The Temporary Is to Be Ignored

नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सत: |

उभयोरपि दृष्टोऽन्तस्त्वनयोस्तत्त्वदर्शिभि: || 2.16||

Meaning of the Shloka: What is temporary has no essence and what is permanent has no shortage. This difference is observed by the ones who have attained salvation. (Bhagvad Gita 2.16)

Context: Arjuna was caught up in the emotions as he concentrated on the potential loss of wealth and lives the war would bring. It prevented him from seeing the truth about life and selecting the right path forward.

In fact, he was so caught up in the illusion of pleasure and pain of the world, that he was confused whether he should participate in the war with his full might or surrender before it even began.

What is permanent

God, knowledge, and truth are permanent. Even if you erase all the truths of the world, they will pop up once again for they are eternal. These three entities, which are actually one, pervade everything and everyone.

Anything that we see, perceive, interact with, or imagine emerges from the divine, whether we understand it as God, knowledge, or truth.

At the same time, it is essential to understand that each of them is infinite and exists in innumerable forms. For instance, “every action has an equal and opposite reaction” and “as you sow, so you reap” represent an identical, eternal truth, albeit in different forms.

And these truths, which appear intangible, lead to the very tangible world around us. Most of the things that we use today, for example, emerge from scientific knowledge — something intangible.

Here, we need to realize a critical thing — knowledge (God and truth) is permanent but the entities that come out of it aren’t. 

As humans, we do get attached to the entities that knowledge gives us, whether it is material possessions or relationships because we perceive them through our physical senses. Often what is tangible overpowers the intangible. 

Arjuna experienced the same thing. Despite being a learned warrior who understood the meaning and purpose of life, he succumbed to his temporary feelings which emerged from his afflictions to material (wealth and people).

Consequently, he feared the potential loss of the tangible, leading to indecisiveness.

Dealing with the temporary

Everything in this universe exhibits certain traits and characteristics. These traits and characteristics are a function of their composition. A mango tree, for instance, exhibits the traits of its composition. The same goes for human beings and even our emotions.

And that’s how you should treat them.

In difficult situations, you have to recognize that all of the universe will exhibit traits that depend on what they are made up of. Even you aren’t free from that. Humans will behave like humans because that’s what our composition is.

Feeling sad and emotionally drained is natural in challenging moments of life. 

At the same time, it is critical to recognize that it all is temporary and what needs to happen, must happen. When we lean into the emotions to remain in our comfort zone and choose to quit, it is akin to standing against truth.

Going against the truth never really works out. Whether you know the truth or not, going against knowledge always backfires. People suffer for two reasons — arrogance (know but don’t act) and ignorance (don’t know, don’t act).

Hence, it’s pivotal to look past the fleeting world that we are living in and accept that everything will behave based on its composition. Rather than resisting and giving in to emotions, we should embrace the realities and keep going forward.

Because, one day, everything will disappear into the darkness anyway, including your despair.

Difference between temporary and non-existent

Keep in mind that Arjuna’s pain wasn’t fake at all. He was genuinely hurting from the potential loss of prosperity and life in the war which led to a nervous breakdown. 

Similarly, when I was explaining the fleeting nature of the world and the pain and emotions we experience, I never suggested them being fake. They are all real. However, they should be ignored while determining your next step at any given moment.

Always acknowledge the fleeting permanence of various entities we perceive, experience, and imagine while giving more importance to the absolute permanence of knowledge, truth, and God.

Conclusion: Follow the truth

In every circumstance, we have one right thing to do based on our capabilities. It often requires us to make sacrifices, let go of things we value so much, and walk a painful road all alone. 

Guess what, you are supposed to be doing just that anyway.

Of course, the fleeting feelings that emanate from our afflictions to tangible and intangible things are very real and quite strong. At the same time, due to their short-lived nature, they don’t even come close to the realness and strength of God, knowledge, and truth.

You know what you are supposed to do. 

Now get on it.

—

Next Chapter: The Absolute Self Is Indestructible

Previous Chapter: Pain is an Illusion

Index (with Prologue): Krishna Said That

Dopamine hits vs discipline