Shrimad Bhagwat Gita : : 2.13

देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा |
तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति || 13||

dehino ’smin yathā dehe kaumāraṁ yauvanaṁ jarā
tathā dehāntara-prāptir dhīras tatra na muhyati

dehinaḥ—of the embodied; asmin—in this; yathā—as; dehe—in the body; kaumāram—childhood; yauvanam—youth; jarā—old age; tathā—similarly; deha-antara—another body; prāptiḥ—achieves; dhīraḥ—the wise; tatra—thereupon; na muhyati—are not deluded

2.13: Just as the embodied soul continuously passes from childhood to youth to old age, similarly, at the time of death, the soul passes into another body. Those who are wise are not mystified by this transition.

Continuing to speak about the eternal quality of the soul, Shri Krishna lays down the principle of the transmigration of the soul from one body to another. He explains that the body undergoes several transformations in one lifetime. It takes shape in the womb of the mother, is born, lives and constantly grows, constantly changing it reaches its peak and gradually starts to weaken. The body is continuously ageing and moving towards death. Having lived through its cycle of life it can no longer function, and finally dies.

The soul which is indestructible, which cannot be destroyed or diluted, which cannot be burned or buried, continues to live and enters another body. All souls exist forever in eternally separated bodies. Those who are wise and recognise this eternal truth are not surprised by this transition of the soul from one body to another.

The Gita’s philosophy and teachings have helped me understand much of what otherwise lay in the realm of the unexplained. More importantly, it has helped me come to terms with the finite nature of life on this earth, and simultaneously draw solace from accepting the infinite existence of the soul. It is reassuring to understand the significance of following one’s dharma (duty), performing good karma (deeds), while being engaged in the quest for gyan (knowledge) as one walks on in the hope of attaining moksha (salvation).

Shared here is a brief documentation of what this shloka of the Gita says to me.

Vandana R Singh
New Delhi, June 2020