If it is part of your job, there is no other way — but try to minimize this. Wherever you can avoid, where you have a choice — avoid this. Move with the sun.

What were these Rakshasas doing in Lanka at night? They were eating, drinking, dancing — basically partying throughout the night and sleeping during the day. There was ample money. They didn’t have to work every day. Their houses were made of gold.

Whenever their chief Ravana asked them to get together, attack someone, and torture someone — they had to do it, that’s all. Rest of the time — party.

Hanumanji made his body tiny, kept the ring that the Lord had given him in his mouth, and tried to sneak in through the gate of Lanka — into the capital, on top of the middle peak of Trikuta.

Suddenly, a colossal form of a woman appeared before Hanumanji and stopped him. She said, 'Who is this trying to enter Lanka without my permission? Don’t you know that such people become my food?'

Hanumanji was taken by surprise. How could she spot him? He was so small. He didn’t want to create a scene and catch the attention of other Rakshasa guards. He gave one punch on her head. She fell down on the ground, vomited blood, but soon got up and stood with her folded hands.

'Oh messenger of the Lord, oh Sri Rama Duta, I am Lankini, the protective goddess of Lanka. I am the Adhidevata of Lanka. Whenever a place — a village or a city — comes into existence, that place also gets its Adhidevata. Brahma Deva deputes someone to protect that place. It is the duty of this divinity to protect that place.

Lankini said, 'When Ravana built Lanka, Brahma Deva asked me to come here and assume the position of the protective goddess of Lanka. But he told me one more thing: one day a monkey will come, hit you on the head, and make you unconscious. From then onwards, stop protecting Lanka — because you can’t anymore. It means the Lord Rama is going to come soon. You can’t protect anyone who has offended Lord Rama. Even if it is Swarga Loka — if they turn against Lord Rama, then nobody can protect them.'

Hanumanji was getting impatient. 'Now please stop talking and allow me to do whatever I have come here for. I am running out of time. Being a goddess I will not harm you. But if you delay me, I will tie you up with a rock and keep you under the sea for some time. This conversation will catch the attention of other Rakshasas. Now move away.'

Lankini said, 'I will not obstruct you. I will not protect Lanka anymore. Till the time the Lord comes, destroys all Rakshasas, and hands over the responsibility of Lanka to someone good, I will just stand by and watch. I will not interfere anymore.'

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi