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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
2.262.28

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.27

The eternal soul beyond bodily death

Kāla · Time

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च ।

तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि ॥ २७ ॥

jātasya hi dhruvo mṛtyur

dhruvaṁ janma mṛtasya ca

tasmād aparihārye ’rthe

na tvaṁ śocitum arhasi

Translation

One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.

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

Birth, Death, and Duty

  1. 1

    Birth surely leads to death, and death to another birth. Therefore, one should not lament while carrying out unavoidable duty.

  2. 2

    Our activities determine our next birth, continuing the cycle of birth and death. This does not justify unnecessary killing or war.

  3. 3

    The Battle of Kurukṣetra was the Supreme’s will. Fighting for the right cause was a kṣatriya’s duty.

Key points from the purport

Karma-vada — One has to take birth according to his activities in his past lives and die after finishing his term of reactions

Thus death generates no loss in this natural cause of events

Thus this verse helps to dispel the lamentation based on the illusory bodily concept of life

a

Unnecessary violence is not encouraged — Cycle of birth and death does not support unnecessary slaughter, murder and war

b

But violence is an inevitable factor — But at the same time, violence and war are inevitable factors for law and order (e.g. Battle of Kurukshetra is an inevitable event by will of Supreme)

c

Practical Application — Applying this philosophy to Arjuna’s case

No need to fear the death of relatives because fighting was his proper duty as a ksatriya

No need to fear sinful reactions because He did not deserve to break the law; He was simply carrying out the will of the Supreme

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. jātasyaof one who has taken his birth
  2. hicertainly
  3. dhruvaḥa fact
  4. mṛtyuḥdeath
  5. dhruvamit is also a fact
  6. janmabirth
  7. mṛtasyaof the dead
  8. caalso
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Time & mortality

    Death follows birth and birth follows death in material existence.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.27 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

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 2 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 8.5Remember Krishna while performing dutyBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 2.11The eternal soul beyond bodily deathBG 2.12The eternal soul beyond bodily death
Live this todayFacing What Duty RequiresOne practice from this verse

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

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