Page 1 - January 2025

Unveiling the Shrouded Sun

he Gayatri Mantra – one of the most reflective, revered, and
1
Tancient prayers – invokes the divine source of all life and energy.
Composed in the Vedic meter – Gayatri – and dedicated to both
savitå, the Sun, and savitå, the Supreme – the One who illuminates
and purifies everything – this profound invocation guides us
towards brilliance, knowledge, wisdom, and liberation.
The Sun is a constant in our lives – whether day or night or hidden
behind wispy, feathery clouds or dark, thunderous, rain-bearing
ones. Likewise, the Sun, as the Illuminator of all experiences, the
Ätman, is ever-present. Unfortunately, for most of us, It remains
hidden under the clouds of ignorance and illusion.

This ‘Sun’ – the Light of Consciousness – is heavily or lightly
veiled, depending on the admixture of guëas in our personality and
the quantity and quality of our attachments, desires, and distractions.
In the Gita, Shri Krishna presents three analogies to describe this
shroud: fire covered by smoke, a mirror by dust, and an embryo by
the womb.
2
As members of the Chinmaya Family and readers of Tapovan
Prasad, I am sure we can rule out the third level of obstruction! For
most of us, it would hopefully be a thin layer of dust or just a whiff
of smoke.
The process of unveiling begins with satsang, followed by deep
faith, reflection on the words of the Guru and the scriptures, seva,
surrender, and meditation. It requires sustained self-effort and
determined discipline to gradually disperse the clouds and glimpse
the Supreme in all Its splendour.

We wish our readers a luminous New Year. May we
all succeed in unveiling the Truth and flood the world
with light and happiness.
Editorial
1 Rig Veda, 3.62.10
2 3.38

Tapovan Prasad 9 January 2025