Bhagavad Gita 15.6

Purushottama Yoga · English Translation

Neither doth the sun illumine there nor the moon, nor the fire; having gone thither they return not; that is My supreme abode.

Sanskrit

न तद्भासयते सूर्यो न शशाङ्को न पावकः | यद्गत्वा न निवर्तन्ते तद्धाम परमं मम ||१५-६||

Transliteration

na tadbhāsayate sūryo na śaśāṅko na pāvakaḥ . yadgatvā na nivartante taddhāma paramaṃ mama ||15-6||

What Does This Verse Mean?

In this verse, Lord Krishna describes the nature of His supreme abode to Arjuna by using a powerful analogy: just as the sun and moon light up our world but cannot reach or illuminate that divine realm, even fire fails there. He explains that once a soul reaches this highest destination after leaving their body, they never have to return to the cycle of birth and death again. The key teaching is that while material sources like sunlight are temporary and limited, Krishna's spiritual abode is eternal, self-luminous, and beyond the reach of ordinary physical elements.

The Teaching Behind It

This teaching belongs primarily to the strand of Jnana Yoga (the yoga of knowledge) as it reveals the fundamental nature of reality by distinguishing between the perishable material world and the imperishable spiritual realm. It develops the concept of 'Parabrahman' or the Supreme Absolute, establishing that while sensory perception is limited to the physical universe, there exists a higher dimension beyond space, time, and matter.

Word by Word

न not, तत् that, भासयते illumines, सूर्यः the sun, न not, शशाङ्कः the moon, न not, पावकः fire, यत् to which, गत्वा having gone, न not, निवर्तन्ते (they) return, तत् that, धाम Abode, परमम् Supreme, मम My

Classical Commentary

That supreme abode is selfillumined for Brahman is selfluminous. It existed before the sun, the moon and the fire came into existence during creation. It remains even after they dissolve into the Unmanifested during the dissolution of the world. This verse is taken from the Kathopanishad The sun does not shine there, nor do the moon and the stars, nor does this lightning shine and much less this fire. When It shines, everything shines after It, by Its light, all these shine (Chap. II?5.15). The same idea occurs in the Svetasvatara Upanishad (6.14) and the Mundaka Upanishad (II.2.10). The sun, the moon, etc., derive their light from Para Brahman. Nothing else is needed for illuminating the Supreme Being because It is selfluminous. Dhama paramam Supreme abode or superexcellent seat or Para Brahman. Though the sun is endowed with the power of illumining all, it cannot illumine the Supreme Being.यत् धाम वैष्णवं पदं गत्वा प्राप्य न निवर्तन्ते यत् च सूर्यादिभिः न भासयते तत् धाम पदं परमं मम विष्णोः।That abode, to which having gone, none returns, and which the sun, moon, stars, lightning and fire do not illumine, is the highest abode of Vishnu.(Cf. VIII.21)

Where This Happens

This verse appears during the Bhagavad Gita's fifteenth chapter, known as Purushottama Yoga, where Krishna is deepening his discourse on Arjuna's despair regarding the futility of life and death. At this point in the conversation on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Krishna has just described the material world as an inverted banyan tree rooted above; now he contrasts that temporary existence with His own eternal realm to give Arjuna hope. Arjuna is listening intently, still grappling with his confusion about duty and mortality, seeking a path out of the suffering inherent in worldly life.

Living It Out Today

Consider a professional who feels overwhelmed by burnout from chasing promotions and external validation that never seems to satisfy them permanently. Instead of finding their worth solely in these fleeting achievements (like relying only on sunlight), they can shift their focus toward inner peace, spiritual practices, or service to others which provide a lasting sense of fulfillment. This verse teaches us to stop looking for 'light' from temporary sources like status, wealth, or other people's opinions when we need true stability and return home spiritually.

Explained for Children

Imagine you are playing a video game where there is a special 'endless level' that no matter how hard you play in it, you never have to restart. Lord Krishna says our world is like a normal room lit by a lamp (the sun) or fire; when the electricity goes out or we leave the room, the light stops and we come back later. But God's home is different—it is like a magical lantern that shines forever on its own without needing batteries. Once you go there to play in this perfect world with your friends and family who love each other always, you never have to say goodbye again.

Daily Reflection

You often chase after temporary sources of comfort like success, relationships, or achievements, much like we rely on the sun for daylight. Yet today, remember that there exists an unchanging dimension within you where your soul finds its true home and permanent peace. When you rest in this inner sanctuary, the distractions of the world cannot disturb your inherent light.

A Practice for Today

Close your eyes and visualize the sun, moon, and fire as brilliant yet limited lights that fade when their work is done. Turn your awareness inward to a radiant inner light that does not depend on any external source and never sets.

Key Teachings

The Nature of Limitation
Even the most powerful physical sources like the sun, moon, and fire are temporary and dependent on their own cycles. This verse establishes that no material energy can provide eternal illumination or sustenance.
The Irreversible Journey Home
Those who reach this supreme abode do not return to the cycle of birth and death, marking a transition from impermanence to eternity. This destination is described as 'My' own highest realm, indicating it is inseparable from the Divine.
The Source of All Light
Since all material lights are merely reflections or derivatives, they cannot illuminate this spiritual realm which surpasses them. The verse invites us to seek the original source of consciousness that shines within without needing external fuel.

Themes

The Supreme AbodeEternal Nature of the SoulBeyond Material LightMoksha (Liberation)Divine vs Material RealityCessation of Rebirth

Related Verses

2.15 4.9 13.16 18.55

Read This Next

2.47 — This verse establishes your duty without attachment to results, preparing you for the journey toward that higher abode.
3.30 — It teaches surrendering all actions to Krishna, a necessary step in attaining His supreme nature described here.
12.15 — This verse describes the qualities of one who is dear to God and thus naturally drawn toward that same eternal home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the verse mention that neither sun, moon, nor fire illuminate this place?

Krishna uses these elements because they are the primary sources of light we know on Earth. By stating they cannot reach or work in His abode, He emphasizes that the divine realm is self-luminous and operates on a completely different plane of existence where physical limitations do not apply.

What does 'having gone thither they return not' imply for our daily lives?

This phrase signifies the ultimate goal of liberation (Moksha), meaning that once one realizes their true spiritual nature and reaches Krishna's realm, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth ends permanently. For us today, it encourages shifting focus from temporary worldly gains to eternal spiritual growth.

Is this verse saying we should ignore the physical world entirely?

Not exactly; rather, it teaches that while the material world is like a shadow compared to the divine reality, our duty is to use our time here to prepare for that eternal destination. It warns against mistaking temporary pleasures for ultimate happiness without seeking something more enduring.

How does this verse connect with the concept of Bhakti Yoga?

It connects by defining the object of devotion: Krishna's supreme abode is where the devotee finds eternal peace and union with God. By understanding that this place is beyond material decay, a devotee cultivates a longing (prema) to return there, making their actions an act of pure surrender.

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