Unborn Undying Existing Forever
Natwevaham Jatu Nasham Nathwam Neme Janadhipaha
Nachaiva Na Bhavishyamaha Sarve Vayamatah Param
Sri Krishna steps up on a philosophical accelerator here to drive deep into the existence of being - consciousness and the impermanence of name and form. He tells Arjuna that there was no time when he did not exist. There was no time when Arjuna did not exist. There was no time when all the rulers lined up in the enemy camp did not exist. Not only in the past, but even from now onwards will none of them cease to exist.
Sri Krishna siezes the momentary lull in Arjuna's moaning to raise him to the highest level of consciousness in just this one verse by saying that the essence of himself, Arjuna and all the kings and others in the army is the one consciousness that had always existed and will continue to exist. So what Arjuna imagines he's going to kill in the battle, is the deathless Supreme Being. He simply had no reason to worry or feel sorry, but just do his duty in the present moment.
(A Gitopadesham painting in a Naperville home at Illinois. The picture of Krishna teaching the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshethra has inspired many a painter and sculptor to recreate the image.) - Swahilya Shambhavi.
