Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.22
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि । तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णान्यन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही ॥२२॥
vāsāṃsi jīrṇāni yathā vihāya navāni gṛhṇāti naro'parāṇi | tathā śarīrāṇi vihāya jīrṇānyanyāni saṃyāti navāni dehī ||22||
Complete Shloka Translation
As a person discards worn-out garments and takes new ones, so the embodied self leaves worn-out bodies and enters others that are new.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| वासांसि | vāsāṃsi | garments / clothes |
| जीर्णानि | jīrṇāni | worn-out / old |
| यथा | yathā | just as |
| विहाय | vihāya | having cast aside / discarded |
| नवानि | navāni | new ones |
| गृह्णाति | gṛhṇāti | takes on / accepts |
| नरः | naraḥ | a person |
| अपराणि | aparāṇi | other |
| तथा | tathā | similarly |
| शरीराणि | śarīrāṇi | physical bodies |
| विहाय जीर्णानि | vihāya jīrṇāni | casting off old ones |
| अन्यानि | anyāni | other new |
| संयाति | saṃyāti | enters into |
| नवानि | navāni | new bodies |
| देही | dehī | the embodied soul (Atman) |
garments / clothes
worn-out / old
just as
having cast aside / discarded
new ones
takes on / accepts
a person
other
similarly
physical bodies
casting off old ones
other new
enters into
new bodies
the embodied soul (Atman)
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The image explains rebirth through continuity of the embodied self. It is an analogy, not a detailed account of when or how another embodiment occurs.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The garment image makes the distinction between wearer and changing covering accessible."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What does the garment analogy clarify, and what does it leave unexplained?
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.