yena sarvān ariṇ nīhatya, tvaṁ śokān ca vihāyasi.
“By whom having killed all enemies, you will get rid of all sorrows.”
Structure
yena sarvān ariṇ nīhatya tvam śokān ca vihāyasi
tvam yena sarvān ariṇ nīhatya śokān ca vihāyasi
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yena | yena | indeclinable | — | by whom |
| sarvān | sarvān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | all |
| ariṇ | ariṇ | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | enemies |
| nīhatya | nīhatya | verb | √han · gerund | having killed |
| tvam | tvam | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| śokān | śokān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | griefs |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| vihāyasi | vihāyasi | verb | √hā · present · second | you will be rid of |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, yena sarvān ariṇ nīhatya, tvaṃ śokān ca vihāyasi, underscores the significance of realizing one's true nature to overcome sorrow. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between the self (ātman) and the ego (ahaṅkāra), which is the root of all sorrow. By 'killing' the ego and the notion of separateness, one realizes the non-dual identity of brahman and ātman, thereby transcending all sorrows. This is in line with Śaṅkara's reasoning in his commentary on the Gītā, where he explains that the knowledge of the Self (ātma-jñāna) is the means to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. In essence, this verse points to the ultimate goal of Advaita Vedānta: the realization of the unity of all existence and the cessation of sorrow through the dissolution of the ego.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as emphasizing the role of devotion and surrender in overcoming sorrow. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, highlights the importance of self-surrender (prapatti) to the Lord, which is seen as the means to overcome all enemies, including the ego and ignorance. By surrendering to the Lord, the jīva (individual self) can overcome all sorrows and attain liberation. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, emphasizes the concept of tādātmya, or the identity of the jīva with the Lord, which is achieved through devotion and self-surrender. In this context, the verse is seen as emphasizing the importance of devotion and surrender as the means to attain liberation and overcome all sorrows. The Lord, as the supreme reality, is the ultimate refuge and the means to attain peace and liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has a profound message for contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of self-realization and the need to overcome the ego and ignorance. He saw the verse as a call to action, encouraging individuals to strive for self-perfection and to overcome all obstacles, including sorrow and suffering. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical writings, also emphasized the universal and practical application of this verse, seeing it as a reminder of the importance of cultivating inner strength and resilience in the face of adversity. In today's world, this verse can be seen as a powerful reminder of the need to cultivate inner peace and to overcome the sorrows and challenges that we face. By realizing our true nature and overcoming the ego and ignorance, we can attain a state of inner peace and liberation, which is the ultimate goal of human existence.