praśāsitāraḥ tu yathāiva sṛṣṭvā prajāpatīn.
“The Lord governs (maintains) the created beings just as He has created them.”
Structure
praśāsitāraḥ tu yathā eva sṛṣṭvā prajāpatīn
praśāsitāraḥ (the ruler) tu (and) yathā eva (just as) sṛṣṭvā (having created) prajāpatīn (Prajapatis)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| praśāsitāraḥ | praśāsitāraḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | the rulers or governors |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | as, in the manner |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| sṛṣṭvā | sṛṣṭvā | verb | √sṛj · kṛta-participle · third | having created |
| prajāpatīn | prajāpatīn | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | the Prajāpatis or lords of creation |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya interprets this verse as underscoring the non-dual nature of reality. According to Śaṅkara, the phrase 'yathāiva sṛṣṭvā' (just as He has created) implies that the created beings are not separate from the creator, but are, in fact, manifestations of the ultimate reality, Brahman. This verse points to the identity of Brahman and ātman, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the universal self (Brahman). As Śaṅkara notes in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, 'the effect is not different from the cause' (kāryaṃ kāraṇāt na bhidyate), reinforcing the non-dual reading of this verse. By highlighting the Lord's governance of created beings, this verse invites the seeker to contemplate the ultimate reality that underlies all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, understands this verse as emphasizing the loving relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). The phrase 'praśāsitāraḥ' (the Lord governs) suggests the Lord's benevolent guidance and care for all created beings. According to Rāmānuja, this verse highlights the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara, where the Lord's governance is an expression of His loving concern for the well-being of all souls. In contrast, Madhvācārya's Dvaita Vedānta tradition would interpret this verse as underscoring the real difference between the Lord and the created beings, emphasizing the Lord's sovereignty and the dependence of the jīva on His will. Both Rāmānuja and Madhva, however, agree on the central role of devotion (bhakti) in understanding the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets this verse as a call to recognize the cosmic unity that underlies all existence. The phrase 'yathāiva sṛṣṭvā' (just as He has created) suggests that the created world is an expression of the divine, and that the individual self is, in fact, a manifestation of the universal self. As Vivekānanda notes, 'the Self is the same in everything' (ātmaiva sarvatra), highlighting the unity and interconnectedness of all existence. This verse has practical applications in contemporary life, inviting us to recognize the divine in all beings and to cultivate a sense of compassion, empathy, and unity with all. In his writings, S. Rādhākrishnan echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the 'universal spirit' that pervades all existence, and the need to cultivate a sense of oneness with all humanity, transcending narrow boundaries of creed, caste, and nationality.