असत्यमप्रतिष्ठं ते जगदाहुरनीश्वरम्।अपरस्परसम्भूतं किमन्यत्कामहैतुकम्।।16.8।।
asatyam apratiṣṭhaṃ te jagad āhuḥ anīśvaram aparaspara‑sambhūtam kim anyat kāma‑haitukam
Translation
They say, “The world is without absolute truth, without any foundation, and without a Lord. It is without cause, arisen from the two sexes; what else is there? It exists only for the sake of lust.”
Word Meanings
asatyam — unreal; apratiṣṭhaṃ — without foundation; te — they; jagat — the cosmic manifestation; āhuḥ — say; anīśvaram — without a controller; aparaspara — without cause; sambhūtam — arisen; kim anyat — what else; kāma‑haitukam — due to lust only
Understanding the Verse
In Chapter 16, Verse 8, the "divine personalities" (the virtuous and the demonic) are quoted as expressing a common materialistic worldview that denies any transcendent reality. They claim that the universe is "asatyam" – unreal or illusory – and "apratiṣṭhaṃ", lacking any permanent foundation. This denial of an ultimate substrate is a hallmark of adharma, because without an absolute truth there can be no standard for moral conduct.
The statement "anīśvaram" declares that there is no sovereign controller or supreme deity governing the cosmos. By removing the concept of a divine regulator, the speakers undermine the very basis for dharma, which presupposes an ordering principle that rewards righteousness and punishes vice. This theological nihilism paves the way for self‑serving pursuits, as the world is seen as a self‑contained arena without divine oversight.
The phrase "aparaspara‑sambhūtam" explains the origin of the world as a mere result of the mixing of the two sexes – a reference to the material forces of prakriti (nature) alone. By attributing creation solely to the union of male and female, the verse emphasizes that the cosmos is a product of blind, sensuous activity, not of conscious design. This view reduces the universe to a temporary, ever‑changing phenomenon, reinforcing the idea that life is ultimately meaningless beyond sensory gratification.
Finally, "kāma‑haitukam" identifies lust (kāma) as the sole motive behind existence. The argument is that, since there is no ultimate truth, no divine law, and no higher purpose, human beings are driven only by desire. This reductionist stance leads to the pursuit of fleeting pleasures, ignoring the higher aspirations of self‑realization and service. The Gita uses this verse to expose the folly of such a worldview, warning seekers that attachment to material desire binds them to the cycle of birth and death.
Krishna’s teaching in the surrounding verses counters this nihilistic narrative by affirming the existence of a supreme consciousness (Brahman) who is the source, sustainer, and dissolver of all. By recognizing an ultimate reality and divine governance, one can rise above the illusory allure of desire and cultivate qualities like humility, compassion, and wisdom. Thus, Verse 8 serves as a diagnostic tool: it identifies the erroneous beliefs that lead to adharma, preparing the disciple to adopt the path of svadharma grounded in divine truth.
