yaṃstu nānuvindet guru-kṛpāya nīvṛtya / sa tu kāmayamānena nāpnoti na śocati //
“But one who does not obtain it, even after searching, by the grace of the guru, does not attain (the object of his desire) by merely desiring it, and does not grieve.”
Structure
yaṃ tu na anuvindet guru-kṛpāyā nīvṛtya sa tu kāmayamānena na āpnoti na śocati
saḥ (he) tu (indeed) na (not) anuvindet (finds) yaṃ (whom) guru-kṛpāyā (by guru's grace) nīvṛtya (having turned away from) saḥ (he) tu (indeed) kāmayamānena (by desiring) na (not) āpnoti (obtains) na (not) śocati (laments)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yaṃ | yaṃ | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| anuvindet | anuvindet | verb | √anuvind · liṅ-optative · third | |
| guru-kṛpāyā | guru-kṛpāyā | compound | genitival tatpuruṣa · "guru-kṛpāyāḥ" | by the mercy of the guru |
| nīvṛtya | nīvṛtya | indeclinable | — | having turned away, excluding |
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| kāmayamānena | kāmayamānena | verb (present participle) | — | desiring |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| āpnoti | āpnoti | verb | √āp · laṭ-present · third | |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| śocati | śocati | verb | √śoc · laṭ-present · third |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the importance of guru-kṛpā, or the grace of the guru, in obtaining true knowledge. According to Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, the phrase 'nānuvindet guru-kṛpāyā' highlights the necessity of a self-realized guru in guiding the seeker towards the ultimate reality, Brahman. The verse suggests that mere desire or longing is insufficient for achieving spiritual liberation; rather, it is the guru's guidance that facilitates the removal of ignorance, leading to the realization of the brahman-ātman identity. Shankara's exposition on this verse emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately identical with the universal Self (Brahman). By underscoring the role of the guru, this verse points to the instrumental role of guidance in facilitating this profound understanding, which is at the heart of Advaita Vedānta's philosophical and spiritual quest.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, particularly in the Visishtadvaita tradition of Ramanuja, this verse can be seen as emphasizing the significance of devotion and the grace of the Lord (Īśvara) in achieving spiritual goals. Ramanuja's commentary would likely focus on the concept of 'guru-kṛpā' as a manifestation of the Lord's grace, guiding the devotee towards the path of devotion and self-surrender. The inability to attain one's desires despite longing (kāmayamānena) suggests the limitation of individual effort without divine grace. This interpretation underscores the relational aspect between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the personal God), where the jīva's efforts are complemented and fulfilled by Īśvara's grace, leading to a deeper devotional relationship and ultimately, liberation. This reading aligns with the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on bhakti (devotion) as a primary means to spiritual fulfillment.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, a key figure in Neo-Vedānta, would interpret this verse in a manner that brings out its universal and practical applications. He might see the 'guru-kṛpā' as a symbol for the inner guide or intuition that each individual possesses. The struggle to achieve one's desires through mere will or longing, as mentioned in the verse, reflects the limitations of the ego-centric approach to life. Vivekananda would likely emphasize the importance of looking within and tapping into this inner guidance, which can be considered as the universal consciousness or Brahman. This perspective aligns with his advocacy for self-reliance and the empowerment of the individual to realize their true potential. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of a balanced approach to life, where one's desires are aligned with a higher purpose, leading to a state of inner peace and fulfillment, irrespective of external outcomes. This reading resonates with contemporary life's challenges and the search for meaningful and authentic living.