Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 2.11 अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे
श्लोक 2.11
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे ।
गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः ॥
śrībhagavānuvāca |
aśocyānanvaśocastvaṃ prajñāvādāṃśca bhāṣase |
gatāsūnagatāsūṃśca nānuśocanti paṇḍitāḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
श्रीभगवान ने कहा: तुम उनके लिए शोक कर रहे हो जो शोक के योग्य नहीं हैं, और बातें ज्ञानियों जैसी करते हो। सच्चे ज्ञानी न मरे हुओं के लिए शोक करते हैं, न जीवितों के लिए।
Meaning in English
The Blessed Lord said: You grieve for those who should not be grieved for, and yet you speak words that sound wise. The truly wise grieve neither for the dead nor for the living.
Bhagavad Gita 2.11 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अशोच्यान् | aśocyān | those not to be grieved for |
| अन्वशोचः | anvaśocaḥ | you have grieved |
| त्वम् | tvam | you |
| प्रज्ञावादान् | prajñā-vādān | words of wisdom |
| च भाषसे | ca bhāṣase | and you speak |
| गतासून् | gatāsūn | those whose life has gone |
| अगतासून् | agatāsūn | those whose life has not gone |
| च | ca | and |
| न अनुशोचन्ति | na anuśocanti | do not grieve |
| पण्डिताः | paṇḍitāḥ | the wise |
Explanation
These are Krishna's first words of teaching in the Gita. Gently, he points out the contradiction in Arjuna: he speaks learned-sounding words, yet grieves for what does not deserve grief. The truly wise, Krishna says, grieve neither for the dead nor for the living.
The verse opens the great theme of Chapter 2 — the difference between the eternal Self (ātman) and the perishable body. Grief, in this view, comes from mistaking the body for the person. Krishna does not dismiss Arjuna's feelings; he begins to give him a wider understanding in which those feelings can settle.
भावार्थ
श्री भगवान ने कहा — तुम उनके लिए शोक कर रहे हो जो शोक के योग्य नहीं, और बातें विद्वानों जैसी करते हो। ज्ञानी लोग न मरे हुओं के लिए शोक करते हैं, न जीवितों के लिए।
Living it today
When grief or worry overwhelms you, ask what in the situation is truly lost and what remains untouched.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 2.11?
These are Krishna's first words of teaching in the Gita. Gently, he points out the contradiction in Arjuna: he speaks learned-sounding words, yet grieves for what does not deserve grief. The truly wise, Krishna says, grieve neither for the dead nor for the living.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.11?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 2.11 in daily life?
When grief or worry overwhelms you, ask what in the situation is truly lost and what remains untouched.
Reflected on verse 2.11?
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