Body Dies But The Dweller In It Is Immortal And Immeasurable – Bhagavad Gita

When the senses contact sense objects, we experience cold or heat, pleasure or pain. These are fleeting; they come and go. Bear them patiently.

The person who is unaffected by the sense objects, who is the same in pleasure and pain, is truly wise and fit for immortality. Assert your strength to realize this.

The impermanent has not reality; reality lies in the eternal. Those who have seen the boundary between these two have attained the end of all knowledge.

Realize that which pervades the universe and is indestructible; no power can affect this unchanging, imperishable Reality.

The body is mortal, but he who dwells in the body is said to be immortal and immeasurable.

Bhagavad Gita

Explanation - 

One of the central tenets in Bhagavad Gita is the idea that the body is mortal, but the soul, or the dweller within, is immortal and immeasurable. This concept is elucidated in various verses throughout the scripture, offering deep insights into the nature of existence, consciousness, and the eternal journey of the soul.

At the heart of the Bhagavad Gita is the dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, who serves as his charioteer and spiritual guide. Facing the dilemma of participating in a righteous war against his own kin, Arjuna is engulfed by doubt and moral confusion. In response, Lord Krishna imparts divine wisdom to Arjuna, unraveling the mysteries of life, duty, and the nature of the self.

The verse that encapsulates the idea of the immortal dweller within the mortal body is found in Chapter 2, Verse 20:

"na jayate mriyate va kadacin 
nayam bhutva bhavita va na bhuyah 
ajo nityah sasvato 'yam purano
na hanyate hanyamane sarire"

Translated, it means:

"For the soul, there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain."

This verse encapsulates the essence of the Gita's teaching on the immortality of the soul. It asserts that the soul is beyond the cycle of birth and death, untouched by the temporal nature of the physical body. While the body undergoes the processes of birth, growth, decay, and eventual death, the soul remains eternal and unchanging.

The Gita further elaborates on the nature of the soul by describing it as immutable, indestructible, and beyond the reach of physical elements. It is not subject to the limitations of time, space, or causality, but rather exists beyond the realm of material existence. This understanding of the soul as immortal and immeasurable offers solace and reassurance, reminding individuals of their inherent divinity and eternal nature.

The concept of the immortal soul has profound implications for how one perceives and interacts with the world. It inspires individuals to transcend the attachments and identifications with the transient aspects of life and instead focus on realizing their true nature as spiritual beings. By recognizing the eternal nature of the self, one can cultivate a sense of inner peace, resilience, and detachment from the fluctuations of worldly existence.

Moreover, the understanding of the immortal soul fosters a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all life forms. It encourages compassion, empathy, and reverence for the sanctity of life, recognizing that the same divine essence pervades all beings.

In conclusion, the Bhagavad Gita teaches that while the body is mortal and subject to the cycles of birth and death, the dweller within – the immortal soul – is eternal and immeasurable. This profound insight offers a timeless source of wisdom and guidance, empowering individuals to navigate the complexities of life with grace, wisdom, and spiritual insight.