159. Luminous Lamp of Wisdom



Krishna says, “With their minds fixed on Me, with Pranas (life) surrendered to Me, enlightening one another and always speaking of Me; My devotees remain ever content and joyful” (10.9). The literal meaning conveys the message of assurance that His devotees remain content and joyful.

Krishna’s ‘I’ is inclusive of all possibilities we can ever think of whereas our ‘I’ is exclusive as we differentiate between what is ours and what is not. His devotees are those for whom the divisions ended and unity is established. Whenever they interact and whatever they speak, it is bound to be about Him as they perceive Him everywhere. On the contrary, non-devotees label things, people and situations as good or bad and develop likes and dislikes. A similar analogy came up (2.50) as ‘Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam’ (in the yoga of equanimity every deed is harmonious) indicating that whatever we do in the yoga of equanimity is bound to be harmonious. Similarly, in devotion, He is seen everywhere and in everything leading to joy and contentment.

Krishna further says, “To those ever attached to Me, and who worship Me with love, I impart buddhi yoga (union through wisdom) by which they can attain Me (10.10). Out of compassion for them, I, the divine dweller, destroy the darkness born of ignorance, with the luminous lamp of wisdom” (10.11).

For Krishna, love is unconditional whereas for us love arises when some conditions are met. While unconditional love is compassion, conditional love is ignorance. Moving from conditional love to unconditional love is like moving from the darkness to the light using the lamp of wisdom. Awareness is the first step in this direction which is like gradually opening the eyes to perceive the light; opening the mind to let differences fade away. When our love becomes unconditional, which is nothing but devotion, we get attached to the all-inclusive Paramatma.


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