na ca devā ṛṣayas-tathaiva ca nadyas , sadṛśaṁ nāsti kṛtayas-tathā ca .
“And similarly, there are no gods, sages, or rivers like Me, nor are there any creations equal to Me.”
Structure
na ca devā ṛṣayas tathaiva ca nadyas sadṛśam nāsti kṛtayas tathā ca
na (no) ca (and) devā (gods) ṛṣayas (sages) tathaiva (and also) ca (and) nadyas (rivers) sadṛśam (equal) nāsti (there is not) kṛtayas (my creations) tathā (like that) ca (and)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| devā | devā | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | gods |
| ṛṣayas | ṛṣayas | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | sages |
| tathaiva | tathaiva | indeclinable | — | and also, likewise |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| nadyas | nadyas | noun | nominative · plural · feminine | rivers |
| sadṛśam | sadṛśam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | equal, like |
| nāsti | nāsti | verb | √as · laṭ-present · third | there is not |
| kṛtayas | kṛtayas | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | creations, works |
| tathā | tathā | indeclinable | — | in that way, also |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of ultimate reality, where Kṛṣṇa, as the Supreme Being, affirms His uniqueness and incomparability. Śaṅkara, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets this verse as pointing to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the universal reality (brahman). Śaṅkara argues that the statement 'na ca devā ṛṣayas-tathaiva ca nadyas' (nor are there any gods, sages, or rivers like Me) signifies that even the gods and sages, who are considered high in the hierarchy of existence, are not comparable to the Supreme Being. The phrase 'sadṛśaṁ nāsti kṛtayas-tathā ca' (nor are there any creations equal to Me) further reinforces this idea, highlighting the unparalleled nature of the Supreme. This non-dual reading of the verse emphasizes the ultimate oneness of all existence, with the Supreme Being as the sole reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): In this verse, Kṛṣṇa's statement about His uniqueness serves as a reminder of the devotional path, emphasizing the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, views this verse as an expression of the Lord's gracious condescension, where He reveals His supreme nature to Arjuna, encouraging devotion and surrender. The phrase 'na ca devā ṛṣayas-tathaiva ca nadyas' is seen as a declaration of the Lord's transcendence, beyond even the exalted beings like gods and sages. The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets 'sadṛśaṁ nāsti kṛtayas-tathā ca' as an affirmation of the Lord's sovereignty over all creation, underscoring the dependence of all beings on Him and the importance of cultivating a loving relationship with the Supreme.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse offers a profound message about the universal and the individual, highlighting the uniqueness and the interconnectedness of all existence. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often emphasized the importance of recognizing the divine within oneself and in all beings. He would likely interpret this verse as a call to transcend the limitations of the ego and to realize one's true nature, which is none other than the Supreme Being. The statement 'na ca devā ṛṣayas-tathaiva ca nadyas' can be seen as a reminder of the infinite potential within each individual, which, when realized, makes one comparable to the gods. The phrase 'sadṛśaṁ nāsti kṛtayas-tathā ca' would then symbolize the boundless creativity and diversity that arise from this realization, urging individuals to strive for self-actualization and to contribute to the greater good of humanity.