Bhagavad Gita 4.5

 

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 5: Understanding the Eternal Nature of the Soul

Sanskrit Verse (4.5)

श्रीभगवानुवाच |
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन |
तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप ||

Transliteration

śhrī-bhagavān uvācha
bahūni me vyatītāni janmāni tava chārjuna
tānyahaṁ veda sarvāṇi na tvaṁ vettha parantapa

English Translation

The Supreme Lord Krishna said:
“O Arjuna, both you and I have taken many births. I remember all of them, but you do not, O scorcher of enemies.”

" भगवान कृष्ण ने कहा: "हे अर्जुन, तुम्हारे और मेरे दोनों ने अनेक जन्म लिए हैं। मुझे वे सब याद हैं, लेकिन हे शत्रुओं को दग्ध करने वाले, तुम्हें याद नहीं है। "

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Explaining the Verse: The Eternal Wisdom of the Divine

1. Krishna’s Divine Nature

In this verse, Lord Krishna reveals a profound truth about His divine nature. Unlike ordinary beings who forget their past lives, Krishna, as the Supreme Being, remembers all His incarnations. This statement emphasizes the concept of Divine Omniscience, where God is beyond the limitations of time and memory.

2. The Cycle of Birth and Death

Arjuna, like all living beings, is caught in the cycle of samsara (birth and rebirth). Due to the limitations of human consciousness, he has no recollection of his past lives. This is a fundamental principle of Hindu philosophy—while the Atman (soul) is eternal, the mind does not retain past-life memories.

3. The Role of Reincarnation in Hinduism

This verse subtly introduces the doctrine of reincarnation (punarjanma). According to Hindu scriptures, the soul continues to evolve through countless lifetimes until it attains liberation (moksha). However, Krishna, being an Avatara (divine incarnation), is not bound by karma and is fully aware of His past and future.

4. Arjuna as "Parantapa"

Krishna calls Arjuna “Parantapa”, meaning "scorcher of enemies," to remind him of his own strength and past victories. This is also a motivational statement, urging Arjuna to rise above doubt and confusion.

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Philosophical and Practical Lessons

1. The Soul is Eternal: Our physical form may change, but the soul continues its journey. This reminds us not to be overly attached to the material world.
2. God’s Omniscience: Krishna’s words affirm that God is beyond time and remembers everything, guiding us through our lives.
3. Karma and Rebirth: Our actions in this life influence our future incarnations. Therefore, we must act righteously.
4. Trust in Divine Guidance: Just as Krishna assures Arjuna, we too must have faith that God is aware of our journey and will guide us when we seek His wisdom.

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Conclusion

This verse from the Bhagavad Gita is a profound reminder of the eternal nature of the soul and the omniscience of God. It encourages us to rise above temporary fears, trust divine wisdom, and focus on righteous action. Understanding this principle helps us navigate life with greater clarity and purpose.