mayi sarvāṇi karmāṇi sannaṡi muniḥ । nirvairaḥ samadarśīḥ tvam eva ca ।
“The muni who views with equality, being free from enmity, and has surrendered all actions to Me.”
Structure
mayi sarvāṇi karmāṇi sannaśi muniḥ nirvairaḥ samadarśīḥ tvam eva ca
tvam (you) eva (alone) ca (and) muniḥ (sage) sarvāṇi (all) karmāṇi (actions) mayi (unto Me) sannaśi (should perform)nirvairaḥ (without enmity) samadarśīḥ (equally seeing) tvam (you) eva (alone) ca (and) should be
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mayi | mayi | indeclinable | — | in me |
| sarvāṇi | sarvāṇi | adjective | — | all |
| karmāṇi | karmāṇi | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | actions |
| sannaśi | sannaśi | verb | √śaś · optative · second | you should renounce |
| muniḥ | muniḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | O sage |
| nirvairaḥ | nirvairaḥ | adjective | — | free from enemies |
| samadarśīḥ | samadarśīḥ | adjective | — | one who sees equally |
| tvam | tvam | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | you |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkara interprets this verse as underscoring the non-dual (advaita) nature of reality. The phrase 'mayi sarvāṇi karmāṇi sannaddham' (all actions surrendered to Me) is seen as an injunction to renounce the egoistic notion of doership, thereby realizing one's true identity as the ātman, which is not different from Brahman. Śaṅkara's reasoning emphasizes that the 'muni' who views all with equality is not just a sage but a symbol of the jīvanmukta, one who has attained liberation while still embodied, having transcended the dualities of the world. This verse thus points to the ultimate reality of brahman-ātman identity, where all distinctions, including the concept of 'I' and 'you,' dissolve into the unity of consciousness.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, sees this verse as a pivotal expression of the devotional path (bhakti-mārga) where the devotee surrenders all actions to the Lord, exemplifying a profound relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). The 'muni' who views with equality is considered a model of a devotee who has achieved a state of detachment and love for all beings, seeing them as part of the Lord's creation. Rāmānuja's perspective emphasizes the importance of prapatti (surrender) to the Lord, not just as a means to attain mokṣa (liberation) but as a way of life that transforms the devotee, enabling them to see the world and all beings with the eyes of the Lord, thus fostering a sense of universal love and compassion.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical and universal application of the Bhagavad Gītā's teachings. He saw this verse as a call to action, urging individuals to dedicate their lives to a higher purpose, transcending petty differences and worldly attachments. Vivekānanda's interpretation stresses the importance of selfless work (niṣkāma karma) and the realization of one's unity with all existence. He believed that by surrendering one's actions to a higher ideal, an individual can achieve a state of inner peace and equality, viewing all beings with the same eye, as expressed in the verse. This approach resonates with contemporary life, encouraging individuals to cultivate a sense of global citizenship and responsibility, working towards the betterment of humanity as a whole, while finding personal fulfillment in the process.