Verse 18
antavanta ime dehā
nityasyoktāḥ śarīriṇaḥ
anāśino ‘prameyasya
tasmād yudhyasva bhārata
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- antavantaḥ — perishable / having an end
- ime — these
- dehāḥ — bodies
- nityasya — of the eternal
- uktāḥ — are said / described
- śarīriṇaḥ — of the embodied (soul)
- anāśinaḥ — indestructible
- aprameyasya — immeasurable / inconceivable
- tasmāt — therefore
- yudhyasva — do your duty and fight
- bhārata — O descendant of Bharata / Arjuna
These bodies are perishable, but the Self dwelling in them is eternal, indestructible, and immeasurable. Therefore, O Bharata, fight!
Expanded Meaning:
Lord Krishna clarifies to Arjuna the distinction between the body and the soul. The body is temporary, subject to decay, and bound by time. In contrast, the soul (ātman) is eternal, deathless, and beyond comprehension.
Since the real Self is unaffected by physical destruction, Krishna urges Arjuna to fulfill his duty without sorrow or fear.
Contextual Analysis:
- “Antavanta ime dehāḥ” — These Bodies Are Perishable
- The human body, like all matter, has a finite life.
- It undergoes birth, growth, decay, and death — a temporary vessel for the soul.
- “Nityasya uktāḥ śarīriṇaḥ” — But the Indweller Is Eternal
- The soul (śarīrī) is nitya (eternal) — not bound by time or space.
- It uses the body for a period and then moves on, like changing clothes.
- “Anāśinaḥ aprameyasya” — Indestructible and Incomprehensible
- Anāśinaḥ: Cannot be destroyed — not by weapons, fire, or decay.
- Aprameya: Beyond perception and measurement — it cannot be fully grasped by the senses or intellect.
- “Tasmād yudhyasva Bhārata” — Therefore, Fight O Arjuna
- Having understood that the soul is eternal, Krishna tells Arjuna to act without attachment.
- Duty (svadharma) must be performed, not abandoned due to delusion or sorrow.
Philosophical Interpretation:
- This verse teaches Vedantic duality between the body (temporary) and the Self (eternal).
- Fear of death or violence arises when we identify solely with the body.
- Real wisdom is knowing the soul is untouched by physical happenings — a shift from material to spiritual identity.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dehāḥ (Bodies) | Temporary vehicles for the soul |
| Śarīriṇaḥ (Embodied) | The immortal Self residing in each living being |
| Antavantaḥ | All things born must perish — including human forms |
| Anāśinaḥ | The soul is beyond destruction |
| Aprameyasya | True Self is infinite and cannot be confined to concepts |
| Yudhyasva | Do your righteous duty without attachment or fear |
Modern-Day Relevance:
- In today’s world, fear of loss—of health, loved ones, or security—often overwhelms us.
- This verse reminds us that what is truly “us” cannot be destroyed.
- Embracing this truth can:
- Bring inner resilience during grief or crisis.
- Encourage action without fear, knowing the eternal cannot be harmed.
- Help shift focus from body-attachment to soul-realization.
Reflection Questions:
Do I identify myself as a body, or as the unchanging Self within?
When faced with change or loss, can I remember that the eternal remains untouched?
Am I avoiding my duty or calling due to fear or emotional pain?
How can I align my actions with the understanding of the eternal Self?
Conclusion:
Krishna compassionately teaches Arjuna that grief over bodily death is misplaced, because the Self is neither born nor does it die. The impermanence of the body should not deter one from performing righteous action.
This verse is a call to courage and clarity — an invitation to act in the world with spiritual wisdom, seeing beyond form and time into the reality of the eternal Self.