nāhaṁ kaścid api paśyāmi nāntareṇa maheśvaram । sarvabhūteṣu tattvena sarvabhūtāni paśyataḥ ॥
“I do not see any distinction between the Supreme Lord and any being, for everywhere I see them as equal, being the same in essence.”
Structure
nā aham kaścit api paśyāmi nā antarena maheśvaram sarva bhūteṣu tattvena sarva bhūtāni paśyataḥ
na aham (I do not) kaścit (anyone) api (even) paśyāmi (see) nā (not) antarena (without) maheśvaram (the Supreme Lord) sarva bhūteṣu (in all beings) tattvena (by the essence) sarva bhūtāni (all beings) paśyataḥ (who see)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nā | nā | indeclinable | — | not |
| aham | aham | pronoun | nominative · singular · none | I |
| kaścit | kaścit | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | anyone |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also, even |
| paśyāmi | paśyāmi | verb | √paś · laṭ-present · first | I see |
| nā | nā | indeclinable | — | not |
| antarena | antarena | indeclinable | — | except |
| maheśvaram | maheśvaram | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | the Supreme Lord |
| sarva | sarva | adjective | — | all |
| bhūteṣu | bhūteṣu | noun | locative · plural · neuter | in all beings |
| tattvena | tattvena | noun | instrumental · singular · neuter | by that reality |
| sarva | sarva | adjective | — | all |
| bhūtāni | bhūtāni | noun | nominative · plural · neuter | beings |
| paśyataḥ | paśyataḥ | verb | √paś · laṭ-present · third | sees |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinction between the Supreme Lord (Maheśvara) and other beings is transcended. According to Śaṅkara, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the essence of all beings, and this verse points to the brahman-ātman identity. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkara explains that the Lord's statement 'I do not see any distinction' implies that from the ultimate standpoint, all distinctions are sublated, and the Self (Ātman) is realized as one with Brahman. This realization is the key to liberation, as it dispels the illusion of separateness and reveals the unity of all existence. Śaṅkara's commentary on this verse highlights the importance of self-inquiry and the direct experience of non-duality, where the individual self (jīva) is seen as none other than the Supreme Self (Paramātman).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of the Lord's loving relationship with all beings. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, explains that the Lord's vision of equality among all beings is rooted in His inherent compassion and love. The Lord sees all beings as His own, and this vision is not based on external distinctions but on the intrinsic worth of each being as a jīva, a spark of the Divine. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, emphasizes the distinction between the Lord and the jīvas, while still acknowledging the Lord's all-pervading presence and loving relationship with all beings. In this context, the verse is seen as a call to devotion and self-surrender, where the individual recognizes their dependence on the Lord and seeks to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has far-reaching implications for contemporary life, as it emphasizes the universality and interconnectedness of all existence. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, highlights the importance of this verse in promoting a sense of unity and compassion among all beings. He sees the verse as a call to action, where individuals recognize their shared humanity and work towards the betterment of society as a whole. S. Radhakrishnan, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, explains that this verse points to the ultimate reality that underlies all existence, a reality that is beyond human distinctions and categories. He argues that this realization can inspire a sense of global citizenship and cooperation, where individuals transcend narrow loyalties and work towards the common good. In this context, the verse is seen as a powerful tool for promoting social justice, equality, and human dignity.