Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 19 (BG 2.19) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

2.19 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.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)

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

The atman, being eternal and unchanging, is neither slain nor does it slay. Those who believe the atman is destroyed with the body's destruction, and those who think it is the destroyer—both are ignorant of the atman's true nature and speak in vain. It is the body that perishes; the notion "I am the slayer" belongs to the ego-bound soul. The conscious atman, which illuminates both body and ego, is distinct from both. In essence, the atman is neither the agent of any action nor the object upon which action is performed—no action whatsoever can touch it. How the atman remains unchanging shall be revealed in the verse that follows.