nimittāni ca sarvāṇi vṛttāni ca gato gurūn | ājuhāya yathāmedhātam astam ucyatām mama
“All the omens and events have occurred; I have met the respected elders; now tell me, as far as you perceive, my demise.”
Structure
nimittāni ca sarvāṇi vṛttāni ca gato gurūn ājuhāya yathā medhātam astam ucyatām mama
mama (my) astam (end) ucyatām (let it be said) yathā (as) medhātam (wisdom) ājuhāya (I offer) gato (having gone) gurūn (to the guru) ca (and) vṛttāni (events) ca (and) sarvāṇi (all) nimittāni (omens)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nimittāni | nimittāni | noun | accusative · plural · neuter | omens, signs |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| sarvāṇi | sarvāṇi | noun | accusative · plural · neuter | all |
| vṛttāni | vṛttāni | noun | accusative · plural · neuter | events, happenings |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| gato | gato | verb | √gam · past · third | went |
| gurūn | gurūn | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | to the great ones, to the teachers |
| ājuhāya | ājuhāya | verb | √hū · past · third | told, spoke |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | as, how |
| medhātam | medhātam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | wisdom |
| astam | astam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | cessation, end |
| ucyatām | ucyatām | verb | √vac · optative · third | let it be said |
| mama | mama | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | my |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse signifies the realization of the impermanence of all worldly phenomena, including the body and the ego. Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality, where the ultimate truth, Brahman, is beyond human comprehension. In this context, Arjuna's inquiry about his demise can be seen as a metaphor for the dissolution of the individual ego, leading to the understanding of the brahman-ātman identity. Shankara's reasoning on this verse points to the futility of seeking omens and external validation, instead encouraging the seeker to look within for the ultimate truth. The phrase 'yathāmedhātam' (as far as you perceive) highlights the limitations of human perception and the need to transcend it to realize the non-dual reality. Ultimately, this verse guides the seeker towards the understanding that the true Self is beyond birth, death, and all worldly events.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In this verse, Arjuna's concern about his demise is an expression of his devotion to Krishna and his desire to understand the divine will. Ramanuja's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes the loving relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Arjuna's inquiry can be seen as a cry for reassurance and guidance from his beloved Lord. The phrase 'gato gurūn' (I have met the respected elders) signifies Arjuna's surrender to the wisdom of his spiritual guides, including Krishna. This verse highlights the importance of seeking refuge in the divine and trusting in the Lord's providence. Madhva's commentary also stresses the concept of 'prapatti' (surrender), where the individual self surrenders to the will of the Lord, acknowledging the futility of human efforts to control the outcome of events.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has a profound message for contemporary life, emphasizing the importance of living in the present moment and letting go of attachment to external events. Swami Vivekananda's lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā highlight the need to cultivate a sense of inner strength and detachment, unaffected by the ups and downs of life. The phrase 'nimittāni ca sarvāṇi' (all the omens and events) can be seen as a reminder to focus on the present moment, rather than getting caught up in fears and anxieties about the future or regrets about the past. Radhakrishnan's writings also emphasize the universal and practical application of this verse, encouraging individuals to develop a sense of inner calm and equanimity in the face of uncertainty. This verse can be seen as a call to awaken to the deeper reality that underlies all human experience, transcending the limitations of the ego and the external world.