In Bhagavad Gita 8.20, Krishna says that beyond this unmanifest there is another, eternal unmanifest reality, which does not perish when all beings perish.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
परस्तस्मात्तु भावोऽन्यो-
ऽव्यक्तोऽव्यक्तात्सनातनः
यः स सर्वेषु भूतेषु
नश्यत्सु न विनश्यति ॥ ८-२० ॥
parastasmāttu bhāvo’nyo-
‘vyakto’vyaktātsanātanaḥ
yaḥ sa sarveṣu bhūteṣu
naśyatsu na vinaśyati
English transliteration parastasmaattu bhaavo’nyo-
‘vyakto’vyaktaatsanaatanah
yah sa sarveshu bhooteshu
nashyatsu na vinashyati ॥ 8.20 ॥
Translation / Meaning
But beyond this unmanifest there is another unmanifest existence, eternal, which does not perish when all beings perish.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| परः paraḥ | beyond |
| तस्मात् tasmāt | than that |
| तु tu | but |
| भावः bhāvaḥ | existence |
| अन्यः anyaḥ | another |
| अव्यक्तः avyaktaḥ | unmanifest |
| अव्यक्तात् avyaktāt | than the unmanifest |
| सनातनः sanātanaḥ | eternal |
| यः yaḥ | which |
| सः saḥ | that |
| सर्वेषु sarveṣu | when all |
| भूतेषु bhūteṣu | beings |
| नश्यत्सु naśyatsu | perish |
| न na | not |
| विनश्यति vinaśyati | perishes |
Word-wise Chanting
- pa–ras–tas–māt–tu bhā–vo–‘nyo– 8 syllables pa-ras-tas-maat-tu bhaa-vo-‘nyo-
- ‘vyak–to–‘vyak–tāt–sa–nā–ta–naḥ | 8 syllables ‘vyak-to-‘vyak-taat-sa-naa-ta-nah
- yaḥ sa sar–ve–ṣu bhū–te–ṣu 8 syllables yah sa sar-ve-shu bhoo-te-shu
- naś–yat–su na vi–naś–ya–ti || 8-20 8 syllables nash-yat-su na vi-nash-ya-ti
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 8 Verse 20
Context
Krishna distinguishes the eternal reality from the cosmic unmanifest (8.20–8.22).
Meaning
The avyakta into which the world dissolves is itself part of the cycle. Beyond it lies another avyakta, sanātana, eternal, which does not perish even when all beings and worlds dissolve. This is the true unchanging reality behind all cycles.
There are two kinds of “unmanifest”: the seed state of the cosmos, which keeps cycling, and the eternal ground, which never changes. The spiritual goal is the second.
In Practice
Contemplate that behind every change in your life there is an unchanging awareness. Rest in it for a few moments.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga (The Imperishable Absolute). 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.