na tu eva ahaṁ jātu mṛṣṭo 'smi nāviṣṇuḥ tathyato yathā
“I am not, however, born in that manner; nor do I ever take birth like the jīvas; for My birth, O Arjuna, is not in the ordinary way.”
Structure
na tu eva aham jātu mṛṣṭaḥ asmi nāviṣṇuḥ tathyataḥ yathā
na tu eva (not at all) aham (I) jātu (ever) mṛṣṭaḥ (deluded) asmi (am) nāviṣṇuḥ (not the Lord Viṣṇu) tathyataḥ (by fact) yathā (as)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, however |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only, indeed |
| aham | ahem | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
| jātu | jātu | verb | √jan · past participle | born |
| mṛṣṭaḥ | mṛṣṭaḥ | verb | √mṛṣ · past participle | deluded |
| asmi | asmi | verb | √as · present · first | am |
| nāviṣṇuḥ | nāviṣṇuḥ | compound | dvandva · "na aviṣṇuḥ" | not Viṣṇu |
| tathyataḥ | tathyataḥ | indeclinable | — | actually, in reality |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | as, in the manner that |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinction between the birth of the jīvas and that of the Īśvara is highlighted to point to their fundamental difference. According to Śaṅkara, the birth of the jīvas is bound by the cycles of saṃsāra, whereas the Īśvara, or the ultimate reality, transcends such cyclic existence. The phrase 'na tu eva ahaṁ jātu mṛṣṭo 'smi' (I am not, however, born in that manner) emphasizes the Īśvara's transcendence of worldly bondage, aligning with the idea that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond human conceptions of birth and death. This interpretation supports the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the universal reality (Brahman), free from the illusions of worldly existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of the unique relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes that while the jīvas are bound by the laws of karma and thus experience birth and death, the Īśvara, out of His infinite mercy, takes on various forms to guide the jīvas towards liberation. The statement 'nāviṣṇuḥ tathyato yathā' (nor do I ever take birth like the jīvas) highlights the Īśvara's freedom from the constraints of saṃsāra, underscoring His role as the redeemer of the jīvas. This devotional reading emphasizes the dependence of the jīva on the Īśvara for liberation, fostering a deep sense of bhakti (devotion) towards the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): From a modern perspective, this verse can be seen as a call to transcend the limitations of the human condition. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often emphasized the importance of realizing one's true nature beyond the bounds of worldly existence. The concept of 'na tu eva ahaṁ jātu mṛṣṭo 'smi' can be interpreted as an encouragement to seek the universal and eternal within oneself, unshackled by the ephemeral nature of birth and death. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, reminds us of the potential for self-realization and the pursuit of a life that reflects our deeper, spiritual aspirations. By connecting with this verse, individuals can cultivate a sense of purpose and meaning that goes beyond the mundane, striving for a life of greater fulfillment and contribution to society.