Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 19 Meaning
He who takes the Self to be the slayer and he who thinks it is slain, neither of them knows. It does not slay, nor is it slain.
BG 2.19
य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश्चैनं मन्यते हतम्। उभौ तौ न विजानीतो नायं हन्ति न हन्यते
ya enaṁ vetti hantāraṁ yaśh chainaṁ manyate hatam ubhau tau na vijānīto nāyaṁ hanti na hanyate
Meaning
He who takes the Self to be the slayer and he who thinks it is slain, neither of them knows. It does not slay, nor is it slain.
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Explanation & Life Application
This verse from Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita highlights a practical insight: He who takes the Self to be the slayer and he who thinks it is slain, neither of them knows.
In The Yoga of Knowledge (Sankhya Yoga), Krishna explains Krishna begins his teachings about the eternal soul, the temporary body, and introduces the concept of selfless action.
— Explained by the Nitya Team
Chapter Context
Krishna begins his teachings about the eternal soul, the temporary body, and introduces the concept of selfless action.
Key themes in this chapter include Soul, Detachment, Karma Yoga, Self-realization.
When to Apply This Verse
- •When you need steadiness while dealing with soul
- •When practicing detachment amid uncertainty
- •When applying karma yoga to real-life choices
Verse FAQs
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Related Verses
BG 2.11
The Blessed Lord said, "You have grieved for those who should not be grieved for; yet, you speak words of wisdom. The wise grieve neither for the living nor for the dead."
BG 2.12
Nor, at any time, was I not, nor thou, nor these rulers of men; nor, verily, shall we ever cease to be hereafter.
BG 1.1
Dhritarashtra said, "What did my people and the sons of Pandu do when they had assembled together, eager for battle, on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?"
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