Chapter 2, Verse 12 (Bhagavad Gita 2.12)
Chapter 2: Sānkhya Yog – Transcendental Knowledge
Sanskrit Shloka
न त्वेवाहं जातु नासं न त्वं नेमे जनाधिपाः। न चैव न भविष्यामः सर्वे वयमतः परम्
Transliteration
na tvevāhaṁ jātu nāsaṁ na tvaṁ neme janādhipāḥ na chaiva na bhaviṣhyāmaḥ sarve vayamataḥ param
Word Meanings
na—never; tu—however; eva—certainly; aham—I; jātu—at any time; na—nor; āsam—exist; na—nor; tvam—you; na—nor; ime—these; jana-adhipāḥ—kings; na—never; cha—also; eva—indeed; na bhaviṣhyāmaḥ—shall not exist; sarve vayam—all of us; ataḥ—from now; param—after
Translation
Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse reveals the eternal nature of the individual soul, asserting that consciousness is not a byproduct of the body but a permanent, unchanging reality. By shifting the perspective from the fleeting physical vessel to the immortal 'Self,' Krishna helps Arjuna transcend the fear of death and the trauma of loss. Practically, this teaches us to detach our identity from our temporary roles and circumstances, anchoring ourselves in the awareness of our inherent divinity. When we realize that the core of our being is indestructible, life's inevitable changes and endings lose their power to cause existential anxiety. This wisdom fosters an unshakable inner peace that remains steady amidst the ups and downs of worldly life.