Shloka 25 Chapter 2

अव्यक्तोऽयमचिन्त्योऽयमविकार्योऽयमुच्यते | तस्मादेवं विदित्वैनं नानुशोचितुमर्हसि ||

avyakto'yamachintyo'yamavikaryo'yamuchyate | tasmadevam viditvainam nanushochitumarhasi ||

Meaning: This soul is said to be invisible, unthinkable, and unchangeable. Knowing this, you should not grieve.

Context

This shloka is part of Lord Krishna's explanation to Arjuna about the nature of the soul, which is a key aspect of spiritual wisdom in the Bhagavad Gita. In the earlier verses, Arjuna is confused and heartbroken about fighting in the war, as he fears killing his kinsmen and loved ones. To dispel his sorrow and hesitation, Krishna explains that the soul is eternal, cannot be destroyed, and is beyond physical changes like birth and death.

The shloka emphasizes that since the soul is not affected by material conditions, one should not grieve over death, as it only affects the body and not the soul.

Explanation

Lord Krishna describes the true nature of the soul in three ways:

1. Avyakta (Invisible): The soul cannot be seen or perceived by our senses. It exists beyond the physical world, which is why we cannot grasp it through ordinary means like sight or touch.
2. Achintya (Unthinkable): The soul cannot be fully understood by the mind. It transcends all thoughts and concepts that humans can conceive.
3. Avikarya (Unchangeable): Unlike the body, which undergoes birth, aging, and death, the soul remains the same forever. It cannot be altered or affected by anything.

Krishna uses this explanation to encourage Arjuna not to mourn over the death of the body, as the soul, the true self, continues its existence. Grieving over what is merely a material change is unnecessary once you understand the eternal nature of the soul.

Today's context

Imagine a family sitting in a hospital room, devastated by the news that their loved one, who has been battling cancer, has only a few months left to live. The doctors have done their best, but now the family is told to prepare for the inevitable.

Amidst the sorrow, a close friend of the family, who is deeply spiritual, says:

'Do not be disheartened by what the doctors have said. They are only referring to the body, which will eventually stop functioning. But remember, the soul is not affected by illness or death. The soul is eternal and will continue its journey after this life. Just as we change clothes when they wear out, the soul moves from one body to another. What we see as death is just a transition. There is no need for grief, as the real essence of the person— their soul—will continue to live.'

In this context, the shloka from the Bhagavad Gita becomes deeply relevant. It reminds the family that while the physical body may be nearing its end, the soul is untouched by disease or death. This understanding can offer peace in the face of such painful news. It helps the family to focus on the eternal nature of the soul and cherish the remaining time with their loved one, rather than being consumed by fear or sorrow.

The teaching of the Gita helps us see that, even when facing the toughest moments in life, we can find strength in knowing that death is just a change for the soul, not an end. This perspective can bring comfort to both the person nearing the end of their life and their loved ones.

Highlights from traditional commentaries

Commentary by Sri Abhinavagupta

Abhinavagupta explains that the soul is independent, indivisible, and unchangeable. It cannot be destroyed or altered by external forces, such as weapons. The soul transcends the limitations of the physical body and remains unaffected by changes or transitions, like death. Therefore, Arjuna should not grieve over the destruction of the body, as the soul continues its journey without being affected by death or decay.

Commentary by Sri Jayatirtha

Jayatirtha addresses the question of how the soul, which is beyond perception and thought, can be understood. He explains that while God can be perceived by the enlightened, the soul is beyond the reach of ordinary thinking because of its unique, inconceivable nature. The soul's true form is beyond the grasp of the senses or the mind, making it unthinkable. Hence, Arjuna should not be sad, as the soul cannot be harmed or fully understood in a physical sense.

Commentary by Sri Madhusudan Saraswati

Madhusudan Saraswati emphasizes that the soul is not perceived by the senses, as it lacks form, which makes it invisible. He also adds that the soul is beyond the reach of inference or reasoning since it is unthinkable. The soul does not undergo changes like the body, making it immune to destruction. By knowing this, one can rise above grief and understand the true nature of existence, encouraging Arjuna to not mourn for the body.

Commentary by Sri Purushottamji

Purushottamji points out that the soul is beyond the grasp of our senses and mind, which makes it imperceptible and unthinkable. Moreover, it is not subject to changes or modifications, reinforcing the idea that the soul is eternal and unchanging. By understanding this, Arjuna should not feel sorrow for the destruction of the body, as the soul remains unaffected.

Commentary by Sri Shankaracharya

Shankaracharya explains that the soul is beyond the senses, which makes it invisible (avyakta). It is also beyond the mind's reach, which makes it unthinkable (achintya). Furthermore, it does not change or undergo any modifications, like milk turning into curd (avikarya). Since the soul cannot be destroyed or altered, Arjuna should not grieve, as the true self (soul) remains unaffected by physical death.

Commentary by Sri Vallabhacharya

Vallabhacharya states that the soul is invisible and beyond perception. It is also beyond thought because it cannot be imagined or understood in the way physical objects are. The soul remains unchanged and is not subject to modifications, unlike the physical body. Therefore, understanding the nature of the soul, Arjuna should not grieve over the body.

Commentary by Sri Anandgiri

Anandgiri emphasizes that the soul is imperceptible and cannot be grasped by the senses or the mind. Because it is unchangeable and eternal, the soul does not undergo transformations like physical objects do. By understanding this, one can see that grief over bodily death is unnecessary, as the true self, the soul, is untouched by such changes.

Commentary by Sri Dhanpati

Dhanpati elaborates that the soul is beyond the reach of perception and thought. It is not subject to changes like the body is and remains untouched by external forces. Since the soul is eternal and unchangeable, Arjuna should not mourn the death of the body, as the soul continues its existence.

Commentary by Sri Madhavacharya

Madhavacharya highlights the soul's invisible and unchanging nature. It is not subject to destruction, and its essence remains intact despite the death of the body. Understanding this, Arjuna is advised not to feel sorrow over bodily death.

Commentary by Sri Neelkanth

Neelkanth explains that the soul is not visible to the senses and cannot be thought of like ordinary objects. It remains unchanging and eternal, unlike the physical body, which undergoes decay. By knowing this, one can understand that the soul transcends bodily death, and thus, Arjuna should not grieve.

Commentary by Sri Ramanuja

Ramanuja describes the soul as invisible, unthinkable, and unchanging. The soul cannot be comprehended through normal sensory perception or thought and does not undergo any transformations. By recognizing the true nature of the soul, Arjuna should not grieve over the destruction of the physical body.

Commentary by Sri Sridhara Swami

Sridhara Swami emphasizes that the soul cannot be perceived or conceived by the mind, nor can it be altered or changed. It exists independently and is not affected by bodily destruction. By understanding this eternal truth, Arjuna should not lament over the death of the body.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi