mayi sarvāṇi bhūtāni sattvenāsamavastavat. tathāham eva sarveṣu bhūteṣu tattatha draṣṭum arhasī.
“In My essence all beings exist equally, not really existing; similarly, you should see that I alone exist in all beings.”
Structure
mayi sarvāṇi bhūtāni sattvena asamavastuvat tathā aham eva sarveṣu bhūteṣu tat tatha draṣṭum arhasī
mayi (in me) sarvāṇi (all) bhūtāni (beings) sattvena (by the mode of goodness) asamavastuvat (are equally present) tathā (in the same way) aham (I) eva (certainly) sarveṣu (in all) bhūteṣu (beings) tat (that presence) tatha (equally) draṣṭum (to see) arhasī (you should)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mayi | mayi | pronoun | locative · singular | in Me |
| sarvāṇi | sarvāṇi | adjective | — | all |
| bhūtāni | bhūtāni | noun | nominative · plural · neuter | beings |
| sattvena | sattvena | indeclinable | — | by the mode of goodness |
| asamavastuvat | asamavastuvat | indeclinable | — | seem |
| tathā | tathā | indeclinable | — | so |
| aham | aham | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only |
| sarveṣu | sarveṣu | adjective | — | in all |
| bhūteṣu | bhūteṣu | noun | locative · plural · neuter | beings |
| tat | tat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| tatha | tatha | indeclinable | — | thus |
| draṣṭum | draṣṭum | verb | √draś · liṅ-optative · second | you should see |
| arhasī | arhasī | verb | √arh · liṅ-optative · second | you are worthy |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of ultimate reality, where all beings are essentially Brahman. Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā highlights that the phrase 'mayi sarvāṇi bhūtāni' emphasizes the dependence of all beings on the ultimate reality, which is Brahman. The phrase 'sattvenāsamavastavat' suggests that this dependence is not just a matter of existence, but also of the essence of being. Shankara argues that the distinction between the individual self (jīva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) is a product of ignorance (avidyā), and that the realization of the identity of Brahman and ātman is the key to liberation. In this context, the verse points to the ultimate non-dual reality, where all distinctions are transcended, and the individual self is seen as a manifestation of the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): Rāmānujācārya's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes the devotional reading of this verse, highlighting the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the ultimate reality (Īśvara). According to Rāmānuja, the phrase 'mayi sarvāṇi bhūtāni' indicates that all beings are dependent on Īśvara, who is the ultimate source of their existence. The phrase 'tathāham eva sarveṣu bhūteṣu' suggests that Īśvara is present in all beings, and that the individual self should cultivate a sense of devotion and surrender to Īśvara. Rāmānuja argues that the realization of this relationship is essential for liberation, and that it is through devotion and self-surrender that the individual self can attain union with Īśvara. In this context, the verse is seen as a call to devotion and a reminder of the ultimate reality's presence in all beings.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda's teachings emphasize the universal and practical application of this verse, highlighting the importance of recognizing the ultimate reality that underlies all existence. In his lecture 'The Absolute and the Relative', Vivekānanda cites this verse as an example of the non-dual nature of ultimate reality, where all distinctions are transcended. He argues that the realization of this ultimate reality is not just a matter of philosophical speculation, but a practical necessity for human liberation. According to Vivekānanda, the verse points to the need for a universal and inclusive understanding of reality, where all beings are seen as interconnected and interdependent. In this context, the verse is seen as a call to recognize the unity and diversity of human experience, and to cultivate a sense of compassion, empathy, and understanding towards all beings.