Karuna Yoga Vidya Peetham Bangalore

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NA TATRA SŪRYO BHĀTI NA CANDRATĀRAKA
na tatra sūryo bhāti na candratārakaṃ
nemā vidyuto bhānti kuto’yamagniḥ.
tameva bhāntamanubhāti sarvaṃ
tasya bhāsā sarvamidaṃ vibhāti..
Neither does the sun shine there, nor the moon with all the stars, nor does this lightning shine. What to say of this fire? Everything shines after him who alone shines. By His light all this shines variously.
 
Mantra
“Na tatra sūryo bhāti na candratārakaṃ
Yatra tathā śvetaṁ bhāti sarvam idam…”
Often recited in Vedantic and Upanishadic study, this mantra emphasizes the ultimate reality (Brahman) beyond all physical phenomena.
 
  1. History and Origin
  • Source:
    • This verse is from the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad (Chapter 2, Section 1), one of the oldest and most important Upanishads, composed around 8th–6th century BCE.
    • The Upanishads are part of the Vedic corpus, focusing on knowledge (jnana), meditation, and self-realization.
  • Historical Context:
    • The verse was spoken by the sage Yajnavalkya as part of his teaching to explain the nature of Brahman, the supreme, unchanging reality beyond the universe.
    • It has been orally transmitted for millennia through Vedantic schools, guru-disciple traditions, and manuscript recensions.
 
  1. Etymology and Meaning
  • Na tatra sūryo bhāti – “There, the sun does not shine”
  • Na candratārakaṃ – “Nor the moon or stars”
  • Yatra tathā śvetaṁ bhāti – “Where the pure, white light of Brahman shines”
  • Sarvam idam – “All this manifests from that ultimate light”
Combined Meaning:
“In that supreme reality, there is neither sun nor moon nor stars; it is the infinite, pure consciousness from which all creation emerges.”
  • Philosophical Essence:
    • This mantra emphasizes Brahman as the unmanifest, eternal, and all-pervading consciousness.
    • It is a key verse in Advaita Vedanta, illustrating that ultimate reality is beyond all empirical phenomena.
 
  1. Benefits
Spiritual Benefits:
  • Cultivates awareness of the ultimate reality (Brahman).
  • Encourages detachment from transient worldly phenomena, fostering spiritual insight and inner peace.
  • Supports meditation on non-duality, aiding realization of the Self (Atman) as identical with Brahman.
Psychological Benefits:
  • Promotes clarity of thought and mental equilibrium.
  • Reduces fear of impermanence and death, cultivating equanimity.
Energetic / Devotional Benefits:
  • Enhances subtle awareness and mindfulness during meditation.
  • Invokes a sense of awe and reverence for the infinite.
 
  1. Contraindications / Cautions
  • There are no physical contraindications, but the verse should be studied or chanted with understanding.
  • Misinterpretation as mere poetry or philosophical abstraction may limit its transformative impact.
  • Best practiced under guidance of a teacher for meditative absorption and correct understanding.
 
  1. Scientific Perspective
  • Neurocognitive Effects:
    • Contemplation of absolute, unchanging reality can reduce cognitive fixation on daily stressors, promoting calmness.
  • Mindfulness and Meditation:
    • Reciting or reflecting on this verse can enhance brainwave patterns associated with deep meditation (alpha and theta states).
  • Emotional Resilience:
    • Reinforces a perspective that transcends fear, attachment, and anxiety, aligning with modern mindfulness and cognitive behavioral techniques.
 
Summary:
The mantra “Na tatra sūryo bhāti na candratārakaṃ” is a Vedantic verse from the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad, emphasizing that ultimate reality (Brahman) is beyond all physical phenomena. Its contemplation cultivates spiritual insight, inner peace, and detachment from transient worldly concerns.

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