Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 5 · Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 5.16 ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं येषां नाशितमात्मनः
श्लोक 5.16
ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं येषां नाशितमात्मनः ।
तेषामादित्यवज्ज्ञानं प्रकाशयति तत्परम् ॥
jñānena tu tadajñānaṃ yeṣāṃ nāśitamātmanaḥ |
teṣāmādityavajjñānaṃ prakāśayati tatparam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
परंतु जिनका वह अज्ञान आत्म-ज्ञान से नष्ट हो गया है, उनका वह ज्ञान सूर्य के समान उस परम तत्त्व को प्रकाशित कर देता है।
Meaning in English
But for those whose ignorance has been destroyed by knowledge of the Self, that knowledge shines like the sun and reveals the Supreme.
Bhagavad Gita 5.16 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ज्ञानेन तु | jñānena tu | but by knowledge |
| तत् अज्ञानम् | tat ajñānam | that ignorance |
| येषाम् | yeṣām | of whom |
| नाशितम् | nāśitam | is destroyed |
| आत्मनः | ātmanaḥ | of the self |
| तेषाम् | teṣām | for them |
| आदित्यवत् | ādityavat | like the sun |
| ज्ञानम् | jñānam | knowledge |
| प्रकाशयति | prakāśayati | reveals |
| तत् परम् | tat param | that supreme |
Explanation
But for those in whom that ignorance is destroyed by knowledge of the Self, knowledge shines like the sun and reveals the Supreme. Once the cloud of ignorance is gone, nothing more needs to be added; the light was always there.
The sun image answers the covering of 5.15. Shankara reads it as Self-knowledge revealing the Self as Brahman, just as the sun reveals objects without effort. Ramanuja reads param as the supreme reality of the self, and Madhva as the Lord revealed to the purified seeker. All traditions share the sense that knowledge here is not information gathered but a removal of obstruction. The verse prepares for the description of the knower in 5.17 to 5.20.
भावार्थ
परन्तु जिनका वह अज्ञान आत्मज्ञान द्वारा नष्ट हो गया है, उनका वह ज्ञान सूर्य के समान उस परम तत्त्व को प्रकाशित कर देता है। प्रकाश सदा था, केवल अज्ञान का आवरण हटना था।
Living it today
Clarity often comes not by adding more information but by removing a false assumption; ask what belief is blocking your light.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 5.16?
But for those in whom that ignorance is destroyed by knowledge of the Self, knowledge shines like the sun and reveals the Supreme. Once the cloud of ignorance is gone, nothing more needs to be added; the light was always there.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 5.16?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 5 (Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 5.16 in daily life?
Clarity often comes not by adding more information but by removing a false assumption; ask what belief is blocking your light.
Reflected on verse 5.16?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.