Be a light unto yourself

Atmadipo bhava. Atma – self , Dipa – light. Be a light unto yourself.

This was the last instruction of the Buddha before he attained Nirvana. This was the last teaching he gave his disciples from his deathbed. Atmadipo Bhava . Be your own light. Depend on yourself and none else.

Have that faith in yourself, that you and you alone are the creator of your own destiny. That you, and you alone, are your own guide, your own friend, your own philosopher. You, and none else.

Samudragupta, the second Gupta king, and one of the greatest military conquerors of India, adopted the epithet swabhuja bala parakramaika bandhu – friend of his own strength and courage. History is witness to the truth of his claim.

The Gita puts it thus,

Raise yourself by yourself, do not let yourself down. For you alone are your own friend, you alone are your own enemy (6.5)

Be your own friend. Be your own light.

Atmadipo bhava.