श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता २.२७ — जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युः — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता २.२७ — जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युः
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
जातस्य
jātasya
for one who has been born
हि
hi
for, certainly
ध्रुवः
dhruvaḥ
certain, inevitable
मृत्युः
mṛityuḥ
death
ध्रुवम्
dhruvam
certain
जन्म
janma
birth
मृतस्य
mṛitasya
for the dead
च
cha
and
तस्मात्
tasmāt
therefore
अपरिहार्ये अर्थे
aparihārye arthe
in this unavoidable / inevitable situation
न
na
not
त्वम्
tvam
you
शोचितुम्
śhochitum
to grieve, to lament
अर्हसि
arhasi
you should, it befits you
Complete Translation
जन्म लेने वाले की मृत्यु निश्चित है और मरने वाले का जन्म निश्चित है; इसलिए जो अटल और अपरिहार्य है, उसके विषय में तुम्हें शोक नहीं करना चाहिए।।
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 27
Author: Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
Period: Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)
In the second chapter, Sankhya Yoga, Krishna lifts Arjuna out of his despair on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Having taught that the soul is eternal and cannot be slain, Krishna now addresses grief at the bodily level: even if one regards death as real, it is part of an inevitable cycle of birth and rebirth, and therefore no cause for lamentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main teaching of Bhagavad Gita 2.27?▼
Krishna teaches that death is certain for whoever is born, and rebirth is certain for whoever dies. Since this cycle is unavoidable, grieving over it is pointless. The verse encourages acceptance of mortality and reminds us that the soul endures beyond the body.
Why does Krishna say we should not grieve?▼
Because death is part of an inevitable, natural law — what is born must die and will be reborn. Grief assumes loss, but the imperishable soul (atman) is never destroyed; only the temporary body changes. Mourning the unavoidable only deepens delusion and suffering.
Is this verse helpful when someone passes away?▼
Yes. It is one of the most quoted Gita verses for comfort during bereavement. It gently reframes death as a transition rather than an end, helping the grieving find peace in the truth that the soul lives on.
How does this verse connect to the soul's immortality?▼
It follows Krishna's earlier teaching that the soul is eternal and indestructible. Birth and death belong only to the body. Understanding 2.27 deepens the realization that our true self is untouched by the cycle of coming and going.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →