na tvevāhaṁ jātumumoḍṣurvaśyo'smi yadāhurvaḥ
“But I am not inclined to attain liberation, for I am bound by your words.”
Structure
na tu eva aham jatu mumukṣuḥ vaśyo asmi yad āhuḥ vaḥ
aham (I) tu (but) eva (certainly) jatu (at any time) mumukṣuḥ (desiring liberation) na (not) asmi (am) vaśyoḥ (under your control) yad (what) vaḥ (you) āhuḥ (say)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, however |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only, indeed |
| aham | aḥam | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
| jātu | jātu | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | birth |
| mumukṣuḥ | mumukṣuḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | one who desires release |
| vaśyo | vaśyō | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | under one's control |
| asmi | asmi | verb | √as · laṭ-present · first | I am |
| yad | yad | indeclinable | — | what, that which |
| āhuḥ | āhuḥ | verb | √āhu · laṭ-present · third | they say |
| vaḥ | vaḥ | pronoun | nominative · plural | you |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya interprets this verse as an expression of Arjuna's initial confusion and ignorance of his true nature. The phrase 'na tvevāhaṁ jātumumoḍṣurvaśyo'smi' suggests that Arjuna feels bound by his worldly obligations and duties, which prevents him from pursuing liberation. However, Śaṅkarācārya argues that this feeling of bondage is an illusion, and that the individual self (jīva) is, in reality, identical with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This verse highlights the importance of self-inquiry and the need to transcend worldly attachments in order to realize one's true nature. As Śaṅkarācārya notes in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, 'the individual self is not different from Brahman, just as the wave is not different from the ocean' (BS 1.1.22). This non-dual reading of the verse emphasizes the ultimate goal of Advaita Vedānta, which is to realize the brahman-ātman identity and attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of Arjuna's devotion to Krishna and his recognition of the importance of following the path of duty (dharma) as ordained by the Lord. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets 'vaśyo'smi yad āhuḥ vaḥ' as a statement of Arjuna's surrender to Krishna's will, acknowledging that he is bound by the Lord's words and must follow his instructions. This devotional reading of the verse emphasizes the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the supreme Lord (Īśvara), highlighting the importance of self-surrender and devotion in achieving spiritual liberation. As Rāmānujācārya notes, 'the Lord's will is the ultimate reality, and the individual self must surrender to it in order to attain liberation' (GB 2.29). In contrast, Madhvācārya's commentary emphasizes the distinction between the individual self and the Lord, highlighting the importance of devotion and self-surrender in bridging this gap.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets this verse as a call to action, emphasizing the importance of self-control and devotion in achieving spiritual liberation. He notes that Arjuna's feeling of bondage is a universal human experience, and that the verse offers a practical solution to this problem. By surrendering to a higher power and following the path of duty, the individual can transcend worldly attachments and achieve a sense of freedom and liberation. As Vivekānanda notes, 'the secret of liberation is not in the renunciation of action, but in the performance of action with a sense of detachment' (CW 4.312). Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the universal and practical application of this verse, noting that it offers a message of hope and liberation to all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. The verse highlights the importance of self-awareness, self-control, and devotion in achieving spiritual growth and liberation, and offers a powerful reminder of the human potential for transformation and renewal.