yaccediha samayī mṛtyo mama gātrāṇi paśyati । tadevāgniho-traṁ ca phalaṁ ca me matam ॥
“If at the time of death a dying man sees only my bodily limbs, then even that is considered by Me as the result of a fire-sacrifice.”
Structure
yaccha + ediha + samayī + mṛtyoḥ + mama + gātrāṇi + paśyati + tadeva + agniho-traṁ + ca + phalaṁ + ca + me + matam
yaccha (whatever) mṛtyoḥ (of death) mama (My) gātrāṇi (body parts) ediha (here) samayī (at the time) paśyati (sees), tadeva (that alone) agniho-traṁ (is the fire-sacrifice) ca (and) phalaṁ (the result) ca (and) me (My) matam (opinion)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yaccha | yaccha | indeclinable | — | and what |
| ediha | ediha | indeclinable | — | here |
| samayī | samayī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | death |
| mṛtyoḥ | mṛtyoḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of death |
| mama | mama | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | my |
| gātrāṇi | gātrāṇi | noun | accusative · plural · neuter | limbs |
| paśyati | paśyati | verb | √paś · present · third | sees |
| tadeva | tadeva | indeclinable | — | that very |
| agniho-traṁ | agniho-traṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | the agnihotra |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| phalaṁ | phalaṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | the fruit |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| me | me | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of me |
| matam | matam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | considered |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual reality where the ultimate truth, Brahman, is not different from the individual self, Ātman. According to Śaṅkarācārya, when a dying person sees only the bodily limbs of the Lord, it signifies a limited understanding, still bound by the duality of subject and object. However, even this limited vision can lead to spiritual growth, as it indicates a focus on the divine. Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (4.1.11) highlights that the ultimate goal is to realize the identity of Brahman and Ātman, and any means that directs the mind towards this goal, including the vision of the Lord's bodily form, is considered efficacious. Thus, the verse points to the potential for spiritual evolution, even when the understanding is not fully matured, emphasizing the gradual progression towards the realization of the non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of the Lord's grace and the importance of devotion. Rāmānujācārya interprets the verse as indicating that even a glimpse of the Lord's form at the time of death can be transformative, leading to spiritual liberation. This is because the Lord's form embodies His divine qualities and grace, which can awaken devotion in the heart of the devotee. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, emphasizes the distinction between the Lord and the individual self, highlighting the role of devotion and surrender in achieving liberation. According to Madhva, the verse suggests that the Lord's mercy extends even to those who may not have fully realized their devotion during their lifetime, offering them an opportunity for spiritual growth and liberation at the moment of death.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, key figures in the Neo-Vedānta movement, interpret this verse in the context of universal spirituality and practical application. Vivekānanda, in his lectures on Bhakti Yoga, emphasizes the importance of devotion as a means to realize the universal consciousness. He suggests that the verse indicates that even a fleeting glimpse of the divine can lead to profound spiritual transformation, highlighting the potential for spiritual growth in every moment. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, connects this verse to the broader theme of the human quest for meaning and transcendence. He argues that the verse underscores the significance of cultivating a deeper awareness of the divine in everyday life, recognizing that even mundane experiences can be transformed into opportunities for spiritual growth and self-realization.