Lord Krishna now elevates his teaching from practical advice to a profound statement on the very nature of reality. He moves beyond analogies to deliver a direct, ontological truth that serves as the philosophical bedrock of the entire Bhagavad Gita. The Nasato Vidyate Bhavo verse draws a sharp, definitive line between what is real and what is unreal, providing the ultimate reason why the wise do not grieve.
Sanskrit Verse
नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सतः ।
उभयोरपि दृष्टोऽन्तस्त्वनयोस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः ॥ १६ ॥Transliteration
nāsato vidyate bhāvo nābhāvo vidyate sataḥ
ubhayor api dṛṣṭo ’ntas tv anayos tattva-darśibhiḥWord for Word Translation
na — never; asataḥ — of the non-existent/unreal; vidyate — there is; bhāvaḥ — enduring existence; na — never; abhāvaḥ — cessation of being; vidyate — there is; sataḥ — of the existent/real; ubhayoḥ — of both; api — also; dṛṣṭaḥ — has been seen; antaḥ — the conclusion; tu — but; anayoḥ — of these two; tattva-darśibhiḥ — by the seers of the truth.
English Translation
Those who are seers of the truth have concluded that of the non-existent (the material body) there is no endurance, and of the existent (the soul) there is no cessation. They have concluded this by studying the nature of both.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
This verse is a masterclass in Vedanta philosophy, defining reality itself. Krishna presents two absolute principles that have been realized by the `tattva-darśibhiḥ`, the seers of the truth.
- Nāsato vidyate bhāvo: “Of the unreal, there is no enduring existence.” The term `Asat` refers to that which is temporary, changing, and ultimately non-existent. This is the material body, the mind, and all material experiences. They have a beginning and an end. Because they are in a constant state of flux (the body of a baby is gone, the body of a youth is gone), they have no permanent reality.
- Nābhāvo vidyate sataḥ: “Of the real, there is no cessation.” The term `Sat` refers to that which is eternal, unchanging, and ever-existent. This is the Atman, the soul. It has no beginning and no end. It is the one constant reality that exists beyond the transformations of the material world. Its nature is pure, eternal existence.
- Tattva-darśibhiḥ: “By the seers of the truth.” Krishna is not presenting this as a new theory, but as the realized conclusion of all great sages and seers. Those who can see beyond the illusions of the material world perceive this fundamental distinction between the temporary body (`Asat`) and the eternal soul (`Sat`). This forms the basis of true knowledge in the path of Jnana Yoga.
Conclusion
This verse is the ultimate cure for grief. Arjuna is lamenting for the `Asat`—the temporary bodies of his relatives—which by their very nature cannot endure. He is ignoring the `Sat`—the eternal souls of his relatives—which by their very nature can never be destroyed. The seers of the truth, Krishna explains, understand this distinction perfectly. They anchor their consciousness in the real and are therefore not bewildered by the inevitable changes of the unreal. This profound philosophical statement is the lens through which all other spiritual teachings in the Gita should be viewed.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 – Verse 17 – Avinasi Tu Tad Viddhi
