There the sun does not shine, nor the moon, nor the stars; these lightnings do not flash, whence this fire? That alone shines, by which all this is illumined. By its light all this shines.

Brahman as transcendent light, source of all other light.

Na tatra sūryaḥ — there the sun does not shine. In the realm of Brahman, cosmic light sources are unnecessary.

Candra-tārakam — moon and stars. All luminous bodies are relative.

Vidyutaḥ — lightnings. Even the most intense and momentary light is insufficient.

Kutaḥ ayam agniḥ — whence this fire? No earthly light can illumine that realm.

Tam eva bhāntam — that alone shines. Brahman as self-luminous light.

Anubhāti sarvam — all is illumined by it. Derivation, not independent illumination.

Tasya bhāsā — by its light. The light of Brahman is the condition of possibility of all other light.

Sarvam idaṃ vibhāti — all this shines. Manifestation as reflection of that first light.

In deep meditation, the yogī discovers this light that has no external source.