Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta Chapter 2 shlok 12

At the entrance of the temple of Apollo at Delphi, the profound words “Gnothi Seuton,” meaning “Know Thyself,” are inscribed [v8]. Even the venerable Socrates, the wise sage of Athens, was known for urging individuals to delve into the nature of the self. According to a local legend, while engrossed in deep philosophical contemplation, Socrates once collided with someone on the street. Annoyed, the man questioned, “Can’t you see where you walk? Who are you?” With amusement, Socrates replied, “My dear fellow, I have been pondering over that question for the last forty years. If you ever come to know who I am, please let me know.In the Vedic tradition, whenever divine knowledge is shared, it typically commences with an exploration of the self. Shree Krishna adopts a similar approach in the Bhagavad Gita, presenting information that would have captivated Socrates. Shree Krishna initiates by elucidating that the entity commonly referred to as the “self” is, in reality, the eternal soul, distinct from the material body.