Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 2.19 य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश्चैनं मन्यते
श्लोक 2.19
य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश्चैनं मन्यते हतम् ।
उभौ तौ न विजानीतो नायं हन्ति न हन्यते ॥
ya enaṃ vetti hantāraṃ yaścainaṃ manyate hatam |
ubhau tau na vijānīto nāyaṃ hanti na hanyate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो आत्मा को मारने वाला समझता है और जो उसे मरा हुआ मानता है, वे दोनों ही सत्य नहीं जानते। आत्मा न किसी को मारती है, न मारी जाती है।
Meaning in English
One who thinks the Self is a killer, and one who thinks it is killed, both fail to understand. The Self neither kills nor is killed.
Bhagavad Gita 2.19 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यः | yaḥ | whoever |
| एनम् | enam | this (Self) |
| वेत्ति | vetti | thinks |
| हन्तारम् | hantāram | a slayer |
| यः च | yaḥ ca | and whoever |
| एनम् | enam | this |
| मन्यते | manyate | considers |
| हतम् | hatam | slain |
| उभौ तौ | ubhau tau | both of them |
| न विजानीतः | na vijānītaḥ | do not know the truth |
| न अयम् हन्ति | na ayam hanti | this does not slay |
| न हन्यते | na hanyate | nor is it slain |
Explanation
Whoever thinks the Self can kill, and whoever thinks the Self can be killed — both are mistaken. The Self neither slays nor is slain. Killing and dying belong to bodies; the ātman, being eternal, is untouched by them.
The verse closely echoes the Katha Upanishad (1.2.19) and must be read in context: Krishna is answering Arjuna's grief at the thought of killing his kin. It is a teaching about the nature of the Self, not a licence for violence — elsewhere the Gita praises non-violence and compassion and asks that one act only according to dharma.
भावार्थ
जो इस आत्मा को मारने वाला समझता है और जो इसे मरा हुआ मानता है — दोनों ही सत्य नहीं जानते। यह आत्मा न मारती है, न मारी जाती है।
Living it today
Remember that what you truly are cannot be destroyed by insult, loss or failure — and see others as equally deathless beings.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 2.19?
Whoever thinks the Self can kill, and whoever thinks the Self can be killed — both are mistaken. The Self neither slays nor is slain. Killing and dying belong to bodies; the ātman, being eternal, is untouched by them.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.19?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 2.19 in daily life?
Remember that what you truly are cannot be destroyed by insult, loss or failure — and see others as equally deathless beings.
Reflected on verse 2.19?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.