Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.18
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अन्तवन्त इमे देहा नित्यस्योक्ताः शरीरिणः । अनाशिनोऽप्रमेयस्य तस्माद्युध्यस्व भारत ॥१८॥
antavanta ime dehā nityasyoktāḥ śarīriṇaḥ | anāśino'prameyasya tasmādyudhyasva bhārata ||18||
Complete Shloka Translation
These bodies of the eternal, indestructible, immeasurable embodied self are said to have an end. Therefore, Bharata, fight.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अन्तवन्तः | antavantaḥ | having an end |
| अप्रमेयस्य | aprameyasya | of the immeasurable |
| अन्तवन्त | antavanta | [term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i... |
| इमे | ime | [term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i... |
| देहा | dehā | [term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i... |
| नित्यस्योक्ताः | nityasyoktāḥ | [term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i... |
| शरीरिणः | śarīriṇaḥ | [term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i... |
| अनाशिनोऽप्रमेयस्य | anāśino'prameyasya | [term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i... |
| तस्माद्युध्यस्व | tasmādyudhyasva | [term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i... |
| भारत | bhārata | [term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i... |
| १८ | bhārata | [term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i... |
having an end
of the immeasurable
[term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i...
[term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i...
[term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i...
[term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i...
[term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i...
[term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i...
[term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i...
[term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i...
[term] in context of These bodies of the eternal, i...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The command addresses Arjuna in this particular conflict. The self's permanence does not make bodily harm insignificant or supply a general permission for violence.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Krishna links the distinction between body and self to Arjuna's battlefield duty."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How can you contemplate the self while remaining responsible for bodily life?
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.