na tv evāhaṁ jātū māmūtseyaṁ na kadācid api
“Nor indeed do I ever wish to be born.”
Structure
na - tv - eva - ahaṁ - jātū - māmūtseyaṁ - na - kadācid - api
ahaṁ (I) jātū (was born) eva (indeed) na (not) māmūtseyaṁ (I will not) kadācid (at any time) api (even) na (not) tv (your) eva (such a resolve)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tv | tvā | indeclinable | — | (emphasizing the following word) |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | (affirmative particle) |
| ahaṁ | ahaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
| jātū | jātū | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | son |
| māmūtseyaṁ | māmūtseyam | compound | tatpuruṣa · "māmūta + seyaṁ" | such a son of mine |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kadācid | kadācid | indeclinable | — | at any time |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | (affirmative particle) |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, na tv evāhaṁ jātū māmūtseyaṁ na kadācid api, underscores the non-dual nature of reality by highlighting the futility of desiring rebirth. Shankara, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes that the Supreme Self (Ātman) is beyond birth and death, and any desire for worldly existence is rooted in ignorance (avidyā). By stating 'nor indeed do I ever wish to be born,' the verse points towards the liberation from the cycle of birth and death (saṃsāra), which is only possible when the individual self (jīva) realizes its true identity with the ultimate reality, Brahman. This verse, in the context of Advaita Vedānta, serves as a reminder of the ultimate goal of human existence: to transcend the ephemeral and realize the eternal, unchanging Self.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Within the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is understood through the lens of devotion and the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary, emphasizes that the statement 'nor indeed do I ever wish to be born' reflects a desire to be free from the bondage of karma and to attain union with the Lord. This desire is not for the cessation of existence but for an existence that is meaningful and fulfilling, spent in the service and love of God. The verse, therefore, underscores the importance of bhakti (devotion) as a means to transcend the mundane and achieve a state of blissful existence in association with the Divine. The Vaiṣṇava interpretation thus sees this verse as an expression of the longing for liberation from the cycle of birth and death, not as an end in itself, but as a means to realize one's true status as a servant of the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical and universal application of Vedāntic principles. Regarding this verse, he would likely interpret it as a call to transcend the limitations and sufferings inherent in worldly existence. The statement 'nor indeed do I ever wish to be born' can be seen as a reflection of the human aspiration for freedom from the cycle of suffering and rebirth, and the desire for a state of peace and bliss. Vivekānanda would connect this verse to the broader message of the Bhagavad Gītā, which encourages individuals to strive for self-realization and to fulfill their duties without attachment to worldly outcomes. In contemporary life, this verse can inspire individuals to re-evaluate their priorities and strive for a life of purpose, service, and inner fulfillment, unencumbered by the desires and fears that bind us to the cycle of birth and death.