Bhagavad Gita · Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga — Field and Knower
Chapter 13, Verse 18
"Bhagavad Gita 13.18" — meaning and explanation.
ज्योतिषामपि तज्ज्योतिस्तमसः परमुच्यते | ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं ज्ञानगम्यं हृदि सर्वस्य विष्ठितम्
jyotiṣāmapi tajjyotistamasaḥ paramucyate . jñānaṃ jñeyaṃ jñānagamyaṃ hṛdi sarvasya viṣṭhitam
Meaning
13.18 That, the Light of all lights, is said to be beyond darkness: knowledge, the knowable and the goal of knowledge, seated in the hearts of all.
।।13.18।। (वह ब्रह्म) ज्योतियों की भी ज्योति और (अज्ञान) अन्धकार से परे कहा जाता है। वह ज्ञान (चैतन्यस्वरूप) ज्ञेय और ज्ञान के द्वारा जानने योग्य (ज्ञानगम्य) है। वह सभी के हृदय में स्थित है।।
Explanation
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)
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 13.18 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, verse 18, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 13.18
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 13.18 mean?
13.18 That, the Light of all lights, is said to be beyond darkness: knowledge, the knowable and the goal of knowledge, seated in the hearts of all.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 13.18 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, verse 18, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.