Katha Upanishad Verse 1.2.18

This verse describes the essential nature of the Atman (the Self). It is beginningless and endless—never born and never dying. It is the ancient, eternal presence that remains untouched even when the physical body is destroyed.

Sanskrit Verse

न जायते म्रियते वा विपश्चिन्नायं कुतश्चिन्न बभूव कश्चित् । अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

na jāyate mriyate vā vipaścinnāyaṃ kutaścinna babhūva kaścit | ajo nityaḥ śāśvato’yaṃ purāṇo na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre || 18 ||

Translation

The intelligent atman is not born, nor does he die; he did not come from anywhere nor was he anything, unborn, eternal, everlasting, ancient; he is not slain though the body is slain.