Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.29
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्चिदेनमाश्चर्यवद्वदति तथैव चान्यः । आश्चर्यवच्चैनमन्यः शृणोति श्रुत्वाप्येनं वेद न चैव कश्चित् ॥२९॥
āścaryavatpaśyati kaścidenamāścaryavadvadati tathaiva cānyaḥ | āścaryavaccainamanyaḥ śṛṇoti śrutvāpyenaṃ veda na caiva kaścit ||29||
Complete Shloka Translation
One sees the self as a wonder; another speaks of it as a wonder, and another hears of it as a wonder. Yet even after hearing, one may not know it.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| आश्चर्यवत् | āścaryavat | as a wonder |
| श्रुत्वा | śrutvā | having heard |
| आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति | āścaryavatpaśyati | [term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;... |
| कश्चिदेनमाश्चर्यवद्वदति | kaścidenamāścaryavadvadati | [term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;... |
| तथैव | tathaiva | [term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;... |
| चान्यः | cānyaḥ | [term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;... |
| आश्चर्यवच्चैनमन्यः | āścaryavaccainamanyaḥ | [term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;... |
| शृणोति | śṛṇoti | [term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;... |
| श्रुत्वाप्येनं | śrutvāpyenaṃ | [term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;... |
| वेद | veda | [term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;... |
| चैव | na | [term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;... |
| कश्चित् | caiva | [term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;... |
| २९ | kaścit | [term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;... |
as a wonder
having heard
[term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;...
[term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;...
[term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;...
[term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;...
[term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;...
[term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;...
[term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;...
[term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;...
[term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;...
[term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;...
[term] in context of One sees the self as a wonder;...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Repeated wonder conveys how unusual this knowledge is. The final contrast distinguishes discussion and testimony from direct understanding.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Hearing an explanation is different from realizing what it points toward."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What is the difference between repeating a teaching and understanding it?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse when facing identity crisis or fear of failure: distinguish the unchanging inner self from transient life situations, and act with full dedication without anxiety over the final outcome.