Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 2.20 न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्
श्लोक 2.20
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्
नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः ।
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो
न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे ॥
na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin
nāyaṃ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ |
ajo nityaḥ śāśvato'yaṃ purāṇo
na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
आत्मा न कभी जन्म लेती है, न कभी मरती है। न वह उत्पन्न होकर फिर न रहने वाली है। वह अजन्मा, नित्य, शाश्वत और पुरातन है, शरीर के मारे जाने पर भी वह नहीं मरती।
Meaning in English
The Self is never born, nor does it ever die. It did not come into being and will not cease to be. Unborn, eternal, everlasting and ancient, it is not killed when the body is killed.
Bhagavad Gita 2.20 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| न जायते | na jāyate | is not born |
| म्रियते वा | mriyate vā | or dies |
| कदाचित् | kadācit | ever |
| न अयम् | na ayam | this is not |
| भूत्वा | bhūtvā | having come into being |
| भविता वा न भूयः | bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ | will it cease to be again |
| अजः | ajaḥ | unborn |
| नित्यः | nityaḥ | eternal |
| शाश्वतः | śāśvataḥ | everlasting |
| अयम् | ayam | this |
| पुराणः | purāṇaḥ | ancient |
| न हन्यते | na hanyate | is not slain |
| हन्यमाने | hanyamāne | when slain |
| शरीरे | śarīre | the body |
Explanation
The Self is never born and never dies. It did not come into being at some point, nor will it cease to be. Unborn, eternal, everlasting and ancient, it is not destroyed when the body is destroyed.
This is among the most quoted verses of the Gita and is often recited in times of loss. It gives the heart of Krishna's first answer to Arjuna: the real person is not the body. Grief for the body is natural, but the one we love is not ended by death.
भावार्थ
यह आत्मा न कभी जन्म लेती है, न मरती है; न यह कभी उत्पन्न हुई, न आगे होगी। यह अजन्मा, नित्य, शाश्वत और पुरातन है — शरीर के मारे जाने पर भी यह नहीं मरती।
Living it today
In times of loss, let this verse comfort you: the essence of the one you love was never born and never dies.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 2.20?
The Self is never born and never dies. It did not come into being at some point, nor will it cease to be. Unborn, eternal, everlasting and ancient, it is not destroyed when the body is destroyed.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.20?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 2.20 in daily life?
In times of loss, let this verse comfort you: the essence of the one you love was never born and never dies.
Reflected on verse 2.20?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.