Bhagavad Gita Quotes on Death
6 powerful verses on death
The Bhagavad Gita offers the most comprehensive spiritual teachings on death found in any scripture. Krishna reveals that the soul is eternal, death is merely a transition, and understanding this truth frees us from fear and grief.
Key Verses on Death
BG 2.13
“As the embodied soul continuously passes from childhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death.”
देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा।...
Read full verse →BG 2.20
“The soul is never born and never dies. It is eternal, primeval, unborn, and undying.”
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचि...
Read full verse →BG 2.22
“As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul accepts new bodies, giving up old and useless ones.”
वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय...
Read full verse →BG 2.27
“For one who is born, death is certain; and for one who dies, birth is certain. Therefore, you should not grieve.”
जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च।...
Read full verse →BG 8.5
“Whoever, at the end of life, quits the body remembering Me alone, attains My nature.”
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम्।...
Read full verse →BG 8.6
“Whatever state of being one remembers when quitting the body, that state one will attain without fail.”
यं यं वापि स्मरन्भावं त्यजत्यन्ते कलेवरम्।...
Read full verse →How to Apply These Teachings
Overcome fear of death by understanding the soul's eternal nature. Live each day as if it could be your last, performing your duties without attachment. Practice remembering the Divine, especially as life ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Gita say about what happens after death?
The Gita teaches that the eternal soul (atman) leaves the body at death and takes a new body based on its karma and consciousness at death. One who remembers God attains the divine abode; others continue the cycle of rebirth.
How can the Gita help overcome fear of death?
By understanding that you are not the body but the eternal soul, death loses its terror. The Gita's teaching that the soul is 'unborn and undying' (2.20) and death is like changing clothes (2.22) transforms our perspective.
What should I think about at the time of death?
Krishna teaches that one's thoughts at death determine the next destination (8.6). Therefore, one should practice remembering God throughout life so that this remembrance comes naturally at the end.
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