वेदाहं समतीतानि वर्तमानानि चार्जुन | भविष्याणि च भूतानि मां तु वेद न कश्चन || 26 || |
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“I know the past, present, and future of all beings, O Arjuna, but no one knows Me.”
Commentary: Time is a fundamental dimension of our universe and it progresses in a linear fashion in human experience, from the past through the present and into the future. God exists outside the constraints of time and space. In this timeless awareness and singular reality, there is no sense of boredom or anticipation since God’s experience transcends the linear progression of time.
Does this divine knowledge of the future imply a deterministic, predestined fate for humans? Does it mean that there is no room for free will in making decisions that can shape destinies? Consider the example of a person habituated to alcohol; this individual cannot transform into a sober saint overnight. Similarly, someone harboring constant anger cannot instantaneously acquire peace. In essence, individuals, through their own habits and choices, carve out a deterministic path for themselves. These deterministic patterns of most individuals and the accumulated mass karma allow God to know future events, while simultaneously permitting individuals to exercise their free will. Without persistent and unwavering commitment to making choices aligned with moral principles, our ingrained emotional and thought patterns remain unaltered.
God’s ability to perceive past and present karmic patterns is also rooted in His transcendence of linear time. Unlike humans, God’s perspective encompasses all past, present, and future moments as if they were occurring simultaneously in the ‘Eternal Now’. Therefore, God can “see” past actions and their consequences, as well as their potential influence on the present and future. God’s understanding of the past, present, and future is not fragmented in timepoints but rather unified, allowing for a comprehensive awareness of the intricate web of karmic interconnections that underlie human experiences.
The verse inspires humility and encourages seekers to approach the Supreme with reverence and surrender, recognizing the limitations of their own understanding and seeking His divine guidance.