Bhagavad Gita · Sankhya Yoga — The Yoga of Knowledge

Chapter 2, Verse 19

"Bhagavad Gita 2.19" — meaning and explanation.

Meaning

2.19 He who takes the Self to be the slayer and he who thinks It is slain, neither of them ï1knowsï1. It slays not, nor is It slain.

।।2.19।। जो इस आत्मा को मारने वाला समझता है और जो इसको मरा समझता है वे दोनों ही नहीं जानते हैं, क्योंकि यह आत्मा न मरता है और न मारा जाता है।।

Explanation

2.19 यः he who? एनम् this (Self)? वेत्ति knows? हन्तारम् slayer? यः he who? च and? एनम् this? मन्यते thinks? हतम् slain? उभौ both? तौ those? न not? विजानीतः know? न not? अयम् this? हन्ति slays? न not? हन्यते is slain.Commentary -- The Self is nondoer (Akarta) and as It is immutable? It is neither the agent nor the object of the act of slaying. He who thinks I slay or I am slain with the body or the Ahamkara (ego)? he does not really comprehend the true nature of the Self. The Self is indestructible. It exists in the three periods of time. It is Sat (Existence). When the body is destroyed? the Self is not destroyed. The body has to undergo change in any case. It is inevitable. But the Self is not at all affected by it. Verses 19? 20? 21? 23 and 24 speak of the immortality of the Self or Atman. (Cf.XVIII.17)

Life Lesson

Study Bhagavad Gita 2.19 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.

Context

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, verse 19, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.

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