Verse 25
jātasya hi dhruvo mṛtyur dhruvaṁ janma mṛtasya ca
tasmād aparihārye ‘arthe na tvaṁ śocitum arhasi
(Word-by-Word Meaning):
- jātasya — for one who is born
- hi — surely / indeed
- dhruvaḥ — certain / inevitable
- mṛtyuḥ — death
- dhruvaṁ — certain
- janma — birth
- mṛtasya ca — of the one who has died
- tasmāt — therefore
- aparihārye arthe — for something unavoidable / inevitable
- na — not
- tvaṁ — you
- śocitum arhasi — deserve to grieve
For one who has taken birth, death is certain, and for one who has died, rebirth is inevitable. Therefore, you should not grieve over that which is inevitable.
Expanded Commentary:
This verse further cements the theme of detachment from grief and the inevitability of the life-death cycle.
Lord Krishna says:
- Every being that is born will surely die.
- And every death will lead to another birth—this is the law of nature, the cycle of Samsāra.
- Hence, grieving over such a process is pointless and born of ignorance.
Key Philosophical Insight:
This verse highlights impermanence and certainty:
- Certainty of death for the born (जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्यु:)
- Certainty of rebirth for the dead (मृतस्य च ध्रुवं जन्म)
Thus, death and birth are not calamities—they are part of the natural cosmic rhythm.
Symbolic Meaning:
| Term | Represents |
|---|---|
| Jāta (Born) | Beginning of a conditioned, embodied life |
| Mṛtyu (Death) | Transformation; end of a life cycle |
| Dhruva (Certain) | The law of nature, unavoidable truths |
| Aparihārya (Inevitable) | That which cannot be avoided, no matter how powerful one may be |
| Śocitum (Grieve) | The futile sorrow that arises from misunderstanding impermanence |
Philosophical Insights:
- Impermanence is real – Life, death, rebirth — all are stages.
- Clinging to permanence in a world of change causes suffering.
- The wise do not mourn the transitions but accept them as natural.
Practical Application:
- When we understand that death is certain, we stop being afraid of it.
- This realization helps us live fully in the present without fear.
- Mourning excessively over a natural process delays inner growth.
Reflection Questions:
Am I emotionally prepared for the inevitable changes in life?
How can I transform the fear of death into spiritual clarity?
Do I cling to permanence in people, positions, or possessions?
Conclusion:
Krishna gently reminds Arjuna—and us—that life and death are two sides of the same coin. Since both are unavoidable, sorrow is misplaced. Wisdom lies in acceptance, not resistance. Understanding the transient nature of worldly existence sets the seeker free from emotional turmoil and brings them closer to spiritual equanimity.