Verse 2.21
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
वेदाविनाशिनं नित्यं य एनमजमव्ययम्। कथं स पुरुषः पार्थ कं घातयति हन्ति कम्॥
Transliteration (IAST)
vedāvināśinaṁ nityaṁ ya enam ajam avyayam kathaṁ sa puruṣaḥ pārtha kaṁ ghātayati hanti kam
Word-by-Word Meanings
veda-knows
avināśinam-indestructible
nityam-eternal
ajam-unborn
avyayam-immutable
Translation
One who knows the Self to be indestructible, eternal, unborn, and immutable - how can that person kill anyone or cause anyone to be killed, O Partha?
Commentary
Krishna draws the logical conclusion from the preceding metaphysical analysis. If the Self cannot be destroyed, then the concept of 'killing' applies only to the body, not to the person. This knowledge liberates the knower from the guilt of action performed in accordance with duty.
Themes
atmanjnanakarma