यः एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यः च एनं मन्यते हतम् |
उभौ तौ न विजानीतः न अयं हन्ति न हन्यते || 2.19 ||

ya enaṃ vetti hantāraṃ yaś ca enaṃ manyate hatam |
ubhau tau na vijānītaḥ nāyaṃ hanti na hanyate || 

Meaning

The one who believes the soul to be a slayer, and the one who thinks it is slain, both are ignorant. The soul kills not, nor is it killed.

Context

In the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2 addresses the Sankhya Yoga, which includes the concepts of the immortal soul and the nature of the self. This shloka is part of Lord Krishna's teachings to Arjuna, who is confused and despondent on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Arjuna is reluctant to fight and kill his relatives and teachers, leading to his moral and emotional turmoil. Lord Krishna enlightens Arjuna by explaining the eternal nature of the soul and the illusory nature of the physical body.

In this shloka, Krishna emphasizes that the soul (Ātman) is beyond physical actions such as killing or being killed. The soul is eternal, imperishable, and transcends birth and death. This knowledge is meant to help Arjuna overcome his grief and perform his duty as a warrior without attachment to the physical outcomes.

Detailed Explanation

Lord Krishna imparts profound wisdom about the nature of the soul. He clarifies that those who think the soul can kill or be killed are mistaken. This teaching is pivotal because it shifts the focus from the transient physical body to the eternal soul. Understanding that the soul is indestructible and immutable helps in transcending the fear of death and attachment to the physical form.

This knowledge is meant to liberate individuals from the bondage of sorrow and fear, encouraging them to perform their duties without attachment. The soul's immortality implies that the cycle of life and death pertains only to the body, not the true self.

Today's Context

In today's fast-paced world, people often face situations of conflict, stress, and moral dilemmas, much like Arjuna did on the battlefield. An anecdote that illustrates the relevance of this shloka is the story of a dedicated doctor during a pandemic.

Dr. Ananya, a frontline worker, faced immense pressure and fear of contracting the virus while treating patients. The constant exposure to sickness and death led to anxiety and fear for her own life and the lives of her loved ones. Despite these challenges, Dr. Ananya found solace in the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. By meditating on shloka 2.19, she realized that her true self, the soul, was eternal and unaffected by the physical realm. This understanding helped her transcend her fears and perform her duties with dedication and compassion.

Her unwavering commitment to her duty, inspired by the wisdom of the Gita, not only helped her cope with the crisis but also inspired her colleagues and patients. Dr. Ananya's story highlights how understanding the eternal nature of the soul can provide strength and clarity, allowing individuals to face challenges with courage and perform their responsibilities selflessly.

In essence, the teachings of this shloka guide us to look beyond the physical and ephemeral, focusing instead on the eternal and immutable nature of the soul. This perspective fosters inner peace and resilience, essential for navigating the complexities of modern life.

Highlights from Traditional Commentaries

Sri Abhinavagupta

Sri Abhinavagupta highlights that the body is perishable and subject to constant change, while the soul is eternal and immutable. He references the Muni who stated that observing the old at the end and inferring the loss of novelty every moment, the soul remains unchanged and beyond physical transformation.

Sri Jayatritha

Sri Jayatritha emphasizes that the teaching is not merely about the soul's eternity but also about correcting the erroneous belief in the soul's ability to kill or be killed. He asserts that the behaviors related to killing are based on ignorance, and the true understanding reveals that the soul neither kills nor is killed.

Sri Madhusudan Saraswati

Madhusudan Saraswati explains that thinking of the soul as a killer or as being killed is a result of delusion. He elaborates that this delusion arises from identifying with the physical body. The soul's true nature is beyond physical actions, and it remains unaffected by bodily changes.

Sri Shankaracharya

Sri Shankaracharya clarifies that the soul is neither the doer nor the object of the act of killing. This realization stems from understanding the soul's immutable nature. He explains that the identification of oneself with the body leads to the erroneous belief of being the doer or the one who experiences actions.

Sri Ramanuja

Sri Ramanuja points out that thinking of the soul as capable of killing or being killed indicates ignorance. He reinforces that due to the soul's eternal and unchangeable nature, it cannot partake in physical actions such as killing.

Sri Sridhara Swami

Sri Sridhara Swami focuses on the misunderstanding of identifying the soul with the body. He explains that the soul's true nature is beyond physical actions, and realizing this helps one overcome grief and confusion related to bodily experiences.

Knowledge Bank

Where is Agastya Muni ashram?

Several places are considered to be locations of Agastya ashrama: Akole, Maharashtra; Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh; Agastyamuni village, Uttarakhand; Satpura range, Madhya Pradesh; Agasthiyar koodam, Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.

Parjanya Astra

The Parjanya Astra was used in ancient times during wars. It was a type of arrow that caused torrential rain upon use. With the help of the Parjanya Astra, the enemy's fire arrows could be neutralized. These are weapons that are activated through mantras. Each weapon is associated with a specific deity, and it is operated using mantras and rituals. These are referred to as divine and mystical weapons.