Srimad Bhagavad Gita Shloka 2.21

Shloka 2.21

“O Arjuna, knowing the soul as indestructible, eternal, unborn, and unchanging, how can one kill or cause to be killed?”
Key Teaching: The soul’s indestructibility negates the act of killing.
Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Spirituality.
Description:
Krishna asks Arjuna how one can kill or cause killing, given the soul’s indestructible, eternal, unborn, and unchanging nature. This verse, building on 2.12–20, directly challenges Arjuna’s fear of killing kin (1.28–46). The themes of guidance, as Krishna clarifies, dharma, as he supports Arjuna’s duty, and spirituality, as he emphasizes the soul’s nature, are central.

In the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s guilt over killing Bhishma and Drona (1.26–27) stems from attachment. Krishna’s rhetorical question contrasts with Duryodhana’s ambition (1.3–11), urging Arjuna to fight without guilt, as the soul remains unaffected. This aligns with his Kshatriya duty, removing moral obstacles.

Philosophically, this verse addresses the human misconception of causing harm, a theme Krishna refines with teachings on the eternal self (2.47). Arjuna’s fear complicates his dharma, necessitating Krishna’s guidance on the soul’s invulnerability. The theme of spirituality underscores the soul’s transcendence over physical acts.

Sanjaya’s narration frames Krishna’s question objectively, emphasizing its logical clarity. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s duties, where understanding the soul’s nature resolves guilt. Krishna’s teaching prepares readers for performing duty with detachment, free from fear of consequences.