“Those who are seers of the truth have concluded that of the nonexistent there is no endurance, and of the existent there is no cessation. This seers have concluded by studying the nature of both.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.16)

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नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सतः ।
उभयोरपि दृष्टोऽन्तस्त्वनयोस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः ॥

nāsato vidyate bhāvo
nābhāvo vidyate sataḥ
ubhayor api dṛṣṭo ’ntas
tv anayos tattva-darśibhiḥ

1. It is proper etiquette

This is the long-standing tradition. This is the way knowledge transfer takes place in a cultured environment. When the people are civilized, when they have a little intelligence, when they are reaching for a higher standard, they pay respect to those who have come before them.

In the conversation with Arjuna, Shri Krishna is the superior. He is the topmost person, in fact. He is Purushottama. He is the adi-purusha, or the original person. Since He has no end, He is also ananta. He is the maintainer of the people, Janardana, and the supreme resting place, param dhama.

This means that Arjuna can accept the information based on the stature of the teacher alone, but Krishna still follows etiquette. He makes several references to authoritative word like the Vedas, authority figures known for their impact on the world, and those who have seen the truth.

If someone wants to dismiss Krishna based on some fallibility they have found, in the hopes to cancel the son of Yashoda, they will have a difficult time taking down the entirety of parampara. People of the highest character, personalities like Narada and Vyasa, accept Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

2. I need help

The scene has historical significance. The depiction is of an important moment in the narrative of the Pandava brothers. The place where the event took place can still be visited; it is within this earthly realm.

At the same time, there is tremendous symbolism to the exchange. Arjuna requires assistance. Though he is a decorated fighter, a person well-respected across various regions and ruling families, known for his alignment with the arya culture, he still reaches a moment of doubt. Some inappropriate thoughts enter his mind. The path he briefly contemplates actually represents anarya, for which he receives mild chastisement.

श्री-भगवान् उवाच
कुतस् त्वा कश्मलम् इदं
विषमे समुपस्थितम्
अनार्य-जुष्टम् अस्वर्ग्यम्
अकीर्ति-करम् अर्जुन

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
kutas tvā kaśmalam idaṁ
viṣame samupasthitam
anārya-juṣṭam asvargyam
akīrti-karam arjuna

“The Supreme Person [Bhagavan] said: My dear Arjuna, how have these impurities come upon you? They are not at all befitting a man who knows the progressive values of life. They do not lead to higher planets, but to infamy.” (Bhagavad-gita, 2.2)

Arjuna essentially represents us. I may not be as decorated. I may not be as cultured, skilled, or dear to the Supreme Lord based on past excursions, but I am in doubt. I need help. I am suffering from illusion.

If not Krishna, then I should at least approach someone. The tattva-darshis are the ideal candidates since they are respected by Krishna. He references their teachings, their guidance, and their opinions when speaking of the intricacies of life and death.

3. They have seen the truth

This is the literal translation to the Sanskrit. A tattva-darshi is someone who has seen the truth. They can guide others based on that vision. They have experienced something better, param drishtva. They are not in illusion, and so their judgment is not clouded by pursuits for temporary gain.

विषया विनिवर्तन्ते
निराहारस्य देहिनः
रस-वर्जं रसो ऽप्य् अस्य
परं दृष्ट्वा निवर्तते

viṣayā vinivartante
nirāhārasya dehinaḥ
rasa-varjaṁ raso ‘py asya
paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate

“The embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, though the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.59)

4. You know what they say about experience

There is the saying about experience, that by the time you get it, you are too old to do anything with it. Approaching the tattva-darshis corrects this deficiency. It is attaining wisdom before it is too late. It is seeing through the eyes of someone else. It is bypassing the need for enduring difficulties to reach a proper conclusion on the other side.

In other words, the tattva-darshis have gone through the difficulty for me. They sacrificed everything so that people like me, appearing sometimes thousands of years after the fact, can be saved from the pangs of material miseries.

5. They align with Divinity

The tattva-darshis are something like Krishna’s close friends. This might appear contradictory since Krishna has a specific time of appearance in this world, which is now celebrated annually as Janmashtami. How can seers from the past be friends with someone prior to their appearance in this world?

तद् विद्धि प्रणिपातेन
परिप्रश्नेन सेवया
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं
ज्ञानिनस् तत्त्व-दर्शिनः

tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.34)

The Supreme Lord is inexhaustible. He has complete endurance in the way that the spirit soul transcends the material coverings. Since the tattva-darshis have seen the truth, they know the actual position of that great friend to Arjuna. Receiving their counsel, their instruction, and their wisdom is like connecting directly with Krishna.

In Closing:

The highest authority of all,
Friend to Arjuna to call.

Reference to authority to say,
Following etiquette way.

With the Divine purpose align,
To settle also doubts of mine.

By experience the truth knowing,
Path towards Krishna showing.

Categories: the five

Tags: bhagavad-gita, guru, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry, teaching