avyaktādīni bhūtāni vyakta-madhyāni bhārata
avyakta-nidhanānyeva tatra kā paridevanā
avyakta-ādīni — unmanifest before birth;
bhūtāni — created beings;
vyakta — manifest;
madhyāni — in the middle;
bhārata — Arjun, scion of Bharat;
avyakta — unmanifest;
nidhanāni — on death;
eva — indeed;
tatra — therefore;
kā — why;
paridevanā — grieve
This verse explains the nature of existence and change in a way that highlights the cycles of life and death, as well as creation and destruction. Let’s break it down into simpler terms.
The verse starts by saying that all living things begin in a state where they are not visible or recognizable—before they are born, they are unmanifest. Think about it like this: before a seed sprouts, it exists in the ground as a tiny potential. You cannot see it as a plant yet, but it holds the promise of what it can become.
Then, once the seed grows, it becomes manifest—that means it’s visible and recognizable as a plant. Just like how a child grows up and becomes an adult, there’s a middle stage where a being is fully formed and functioning.
Finally, when a plant or animal dies, it returns to an unmanifest state again. This doesn’t mean that it has been lost forever. Instead, it has gone back into the cycle of nature, where it can change back into the basic elements it came from, like soil or air.
The verse also tells us not to grieve or be sad about these processes of change. Whether something is alive, dead, or yet to be born, all of it is part of a natural cycle. You can think of it as seasons changing—spring becomes summer, which then gives way to autumn, and eventually winter; each stage has its role, and there’s beauty in each of them.
Philosophically, there are two views about the existence of the soul or spirit behind life. Some people believe in it, and some do not. But the main point is that no matter what one believes, there is no reason to be sad about the changes in life. Sadness doesn’t change the fact that life is a cycle.
Like how when winter comes, trees may lose their leaves and seem dead. But come spring, they bloom again. This shows that loss and gain are just parts of life.
The law of nature works where energy never truly disappears; it just keeps changing form. A building can be knocked down and put back to the ground, and the materials can become part of new things later. All of this is just a continuous transformation.
In summary, this verse teaches us that since everything is temporary—coming to be, existing for a while, and then returning to the base elements—there's really no point in sorrow. Learning to accept this flow of life can help us face changes, loss, and death with a healthier mindset, helping us to appreciate the present and each moment of existence.