Eternal – In Gita Verse 2.12 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 verse is Insights from the Bhagavad Gita and Science, Death, Life, and Eternity.
It reflects an understanding that resonates deeply with modern scientific principles. When Lord Krishna says in the ancient epic Mahabharata, “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,” it is a profound declaration of the eternal existence of the soul. Remarkably, science echoes this sentiment. Albert Einstein’s energy principle – “Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be changed from one form to another” – suggests a universe in which transformation is constant, but the essence, like the Atman (soul), endures.
Life Is Not Short, Life Is Eternal: With the awareness of eternity, life unfolds leisurely, as seen in the natural world. No rush pushes the seasons to change or the flowers to bloom. Each happens in its destined moment, reflecting the deep understanding that life, in its essence, is eternal. We are beings always in transition, existing between the infinite past and the infinite future, not confined to our current physical forms.
However, the fixation on the objective world, the world of form and phenomenon, has led to a misplaced idea of a singular, fleeting life. This misconception, prevalent in some Western traditions, perpetuates a hurried existence, where the shadow of death looms large over every action, preventing a full, relaxed experience of the present moment.
The Illusion of Urgency: The one-life paradigm fosters an urgency that pervades Western culture, an urgency that ironically leads to incomplete experiences and unfulfilled aspirations. By contrast, the Eastern consciousness, informed by ideas of rebirth and the eternal soul, allows for a life lived with grace and inner richness, one that is unafraid of life’s grand final act – death itself.
Beyond the Fear of Death: In recognising the transitory nature of the physical while nurturing the eternal within – peace, blissfulness, silence, joy – death loses its sting. These qualities of consciousness are untouched by death, accompanying the soul on its journey. Meditation, a practice born from this understanding, flourishes only in the fertile ground of a relaxed mind, unburdened by the compulsion of ‘doing’ inherent in the conception of a single lifetime.
Connecting with the Eternal: The Essence of Krishna’s Message
Krishna’s counsel to Arjuna aims not merely at providing advice but at re-establishing a connection with the eternal self. This experience of self-realisation reveals the profound relaxation inherent in discovering one’s true nature, transcending the dualities of life and death, the material and the spiritual.
Convergence of Science and Scripture: A Universal Understanding of Eternity
Both the Western mind, with its inclination toward scientific inquiry, and the Eastern mind, with its depth of trust in spiritual texts, arrive at a congruent understanding: eternity defines us. By recognising the principles shared between disciplines – the scientific law of conservation and the scriptural revelations of perpetual consciousness – we find a unified truth that transcends cultural boundaries.
Krishna’s dialogue in the Gita is not just an ancient verse; it is a living experience waiting to unfold within you. By embracing the eternal nature of being, you welcome a life of presence, purpose, and profound calm – the true essence that is eternal.
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