"Lead me from untruth to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality."
— Asatoma Sadgamaya, Brhadaranyaka Upanishad
Have you ever felt like you're moving through life without really seeing things clearly?
Like you're caught up in the busyness of the day-to-day, only to realize later that you've lost touch with what really matters? We all experience moments like this—moments where we’re stuck in the "unreal," disconnected from our true selves and the light that guides us.
That’s where the ancient chant Asatoma Sadgamaya becomes a guiding force.
"Asatoma Sadgamaya,
Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya,
Mrityorma Amritamgamaya""
Lead me from the unreal to the real,
from darkness to light,
from time-bound consciousness to the timeless state of being."
This powerful mantra invites us to take a deeper journey, not just through life, but through the layers of ourselves. It reminds us that in a world filled with distractions, illusions, and fleeting moments, we can find our way back to what is real, eternal, and deeply fulfilling.
A Journey from the Unreal to the Real
Asatoma Sadgamaya begins with a simple request: “Lead me from the unreal to the real.” In our everyday lives, we often get lost in what’s temporary, fleeting, and superficial. We chase material success, validation, and external achievements, thinking they will bring us happiness. But after a while, we realize these things don’t truly satisfy the deeper longings of our soul.
I’ve been there too. For a time, I was caught in the grind of trying to build my yoga studio, constantly thinking about expansion, numbers, and the "next big thing." I thought that once I reached a certain level of success, I’d feel fulfilled. But as I achieved more, I found myself still searching for something deeper. That’s when I turned inward and reflected on what was "real" for me—the love for teaching, the joy of connection, and the impact yoga has on others. These were the things that mattered, the "real" behind the noise.
This part of the chant calls us to strip away the illusions and come back to what’s truly important. It’s a reminder that the truth, the sat, is always there waiting for us beneath the layers of distraction.
From Darkness to Light
Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya—“Lead me from darkness to light.” This line speaks to the inner transformation we all seek. The darkness represents confusion, doubt, and fear, all of which cloud our vision and keep us from seeing things as they truly are. It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of life and lose sight of the light within us.
But the light, the jyoti, is always present. It's the awareness, the clarity that exists when we quiet the mind and connect with our inner being. I remember a time when I felt overwhelmed with doubt and uncertainty. The responsibilities of running my business, combined with personal challenges, left me feeling disconnected from the light within me. But through my yoga and meditation practice, I slowly found my way back to that inner light—the space of stillness and peace that was there all along, just waiting for me to notice.
When we chant Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya, we’re asking to be led from this inner darkness to clarity, to the light of wisdom that resides within all of us.
From Time-Bound Consciousness to the Timeless State of Being
Finally, the chant concludes with Mrityorma Amritamgamaya—“Lead me from time-bound consciousness to the timeless state of being.” This is perhaps the most profound request. We often live our lives bound by time, rushing from one thing to the next, constantly looking toward the future or dwelling on the past. But yoga teaches us that there is a timeless space within each of us—a state of being that transcends the limits of time.
In this state, we’re no longer worried about what comes next or what has already happened. We’re fully present in the moment, fully alive to the experience of now. It’s a state of peace, where we’re no longer driven by fear of loss or attachment to outcomes. When we practice yoga or meditation, we glimpse this timeless state. We step out of the linear experience of time and into the eternal present.
This part of the chant reminds me that life isn’t about racing against time. It’s about finding the space within ourselves that is timeless, where true peace and contentment reside.
The Invitation of Asatoma Sadgamaya
When we chant Asatoma Sadgamaya, we’re not just reciting ancient words—we’re making a heartfelt request for transformation. We’re asking to be guided from the distractions and illusions of the world back to the truth of who we are. We’re asking to move from confusion and fear into the light of awareness. And we’re seeking to rise above the limitations of time and step into the timeless, where our true essence resides.
This chant invites us to step away from the hustle and into a deeper understanding of ourselves and life. It’s a call to live from the real, from the light, and from the eternal.
How often do you find yourself caught in the unreal, the distractions of life?
And how might you use this chant or other practices to guide you back to the truth, to the light, to the timeless within you?
Love
Sumit Banerjee
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