Chapter 13, Verse 18
Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaaga Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
jyotiṣhām—in all luminarie; api—and; tat—that; jyotiḥ—the source of light; tamasaḥ—the darkness; param—beyond; uchyate—is said (to be); jñānam—knowledge; jñeyam—the object of knowledge; jñāna-gamyam—the goal of knowledge; hṛidi—within the heart; sarvasya—of all living beings; viṣhṭhitam—dwells
English translation
That Light of all lights is said to be beyond darkness: knowledge, the knowable, and the goal of knowledge, seated in the hearts of all.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 13.18
Commentary
The Supreme Self illumines the intellect; the mind; the sun; moon; stars; fire and lightning. It is selfluminous; The sun does not shine there; nor do the moon and the stars; nor do these lightnings shine and much less this fire. When It shines; everything shines after It all these shine by Its Light. (Kathopanishad 5.15 also Svetasvataropanishad 6.14)Knowledge Such as humility. (Cf. XIII.7to11)The knowable As described in verses 12 to 7. The goal of knowledge; i.e.; capable of being understood by wisdom. These three are installed in the heart (Buddhi) of every living being. Though the light of the sun shines in all objects; yet the suns light shines more brilliantly in all bright and clean objects such as a mirror. Even so; though Brahman is present in all objects; the intellect shines with special effulgence received from Brahman. (Cf. X.20XIII.3XVIII.61)
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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