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The Body is Dispositional.

            Krishna explains that all material bodies (dehah) are antavantah, which means perishable and temporary. As with all material objects, the human body is subject to birth, growth, decay, and death. This is in accordance with the law of impermanence in nature; everything that’s material or “name and form” is bound to come to an end, even the material human body. Krishna tells Arjuna that the physical body one day dies, so naturally there is no need to mourn its death! Death is just a passage, not a termination.

The Soul: Everlasting and Eternal

            Though the body is transitory, the soul (sharirinah) that dwells in it is eternal (nityasya), indestructible (anashinah), and immeasurable (aprameyasya). In Hindu philosophy, the Atman is an eternal entity that does not die nor is it born, so this idea is very essential. It is immortal and eternal, the higher consciousness that is beyond the body, that cannot be destroyed by death or suffering. Even if their bodies were to perish in the battle, Krishna would want Arjuna to know that their souls live on. Since the soul is divine, being part of God, it cannot undergo any material destruction or disintegration.

The Call to Duty (Dharma)

            Krishna urges Arjuna to do his duty (yudhyasva – you fight), as the soul is eternal and the body is temporary. Arjuna is a Kshatriya (one of the four classes or varnas in Hindu society) so his dharma (duty) to fight for what is righteous and just. To hesitate out of fondness is not his business.

            In this scripture Krishna advises Arjuna that it is unwise to grieve the loss of perishable bodies, which is an inevitable part of life. Rather, let him be above sorrow and do what is right. This strengthens the idea of karma yoga: one must perform without attachment to the outcome.

Key Takeaways

The body is temporary, while the Atma is eternal: Death is not the end, no, simply the switching of the soul from body A to body B. This is consistent with the philosophy of reincarnation in Hinduism.

The Spirit is Indestructible: The soul is immutable and cannot be destroyed or burned like the body. This means it cannot be measured (aprameya), and not completely understood (aganma) through worldly means.

Do your duty without having any attachment to your work: Krishna instructs Arjuna to fight, as it is the duty of a warrior. Karma Yoga essentially means to work without being attached to this work, to perform your duty wisely. Cast one’s emotions aside when it comes to performing the right course of action.

Philosophical Perspective

Amidst all of these is the fundamental teaching of the Bhagavad Gita, that says:

Vedantic Perspectives: The idea that the core of the soul is imperishable aligns with Advaita Vedanta, wherein the soul (Atman) is equated with Brahman (Supreme Consciousness), implying they are one and the same and ever-existent.

Action & Detachment: Krishna emphasizes detachment, or acting according to one’s dharma, which leads to the notion of karma philosophy whereby you should not be attached to the results of your actions.

Freedom from Fear of Death: When one comprehends that the soul is everlasting, one frees immaterial dimensions from the worry of death, he/she enhances their spiritual wisdom and inner strength.

            TThis verse 2.18 from the Bhagavad Gita, teaches about the difference between the temporary body and eternal soul. Krishna reminds Arjuna that while the physical body can die, the soul will not be affected. So do not mourn over what cannot be helped but accord with duty wisdom and apathy. And this too is a lesson not only for Arjuna, but for each of us, to help us transcend the entanglements of this world and perform our duty without attachment and indomitable faith.