Shloka 29 Chapter 2

आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्चिदेनम्
आश्चर्यवद्वदति तथैव चान्यः।
आश्चर्यवच्चैनमन्यः शृणोति
श्रुत्वाप्येनं वेद न चैव कश्चित्॥

Āścaryavat paśyati kaścid enam
Āścaryavad vadati tathaiva cānyaḥ।
Āścaryavac cainam anyaḥ śṛṇoti
Śrutvāpyenaṃ veda na caiva kaścit॥

Meaning:

One sees this soul as a wonder,

Another speaks of it as a wonder,

Yet another hears of it as a wonder,

And even after hearing, no one truly knows it.

Context:

Arjuna is troubled by the thought of killing his relatives and teachers in the battle. To remove his doubts and hesitation, Krishna is explaining the concept of the immortal soul (आत्मा).

Explanation:

This verse emphasizes the incomprehensible nature of the soul (आत्मा). Krishna says that the soul is so extraordinary that people view it with wonder, speak of it with amazement, and listen to its description in astonishment. Yet, despite hearing about it, no one truly understands it fully.

The soul's incomprehensibility arises because:

1. It is beyond the senses: The soul cannot be seen, touched, or measured. It exists beyond the physical realm, which makes it difficult for people to grasp.
2. It is eternal: Unlike the body, which is perishable, the soul transcends time and death, adding to its mysterious nature.
3. It is subtle and formless: The soul has no material attributes, making it hard for the human mind to conceptualize.
4. It requires self-realization: True understanding of the soul comes only through deep spiritual insight, not through ordinary perception or intellect.

Krishna highlights this wonderment to help Arjuna see the soul as something divine and eternal, beyond the destruction of the battlefield. This understanding removes fear and sorrow tied to the loss of physical bodies.

Today’s context

The Sharma family lived in a large ancestral home. It was shared by three brothers, their wives, and children. Over time, disagreements arose about dividing the property. The eldest brother, Rajesh, believed he deserved a larger share because he managed the family business. The youngest, Arjun, felt his efforts in caring for their parents were overlooked. Heated arguments created a tense atmosphere, and the family stopped eating meals together.

One day, their grandfather, an elderly man known for his wisdom, called a meeting. He began by sharing a story:
'When I was young, I planted a mango tree with my father. Over decades, that tree bore countless fruits. We ate them, shared them, and some even fell to the ground unused. The tree never cared who ate the fruits or how many were wasted. Its purpose was to give and grow. Similarly, this house and property are like that tree—meant to shelter and nurture, not divide and destroy relationships.'

He then reminded them of Krishna's teaching that the soul is eternal and separate from material possessions. 'This house, like our bodies, is temporary. What matters is the bond we share as a family. When the soul moves on, will it carry this house or wealth? No, but it will carry the karma of how we treated each other.'

Hearing this, the brothers reflected. They realized the futility of fighting over possessions that would one day cease to matter. They agreed to resolve the division fairly, but more importantly, they promised to prioritize their relationships. Meals together resumed, and the house was filled with warmth once again.

Highlights from traditional commentaries

1. Sri Abhinavgupta

The commentary focuses on the transient nature of the material body versus the eternal nature of the soul. It emphasizes the soul's eternal essence, free from sorrow, which arises only from material attachments and misconceptions. The soul remains untouched by creation, sustenance, and destruction, making grief unnecessary.

2. Sri Jayatirtha

This commentary addresses the rarity and wonder of truly understanding the soul. It highlights the difficulty in grasping its true nature due to the rarity of qualified seekers and teachers. The astonishment stems from the soul's divine nature and the difficulty of realizing it amidst ignorance and ego.

3. Sri Madhusudan Saraswati

The commentary elaborates on the contradictions perceived in the soul—eternal yet unseen, joyful yet appearing sorrowful. It attributes these contradictions to ignorance. Realizing the true nature of the soul requires intense spiritual practice, emphasizing its profound, almost miraculous essence.

4. Sri Purushottamji

This interpretation stresses the rarity of encountering a teacher, listener, or experiencer who truly understands the soul. It underlines that, even among those who hear about it, only a few achieve deep realization, reflecting the soul’s incomprehensible and extraordinary nature.

5. Sri Shankaracharya

Shankaracharya focuses on the profound difficulty in comprehending the soul. He describes it as an extraordinary, inexplicable entity that is rarely seen, spoken about, or understood in its true form. The rarity of this realization underscores the importance of spiritual guidance and self-inquiry.

6. Sri Ramanuja

Ramanuja highlights the uniqueness of the soul, explaining that among countless beings, only a rare few achieve the merit to perceive it. The rarity extends to speaking about and understanding the soul, emphasizing the necessity of dedication and the grace of a qualified teacher.

7. Sri Madhavacharya

This commentary describes the soul's subtlety and divine nature. It portrays the soul as difficult to perceive due to its similarity to the supreme being, Ishwara. The extraordinary nature of even perceiving or discussing the soul is a testament to its incomprehensibility.

8. Sri Sridhara Swami

Sridhara Swami's commentary explains that the soul's extraordinary nature is due to its eternal, blissful essence. It is seen as wondrous because its nature contradicts worldly experiences, and its realization requires transcending ordinary perceptions.

9. Sri Vedantadeshika (Venkatanatha)

This commentary systematically describes the stages of realization—hearing, contemplating, and experiencing the soul. It underscores the rarity of those capable of understanding the soul due to its subtlety, eternal nature, and profound significance.

10. Sri Neelkantha

Neelkantha focuses on the inexplicability of the soul, likening it to an illusion (like a rope mistaken for a snake). The commentary emphasizes that understanding the soul is miraculous because it requires overcoming ignorance and realizing its unity with the ultimate reality.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi