Bhagavad Gita 2.19

Sankhya Yoga · English Translation

He who takes the Self to be the slayer and he who thinks It is slain, neither of them ï1knowsï1. It slays not, nor is It slain.

Sanskrit

य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश्चैनं मन्यते हतम् | उभौ तौ न विजानीतो नायं हन्ति न हन्यते ||२-१९||

Transliteration

ya enaṃ vetti hantāraṃ yaścainaṃ manyate hatam ubhau tau na vijānīto nāyaṃ hanti na hanyate ||2-19||

What Does This Verse Mean?

In this verse, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that people who believe the soul can kill or be killed are fundamentally mistaken about reality. He explains that the true Self (Atman) is eternal and indestructible, meaning it exists beyond physical birth and death. Therefore, no one truly slays another person's essence, nor does any part of a living being ever cease to exist simply because their body dies.

The Teaching Behind It

This teaching is a cornerstone of Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge) within the broader framework of Sankhya philosophy presented by Krishna. It develops the concept of 'Akshara' (indestructible), distinguishing between the perishable physical body and the eternal, unchanging consciousness that animates it.

Word by Word

यः he who, एनम् this (Self), वेत्ति knows, हन्तारम् slayer, यः he who, च and, एनम् this, मन्यते thinks, हतम् slain, उभौ both, तौ those, न not, विजानीतः know, न not, अयम् this, हन्ति slays, न not, हन्यते is slain

Classical Commentary

-- The Self is nondoer (Akarta) and as It is immutable? It is neither the agent nor the object of the act of slaying. He who thinks I slay or I am slain with the body or the Ahamkara (ego), he does not really comprehend the true nature of the Self. The Self is indestructible. It exists in the three periods of time. It is Sat (Existence). When the body is destroyed, the Self is not destroyed. The body has to undergo change in any case. It is inevitable. But the Self is not at all affected by it. Verses 19? 20? 21? 23 and 24 speak of the immortality of the Self or Atman. (Cf. XVIII.17)

Where This Happens

This verse occurs on the battlefield of Kurukshetra during a moment of intense emotional paralysis for Arjuna. After Lord Krishna has begun his teachings by describing the eternal nature of the soul in verses 2.17 and 2.18, he continues to dismantle Arjuna's grief over fighting his own relatives. Arjuna is currently consumed by the fear that killing his kinsmen will result in a terrible sin where he becomes a murderer or causes others' destruction.

Living It Out Today

When you are facing a difficult decision at work that might involve laying off colleagues, remember that while jobs and roles change, the inherent worth of each person remains untouched by these organizational shifts. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, understand that their physical presence has ended, but the impact they made on your life and their essential spirit continue to exist without being destroyed. This perspective helps reduce anxiety about permanent losses and encourages focusing on how we act in the present moment rather than fearing irreversible damage.

Explained for Children

Imagine you are wearing your favorite raincoat while playing outside in the mud. When you get home, you take off the muddy coat and put on dry clothes; did the 'you' inside change or disappear? No! You just changed what you were wearing. Similarly, Krishna says our real self is like that inner 'you'. Our body might look different when we grow up or even stop moving eventually, but the real us never gets hurt or goes away.

Daily Reflection

Today, I invite you to let go of the heavy burden of thinking you are responsible for every outcome or a helpless victim of external forces. You are far greater than your circumstances; the essence within you cannot be harmed because it is eternal and beyond the realm of physical destruction. When fear arises that someone can 'take' something from you, remember that this true Self remains whole regardless of what happens in the world.

A Practice for Today

Sit quietly and gently release any identification with your physical body or the actions of others upon you. Visualize yourself not as the actor who kills nor the victim who dies, but as the silent, unchanging witness that remains untouched by life's changes.

Key Teachings

The Illusion of Mortality
Arjuna is being corrected for viewing death as a final event affecting the soul; Krishna reveals that mortality applies only to the body, not the spirit. To believe one can kill or be killed in an ultimate sense indicates a fundamental ignorance of our true nature.
The Witness Conscience
The Self is described as distinct from both the doer and the sufferer; it observes actions without being altered by them. This teaching shifts our identity from the transient physical form to the permanent consciousness that witnesses all change.
Transcending Duality
True wisdom lies in transcending the dualities of life and death, victory and defeat, which only exist for the body. By realizing we are neither slayer nor slain, one attains a state of fearlessness that is central to spiritual maturity.

Themes

the eternal selfdestruction and deathnon-violence in thoughtkarma yogatranscendental knowledgefearlessness

Related Verses

2.47 3.30 4.18 6.5 18.66

Read This Next

2.47 — This verse follows up by teaching how to act without attachment, a natural next step after realizing one's unchanging nature.
3.30 — It expands on the practical application of surrendering all actions to the Divine while maintaining that inner detachment described in verse 2.19.
12.15 — This passage describes the qualities of a devotee who has transcended fear and hatred, embodying the peace found when one stops identifying as a slayer or slain person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this verse mean violence is acceptable?

No, it does not justify violence. Instead, it clarifies that since the soul cannot be killed, one should perform their duty without attachment to the results or fear of causing spiritual death. Krishna later emphasizes performing actions as an offering (2.47) and with equanimity rather than acting out of hatred or anger.

Who is 'Ayam' referred to in this verse?

When one truly understands that the essence of a person is indestructible, the sorrow over death loses its power because there is no actual loss of life to mourn. This knowledge shifts focus from mourning the temporary departure of the body to appreciating the eternal nature of existence.

Is this teaching specific only to warriors or for everyone?

While spoken in a war context, Krishna's instruction is universal and applies to every human being regardless of their profession. The realization that one's true self is beyond birth and death provides peace and courage in all aspects of life, not just on the battlefield.

In Other Languages: Bhagavad Gita 2.19 →