na hi kaścitkṣaṇādapi prajāyate ca yaḥ . paśyed-ananta īśāna sarvatragam
“For no one is born even for an instant who does not see the limitless omnipotent Lord pervading everywhere.”
Structure
na hi kaścit kṣaṇāt api prajāyate ca yaḥ paśyet anantam īśānam sarvatragam
na hi kaścit (no one) kṣaṇāt (even for a moment) api (even) prajāyate (is born) ca (and) yaḥ (who) paśyet (sees) anantam (the infinite) īśānam (Lord) sarvatragam (who is present everywhere)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| kaścit | kaścit | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | anyone |
| kṣaṇāt | kṣaṇāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | even for a moment |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also, even |
| prajāyate | prajāyate | verb | √jā · laṭ-present · third | is born |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| yaḥ | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| paśyet | paśyet | verb | √paś · liṅ-optative · third | may see |
| anantam | anantam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | the unlimited One |
| īśānam | īśānam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | the Supreme Lord |
| sarvatragam | sarvatragam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | who is present everywhere |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse 'na hi kaścitkṣaṇādapi prajāyate ca yaḥ' underscores the idea that no being can exist without the omnipresent Īśāna, implying the inherent unity between the individual self (jīva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman). According to Śaṅkarācārya, this unity is not just a theoretical concept but a lived experience that arises from the direct realization of one's true nature. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya explains that the phrase 'anantam īśānam sarvatragam' signifies the all-pervading and infinite nature of the Lord, which is none other than the unchanging, all-encompassing Brahman. This verse, therefore, reinforces the non-dual (Advaita) perspective that the individual self is not separate from the ultimate reality, but rather an expression of it, with the goal of spiritual practice being to realize this fundamental identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse emphasizes the dependence of all beings on the grace of Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets 'na hi kaścitkṣaṇādapi prajāyate ca yaḥ' as indicating that even for a moment, no creature can exist independently of God's will. The phrase 'paśyed-ananta īśāna sarvatragam' highlights the Lord's infinite and omnipresent nature, underscoring the Vaiṣṇava doctrine of viśiṣṭādvaita, which posits a real distinction between the individual selves (jīvas) and the Supreme Self (Īśvara), yet advocates for a loving surrender to and dependence on the Lord. This verse, therefore, is seen as encouraging devotion and recognition of one's complete dependence on the divine, fostering a relationship of loving service (bhakti) towards the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda saw the Bhagavad Gītā as a text that not only presented spiritual truths but also a practical guide for living. The verse 'na hi kaścitkṣaṇādapi prajāyate ca yaḥ' resonates with his emphasis on the universal and the eternal that underlies all existence. According to Vivekānanda, recognizing the 'anantam īśānam sarvatragam'—the infinite and omnipresent Lord—within oneself and in all beings, is the key to achieving a state of unity and harmony. This realization, he taught, is not merely an intellectual exercise but a transformative experience that can change one's life and the world. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, expanding on this idea, highlighted the human potential for self-transcendence and the pursuit of the infinite within the finite, suggesting that this verse points to the innate capacity of every individual to realize their deeper, universal Self, thereby living a life of greater purpose, compassion, and wisdom.