Chapter 13 - Verse 17

That, the Knowable, is the Light even of lights * such as the sun. Indeed these latter shine only when illumined by the light of the consciousness of the Self. The Chants say :

The existence of Brahman, the Knowable, can be recognised as the Light illumining the sun, etc.’ and reason (buddhi), etc.—(A).

‘That Light by which illumined the sun shines’—

(Taitt. Br. 3-12-9.)

‘By Its light all this shines’—(Svet. Up. 6-14).

So says the smriti also here (in the Bhagavad-Gītā xv. 12) It is said to be uncontaminated by Tamas, by ajnana, by nescience.

The Light is in the heart of every one.

Now, with a view to cheer up Arjuna who seemed dejected at the thought of the knowledge (of Brahman) being very difficult of attainment, the Lord says: Knowledge, such as humility (xiii, 7-11); the Knowable, as described in xiii. 12-17; and the same thing, viz., the Knowable, which, when known, forms the fruit of knowledge and is therefore said to be the Goal of knowledge, and which as a thing to be known forms the Knowable: these three (Knowledge, the Knowable, and the Goal of knowledge) are implanted pre-eminently in the heart (buddhi) of every living being; it is indeed there that the three are distinctly manifested.

Seek the Light through devotion.

Here follows the verse which concludes the the subject treated of :