Bhagavad Gita 2.12 · Krishna
There was never a time
न त्वेवाहं जातु नासं न त्वं नेमे जनाधिपाः।
न चैव न भविष्यामः सर्वे वयमतः परम्॥
na tvevāhaṃ jātu nāsaṃ na tvaṃ neme janādhipāḥna caiva na bhaviṣyāmaḥ sarve vayamataḥ param
Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor these kings. Nor will any of us ever cease to be.
What it means
Krishna widens the frame enormously. The real Self in each of us has no beginning and no end. Not his, not Arjuna's, not even the kings across the field. Traditions read this differently, as one Self or as many eternal selves. All agree that what we truly are does not end.
The story
Arjuna is staring at men he believes he's about to lose forever. Bhishma, Drona, cousins, friends. Krishna's first argument is about time. Everyone on this field existed long before this morning. This battle is one scene in a far longer story.
In your life
Your sister places her newborn in your arms for the first time. That tiny face seems brand new, and somehow ancient. Next time you hold someone you love, let yourself wonder what in them has always been.
None of us began. None of us will end.