na tvām śakyasi paśyituṁ cakṣuṣā na ādraviṁtena

na (not) tvām (You) paśyituṁ (to see) śakyasi (can) cakṣuṣā (with the eyes) na (not) ādraviṁtena (with unsteady/ wandering eyes)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya interprets this verse as an affirmation of the limitations of the human senses in perceiving the ultimate reality. He argues that the phrase 'na tvāṁ śakyasi paśyituṁ cakṣuṣā' underscores the inability of the physical eyes to behold the divine. This aligns with his non-dualistic perspective, where the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond the grasp of the senses. Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning, as seen in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the distinction between the higher and lower knowledge, with the latter being inadequate for comprehending Brahman. This verse, therefore, points to the necessity of transcending the limitations of the senses to realize the Brahman-ātman identity, which is the core of Advaita Vedānta.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, views this verse as an expression of the awe-inspiring and transcendent nature of the Lord. The phrase 'na tvām śakyasi paśyituṁ cakṣuṣā' is seen as a reminder of the jīva's (individual self) inherent inability to fully comprehend or see the Īśvara (the Supreme Lord) through its limited faculties. This perspective highlights the devotional aspect, emphasizing the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the jīva, in its finite capacity, can only approach Īśvara through devotion and surrender. Madhvācārya, too, would likely interpret this verse in the context of the difference between the Lord and the individual souls, emphasizing the need for devotion as a means to bridge this gap and glimpse the divine.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, key figures in modern Vedānta, would interpret this verse in a universal and practical light. According to Vivekānanda, the human eye, both physical and metaphysical, is limited in its ability to perceive reality. He would argue that 'na tvām śakyasi paśyituṁ cakṣuṣā' suggests that one must look beyond the superficial, beyond the material, to find the true essence of existence. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, might view this verse as an allegory for the human condition, where 'cakṣuṣā nādraviṁtena' represents the instability and impermanence of human perception. Both thinkers would likely emphasize the importance of introspection, self-control, and a broader, more spiritual perspective to transcend these limitations and find unity with the ultimate reality, applicable in contemporary life for personal and societal transformation.

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