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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 28 (2.28)

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 28 (2.28)

अव्यक्तादीनि भूतानि व्यक्तमध्यानि भारत । अव्यक्तनिधनान्येव तत्र का परिदेवना | | २-२८ | |

avyaktādīni bhūtāni vyaktamadhyāni bhārata avyaktanidhanānyeva tatra kā paridevanā

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • av joined in avyaktādīni
  • यः (yah) — जो(who)
  • k joined in avyaktādīni
  • तत् (tad) — वह(that)
  • ini joined in avyaktādīni
  • भूतानि (bhutani) — प्राणी आरंभ में अप्रकट होते हैं(beings are unmanifest in the beginning)
  • यत-मयइ (vyakta-madhyani) — यत-मयइ(manifest in the middle)
  • भारत (Bharata) — हे भारत(addresses Arjuna)
Line 2:
  • अयत-इधनइ (avyakta-nidhanani) — अंत में फिर अप्रकट(unmanifest again at the end)
  • एव (eva) — अंत में फिर अप्रकट(unmanifest again at the end)
  • तत्र (tatra) — इस पर शोक क्यों(why lament over this)
  • का (ka) — इस पर शोक क्यों(why lament over this)
  • पइएवन (paridevana) — इस पर शोक क्यों(why lament over this)

English: Beings are unseen before birth, manifest in the middle, and unseen again after death; why lament?

💡 Commentary Note

The manifest phase of life is just a brief moment in the vast timeline of existence. Since the beginning and end of all beings are unmanifest and hidden, we should accept this middle phase without grief.

Learnings from Shloka 28:
  • Transient existence:: Life is a brief appearance between two states of unmanifest existence; enjoy the journey without clinging.
  • Let go of attachment:: Recognizing the temporary nature of physical manifestation helps us let go of obsessive attachment.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

Practice this shloka vocabulary

Match Sanskrit words from shloka 2.28 with their Hindi and English meanings.

Practice vocabulary