nāsato vidyate bhāvo nābhāvo vidyate sataḥ
ubhayorapi dṛiṣhṭo ’nta stvanayos tattva-darśhibhiḥ
na — no;
asataḥ — of the temporary;
vidyate — there is;
bhāvaḥ — is;
na — no;
abhāvaḥ — cessation;
vidyate — is;
sataḥ — of the eternal;
ubhayoḥ — of the two;
api — also;
dṛiṣhṭaḥ — observed;
antaḥ — conclusion;
tu — verily;
anayoḥ — of these;
tattva — of the truth;
darśhibhiḥ — by the seers
This verse teaches us a fundamental lesson about existence and non-existence. It tells us that truly wise people, who are often called 'seers of the truth,' have realized something important: things that are not real or do not last cannot endure. For instance, think about something that is just a momentary thought or a passing trend; such things come and go without leaving a trace. They cannot be depended upon since they do not have a lasting presence.
On the flip side, it explains that things that are real and exist never completely fade away. For example, concepts like love, truth, or your own spirit remain with you even if your body changes over time. This idea connects to something we see in our daily lives: as we grow older, our bodies change -- we gain weight or lose hair -- but deep down, many of the things that we believe in or value do not change; they stay constant regardless of how we look or how our feelings fluctuate.
This verse emphasizes a significant difference between two realms: the temporary physical world and the everlasting spiritual realm. Our bodies, possessions, and even feelings can be seen as temporary—they can come and go and will eventually fade. But our inner self or spirit – our true self – is everlasting. No matter how much our bodies change or how our minds shift, the spirit within remains unchanged.
Understanding this is crucial. It helps us grasp the difference between what is important in life and what is not. Many people get caught up in their physical appearance, material possessions, or fleeting emotions. However, knowing that these are temporary can give a sense of peace. We can learn to focus more on nurturing our inner selves, which are the eternal part of us.
Finally, both spiritual traditions like personalism, which emphasizes a personal connection to the divine, and impersonalism, which focuses on a more abstract understanding of the divine, agree on this view. In simpler terms, both groups recognize that there are deeper truths to life beyond what we see in the physical world. They suggest that understanding the eternal spirit can lead us to a more fulfilling life, giving weight to our actions and beliefs in the short time we have in our physical forms.