This is as I heard. At one time the Blessed One was staying in the province of Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s park, at Anathapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s park, went up to the Blessed One, bowed, stood to one side, and recited this verse:
“While others are awake,
how many sleep?
While others sleep,
how many are awake?
By how many do you develop defilements?
By how many are you cleansed?”
The Blessed One:
“While five are awake (the hindrances of sensual desire, ill-will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and remorse, and skeptical doubt),
five are sleeping (the faculties faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom).
When five are sleeping (the hindrances of sensual desire, ill-will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and remorse, and skeptical doubt),
five are awake (the faculties faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom).
By five you develop defilements (the hindrances of sensual desire, ill-will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and remorse, and skeptical doubt).
By five you’re cleansed (the faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom).”
Sādhu! Sādhu!! Sādhu!!!
