dehī nityam avadhyo ’yaṁ dehe sarvasya bhārata
tasmāt sarvāṇi bhūtāni na tvaṁ śhochitum arhasi
dehī — the soul that dwells within the body;
nityam — always;
avadhyaḥ — immortal;
ayam — this soul;
dehe — in the body;
sarvasya — of everyone;
bhārata — descendant of Bharat, Arjun;
tasmāt — therefore;
sarvāṇi — for all;
bhūtāni — living entities;
na — not;
tvam — you;
śhochitum — mourn;
arhasi — should
In this verse, Krishna is talking to Arjuna and emphasizing an important truth about life and existence. He explains that the soul, which is the true essence of a person, is eternal and cannot be killed. This means that while our physical bodies can die, the soul within us lives on forever.
Let’s break it down further:
1. **The Soul is Eternal**: Krishna tells Arjuna that the soul lives forever. Just like how a person changes their clothes as they grow, the soul moves from one body to another through different stages of life—childhood, youth, and old age. Even at death, while the body may perish, the soul continues its journey.
2. **Don’t Grieve for Others**: Since the soul cannot be harmed or killed, Krishna advises Arjuna not to feel sorrow about the death of others. In the context of a battlefield, Arjuna is worried about fighting against revered figures like his grandfather Bhisma and mentor Drona. Krishna reassures him that although these great people might die, their souls will continue to exist. There is no need for mourning because the essence of a person—their soul—remains eternal and unchanged.
3. **Your Duty as a Warrior**: As a warrior, Arjuna's duty is to fight when necessary. Krishna is reminding him that avoiding battle out of fear of causing death is not the right path. It’s important to fulfill one's role, especially when it is righteous and in accordance with duty, like that of a ksatriya (warrior class). He points out that doing your duty is vital, even if it involves difficult choices, like fighting against loved ones.
4. **Distinction Between Body and Soul**: This verse also teaches that the physical body and soul are not the same. The body is temporary, subject to aging and death. But the soul is permanent and transcends physical destruction.
5. **Philosophical Insight**: Krishna wants Arjuna to understand that life is not merely about the physical existence we see but also about the spiritual journey of the soul. The idea here challenges the common belief that life and its significance are defined only by physical presence and material success.
6. **Awareness of Violence**: While the verse touches on the topic of violence in battle, it implies that violence should not be taken lightly. It should only be a last resort when a war is warranted and accepted, such as a battle that is seen as righteous. Hence, Krishna guides Arjuna that any act of war should be based on duty and necessity, rather than personal desire or anger.
In summary, the essence of this verse is about understanding life beyond the physical form and recognizing the eternal nature of the soul. It's a lesson on duty, responsibility, and how to act wisely, especially when facing tough decisions in life.