आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्चिदेनम् आश्चर्यवद्वदति तथा एव चान्यः। आश्चर्यवच्चैनमन्यः श्रृणोति श्रुत्वाप्येनं वेद न चैव कश्चित्।।2.29।।
āścaryavat paśyati kaścid enam āścaryavat vadati tathā eva ca anyaḥ. āścaryavat ca yena anyaḥ śṛṇoti śrutvā api enam veda na ca eva kaścit.
Translation
Some see the soul as wondrous, some describe it as wondrous, and likewise others hear it described as wondrous; yet even after hearing, some never truly know the soul.
Word Meanings
āścarya‑vat — as amazing; paśyati — sees; kaścit — someone; enaṁ — this soul; āścarya‑vat — as amazing; vadati — speaks of; tathā — thus; eva — certainly; ca — also; anyaḥ — another; āścarya‑vat — similarly amazing; ca — also; enaṁ — this soul; anyaḥ — another; śṛṇoti — hears of; śrutvā — having heard; api — even; enaṁ — this soul; veda — knows; na — never; ca — and; eva — certainly; kaścit — someone
Understanding the Verse
Verse 2.29 of the Bhagavad Gita highlights the diverse reactions of seekers when they encounter the mystery of the soul (ātman). The first group "kaścid paśyati" – those who see – experience a direct, intuitive glimpse of the soul's transcendental nature. This vision is often sparked by contemplation, meditation, or a sudden insight, leading to an awe‑filled perception of the self as beyond the material body.
The second group "kaścid vadati" – those who speak – articulate the soul's wonder through words. By verbalizing their experience, they attempt to convey the ineffable qualities of the self to others. Their discourse may take the form of philosophical discourse, devotional poetry, or teachings that emphasize the soul's eternal, immutable essence.
A third category "kaścid śṛṇoti" – those who hear – absorb the teachings of sages and the wisdom found in scriptures. Their understanding is mediated by the intellect and the guidance of a guru. Even though they have not directly witnessed the soul, the hearing of sacred verses plants seeds that can later blossom into personal realization.
The verse also warns that merely hearing is insufficient for some. The phrase "śrutvā api na veda" stresses that even after hearing, certain individuals do not acquire true knowledge of the soul. This can be due to the presence of egoic doubts, lack of faith, or insufficient practice. The Gita thereby underscores the necessity of integrating hearing with sincere contemplation and action (karma‑yoga) to transform intellectual understanding into lived experience.
Krishna, speaking through Arjuna’s internal dialog, uses this classification to motivate the seeker to move beyond passive hearing toward active perception and expression. The soul's wonder is not a static concept; it is an experiential reality that unfolds progressively as the aspirant refines the mind, cultivates detachment, and practices divine remembrance (smṛti).
In practical terms, the verse invites modern readers to reflect on their personal stance. Are we merely listeners of spiritual discourse, or do we strive to see the soul within ourselves, articulate its truth, and live in accordance with that insight? The path to self‑realization demands a synthesis of seeing, speaking, and hearing, each reinforcing the other, ultimately leading to the direct knowledge that "the soul is beyond birth and death, untouched by any material change."
