2.21 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 2, Verse 21

वेदाविनाशिनं नित्यं य एनमजमव्ययम् ।
कथं स पुरुषः पार्थ कं घातयति हन्ति कम् ॥ २१ ॥

Audio Narration

English Transliteration

vedāvināśhinaṁ nityaṁ ya enam ajam avyayam
kathaṁ sa puruṣhaḥ pārtha kaṁ ghātayati hanti kam

Hindi Translation of Bhagavad Gita 2.21

हे पार्थ! जो मनुष्य समझ जाता है कि आत्मा शाश्वत, अजन्मी, अविनाशी और अक्षय है, वह किसी को कैसे मार सकता है या किसी को हत्या के लिए कैसे उकसा सकता है?

English Translation of Bhagavad Gita 2.21

O Partha! One who understands the soul as eternal, unborn, undecaying and indestructible—how can such a person cause death to anyone or instigate anyone else to kill?

Summary of Bhagavad Gita 2.21

Verse 2.21 of the Bhagavad Gita presents a profound philosophical question posed by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. In Sanskrit, the verse reads: "vedāvināśinaṁ nityaṁ ya enam ajam avyayam, kathaṁ sa puruṣhaḥ pārtha kaṁ ghātayati hanti kam" which translates to "O Parth, how can one who knows the soul to be imperishable, eternal, unborn, and immutable kill anyone or cause anyone to kill?"

This verse comes at a critical moment in the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna. Arjuna is overwhelmed with grief and confusion at the prospect of fighting against his relatives, teachers, and friends. He has placed down his weapons, unwilling to participate in what he perceives as a destructive and sinful act. Krishna, seeing Arjuna's distress, begins to impart spiritual wisdom to help him understand the true nature of reality beyond physical appearances.

The core of Krishna's teaching in this verse revolves around the eternal nature of the soul (atman). He emphasizes four essential qualities of the soul: it is indestructible (avināśinam), eternally existing (nityam), unborn (ajam), and immutable or unchangeable (avyayam). When one truly comprehends these qualities, the entire perspective on life, death, and action transforms fundamentally.

Krishna is essentially asking a rhetorical question that challenges Arjuna's entire understanding of what constitutes killing. If the soul cannot be destroyed, was never born, and never changes, then how can anyone truly kill or cause someone to be killed? The physical body may perish, but the essence of the person—the soul—continues its existence. This understanding is meant to free Arjuna from his paralyzing grief and allow him to perform his duty as a warrior without emotional attachment to the outcomes.

The verse also points to a higher state of consciousness where one transcends the ego that creates the illusion of doership. An enlightened person understands that the eternal soul within does nothing; it merely witnesses. Even while performing actions in the material world, such a person remains untainted by them, seeing themselves as the non-doer, free from egotism. Krishna encourages Arjuna to elevate himself to this enlightened perspective rather than shirking his responsibilities.

This teaching encourages us to examine our own identification with the temporary physical body. Our natural desire for eternal existence is actually a clue pointing to our true spiritual identity. When we understand ourselves as eternal souls rather than temporary bodies, our perception of the world changes dramatically. We become like someone standing safely on the shore watching the waves of the ocean—observing the changes and challenges of life without being overwhelmed by them.

Ultimately, verse 2.21 invites us to adopt a spiritual perspective that transcends the material conception of existence. This understanding doesn't make us passive or indifferent; rather, it empowers us to fulfill our duties without being distracted by fear, attachment, or the ego's constant demands. It offers a path to inner peace and clear action even in the midst of life's most challenging circumstances—just as Krishna wanted Arjuna to find clarity in his duty on the battlefield.