yad āditya-gataṁ tejo jagad bhāsayate ’khilam
yach chandramasi yach chāgnau tat tejo viddhi māmakam
yat — which;
āditya-gatam — in the sun;
tejaḥ — brilliance;
jagat — solar system;
bhāsayate — illuminates;
akhilam — entire;
yat — which;
chandramasi — in the moon;
yat — which;
cha — also;
agnau — in the fire;
tat — that;
tejaḥ — brightness;
viddhi — know;
māmakam — mine
In this verse, Lord Krishna explains that the brightness we see from the sun, moon, and fire actually comes from Him. To make this easier to understand, think about how important the sun is in our lives. It not only gives us light during the day but also helps plants grow and allows us to perform our daily activities. When the sun rises, we wake up, start our day, and engage in work or study. Without the sun, life as we know it wouldn't be possible.
The moon is also important. It lights up the night and has a soothing glow that many people find calming. It influences tides and helps plants grow at night. The fire, whether it's in our homes for cooking or warmth, is essential for daily life as well. It's hard to imagine living without these three sources of light and energy.
Now, according to Krishna, all this light and energy comes from Him. This means that when you appreciate the warmth of the sun or the gentle light of the moon, you should remember that these are gifts from Lord Krishna. By recognizing this, you start to understand a bigger picture of life. It’s like realizing that when you enjoy a delicious meal, it’s not just the food you’re enjoying, but also the heat from the fire that prepared it and the fruits or vegetables that grew under the sun or moon's influence.
Krishna is teaching that everything in this material world is connected to Him, and acknowledging this can help us see our place in the universe. We are all parts of Him, just like rays of sunshine come from the sun. When you think of the sun, moon, and fire as expressions of Krishna, you start your journey towards understanding Him deeper.
This understanding can bring joy and clarity to life. It reminds you that you are not separate from this powerful source of life. All the things that help you live - light, warmth, and nourishment - are linked to Krishna. And by knowing this, you can feel a stronger connection to everything around you and start to cultivate a sense of gratitude.
In summary, this verse encourages us to recognize that the brightness in our lives—the sun, moon, and fire—stems from the divine. Understanding this helps us appreciate life more and brings us closer to realizing our true nature as part of Krishna's wonderful creation.