na ca dehādibhaveṇa dṛṣṭum-arhasi tad-bhavam | nā-vamānī kratavināṃ yathāhaṃ pravīra-hā
“And you should not look upon Me as a mere manifestation of the body etc., nor disparage the (sacrificial) rituals as I am the destroyer of the best of warriors.”
Structure
na ca dehādibhaveṇa dṛṣṭum arhasi tat bhavam | na avamānī kratavināṃ yathā aham pravīra-hā
na (not) ca (and) dehādibhaveṇa (by the bodily etc. existence) dṛṣṭum (to see) arhasi (you should) tat (that) bhavam (existence),na (not) avamānī (disparaging) kratavināṃ (of the sacrificers) yathā (as) aham (I) pravīra-hā (the mighty hero)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| dehādibhaveṇa | dehādibhaveṇa | compound | bahuvrīhi · "dehādi-bhāvena" | with a bodily or elemental existence |
| dṛṣṭum | dṛṣṭum | verb | √dṛś · liṅ-optative · second | to see |
| arhasi | arhasi | verb | √arh · laṭ-present · second | you are able or worthy |
| tat | tat | pronoun | accusative · neuter singular · neuter | that |
| bhavam | bhavam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | existence or state |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| avamānī | avamānī | verb | √man · laṭ-present · first | I despise or disregard |
| kratavināṃ | kratavināṃ | noun | genitive or accusative plural · plural · masculine | of those who perform sacrifices |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | as |
| aham | aham | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | I |
| pravīra-hā | pravīra-hā | compound | karmadhāraya · "pravīra-hā" | slayer of heroes |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, cautioning against perceiving the Supreme as merely a physical manifestation. Shankara, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the ultimate reality beyond bodily forms. He notes that the Lord's statement 'na ca dehādibhaveṇa dṛṣṭum-arhasi tad-bhavam' signifies that the true nature of the Self (Ātman) is not confined to the physical body or material attributes. This aligns with the Brahman-Ātman identity, where the individual self is ultimately one with the universal Brahman. By transcending the limited perspective of bodily identification, one can realize this unity, as stated in the Chāndogya Upaniṣad, 'Tat tvam asi' (That thou art). This verse, therefore, points to the liberation from the cycle of birth and death through the understanding of the non-dual reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): In the context of this verse, Rāmānujācārya's commentary highlights the importance of devotion and the proper understanding of the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The Lord's admonition against looking upon Him merely as a physical being underscores the distinction between the divine and human realms. Rāmānujācārya, in his Gītā Bhāṣya, interprets 'nā-vamānī kratavināṃ' as a warning against belittling the rituals and sacred duties, which are essential for the jīva's journey towards liberation. This journey is facilitated by surrender to and devotion towards the Lord, recognizing His supremacy and the jīva's dependence on Him. The verse, therefore, reinforces the Vaishnava emphasis on bhakti (devotion) as the means to realize one's true nature and attain union with the divine, while maintaining the distinction between the individual soul and the Supreme Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekananda's interpretation of this verse focuses on its universal and practical implications for modern life. He saw the essence of the Bhagavad Gītā, including this verse, as a call to rise above the mundane and realize one's higher nature. In his lectures and writings, Vivekananda emphasized the importance of transcending bodily limitations and material attachments to achieve self-realization and serve humanity. The statement 'na ca dehādibhaveṇa dṛṣṭum-arhasi tad-bhavam' is seen as an encouragement to look beyond external forms and understand the divine presence within every being. Vivekananda's message of universal brotherhood and the inherent divinity of the soul resonates with the teachings of this verse. By applying its principles, individuals can cultivate a deeper sense of unity and purpose, leading to a more meaningful and spiritual life. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, inspires individuals to aspire for a higher level of existence, beyond the confines of the physical and material, and to recognize the divine in all.