na tasya kāryaṁ na kartṛtvaṁ nityo 'bhūtako 'yaṁ paraḥ śuddho 'vyakto 'vyayaḥ
“He has no work to do, no power to create; He is eternal, unborn, absolutely pure, unmanifest, and imperishable.”
Structure
na tasya kāryaṁ na kartṛtvaṁ nityoḥ abhūtakaḥ ayaṁ paraḥ śuddhaḥ avyaktoḥ avyayaḥ
na tasya (not of Him) kāryaṁ (any action) na kartṛtvaṁ (nor doership) nityoḥ (eternal) abhūtakaḥ (not created) ayaṁ (this) paraḥ (Supreme) śuddhaḥ (pure) avyaktoḥ (unchanging) avyayaḥ ( imperishable)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tasya | tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of him |
| kāryaṁ | kāryam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | action to be done |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kartṛtvaṁ | kartṛtvaṃ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | doership |
| nityo | nityaḥ | adjective | — | eternal |
| abhūtakaḥ | abhūtakaḥ | adjective | — | unborn |
| ayaṁ | ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| paraḥ | paraḥ | adjective | — | supreme |
| śuddhaḥ | śuddhaḥ | adjective | — | pure |
| avyakto | avyakto | adjective | — | unmanifest |
| avyayaḥ | avyayaḥ | adjective | — | indestructible |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Muṇḍakopaniṣad underscores the fundamental nature of the ultimate reality, Brahman, as devoid of actions (kāryaṁ) and creative agency (kartṛtvaṁ), emphasizing its eternal (nityo), unborn (abhūtakaḥ), pure (śuddhaḥ), unmanifest (avyaktaḥ), and imperishable (avyayaḥ) essence. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, discusses similar concepts, highlighting the non-dual nature of Brahman. He reasons that the attributes mentioned here point to the identity of Brahman with the Ātman, the individual self, suggesting a unity beyond the distinctions of creator and creation. This non-dual interpretation (Advaita) sees the ultimate reality as beyond human comprehension, yet accessible through realization of the brahman-ātman identity. This verse, therefore, serves as a cornerstone for understanding the nature of reality in Advaita Vedānta, guiding seekers towards the realization of their true, unchanging self.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, with its emphasis on devotion and the personal relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the Lord (Īśvara), interprets this verse in the context of the divine attributes of Viṣṇu. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, discusses the nature of Brahman as being both the material and the efficient cause of the universe, yet transcending these roles. This verse's description of Brahman as 'nityo', 'abhūtakaḥ', 'śuddhaḥ', 'avyaktaḥ', and 'avyayaḥ' resonates with the Vaiṣṇava conception of God as eternal, unborn, pure, and imperishable. For Madhvācārya, such attributes underscore the difference between the independent Lord and the dependent souls, highlighting the path of devotion as the means to realize and serve the Lord, who is beyond human comprehension but accessible through love and surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse from the Muṇḍakopaniṣad offers profound insights into the universal and timeless nature of the ultimate reality. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of Vedāntic principles in everyday life, focusing on the potential for human realization of the divine within. He saw such verses as pointing to the infinite potential of the human soul, encouraging individuals to strive for self-realization and service to humanity. S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, delves into the universal relevance of this verse, discussing how its depiction of the ultimate reality as 'nityo', 'abhūtakaḥ', 'śuddhaḥ', 'avyaktaḥ', and 'avyayaḥ' reflects the eternal, unchanging essence that underlies all existence. This understanding, he suggests, can guide contemporary life by fostering a sense of unity, peace, and eternal values amidst the flux of the world.