śrṣṭā caiva asya hi śarīrāṇāṃ pṛthivyā rasācca . vāyus tathā mayo dyaus śaśāṅko manas eva ca //
“The Earth is the creator of the bodies, and also the juice (or water), the Air, the Sky, the Moon, and the Mind are (creators) thus.”
Structure
śrṣṭā ca eva asya hi śarīrāṇāṃ pṛthivī ā rasāt ca vāyuḥ tathā mayā dyaus śaśāṅkaḥ manas eva ca
śrṣṭā (creator) ca eva (and) asya (of this) hi (certainly) śarīrāṇāṃ (of bodies) pṛthivī (earth) ā (from) rasāt (from the essence) ca (and) vāyuḥ (air) tathā (and) mayā (by Me) dyaus (sky) śaśāṅkaḥ (the moon) manas (mind) eva (alone) ca (and)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| śrṣṭā | śṛṣṭā | verb | √śṛj · taddharmī · third | created |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| asya | asya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of Him |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for |
| śarīrāṇāṃ | śarīrāṇāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · neuter | bodies |
| pṛthivī | pṛthivī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | earth |
| ā | ā | indeclinable | — | from |
| rasāt | rasāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from water |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| vāyuḥ | vāyuḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | air |
| tathā | tathā | indeclinable | — | thus |
| mayā | mayā | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from Maya |
| dyaus | dyaus | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | sky |
| śaśāṅkaḥ | śaśāṅkaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | moon |
| manas | manas | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | mind |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality by highlighting the interconnectedness of all elements. According to Shankara, the creator of the bodies and the juice, air, sky, moon, and mind are all manifestations of the ultimate reality, Brahman. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Shankara interprets this verse as an illustration of the concept of 'sarvam khalv idam brahma' - all this is indeed Brahman. The verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the universal self (Brahman), thereby negating the notion of a separate, independent creator. This non-dual reading liberates the individual from the cycle of birth and death, revealing the ultimate reality as the sole existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition views this verse as a testament to the dependence of the jīva (individual self) on Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, sees the Earth and other elements as manifestations of God's power, emphasizing the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara as one of dependence and surrender. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, interprets this verse as an illustration of the distinction between the independent Lord and the dependent universe. The Verse highlights the Lord's role as the creator and sustainer of all, while the individual self is bound by its own limitations and dependencies. This devotional reading encourages the individual to cultivate a sense of surrender and devotion to the Lord, recognizing their inherent dependence on the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse holds significant practical implications for contemporary life, as it underscores the interconnectedness of all elements and the inherent unity of existence. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the divine in every aspect of life, including the natural world. S. Radhakrishnan, in his writings, highlights the relevance of this verse to modern ecological concerns, noting that the recognition of the Earth as the creator of bodies underscores our responsibility to preserve and protect the natural world. This Neo-Vedānta reading encourages individuals to adopt a holistic and inclusive worldview, recognizing the universal and eternal principles that govern human existence and the natural world. By applying this verse to contemporary life, individuals can cultivate a deeper sense of unity, responsibility, and harmony with the world around them.