2.25 avyakthO ’yam achinthyO ’yam

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Chapter 2

<< Chapter 2 verse 24

SlOkam – Original

avyakthO ’yam achinthyO ’yam avikAryO ’yam uchyathE |
thasmAdh Evam vidhithvainam nAnuSochithum arhasi ||

word-by-word meaning

ayam – This AthmA
avyaktha: – invisible (as [against] some one who is mortal[/visible])
ayam – he is
achinthya: – inconceivable (as having the qualities of mortal entities)
ayam – he is
avikArya: – incorruptible
uchyathE – said to be.
thasmAth – Thus
Enam – him
Evam – in this manner
vidhithvA – knowing him
anuSOchithum na arhasi – you should not grieve;

Simple Translation

This AthmA is said to be invisible (as [against] someone who is mortal[/visible]), inconceivable (as having the qualities of mortal entities) and incorruptible. Thus, knowing him in this manner, you should not grieve.

Rendering based on ALkoNdavilli gOvindhAchArya swAmy’s English translation of gIthA bhAshyam

‘This is described as indiscrete, inconceivable, and incorruptible. Knowing this to be so, you have no cause for regret.’

Avyakta = indiscrete or indiscernible, because ātmā is such an entity as cannot be palpably demonstrated like the proof that can be given of physical things subjected to the operations of division (by weapons) etc.; ātmā is dissimilar to such perceptible things. (So ātmā is not a percept).

Achintya = inconceivable, because it is impossible to think of it as of this or that quality, which is familiar to us as belonging to this or that substance. It differs from all existences and is a unique category by itself. (So ātmā is not a concept). And therefore it is avikārya = incorruptible, i.e., intransmutable or unmodifiable. Knowing ātmā to be such, you (Arjuna) have no cause for grief!

>> Chapter 2 verse 26

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