As always mistakes are the starting point for my new learning’s. How true Seek Govinda turned out fruitful for me, A search in google on Bahaja Govindam landed me in “Eka Sloki” by Shankarar.

Eka sloki means “one slokam” which gives you the essence of his Vedantic Philosophy. This was presented as a dialogue between the Guru and Sishya and this simple conversation helps the student with self realisation.

Let me start with my tamil translation of the slokam.

ஏவ்வாறு கண்டாய் ஓளியை?

பகலில் சூரியன்

இரவில்?

சந்திர தீபங்கள்
நன்று, சூரிய சந்திர விளக்குகளில் ஓளியை எவ்வாறு கண்டாய்?
கண்களால்,

மூடிய கண்களில் ஓளி ஏது? மனதால்.

மனதில் ஓளியை எவ்வாறு கண்டாய்?
மனதின் எண்ணங்களுக்கு நானே ஓளி எனக்கண்டேன் குருவே

किं ज्योतिस्तव भानुमानहनि मे रात्रौ प्रदीपादिकम्
स्यादेवं रविदीपदर्शनविधौ किं ज्योतिराख्याहि मे ।
चक्षुस्तस्य निमीलनादिसमये किं धीर्धियो दर्शने
किं तत्राहमतो भवान् परमकं ज्योतिस्तदस्मि प्रभो ।।

Kim Jyothistava Bhaanumaanahani Me Ratrau Pradeepadikam
Shyaadevam, Ravideepadarshanavidhau Kim Jyothiraakhyahi me
Chakshuhtasya Nimeelanaadisamaye Kim Dheehrdheeyo Darshane
Kim Tatraahamatho Bhavaanparamakam Jyothihtadasmi Prabho

கிம் ஜ்யோதிஸ்தவ பானுமானஹனி மீ ராத்ரௌ ப்ரதீபாதிகம்
ஸ்யாதேவம் ரவிதீபதர்ஷனவிதவ் கிம் ஜ்யோதிராக்ஹ்யாஹி மீ
சக்ஷுஹ் தஸ்ய நிமிலனாதிசமயே கிம் தீர்தியோ தர்சனே
கிம் தத்ராஹமதோ பவான் பரமகம் ஜ்யோதிஸ்ததஸ்மி ப்ரபோ.

Meaning of the Verse:
	1.	“Kim Jyotistava Bhaanumaanahani Me Ratrau Pradeepadikam”
	•	“What is your source of light? During the day, it is the sun; at night, it is a lamp.”
	•	This reflects how we perceive light externally through different sources.
	2.	“Shyaadevam, Ravideepadarshanavidhau Kim Jyothiraakhyahi me”
	•	“Indeed, that is true. But when I see the sun or a lamp, what is the light that enables me to see?”
	•	This points to the realization that the eye (Chakshuh) is the true instrument of perception.
	3.	“Chakshuhtasya Nimeelanaadisamaye Kim Dheehrdheeyo Darshane”
	•	“When the eyes are closed or cease to function, what then illuminates my understanding?”
	•	This brings the inquiry to the intellect (Dhee), which allows one to “see” even without physical sight.
	4.	“Kim Tatraahamatho Bhavaanparamakam Jyothihtadasmi Prabho”
	•	“But even beyond the intellect, what remains as the ultimate light? It is You, my Lord, the Supreme Light!”
	•	This is the final realization that the true light is the Self (Atman), or the Divine Consciousness, which illuminates all perception and knowledge.

Philosophical Insight:

This verse echoes the teachings of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (4.3.6), where Yajnavalkya explains that beyond external light (sun, moon, fire), beyond even the mind and intellect, it is the Self (Atman) that is the ultimate illuminator. This is the true Jyoti—the eternal consciousness that remains even when the senses and intellect cease to function.

It is also similar to Adi Shankaracharya’s “Nirvana Shatakam”, which describes how all worldly illuminations are transient, but the light of the Self is eternal.

Takeaway:
	•	External sources of light (sun, lamp) help us see the world.
	•	The eyes help perceive light, but what about when they are closed? The intellect (Dhee) helps us “see” without them.
	•	Beyond the intellect, the ultimate Jyoti (Light) is the Supreme Consciousness (Paramatma)—the only unchanging reality.