na me pārthāsti kartavyā triṣu lokeṣvanuttamaḥ । yatkrṇu mā mayā proktaṃ tadastu me 'bhiprayaḥ ॥
“There is no duty for Me to perform, nor is there anything that I have not done; what I do, O Pārtha, is only to show the way.”
Structure
na me pārthā asti kartavyā triṣu lokeṣu anuttamaḥ । yat krṇu mā mayā proktaṃ tad astu me abhiprayaḥ ॥
na (no) asti (there is) kartavyā (duty) me (My) pārthā (Arjuna) triṣu (three) lokeṣu (worlds) anuttamaḥ (supreme) । mayā (by Me) proktaṃ (said) yat (what) krṇu (you do) tad (that) astu (let it be) me (My) abhiprayaḥ (intention) ॥
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| me | me | pronoun | genitive · singular | my |
| pārthā | pārthā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | Arjuna's son (or a vocative address to one with a paternal lineage from Prthā, likely here referring to someone or a title) |
| asti | asti | verb | √as · laṭ-present · third | is |
| kartavyā | kartavyā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | duty |
| triṣu | triṣu | indeclinable | — | in three |
| lokeṣu | lokeṣu | noun | locative plural · plural · masculine | worlds |
| anuttamaḥ | anuttamaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the best |
| yat | yat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | what |
| krṇu | krṇu | verb | √kṛ · liṅ-optative · second | you should do |
| mā | mā | indeclinable | — | by me |
| mayā | mayā | pronoun | instrumental · singular | by me |
| proktaṃ | proktaṃ | verb | √vac · past participle | has been spoken |
| tad | tad | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| astu | astu | verb | √as · liṅ-optative · third | let it be |
| me | me | pronoun | genitive · singular | my |
| abhiprayaḥ | abhiprayaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | intention |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where Brahman, the ultimate reality, is beyond all actions and their consequences. Shankara, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets the phrase 'na me pārthāsti kartavyā' as an indication that Brahman, being actionless, has no duties to perform. The actions attributed to God are merely a manifestation of the divine will, guiding humanity towards the realization of the brahman-ātman identity. The phrase 'yat krṇu mā mayā proktaṃ' suggests that the actions of the divine are not bound by the constraints of karma but are instead a demonstration of the infinite potential of Brahman, guiding the seeker towards self-realization. This interpretation highlights the central theme of Advaita Vedānta, emphasizing the unity and timelessness of the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of the loving relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the personal God). Rāmānujācārya interprets the phrase 'na me pārthāsti kartavyā' as an indication of the Lord's lack of obligation to perform actions for His own sake, but rather, His actions are motivated by His love and concern for the well-being of His devotees. The phrase 'yat krṇu mā mayā proktaṃ' is seen as the Lord's way of guiding the devotee towards the path of bhakti, emphasizing the importance of surrender and devotion. This interpretation underscores the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the personal relationship between the Lord and the devotee, highlighting the role of divine grace and loving guidance in the journey towards liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse can be seen as a powerful metaphor for the human condition, where the individual struggles to find purpose and meaning in life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of selfless action, citing the phrase 'na me pārthāsti kartavyā' as an example of the ideal of niskāma karma (action without desire). The phrase 'yat krṇu mā mayā proktaṃ' is interpreted as a call to action, encouraging the individual to follow their inner voice and pursue their passions without attachment to the outcome. This interpretation highlights the universal and practical application of the verse, encouraging individuals to adopt a mindset of selfless service and devotion, leading to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life. In contemporary life, this verse can be seen as a reminder to re-evaluate our priorities and align our actions with our values and principles, leading to a more authentic and meaningful existence.