Chapter 8 · Akshara Brahma Yoga - The Yoga of the Imperishable BrahmanKrishna
Verse 19
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 8, श्लोक 19
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
भूतग्रामः स एवायं भूत्वा भूत्वा प्रलीयते।
रात्र्यागमेऽवशः पार्थ प्रभवत्यहरागमे॥
Transliteration
Bhuta-gramah sa eva-ayam bhutva bhutva praliyate
Ratry-agame'vashah partha prabhavaty-ahar-agame
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
भूतग्रामःbhuta-gramahthe multitude of beings
सः एवsah evathat same
अयम्ayamthis
भूत्वा भूत्वाbhutva bhutvacoming into being again and again
प्रलीयतेpraliyatedissolves
रात्र्यागमेratry-agameat nightfall
अवशःavashahhelplessly
पार्थparthaO Partha
प्रभवतिprabhavaticomes into being
अहरागमेahar-agameat daybreak
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे पार्थ! वही प्राणी-समुदाय बार-बार उत्पन्न होकर रात्रि के आने पर परवश (विवश) होकर प्रलय को प्राप्त होता है और दिन के आने पर पुनः प्रकट होता है।
English Translation
This same multitude of beings, coming into existence again and again, is dissolved helplessly at the fall of night and comes forth again at the arrival of day, O Partha.
Commentary (टीका)
The word 'avashah' (helplessly) is crucial — beings are caught in this cosmic cycle without any control. They are born and dissolved mechanically, like waves rising and falling in the ocean. This stark picture of helplessness motivates the seeker to pursue liberation from this automatic cycle through devotion to the Supreme.