September Gītā: 2.23

nainaṁ chindanti śastrāṇi 
nainaṁ dahati pāvakaḥ
na c'ainaṁ kledayanty āpo 
na śoṣayati mārutaḥ

‘Weapons cannot shred the soul, nor can fire burn it. Water cannot wet it, nor can the wind dry it.’

Bhagavad Gītā 2.23

Body, mind and soul are elements which many would use to explain what it is to be a human. This sloka spotlights the soul. Every day we work with our body and mind on our mat, they are very familiar territory to us but the soul is something subtler, ineffable. Here we are told that the soul is beyond the experiences of the material world and remains unaffected by anything that our material inventions can throw at it.

But I also like to look to this sloka for strength. No matter what comes my way affecting my material experience of this world, there is something within which is steadfast, remains strong and untouched regardless of what storms and rainbows pass over. That essence connects us all to each other and to everything. Knowing its resilience can be a source of courage and trust, knowing it is always there can be a source of comfort. Everything we ever need is within.  

– Louise Newton