Shloka 6
Gītā-sāra: The Self as Witness and the Inner Ascent into Brahman
यदा प्रकाशते ह्यात्मा पटे दीपो ज्वलन्निव / ज्ञानमुत्पद्यते पुंसां क्षयात्पापस्य कर्मणः
yadā prakāśate hyātmā paṭe dīpo jvalanniva / jñānamutpadyate puṃsāṃ kṣayātpāpasya karmaṇaḥ
Wenn der Ātman wahrhaft aufleuchtet — wie eine Lampe, die auf einem Tuch brennt — entsteht im Menschen wahre Erkenntnis, sobald die sündhafte Karmawirkung erschöpft ist.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)
Concept: When the Self shines forth, knowledge arises as sinful karma is exhausted—linking purification (pāpa-kṣaya) with the dawning of jñāna.
Vedantic Theme: Avidyā/karma as obscuration; antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi as a condition for steady knowledge; light metaphor for consciousness revealing the ‘field’.
Application: Adopt purificatory disciplines (truthfulness, restraint, sāttvika living, japa, charity) to reduce pāpa/mental impurity; pair with self-inquiry so illumination becomes stable insight.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: inner illumination (metaphor: lamp on cloth)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.237.4 (Self as inner light); Garuda Purana 1.237.7 (Self beholds senses/elements)
FAQs
This verse states that when sinful karma is worn away, the Self becomes evident and spiritual knowledge naturally arises—purification is presented as a direct cause for awakening.
It links inner illumination (ātman-prakāśa) with the removal of pāpa-karman, implying that the soul’s progress depends on cleansing moral and karmic obscurations so jñāna can manifest.
Reduce harmful actions and cultivate purifying conduct (truthfulness, restraint, charity, devotion); as negative tendencies and guilt lessen, clarity and right understanding strengthen.