na tvevāhaṁ jātu nāsaṁ na tvaṁ neme janādhipāḥ
na chaiva na bhaviṣhyāmaḥ sarve vayamataḥ param
na — never;
tu — however;
eva — certainly;
aham — I;
jātu — at any time;
na — nor;
āsam — exist;
na — nor;
tvam — you;
na — nor;
ime — these;
jana-adhipāḥ — kings;
na — never;
cha — also;
eva — indeed;
na bhaviṣhyāmaḥ — shall not exist;
sarve vayam — all of us;
ataḥ — from now;
param — after
In this verse, Krishna is reminding Arjuna that both he (Arjuna) and everyone else, including the kings on the battlefield, have always existed and will always exist in some form. This means that there has never been a time when they did not exist, and there will never be a time when they will cease to exist.
To break it down further, Krishna is saying that every living being has a soul, which is eternal. The body we have right now is temporary; it will change, age, and eventually die. But the soul inside each of us has no beginning and no end. It goes on living even after the death of the physical body.
For example, consider how we change throughout our lives. We begin as babies, grow into children, become teenagers, and then adults, and may eventually become old. Even though our bodies change at every stage, the essence of who we are - our character, our memories, our soul - remains constant. Just like changing clothes, the body can change, but the soul stays the same.
This teaching helps everyone understand the concept of life and death. When someone dies, we often feel deep sorrow, thinking they no longer exist. However, Krishna is telling us that the person, or their soul, is still very much alive. This perspective can help ease the pain of loss because it shows that death is not the end, but rather a change in our existence.
Furthermore, Krishna's emphasis on everyone’s eternal existence also touches on the idea of individuality. This means that each person's soul retains its unique identity. There’s a common belief, which Krishna challenges, that after achieving liberation or enlightenment, individual souls merge into a singular existence, losing their identity. Krishna disagrees with this idea and asserts that we all remain individuals forever.
This concept helps in personal growth and understanding our connections with others. It reminds us that every person we meet has their own soul, experiences, and purpose. Just as we are distinct, so is everyone else, leading to a richer tapestry of relationships and community.
In summary, this verse is a powerful reminder that we are all eternal beings. Our physical forms may change or come to an end, but our essence, our soul, is everlasting. This teaching encourages us not to fear death or change, but to understand that life continues in different forms, adding depth to our existence and relationships.