akṣaraṁ brahma-paramaṁ vedaḥ aham | akṣaraṁ sarvāṇi bhūtāni tad-anusmṛty-upāgamaḥ ||
“I know the Supreme Brahm as the imperishable (akṣaraṁ); all beings originate from It, and remembering It, one attains (mokṣa).”
Structure
akṣaraṁ brahma paramaṁ veda aham | akṣaraṁ sarvāṇi bhūtāni tad anusmṛty upāgamaḥ
aham (I) veda (know) akṣaraṁ (the imperishable) brahma (Brahman) paramaṁ (the Supreme); sarvāṇi (all) bhūtāni (beings) akṣaraṁ (are rooted in the imperishable); tad (that) anusmṛtya (remembering) upāgamaḥ (I approach)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| akṣaraṁ | akṣaraṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | |
| brahma | brahma | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | |
| paramaṁ | paramaṁ | adjective | — | |
| veda | vedaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | |
| aham | aham | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | |
| akṣaraṁ | akṣaraṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | |
| sarvāṇi | sarvāṇi | adjective | — | |
| bhūtāni | bhūtāni | noun | nominative · plural · neuter | |
| tad | tad | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | |
| anusmṛty | anusmṛty | indeclinable | — | |
| upāgamaḥ | upāgamaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya interprets this verse as affirming the non-dual nature of Ultimate Reality, Brahman. The term 'akṣaraṁ' signifies the imperishable and unchanging essence that underlies all existence. Śaṅkarācārya argues that the knowledge of this imperishable Brahman is not merely an intellectual understanding but a direct realization of one's true nature, which is identical with Brahman. He elucidates that remembering or contemplating on this immutable reality is the means to attain liberation, underscoring the identity between the individual self (ātman) and the universal self (Brahman). This verse, therefore, points to the central tenet of Advaita Vedānta: the non-dual brahman-ātman identity, achievable through contemplation and self-inquiry.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, particularly through the lens of Rāmānujācārya, this verse is seen as emphasizing the loving relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya's Visiṣṭādvaita Vedānta interprets 'akṣaraṁ' as referring to the immutable nature of both the soul and God, highlighting their interconnectedness. The act of remembering (anusmṛti) is viewed as a form of devotion, where the jīva seeks to reunite with Īśvara, acknowledging their inherent dependence on and love for the Supreme. This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava tradition, underscores the path of bhakti (devotion) as a means to attain mokṣa, where the soul, in its quest for union with God, ultimately finds liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, key figures in Neo-Vedānta, interpret this verse in the context of universal applicability and practical spirituality. According to Vivekānanda, the concept of 'akṣaraṁ' symbolizes the eternal and unchanging principles that govern the universe, calling for a harmonization between the individual and the cosmic. He emphasizes that recognizing and connecting with this imperishable reality within ourselves enables us to transcend ephemeral boundaries, embracing our shared humanity and the divine that dwells within every being. Rādhākrishnan further elaborates that this verse encapsulates the essence of the Vedantic message: the pursuit of the eternal and the realization of the self, which, when applied to modern life, fosters a sense of global unity, peace, and liberation from the confines of the mundane.