The Problem
As I was studying Hinduism as part of creating this note: Trying to Consolidate Hinduism 1, I saw in a website (link here) that the verse maha:jano ena gathas sapandha appeared in the Mahabharatha, as a reply Arjuna gave to a Yaksha. But I was not able to find any source for it while looking at the texts, and when ChatGPT rewrote it for me, I was able to find some results, but outside of some mentions made by ISKCON/Hare Krishna founder Prabhupada.
So I decided to track down the references. Actually it was my use of a simplified translation of Mahabharatha that led to me not finding it for the most part.
I Googled for it, and the only sources I could find were from Prabhupada’s lectures on Srimad Bhagavata, the full transcript of which showed me more problems with his personality, some of which I’d already known earlier, with him calling Kapila a fake and an impostor, and saying Lord Kapila founded the true an theistic Saankhya as is written in the Bhagavad Geetha. More notes on that: Problems with ISKCON and its founder Prabhupada.
From the Wisdom Library by Gabe Hiemstra
From Verse 3.9.135, Chapter 9 (The Glories of Advaita) of Chaitanya Bhaagavata by Bhumipati Daasa (with Gaudiya Bhaashya by Sarasvathi Thaakura):
Snippet
Bengali text, Devanagari and Unicode transliteration of verse 3.9.135:
ভারতী বলেন,—“তারা না বুঝে বিচার মহাজন-পথে সে গমন সবাকার ॥ ১৩৫ ॥ भारती बलेन,—“तारा ना बुझे विचार महाजन-पथे से गमन सबाकार ॥ १३५ ॥
bhāratī balena,—“tārā nā bujhe vicāra mahājana-pathe se gamana sabākāra || 135 || bharati balena,—“tara na bujhe vicara mahajana-pathe se gamana sabakara (135)
English translation:
(135) Keśava Bhāratī replied, “They have not understood the conclusion accepted by all the mahājanas.
Commentary: Gauḍīya-bhāṣya by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura:
In the Mahābhārata (Vana-parva 313.117) it is stated (as according to Prabhupada):
tarko ‘pratiṣṭhaḥśrutayo vibhinnā nāsāv ṛṣir yasya mataṃ na bhinnam dharmasya tattvaṃ nihitaṃ guhāyāṃ mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ
Or as stated in Gita Press edition (Romanized by IAST):
tarkoʼpratiṣṭhaḥ śrutayo vibhinnā naiko ṛṣiryasya mataṃ pramāṇam | dharmasya tattvaṃ nihitaṃ guhāyāṃ mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ ||
Translation:
“Dry arguments are inconclusive. A great personality whose opinion does not differ from others is not considered a great sage. Simply by studying the Vedas, which are variegated, one cannot come to the right path by which religious principles are understood. The solid truth of religious principles is hidden in the heart of an unadulterated, self-realized person. Consequently, as the śāstras confirm, one should accept whatever progressive path the mahājanas advocate.”
See also Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (11.23.57).
Srimad Bhagavatham 11.23.57: https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/11/23/57/ (Prabhupada’s Translation)
From Prabhupada’s Lectures
Source: https://prabhupadavani.org/transcriptions/lecture-690425le-boston/
So śrutayo vibhinnā nāsāv munir yasya mataṁ na bhinnam. And if we consult great thinkers or philosophers, they have got their different opinion also. Some philosopher says, “I think this is right,” “I think this is right.” So whom you will accept? They are also of difference opinion. Tarko ‘pratiṣṭhaḥ śrutayo vibhinnā nāsāv munir yasya mataṁ na bhinnam [Cc. Madhya 25.57, Mahābhārata, Vana-parva 313.117].
Therefore to understand the Absolute Truth, it is very difficult to find out how to have it. But the only one way recommended in the Vedic scripture, that mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ [Cc. Madhya 17.186].
References:
- CC. Madhya Leela 25.57: https://vedabase.io/en/library/cc/madhya/25/57/ (His own book)
- CC. Madhya Leela 17.186: https://vedabase.io/en/library/cc/madhya/17/186/ (His own book)
- Mahabharatha > Vana Parva > Section 313: (listed below) (Verified)
Sources I found for the Mahabharatha Verse
- KM Ganguli’s Translation in sacred-texts: https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03311.htm#page_610
- KM Ganguli’s Translation by Hare Krishna: https://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/mahabharata/vana/mahabharata311.htm
- KM Ganguli’s Translation, just Yaksha Prashna in Archive.org: https://archive.org/details/yakshaprasna-sanskrit-english-k.-m.-ganguli/page/63/mode/2up?view=theater
Other Sources Listed Above, Collected Together
- Sreemad Bhaagavatham 11.23.57: https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/11/23/57/ (By Prabhupada)
- CC. Madhya Leela 25.57: https://vedabase.io/en/library/cc/madhya/25/57/ (By Prabhupada)
- CC. Madhya Leela 17.186: https://vedabase.io/en/library/cc/madhya/17/186 (By Prabhupada)