What is Life? Spiritual Science of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 12
नत्वेवाहंजातुनासंनत्वंनेमेजनाधिपाः।
नचैवनभविष्यामःसर्वेवयमतःपरम्
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 12 Meaning
“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.”
This powerful verse from the Bhagavad Gita answers one of the deepest questions humanity has ever asked:
👉 What is life according to Bhagavad Gita?
At first glance, life appears to be limited to the physical body—birth, growth, and death. But Krishna’s teaching takes us beyond this surface-level understanding and introduces us to a deeper reality: life is eternal consciousness, not temporary form.
When Do We Start Questioning Life?
Most people don’t question life when everything is going well. The real questions arise during difficult moments:
- When we lose something valuable
- When relationships break
- When we face failure
- When life feels uncertain
In these moments, we begin to ask:
- Who am I?
- What is the purpose of life?
- Why do we suffer?
- What happens after death?
These are not just emotional questions—they are the beginning of spiritual inquiry. According to the Bhagavad Gita, this questioning is the first step toward understanding the truth of existence.
Arjuna’s Confusion and Krishna’s Wisdom
The setting of this teaching is the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Arjuna, one of the greatest warriors, finds himself in a deep emotional crisis.
He sees:
- His teacher
- His grandfather
- His relatives
- His friends
standing as enemies.
Overwhelmed with grief and confusion, he drops his bow and refuses to fight. He believes that killing his loved ones will bring destruction and suffering.
At this critical moment, Krishna begins to guide him—not just about war, but about the true nature of life and existence.
Krishna explains that Arjuna’s confusion comes from identifying reality only through the physical body.
The Spiritual Question: What is Life?
Krishna’s answer is simple yet profound:
👉 Life is not the body.
👉 Life is not temporary identity.
👉 Life is the eternal consciousness that exists beyond time.
This means:
- We existed in the past
- We exist now
- We will continue to exist in the future
The body may change, but the essence of life remains unchanged.
Scientific Perspective: Understanding Reality Through Atoms
Interestingly, modern science also provides insights that support this understanding.
Everything in the universe—humans, animals, plants, objects—is made up of atoms.
Structure of an Atom
- A nucleus (protons and neutrons)
- Electrons moving around the nucleus
- A large empty space between them
Scientific studies show:
- Around 99.99999% of an atom is empty space
- Only a very small portion is physical matter
This means that what we perceive as solid is actually mostly empty space filled with energy.
What is This “Empty Space”?
According to Quantum Mechanics, empty space is not truly empty. It contains invisible energy fields and constantly fluctuating particles.
Albert Einstein described reality as space-time, a unified field where matter and energy exist together.
From a spiritual perspective, this “empty space” can be understood as a field of consciousness—the source from which everything emerges and into which everything dissolves.
Energy Can Never Be Destroyed
One of the most important principles in science is that energy cannot be created or destroyed—it only changes form.
This aligns perfectly with the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita:
- The body is made of matter
- Matter transforms over time
- But the underlying energy remains
Similarly:
- The human body changes
- Physical forms appear and disappear
- But consciousness remains constant
Consciousness: The True Nature of Life
The Bhagavad Gita introduces the idea that consciousness is the foundation of life.
Consciousness:
- Is not visible
- Cannot be measured physically
- Is present in all living beings
It is the awareness that allows us to think, feel, and experience life.
Krishna explains that this consciousness is:
- Eternal
- Unchanging
- Indestructible
This is why the soul is said to never die.
A Simple Example to Understand This Concept
Let’s take a simple example:
Water is made of hydrogen and oxygen. When these elements combine, they form a new substance—water.
If the water changes form (into vapor or ice), the basic elements still exist.
Similarly:
- The human body is made of elements
- The form changes over time
- But the underlying essence remains
This essence is consciousness.
Why Do We Fear Death?
Fear of death comes from identifying ourselves only with the physical body.
If we believe:
👉 “I am this body,”
then death appears as the end of existence.
But if we understand:
👉 “I am consciousness,”
then death becomes just a change of form, not an end.
This shift in understanding removes fear and brings clarity.
Spiritual Science of Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita can be seen as a form of spiritual science because it explains reality in a logical and structured way.
It teaches that:
- Everything in the universe is interconnected
- All forms are temporary
- The essence behind all forms is eternal
Krishna’s teaching is not based on blind belief—it is based on understanding the nature of reality.
What is Reality According to Bhagavad Gita?
According to the Bhagavad Gita:
- Reality is not fixed
- Everything is constantly changing
- What appears solid is actually dynamic energy
Our senses show us only a limited version of reality.
Because of this limitation, we:
- Misunderstand life
- Fear change
- Become attached to temporary forms
True knowledge comes from seeing beyond appearances.
Practical Meaning for Our Life
Understanding this teaching is not just philosophical—it has practical benefits.
When we realize that life is eternal consciousness:
- Fear of death reduces
- Attachment decreases
- Inner peace increases
- Clarity improves
We begin to live with awareness instead of confusion.
Final Conclusion
So, what is life according to Bhagavad Gita?
👉 Life is not the body
👉 Life is not temporary identity
👉 Life is eternal consciousness expressed through changing forms
Krishna’s message to Arjuna—and to all of us—is clear:
You are not limited to what you see. You are something far deeper, eternal, and unchanging.
Understanding this truth transforms the way we live, think, and experience life.