na tv evāhaṁ jātu nāśyāmi nityaḥ hy asanāśyo 'yaṁ tasyaiva brahmasāhasrāṁ yajustvayā gatam ॥ २८ ॥
“I do not arise nor do I ever perish; having gone, this (soul) does not cease to exist; it is unborn, eternal, imperishable and ancient.”
Structure
na tu eva aham jātu nāśyāmi nityaḥ hi asanāśyo ayam tasya eva brahma sāhasrāṁ yajus tvayā gatam
na (not) tu (indeed) eva (certainly) aham (I) jātu (ever) nāśyāmi (perish) nityaḥ (eternal) hi (for) asanāśyo (unperishable) ayam (this) tasya (of That) eva (certainly) brahma (Supreme Reality) sāhasrāṁ (thousand) yajus ( sacrificial formulas) tvayā (by you) gatam (been gone)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, however |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only, indeed |
| aham | aḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
| jātu | jātu | verb | √jan · past participle | born |
| nāśyāmi | nāśyāmi | verb | √naś · first person singular present · first | I perish |
| nityaḥ | nityaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | eternal one |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| asanāśyo | asanāśyo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | non-perishable |
| ayam | ayam | pronoun | nominative · singular | this |
| tasya | tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular | of Him |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only, indeed |
| brahma | brahma | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | Brahman |
| sāhasrāṁ | sāhasrāṁ | adjective | — | thousand |
| yajus | yajus | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | Yajus |
| tvayā | tvayā | pronoun | instrumental · singular | by you |
| gatam | gatam | verb | √gam · past participle | gone, reached |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, highlighting the eternity and imperishability of the self. According to Shankara, the phrase 'nityo hy asanāshyo 'yaṁ' reaffirms that the ātman, or individual self, is ultimately identical with Brahman, the supreme reality. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Shankara interprets this verse as affirming the timeless and changeless essence of the self, which is not subject to birth or death. This understanding is in line with the Upaniṣadic teachings, where the ātman is described as unborn and eternal. By emphasizing the non-duality of the self and Brahman, this verse points to the ultimate reality that underlies all existence, encouraging the seeker to realize their true nature beyond the limitations of the phenomenal world.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as underscoring the relationship between the jīva, or individual soul, and Īśvara, the supreme Lord. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, views this verse as emphasizing the distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, while also highlighting their interconnectedness. The phrase 'na tv evāhaṁ jātu nāśyāmi' is seen as affirming the eternal nature of the jīva, which is dependent on Īśvara for its existence. This verse is often cited in the context of bhakti, or devotional practice, where the devotee seeks to cultivate a personal relationship with the divine. By recognizing the eternal and imperishable nature of the self, the devotee can deepen their devotion and ultimately attain liberation through the grace of Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has significant implications for contemporary life, as it points to the timeless and universal nature of the self. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets this verse as emphasizing the importance of self-realization in achieving true freedom and empowerment. The phrase 'nityo hy asanāshyo 'yaṁ' is seen as affirming the eternal and imperishable essence of the human being, which is capable of transcending the limitations of the external world. This understanding is in line with Vivekānanda's emphasis on the universal and practical application of Vedāntic teachings, where the ultimate goal is to realize one's true nature and manifest it in everyday life. By recognizing the eternal and imperishable nature of the self, individuals can cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and meaning, and ultimately contribute to the creation of a more harmonious and just society.