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NECESSITY FOR SLEEP 

     Just as a bird that flies up in the sky at the dawn of day and roams about here and there in the high regions in search of food throughout the day, takes complete rest in Its own nest on tree at night, so also the Jiva or the individual soul after having wandered in the dense forest of sense-objects all day long, gets into his abode called the Karana Sarira and enjoys the bliss of Sushupti or deep sleep. 

     Man works hard in day time so that he may get what he deserves most. He is tossed about hither and thither by the two currents Raga-Dvesha. So he gets tired. Nature takes him to Her bosom at night to soothe his tired nerves and brain, to refresh him, and to supply him with fresh energy and vigour so that he may continue his activities the next day. | 

     Vedantins make a deep study of sleep and draw conclusions about the all-blissful Atman, the silent witness of the state of deep sleep. The mind assumes a seed-like state in deep sleep. The Samskaras and Vasanas become latent. All Vrittis subside. The mind that was working in the brain during the waking state moves through Sushumna Nadi into the heart and it rests in the Atman. The Chaitanya or intelligence that is associated with the deep sleep state is Prajna. Karana Sarira or seed body or Anandamaya Kosha or blissful sheath operates during deep sleep. The Jiva is very near to the Atman. A thin veil of ignorance separates him from the Atman. The individual soul rejoices as soon as the veil of ignorance is removed and when he comes face to face with Brahman. Mind, Prana, Indriyas and the body derive their power from the one silent witness of all minds. It is the soul that really moves the Indriyas, mind and body and the Prakriti works. So the Atman is Sarva Karta (all-doer) and also Akarta (non-doer), Sarva Bhokta (all-enjoyer) and also Abhokta (non-enjoyer). 

     Sleep is the nature’s tonic, essential for a healthy life. The more sound sleep one has, the more healthy he would be. The hours of sleep necessary depend on your physical and mental capacity for recuperating fatigue. Without sufficiency of sleep, you will have no efficiency. The amount of sleep required varies with age, temperament and the amount of work done. According to an old adage there should be six hours of sleep for a man, seven for a woman and eight for a fool. As age advances people require less sleep. Ten hours’ sleep is necessary for a child. For an old man of 60 and above six hours of sleep may be sufficient. Adults who work hard may sleep for eight hours. Medical men and psychologists are paying great attention these days to the question of sleep. 

     Sleep for six hours is quite sufficient for every individual. Go to bed at 10 o’clock and get up at 4 a.m. “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” Napoleon Bonaparte believed in only four hours' sleep. Too much sleep makes a man dull and lethargic. What is required is quality of sleep. Even if you have a sound dreamless sleep for 1 or 2 hours you will be perfectly refreshed. There is no benefit to be derived from rolling in the bed for hours together. Too much sleep causes premature decay and weakens brain power. 

     Avoid going late to bed. When you sleep, keep all the windows and doors of your bedroom wide open. The more oxygen you inhale during your sleep, the more refreshed you will feel throughout the next day. Do not take drugs to get sleep. If you cannot sleep naturally, take a brisk walk in the open air for fifteen minutes with a relaxed mind and then go to bed. You are sure to have refreshing sleep. Digestive organs function quietly and uninterruptedly at night. Consequently you should take a light meal at night. Strong coffee or tea should not be taken at night. Sleep on the sides, especially on the left side. This helps to empty the stomach and allows the Surya Nadi or Pingala to flow. Food will be digested easily if the Solar Nadi flows at night. Retire to bed at a fixed hour every day. Wear loose and light clothing. Do not cover yourself with heavy blankets. Relax the body and mind when you go to sleep. Repeat some prayer or sublime Slokas of Gita or Upanishads. Roll the beads for ten minutes and meditate on the form of the Lord and some Divine attributes. Do not build castles in the air. Give up scheming and planning now. If you have ill-feeling against anyone, forget it. Have pleasant, serene thoughts only. 

     Keeping wide awake throughout night is called vigil. You will derive incalculable benefits if you practise vigil on Vaikuntha Ekadasi, Sivaratri and Gokulashtami—the birthday of Lord Krishna. You can practise vigil on every Ekadasi also. Complete fasting helps the control of sleep. Control of sleep by taking recourse to tea is not desirable. You will not gain spiritual strength thus as you have to depend upon an external drug. 

     Half of your lifetime is wasted in sleep. Those spiritual aspirants who want to do rigorous Sadhana, should reduce their period of sleep gradually. They can derive real rest from meditation. For three months reduce the sleeping period by half an hour. Go to bed at 10-30 and get up at 4 a.m. During the next three months go to bed at 11 p.m. and get up at 4 a.m. Four hours sleep will suffice. You should not sleep in the daytime. In course of time you should become Gudakesa (conqueror of sleep), like Arjuna and Lakshmana, and rest in that all blissful, sleepless sleep, the Nirvikalpa Samadhi of Yogins.