Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.19
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश्चैनं मन्यते हतम् । उभौ तौ न विजानीतो नायं हन्ति न हन्यते ॥१९॥
ya enaṃ vetti hantāraṃ yaścainaṃ manyate hatam | ubhau tau na vijānīto nāyaṃ hanti na hanyate ||19||
Complete Shloka Translation
Whoever thinks the self kills, and whoever thinks it is killed, neither understands. This self neither kills nor is killed.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| हन्तारम् | hantāram | one who kills |
| हतम् | hatam | killed |
| एनं | ya | [term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,... |
| वेत्ति | enaṃ | [term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,... |
| हन्तारं | vetti | [term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,... |
| यश्चैनं | hantāraṃ | [term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,... |
| मन्यते | yaścainaṃ | [term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,... |
| उभौ | hatam | [term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,... |
| तौ | ubhau | [term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,... |
| विजानीतो | tau | [term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,... |
| नायं | na | [term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,... |
| हन्ति | vijānīto | [term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,... |
| हन्यते | nāyaṃ | [term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,... |
| १९ | hanti | [term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,... |
one who kills
killed
[term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,...
[term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,...
[term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,...
[term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,...
[term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,...
[term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,...
[term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,...
[term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,...
[term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,...
[term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,...
[term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,...
[term] in context of Whoever thinks the self kills,...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna denies killing and being killed of the imperishable self. This distinction does not erase responsibility for actions performed in embodied life.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The claim concerns the self's nature, distinct from bodily acts and consequences."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Why is it important to distinguish a claim about the self from responsibility for actions?
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.