Bhagavad Gita 2.21

Sanskrit

वेदाविनाशिनं नित्यं य एनमजमव्ययम् । कथं स पुरुषः पार्थ कं घातयति हन्ति कम् ॥2.21॥

Transliteration

vedāvināśinaṃ nityaṃ ya enamajamavyayam | kathaṃ sa puruṣaḥ pārtha kaṃ ghātayati hanti kam ‖2.21‖

Meaning

“He who knows the Self to be indestructible, eternal, unborn, and undiminishing, how can that person slay anyone, O Partha, or cause anyone to be slain?”

Key learning

Once you truly see that the deepest Self can't be harmed, the whole game changes, fear loosens its grip, and so does the urge to hurt others.

How to apply this today

Seeing that what's essential in people can't really be destroyed softens both your fear and your aggression. Carry that into conflict: you can act firmly and clearly without needing to crush anyone.

Theme: The Yoga of Knowledge

This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga , read all verses in this chapter.

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