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Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

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Soul & knowledgeChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized
2.282.30

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.29

The eternal soul beyond bodily death

आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्चिदेन -

माश्चर्यवद्वदति तथैव चान्यः ।

आश्चर्यवच्च‍ैनमन्यः श‍ृणोति

श्रुत्वाप्येनं वेद न चैव कश्चित् ॥ २९ ॥

āścarya-vat paśyati kaścid enam

āścarya-vad vadati tathaiva cānyaḥ

āścarya-vac cainam anyaḥ śṛṇoti

śrutvāpy enaṁ veda na caiva kaścit

Translation

Some look on the soul as amazing, some describe him as amazing, and some hear of him as amazing, while others, even after hearing about him, cannot understand him at all.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

The Amazing Soul

  1. 1Some see, describe, or hear of the soul as amazing, while others cannot understand him even after hearing.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that the tiny soul lives in bodies as large as a banyan tree and as small as a germ.
  3. 3The easiest way to understand the soul is to accept the Bhagavad-gītā’s statements spoken by Lord Kṛṣṇa, the greatest authority, without being diverted by other theories.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 2, Contents of the Gītā Summarized: the eternal soul beyond bodily death.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Discern the eternal self from the temporary.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.29 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to soul & knowledge?

Practice

Spend five minutes reflecting on what in you does not change.

4

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.11The eternal soul beyond bodily deathBG 2.12The eternal soul beyond bodily deathBG 4.34The humility of real inquiryBG 15.7The living being belongs to Krishna

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 2.29 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.