Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 2.13 देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा
श्लोक 2.13
देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा ।
तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति ॥
dehino'sminyathā dehe kaumāraṃ yauvanaṃ jarā |
tathā dehāntaraprāptirdhīrastatra na muhyati ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जैसे इस शरीर में आत्मा बचपन, जवानी और बुढ़ापे से गुज़रती है, वैसे ही वह दूसरा शरीर प्राप्त करती है। धीर पुरुष इससे मोहित नहीं होता।
Meaning in English
Just as the embodied soul passes through childhood, youth and old age in this body, so too it passes into another body. The steady-minded are not confused by this.
Bhagavad Gita 2.13 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| देहिनः | dehinaḥ | of the embodied one (the Self) |
| अस्मिन् | asmin | in this |
| यथा | yathā | just as |
| देहे | dehe | body |
| कौमारम् | kaumāram | childhood |
| यौवनम् | yauvanam | youth |
| जरा | jarā | old age |
| तथा | tathā | so too |
| देहान्तरप्राप्तिः | deha-antara-prāptiḥ | the passing into another body |
| धीरः | dhīraḥ | the steady, wise person |
| तत्र | tatra | about this |
| न मुह्यति | na muhyati | is not bewildered |
Explanation
Krishna offers an everyday illustration. In this one body the embodied Self passes through childhood, youth and old age, yet remains the same "I". In the same way, at death it passes into another body. A wise and steady person is not bewildered by this change.
The verse introduces rebirth not as a frightening idea but as a continuation of something we already experience — the body changing constantly while the witness within stays the same. Change belongs to the body; the Self is constant.
भावार्थ
जैसे इसी शरीर में आत्मा बचपन, जवानी और बुढ़ापे से गुज़रती है, वैसे ही मृत्यु पर वह दूसरा शरीर पाती है। धीर पुरुष इस विषय में मोहित नहीं होता।
Living it today
Look at an old photograph of yourself: the body has changed completely, yet you are still you. Let that steady you when life changes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 2.13?
Krishna offers an everyday illustration. In this one body the embodied Self passes through childhood, youth and old age, yet remains the same "I". In the same way, at death it passes into another body. A wise and steady person is not bewildered by this change.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.13?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 2.13 in daily life?
Look at an old photograph of yourself: the body has changed completely, yet you are still you. Let that steady you when life changes.
Reflected on verse 2.13?
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