Shloka 30 Chapter 2

देही नित्यमवध्योऽयं देहे सर्वस्य भारत।
तस्मात्सर्वाणि भूतानि न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि।।

dehī nityam avadhyo'yaṁ dehe sarvasya bhārata।
tasmāt sarvāṇi bhūtāni na tvaṁ śocitum arhasi।।

Meaning:

The soul, residing in the body of every being, is eternal and cannot be destroyed. Therefore, O Bharata (Arjuna), you should not grieve for any living being.

Context:

Arjuna is reluctant to fight in the Kurukshetra war, overwhelmed by grief and confusion over killing his relatives and teachers. In response, Lord Krishna explains the nature of the soul, emphasizing that it is eternal and indestructible. The 30th shloka reassures Arjuna that death affects only the body, not the soul, and urges him to rise above sorrow and fulfill his duty as a warrior.

Explanation:

This shloka emphasizes the eternal nature of the soul. It states that the soul, residing in every being, is immortal, indestructible, and unaffected by physical death. The body is temporary and perishable, but the soul exists beyond birth and death. Lord Krishna uses this profound truth to console Arjuna, who is grieving over the thought of killing his loved ones in the battle.

The verse reminds us that attachment to the physical body leads to sorrow and confusion. By understanding the soul's immortality, one can overcome fear of death and attachment to the material world. This knowledge is key to attaining spiritual wisdom and performing one’s duties without emotional burden.

The significance of this verse lies in its universal message. It teaches detachment and encourages us to focus on the eternal essence within rather than the transient external world. For Arjuna, this understanding helps him overcome his reluctance and fulfill his duty as a warrior. For us, it serves as a guide to live with equanimity, accepting life’s challenges and changes while staying rooted in spiritual truth. It inspires us to rise above temporary emotions and focus on the greater purpose of life.

In Today’s context:

Ravi was an artist who loved painting but feared showcasing his work. He worried about criticism and rejection, thinking, What if people don’t like my art? His fear of failure kept him from participating in a big exhibition in his city.

One day, Ravi’s mentor shared a teaching from the Bhagavad Gita. He explained, “The soul is eternal, and everything we experience is temporary. Don’t let fear of failure or attachment to outcomes stop you. Focus on your efforts and let go of the results. Do your duty without fear.”

Inspired, Ravi realized that his duty was to create and share art, regardless of others' opinions. He entered the exhibition, pouring his heart into his paintings. While some people criticized his work, others admired it deeply.

Highlights from traditional commentaries:

Sri Abhinavgupta

Abhinavgupta highlights the extraordinary nature of the soul, which is often misunderstood or not fully realized. He explains that despite the soul's eternal and indestructible nature, it is perceived as something mysterious and awe-inspiring by a few. This teaching urges Arjuna to understand the soul's transcendental reality and overcome grief and confusion.

Sri Madhusudana Saraswati

Madhusudana Saraswati focuses on dispelling common misconceptions about the body and soul. He clarifies that while the physical body may perish, the soul remains indestructible and eternal. He emphasizes that sorrow arises from ignorance of the soul's true nature, and understanding this helps one act without emotional disturbances, especially during critical duties.

Sri Purushottamji

Purushottamji reiterates that the soul, unlike the body, is eternal and not subject to birth or death. He addresses Arjuna’s grief by explaining that mourning for the temporary body is unnecessary. Instead, one should focus on the soul's unchanging essence and act according to dharma.

Sri Shankaracharya

Shankaracharya explains the soul's imperishable nature, emphasizing its independence from the physical body. He advises that understanding this truth eliminates sorrow and delusion. Arjuna is reminded to rise above attachments and fulfill his duty without grief, as the soul transcends physical existence.

Sri Vallabhacharya

Vallabhacharya underscores the eternality of the soul and its immunity to physical harm. He advises Arjuna to stop grieving for physical beings, as all creatures are ultimately eternal in their true essence. This understanding encourages detachment and action aligned with dharma.

Sri Anandgiri

Anandgiri elaborates on the indestructible nature of the soul. He explains that sorrow and fear stem from misconceptions about the body and soul. By understanding that the soul remains unaffected by the body's destruction, one can act without hesitation, especially in fulfilling responsibilities.

Sri Dhanpati

Dhanpati highlights the soul's eternal nature and its distinction from the transient body. He advises that grief over physical bodies, like that of Bhishma or others, is misplaced. This teaching encourages detachment from temporary relationships and adherence to one’s duties.

Sri Ramanuja

Ramanuja emphasizes that the soul remains eternal even when the physical body perishes. He explains that all beings, regardless of external differences, share the same eternal essence. Arjuna is urged not to grieve for the body but to understand the soul's unchanging reality and act according to his dharma.

Sri Sridhara Swami

Sridhara Swami summarizes the soul's eternal nature, advising Arjuna to act without attachment or sorrow. He explains that the soul’s indestructibility provides a foundation for detachment from the physical body and emotional burdens.

Sri Vedantadeshikacharya Venkatanatha

Vedantadeshikacharya addresses the apparent inequalities in physical forms and experiences, noting that these differences exist only at the bodily level. He emphasizes the soul’s equality and permanence across all beings, urging Arjuna to see beyond external appearances and perform his duties without emotional hindrance.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi