Srimad Bhagavad Gita Shloka 2.20

Shloka 2.20

“The soul is never born nor dies; it is eternal, ever-existing, and primeval; it is not slain when the body is slain.”
Key Teaching: The soul’s eternal nature transcends birth and death.
Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Spirituality.
Description:
Krishna teaches that the soul is never born nor dies, being eternal, ever-existing, and primeval, unaffected by the body’s death. This verse elaborates 2.12–19, countering Arjuna’s grief over killing kin (1.28–46). The themes of guidance, as Krishna instructs, dharma, as he supports Arjuna’s duty, and spirituality, as he emphasizes the soul’s eternity, are central.

In the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s despair reflects attachment to kin’s bodies (1.26–27). Krishna’s teaching that the soul transcends death contrasts with Duryodhana’s material focus (1.3–11), urging Arjuna to fight without fear of causing permanent harm. This perspective aligns with his Kshatriya duty.

Philosophically, this verse addresses the human fear of death, a theme Krishna refines with teachings on detachment (2.47). Arjuna’s grief complicates his dharma, as attachment hinders action, necessitating Krishna’s guidance on the soul’s permanence. The theme of spirituality underscores the *Gita*’s focus on eternal truth.

Sanjaya’s narration frames Krishna’s teaching objectively, highlighting its profundity. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s challenges, where understanding the soul’s eternity resolves fears. Krishna’s teaching prepares readers for performing duty with detachment, focusing on the eternal self.