In Bhagavad Gita 2.28, Krishna says that beings are unmanifest before birth, manifest in the middle and unmanifest again after death, so there is no reason for lament.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अव्यक्तादीनि भूतानि
व्यक्तमध्यानि भारत
अव्यक्तनिधनान्येव
तत्र का परिदेवना ॥ २-२८ ॥
avyaktādīni bhūtāni
vyaktamadhyāni bhārata
avyaktanidhanānyeva
tatra kā paridevanā
English transliteration avyaktaadeeni bhootaani
vyaktamadhyaani bhaarata
avyaktanidhanaanyeva
tatra kaa paridevanaa ॥ 2.28 ॥
Translation / Meaning
All beings are unmanifest in their beginning, manifest in their middle state, and unmanifest again in their end, O descendant of Bharata. What is there to lament in this?
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अव्यक्तादीनि avyaktādīni | unmanifest in the beginning avyakta (unmanifest) + ādīni (in the beginning) |
| भूतानि bhūtāni | beings |
| व्यक्तमध्यानि vyaktamadhyāni | manifest in the middle vyakta (manifest) + madhyāni (in the middle) |
| भारत bhārata | O descendant of Bharata |
| अव्यक्तनिधनानि avyaktanidhanāni | unmanifest in the end avyakta (unmanifest) + nidhanāni (in the end) |
| एव eva | indeed |
| तत्र tatra | there |
| का kā | what |
| परिदेवना paridevanā | lamentation |
Word-wise Chanting
- av–yak–tā–dī–ni bhū–tā–ni 8 syllables av-yak-taa-dee-ni bhoo-taa-ni
- vyak–ta–madh–yā–ni bhā–ra–ta | 8 syllables vyak-ta-madh-yaa-ni bhaa-ra-ta
- av–yak–ta–ni–dha–nān–ye–va 8 syllables av-yak-ta-ni-dha-naan-ye-va
- tat–ra kā pa–ri–de–va–nā || 2-28 8 syllables tat-ra kaa pa-ri-de-va-naa
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 2 Verse 28
Context
Krishna concludes the argument begun in 2.26 with a view of life as a brief appearance between two unknowns.
Meaning
Before birth we do not see beings; after death we do not see them; only in the middle are they visible. Life is like a wave rising from the ocean and returning to it. If the beginning and the end are hidden and natural, why lament the passing of the visible middle?
This perspective brings a certain tenderness. Every life is a brief appearance in the visible world, precious but not permanent. Instead of lamenting the end, we can honour the middle, the time we actually have. The Gita turns our attention from mourning to meaningful action.
In Practice
Think of your life as the “manifest middle” between two mysteries. Ask what you most want to do with the visible time you have.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.