BG 2.26
Even if you think of this soul as constantly cycling through birth and death, even then you should not grieve.
तथापि त्वं महाबाहो नैवं शोचितुमर्हसि
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atha — if, however
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chainaṁ — and this
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cha — and
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enam — this
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nitya-jātaṁ — taking constant birth
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nitya — eternal, permanent
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jātaṁ — brought into existence
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nityaṁ — always
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vā — or
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manyase — you think
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mṛitam — dead
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tathāpi — even then
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tatha — thus
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api — even
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tvaṁ — you
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mahā-bāho — Arjuna
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mahā — great, mighty
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bāho — arms
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naivaṁ — not like this
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na — not
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evam — like this
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śhochitum — grieve
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arhasi — befitting
Even if you think of this soul as constantly cycling through birth and death, even then you should not grieve. For one who has been born, death is certain. For one who dies, rebirth is certain. Therefore, you should not grieve over the inevitable. All beings have an unknown beginning, a known middle, and an unknown end. What is there to grieve in this?
Similar verses
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This soul is said to be unchanging and inconceivable. Therefore, knowing this, you have no reason to grieve.
- Verse 2.25
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The soul is always immortal, and therefore, you should not mourn for any living beings.
- Verse 2.30
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For one who has been born, death is certain. For one who dies, rebirth is certain. Therefore, you should not grieve over the inevitable.
- Verse 2.27
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Just as the soul travels in one body from childhood and youth into old age, it passes into a new body after one's death - the wise have no delusions about this.
- Verse 2.13