In Bhagavad Gita 10.11, Krishna says that out of compassion, dwelling in their hearts, he destroys the darkness born of ignorance with the shining lamp of knowledge.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तेषामेवानुकम्पार्थम्
अहमज्ञानजं तमः
नाशयाम्यात्मभावस्थो
ज्ञानदीपेन भास्वता ॥ १०-११ ॥
teṣāmevānukampārtham
ahamajñānajaṃ tamaḥ
nāśayāmyātmabhāvastho
jñānadīpena bhāsvatā
English transliteration teshaamevaanukampaartham
ahamajnaanajam tamah
naashayaamyaatmabhaavastho
jnaanadeepena bhaasvataa ॥ 10.11 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Out of compassion for them, I, dwelling within their hearts, destroy the darkness born of ignorance with the shining lamp of knowledge.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तेषाम् teṣām | for them |
| एव eva | indeed |
| अनुकम्पार्थम् anukampārtham | out of compassion anukampā (compassion) + artham (for the sake of) |
| अहम् aham | I |
| अज्ञानजम् ajñānajam | born of ignorance ajñāna (ignorance) + jam (born) |
| तमः tamaḥ | darkness |
| नाशयामि nāśayāmi | destroy |
| आत्मभावस्थः ātmabhāvasthaḥ | dwelling within their hearts ātma (their own) + bhāva (being) + sthaḥ (dwelling) |
| ज्ञानदीपेन jñānadīpena | with the lamp of knowledge jñāna (knowledge) + dīpena (lamp) |
| भास्वता bhāsvatā | shining |
Word-wise Chanting
- te–ṣā–me–vā–nu–kam–pār–tham– 8 syllables te-shaa-me-vaa-nu-kam-paar-tham-
- a–ha–ma–jñā–na–jaṃ ta–maḥ | 8 syllables a-ha-ma-jnaa-na-jam ta-mah
- nā–śa–yām–yāt–ma–bhā–vas–tho 8 syllables naa-sha-yaam-yaat-ma-bhaa-vas-tho
- jñā–na–dī–pe–na bhās–va–tā || 10-11 8 syllables jnaa-na-dee-pe-na bhaas-va-taa
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 10 Verse 11
Context
Krishna concludes the four central verses (10.8–10.11).
Meaning
The Divine acts out of anukampā, compassion. Dwelling in the devotee’s heart, it lights the jñāna-dīpa, the lamp of knowledge, and the darkness of ignorance disappears. Darkness is not fought; it simply vanishes when light appears.
This is a beautiful image of grace. Our efforts prepare the lamp, but the Divine within lights it. Ignorance cannot survive in the presence of that light.
In Practice
Light a lamp or candle today and contemplate the inner light of knowledge that dispels confusion.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 10: Vibhuti Yoga (The Divine Manifestations). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.