"Ya enaṁ vetti hantāraṁ yaśh chainaṁ manyate hatam
Ubhau tau na vijānīto nāyaṁ hanti na hanyate"
Translation in English:
"He who thinks that the soul can kill and he who thinks that the soul can be killed, both of them are ignorant. The soul neither kills nor is killed."
Meaning in Hindi:
"जो जीवात्मा इसे मारता मानता है और जो जीवात्मा मारा जाता मानता है, वे दोनों मूर्ख हैं। जीवात्मा न तो किसी को मारता है और न मारा जाता है।"
In this verse, Lord Krishna addresses the misconceptions about the soul's involvement in killing and being killed. He states that those who think that the soul can kill or be killed are ignorant. The soul is beyond killing or the actions of the slain.
Lord Krishna emphasizes the eternal and imperishable nature of the soul. The soul is a witness and an experiencer, but it does not participate in physical actions or suffer physical destruction. Changes in the material world do not affect it.
This verse teaches us the difference between an eternal soul and a physical body. It reminds us that our true nature is the immortal soul, neither the doer nor the receiver of physical harm. Understanding this truth helps us overcome the limitations of the physical realm and find inner peace and stability in the midst of life's challenges.
Lord Krishna guides Arjuna and all of us to realize our spiritual identity and detach ourselves from the temporary aspects of life. By recognizing the eternal nature of the soul, we can live wisely and act in harmony with our higher selves.