It is because of this ignorance that we must assume, one after the other, various ephemeral bodies. However, the spirit soul has no need to assume these temporary bodies; it is compelled to do so only due to its ignorance and its forgetfulness of God, its true spiritual identity, and existential truth.

Therefore, when we attain a human form in which intelligence is developed, we must modify our consciousness by seeking to know Krishna, God, the Supreme Personality.

To this effect, God says: Whoever knows the absoluteness of my advent and my actions will no longer have to be reborn in this universe. By leaving his body, he will enter my eternal kingdom.

Unless we know God, Krishna, and become conscious of Him, we must remain captive to matter. To end this conditioned existence, we must surrender to Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, love Him, do His divine will, and serve Him with love and devotion.

Death concerns only the perishable body, not the soul, which is immortal.

Lord Krishna says: At the moment of death, the soul takes on a new body, as naturally as it passed, in the previous one, from childhood to youth, and then to old age. This change does not trouble one who is aware of their spiritual nature.

Know that what pervades the entire body cannot be annihilated. No one can destroy the imperishable soul.

The soul is indestructible, eternal, and immeasurable; only the material bodies it borrows are subject to destruction.

Ignoring those who believe that the soul can kill or be killed, the wise know well that it neither kills nor dies.

The soul knows neither birth nor death. Living, it will never cease to be. Unborn, immortal, original, eternal, it never had a beginning, and will never have an end. It does not die with the body.

How could one who knows the soul to be unborn, immutable, eternal, and indestructible kill or cause another to be killed?

No weapon can cleave the soul, nor fire burn it, water cannot wet it, nor wind dry it up.

The soul is indivisible and insoluble; fire cannot touch it, it cannot be dried up. It is immortal and eternal, omnipresent, unalterable, and fixed.

It is said of the soul that it is invisible, inconceivable, and immutable. Knowing this, you should not lament the body.

And even if you believe the soul to be endlessly reclaimed by birth and death, you have no reason to grieve. Death is certain for one who is born, and birth is certain for one who dies. Since you must fulfill your duty, you should not feel sorry for yourself.