Shloka 24
सत्य–अनृत, प्रकाश–तमस्, स्वर्ग–नरक विवेचनम्
Truth and Untruth as Light and Darkness; Svarga and Naraka as Ethical Consequences
ऊर्ध्व॑ गतेरधस्तात्तु चन्द्रादित्यौ न दृश्यतः । तत्र देवा: स्वयं दीप्ता भास्वराभाग्निवर्चस:
ūrdhvaṃ gater adhastāt tu candrādityau na dṛśyataḥ | tatra devāḥ svayaṃ dīptā bhāsvarā bhāgnivarcasaḥ ||
Disse Bharadvāja: Nessa região—além dos caminhos de ascensão e de descida—não se veem nem a lua nem o sol. Ali, os deuses resplandecem por sua própria luz inerente, radiantes como o sol e ardentes como o fogo.
भरद्वाज उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse points to a transcendent realm where ordinary cosmic markers (sun and moon) do not function; illumination comes from intrinsic divine radiance. Ethically, it suggests that higher states are sustained not by external supports but by inner purity, merit, and spiritual luminosity.
Bharadvāja is describing a particular region or state of existence encountered in cosmological/spiritual discourse within Śānti Parva. He explains that in that domain the sun and moon are not visible, because the gods there shine by their own brilliance, comparable to the sun and fire.