na ca dehāgrahāt sargo na dehāntaritah । sargastu punahprāptiḥ yogenaiva saṃsavati ॥ २१२ ॥
“The creation does not arise from attachment to the body, nor does it cease with the destruction of the body; rebirth occurs only through the power of yoga.”
Structure
na ca dehāgrahāt sargo na dehāntaritah sargastu punahprāptiḥ yogena eva saṃsavati
na ca (not) dehāgrahāt (from attachment to the body) sargo (creation, birth) na (not) dehāntaritah (separated from the body) sargastu (creation, birth) punahprāptiḥ (again obtaining) yogena (by yoga) eva (only) saṃsavati (takes place)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| dehāgrahāt | dehāgrahāt | compound | tatpuruṣa · "dehāgraha" | from the notion of body |
| sargo | sargo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | creation |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| dehāntaritah | dehāntaritah | compound | tatpuruṣa · "dehāntarita" | beyond the body |
| sargastu | sargastu | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | creation |
| punahprāptiḥ | punahprāptiḥ | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | re-attainment |
| yogena | yogena | compound | tatpuruṣa · "yoga" | by means of union |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only |
| saṃsavati | saṃsavati | verb | √saṃsā · laṭ-present · third | it effects |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, emphasizing that creation or rebirth (sarga) is not dependent on the physical body (deha). Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (2.3.13) explains that the 'self' (ātman) is not bound by the cycles of birth and death, as it is essentially identical with brahman, the ultimate reality. The phrase 'yogenaiva saṃsavati' suggests that the realization of this identity occurs through the practice of yoga, which aids in transcending bodily attachments and recognizing the true nature of the self. This verse aligns with Shankara's notion of 'vivarta,' where the world is seen as a mere appearance (vivarta) of brahman, rather than an independent reality. Thus, the verse points to the liberation from the cycle of rebirth through the understanding of the brahman-ātman identity, highlighting the central tenet of Advaita Vedanta that the ultimate reality is one, unchanging, and beyond human conception.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as underscoring the dependence of the jīva (individual soul) on Īśvara (the Supreme Lord) for rebirth. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, explains that the 'yogena' mentioned in the verse refers to the devotion and surrender of the individual to the will of the Supreme Lord, facilitating a new birth that is conducive to spiritual growth. Madhvācārya further elucidates that the ultimate goal of this process is to attain liberation, which is solely dependent on the grace of Īśvara. This verse highlights the interdependence between the jīva and Īśvara, emphasizing the role of devotion (bhakti) as the means to achieve spiritual liberation. The phrase 'punahprāptiḥ' (rebirth) is seen as an opportunity for the jīva to move closer to realizing its true nature and relationship with the Supreme, through the guidance and mercy of Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse is seen as a call to self-realization and spiritual growth in contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on karma yoga, emphasizes the importance of transcending bodily attachments and desires to achieve a higher state of consciousness. He notes that the practice of yoga, as mentioned in the verse, is not merely a physical discipline but a means to unite the individual with the universal. In his book 'The Ideal of a Universal Religion,' Vivekānanda highlights the universal applicability of this principle, stating that every individual has the potential to realize their true nature and contribute to the well-being of humanity. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'Indian Philosophy,' interprets the verse as an exhortation to seek liberation from the cycle of rebirth through self-realization, which is achievable through the practice of yoga and the cultivation of a universal sense of compassion and understanding. This approach underscores the practical and universal application of the verse, encouraging individuals to strive for a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.