Geethartha Chinthane 103 – Who is a Pandit?

Making mistakes is natural, but justifying them as correct is a grave sin. Even a thief must acknowledge that theft is wrong, despite pursuing it. Society universally recognizes theft as immoral. Denying this truth is itself a mistake. The gravest error lies in undermining established values.

Only those who grieve for the living have the right to mourn the dead. From the moment we are born, we are moving closer to death. If one were never born, death would not exist for them. Approaching death is itself a part of dying. If one does not grieve while nearing death, why should they grieve after it?

A pandit is not merely a learned or eloquent speaker. The term “Pand” signifies the realization of truth or understanding the essence of reality. A pandit is one who comprehends the nature of existence.

The shloka “Jatasya Maranam Dhruvam” emphasizes that death is certain for all who are born. The root cause of sorrow is the ignorance of this truth. Misconceptions like believing ourselves to be eternal stem from ignorance, which only strengthens over time.

As described in the Mahabharata, “Ahanyahani Bhootani…”, beings continue to journey toward Yama’s abode, yet they cling to the illusion of permanence. This delusion is maya, which obscures our understanding of reality. Recognizing and accepting the truth is the hallmark of a true pandit.

~ Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Paryaya Sri Puthige Sri Krishna Matha

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