वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय
नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि।
तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णा
न्यानि संयाति नवानि देही।।

vāsānsi jīrṇāni yathā vihāya
navāni gṛhṇāti naro'parāṇi।
tathā śarīrāṇi vihāya jīrṇā
nyāni saṃyāti navāni dehī।।

Meaning:

Just as a person discards old clothes and wears new ones, similarly, the soul discards worn-out bodies and enters new ones.

Context

This verse is from the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna imparts wisdom to a despondent Arjuna. Arjuna is overwhelmed by grief and confusion on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, facing the prospect of fighting his own relatives and loved ones. To alleviate his distress and guide him on the path of righteousness, Krishna explains the eternal nature of the soul.

Here, Krishna emphasizes the difference between the physical body and the soul. He explains that the soul is eternal and imperishable, while the body is temporary. The body, like clothes, may wear out over time, but the soul simply moves on to inhabit a new body. This analogy is meant to instill a sense of detachment in Arjuna, reminding him that physical death is not the end of existence.

Explanation

The verse conveys the fundamental concept of reincarnation or transmigration of the soul in Hindu philosophy. The body is compared to clothes—both are material, temporary, and subject to decay. Just as we do not mourn the loss of old clothes, the soul does not grieve the loss of the body. The soul is eternal, and when the body becomes old or unfit, the soul discards it and takes on a new one.

This teaching is crucial in understanding the Hindu perspective on life and death. It encourages detachment from the physical body and the material world, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the soul’s journey toward liberation (moksha). The body is merely a vessel for the soul, and true wisdom lies in recognizing this distinction.

Today's Context

Consider a situation where Pramod, a young professional, is devastated after losing his job. He feels as if his world has collapsed, and he struggles to find purpose. A mentor then shares this verse from the Bhagavad Gita with him. The mentor explains that just as old clothes are replaced with new ones, this job loss is not the end of the road. It’s an opportunity to find a new role that may be better suited to his skills and aspirations.

This verse teaches us to accept changes and losses in life with grace and wisdom. It reminds us that while material possessions and circumstances may change, our inner self remains constant and capable of growth. By understanding the transient nature of external circumstances, Pramod learns to face this challenge with resilience and continues his journey with hope and determination.

Highlights from traditional commentaries

Sri Abhinavgupta

• Abhinavgupta emphasizes the realization of the soul's true nature, which is beyond destruction or harm. He points out that once a person understands this, they grasp that there is no cause for grief when it comes to the physical body. The focus is on the understanding (prabuddhatva) of the soul as the key to overcoming sorrow.

Sri Jayatritha

• Jayatritha underscores the constancy of the soul amidst the body's changes, such as aging or death. He argues that the verse is essential in distinguishing the imperishable soul from the transient body. He asserts that this verse is not redundant but necessary to clarify the soul's eternal nature, contrasting with the body’s perishability.

Sri Madhusudan Saraswati

• Madhusudan Saraswati tackles the moral dilemma in warfare, explaining that the soul’s transition from one body to another is a natural process, much like changing clothes. This should not be viewed as sinful because it facilitates the soul’s progress. He applies this understanding to justify righteous warfare, reassuring warriors like Arjuna.

Sri Purushottamji

• Purushottamji compares the body to worn-out clothes, explaining that the soul moves to a new body according to divine will, one that is better suited to its purpose. He emphasizes the soul’s participation in divine play, where the body is merely a temporary instrument for fulfilling divine purposes.

Sri Shankaracharya

• Shankaracharya uses the analogy of old clothes to highlight the unchanging nature of the soul, which remains unaffected as it transitions from one body to another. He focuses on the soul’s immutability, stressing that the soul, like a person discarding old clothes, remains entirely unchanged by the process.

Sri Vallabhacharya

• Vallabhacharya reassures that the destruction of the body is not a cause for sorrow, as the soul inevitably acquires a new body, driven by its accumulated karma. He emphasizes karma as the driving force behind the soul’s acquisition of new bodies, making the process of death and rebirth an inevitable and natural part of existence.

Sri Anandgiri

• Anandgiri defends the soul’s unchanging nature using the analogy of old and new clothes. He specifically addresses any doubts that the soul might undergo change due to the process of body transition, asserting that the soul’s essence remains constant.

Sri Dhanpati

• Dhanpati elaborates that the soul remains unaffected by the transition from one body to another, dismissing the idea that killing the body results in a loss. He highlights that the analogy of clothes effectively illustrates that the soul's nature is untouched by bodily changes.

Sri Madhavacharya

• Madhavacharya uses the analogy of clothes to illustrate the clear distinction between the body and the soul, describing the body as a temporary covering for the soul. He applies this analogy to deepen the understanding of the soul's true nature, making the teaching accessible.

Sri Neelkanth

• Neelkanth highlights the distinction between the perishable body and the eternal soul, emphasizing the soul's unchanged essence. He draws attention to how just as a person and their clothes are distinct, so are the soul and the body, reinforcing that the soul remains unaffected by bodily destruction.

Sri Ramanuja

• Ramanuja reinforces that in the context of a righteous battle, the transition from an old body to a superior one is beneficial and should not be mourned. He suggests that the soul acquires a more auspicious body, suited to its accumulated merits, after shedding the old one, offering comfort and reassurance in the context of dharma, especially in battle.

Sri Sridhara Swami

• Sridhara Swami asserts that death and rebirth are governed by karma, and the soul's journey continues in a new form. He explains that the inevitability of this process negates the need for sorrow over the destruction of the old body, making the transition between bodies a natural and necessary process.

Sri Vedantadeshikacharya Venkatanatha

• Vedantadeshikacharya addresses concerns about leaving behind a familiar body, explaining that the soul moves to a superior body, which should be a cause for joy rather than grief. He argues that just as one might leave an old, dilapidated house for a better one, the soul's transition should be seen as an upgrade, framing it as an opportunity for the soul to inhabit a more auspicious and beneficial form.

Knowledge Bank

Does a bhakta have to give up worldly and scriptural duties?

Not necessarily; he would rather change every kind of duty as service to Bhagavan. For him, every task is an opportunity to serve Bhagavan.

What is Shiva the God of?

Shiva who is one among the Trimurthys is responsible for the elimination of the universe at the end of its lifespan. He is also the God of destruction of evil powers. He is also associated with knowledge, healing, health, fertility, protection, and yoga.