Chapter 2 Verse 29
Sānkhya Yog
आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्चिदेन माश्चर्यवद्वदति तथैव चान्यः। आश्चर्यवच्चैनमन्यः श्रृणोति श्रुत्वाप्येनं वेद न चैव कश्चित्।।2.29।।
āśhcharya-vat paśhyati kaśhchid enan āśhcharya-vad vadati tathaiva chānyaḥ āśhcharya-vach chainam anyaḥ śhṛiṇoti śhrutvāpyenaṁ veda na chaiva kaśhchit
Word Meanings
| āśhcharya-vat | as amazing |
| paśhyati | see |
| kaśhchit | someone |
| enam | this soul |
| āśhcharya-vat | as amazing |
| vadati | speak of |
| tathā | thus |
| eva | indeed |
| cha | and |
| anyaḥ | other |
| āśhcharya-vat | similarly amazing |
| cha | also |
| enam | this soul |
| anyaḥ | others |
| śhṛiṇoti | hear |
| śhrutvā | having heard |
| api | even |
| enam | this soul |
| veda | understand |
| na | not |
| cha | and |
| eva | even |
| kaśhchit | some |
Translation
One sees this (the Self) as a wonder; another speaks of it as a wonder; another hears of it as a wonder; yet, having heard, none understands it at all.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
People react to the inner Self with wonder. Some see it, some speak about it, some hear about it — all treat it as amazing.
But hearing or talking about the Self is not the same as knowing it. The verse says that true understanding does not come from words or stories. The Self is realized inwardly, not explained outwardly.
This invites humility and practice. Real knowing comes through quiet attention, steady inner experience, and living that insight, not only through discussion or intellectual assent.
Life Application
- Spend 5–10 minutes daily in quiet attention: notice the sense of "I" behind thoughts and feelings without trying to change them.
- Test spiritual ideas in everyday moments: watch reactions, let go of roles, and notice the calm that remains.
- Do your work with presence and without clinging to outcomes; this helps reveal steady inner awareness.
Reflection Question
Do I seek the Self through talk, or have I looked for it in quiet attention?