In a world overflowing with opinions, noise, and endless scrolling, the ancient whisper of “Attha Deepa Bhava” — Be your own light — feels like a call back to stillness. These words, born from the wisdom of the Buddha and carried through the sacred corridors of Nalanda, are not just a phrase; they are a way of being — a reminder that illumination begins within.

Nalanda was never merely a university. It was a living sanctuary — a confluence of seekers, sages, scholars, and wanderers who came not just to learn, but to awaken. Its motto, Attha Deepa Bhava, captured the heartbeat of that sacred pursuit: to question fearlessly, to seek earnestly, and to find one’s own flame amidst the vast sky of knowledge.

In those ancient halls, wisdom was not measured in verses memorised or doctrines followed, but in clarity cultivated and compassion lived. To be your own light was to walk the path of understanding , where curiosity turned into courage, and learning into enlightenment.

We live today in an age of abundance , information at our fingertips, answers at every click and yet, how often do we feel adrift? Our screens glow brighter than ever, but our minds grow dim with distraction. Here, the voice of Nalanda echoes through time: the light we seek outside must first be kindled within.

It is easy to follow trends, to echo what is loud, to imitate what is rewarded. But those who truly shine are the ones who dare to listen inwardly, who trust the quiet pulse of intuition, who take thoughtful risks, who turn experience into insight. They embody Attha Deepa Bhava without even naming it.

Think of a student today, caught in the whirlpool of grades, comparisons, and expectations. The spirit of Nalanda reminds them that learning is not conformity, but discovery; not competition, but illumination. The true learner does not just absorb; they awaken.

To be your own light is not to reject guidance , it is to let wisdom from others ignite your own understanding. Like one candle lighting another, the flame is shared but the glow is uniquely one’s own. Every teacher, every book, every experience is a spark, but the fire must burn within.

And when life dims, when confusion clouds the path, this ancient motto becomes a lantern. It reminds us that the answers we chase are not lost in the world, they are often waiting in the quiet chambers of our own heart, patient and persistent.

The beauty of Attha Deepa Bhava lies in its timeless simplicity. It transcends religion, geography, and generation. Whether you are an artist shaping dreams, a thinker navigating doubt, or a soul seeking purpose, this truth endures: trust your inner light.

Nalanda’s flame may have once been silenced by time and turmoil, yet its radiance endures through centuries, through us. And as we walk our own uncertain paths, filled with choices, changes, and challenges, may we remember:
To be your own light is not merely advice, it is the very art of living.