Verse 25
avyakto’yam acintyo’yam avikāryo’yam ucyate
tasmād evaṁ viditvainam nānuśocitum arhasi
(Word-by-Word Meaning):
- avyaktaḥ ayam — this (soul) is unmanifested, beyond perception
- acintyaḥ ayam — this (soul) is inconceivable, beyond thought
- avikāryaḥ ayam — this (soul) is immutable, unchanging
- ucyate — is said to be
- tasmāt — therefore
- evaṁ viditvā — having known thus
- enam — this (soul)
- na anuśocitum arhasi — you should not grieve
This soul is said to be unmanifest, inconceivable, and unchangeable. Therefore, knowing it as such, you should not lament.
Expanded Commentary:
In continuation of the previous verses, Lord Krishna further describes the spiritual nature of the soul (आत्मा):
- अव्यक्त (Avyakta) – The soul cannot be perceived through material senses. It is not an object of ordinary perception. Like the wind or space, but subtler still, it cannot be seen or touched.
- अचिन्त्य (Acintya) – The soul is beyond logic or intellectual speculation. One cannot reach the ātman through argument or reasoning alone; it must be realized through inner awakening.
- अविकार्य (Avikārya) – The soul is changeless. While the body undergoes constant change—from childhood to old age—the soul remains the same throughout.
Having known these transcendental characteristics of the soul, Krishna advises Arjuna not to grieve. Mourning over the inevitable loss or change of the body reflects ignorance of the soul’s eternal nature.
Philosophical Insight:
This verse reflects key Vedantic ideas:
- The ātman is beyond sensory experience (avyakta), beyond intellectual comprehension (acintya), and beyond material transformation (avikārya).
- Emphasizes self-realization over theoretical understanding.
- Invites a shift in identity: from body-mind to soul.
Symbolic Significance:
| Term | Symbolizes |
|---|---|
| Avyakta (Unmanifest) | Soul is beyond physical vision and sensory domain |
| Acintya (Inconceivable) | Soul is beyond logic and mental constructs |
| Avikārya (Immutable) | Soul never ages, suffers, or alters |
Practical Application:
- This teaching helps us deal with grief, death, and change in life.
- By realizing that the core of our being is unchangeable, we gain mental peace and spiritual resilience.
- Encourages dispassion (vairāgya) and a steadfast intellect (sthita-prajña) in the face of life’s challenges.
Reflection Questions:
What does it mean in daily life to view oneself as beyond change?
Can I begin to loosen my identity with my body and thoughts?
How might realizing my eternal nature reduce my fears?
Conclusion:
Lord Krishna lovingly and logically dismantles Arjuna’s grief by presenting the eternal and subtle nature of the soul. Since the self cannot be destroyed, perceived, or altered, there is no cause for lamentation. This wisdom becomes a spiritual armor, enabling us to face the world with clarity, courage, and detachment.