Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 2 Sankhya Yogah

Sankhya Yogah - Krishna begins his discourse by reminding Arjuna that the wise do not lament for the living or the dead. He implies that Arjuna’s grief is unfounded.

श्रीभगवानुवाच अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे |
गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिता: ||11||

Krishna begins his discourse by reminding Arjuna that the wise do not lament for the living or the dead. He implies that Arjuna’s grief is unfounded.

Panditah: Wise men.
Gatasun: Departed souls.
Anvasocah: Lament for or grieve.

Krishna begins by pointing out that Arjuna’s grief is misplaced. The wise do not lament for the living or the dead because they understand the eternal nature of the soul. This shloka marks the beginning of Krishna’s philosophical teachings, aiming to elevate Arjuna’s understanding from the physical to the spiritual realm, providing solace and clarity.

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Sankhya Yogah - Krishna asserts that the soul is eternal and neither he, nor Arjuna, nor any of the kings have ever ceased to exist or will cease to exist.

न त्वेवाहं जातु नासं न त्वं नेमे जनाधिपा |
न चैव न भविष्याम: सर्वे वयमत: परम् ||12||

Krishna asserts that the soul is eternal and neither he, nor Arjuna, nor any of the kings have ever ceased to exist or will cease to exist.

Janadhipah: Kings or rulers.
Bhavisyamah: Will exist in the future.
Sarve: All or entirety.

Krishna emphasizes the eternal existence of the soul, asserting that neither he, Arjuna, nor any being has ever ceased to exist. By declaring that everyone has always existed and will continue to exist, Krishna introduces the concept of timelessness of the soul, challenging Arjuna’s limited perception and expanding his understanding of existence.

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Sankhya Yogah - Just as the soul experiences childhood, youth, and old age within a body, it similarly transitions to another body after death. The wise are not bewildered by this change.

देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा |
तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति ||13||

Just as the soul experiences childhood, youth, and old age within a body, it similarly transitions to another body after death. The wise are not bewildered by this change.

Dehantara-praptih: Transmigration of the soul.
Kumarah: Youth or childhood.
Yauvanam: Youth.

Krishna uses the analogy of life’s stages – childhood, youth, and old age – to illustrate the soul’s transition from one body to another. He encourages Arjuna to perceive death as a natural transformation rather than an end. This teaching is meant to reduce Arjuna’s attachment to the physical body and ease his fear of death’s finality.

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Sankhya Yogah - The contact of the senses with objects produces cold, heat, pleasure, and pain, which are temporary. Krishna advises Arjuna to endure them patiently.

मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदु: खदा: |
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत ||14||

The contact of the senses with objects produces cold, heat, pleasure, and pain, which are temporary. Krishna advises Arjuna to endure them patiently.

Matra-sparsah: Sense contacts.
Sitosna: Cold and heat.
Bharata: Descendant of Bharata.

Krishna advises Arjuna to endure pleasure and pain as mere interactions between senses and objects. He points out that these sensations are temporary, encouraging Arjuna to rise above them and maintain equanimity. This lesson serves as an introduction to the concept of detachment, which will be elaborated upon in the subsequent teachings.

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Sankhya Yogah - Krishna assures Arjuna that the person who remains unaffected by pain and pleasure, and remains balanced, is eligible for liberation.

यं हि न व्यथयन्त्येते पुरुषं पुरुषर्षभ |
समदु:खसुखं धीरं सोऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते ||15||

Krishna assures Arjuna that the person who remains unaffected by pain and pleasure, and remains balanced, is eligible for liberation.

Duhkha: Sorrow or misery.
Sukha: Happiness or pleasure.
Dhirah: Steadfast or composed.

Krishna declares that one who is not disturbed by happiness or distress and remains calm in both is eligible for liberation. This shloka highlights the importance of equanimity, suggesting that spiritual growth is achieved through steadfastness and inner strength, rather than succumbing to the fleeting nature of worldly experiences.

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नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सत: |
उभयोरपि दृष्टोऽन्तस्त्वनयोस्तत्त्वदर्शिभि: ||16||

The unreal has no existence, and the real never ceases to be. The seers of truth have concluded the nature of these two realities.

Sat: Truth or existence.
Asat: Non-existence or false.
Tattva-darsi: Seer of truth.

Krishna differentiates between the real and the unreal. The unreal, being temporary, will eventually perish, while the real, being eternal, never ceases to exist. This teaching helps Arjuna shift his focus from the perishable physical body to the indestructible soul, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of life and its true essence.

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अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् |
विनाशमव्ययस्यास्य न कश्चित्कर्तुमर्हति ||17||

The soul, which pervades the body, is indestructible. No one can bring about the destruction of this eternal entity.

Avinasi: Imperishable.
Tad: That, referring to soul.
Vyayasya: Destruction or annihilation.

Krishna reassures Arjuna that the soul, which pervades the entire body, is indestructible. By asserting the soul’s invincibility, Krishna aims to alleviate Arjuna’s fears and encourage him to perform his duty without being burdened by concerns of death or destruction. This teaching serves to bolster Arjuna’s courage and resolve.

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