Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 8 · Akshara Brahma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 8.20 परस्तस्मात्तु भावोऽन्योऽव्यक्तोऽव्यक्तात्सनातनः
श्लोक 8.20
परस्तस्मात्तु भावोऽन्योऽव्यक्तोऽव्यक्तात्सनातनः ।
यः स सर्वेषु भूतेषु नश्यत्सु न विनश्यति ॥
parastasmāttu bhāvo'nyo'vyakto'vyaktātsanātanaḥ |
yaḥ sa sarveṣu bhūteṣu naśyatsu na vinaśyati ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
परंतु उस अव्यक्त से भी परे एक अन्य सनातन अव्यक्त भाव है, जो सभी प्राणियों के नष्ट होने पर भी नष्ट नहीं होता।
Meaning in English
But beyond this unmanifest there is another, eternal unmanifest reality, which does not perish when all beings perish.
Bhagavad Gita 8.20 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| परः | paraḥ | higher |
| तस्मात् | tasmāt | than that |
| तु | tu | but |
| भावः | bhāvaḥ | reality, existence |
| अन्यः | anyaḥ | another |
| अव्यक्तः | avyaktaḥ | unmanifest |
| अव्यक्तात् | avyaktāt | than the unmanifest |
| सनातनः | sanātanaḥ | eternal |
| यः सः | yaḥ saḥ | that which |
| सर्वेषु भूतेषु | sarveṣu bhūteṣu | when all beings |
| नश्यत्सु | naśyatsu | are destroyed |
| न विनश्यति | na vinaśyati | is not destroyed |
Explanation
But beyond that unmanifest there is another, eternal Unmanifest Reality, higher than it, which does not perish even when all beings perish. This higher reality lies beyond nature itself and is untouched by every cycle of creation and dissolution. It alone endures.
Krishna distinguishes two unmanifests. The first is the seed state of nature, into which the world dissolves (8.18). The second is the eternal reality beyond nature itself, untouched by any cycle of creation and dissolution. Shankara identifies this with the imperishable Brahman named in 8.3. Ramanuja takes it as the pure self, or as the Lord's supreme nature, beyond matter. The verse is important for showing that the Gita's ultimate reality is not simply nature at rest, but something that transcends it entirely.
भावार्थ
परन्तु उस अव्यक्त से भी परे एक दूसरा, सनातन अव्यक्त भाव है, जो सब प्राणियों के नष्ट होने पर भी नष्ट नहीं होता। वह प्रकृति से भी परे और सदा एकरस है।
Living it today
When everything around you seems to be falling apart, remember there is something in you and beyond you that nothing can destroy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 8.20?
But beyond that unmanifest there is another, eternal Unmanifest Reality, higher than it, which does not perish even when all beings perish. This higher reality lies beyond nature itself and is untouched by every cycle of creation and dissolution. It alone endures.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 8.20?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 8 (Akshara Brahma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 8.20 in daily life?
When everything around you seems to be falling apart, remember there is something in you and beyond you that nothing can destroy.
Reflected on verse 8.20?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.