Know that to be indestructible, by which all this is pervaded. None can bring about the destruction of this indestructible.
Commentary: "But know That to be indestructible" — The particle 'tu' (but) is used here to begin the explanation of 'Sat' (the Real), which was mentioned in the previous verse regarding Sat and Asat (the Real and the unreal).
By saying, "Know that indestructible Principle," the Lord has indicated that Principle as 'parokṣa' (transcendent, beyond direct perception). The implication of describing it as transcendent is that this entire world, which is seen as 'idam' (this, the immediate), is pervaded and filled entirely by that transcendent Principle alone. In truth, only that which is full (perfect) 'is'; and this world which appears before us 'is not'.
Here, the intention of referring to the Sat-tattva (the Principle of Existence) as 'That' (tat) in a transcendent manner is not that it is very far away; rather, it is because it is not an object of the senses or the inner instrument (antahkarana), hence it is spoken of as transcendent.
"By which all this is pervaded" — It is described that this entire world is pervaded by that eternal Principle. Just as gold pervades (is fully present in) ornaments made of gold, iron pervades weapons made of iron, clay pervades pots made of clay, and water pervades ice made of water, similarly, this world is pervaded by that Sat-tattva (Principle of Existence). Therefore, in reality, only that Sat-tattva in this world is worthy of being known.
"None can bring about the destruction of this indestructible" — This embodied being (the Self) is 'avyaya' (imperishable), meaning indestructible. No one can possibly destroy this indestructible. However, the body is destructible — because it is constantly moving towards destruction. Therefore, no one can possibly prevent the destruction of this destructible. You think that if you do not fight, they will not die, but in truth, whether you fight or not, it will make no difference to this indestructible and destructible principle — meaning, the indestructible will certainly remain, and the destructible will certainly perish.
Here, the word 'asya' (of this) refers to the Sat-tattva as 'idam' (this). The intention is that the existence which appears in the bodies that change every moment is only that of this very Sat-tattva. The Lord has used the word 'asya' here, targeting the knowledge of one's own existence as "My body is, and I am the possessor of the body."
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