Facing Death with Wisdom
Why do we fear death so intensely? Why does the loss of loved ones bring such unbearable grief? In this episode of the Pragmatic Gita Podcast, we journey through verses 2.25–2.30 of the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna teaches Arjuna about the Unmanifested, Unthinkable, Unchangeable Eternal Soul.
Why Krishna calls the soul avyaktaha (unmanifested), achintyaha (unthinkable), and avikaryaha (unchangeable).
How the cycle of birth and death never touches the Unmanifested, Unthinkable, Unchangeable Eternal Soul.
The meaning of sarva-gata—the soul as all-pervading, existing everywhere and always.
The wonder of the soul: why some see it as a marvel, some hear of it but never understand it.
How samskaras (mental impressions) silently shape karma and destiny.
The simple but profound way to transform samskaras through bhakti yoga.
Krishna explains that the soul is beyond perception, beyond the grasp of senses and intellect. The Unmanifested, Unthinkable, Unchangeable Eternal Soul is invisible to material eyes and inconceivable to thought, yet it is the truest reality within us. Just as a map can never capture the richness of a city, our concepts can never capture the full essence of the soul.
Even when we cling to the belief that the soul is born and dies, Krishna’s wisdom still applies: death is certain for the born, and birth is certain for the dead. Life moves in cycles, but the Unmanifested, Unthinkable, Unchangeable Eternal Soul remains untouched, indestructible, and eternal.
To bring this teaching alive, we recall Yudhishthira’s dialogue with Yama in the Mahabharata. When asked what is most surprising in this world, Yudhishthira replies: every day beings die, yet the living believe they are immortal. This paradox shows why Krishna urges Arjuna—and us—not to grieve over what is inevitable, but to focus on realizing the eternal.
The Gita also links this wisdom to samskaras. Our impressions form habits, and habits create karma. Negative samskaras bind us in suffering, but Krishna gives hope: through devotion, even the most sinful person can transform and awaken to the Unmanifested, Unthinkable, Unchangeable Eternal Soul.
Closing Thought: Death cannot destroy us. The Unmanifested, Unthinkable, Unchangeable Eternal Soul is indestructible, timeless, and beyond sorrow. By cultivating devotion and refining samskaras, we align with our eternal essence and step closer to liberation.
krsnadaasa (Servant of Krishna)
