nāsato vidyate bhāvo nābhāvo vidyate sataḥ ubhayor api dṛṣṭo 'ntas tv anayos tattva-darśibhiḥ
"The unreal has no existence; the real never ceases to exist. Those who see the truth have concluded this about both."
What This Means:
What's real is always real. What's unreal was never truly real. The body changes and dies—so it's not ultimately real. The soul never changes—so it's the only true reality. Wise people see this clearly.
Going Deeper:
This verse establishes the philosophical foundation: 'sat' (that which exists, being, truth) versus 'asat' (non-existence, untruth). The body belongs to 'asat'—it appears, changes, disappears. The soul is 'sat'—unchanging, eternal. This is the core insight of Vedanta philosophy.
How To Apply This:
When you're upset about something changing or ending, ask: 'Was this ever permanent?' Relationships change, bodies age, jobs end—this is their nature. Don't expect permanence from impermanent things. Invest in what's truly real: your character, your consciousness, your soul.
Key Sanskrit Terms: