Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.28
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अव्यक्तादीनि भूतानि व्यक्तमध्यानि भारत । अव्यक्तनिधनान्येव तत्र का परिदेवना ॥२८॥
avyaktādīni bhūtāni vyaktamadhyāni bhārata | avyaktanidhanānyeva tatra kā paridevanā ||28||
Complete Shloka Translation
Beings are unmanifest before their appearance, manifest in the middle, and unmanifest again at their end, Bharata. Why lament over this?
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| व्यक्तमध्यानि | vyaktamadhyāni | manifest in the middle |
| परिदेवना | paridevanā | lamentation |
| अव्यक्तादीनि | avyaktādīni | [term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t... |
| भूतानि | bhūtāni | [term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t... |
| भारत | bhārata | [term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t... |
| अव्यक्तनिधनान्येव | avyaktanidhanānyeva | [term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t... |
| तत्र | tatra | [term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t... |
| का | kā | [term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t... |
| २८ | paridevanā | [term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t... |
manifest in the middle
lamentation
[term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t...
[term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t...
[term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t...
[term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t...
[term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t...
[term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t...
[term] in context of Beings are unmanifest before t...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Unmanifest does not simply mean nonexistent. The verse emphasizes the limited interval during which beings appear in a form we can recognize.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Visible life is placed within a wider horizon than its brief appearance."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How does a wider view of life's appearance affect your perspective?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse when facing identity crisis or fear of failure: distinguish the unchanging inner self from transient life situations, and act with full dedication without anxiety over the final outcome.