
2
CHAPTER
VERSE
16
नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सत: |
उभयोरपि दृष्टोऽन्तस्त्वनयोस्तत्त्वदर्शिभि: || 2.16 ||
Na asato vidyate bhavo Na abhavo vidyate satah
Ubhayor api drishto 'ntas Tv anayos tattva-darshibhih ||
The unreal has no existence, and the real never ceases to be; the truth about both has been realized by the seers of truth.
Lesson:
This verse from the Bhagavad Gita talks about the concept of reality and unreality. It tells us that things that are not real do not truly exist, while things that are real never cease to exist. People who have deeply understood the truth can see this distinction.
So, what does this mean? Well, imagine a dream. When you're dreaming, everything seems real – the sights, sounds, and feelings. But when you wake up, you realize it was all just a dream; it wasn't real. Similarly, in life, there are things that seem real to us, like our possessions, achievements, or even our bodies. But according to this verse, these things are not truly real because they are temporary. They come and go, they change, and eventually, they cease to exist.
On the other hand, there are things that are always real and never change. These are eternal truths, like the soul or the divine essence within us. These things never cease to exist; they are constant and everlasting.
The verse suggests that those who have attained spiritual wisdom – the "seers of truth" – understand this distinction between the real and the unreal. They see beyond the illusions of the material world and recognize the eternal nature of the soul and the ultimate reality.
So, the message here is that we should strive to understand this deeper truth about reality. By recognizing the impermanence of material things and seeking the eternal truth beyond them, we can attain a deeper understanding of life and existence.