अन्तवन्त इमे देहा नित्यस्योक्ताः शरीरिणः | अनाशिनोऽप्रमेयस्य तस्माद्युध्यस्व भारत || 18 ||

Antavanta ime dehā nityasyoktāḥ śharīriṇaḥ 

anāśhino ’prameyasya tasmād yudhyasva bhārata

Meaning: 

These bodies are said to have an end, but the embodied soul is eternal, indestructible, and immeasurable; therefore, O Bhārata, fight.

Context:

This verse is part of Lord Krishna's teachings to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita. At this point in the conversation, Arjuna is confused and reluctant to fight in the war of Kurukshetra. He is troubled by the thought of killing his relatives, teachers, and friends. To dispel Arjuna's doubts and fears, Krishna explains the nature of the soul and the temporary nature of the body. Krishna emphasizes that the soul is eternal and indestructible, while the body is perishable and temporary. Therefore, Arjuna should not grieve over the physical body and must perform his duty as a warrior.

Explanation in Detail:

Krishna tells Arjuna that the body, which is physical and material, is temporary and subject to destruction. In contrast, the soul (ātman) is eternal, imperishable, and beyond physical measurement. The body is like a garment that the soul discards when it is worn out, only to take on a new one.

This teaching helps Arjuna to understand that the true self is not the body but the soul, which continues to exist beyond the physical death. Therefore, Arjuna should not be attached to the physical bodies of his loved ones and should fulfill his duty as a Kshatriya (warrior) by fighting the righteous war.

Today's context

In a bustling city, there was a skilled craftsman named Ravi, who worked for a prestigious company. His identity and self-worth were deeply tied to his job, and he feared the possibility of losing it due to a looming economic downturn. When the inevitable happened and he was laid off, Ravi was devastated. He felt lost and questioned his value.

A wise mentor reminded Ravi of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, specifically Chapter 2, Shloka 18. The mentor explained that just as the body is temporary and the soul is eternal, jobs and positions are temporary. This teaching helped Ravi realize that his true worth lay in his abilities and not in his job title.

Embracing this wisdom, Ravi began to see his situation differently. He took the time to hone his skills further and soon found new opportunities that better aligned with his passions. The understanding that his essence and value transcended any temporary external situation allowed Ravi to navigate his life's challenges with confidence and resilience.

Thus, the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita remains profoundly relevant today, guiding us to look beyond temporary setbacks and recognize our true, enduring value.

Highlights from traditional interpretations

The shloka 2.18 from the Bhagavad Gita is extensively analyzed by various scholars. Here is a comparison of some of the unique points mentioned in the traditional commentaries by Sri Shankaracharya, Sri Anandgiri, Sri Dhanpati, Sri Madhavacharya, Sri Neelkanth, Sri Ramanuja, Sri Sridhara Swami, Sri Vedantadeshikacharya Venkatanatha, Sri Abhinavagupta, Sri Jayatritha, Sri Madhusudan Saraswati, and Sri Vallabhacharya.

Sri Shankaracharya

1. Eternal vs. Temporal:
   
   
• Shankaracharya emphasizes the distinction between the eternal self (नित्यस्य) and the temporal body (अन्तवन्तः). He explains that the self is eternal and unchanging, while the body is subject to destruction and change.
2. Two Types of Destruction:
   
   
• Shankaracharya points out that there are two kinds of destruction: absolute (अनाशिनः) and relative. Absolute destruction implies complete annihilation, whereas relative destruction means change in state or form. He clarifies that the body undergoes both types of destruction, but the self does not undergo either.
3. Indivisibility and Measurement:
   
   
• The self is described as अप्रमेय, meaning it cannot be measured or quantified by any means of knowledge (प्रत्यक्षादिप्रमाणैः अपरिच्छेद्यस्य). This highlights the self’s transcendental nature, being beyond empirical perception and inference.
4. Scriptural Authority:
   
   
• Shankaracharya asserts that the self is established through scriptural authority (शास्त्र). The scriptures negate misconceptions and affirm the true nature of the self. This demonstrates the necessity of scriptural study for self-realization.
5. Innate Knowledge of the Self:
   
   
• He argues that the self is self-evident (स्वतः सिद्धत्वात्). One does not require external validation to know the self; it is inherently known to every individual. This innate awareness contrasts with the external knowledge required to understand material objects.
6. Purpose of the Scriptures:
   
   
• Scriptures are seen as a means to remove ignorance and misconceptions about the self (अतद्धर्माध्यारोपणमात्रनिवर्तकत्वेन). Their primary role is not to reveal the self, which is self-evident, but to dispel the ignorance that veils the true nature of the self.
7. Practical Application in Life:
   
   
• Shankaracharya emphasizes that understanding the eternal nature of the self helps in removing grief and delusion (शोकमोहप्रतिबद्धः). This knowledge empowers Arjuna to perform his duty (yoga of action) without being affected by the fear of death and the emotional turmoil it brings.

Sri Anandgiri:

1. Eternal Nature of the Self vs. Transient Nature of the Body:
• Anandgiri emphasizes the distinction between the eternal self (नित्यस्य) and the transient nature of the body (देहाः अन्तवन्तः). He points out that bodies are subject to destruction due to their material nature, while the self remains undisturbed and eternal.
2. Role of Scriptures:
• Anandgiri highlights that scriptures (शास्त्र) are essential for guiding the individual toward understanding the distinction between the self and the non-self. Scriptures are the ultimate authority in negating misconceptions about the self.

Sri Dhanpati:

1. Self-Realization through Direct Experience:
• Dhanpati stresses the direct realization of the self (अप्रत्यक्षस्य) and the fallacy of perceiving the body as the self. He emphasizes that the self is known through direct experience and is distinct from the transient body.
2. Behavioral Implications:
• He discusses the practical implications of understanding the eternal nature of the self, particularly in the context of duties and actions (स्वधर्मे प्रवृत्तस्य तव).

Sri Madhavacharya:

1. Illusory Nature of the Body:
• Madhavacharya compares the body to an illusion (मृगतृष्णिकादौ). He points out that just as illusions appear real but are ultimately false, the body appears permanent but is subject to decay and destruction.
2. Refutation of Materialist Views:
• He refutes the materialist view (भूतचैतन्यवादिनः) that equates the self with the body. By explaining the eternal nature of the self, he establishes the distinctness of the self from the physical body.

Sri Neelkanth:

1. Practical Philosophy:
• Neelkanth provides a practical interpretation by linking the knowledge of the eternal self to the courage required for performing one's duty, especially in the context of a warrior (युद्धाभिमुखं करोति). He emphasizes that understanding the eternal nature of the self removes the fear of death and empowers one to perform their duties without hesitation.

Sri Ramanuja:

1. Functional Role of the Body:
• Ramanuja explains the body as an instrument for experiencing the results of karma (कर्मफलभोगार्थतया). He states that bodies are formed for the purpose of experiencing the results of past actions, and they are transient by nature.
2. Unity of Experience:
• He emphasizes the continuity of experience (सर्वत्र देहेअहम् इदं जानामि इति) and the uniform nature of the self across different bodies and states.

Sri Sridhara Swami:

1. Distinction between Body and Self:
• Sridhara Swami distinguishes between the destructible nature of the body and the indestructible nature of the self (नित्यस्य शरीरिणः). He explains that while bodies undergo various forms of destruction, the self remains unaffected and eternal.
2. Focus on Self-Realization:
• He emphasizes that realization of the self's nature is the key to transcending grief and delusion (स्वधर्मे मा त्याक्षीः).

Sri Vedantadeshikacharya Venkatanatha:

1. Philosophical Depth:
• Vedantadeshikacharya provides a deep philosophical analysis by explaining the different types of nityatva (eternity) and the roles of various bodies (स्थूल, सूक्ष्म, कारण). He discusses how the self is distinct from these bodies and remains eternal.

Sri Abhinavagupta:

1. Spiritual Insight:
• Abhinavagupta offers insights into the eternal nature of the self and the transient nature of the body. He emphasizes the role of spiritual knowledge in understanding these distinctions and achieving liberation.

Sri Jayatritha:

1. Clarification of Eternal Nature:
• Jayatritha focuses on clarifying the eternal nature of the self (नित्यस्य) and the transient nature of the body. He explains that the self, being eternal, is unaffected by the destruction of the body.

Sri Madhusudan Saraswati:

1. Philosophical Clarification:
• Madhusudan Saraswati provides detailed philosophical clarification on the nature of the self and the body. He explains the self's indestructibility and the body's destructibility in great detail, supporting his arguments with scriptural references.

Sri Vallabhacharya:

1. Bhakti Emphasis:
• Vallabhacharya emphasizes the role of devotion in understanding the eternal nature of the self. He explains that the body is transient and subject to destruction, but through devotion and understanding of the self, one can transcend this transient nature.

Conclusion

Each commentary offers unique insights into the eternal nature of the self and the transient nature of the body. While the core message remains the same, the emphasis on different aspects such as practical implications, philosophical depth, spiritual insight, and the role of scriptures varies across commentators. This diversity in interpretation enriches the understanding of the shloka and provides a holistic view of its teachings.

Knowledge Bank

How is listening important in Karma-marga?

Karma-marga is based on the Vedas. Vedas are always taught orally, by listening. Books are not used for teaching Vedas.

Respect all religions but follow only yours

Respect all religions and acknowledge their value, but stay committed to your own path, staying true to your beliefs and practices.