akrodhanaṁ satyavadaṁ yathāvad-vijānīta na ca mohayet. etan-mitre ca śatrau ca nṛṇāṁ samavacyaḥ.
“One should know that a person who does not get angry, speaks the truth and in accordance with reality, and does not bewilder, should be spoken of equally to a friend and an enemy.”
Structure
akrodhanam satyavadam yathavad vijanita na ca mohayet etat mitre ca satrau ca nrnam samavacyah
akrodhanam (non-anger) satyavadam (speaking the truth) yathavad (properly) vijanita (one should know) na ca (and not) mohayet (delude) etat (this) mitre (to a friend) ca (and) satrau (to an enemy) ca (and) nrnam (of a person) samavacyah (is a common precept)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| akrodhanam | akrodhanaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | non-anger |
| satyavadam | satyavadaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | speaking the truth |
| yathavad | yathāvad | indeclinable | — | as it is |
| vijanita | vijānīta | verb | √jñā · optative · second | one should know |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mohayet | mohayet | verb | √muh · optative · third | may be deluded |
| etat | etan | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | this |
| mitre | mitre | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in a friend |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| satrau | śatrau | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in an enemy |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| nrnnam | nṛṇāṁ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of men |
| samavacyah | samavacyaḥ | verb | √vac · present · second | one should speak |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the importance of cultivating a non-dual perspective, wherein the distinctions between friend and enemy are transcended. According to Shankara, the one who has realized the ultimate truth of brahman-ātman identity is not swayed by fleeting emotions like anger. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Shankara notes that the sage's equanimity is rooted in the understanding that all beings are ultimately expressions of the same divine reality. The instruction to speak equally to friend and enemy reflects this vision, wherein the sage sees the essential oneness of all beings and responds with compassion and truth, unconditioned by personal attachments or aversions. This verse, in Shankara's view, points to the liberating knowledge of brahman-ātman identity, where the individual ego is transcended, and the universal Self is revealed.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as emphasizing the importance of devotion and selfless service to the Lord. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets the qualities listed in this verse as characteristics of a devotee who has surrendered to the will of Īśvara. The one who does not get angry, speaks the truth, and does not bewilder others is a reflection of the divine qualities of the Lord. The instruction to speak equally to friend and enemy is seen as a manifestation of the devotee's even-mindedness, rooted in their understanding of the Lord's omniscience and benevolence. For Rāmānujācārya, this verse underscores the importance of cultivating a devotional attitude, wherein the individual ego is surrendered to the Lord, and the devotee is empowered to embody the divine qualities, serving as an instrument of the Lord's will in the world.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the universal and practical application of this verse. He saw the qualities listed here as essential for individual and social transformation. The one who has cultivated non-anger, truthfulness, and clarity of mind is not only a reflection of the divine but also a force for positive change in the world. Vivekānanda noted that this verse offers a powerful prescription for addressing the conflicts and divisions that plague human society. By embracing these qualities and speaking the truth in love, individuals can become agents of harmony and understanding, bridging the gaps between friends and enemies, and fostering a more compassionate and equitable world. In his speech 'The Message of Vivekānanda', he highlights the importance of this verse, stating that 'the message of the Upaniṣads is the message of freedom, the message of the conquest of nature, the message of equality, and the message of brotherhood'.