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Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.26
अथ चैनं नित्यजातं नित्यं वा मन्यसे मृतम् ।
तथापि त्वं महाबाहो नैनं शोचितुमर्हसि ॥ २६ ॥
atha cainaṁ nitya-jātaṁ
nityaṁ vā manyase mṛtam
tathāpi tvaṁ mahā-bāho
nainaṁ śocitum arhasi
If, however, you think that the soul [or the symptoms of life] will always be born and die forever, you still have no reason to lament, O mighty-armed.
Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.ioWhat this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.
3 study points
Kṛṣṇa says that even if Arjuna thinks the soul is always born and dies, he has no reason to grieve.
Some philosophers claim that life comes from matter and ends when the body breaks down.
Kṛṣṇa does not accept this materialist view. Arjuna should continue following his duty according to Vedic principles.
Bauddha-vada — Even if you reject the soul, still there is no cause for lamentation; Krishna addresses Arjuna as ‘Maha-bahu’
History — This verse indicates that such philosophers existed even at the time when Krishna spoke Bhagavad-gita
Examples of philosophies in this category
Buddhists
Lokayatika’s & Vaibhasikas – They maintain that life symptoms take place at a certain mature condition of material combination
Modern material scientists and materialist philosophers – They think the body is a combination of physical elements and life symptoms develop at a certain stage by interaction of physical and chemical elements
Science of Anthropology
Many pseudo-religions fashionable currently and nihilistic non devotional Buddhists sects
How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion
No lamentation for loss of chemicals e.g. modern scientific warfare
Also if there is no rebirth, there is no fear of sinful reactions
Significance of ‘Maha–Bahu’ — Sarcasm to Arjuna, such philosophy is not expected from an Aryan because such philosophies leave aside Vedic wisdom
There is no death for the soul. The body can never be saved
Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.
The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.
Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.
Take one thing from this verse into your day.
What does BG 2.26 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to soul & knowledge?
Spend five minutes reflecting on what in you does not change.
Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.
Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.