न त्वेवाहं जातु नासं न त्वं नेमे जनाधिपाः | न चैव न भविष्याम: सर्वे वयमत: परम् || 12|| |
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“Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.”
Commentary
Lord Krishna emphasizes the eternal nature of the soul and its existence beyond the limitations of time and physical bodies. He states that there has never been a time when He, Arjuna, or the other kings on the battlefield did not exist, and there will never be a time in the future when any of them will cease to exist. Krishna is indicating that the true essence of every individual transcends the temporary nature of physical existence.
Krishna, as the embodiment of the eternal consciousness, is the unchanging witness to the ever-changing spectacle of life. He is pointing to the fact that the true essence of every individual, including Arjuna and the kings, is the tiny reflection of His unchanging consciousness. This essence is known as the soul, which is characterized by peace, power, and eternal existence.
Krishna, as the embodiment of the eternal consciousness, is the unchanging witness to the ever-changing spectacle of life. He is pointing to the fact that the true essence of every individual, including Arjuna and the kings, is the tiny reflection of His unchanging consciousness. This essence is known as the soul, which is characterized by peace, power, and eternal existence.
Once a soul is created, it exists eternally. However, due to earthly desires, the soul takes on new bodies in various lifetimes. The purpose of these repeated embodiments is for the soul to realize its true identity as an eternal and divine being. Through self-realization, when the soul awakens to its inherent connection with God and recognizes its eternal nature beyond the transient physical existence, it will know it’s own past, present and future. Krishna is reminding Arjuna that their true identities are not limited to their present physical forms but are rooted in the eternal consciousness of the soul.