In Bhagavad Gita 2.25, Krishna says the Self is unmanifest, unthinkable and unchanging, and therefore, knowing it so, Arjuna should not grieve.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अव्यक्तोऽयमचिन्त्योऽयम्
अविकार्योऽयमुच्यते
तस्मादेवं विदित्वैनं
नानुशोचितुमर्हसि ॥ २-२५ ॥
avyakto’yamacintyo’yam
avikāryo’yamucyate
tasmādevaṃ viditvainaṃ
nānuśocitumarhasi
English transliteration avyakto’yamachintyo’yam
avikaaryo’yamuchyate
tasmaadevam viditvainam
naanushochitumarhasi ॥ 2.25 ॥
Translation / Meaning
It is said to be unmanifest, unthinkable and unchangeable. Therefore, knowing it to be so, you should not grieve.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अव्यक्तः avyaktaḥ | unmanifest |
| अयम् ayam | this |
| अचिन्त्यः acintyaḥ | unthinkable |
| अयम् ayam | this |
| अविकार्यः avikāryaḥ | unchangeable |
| अयम् ayam | this |
| उच्यते ucyate | is said |
| तस्मात् tasmāt | therefore |
| एवम् evam | thus |
| विदित्वा viditvā | knowing |
| एनम् enam | this |
| न na | not |
| अनुशोचितुम् anuśocitum | to grieve |
| अर्हसि arhasi | you ought |
Word-wise Chanting
- av–yak–to–‘ya–ma–cin–tyo–‘yam– 8 syllables av-yak-to-‘ya-ma-chin-tyo-‘yam-
- a–vi–kār–yo–‘ya–muc–ya–te | 8 syllables a-vi-kaar-yo-‘ya-much-ya-te
- tas–mā–de–vaṃ vi–dit–vai–naṃ 8 syllables tas-maa-de-vam vi-dit-vai-nam
- nā–nu–śo–ci–tu–mar–ha–si || 2-25 8 syllables naa-nu-sho-chi-tu-mar-ha-si
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 25
Context
Krishna concludes his description of the Self (2.23–2.25) and returns to Arjuna’s grief.
Meaning
The Self is avyakta, not visible to the senses; acintya, beyond the reach of thought; avikārya, not subject to change. It is not an object to be seen or thought about, but the very subject that sees and thinks. Knowing this, grief over its loss is misplaced, for it cannot be lost.
“Unthinkable” does not mean unknowable. The Self is known not as an object but by being it, in the direct awareness that remains when thought is quiet. The practical conclusion is gentle: you need not grieve. Understanding, not suppression, is the Gita’s remedy for sorrow.
In Practice
Try to think of the one who is thinking. Notice that it cannot be found as a thought, yet it is undeniably present. Rest there for a few breaths.
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.