Beings have unmanifest beginnings, Manifest middles, O descendant of Bharata (Bhārata), And unmanifest ends indeed. What lamentation is there in this?
Creatures are unmanifest in origin, manifest in the midst of life, and unmanifest again in the end. Since this is so, why do you lament?
(28) Unmanifest are the beginnings of contingent beings, manifest their middle course, unmanifest again their ends: what cause for mourning here?
2.28 O descendant of Bhārata, all beings remain unmanifest in the beginning;; they become manifest in the middle. After death they certainly become unmanifest. What lamentation can there be with regard to them?
2.28 O Arjuna, beings have an unknown beginning, a known middle and an unknown end. What is there to grieve over in all this?
2.28 Beings are unmanifested in their beginning, manifested in their middle state, O Arjuna, and unmanifested again in their end. What is there to grieve about?