utkrāmantaṁ sthitaṁ vāpi bhuñjānaṁ vā guṇānvitam
vimūḍhā nānupaśhyanti paśhyanti jñāna-chakṣhuṣhaḥ
utkrāmantam — departing;
sthitam — residing;
vā api — or even;
bhuñjānam — enjoys;
vā — or;
guṇa-anvitam — under the spell of the modes of material nature;
vimūḍhāḥ — the ignorant;
na — not;
anupaśhyanti — percieve;
paśhyanti — behold;
jñāna-chakṣhuṣhaḥ — those who possess the eyes of knowledge
This verse talks about two types of people: the foolish and the wise. The foolish people don't realize how a person or living being can leave their current body when they die or what kind of new body they will have in their next life. They are often caught up in their everyday worries and feelings, like chasing after pleasures or avoiding discomfort, which makes them unaware of bigger truths.
On the other hand, wise people, or those who have 'eyes of knowledge,' see things differently. They have learned from sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita and, importantly, they have guidance from a true spiritual teacher. This knowledge helps them understand that our true self, or spirit, is separate from the physical body we see.
When someone dies, it's like shedding an old outfit. The soul goes on to take a new body based on the experiences it had and the choices it made during its life. For instance, if someone acted kindly and selflessly, they may experience a better life in a future body. But if they engaged in harmful behaviors, they might face difficult experiences next time.
The verse also hints at how people get trapped in the illusion of material pleasures. Many are so absorbed in chasing after what feels good or avoiding what feels bad that they forget about deeper truths. As a result, they remain confused about why they go through certain experiences. That confusion keeps them stuck in a cycle of birth and rebirth.
In contrast, those who have gained spiritual understanding recognize the struggles that others go through in their lives. They see that many people suffer because they don't understand their true nature and feel lost. Because of this insight, spiritually aware individuals feel a desire to share their knowledge with others. They want to help people break free from their suffering and find a deeper sense of peace and understanding through spiritual growth and Krishna consciousness.
So, this verse encourages us to seek knowledge and understanding beyond just our immediate experiences. If we can understand that our spirit exists beyond the body and that our actions have consequences for our future, we can look for a path towards liberation and a better existence.