āhus tvām ṛiṣhayaḥ sarve devarṣhir nāradas tathā
asito devalo vyāsaḥ svayaṁ chaiva bravīṣhi me
āhuḥ — (they) declare;
tvām — you;
ṛiṣhayaḥ — sages;
sarve — all;
deva-ṛiṣhiḥ-nāradaḥ — devarṣhi Narad;
tathā — also;
asitaḥ — Asit;
devalaḥ — Deval;
vyāsaḥ — Vyās;
svayam — personally;
cha — and;
eva — even;
bravīṣhī — you are declaring;
me — to me
In this verse, Arjuna is talking to Krishna and he is emphasizing that Krishna's greatness is not just his own personal opinion. He points out that many wise and respected figures, called sages, also recognize Krishna as very special and supreme. These sages include Narada, Asita, Devala, and Vyasa. They are important teachers with deep knowledge in spiritual matters and their recognition of Krishna carries a lot of weight.
Arjuna is showing that spiritual understanding is passed down through generations. This is called 'parampara' in Sanskrit. It means that knowledge is shared from teacher to student, going back through time. Arjuna trusts Krishna's teachings because they are supported by the wisdom of these famous sages. They have studied, experienced, and written about Krishna, saying he is the source of everything in the universe.
In Vedic scriptures, which are ancient texts in Hindu tradition, Krishna is described as the one who creates, maintains, and destroys the universe. He is known as the "cause of all causes" and is seen as the one who appears in the world when there is a need to restore goodness and order (dharma). Arjuna understands that this recognition of Krishna’s divinity is not just a blind belief but is rooted in profound teachings and experiences that have been shared over a long time.
When Arjuna acknowledges Krishna's supreme nature, it serves as an example for everyone. It teaches us how to approach spiritual knowledge. Instead of trying to understand everything through just books or academics, it's important to connect with the wisdom passed down by spiritual leaders. This connection helps us understand deep truths about life and existence.
Some people might look at Krishna merely as a historical figure or an ordinary person, especially if they don't consider these teachings from sages. However, Arjuna’s recognition pushes back against that idea by highlighting the extensive wisdom found in ancient texts that confirm Krishna’s higher position. It shows that listening to the words of those who have gone before us is essential to grasping the deeper meanings of life, like those found in the Bhagavad Gita.
Through Arjuna's acceptance of Krishna’s greatness, we learn about the importance of humility and faith in the teachings that come from a tradition of wise teachers. This faith allows one to appreciate and understand the valuable teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, which guide us in living a meaningful life.