Chapter 10 Verse 11
Vibhūti Yog
तेषामेवानुकम्पार्थमहमज्ञानजं तमः। नाशयाम्यात्मभावस्थो ज्ञानदीपेन भास्वता।।10.11।।
teṣhām evānukampārtham aham ajñāna-jaṁ tamaḥ nāśhayāmyātma-bhāva-stho jñāna-dīpena bhāsvatā
Word Meanings
| teṣhām | for them |
| eva | only |
| anukampā-artham | out of compassion |
| aham | I |
| ajñāna-jam | born of ignorance |
| tamaḥ | darkness |
| nāśhayāmi | destroy |
| ātma-bhāva | within their hearts |
| sthaḥ | dwelling |
| jñāna | of knowledge |
| dīpena | with the lamp |
| bhāsvatā | luminous |
Translation
Out of mere compassion for them, I, dwelling within their selves, destroy the darkness born of ignorance with the luminous lamp of knowledge.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says the divine, moved by compassion, lives within our hearts and removes the darkness of ignorance by lighting the lamp of true knowledge. The "darkness" is the wrong ideas and fears that hide who we really are.
The light spoken of is not just book learning. It is inner wisdom that lets us see our true nature and act from clarity instead of confusion. When this inner light shines, we stop identifying only with thoughts, roles, or fears.
Receiving that light asks for openness. The divine offers the light, but we allow it to grow by listening inwardly, reflecting, and choosing truth over habit.
Life Application
- Spend a few minutes daily in quiet reflection or simple meditation to notice inner confusion and invite clarity.
- Read or reflect on a spiritual truth (like a short Gita verse) and try to apply one small insight during the day.
- When you feel anxious or reactive, pause and ask whether your response comes from fear or from clear understanding before you act.
Reflection Question
What small habit can I change today to let the inner light guide my choices?