Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 7: Knowledge and Realization
Bhagavad Gita 7.3
मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिद्यतति सिद्धये ।
यततामपि सिद्धानां कश्चिन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः ॥
manuṣyāṇāṃ sahasreṣu kaścidyatati siddhaye | yatatāmapi siddhānāṃ kaścinmāṃ vetti tattvataḥ ||
Among thousands of people, perhaps one strives for perfection; and among those who strive and succeed, perhaps one knows me as I truly am.
Modern context
This is a sober verse. Among thousands, perhaps one really tries. Among those who try and succeed, perhaps one knows the truth fully. It is not meant to discourage. It is a plain statement that depth is rare, in every field. Most people are content with the surface, and that is all right. But anyone who does feel the pull to go deeper should not expect a crowd, and should not take the scarcity of company as a sign of being on the wrong road.