FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.2.49

अथ नित्यमनित्यं वा नेह शोचन्ति तद्विद: । नान्यथा शक्यते कर्तुं स्वभाव: शोचतामिति ॥ ४९ ॥
atha nityam anityaṁ vā
[atha nityam anityam vaa]
neha śocanti tad-vidaḥ
[neha shochanti tad-vidah]
nānyathā śakyate kartuṁ
[naanyathaa shakyate kartum]
sva-bhāvaḥ śocatām iti
[sva-bhaavah shochataam iti]
Word-for-word
atha — therefore nityam — the eternal spirit soul anityam — the temporary material body vā — or na — not iha — in this world śocanti — they lament for tat-vidaḥ — those who are advanced in knowledge of the body and soul na — not anyathā — otherwise śakyate — is able kartum — to do sva-bhāvaḥ — the nature śocatām — of those prone to lamentation iti — thus.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
atha nityam anityaṁ vā
atha
therefore
nityam
the eternal spirit soul
anityam
the temporary material body
vā
or
neha śocanti tad-vidaḥ
nānyathā śakyate kartuṁ
na
not
iha
in this world
sva-bhāvaḥ śocatām iti
śocanti
they lament for
tat-vidaḥ
those who are advanced in knowledge of the body and soul
na
not
anyathā
otherwise
śakyate
is able
kartum
to do
sva-bhāvaḥ
the nature
śocatām
of those prone to lamentation
iti
thus.
Those who have full knowledge of self-realization, who know very well that the spirit soul is eternal whereas the body is perishable, are not overwhelmed by lamentation. But persons who lack knowledge of self-realization certainly lament. Therefore it is difficult to educate a person in illusion.
Purport

According to the mīmāṁsā philosophers, everything is eternal, nitya, and according to the Sāṅkhya philosophers everything is mithyā, or anitya — impermanent. Nonetheless, without real knowledge of ātmā, the soul, such philosophers must be bewildered and must continue to lament as śūdras. Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī therefore said to Parīkṣit Mahārāja:

śrotavyādīni rājendra nṛṇāṁ santi sahasraśaḥ apaśyatām ātma-tattvaṁ gṛheṣu gṛha-medhinām

“Those who are materially engrossed, being blind to knowledge of the ultimate truth, have many subjects for hearing in human society, O Emperor.” ( Bhāg. 2.1.2 ) For ordinary persons engaged in material activities there are many, many subject matters to understand because such persons do not understand self-realization. One must therefore be educated in self-realization so that under any circumstances in life he will remain steady in his vows.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Some say the world is permanent. Some say it is transient. But they do not lament. The nature of those who lament is to say, “I cannot do anything else except lament.” Mīmāṁsakas say that the world is permanent. Sāṇkhya says the world is temporary but real. “Then we cannot understand the world at all. It is not possible to do anything.” That is the nature of those who lament.
Related values & verses
Related verses
SB 2.1.2
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Those who know the soul is eternal and the body perishable do not lament. Those without self-realization continue grieving even after teaching. It is hard to educate one who is in illusion — but the effort is the most worthwhile education there is.
Reflection Questions
  • Whom are you trying to educate out of illusion who is not ready to hear?
  • What would shift if you accepted that your own education in this truth is the priority?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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