Shloka 27 Chapter 2

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च।
तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि॥

jātasya hi dhruvo mṛtyur dhruvaṁ janma mṛtasya ca,
tasmād aparihārye'rthe na tvaṁ śocitum arhasi.

Meaning

For one who has taken birth, death is certain, and for one who has died, rebirth is inevitable. Therefore, you should not lament over the inevitable.

Context

On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Prince Arjuna is conflicted about fighting in a war against his own kin, overwhelmed by the moral dilemma of battling his relatives, teachers, and friends; in response, Lord Krishna begins imparting spiritual wisdom in Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled "Sankhya Yoga" or "The Yoga of Knowledge," to alleviate Arjuna's despair by explaining that life and death are natural and inevitable processes - specifically in Verse 27, Krishna emphasizes that for one who is born, death is certain, and for one who has died, rebirth is inevitable, highlighting the eternal nature of the soul (Atman) versus the temporary physical body; this teaching aims to shift Arjuna's perspective from a limited, materialistic view to a broader, spiritual understanding, encouraging him to let go of attachment and grief over the potential death of his loved ones, and to fulfill his righteous duty (Dharma) as a warrior without being swayed by personal emotions, thus underscoring the importance of duty over despondency and guiding him toward a path of righteousness and spiritual enlightenment.

Today’s Context

Captain Arjun Mehta, a dedicated officer in the army, was deployed to a region embroiled in a prolonged conflict. The area was fraught with tension, and the possibility of an imminent battle loomed large. As a leader deeply committed to his troops, Arjun grappled with the moral implications of warfare. The thought of leading his soldiers into a confrontation where some might lose their lives weighed heavily on his conscience. Moreover, the enemy combatants were not faceless adversaries; many were former compatriots who had taken up arms due to political divisions.

One quiet night, as the camp settled, Arjun sat alone, reflecting on his turmoil. He recalled a conversation with his mentor, who had once quoted a verse from the Bhagavad Gita:

"For one who has been born, death is certain, and for one who has died, birth is certain. Therefore, do not lament over the inevitable."

This recollection struck a chord. Arjun realized that his predicament mirrored that of the warrior prince Arjuna from the epic. Just as Arjuna was counseled by Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Captain Mehta found solace in the ancient wisdom. He understood that life and death are intrinsic parts of the universal cycle. His duty as a soldier was to uphold justice and protect his nation, actions that transcended personal fears and attachments.

The next day, with renewed clarity, Captain Mehta addressed his troops. He shared his reflections, encouraging them to find strength in the purpose of their mission rather than be paralyzed by the fear of loss. Together, they prepared to face the challenges ahead, grounded in the understanding that they were part of a larger cosmic order.

In this modern context, the verse from the Bhagavad Gita offers profound guidance to military personnel like Captain Mehta. The key teachings applied here are:

1. Acceptance of the Inevitable: Acknowledging that death is a natural and unavoidable part of life helps individuals come to terms with the realities of their profession. This acceptance reduces fear and anxiety, allowing soldiers to function more effectively.
2. Detachment from Personal Grief: By understanding the impermanence of the physical body and the continuity of the soul (or, in a secular sense, the ongoing impact of one's actions), soldiers can detach from personal sorrows that might hinder their performance.
3. Focus on Duty (Dharma): The verse reinforces the importance of performing one's righteous duty without attachment to the outcomes. For a soldier, this means upholding their responsibilities to protect and serve, aligning with ethical and moral codes.
4. Moral Clarity: The teachings help soldiers navigate the moral complexities of warfare. Recognizing that their role is part of a larger order can provide the ethical grounding needed to act decisively.

By internalizing this wisdom, Captain Mehta transforms his personal dilemma into a source of strength. He moves forward not with a hardened heart but with a balanced mind, aware of the gravity of his actions yet committed to his duty. The verse thus serves as a tool for mental resilience, helping military personnel face the harsh realities of conflict with courage, compassion, and a sense of higher purpose.

Highlights from Traditional Commentaries

Sri Abhinavagupta

Sri Abhinavagupta emphasizes the inevitability of birth and death, stating that even if one considers the body to be perpetually born and constantly perishing, there is no cause for grief because these processes are natural and unavoidable. He suggests that understanding the cycle of birth and death as inexorable should lead wise individuals to accept it without lamentation. By recognizing the certainty of death and rebirth, one is encouraged to focus on performing their duties without being overwhelmed by sorrow.

Sri Jayatirtha

Sri Jayatirtha addresses the question of why one should not grieve over death and birth. He affirms that because birth inevitably leads to death, and death leads to rebirth, lamentation is unnecessary. He emphasizes the unity of the two verses, pointing out that they form a single response to concerns about the appropriateness of grief. His commentary provides logical reasoning to support the assertion that grief is unfounded in this context.

Sri Madhusudana Saraswati

Sri Madhusudana Saraswati highlights the transience of the body, noting that for the soul, the association and disassociation with the body (birth and death) are certain due to karma. He emphasizes the eternal nature of the soul and the temporary nature of the physical body. His commentary encourages detachment from worldly concerns, especially the fear of perceived pains arising from birth and death, advocating for a focus on one's spiritual duty. He stresses that performing one's righteous duty is paramount, and fear of the inevitable should not deter one from action.

Sri Purushottamji

Sri Purushottamji suggests that death is ordained by the divine and is therefore certain for all beings who are born. Since death is inevitable and established by a higher power, grieving over it is not appropriate. He emphasizes acceptance of the divine will and the natural order without lamentation, urging individuals to accept the inevitable processes of life and death.

Sri Shankaracharya

Sri Shankaracharya asserts the certainty of death for the born and rebirth for the dead. He describes birth and death as unavoidable processes inherent in existence. His commentary advises that since these events are inevitable, wise individuals should not grieve over them. He also implies a distinction between the eternal nature of the soul and the transient nature of the body, encouraging a focus on the enduring self rather than the temporary physical form.

Sri Vallabhacharya

Sri Vallabhacharya emphasizes the inevitable nature of life's processes, stating that for one who is born, death is unavoidable, and for one who has died, birth is unavoidable. He encourages acceptance of the unavoidable and advises not to grieve over what cannot be changed. His commentary suggests directing attention towards the eternal aspect of existence rather than temporary phenomena.

Sri Ramanuja

Sri Ramanuja explains that birth and death are transformations of an existing entity, not the creation or destruction of something from or into nothing. He illustrates this concept with examples like clay transforming into a pot, emphasizing that change is a constant and natural process. He argues that something nonexistent cannot come into being, nor can something existent become nonexistent. Therefore, since these transformations are natural and inevitable, there is no justifiable reason for sorrow.

Sri Sridhara Swami

Sri Sridhara Swami points out that death occurs when the karma that initiated the body is exhausted, and rebirth happens due to residual karma. He asserts that the cycle of birth and death is certain and unavoidable. His commentary advises that understanding the inevitability of this cycle, one should not grieve. He suggests that recognizing these truths should inspire one to fulfill their responsibilities without sorrow.

Sri Madhavacharya

Sri Madhavacharya emphasizes that knowing the certainty of birth and death removes the grounds for grief. He refers to the natural order and laws governing life and death as reasons to accept and not mourn over them.

Sri Neelakantha

Sri Neelakantha highlights that death is certain and beyond one's control, and thus not a valid reason for grief. He suggests that since death is preordained and unavoidable, one should focus on their duties. His commentary implies that events like death will occur regardless of personal efforts to prevent them.

Sri Dhanapati

Sri Dhanapati argues against sorrow by explaining that the soul is eternal, and the body is transient. Using philosophical reasoning, he shows that grief is unfounded when one understands the true nature of existence. He emphasizes the eternality of the self, which is unchanging and unaffected by the physical processes of birth and death.

Sri Anandgiri

Sri Anandgiri expands on the reasoning behind why grief is unwarranted in the face of the inevitable cycle of birth and death. He emphasizes that since both birth and death are certain events, the grounds for sorrow do not hold. Introducing an additional reason, he explains that understanding the assured nature of these occurrences removes the justification for grief. By highlighting the unavoidable reality of life's transitions, his commentary reinforces the message that one should not lament over what cannot be altered.

Sri Vedantadeshika Venkatanatha

Sri Vedantadeshika Venkatanatha delves into a philosophical analysis of the concepts of birth and death, explaining that these are transformations of an existing substance rather than the creation of something new or the annihilation of something existing. Using the example of clay transforming into a pot, he illustrates that changes are merely different states of the same underlying reality. He challenges the notion that non-existence can become existence or vice versa, arguing that such ideas are illogical. His commentary also addresses and refutes various philosophical positions that suggest the creation or destruction of substance from or into nothingness. By understanding that transformations are natural and inevitable processes of existing entities, he concludes that there is no valid reason for grief.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi