Srimad Bhagavad-Gita : Ch-13, Slo-18, Discussion-1.

11/02/2018

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita : Ch-13, Slo-18, Discussion-1.
**************************************
Chapter-13. ( Kshetra-kshetrajna-vibhaga-yogam )
*************************************
Slokam-18. ( He is the source of light in all luminous objects. He is beyond the darkness of matter and is unmanifested. He is knowledge, He is the object of knowledge, and He is the goal of knowledge. He is situated in everyone's heart.)

****************************************
jyotisamapi  tajjyotih  tamasah  paramucyate,


jnanam   jneyam   jnanagamyam   hrdi  sarvasya  vishthitam.

***************************************************
Word by Meaning :


jyotisamapi  jyotih  tat  =  that, in all luminous objects, also  source of light;

tamasah  param  ucyate  =  is said, beyond, of the darkness;

jnanam   jneyam   jnanagamyam  =  that  is,  the  knowledge, to be known, to be approached by knowledge;

(tat)  sarvasya  hrdi  vishthitam  =  that  is  situated  in  the  hearts  of  everyone.

**********************************************************

Discussion :1.
1.
The Supreme Lord Krishna known as Parabrahma is the source of the brahman or spiritual substratum pervading all existence. It is solely His effulgence that illuminates all luminaries such as the sun, the stars, lightning, jewels, etc. with light. These luminaries only dispel the darkness hindering the vision between the eyes and their objects whereas the knowledge of a mere spark of the Supreme Lord being the atma or immortal soul illuminates all physical lights and without the atma knowledge of illumination is not possible.
2.
That is why the atma is said to be totally beyond the darkness of maya which is the deluding, external, illusory potency of the Supreme Lord. The illusory nature of maya is ever changing by nature whereas the atma is eternal and unchanging. The atma is itself knowledge as well as the goal of all knowledge and is most worthy of attaining by the acquisition of knowledge. The qualifications to obtain this knowledge is found in the 20 excellent virtues expounded earlier in verse 8 to 12 beginning with reverence, humility etc. which are in the hearts of all human beings albeit dormant or active. The words hrdi sarvasya dhisthitam emphasises that the Supreme Lord Krishna is specially situated in the etheric heart of all living entities.
3.
Lights are those found in the sun, the stars, fire, gems, etc. The light of these lights denotes that which illuminates all these or that by which they are perceived denoting the light of consciousness by which all luminaries such as the sun and the stars are seen to shine. As for human made lights such as lamps, torches and the rest, they only dispel the darkness intervening between the sense of sight and its object and their illuminating power is limited to the sense perception of sight.

To be continued ...