This passage is a profound reflection on the distinction between miraculous feats and the true essence of spiritual wisdom. The sage’s declaration of his supernatural abilities—flying, remaining underground, and walking on water—symbolizes the allure of extraordinary powers, which are often seen as signs of spiritual attainment. However, the second sage’s response shifts the focus from these physical feats to the deeper understanding of the divine in all creation, which is a much higher spiritual achievement.
Symbolism and Meaning
Flying (Birds): Flying represents rising above the mundane world and gaining a lofty perspective. While this may seem like an incredible feat, birds do it naturally. This symbolizes that abilities like clairvoyance, levitation, or astral travel are still within the realm of nature and do not signify spiritual greatness.
Living Underground (Worms): The ability to live underground can be linked to the idea of controlling one’s breath or entering states of deep meditation, where one seems to transcend physical limitations. Worms, however, live underground as part of their natural state, highlighting that such a feat is also merely biological.
Walking on Water (Fishes): Walking on water is often seen as a miracle in many traditions. Fish, though, naturally swim in water, illustrating that such feats, though impressive, belong to the material world and do not elevate one’s spiritual status.
The second sage’s response encourages us to look beyond these external displays of power and focus on perceiving God or the divine in every aspect of creation—animate and inanimate. This is a reminder of the essence of Advaita Vedanta or non-dualism, which teaches that there is no real distinction between the individual self and the universal self, or between the Creator and creation.
Importance of Seeing the Divine in All
Seeing God in everything is a higher spiritual pursuit because it leads to:
- Unity of Consciousness: Recognizing that all beings, no matter how small or insignificant, are manifestations of the same divine principle. This creates a sense of universal love and compassion.
- Humility: Realizing that extraordinary abilities are not the goal of spiritual practice, but inner transformation and the ability to see divinity everywhere is the real achievement.
- Contentment and Detachment: When we see the divine in all things, material desires and the ego’s need for recognition diminish.
Similar Example from Scriptures
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to rise above attachment to worldly things and superficial powers. In Chapter 7, Verse 19, Krishna says:
“Vāsudevah sarvam iti sa mahātma sudurlabhah”
(Rare indeed is the great soul who sees that Vāsudeva (Krishna) is all.)
Krishna emphasizes that realizing God is present in all things is the highest form of wisdom, more important than siddhis (miraculous powers).
Another example comes from Ramayana, when Hanuman, despite possessing enormous powers, remains humble, seeing his ability to serve Lord Rama as his highest achievement. His humility and devotion make him a symbol of true wisdom.
Practicality in Day-to-Day Life
In our modern lives, the temptation to seek recognition, status, or validation through material achievements or even extraordinary talents is immense. However, the message of the second sage is about focusing on internal growth and recognizing the divinity in everyday moments and people.
Seeing Divinity in Others: In practical terms, this means treating everyone—whether a co-worker, a family member, or a stranger—with respect, kindness, and compassion. This aligns with the idea of seeing God in all beings, as described in the Isha Upanishad, which states, "The wise see all beings in their own Self and their Self in all beings" (Isha Upanishad, Verse 6).
Letting Go of Ego: Many of us try to "fly" in our own ways, perhaps through career achievements, social status, or personal abilities. The sages teach us to avoid being trapped in these ego-driven pursuits. Instead, we can focus on self-realization, seeking inner peace and contentment, which come from recognizing our oneness with the world around us.
Mindfulness: By being mindful of the presence of God in all things, even the most mundane tasks become sacred. Washing dishes, walking in nature, or simply sitting in silence can all become acts of worship when done with an awareness of the divine.
Benefits of Higher Knowledge
Peace of Mind: When we cultivate the ability to see God in everything, we are less likely to be disturbed by external events or challenges. This leads to greater emotional stability and inner peace.
Compassion and Empathy: Seeing the divine in all beings fosters a deeper connection with others, leading to more compassionate behavior and meaningful relationships.
Detachment from Superficial Success: The realization that the highest form of knowledge is seeing the divine everywhere helps us detach from the need for external validation, whether through wealth, fame, or extraordinary abilities.
Spiritual Fulfillment: True spiritual progress is marked by an inner transformation rather than outer displays of power. This realization brings lasting fulfillment.
Story from Hinduism
There is a well-known story of Sage Narada. Narada, who prided himself on his devotion to Lord Vishnu, once asked Vishnu, “Who is your greatest devotee?” Vishnu pointed to a simple farmer. Narada was surprised and asked why. Vishnu replied, “Follow the farmer for a day and observe.” The farmer worked hard from morning till night, but every time he started his work or took a break, he would quietly say, “Narayana, Narayana.”
Narada realized that despite his own great spiritual accomplishments, the farmer’s constant remembrance of God—even in the midst of daily chores—was more valuable than his own displays of devotion.
This story emphasizes the importance of simple, heartfelt devotion over extraordinary feats.
Modern-Day Relevance
In today's world, where people are often drawn to instant gratification, external validation, and showy achievements, this lesson is more relevant than ever. The media glorifies people with extraordinary talents or material success, but the true measure of greatness lies in one's inner peace, compassion, and ability to see the divine in all.
Even in workplaces, the person who quietly performs their duties with integrity and mindfulness often contributes more meaningfully than someone who seeks attention through extraordinary but ego-driven accomplishments.
The message of the sage who encouraged his fellow sage to "see God in all" transcends time. It teaches us that while physical and miraculous feats might seem impressive, the real spiritual journey is about recognizing the divine presence in every aspect of life, whether grand or humble. By focusing on inner wisdom, we grow in compassion, humility, and spiritual maturity, ultimately leading us to true happiness and fulfillment.
As the Mundaka Upanishad says:
“Satyameva jayate nānṛtam”
(Truth alone triumphs, not falsehood.)