The Truth is Still But Pervades Every Thing

अच्छेद्योऽयमदाह्योऽयमक्लेद्योऽशोष्य एव च |

नित्य: सर्वगत: स्थाणुरचलोऽयं सनातन: || 2.24||

Meaning of the Shloka: The Absolute Self is unbreakable, incombustible, unsinkable, undrainable, everlasting, ubiquitous, unalterable, immutable, and primordial. (Bhagvad Gita 2.24)

Context: This is a continuation of the previous chapter. Here, Krishna elaborates further on the nature of the Absolute Self, the Divine, knowledge, or the eternal truth. 

One of the key characteristics of good teachers is that they repeat an essential fact, postulate, or axiom until the pupils fully absorb it. As Arjuna was noticeably shaken due to the potential loss of the upcoming war, he needed to hear the wise words in multiple ways.

Fundamentally, Krishna explains the fleeting nature of the material universe, which is the world we perceive and interact with through our Indriya (faculties of knowledge). These things or entities are temporary and fallible by nature, and we mustn’t grieve when they fade away.

Rather, we should focus on the truth, which is duty (Karma). Duties are a part of us, and our arrogance gives us the false impression that it’s optional. When ignored, for whatever reason, we pay a catastrophic price.

The truth is a part of you

More often than not, you feel the truth right within your core. It’s hard to pinpoint where it comes from, at least physiologically. The fact of the matter is that truth pervades everything, including our very bodies and minds.

When someone is being disengenuous to or with you, it’s a matter of time before you put the dots together. After that, it’s your wishful thinking or desire to resist change that keeps you in the dark.

I’ll explain with a simple example.

If you are in a toxic relationship, not necessarily a romantic one, eventually, you will spot the conversational and psychological tricks of your assailant. 

You may find that they pretend to listen to you, only to label your points as impractical. Or perhaps they deliberately sabotage your efforts toward your goals by subconsciously undermining your ambition. In many cases, they will be a sink for your energy, sapping you of your strength to do something meaningful.

The majority of the people in this world know when they are in a bad place. However, they don’t want to confront the truth. The familiarity of the problem is more comforting than the potential unpredictability of the solution.

And they give great excuses, too. For instance, one might point to the years they’ve already invested in that relationship or cite social backlash as a concern. But the truth is that they despise the hardship of entering the unknown.

Therefore, they rot.

This is true for most individuals who are stuck in terrible situations. Dead-end jobs, destructive habits, and depressive spirals. All of the affected people know exactly what they need to do, because the truth is a part of them.

Realizing and embracing the truth

The truth is divine. It transcends material and time to remain as such across eons. It never changes, regardless of how hard you try. And once it’s out, even the biggest shroud can’t cover it up.

When the Absolute Self makes itself apparent to you in your mind, it’s critical not to let that train of thought go. You must grab a pen and paper, write it down, and explain why it might be the case.

In that dark truth, you will find direction on what you need to do. For most people who are stuck in a dilemma, the answer is ugly: go to war with yourself.

This is one of the biggest reasons why you should journal. Maybe not every day, but a couple of times a week will take you closer to the Divine than any religious book. Once you have the knowledge, it’s time to convert it into action.

Just like the nature of the truth, the direction it points is difficult. It will take a toll on your body and mind. Going back to the toxic relationship example, you will realize that somehow and somewhere, your decisions and actions led to this.

And undoing your past mistakes, especially when your mind is showering you with tons of “I told you so's,” is challenging to say the least. Trust me, I know from experience.

Amid that storm, you must remember the nature of this universe. Everything that is fleeting is expendable for the sake of truth. Comfort, social media, pleasure, and the whatnot. Sacrifice them all to uphold the truth, because if you don’t, there’ll be hell to pay.

Conclusion: You can’t escape the truth

Lying to yourself is impossible unless you are okay with merely surviving with a crippling existential crisis. The truth is already within you and is illuminating your path. Instead of embracing it, you are getting creative with your excuses for inaction.

The sincere pursuit of duty requires immense sacrifices and offers no guarantee of success. At that time, it can get difficult to justify the trials and tribulations, especially when push comes to shove.

In those moments, it’s important to keep in mind that whatever you are giving up is temporary and will fall with the passage of time. Any amount of pain and suffering is short-lived, like your body and everything else in this material universe.

The only part of you that remains, in the end, is the truth and nothing else.

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Next Chapter: Coming Soon

Previous Chapter: The Absolute Self is Indestructible

Index (with Prologue): Krishna Said That: Prologue