Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.20
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः । अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे ॥२०॥
na jāyate mriyate vā kadācinnāyaṃ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ | ajo nityaḥ śāśvato'yaṃ purāṇo na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre ||20||
Complete Shloka Translation
The self is never born and never dies; having existed, it does not cease to be. Unborn, eternal, everlasting, and ancient, it is not killed when the body is killed.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| न जायते | na jāyate | is never born |
| म्रियते वा | mriyate vā | nor ever dies |
| कदाचित् | kadācit | at any time |
| न अयम् | na ayam | not this soul |
| भूत्वा | bhūtvā | having come into being |
| भविता वा | bhavitā vā | will cease to exist |
| न भूयः | na bhūyaḥ | not again |
| अजः | ajaḥ | unborn |
| नित्यः | nityaḥ | eternal |
| शाश्वतः | śāśvataḥ | everlasting |
| अयम् | ayam | this Self |
| पुराणः | purāṇaḥ | primeval / timeless |
| न हन्यते | na hanyate | is not slain |
| हन्यमाने शरीरे | hanyamāne śarīre | when the physical body is slain |
is never born
nor ever dies
at any time
not this soul
having come into being
will cease to exist
not again
unborn
eternal
everlasting
this Self
primeval / timeless
is not slain
when the physical body is slain
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The repeated descriptions emphasize freedom from temporal change. They are metaphysical descriptions of the self, not descriptions of the body's biological history.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The teaching separates the self's enduring nature from the body's life cycle."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What questions arise when you distinguish the self from the body's life cycle?
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.