Chapter 2 Verse 20
Sānkhya Yog
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचि न्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः। अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे।।2.20।।
na jāyate mriyate vā kadāchin nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ ajo nityaḥ śhāśhvato ’yaṁ purāṇo na hanyate hanyamāne śharīre
Word Meanings
| na jāyate | is not born |
| mriyate | dies |
| vā | or |
| kadāchit | at any time |
| na | not |
| ayam | this |
| bhūtvā | having once existed |
| bhavitā | will be |
| vā | or |
| na | not |
| bhūyaḥ | further |
| ajaḥ | unborn |
| nityaḥ | eternal |
| śhāśhvataḥ | immortal |
| ayam | this |
| purāṇaḥ | the ancient |
| na hanyate | is not destroyed |
| hanyamāne | is destroyed |
| śharīre | when the body |
Translation
It is not born, nor does it ever die; after having been, it again does not cease to be; unborn, eternal, changeless, and ancient, it is not killed when the body is killed.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says that the true self (the soul) is not born and does not die. It exists before the body and continues after the body ends.
The soul is described as unborn, eternal, and unchanged. When the body is destroyed, the inner self remains untouched.
Knowing this helps us see life and death as changes in form, not the end of our true being. It brings calm in the face of loss and change.
Life Application
- When you feel anxious about loss or change, pause and breathe, remembering you are more than your body or role.
- Treat the body as a temporary instrument: care for it, but do not base your identity on it.
- Act with less fear of outcomes; focus on right action rather than clinging to results.
Reflection Question
How would one small choice today change if you truly felt yourself to be unchanging beyond the body?