Gneyam Yat Tat Pravakshyami

Now Krishna turns to the 'Gneya' — that which is ultimately worth knowing. He says: I will describe that, knowing which, one attains immortality. It is the beginningless Supreme Brahman.

And here comes a statement that stretches language to its limit: that Brahman is neither 'sat' (existent) nor 'asat' (non-existent). It cannot be captured in the words 'it is' or 'it is not.' Space cannot be held in a fist. Brahman cannot be contained in ordinary categories.

This verse is deeply connected to the Upanishadic tradition. The approach of 'neti neti' — not this, not that — runs through texts like the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. The phrase 'na sat na asat' expresses that same insight.

In the Gita Press edition, this is the thirteenth shloka. The next four or five verses will offer a poetic description of Brahman's nature.