ṛṣibhir bahudhā gītaṁ chandobhir vividhaiḥ pṛthak brahma-sūtra-padaiś caiva hetumadbhir viniścitaiḥ
"This has been sung by the sages in many ways, in various Vedic hymns distinctly, and also in the well-reasoned and definite aphorisms of the Brahma-sutras."
What This Means:
Krishna acknowledges that this knowledge isn't new—ancient sages have sung about it in various Vedic hymns and in the logical aphorisms of the Brahma-sutras. Truth has been expressed through many voices.
Going Deeper:
Krishna honors the tradition: 'ṛṣibhiḥ bahudhā gītam'—sung by sages in many ways. The Vedas ('chandobhiḥ vividhaiḥ') expressed it poetically; the Brahma-sutras ('brahma-sūtra-padaiḥ') expressed it logically ('hetumadbhiḥ'—with reasons, 'viniścitaiḥ'—with certainty). Both approaches are valid—devotional poetry and rigorous philosophy.
How To Apply This:
Spiritual truth can be approached through multiple doors—scripture, logic, poetry, direct experience. Don't dismiss approaches different from your own; they may suit others' temperaments. Truth is one, expressions are many.
Key Sanskrit Terms: