In Bhagavad Gita 2.18, Krishna says that these bodies of the eternal, indestructible and immeasurable Self have an end, and therefore Arjuna should fight.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अन्तवन्त इमे देहा
नित्यस्योक्ताः शरीरिणः
अनाशिनोऽप्रमेयस्य
तस्माद्युध्यस्व भारत ॥ २-१८ ॥
antavanta ime dehā
nityasyoktāḥ śarīriṇaḥ
anāśino’prameyasya
tasmādyudhyasva bhārata
English transliteration antavanta ime dehaa
nityasyoktaah shareerinah
anaashino’prameyasya
tasmaadyudhyasva bhaarata ॥ 2.18 ॥
Translation / Meaning
These bodies are said to have an end, but the embodied Self is eternal, indestructible and immeasurable. Therefore fight, O descendant of Bharata.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अन्तवन्तः antavantaḥ | having an end |
| इमे ime | these |
| देहाः dehāḥ | bodies |
| नित्यस्य nityasya | of the eternal |
| उक्ताः uktāḥ | are said |
| शरीरिणः śarīriṇaḥ | of the embodied Self |
| अनाशिनः anāśinaḥ | of the indestructible |
| अप्रमेयस्य aprameyasya | of the immeasurable |
| तस्मात् tasmāt | therefore |
| युध्यस्व yudhyasva | fight |
| भारत bhārata | O descendant of Bharata |
Word-wise Chanting
- an–ta–van–ta i–me de–hā 8 syllables an-ta-van-ta i-me de-haa
- nit–yas–yok–tāḥ śa–rī–ri–ṇaḥ | 8 syllables nit-yas-yok-taah sha-ree-ri-nah
- a–nā–śi–no–‘pra–me–yas–ya 8 syllables a-naa-shi-no-‘pra-me-yas-ya
- tas–mād–yudh–yas–va bhā–ra–ta || 2-18 8 syllables tas-maad-yudh-yas-va bhaa-ra-ta
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 2 Verse 18
Context
Krishna draws the first practical conclusion from his teaching on the Self (2.12–2.17).
Meaning
The verse contrasts two realities: bodies that end and the embodied one who is eternal, indestructible and aprameya, beyond measurement and objectification. From this follows the instruction: fight. Krishna is not glorifying violence; he is removing the false basis of Arjuna’s refusal, which rested on mistaking bodies for the Self.
The word “therefore” is important. Right action follows from right understanding. Once Arjuna sees that his duty does not touch the essence of anyone, he can act from clarity rather than from fear. The battlefield is also a symbol of every situation where duty asks us to act despite our attachments.
In Practice
Before doing a difficult but right task, remind yourself that your deepest self, and that of everyone involved, is not threatened by it. Then act calmly.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.