mayi sarvāṇi bhūtāni sattvenāsasṛjat prabhūḥ. mayi sarvamidaṃ prāṇam ॥
“The Supreme Lord created all beings with the sattva quality and it is in Me that all this life exists.”
Structure
mayi sarvāṇi bhūtāni sattvena asṛjat prabhūḥ mayi sarvam idaṃ prāṇam
prabhūḥ (the Lord) sattvena (by the sattva) sarvāṇi (all) bhūtāni (beings) mayi (in Me) asṛjat (created) mayi (in Me) idaṃ (this) sarvam (all) prāṇam (life) asti (is)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mayi | mayi | indeclinable | — | in me |
| sarvāṇi | sarvāṇi | adjective | — | all |
| bhūtāni | bhūtāni | noun | accusative · plural · neuter | beings |
| sattvena | sattvena | indeclinable | — | by the sattva (or with sattva) |
| asṛjat | asṛjat | verb | √sṛj · aorist · third | created |
| prabhūḥ | prabhūḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the supreme lord |
| mayi | mayi | indeclinable | — | in me |
| sarvam | sarvam | adjective | — | all |
| idaṃ | idaṃ | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | this |
| prāṇam | prāṇam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | life or vital breath |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where all distinctions between the individual selves (jīvas) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) are transcended. Shankara, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets 'mayi sarvāṇi bhūtāni' to mean that all beings are rooted in the Supreme Self (Ātman), which is none other than Brahman. This identity of Brahman and Ātman is the central theme of Advaita Vedānta. Shankara's reasoning is that if all beings are created with the sattva quality and exist in the Supreme Lord, then it logically follows that the essence of all beings is the Supreme Lord Himself. This realization leads to the understanding that the ultimate reality is one, unchanging, and all-pervading. In essence, this verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, emphasizing that the individual self is not separate from the cosmic Self, but is, in fact, an expression of it.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, particularly through the lenses of Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, views this verse as establishing the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānuja interprets 'sattvenāsṛjat' as the Lord creating all beings with a spark of His own nature, emphasizing the intrinsic dependence of the jīva on Īśvara. This dependence is not just existential but also ontological, underscoring the devotional aspect where the jīva's purpose is to realize and worship Īśvara. Madhva, on the other hand, focuses on the distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, highlighting the verse's affirmation of the Lord's sovereignty and the jīva's subordination. Both interpretations, however, converge on the theme of devotion and the inseparable relationship between the Lord and His creations, with this verse serving as a foundation for the Vaiṣṇava concept of bhakti.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda and S. Radhakrishnan, key figures of Neo-Vedānta, approach this verse with an emphasis on its universal and practical implications for contemporary life. Vivekananda, in his lectures, often stressed the concept of the oneness of all existence, citing verses like this to illustrate the interconnectedness of all beings. He advocated for a practical Vedānta that recognizes the divine in every individual, thus promoting a sense of unity and service to humanity. Radhakrishnan, with his philosophical inclinations, focused on the verse's suggestion of a universal consciousness or spirit that pervades all life, arguing that this realization can lead to a more harmonious and peaceful world. Both thinkers saw this verse as a call to action and a reminder of the transcendent dimension of human existence, urging individuals to strive for a higher level of awareness and ethical living, where the recognition of the divine in all beings becomes the basis for compassion, tolerance, and global understanding.