Mahabharata Udyoga Parva – य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश चैनं मन्यते हतम

Shloka (श्लोक)

य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश चैनं मन्यते हतम
उभौ तौ न विजानीतॊ नायं हन्ति न हन्यते

⚡ Quick Meaning

This shloka conveys the idea that the soul cannot be killed or harmed, regardless of how one perceives death.

Translations

English Translation

The one who kills takes not the life of the eternal being, nor is he who thinks he has killed it aware of the truth. Both are ignorant of the eternal nature of the soul, which cannot be slayed nor slain.

हिंदी अनुवाद

जो व्यक्ति मारता है वह शाश्वत आत्मा की हत्या नहीं करता है और न ही जो इसे मरा हुआ समझता है, वह सत्य को जानता है। दोनों आत्मा की शाश्वत प्रकृति से अनजान हैं, जिसे न तो मारा जा सकता है और न ही मारा गया है।

Commentary

Context

This verse comes in the dialogue of the Bhagavad Gita, addressing the confusion and fears surrounding killing and the essence of life during the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Meaning

The shloka emphasizes that the spiritual essence, or the self, is untouched by actions or perceptions of the physical realm, underscoring the concept of eternal truth.

Application

In applying this wisdom, one can find peace in the face of death or violence, understanding that the true self persists beyond physical existence.