Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.26
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अथ चैनं नित्यजातं नित्यं वा मन्यसे मृतम् । तथापि त्वं महाबाहो नैवं शोचितुमर्हसि ॥२६॥
atha cainaṃ nityajātaṃ nityaṃ vā manyase mṛtam | tathāpi tvaṃ mahābāho naivaṃ śocitumarhasi ||26||
Complete Shloka Translation
Even if you regard the self as continually being born and continually dying, mighty-armed one, you still should not grieve in this way.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| नित्यजातम् | nityajātam | continually born |
| नित्यम् | nityam | continually or always |
| अथ | atha | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
| चैनं | cainaṃ | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
| नित्यजातं | nityajātaṃ | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
| नित्यं | nityaṃ | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
| वा | vā | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
| मन्यसे | manyase | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
| मृतम् | mṛtam | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
| तथापि | tathāpi | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
| त्वं | tvaṃ | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
| महाबाहो | mahābāho | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
| नैवं | naivaṃ | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
| शोचितुमर्हसि | śocitumarhasi | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
| २६ | śocitumarhasi | [term] in context of Even if you regard the self as... |
continually born
continually or always
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
[term] in context of Even if you regard the self as...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Even if introduces a conditional argument, not a withdrawal of the previous teaching. Krishna next appeals to the inevitability of change.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Krishna considers an alternative view to continue his argument about grief."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How can considering an alternative premise clarify an argument?
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.