tejaḥ kṣayād abhibhūtaḥ sarvataḥ pravilīyate
“Being overcome by the decay of effulgence, it perishes from all sides.”
Structure
tejaḥ kṣayāt abhi-bhūtaḥ sarva-taḥ pra-vilīyate
tejaḥ (radiance) kṣayāt (from destruction) abhi-bhūtaḥ (overwhelmed) sarva-taḥ (on all sides) pra-vilīyate (fades away)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tejaḥ | tejaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | radiance |
| kṣayāt | kṣayāt | indeclinable | — | due to destruction |
| abhi-bhūtaḥ | abhibhūtaḥ | verb | √bhū · past participle · third | overwhelmed |
| sarva-taḥ | sarvataḥ | indeclinable | — | from all sides |
| pra-vilīyate | pravilīyate | verb | √lī · present · third | is completely destroyed |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the impermanence of all phenomena, including the effulgence or tejaḥ that arises from the ultimate reality, Brahman. Shankara, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, notes that the decay of tejaḥ refers to the cessation of the individual self's (jīva) identification with the fleeting world of names and forms. This cessation is a necessary step towards realizing the non-dual identity of Brahman and Ātman. The phrase 'sarvataḥ pravilīyate' (perishes from all sides) indicates that the individual self's limited understanding is overcome from all directions, allowing for the unveiling of the ultimate truth. This verse thus underscores the Advaita doctrine that the ultimate reality is beyond all duality and impermanence, and that the realization of this truth is the ultimate goal of human existence. By emphasizing the impermanence of all phenomena, this verse points to the timelessness and spacelessness of Brahman, which is the true essence of the self.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as highlighting the importance of devotion and surrender to the Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets 'tejaḥ kṣayāt' as referring to the diminution of the individual self's (jīva) inherent spiritual effulgence due to its separation from the Lord. The phrase 'abhibhūtaḥ sarvataḥ' (overcome from all sides) indicates that the jīva is surrounded by the Lord's grace and is thus being called back to its natural state of devotion and surrender. This verse is seen as emphasizing the need for the jīva to recognize its dependence on the Lord and to cultivate a devotion that is not limited by the constraints of the material world. By doing so, the jīva can transcend its limitations and attain a state of union with the Lord, which is the ultimate goal of human existence. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, views this verse as highlighting the distinction between the Lord and the jīva, emphasizing that the jīva's spiritual growth is contingent upon its recognition of the Lord's supremacy.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has significant implications for contemporary life, as it highlights the impermanence of all things and the need to look beyond the fleeting world of names and forms. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, notes that the decay of tejaḥ refers to the exhaustion of our inner energies and the need to reconnect with our deeper selves. The phrase 'sarvataḥ pravilīyate' (perishes from all sides) indicates that our limited understanding is being constantly challenged from all directions, forcing us to expand our horizons and seek a more universal and timeless truth. This verse thus resonates with Vivekānanda's emphasis on the importance of self-realization and the need to cultivate a deeper sense of awareness and understanding. S. Rādhākrishnan, on the other hand, views this verse as highlighting the importance of integrating the spiritual and the practical, noting that the realization of the ultimate truth is not a mere intellectual exercise, but a lived experience that has the power to transform our lives and our world.