māmevaiṣa niṣprapañco veditavyas sa niṣkalaḥ . atho bahūnāṃ vṛṇate grahaṇāt
“He should know Me alone as the unmanifest, the imperishable Reality; otherwise, having undertaken multiple paths, he chooses to take hold of many.”
Structure
māmevaiṣa niṣprapañco veditavyas sa niṣkalaḥ atho bahūnāṃ vṛṇate grahaṇāt
saḥ (he) niṣprapañcaḥ (without manifestation) niṣkalaḥ (without parts) māmeva (only me) eṣa (this) veditavyas (should be known) atho (otherwise) bahūnāṃ (of many) grahaṇāt (by acceptance) vṛṇate (chooses)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| māmevaiṣa | māmevaiṣa | compound | karmadhāraya · "māma + eva + īṣa" | even in Me |
| niṣprapañco | niṣprapañco | adjective | — | without manifestation |
| veditavyas | veditavyas | verb | √vid · fut passive | should be known |
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| niṣkalaḥ | niṣkalaḥ | adjective | — | without parts |
| atho | atho | indeclinable | — | otherwise |
| bahūnāṃ | bahūnāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of many |
| vṛṇate | vṛṇate | verb | √vṛ · present · third | he chooses |
| grahaṇāt | grahaṇāt | noun | ablative · singular · neuter | from taking |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, māmevaiṣa niṣprapañco veditavyas sa niṣkalaḥ, underscores the non-dual nature of ultimate reality. According to Śaṅkara, the emphasis on knowing 'Me alone' as the unmanifest and imperishable points to the identity of Brahman and Ātman. In his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, Śaṅkara argues that the ultimate reality is beyond all manifestations and is the essence of the Self. This verse supports the idea that the pursuit of multiple paths (grahaṇāt) is a distraction from realizing this fundamental unity. Śaṅkara's reasoning on this verse aligns with his broader philosophical stance that true knowledge (vidyā) lies in understanding the non-dual nature of Brahman, unencumbered by the complexities of the manifested world. This understanding leads to liberation, where the individual self (jīva) recognizes its true nature as being one with the ultimate reality (Brahman). The importance of focusing on the unmanifest, imperishable reality is thus a direct path to Self-realization, highlighting the central tenet of Advaita Vedānta: the non-duality of existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse through the lens of devotional theology, emphasizing the loving relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, sees this verse as an exhortation to devotees to focus their worship and knowledge on the Supreme Being alone, recognizing Him as the imperishable and unmanifest reality. This singular focus is crucial for avoiding the pitfalls of worldly attachments and distractions, symbolized by 'grahaṇāt' or the act of taking hold of many things. For Rāmānujācārya, the 'Me' in 'māmevaiṣa' refers to the personal God, Viṣṇu, who is both the unchanging essence and the loving Lord of all beings. Madhvācārya, while also emphasizing devotion, might interpret the verse with a stronger dualistic tone, highlighting the distinction between the independent Lord and the dependent selves, yet still underscoring the importance of devotion to the one supreme deity as the path to liberation and true knowledge.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, key figures in Neo-Vedānta, interpret this verse in a universal and practical light. According to Vivekānanda, the essence of this verse lies in its call to realize the unity of all existence, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the eternal and unchangeable aspect of reality. In his lectures and writings, Vivekānanda often cited the Upaniṣads and the Bhagavad Gītā to underscore the universal principles that govern human existence, advocating for a life dedicated to the pursuit of this ultimate truth. Rādhākrishnan, with his blend of philosophical and political insights, saw in this verse a message of integration and harmony, where the individual striving for the realization of the unmanifest and imperishable reality contributes to the broader social and national well-being. Both thinkers thus bring the verse into contemporary relevance, highlighting its significance for personal transformation and societal progress, and encouraging individuals to seek a deeper understanding of themselves and the world, unencumbered by superficial distinctions and dogmas.