Shri Krishna Speaks: Connection With The World Around Us

Shri Krishna Speaks: Connection 

With The World Around Us

That splendour which resides in the sun and illumines the entire world, that which is in the moon and in the fire, know that splendour to be mine

|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||

॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 15.12॥

_यदादित्यगतं तेजो जगद्भासयतेऽखिलम्‌ ।_
_यच्चन्द्रमसि यच्चाग्नौ तत्तेजो विद्धि मामकम्॥_

भावार्थ :

हे अर्जुन! जो प्रकाश सूर्य में स्थित है जिससे समस्त संसार प्रकाशित होता है, जो प्रकाश चन्द्रमा में स्थित है और जो प्रकाश अग्नि में स्थित है, उस प्रकाश को तू मुझसे ही उत्पन्न समझ। (१२)

Meaning:

That splendour which resides in the sun and illumines the entire world, that which is in the moon and in fire, know that splendour to be mine.

Explanation:

So far we learned about the nature of the individual soul, the jeeva. But if that is all we focus on, we will have incomplete knowledge about our true nature. When we look around us, we see the world in all its beautiful yet complex glory. We need to investigate into the true nature of the world, and realize our identity and connection with that as well. With this view in mind, Shri Krishna now begins to explain his connection with the world around us.

He starts this topic by asserting that the splendour of the sun, the moon, and of fire is possible only because of Ishvara's splendour. We have tremendous awe for the sun's energy, without which life on this earth will not be possible. Shri Krishna says that the sun’s splendour is not its own. It comes from the splendour of Ishvara. Symbolically, the sun represents the organs of perception such as the eyes, ears, nose and so on. Therefore, whenever any sentient being in this world, from a single celled amoeba to a human being becomes aware of something, that awareness, that consciousness, is the power of Ishvara at work.

So whenever we see awareness manifest itself in any organism, we should remind ourselves that the one Ishvara giving awareness to us is the same Ishvara giving awareness to the organisms in the world. In this manner, we can realize the identity of our nature with the world through the common link of awareness.

Furthermore, both the moon and fire derive their energy and splendour from the sun. The moon reflects the light of the sun. Fire also is the manifestation of the sun's energy on a much smaller scale. Therefore, energy in any form, whether it is dazzling like the sun, cooling like the moon, or warm like fire, is nothing but Ishvara’s energy. How does this energy manifest itself in the world? Shri Krishna explains that in the next shloka.

Chant| The mantra you have faith in ||