In Bhagavad Gita 5.16, Krishna says that for those whose ignorance is destroyed by knowledge of the Self, that knowledge shines like the sun and reveals the Supreme.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं
येषां नाशितमात्मनः
तेषामादित्यवज्ज्ञानं
प्रकाशयति तत्परम् ॥ ५-१६ ॥
jñānena tu tadajñānaṃ
yeṣāṃ nāśitamātmanaḥ
teṣāmādityavajjñānaṃ
prakāśayati tatparam
English transliteration jnaanena tu tadajnaanam
yeshaam naashitamaatmanah
teshaamaadityavajjnaanam
prakaashayati tatparam ॥ 5.16 ॥
Translation / Meaning
But for those whose ignorance is destroyed by knowledge of the Self, that knowledge, like the sun, reveals the Supreme.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ज्ञानेन jñānena | by knowledge |
| तु tu | but |
| तत् tat | that |
| अज्ञानम् ajñānam | ignorance |
| येषाम् yeṣām | of whom |
| नाशितम् nāśitam | is destroyed |
| आत्मनः ātmanaḥ | of the Self |
| तेषाम् teṣām | of them |
| आदित्यवत् ādityavat | like the sun |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| प्रकाशयति prakāśayati | reveals |
| तत् परम् tat param | that Supreme |
Word-wise Chanting
- jñā–ne–na tu ta–da–jñā–naṃ 8 syllables jnaa-ne-na tu ta-da-jnaa-nam
- ye–ṣāṃ nā–śi–ta–māt–ma–naḥ | 8 syllables ye-shaam naa-shi-ta-maat-ma-nah
- te–ṣā–mā–dit–ya–vaj–jñā–naṃ 8 syllables te-shaa-maa-dit-ya-vaj-jnaa-nam
- pra–kā–śa–ya–ti tat–pa–ram || 5-16 8 syllables pra-kaa-sha-ya-ti tat-pa-ram
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 5 Verse 16
Context
Krishna describes the result of removing the veil of ignorance (5.15).
Meaning
When knowledge of the Self destroys ignorance, it shines like āditya, the sun, which needs no other light to be seen and illuminates everything. In the same way, Self-knowledge reveals tat param, the Supreme, and everything becomes clear in its light.
Just as darkness cannot remain when the sun rises, ignorance cannot coexist with realisation. The image also suggests that the light was always there, only hidden by clouds. Spiritual practice clears the clouds; the sun of the Self shines on its own.
In Practice
Watch a sunrise or sunlight today and reflect: the light of awareness in you is like the sun, always shining behind the clouds of thought.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 5: Karma Sannyasa Yoga (The Yoga of Renunciation). 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.