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Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Soul & knowledgeChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized
2.182.20

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.19

The eternal soul beyond bodily death

Jīva · The soul

य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश्चैनं मन्यते हतम् ।

उभौ तौ न विजानीतो नायं हन्ति न हन्यते ॥ १९ ॥

ya enaṁ vetti hantāraṁ

yaś cainaṁ manyate hatam

ubhau tau na vijānīto

nāyaṁ hanti na hanyate

Translation

Neither he who thinks the living entity the slayer nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not nor is slain.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

The Soul Is Not Killed

  1. 1

    Those who think the soul kills or is killed lack knowledge: the soul neither kills nor is killed.

  2. 2

    Only the body can be killed. The soul is spiritual and cannot be killed by material weapons.

  3. 3

    This truth does not justify violence or animal slaughter. Arjuna fights for religious principles, not on a whim.

Key points from the purport

The soul can neither kill nor is killed

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

a

Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon

Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

b

Immortality of soul — Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter

Killing of body without authority is abominable

c

What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

Further reading

Jnana — Fight!

There is no death for the soul. The body can never be saved

Chapter 2, section II: Jnana — Fight!
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥanyone who
  2. enamthis
  3. vettiknows
  4. hantāramthe killer
  5. yaḥanyone who
  6. caalso
  7. enamthis
  8. manyatethinks
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.19 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to soul & knowledge?

Practice

Spend five minutes reflecting on what in you does not change.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.11The eternal soul beyond bodily deathBG 2.12The eternal soul beyond bodily deathBG 4.34The humility of real inquiryBG 15.7The living being belongs to Krishna
Live this todayThe Soul Does Not AgeA practice from BG 2.20, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
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