Chapter 2 Verse 25
Sānkhya Yog
अव्यक्तोऽयमचिन्त्योऽयमविकार्योऽयमुच्यते। तस्मादेवं विदित्वैनं नानुशोचितुमर्हसि।।2.25।।
avyakto ’yam achintyo ’yam avikāryo ’yam uchyate tasmādevaṁ viditvainaṁ nānuśhochitum arhasi
Word Meanings
| avyaktaḥ | unmanifested |
| ayam | this soul |
| achintyaḥ | inconceivable |
| ayam | this soul |
| avikāryaḥ | unchangeable |
| ayam | this soul |
| uchyate | is said |
| tasmāt | therefore |
| evam | thus |
| viditvā | having known |
| enam | this soul |
| na | not |
| anuśhochitum | to grieve |
| arhasi | befitting |
Translation
This Self is said to be unmanifested, unthinkable, and unchangeable. Therefore, knowing this to be so, you should not grieve.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
The verse teaches that the true Self (ātman) is beyond the body and mind. It is unmanifested (not a visible form), beyond full understanding, and does not change. This means the Self does not birth or die like bodies do.
Because the deepest part of you is constant and untouched by loss, grief that comes from identifying only with the body or roles is misplaced. When you truly know yourself as steady and unchanging, fear and sorrow over passing events lessen.
Knowing this does not make you cold; it gives a calm strength. You can act with care and love while accepting change, because you are rooted in something that remains whole through every situation.
Life Application
- When you feel strong grief or fear, pause, breathe, and remind yourself that your true Self is not the changing body or emotions.
- Practice short daily awareness (1–5 minutes) noticing that sensations, thoughts, and roles come and go—this helps reduce over-identification with them.
- In loss or change, continue to care and act kindly, but accept outcomes as part of change rather than as a final end to who you are.
Reflection Question
When I face loss, how much do I identify myself with my body, roles, or emotions instead of the steady Self?