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Bhagavad Gita 2.17 — Avinashi Tu Tad Viddhi

Bhagavad Gita 2.17 — Avinashi Tu Tad Viddhi in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Morning meditation or while contemplating the eternal nature of the soul·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 17

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

In this key verse of the Sankhya Yoga chapter, Krishna reveals the Self (Atman) as the indestructible reality that pervades the entire universe. Though bodies come and go, the changeless consciousness underlying all of existence can never be destroyed by anyone or anything. The verse turns Arjuna's attention from the perishable body to the imperishable spirit, establishing the immortality of the soul as the ground of fearless action.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 17 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the Sankhya Yoga chapter, Krishna lifts Arjuna out of grief on the field of Kurukshetra by unveiling the imperishable nature of the soul. After distinguishing the eternal from the transient, he declares that the reality pervading all things is indestructible and beyond the reach of any destroyer, freeing Arjuna to act without sorrow for the perishable body.

✦ As told in scripture

Spiritual masters across the ages have pointed to this verse as proof of the soul's immortality, and devotees recount that meditating upon 'avinashi tu tad viddhi' filled them with a fearless calm, as though the very ground of their being had revealed itself to be beyond all harm.

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The Mantra

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avināśhi tu tadviddhi yena sarvam idaṁ tatam vināśham avyayasyāsya na kaśhchit kartum arhati

Meaning:Know that to be indestructible by which all this is pervaded. No one is able to cause the destruction of that imperishable reality.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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avināśhi🔊indestructible, imperishable

tu🔊but, indeed

tat🔊that (the Self)

viddhi🔊know

yena🔊by which, by whom

sarvam🔊the entire, all

idam🔊this (universe)

tatam🔊pervaded, spread through

vināśham🔊destruction

avyayasya🔊of the imperishable, of the changeless

asya🔊of this (Self)

na kaśhchit🔊no one

kartum🔊to do, to cause

arhati🔊is able, is capable

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 2.17 — Avinashi Tu Tad Viddhi

✦

Awakens awareness of the eternal, indestructible Self within

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Removes the fear of death by revealing the soul's imperishability

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Grants deep peace by shifting identity from body to changeless spirit

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Strengthens faith in the all-pervading divine consciousness

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Supports Vedantic meditation on the immortal Atman

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Inspires fearless, righteous action grounded in the deathless Self

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 2.17 — Avinashi Tu Tad Viddhi

Repetitions11times

Best TimeMorning meditation or while contemplating the eternal nature of the soul

Chant this verse slowly, dwelling on the truth that the Self pervades all and can never be destroyed. With each repetition, let the sense of identity rest in the imperishable consciousness rather than the changing body. It is an ideal mantra for self-inquiry, for steadying the mind in times of fear, and for contemplative study of the soul's immortality.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Bhagavad Gita 2.17 — Avinashi Tu Tad Viddhi written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

Krishna teaches that the Self (Atman) — the consciousness that pervades the entire universe — is indestructible. No power can ever destroy this imperishable reality. Only the body is subject to destruction; the soul that animates it is eternal.

It refers to the Atman, the spiritual reality that underlies and permeates all of existence. Like space that pervades all objects yet is untouched by them, the Self pervades the body and the cosmos while remaining changeless and indestructible.

Verse 2.16 distinguishes the real from the unreal; verse 2.17 identifies that real, imperishable principle as the all-pervading Self. Together they establish that the eternal soul, not the perishable body, is our true nature.

By reminding us that our essential being can never be harmed or destroyed, the verse dissolves anxiety and fear of loss. It anchors the mind in an unshakable foundation, allowing us to act with courage and serenity even amid life's uncertainties.