Shloka 13
Bhakti–Akṣara-Upāsanā-Viveka
Devotion to the Personal vs. Contemplation of the Imperishable
तेषामेवानुकम्पार्थमहमज्ञानजं तमः । नाशयाम्यात्मभावस्थो ज्ञानदीपेन भास्वताः
teṣām evānukampārtham aham ajñānajaṁ tamaḥ | nāśayāmy ātmabhāvastho jñānadīpena bhāsvatā ||
Par compassion pour eux seuls, Moi—demeurant au cœur même de leur être—Je détruis les ténèbres nées de l’ignorance par la lampe éclatante de la connaissance. Dans le cadre de l’enseignement, cela affirme que la vraie guidance n’est pas contrainte mais illumination intérieure : la compassion se manifeste comme l’abolition de l’illusion, rendant possible le juste discernement et l’action selon le dharma, même sous la pression de la guerre.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Compassionate guidance is portrayed as an inner act: the indwelling divine presence removes ignorance (tamaḥ) by awakening knowledge (jñāna). Ethically, it emphasizes that right action arises from clear discernment, not from external force—delusion must be dispelled so dharma can be chosen knowingly.
In the midst of the Kurukṣetra crisis, the teaching explains how the divine supports those who turn toward truth: by residing within them and illuminating their understanding, the speaker promises to remove the confusion that obstructs righteous decision-making.