ahaṁ vai sarvayajñānāṁ phalaṁ caiva sarvavedānāṁ vedaḥ ca yajñāśca sarve kratavaḥ ।
“I alone am the enjoyer of all sacrifices, the knower of all Vedas, and the performer of all yajñas and all kratus.”
Structure
ahaṁ vai sarva-yajñānāṁ phalaṁ ca eva sarva-vedānāṁ vedaḥ ca yajñāḥ ca sarve kratavaḥ
ahaṁ (I) vai (indeed) sarva-yajñānāṁ (of all sacrifices) phalaṁ (the result) ca (and) eva (certainly) sarva-vedānāṁ (of all Vedas) vedaḥ (the Veda) ca (and) yajñāḥ (sacrifices) ca (and) sarve (all) kratavaḥ (rituals)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ahaṁ | aḥaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | I |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | verily, indeed |
| sarva-yajñānāṁ | sarva-yajñānāṁ | compound | genitive tatpuruṣa · "sarva eva yajñāḥ tānāṁ" | of all sacrifices |
| phalaṁ | phalaṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | fruit, result |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| sarva-vedānāṁ | sarva-vedānāṁ | compound | genitive tatpuruṣa · "sarva eva vedāḥ tānāṁ" | of all Vedas |
| vedaḥ | vedāḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Veda, knowledge |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| yajñāḥ | yajñāḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | sacrifices |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| sarve | sarve | adjective | — | all |
| kratavaḥ | kratavaḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | rituals, sacrifices |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the phrase 'ahaṁ vai sarvayajñānāṁ phalaṁ caiva' underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the sole enjoyer of all sacrifices and the knower of all Vedas. Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes that the 'ātman' or the individual self is, in reality, Brahman. This identity is central to understanding the verse, as it points to the unity of the individual self and the ultimate reality. In essence, this verse reveals that all actions and knowledge are ultimately rooted in and lead to the realization of this unified, all-encompassing Brahman. The statement reinforces the idea that duality is an illusion, and true understanding lies in recognizing the identity of the individual self with the universal self, Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse, when seen through the lens of Vaiṣṇava theology, emphasizes the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets the verse as affirming that the ultimate goal of all sacrifices, Vedas, and yajñas is to realize and serve the Supreme Lord, who is the embodiment of all knowledge and the enjoyer of all sacrifices. The statement 'ahaṁ vai sarvayajñānāṁ phalaṁ caiva' suggests that the Lord is the ultimate recipient of all devotional acts, reinforcing the Vaiṣṇava concept of bhakti, or loving devotion, as the means to attain union with and service to the Lord. This understanding underscores the dependence of the individual soul on the grace of the Supreme Lord for liberation and self-realization.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The universal and practical application of this verse is underscored by Swami Vivekānanda, who emphasizes the importance of realizing one's true nature as part of the universal self. In his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, Vivekānanda interprets the verse as a call to self-realization, where one understands that the ultimate goal of all human endeavor is to realize the oneness of existence. The statement 'ahaṁ vai sarvayajñānāṁ phalaṁ caiva' serves as a reminder that all knowledge and actions are means to an end, the end being the realization of the self. This understanding has practical implications for contemporary life, as it encourages individuals to transcend personal and societal boundaries, strive for self-realization, and work towards the betterment of all humanity, recognizing the inherent unity and interconnectedness of all existence.