"Handle with care": Vyāsa's careful handover of transcendental experience

Realization of the Absolute Truth by a seer brings with it immense responsibility with honesty. Knowledge that is agochara, beyond senses and mind—should be carefully recorded so that their insights face minimal human distortion. Vyāsa and other seers who have undergone meticulous Dharmic spiritual training not only in receiving the knowledge but maintaining the integrity for the welfare of humanity recognised that any lapse in clarity can lead to misunderstanding with grave consequences.

Conversely, revelations by those who have not gone through Dharmic training, without the Guru-Shishya mentorship in particular, later developed into rigid religions that without adequate preparation, training, or philosophical grounding. Thus serious distortions emerged. Historical evidence shows that these distortions in the linguistic expression of the transcendental experience by the seer or the followers have resulted in the devastation of cultures, civilizations, and human lives—effects that continue to shape the world today.

The following verses from the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam illustrate how a true seer conducts himself upon realizing transcendental knowledge:

bhakti-yogena manasi samyak prani-hite ’male |

apaśyat puruṣaṁ pūrṇaṁ māyāṁ ca tad-apāśrayam || 1.7.4 ||

By practicing bhakti-yoga, Sage Vyāsa fixed his mind so perfectly and purely that he perceived the Supreme Person in His fullness, along with māyā, which remained fully under His control.

anarthopaśamaṁ sākṣād bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje

lokasyājānato vidvāṁś cakre sātvata-saṁhitām || 1.7.6 ||

He understood that the miseries of humanity can be removed only through devotion to the Supreme, yet people do not know this; therefore, out of compassion, he compiled the Sātvata-saṁhitā—the Bhāgavatam.

These verses show that those who truly realize the Absolute Truth become embodiments of love and compassion. Knowing the immense responsibility that comes with spiritual realization—knowledge that is agochara, beyond senses and mind—they carefully record their insights to minimize human distortion. Vyāsa and other seers recognized that any lapse in clarity can lead to misunderstanding with grave consequences.

Conversely, revelations by those who have not gone through Dharmic training, without the Guru-Shishya mentorship in particular, later developed into rigid religions without adequate preparation, training, or philosophical grounding. Thus serious distortions emerged. These distortions sometimes resulted in the devastation of cultures, civilizations, and human lives—effects that continue to shape the world today.

History demonstrates that genuine spiritual realization always manifests as compassion, humility, and universal upliftment. True seers like Vyāsa, Gautama, and others dedicated their lives entirely to the welfare of creation.

On the other hand, if someone claims realization of the Absolute Truth but establishes doctrines that promote destruction, conversions, cultural erasure, or conflict, such “knowledge” cannot be the Absolute Truth. The Absolute Truth never manifests as division or harm—it expresses only in harmony, love, and the upliftment of all beings.

The essence is simple:

Authentic spiritual realization dissolves ego and reveals unity. It needs no coercion, no domination, and no exclusivity. The Infinite cannot be confined to a single people, book, or moment in history.

True teachers uplift; they do not destroy.They heal societies, preserve cultures, celebrate diversity, and guide humanity toward inner transformation.

Where there is coercion or destruction, the Absolute has definitely been misrepresented through inexperience or lack of Dharmic training.

Where there is boundless love, humility, and universal compassion, the Absolute Truth has been well represented or understood to the best extent possible. Our ancient Rishis, the spiritual scientists, often quoted "This is the best I could undertsand as the absolute truth is beyond human comprehension.". This is refreshingly the the modern researchers would conclude after their research findings no matter how significant they are that, more research needs to be done.

Author: Dr. Malladi Srinivasa Sastry