Definition of Aatma

The Shloka

———

नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः ।

न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः ॥

———

Nainam chhindanti shastrani nainam dahati pavakah.

Na chainam kledayantyapo na shoshayati marutah.

———

Meaning / Summary

This verse profoundly explains the immutable nature of the soul (Atman). It emphasizes that the soul is beyond the reach of any physical or elemental forces. This understanding is crucial for realizing that the true self is eternal and unaffected by the transient changes of the material world, thereby alleviating fear of death and material loss.

Weapons do not cut this soul, fire does not burn it, waters do not wet it, nor does the wind dry it.

The soul is eternal and indestructible, being unaffected by physical elements like weapons, fire, water, and wind.

This shloka, part of the Bhagavad Gita, describes the eternal and transcendental nature of the soul (Atman). It states that the soul is beyond the capacity of any physical agent to harm or alter it. Weapons, which are designed to cut and divide, cannot sever the soul. Fire, which consumes and transforms, cannot burn the soul. Water, which can dampen and erode, cannot make the soul wet. Wind, which can dry and dissipate, cannot parch the soul. This highlights that the soul is not composed of the material elements and therefore cannot be affected by their properties. It is an unchanging, indivisible, and eternal essence that exists independently of the physical body and the material world.

Sentence - 1

———

नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः ।

———

Meaning

Weapons do not cut this soul, fire does not burn it.

Meaning of Words

न	Na	Not
एनं	Enam	It (the soul)
छिन्दन्ति	Chhindanti	Cut
शस्त्राणि	Shastrani	Weapons
दहति	Dahati	Burns
पावकः	Pavakah	Fire

Sentence - 2

———

न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः ॥

———

Meaning

Waters do not wet it, nor does the wind dry it.

Meaning of Words

चैनं	Chai na	And not
क्लेदयन्ति	Kledayanti	Wet
आपो	Apah	Water
शोषयति	Shoshayati	Dry
मारुतः	Marutah	Wind

---