"Na jāyate mriyate vā kadāchin
Nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ
Ajo nityaḥ śhāśhvato ’yaṁ purāṇo
Na hanyate hanyamāne śharīre"
Translation in English:
"The soul is never born and never dies; nor does it ever become, having once existed, it will never cease to be. The soul is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain."
Meaning in Hindi:
"आत्मा कभी न जन्मता है और न मरता है; न वह कभी होता है और न कभी नहीं होता है। वह अजन्मा, नित्य, शाश्वत, पुराणा है। शरीर की हत्या होने पर भी वह नष्ट नहीं होता।"
In this profound verse, Lord Krishna reveals the eternal nature of the soul. He says that the soul is neither born nor dies. It never arises or ceases to exist. The soul is beyond the cycle of birth and death. It is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primordial. Lord Krishna emphasizes the timeless existence of the soul which transcends the boundaries of time and space. The soul is not destroyed when the physical body is destroyed. It remains unchanged and continues its eternal journey.
This verse gives a deep understanding of the nature of the soul. It teaches us that our true self is eternal and indestructible. Our physical body may experience birth and death, but the essence of who we are, the soul, remains unchanging and eternal.
By recognizing the immortal nature of the soul, we can develop a sense of detachment from the temporary nature of the physical world. We can find comfort in realizing that our true identity lies beyond the temporary experiences and challenges of life.
Lord Krishna's teachings in this verse encourage us to seek a deeper connection with our eternal nature and to live in harmony with our true nature. Understanding the eternal nature of the soul helps us overcome the cycles of fear, attachment and birth and death, leading to spiritual growth and ultimate liberation.