Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.12
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
न त्वेवाहं जातु नासं न त्वं नेमे जनाधिपाः । न चैव न भविष्यामः सर्वे वयमतः परम् ॥१२॥
na tvevāhaṃ jātu nāsaṃ na tvaṃ neme janādhipāḥ | na caiva na bhaviṣyāmaḥ sarve vayamataḥ param ||12||
Complete Shloka Translation
There was never a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor these kings; nor shall any of us cease to exist hereafter.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| जातु | jātu | ever |
| भविष्यामः | bhaviṣyāmaḥ | we shall exist |
| त्वेवाहं | na | [term] in context of There was never a time when I ... |
| नासं | jātu | [term] in context of There was never a time when I ... |
| त्वं | nāsaṃ | [term] in context of There was never a time when I ... |
| नेमे | na | [term] in context of There was never a time when I ... |
| जनाधिपाः | tvaṃ | [term] in context of There was never a time when I ... |
| चैव | neme | [term] in context of There was never a time when I ... |
| सर्वे | na | [term] in context of There was never a time when I ... |
| वयमतः | caiva | [term] in context of There was never a time when I ... |
| परम् | na | [term] in context of There was never a time when I ... |
| १२ | bhaviṣyāmaḥ | [term] in context of There was never a time when I ... |
ever
we shall exist
[term] in context of There was never a time when I ...
[term] in context of There was never a time when I ...
[term] in context of There was never a time when I ...
[term] in context of There was never a time when I ...
[term] in context of There was never a time when I ...
[term] in context of There was never a time when I ...
[term] in context of There was never a time when I ...
[term] in context of There was never a time when I ...
[term] in context of There was never a time when I ...
[term] in context of There was never a time when I ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna speaks of continuity beyond the present bodies. Traditions differ on how this plurality relates to the ultimate self; this draft does not settle that debate.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The teaching shifts attention from bodily change to enduring existence."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How does the idea of continuity change your view of present change?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse when facing identity crisis or fear of failure: distinguish the unchanging inner self from transient life situations, and act with full dedication without anxiety over the final outcome.