Geethartha Chinthane – 112: Transition is not without substance

When Abhimanyu died, Arjuna wept bitterly. Witnessing this, Lord Krishna also cried. Arjuna’s sorrow was natural as a father grieving for his son. But why did Lord Krishna cry? The reason is this: “Despite all my teachings, Arjuna is still grieving. It feels as though all my efforts to impart knowledge have been in vain.”

Knowledge gained through words is easy, but attaining true knowledge is difficult. This is experiential knowledge. Why do we meditate and reflect? To attain this experiential realization. Primary knowledge is verbal knowledge: “He said it, I heard it, and that’s all.” But when the same truth unfolds before one’s eyes, the one who conveyed the knowledge becomes irrelevant.

True understanding arises in the absence of a teacher and is possible only through self-realization. Everyone knows that God exists, but the realization of this knowledge brings a completely different experience. Lord Krishna says: “I am not born, nor do I die. I am neither transitory nor immaterial. The same entity may appear in different forms.”

These kings, who seem to have perished, were never truly nonexistent in the past and will never be nonexistent in the future. Krishna declares that living beings are indestructible.

Arjuna wonders how to believe this. To this, Krishna responds, “I am the witness.” Arjuna had earlier expressed grief over the anticipated deaths of Drona and Bhishmacharya. Krishna challenges this doubt by proclaiming himself as the ultimate witness to the eternal truth.

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

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