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Bhagavad Gita 2.11

Krishna's first teaching begins with grief — not to dismiss it, but to open a wider view of it.

Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2, Verse 11

अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे।
गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः॥

aśocyān anvaśocas tvaṁ prajñā-vādāṁś ca bhāṣase
gatāsūn agatāsūṁś ca nānuśocanti paṇḍitāḥ

Translation

You grieve for those who should not be grieved for, yet you speak words of wisdom. The wise grieve neither for the living nor for the dead.

हिन्दी भावार्थ

तुम उनके लिए शोक करते हो जिनके लिए शोक नहीं करना चाहिए, और फिर भी ज्ञान की बातें करते हो। ज्ञानी न जीवितों के लिए शोक करते हैं, न मृतों के लिए।

In simple words Interpretation

Krishna's first teaching begins with grief — not to dismiss it, but to open a wider view of it.

Context

These are the first words of Krishna's teaching, after Arjuna has collapsed in sorrow. Many readers see in them an invitation to look beyond the immediate pain, not a rebuke for feeling it.

When this may help

When grief or worry has narrowed your view, and you're looking for a wider perspective.

Reflection question

If you could step back and see this moment from a year from now, what might you notice?

A small practice

Take a slow walk, even for five minutes, and let your eyes rest on something far away.

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