जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च ।
तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि ॥ २७ ॥
jātasya hi dhruvo mṛityur dhruvaṁ janma mṛitasya cha
tasmād aparihārye ’rthe na tvaṁ śhochitum arhasi
जिसका जन्म हुआ है, उसकी मृत्यु निश्चित है और जो मरता है, उसका पुनर्जन्म निश्चित है। यह एक अपरिहार्य वास्तविकता है। इसलिए इस पर दुखी होने की कोई आवश्यकता नहीं है।
For that which is born, death is certain and for that which dies, rebirth is certain. This is an unavoidable reality. Therefore, there is no need to mourn over it.
In verse 2.27 of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna addresses Arjuna's hesitation to fulfill his duty as a warrior by presenting a profound philosophical truth about the nature of existence. Krishna states: "For one who has taken birth, death is certain; and for one who is dead, birth is certain. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament."
This verse appears at a critical moment in the conversation. Arjuna stands immobilized on the battlefield, overwhelmed by grief at the prospect of killing his relatives and teachers. Krishna has already begun explaining the eternal nature of the soul, and now he presents this fundamental truth about the cycle of life and death to help Arjuna overcome his reluctance to fight.
Krishna's message is straightforward yet profound: birth inevitably leads to death, and death leads to rebirth. This cyclical pattern is a fundamental law of existence in the material world. By emphasizing this inescapable truth, Krishna helps Arjuna understand that even if he refuses to fight, those arrayed against him will still face death eventually—it is simply unavoidable. Therefore, Arjuna's grief over an inevitable natural process is misplaced.
What makes this verse particularly powerful is its universal applicability. Krishna isn't merely giving battlefield advice; he's articulating a cosmic principle that governs all existence. The Sanskrit terms used—"dhruvo mṛtyur" (certain death) and "dhruvaṁ janma" (certain birth)—emphasize the absolute certainty of this cycle. There is no escaping this fundamental pattern of material existence.
The verse also contains a subtle reminder about duty (dharma). Krishna's instruction that Arjuna should not lament while performing his unavoidable duty suggests that understanding the impermanence of material existence should not lead to inaction or neglect of responsibilities. Rather, this knowledge should free us to act appropriately according to our position and duties, without being paralyzed by attachment to outcomes or fear of loss.
From a philosophical perspective, this verse bridges perspectives regardless of one's belief system. Krishna suggests that whether one accepts the existence of the eternal soul (as he has been explaining to Arjuna) or views existence purely materialistically, lamentation is unnecessary. Even from a materialist viewpoint, nothing is truly lost in death—matter merely changes form but continues to exist, just as clay remains after a pot is broken. Thus, Krishna demonstrates the logical consistency of his teaching across different worldviews.
Ultimately, verse 2.27 offers a perspective shift that can transform our relationship with mortality. Rather than seeing death as something to be feared or avoided at all costs, Krishna presents it as part of a natural cycle—one that has been occurring since time immemorial and will continue indefinitely. This understanding doesn't eliminate the pain of loss, but it places that pain in a cosmic context that can help us move forward with clarity and purpose, fulfilling our duties with wisdom rather than being paralyzed by grief or fear.
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