Shloka 24. Chapter 2

अच्छेद्योऽयमदाह्योऽयमक्लेद्योऽशोष्य एव च | नित्यः सर्वगतः स्थाणुरचलोऽयं सनातनः ||

Transliteration: acchedyo' yam adāhyo' yam akledyo' shoṣya eva ca
nityaḥ sarvagataḥ sthāṇur acalo' yam sanātanaḥ

Meaning: This soul (Atman) is unbreakable; it cannot be burned, dissolved in water, or dried by the wind. It is eternal, omnipresent, immovable, constant, and everlasting.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. At this point in the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna is confused and grieving over the prospect of fighting and killing his own kin. Lord Krishna uses this moment to impart spiritual wisdom to Arjuna, emphasizing the imperishable nature of the soul. The verse is a part of the explanation that the Atman, or the true self, is beyond physical destruction. Krishna wants Arjuna to understand that the body is temporary, but the soul is eternal and cannot be harmed by any physical means.

Explanation

In this shloka, Lord Krishna describes the indestructible nature of the soul (Atman). He clarifies that the soul is:

• Acchedya (Unbreakable): The soul cannot be cut or destroyed by any weapon.
• Adāhya (Incombustible): The soul cannot be burned by fire.
• Akledya (Insoluble): The soul cannot be dissolved by water.
• Aśoṣya (Un-dryable): The soul cannot be dried by the wind.

Further, the soul is described as Nitya (eternal), Sarvagata (all-pervading), Sthāṇu (immutable), Acala (immovable), and Sanātana (eternal). These qualities indicate that the soul exists beyond the physical and temporal limits of the material world.

Krishna's teaching is to remind Arjuna that the true self is beyond physical harm and that death only affects the physical body, not the soul. Understanding this eternal truth can help one rise above the fear and grief associated with death and destruction.

Today's context

Mr. Verma, an elderly father, feels deeply troubled by his son Rajesh's behavior. Since getting married, Rajesh has become solely focused on his nuclear family—his wife and child—seemingly neglecting his parents. Mr. Verma feels a sense of abandonment and sorrow, perceiving his son's actions as a loss of love and respect.

Overwhelmed by his emotions, Mr. Verma shares his feelings with a spiritual guide who listens patiently. The guide introduces him to a verse from the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Shloka 24, which speaks about the eternal nature of the soul. The guide explains that, unlike the soul, which is unbreakable, unaffected by fire, water, wind, or any physical force, relationships in the material world are fleeting and illusory. They are shaped by circumstances, desires, and attachments, all of which are temporary and ever-changing.

The guide emphasizes that Rajesh’s focus on his nuclear family is a part of the natural ebb and flow of life’s experiences. It reflects the transient nature of worldly relationships, which, like everything material, are bound by time and circumstance. The soul, however, remains untouched by these changes, unaffected by the joy or sorrow that stems from relationships. It is the observer of all experiences, not a participant swayed by them.

Hearing this, Mr. Verma begins to understand his son’s behavior from a different perspective. Instead of feeling hurt by what he perceives as rejection, he realizes that his attachment to this idea of a relationship is causing his suffering. He reflects on the teaching that while relationships are important in a social and familial context, they are ultimately momentary and not the true essence of one's existence. The soul's true nature is beyond these temporary bonds, unaffected by their outcomes.

Mr. Verma, adopting this wisdom, decides to focus on his inner peace and spiritual growth, recognizing that Rajesh’s current priorities are part of his life's journey. He begins to accept the momentary nature of all relationships and finds solace in the unchanging reality of the soul.

Highlights from Traditional commentaries

Sri Abhinavgupta:

Abhinavgupta emphasizes that the soul (Atman) is indestructible, unaffected by physical forces such as weapons, fire, water, or wind. He explains that the Atman is unmanifest, independent, and without parts, which makes it impossible to destroy. The soul does not undergo transformation or destruction, unlike the body, which is temporary and subject to constant change. This understanding leads to the conclusion that one should not grieve over bodily conditions, recognizing the soul's immutable nature.

Sri Jayatirtha:

Jayatirtha focuses on the soul's eternal nature, emphasizing that it is beyond the physical realm and not subject to destruction by any external force. He argues that the statements about the soul being unbreakable, incombustible, insoluble, and undryable indicate its unchanging nature, regardless of external circumstances. The commentary suggests that reiterating these attributes across different contexts aims to eliminate doubts about the soul's vulnerability, reinforcing its constant, imperishable nature.

Sri Madhusudana Saraswati:

Madhusudana Saraswati elaborates on the soul's intrinsic qualities, underscoring its eternal, all-pervading, stable, immovable, and ancient characteristics. He asserts that the soul is unaffected by physical elements and remains unaltered through birth, death, or any form of transformation. His interpretation emphasizes the soul's unchangeable essence, which is free from any form of decay or alteration, thereby reinforcing its indestructible and everlasting nature.

Sri Purushottamji:

Purushottamji highlights that the soul, characterized by its eternal nature, cannot be affected by external elements like cutting, burning, wetting, or drying. He attributes this to the soul's qualities of being omnipresent, stable, and unchanging. The commentary reflects on the soul’s immovability and timeless existence, suggesting that one should engage in actions without attachment or fear of loss, acknowledging the soul's true, unalterable nature.

Sri Shankaracharya:

Shankaracharya explains that the soul's indestructibility arises from its unchangeable nature, which is not influenced by any physical force. The Atman is described as eternal, omnipresent, steady, and immovable, characteristics that make it impervious to any form of destruction or modification. He points out that while the body undergoes birth and death, the soul remains constant, emphasizing the futility of grief over physical changes when the soul itself is beyond such conditions.

Sri Vallabhacharya:

Vallabhacharya focuses on negating the concept that the soul can be compared to anything material, like space. He argues that the soul's qualities of being eternal, unchanging, and unaffected by physical elements establish its distinctiveness from anything created or destroyed. The commentary reinforces that the soul, unlike the body or the physical universe, is eternal and uncreated, highlighting its transcendent and permanent nature.

Sri Anandgiri:

Anandgiri discusses the nature of the soul by elaborating on its eternal, unchanging, and indivisible aspects. He explains that the soul's indestructibility is not merely due to the absence of destructive agents but also due to its intrinsic qualities, such as being beyond all physical properties. The soul’s eternal and all-pervading nature underscores its independence from any external influence, reflecting its true, indestructible essence.

Sri Dhanpati:

Dhanpati emphasizes that the soul cannot be destroyed or affected by external elements due to its inherent nature of being eternal, all-pervading, stable, and immovable. He highlights that these qualities make the soul distinct from the body and other material entities, which are temporary and subject to change. The commentary suggests that understanding these attributes helps one transcend attachment to the physical form and recognize the true, unchanging self.

Sri Ramanuja:

Ramanuja interprets the verse by focusing on the soul's subtle nature, which prevents it from being affected by physical forces. He argues that the soul, being omnipresent and permeating all elements, remains untouched by them. The qualities of being eternal, steadfast, and unchangeable reinforce the soul's transcendence over all physical conditions, highlighting its pure, unaffected state amidst the temporal world.

Sri Sridhara Swami:

Sridhara Swami describes the soul as indivisible, beyond physical harm, and characterized by attributes like being eternal, all-pervading, and unchanging. He explains that these qualities prevent the soul from being subject to any form of destruction or alteration. His commentary underscores that the soul's true nature is beyond the temporary and perishable, aligning with its eternal, unmodifiable essence.

Sri Vedantadeshikacharya Venkatanatha:

Vedantadeshikacharya Venkatanatha discusses the importance of understanding the soul's qualities, such as its indestructibility, eternity, and immovability. He suggests that these attributes are fundamental to recognizing the soul's transcendence over the physical realm and its independence from material conditions. The commentary reinforces that the soul, unlike the body, remains unaffected by any external forces, solidifying its eternal and unchanging nature.

Knowledge Bank

Power of truth

He who follows the path of truth achieves greatness. Falsehood leads to ruin, but truth brings glory. – Mahabharata

Who is Goddess Aditi?

Aditi was one of Daksha Prajapati's daughters. Kashyapa Prajapati was her husband. The twelve Adityas are her sons. Mahavishnu also took avatara as her son - Vamana. Devaki, Krishna's mother, was an incarnation of Aditi.