Bhagavad Gita · Verse 8.18
Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga (अक्षर ब्रह्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अव्यक्ताद्व्यक्तयः सर्वाः प्रभवन्त्यहरागमे । रात्र्यागमे प्रलीयन्ते तत्रैवाव्यक्तसंज्ञके ॥१८॥
avyaktādvyaktayaḥ sarvāḥ prabhavantyaharāgame | rātryāgame pralīyante tatraivāvyaktasaṃjñake ||18||
Complete Shloka Translation
At the coming of the day, all manifestations arise from the unmanifest; at the coming of the night, they dissolve into that very state called unmanifest.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अव्यक्तात् | avyaktāt | from the unmanifest |
| प्रलीयन्ते | pralīyante | dissolve |
| अव्यक्ताद्व्यक्तयः | avyaktādvyaktayaḥ | [term] in context of At the coming of the day, all ... |
| सर्वाः | sarvāḥ | [term] in context of At the coming of the day, all ... |
| प्रभवन्त्यहरागमे | prabhavantyaharāgame | [term] in context of At the coming of the day, all ... |
| रात्र्यागमे | rātryāgame | [term] in context of At the coming of the day, all ... |
| तत्रैवाव्यक्तसंज्ञके | tatraivāvyaktasaṃjñake | [term] in context of At the coming of the day, all ... |
| १८ | tatraivāvyaktasaṃjñake | [term] in context of At the coming of the day, all ... |
from the unmanifest
dissolve
[term] in context of At the coming of the day, all ...
[term] in context of At the coming of the day, all ...
[term] in context of At the coming of the day, all ...
[term] in context of At the coming of the day, all ...
[term] in context of At the coming of the day, all ...
[term] in context of At the coming of the day, all ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Read with 8.17, the day and night are cosmic periods. This unmanifest is the source and resting state of changing manifestations, later distinguished from the eternal unmanifest in 8.20.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Observe how forms arise and pass without treating each change as the whole reality."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which changing form are you treating as the whole reality?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.