Verse 13.18
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
ज्योतिषामपि तज्ज्योतिस्तमसः परमुच्यते | ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं ज्ञानगम्यं हृदि सर्वस्य विष्ठितम् ||१८||
Transliteration (IAST)
jyotiṣām api taj jyotis tamasaḥ param ucyate | jñānaṁ jñeyaṁ jñāna-gamyaṁ hṛdi sarvasya viṣṭhitam ||18||
Word-by-Word Meanings
jyotiṣām-of lights
jyotiḥ-the light
tamasaḥ param-beyond darkness
jñānam-knowledge
jñeyam-the object of knowledge
jñāna-gamyam-attainable by knowledge
hṛdi-in the heart
sarvasya-of all
viṣṭhitam-seated/established
Translation
That is the light of all lights, said to be beyond darkness. It is knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the goal of knowledge, seated in the hearts of all.
Commentary
This verse summarizes the description of the jñeya (knowable). Brahman is the light that illumines all other sources of light - sun, moon, fire, and intellect. The Mundaka Upanishad (2.2.10) states 'by Its light all this shines.' Being seated in the heart of all beings, it is both the nearest reality and the ultimate goal of all knowledge.
Themes
jnanaatmanmoksha