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ज्योतिषामपि तज्ज्योतिस्तमसः परमुच्यते।ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं ज्ञानगम्यं हृदि सर्वस्य विष्ठितम्।।13.18।।

jyotiṣhām api taj jyotis tamasaḥ param uchyate jñānaṁ jñeyaṁ jñāna-gamyaṁ hṛidi sarvasya viṣhṭhitam

Sanskrit Chant Recitation
Chapter 13, Verse 18
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Scripture Translation Room

Sanskrit to English Translation

Translator:
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.

A Reading - Rantideb

Why: this is called the light of lights, said to be beyond darkness, knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the goal of knowledge, seated in the hearts of all, closing the description by locating this ultimate goal specifically within the heart, not somewhere distant or external.

In life: whatever you consider the ultimate goal of your own growth or seeking is, according to this framing, not actually located far away or in some future achievement, it's already present, close, within your own heart right now.

Teaching: the next time you catch yourself treating meaning or peace as something located in a future achievement, remind yourself this verse locates it as already present, close, within you right now, not as a distant destination still to be reached.

jyotiṣhāmin all luminarie
apiand
tatthat
jyotiḥthe source of light
tamasaḥthe darkness
parambeyond
uchyateis said (to be)
jñānamknowledge
jñeyamthe object of knowledge
jñāna-gamyamthe goal of knowledge
hṛidiwithin the heart
sarvasyaof all living beings
viṣhṭhitamdwells

Deep Classical Commentary (Bhashya)

Author:
13.18 ज्योतिषाम् of lights? अपि even? तत् That? ज्योतिः Light? तमसः from darkness? परम् beyond? उच्यते is said (to be)? ज्ञानम् knowledge? ज्ञेयम् that which is to be known? ज्ञानगम्यम् attainable by knowledge? हृदि in the heart? सर्वस्य of all? विष्ठितम् seated.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)