वेदाविनाशिनं नित्यं य एनमजमव्ययम् | कथं स पुरुष: पार्थ कं घातयति हन्ति कम् || 21 || |
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“How can he who knows the Self to be imperishable, everlastingly permanent, birth-less and changeless, possibly think that this Self can cause the destruction of another? O Partha, whom does It slay?”
Commentary
Krishna points out that, although the physical bodies of the wicked people are slain, their souls cannot be destroyed. Of course, this should not be used as an argument to kill wicked people; but a soldier, for instance, who is defending his country and righteously protecting helpless people, may console his conscience about killing the enemy by realizing that he is the instrument and not the doer.
Metaphysically even if a devotee destroys the wicked attachments of the senses, the senses themselves will not be destroyed! The higher consciousness only purifies the lower consciousness; for instance, a child holding a toy as a dearest possession does not hold the same attachment to it as he becomes an adult. As old age approaches, he does not hold the same attachment to things that were dear in his adulthood. The higher consciousness in an old person has not destroyed the attachment to the toy but merely finds it less amusing to senses, though the senses still exist.
Similarly, as consciousness evolves in meditation, a devotee finds all earthly attachments less important and enjoyable in comparison to God consciousness. A wise person removes the attachments to all senses in meditation with a sense of urgency and finds a higher consciousness that gives ever-new joy.