The Light That Illumines

Today, January 14th, 2026, we celebrate Makar Sankranti—marking the sun’s northward journey, its transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, blessing us with longer days.

Across India, this day is marked as a harvest season, a gathering of families to give thanks and show gratitude to the Sun.

I marked my day sharing the yoga practice in the evening, chanting the Surya Sloka and chanting the 12 names of the Sun.

This also gave me an opportunity to reflect on some of the teachings heard in Vedanta lectures at Chinmaya Mission about true light.

Teacher: What is the light that lets you see?

Student: The Sun, respected teacher.

Teacher: In the night when there is no sun, what is the light that helps you see?

Student: Master, it is the light of the moon that illuminates my world.

Teacher: Tell me, when there is no sun and no moon in the night, how do you see?

Student: Dear sir, the stars light up my world.

Teacher: Now tell me, when none of these are there, is there any other light that shows you the path?

The dialogue continues, the teacher gently probing deeper. The student lists lightning, fireflies, the fire that is lit—all the external sources of illumination we depend upon.

Then comes the transformative question:

Teacher: Dear child, when none of this external light is present, is there a light that lights up your presence, your thoughts, your experiences, and that makes you aware of the external darkness?

Having gone through this contemplation, dialogue, and reflection, the student comes to realize the light the teacher is pointing toward: one’s own inherent, ever-present conscious awareness—the very support, foundation, and ground on which everything rests and becomes illumined, known.

Now with this understanding, the student’s real journey begins—to anchor and rest in this witness identity so that in this light, life’s journey can be made with clarity and in the right direction.

न तत्र सूर्यो भाति न चन्द्रतारकं
नेमा विद्युतो भान्ति कुतोऽयमग्निः।
तमेव भान्तमनुभाति सर्वं
तस्य भासा सर्वमिदं विभाति॥

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? That alone shines. The light that is beyond all illumines all variously.
— Katha Upanishad 2.2.15

Today, January 14th, was a cloudy, snowy day in Chicago, but this teaching reminds us: there is a Sun in each one of us—bright and warm, ready to share love and joy whether the external day is gloomy, cold, or bright.

All spiritual masters and the Vedantic literature of the Upanishads declare that the true light is the knowledge that reveals our oneness connecting all this multiplicity.

So may all our efforts uncover this truth and we shine bright and rejoice in this light. May we extend our light of love to everyone that we meet.

This Makar Sankranti, may you awaken to the light you already are.