Bhagavad Gita 5.16

 

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 16: The Light of Knowledge

Sanskrit Verse:

ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं येषां नाशितमात्मनः।
तेषामादित्यवज्ज्ञानं प्रकाशयति तत्परम्॥

Transliteration:

jñānena tu tad ajñānaṁ yeṣāṁ nāśitam ātmanaḥ |
teṣām ādityavaj jñānaṁ prakāśayati tat param ||

English Translation:

"But for those whose ignorance is destroyed by knowledge of the Self, their wisdom, like the sun, reveals the Supreme."

" परन्तु जिन लोगों का अज्ञान आत्मज्ञान द्वारा नष्ट हो जाता है, उनकी बुद्धि सूर्य के समान परब्रह्म को प्रकाशित करती है। "

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Explanation of Verse 5.16

This verse from the Bhagavad Gita highlights the transformative power of true knowledge. Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna that just as the sun dispels darkness, the light of wisdom eradicates ignorance and leads one to the ultimate truth—Self-realization.

Key Concepts in This Verse

1. Ignorance (Ajñāna) as the Root of Bondage:

   • The human mind, clouded by illusion and material attachments, fails to perceive the eternal nature of the soul.

   • This ignorance keeps one trapped in the cycle of birth and death (samsara).

2. Knowledge (Jñāna) as the Light:

   • When a person attains true knowledge through self-inquiry, devotion, and wisdom, ignorance is destroyed.

   • This knowledge is not mere intellectual learning but a direct realization of the Self (Ātman) and its oneness with the Supreme (Brahman).

3. The Metaphor of the Sun (Ādityavat Jñānaṁ):

   • Just as sunlight instantly removes darkness, the illumination of divine wisdom removes spiritual ignorance.

   • This knowledge brings clarity, purpose, and a deeper understanding of life’s true essence.

4. Revealing the Supreme (Tat Param):

   • Once ignorance is removed, the soul perceives the highest reality—the eternal, blissful nature of the Supreme Being.

   • The enlightened being sees beyond worldly illusions and remains absorbed in divine consciousness.

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Practical Application of This Verse

1. Seeking Self-Knowledge:

   • Instead of being lost in worldly distractions, one should strive for spiritual wisdom through scriptural study, meditation, and introspection.

2. Removing Ignorance through Discipline:

   • A life guided by discipline, devotion, and ethical conduct (dharma) aids in the purification of the mind.

3. Living in Light, Not in Darkness:

• A person awakened by knowledge does not suffer from doubts, fears, or attachments but lives in peace and harmony, realizing their divine essence.

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Conclusion

Bhagavad Gita 5.16 teaches that true wisdom is like sunlight—when it dawns in a person’s life, it removes all ignorance, illuminating the ultimate truth. By pursuing knowledge of the Self, one transcends material limitations and attains eternal bliss.