43. Bonds of Birth and Death

Krishna says that the wise use their balanced intellect and renounce the fruits of action to reach a state beyond polarities and get liberated from the bonds of birth and death (2.51). At first glance, this verse seems to contradict our understanding that we undergo birth and death. This assumption arises from observing the birth and death of physical life forms around us. Therefore, the verse must be understood in its proper context.

For a long time, humanity believed that the Sun rotates around a stationary Earth. Subsequently, it was discovered that it is the Earth which is rotating around the Sun. Finally, our understanding aligned with the existential truth. This implies that it was a misinterpretation of truth arising from the illusion caused by the limitations of our senses. Same is the case with our illusion about birth and death.

Krishna starts the Gita by explaining about ‘dehi’ (the one who lives in the body - atma) which pervades all and is unborn, eternal, changeless and ancient (2.20). He further says that atma changes physical bodies like we discard worn out garments to wear new ones (2.22). While the atma is changeless and doesn’t have birth and death, the physical body goes through the changes. When Krishna says that a balanced intellect liberates one from the bonds of birth and death, he implies that one aligns with the existential truth of the dehi or atma. It’s like coming out of the illusion of the Sun rotating around the Earth and aligning with the existential truth of Earth rotating around the Sun.

Our tendency is to identify with the majority. But the majority who believe that we have birth and death may not be able to guide us to the existential truth of dehi or atma. Our own balanced intellect can help us to uncover the truth.

Krishna also mentions the state beyond polarities. Usually, this is described as heaven and sometimes as the supreme path (param-path) which is somewhere outside. This verse indicates that this path is inside us. It’s the path of renouncing the fruits of action without renouncing the actions (2.47).