Chapter 2, Verse 21
Part of 2: Sānkhya Yog — सांख्ययोगवेदाविनाशिनं नित्यं य एनमजमव्ययम्। कथं स पुरुषः पार्थ कं घातयति हन्ति कम्॥
Transliteration
vedāvināśhinaṁ nityaṁ ya enam ajam avyayam kathaṁ sa puruṣhaḥ pārtha kaṁ ghātayati hanti kam
Meaning
Whoever knows it to be indestructible, eternal, unborn, and inexhaustible, how can that person slay, O Arjuna, or cause to be slain?
Word-by-word meaning
veda — knowsavināśhinam — imperishablenityam — eternalyaḥ — whoenam — thisajam — unbornavyayam — immutablekatham — howsaḥ — thatpuruṣhaḥ — personpārtha — Parthkam — whomghātayati — causes to be killedhanti — killskam — whom
Commentary
The enlightened sage who knows the immutable and indestructible Self through direct cognition or spiritual Anubhava (experience) cannot do the act of slaying. He cannot cause another to slay also.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 21?▼
Whoever knows it to be indestructible, eternal, unborn, and inexhaustible, how can that person slay, O Arjuna, or cause to be slain?
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?▼
This is verse 21 of Chapter 2 (Sānkhya Yog — Transcendental Knowledge) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.