The Eternal Mystery: Understanding the Unknowability of Another Soul in Hindu Philosophy
The fundamental truth that we can never truly know another person stands as one of the most profound teachings in Hindu philosophy. This principle, rooted deeply in the sacred texts and spiritual traditions of Hinduism, speaks to the essential nature of consciousness, individuality, and the layers of existence that separate one soul from another. It is not a pessimistic view but rather an invitation to humility, compassion, and deeper self-awareness.
The Illusion of Complete Knowledge
In the Upanishads, the oldest philosophical texts of Hinduism, there exists a recognition that consciousness operates on multiple planes beyond our ordinary perception. The Chandogya Upanishad states, "That from which all beings are born, by which they live, and into which they finally return - that is Brahman." This indicates that while all beings emerge from the same cosmic source, each individual consciousness remains fundamentally unique and partially veiled.
The concept of Maya, or cosmic illusion, plays a crucial role in understanding why we cannot fully know another. Maya creates the appearance of separation and individuality, yet beneath this apparent diversity lies a unified consciousness. This means that what we perceive of another person is merely their outer manifestation - their thoughts, words, and actions - which are themselves distortions and reflections of their true inner nature. The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes this through Lord Krishna's teaching: "As a person sheds worn-out garments and wears new ones, likewise, at the time of death the eternal soul casts off the mortal body and enters into a new one" (Bhagavad Gita 2.22). This suggests that what we know of a person is only the current garment or temporary vessel they inhabit, not their eternal essence.
The Three Layers of Existence
Hindu philosophy recognizes the gross physical body, the subtle body of mind and emotions, and the causal body of the soul or Atman. We perceive primarily through the gross body and our interaction with it. The subtle realm remains largely inaccessible to our ordinary senses and intellect. A person's true motivations, their past karmic impressions, their deepest desires and fears - these reside in layers we cannot penetrate. Even with someone we love deeply, vast territories of their inner world remain unexplored and unexplorable.
The Katha Upanishad describes this: "That which cannot be perceived by the eye, the mind or the senses, but which alone exists, you should know that alone to be Brahman, the Eternal Truth." This speaks to the reality that the deepest nature of any being transcends sensory and mental apprehension.
The Nature of Individuality and Karma
Each person carries with them the accumulated karma from countless lifetimes. The Vedas teach that every action creates subtle impressions called samskaras that shape consciousness. These samskaras create the unique lens through which each individual perceives and experiences the world. Your personal samskaras are entirely your own; no one else has access to this particular constellation of impressions, memories, and tendencies that define your unique consciousness.
When we encounter another person, we meet only the present moment's expression of their consciousness, filtered through their karma, their samskaras, and their current life circumstances. We cannot access their previous lives, their hidden motivations, or the deep patterns that drive their behavior. The Yajnavalkya Upanishad teaches that the Atman cannot be fully understood by ordinary intellectual means: "How could the knower be known? Through this knowledge alone, you have known That by which all things become known."
Spiritual and Psychological Significance
From a spiritual perspective, the unknowability of another serves a profound purpose. It cultivates humility and prevents us from making rigid judgments about others. In a practical sense, it teaches us that any attempt to completely understand or control another person is futile. This realization can liberate us from unnecessary suffering caused by unfulfilled expectations and disappointment.
The Bhagavad Gita offers wisdom here as well: "Therefore Arjuna, considering all these aspects, you should see with the eye of wisdom that which sees all beings as equal" (Bhagavad Gita 13.27). Rather than viewing the inscrutability of others as a barrier, Hindu philosophy suggests that recognizing this universal truth creates a foundation for universal compassion. If no one can be fully known, then judging others harshly becomes unreasonable, and accepting them becomes the only rational response.
Psychologically, this teaching prevents us from imposing our own narratives onto others. Often, we project our own fears, desires, and interpretations onto people in our lives, assuming we understand their motivations when in fact we are merely seeing reflections of our own minds. By acknowledging this inevitable limitation, we free ourselves from the exhausting attempt to control how others perceive and receive us.
The Path to Connection Beyond Knowledge
Paradoxically, while we can never fully know another, Hindu philosophy offers a path to transcend this limitation. The concept of Bhakti, or devotional love, suggests that true connection occurs not through intellectual understanding but through the heart. When we love without seeking to completely understand, when we accept another's essential mystery, we access a deeper form of knowing.
The Bhagavad Gita describes this state: "A person who is not disturbed by sorrow, who is fond of pleasure, who is free from fear and anger - such a person is said to be a sage" (Bhagavad Gita 2.56). This equanimity extends to our relationships with others, allowing us to interact with them authentically without the burden of needing to possess complete knowledge of them.
Modern Relevance and Life Lessons
In today's world of social media and constant connection, we labor under the illusion that we know people intimately through their curated online presence. This teaching offers a corrective: we know even less about people now than we might have in the past, despite seeing more of their surface. True intimacy requires vulnerability on both sides and an acceptance that mystery will always remain.
For relationships, families, and workplaces, this principle teaches us to approach others with curiosity rather than certainty, with openness rather than judgment. It suggests that we should strive to understand, knowing we will never fully succeed, and in that striving, we develop empathy and compassion.
The realization that we cannot truly know another is ultimately liberating. It frees us from the impossible burden of complete understanding and invites us instead into authentic, humble, and compassionate engagement with all beings. In accepting this fundamental truth, we align ourselves with the deepest teachings of Hindu philosophy and find peace in the eternal mystery of consciousness.