dṛtvā hy akarmany abhāve martyasyārjuna । nāyaṁ yuddho nihiito asti svargalokāt ॥ १
“If a man, Arjuna, does not fight, then having performed his duty as a warrior, he would not have achieved the right to heaven.”
Structure
dṛtvā hi akarmaṇy abhāve martyasya arjuna nāyaṁ yuddho nihiito asti svargalokāt
dṛtvā (having seen) hi (certainly) akarmaṇy (useless) abhāve (in the absence) martyasya (of a man) arjuna (Arjuna) nāyaṁ (this) yuddho (war) nihiito (is situated) asti (is) svargalokāt (from the world of heaven)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dṛtvā | dṛtvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| akarmaṇy | akarmaṇy | compound | tatpuruṣa · "a-karmaṇi" | in the absence of action |
| abhāve | abhāve | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in the absence |
| martyasya | martyasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of a mortal |
| arjuna | arjuna | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Arjuna |
| nāyaṁ | nāyaṁ | compound | dvandva · "na + ayam" | this ... not |
| yuddho | yuddho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | war |
| nihiito | nihiito | verb | √hā · past · third | is placed |
| asti | asti | verb | √as · present · third | is |
| svargalokāt | svargalokāt | compound | tatpuruṣa · "svarga-lokāt" | from the heavenly world |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse 'dṛtvā hy akarmany abhāve martyasyārjuna' underscores the importance of fulfilling one's duty, which is a crucial aspect of the non-dual philosophy. According to Shankara, the duty of a warrior like Arjuna is to engage in battle, and by doing so, he is not driven by personal desires but rather by his svadharma. This understanding is rooted in the idea that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all dualities, including the duality of action and inaction. Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes that the performance of one's duty without attachment leads to the realization of the brahman-ātman identity, wherein the individual self (ātman) is understood to be one with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This verse, therefore, serves as a reminder that even in the midst of action, one can cultivate a sense of detachment and move towards the realization of this fundamental non-duality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse highlights the importance of fulfilling one's duty as a means to attain liberation and ultimately reach the realm of Vishnu. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the concept of prapatti, or surrender, to the divine will. According to Rāmānujācārya, Arjuna's dilemma is resolved when he surrenders to Krishna's will, recognizing that his duty as a warrior is part of the larger divine plan. This surrender is seen as a means to cultivate bhakti, or devotion, which is central to the Vaiṣṇava tradition. The verse, therefore, underscores the relationship between the jīva (the individual self) and Īśvara (the supreme lord), emphasizing that the fulfillment of one's duty is a way to express devotion and ultimately attain liberation through the grace of God.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical applications of Vedāntic principles in everyday life. Referring to this verse, he would likely underscore the importance of duty and selfless action as a means to achieve personal growth and contribute to the greater good. Vivekānanda believed that the performance of one's svadharma, or duty, without attachment to outcomes, is a powerful way to cultivate a sense of purpose and direction in life. He would also connect this idea to the concept of 'Nishkama Karma,' or action without desire, which is central to the Bhagavad Gītā. In contemporary life, this verse can serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible action and the need to engage in activities that align with one's values and principles, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.