Chapter 2 – Sāṅkhya Yoga

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 17

अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ।
विनाशमव्ययस्यास्य न कश्चित्कर्तुमर्हति ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

avināśi tu tad viddhi
yena sarvam idaṁ tatam
vināśam avyayasyāsya
na kaścit kartum arhati

Word Meanings

avināśi—imperishabletu—buttat—thatviddhi—know ityena—by whomsarvam—all of the bodyidam—thistatam—pervadedvināśam—destructionavyayasya—of the imperishableasya—of itna kaścit—no onekartum—to doarhati—is able.

Translation

The imperishable (avināśi) is that which pervades the entire body. No one can destroy this unchanging reality.

Commentary

Krishna now deepens the distinction introduced in the previous verse. After explaining ‘sat’ (the real) and ‘asat’ (the unreal), He identifies the real as that which is all-pervading and indestructible. This refers to the self, ‘atman’, which exists within the body but is not limited by it.

While the body undergoes change and eventual destruction, the self remains untouched and indestructible. It cannot be cut, destroyed, or diminished in any way. Arjuna’s confusion arises because he is focusing on the destruction of the body, while Krishna is pointing toward that which cannot be destroyed at all.

This shifts the perspective from loss to understanding—what truly exists is never subject to destruction.

Administrative Reflection

This verse highlights the importance of identifying what is truly stable and enduring. In complex situations, individuals may become overly focused on changing conditions and visible outcomes. However, clarity comes from recognizing the underlying constants that remain unaffected.

In leadership and public responsibility, the ability to distinguish between what can change and what must be preserved is essential for consistent and principled action.

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Chapter 2 – Sāṅkhya Yoga — All Verses

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