श्रीभगवानुवाच | अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे | गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिता: || 11 || |
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The Supreme Lord said, “While speaking words of wisdom, you mourn for those who should not be mourned for, and yet you speak as if you possess knowledge. The wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead.”
Commentary
The Lord emphasizes that wise individuals, known as ‘panditās’, do not grieve for the living or the dead, as they comprehend the eternal nature of the soul and the transient nature of the physical body. Possessing a broader perspective that transcends the cycle of birth and death, they recognize the soul’s eternal journey.
The concept of refraining from lamenting for either the deceased or the living pertains to one’s state of consciousness and perspective.
A devotee’s life can be likened to the duality of day and night. During the day, when actively engaged in worldly affairs, the devotee deeply cares for the well-being of the living while fondly remembering departed souls whom he loved. He demonstrates compassion, empathy, and work toward improving the world around them.
However, during the night, metaphorically when in communion with God, the devotee’s perspective shifts. In this state of divine connection, he realizes that all beings, both living and deceased, exist in the eternal present within God. Understanding the transcendental nature of the soul and its connection to the Divine, there is no room for lamentation or grief. The devotee transcends the dualities of life and death, finding solace in the divine truth that all souls exist within the divine consciousness. It is not a state of indifference but rather a profound understanding that in the presence of God, all beings are united and eternally connected.