yasya nāhaṁ r.te nāsti kiñcid api sa ca me priyaḥ . evam uktvā tu mahāteṣāṇaḥ prahṛtya dvibhum īśvaram ॥
“To whom nothing in this world exists without Me, and who knows Me to be the enjoyer, the maintainer, and the origin of all, his thoughts are indeed fixed on Me.”
Structure
yasya - nā - aham - rte - nāsti - kiñcid - api - sa - ca - me - priyaḥ - evam - uktvā - tu - mahā - teṣāṇaḥ - prahṛtya - dvibhum - īśvaram
yasya (of him) rte (without) aham (I) nāsti (do not exist) kiñcid (anything) api (at all) - saḥ (that person) ca (and) me (to me) priyaḥ (dear) . evam (thus) uktvā (having spoken) tu (then) mahā (great) teṣāṇaḥ (archer) īśvaram (the Lord) dvibhum (the earth) prahṛtya (having taken)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yasya | yasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | |
| nā | nā | indeclinable | — | not |
| aham | aham | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | I |
| rte | rte | indeclinable | — | without |
| nāsti | nāsti | verb | √as · present · third | there is not |
| kiñcid | kiñcid | indeclinable | — | anything |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also |
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| me | me | pronoun | dative · singular · masculine | to me |
| priyaḥ | priyaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | dear one |
| evam | evam | indeclinable | — | thus |
| uktvā | uktvā | indeclinable | — | having spoken |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| mahā | mahā | adjective | — | great |
| teṣāṇaḥ | teṣāṇaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the great lord |
| prahṛtya | prahṛtya | indeclinable | — | having taken |
| dvibhum | dvibhum | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | the two-Earth |
| īśvaram | īśvaram | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | the lord |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse (BG 5.9) underscores the non-dual nature of reality, emphasizing that nothing exists without the ultimate reality, Brahman. According to Shankara, the phrase 'yasya nāhaṁ ṛte nāsti kiñcid api' signifies that the universe and all its phenomena are inextricably linked with Brahman, the unchanging essence. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (BS 1.1.5) sheds light on this, stating that the ultimate truth is the identity of Brahman and Ātman. This verse, in the context of the Bhagavad Gītā, points towards the realization that the individual self (jīva) and the supreme self (Īśvara) are not separate entities but are ultimately one. The knowledge that nothing exists independently of Brahman leads to the understanding that the individual's true nature is also Brahman, thus affirming the brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as highlighting the intimate relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (Gītā Bhāṣya), interprets 'yasya nāhaṁ ṛte nāsti kiñcid api' as emphasizing the dependence of all existence on the Lord. This dependency is not just metaphysical but also devotional, as the jīva finds its ultimate fulfillment in loving devotion to Īśvara. Madhvācārya would further emphasize the distinction between the Lord and the individual souls, yet both would agree that the recognition of the Lord's omnipresence and the jīva's dependence on Him is crucial for spiritual growth and liberation. This verse, therefore, encourages a deepening of one's devotion and understanding of one's relationship with the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound message for contemporary life, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all existence. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, highlights the practical application of this verse, suggesting that recognizing the divine in all phenomena fosters a sense of unity and responsibility. This perspective encourages individuals to move beyond the limitations of the ego and to embrace a universal consciousness. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, further expands on this idea, suggesting that such a realization can lead to a more compassionate and harmonious world. By applying the wisdom of this verse, individuals can cultivate a deeper sense of connection with the world around them, leading to more meaningful and fulfilling lives. This universal and practical application makes the verse pertinent to modern spiritual seekers and philosophers alike.