Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 18 (2.18)
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 18 (2.18)
अन्तवन्त इमे देहा नित्यस्योक्ताः शरीरिणः । अनाशिनोऽप्रमेयस्य तस्माद्युध्यस्व भारत | | २-१८ | |
antavanta ime dehā nityasyoktāḥ śharīriṇaḥ anāśhino’prameyasya tasmādyudhyasva bhārata
Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
- अतवत
(Antavantah)— अतवत(these bodies have an end) - इए
(ime)— इए(these bodies have an end) - एह
(dehah)— एह(these bodies have an end) -
njoined in nityasyoktāḥ - इति
(iti)— इस प्रकार(thus) -
asjoined in nityasyoktāḥ - यः
(yah)— जो(who) -
ktahjoined in nityasyoktāḥ - शइइन
(sharirinah)— आत्मा(of the eternal embodied self)
Line 2:
- अनइन
(anashinah)— अविनाशी(indestructible) - अरएयय
(aprameyasya)— अरएयय(immeasurable) - तस्मात्
(tasmat)— इसलिए(therefore) - युध्यस्व
(yudhyasva)— युद्ध करो(fight) - भारत
(Bharata)— हे भारत(addresses Arjuna)
English: Bodies are temporary, but the living self is eternal, indestructible, and immeasurable; so Arjuna should fight.
Learnings from Shloka 18:
- Impermanence of form:: The physical forms of life are bound to change and decay, but the underlying consciousness remains.
- Do your duty:: Knowing the eternal nature of the soul gives us the courage to perform our duties without being paralyzed by fear of loss.
Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz
Practice this shloka vocabularyMatch Sanskrit words from shloka 2.18 with their Hindi and English meanings.
Practice vocabulary
Since only the physical body is subject to birth and death while the soul remains eternal, Krishna urges Arjuna to perform his duty without fear. This teaching encourages action free from mortal anxiety.