Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.21
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
वेदाविनाशिनं नित्यं य एनमजमव्ययम् । कथं स पुरुषः पार्थ कं घातयति हन्ति कम् ॥२१॥
vedāvināśinaṃ nityaṃ ya enamajamavyayam | kathaṃ sa puruṣaḥ pārtha kaṃ ghātayati hanti kam ||21||
Complete Shloka Translation
Partha, how can one who knows this self as indestructible, eternal, unborn, and unchanging cause anyone to be killed or kill anyone?
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अव्ययम् | avyayam | imperishable or unchanging |
| घातयति | ghātayati | causes to be killed |
| वेदाविनाशिनं | vedāvināśinaṃ | [term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ... |
| नित्यं | nityaṃ | [term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ... |
| एनमजमव्ययम् | ya | [term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ... |
| कथं | enamajamavyayam | [term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ... |
| पुरुषः | kathaṃ | [term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ... |
| पार्थ | sa | [term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ... |
| कं | puruṣaḥ | [term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ... |
| हन्ति | kaṃ | [term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ... |
| कम् | ghātayati | [term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ... |
| २१ | hanti | [term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ... |
imperishable or unchanging
causes to be killed
[term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ...
[term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ...
[term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ...
[term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ...
[term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ...
[term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ...
[term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ...
[term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ...
[term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ...
[term] in context of Partha, how can one who knows ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The rhetorical question follows the self's description in 2.20. It concerns ultimate agency, while Arjuna's practical obligations remain the subject of the dialogue.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Knowledge of the self challenges the idea that bodily action alters its essence."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What does this rhetorical question ask you to reconsider about agency?
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.