na tvevāhaṁ jātu mumuṣurvasī tvayi । sadā tvad-īkṣate'mam akṣair akṣiṇaḥ ॥
“Never, indeed, do I feel a desire to not see you; with eyes that are always engaged in seeing you.”
Structure
na tu eva aham jātu mumuṣur vasi tvayi sadā tvat īkṣate imam akṣair akṣiṇaḥ
aham (I) jātu (at any time) mumuṣur (desiring liberation) na tu eva (not indeed) tvayi (in you) vasi (dwelling) sadā (always) akṣiṇaḥ (unblinking) akṣair (with eyes) imam (this) tvat (your) īkṣate (sees)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only, indeed |
| ahaṁ | ahaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
| jātu | jātu | verb | √jan · lat-present · first | to be born, exist |
| mumuṣur | mumuṣur | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | desirous of liberation |
| vasi | vasi | verb | √vas · lat-present · first | to dwell, reside |
| tvayi | tvayi | pronoun | locative · singular | in you |
| sadā | sadā | indeclinable | — | always |
| tvad | tvad | pronoun | ablative · singular | from you |
| īkṣate | īkṣate | verb | √īkṣ · lat-present · third | sees, looks |
| imam | imam | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | this |
| akṣair | akṣair | noun | instrumental · plural · neuter | eyes |
| akṣiṇaḥ | akṣiṇaḥ | adjective | — | unblinking, steady |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dualistic theme of the Bhagavad Gītā, where Arjuna's desire to see Krishna symbolizes the innate longing of the individual self (jīva) to realize its true nature as the ultimate reality (Brahman). Shankara, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes that this longing is not a desire for something external but a natural inclination towards self-realization. The phrase 'sadā tvad-īkṣate'mam akṣair akṣiṇaḥ' suggests a constant, unwavering gaze towards the truth, indicative of the jīva's inherent quest for unity with Brahman. This verse, thus, points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self, in its pursuit of the divine, ultimately discovers its own true, unchanging nature.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as an expression of Arjuna's devotion (bhakti) towards Krishna, emphasizing the personal relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary, highlights the significance of prapatti, or self-surrender, as a means to attain this relationship, where the jīva, recognizing its dependence on Īśvara, seeks refuge in Him. The desire to always see Krishna (sadā tvad-īkṣate'mam akṣair akṣiṇaḥ) is seen as a manifestation of this bhakti, demonstrating the depth of Arjuna's reliance on and love for Krishna, exemplifying the Vaiṣṇava idea of the jīva-Īśvara relationship as one of mutual dependence and affection.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, from a Neo-Vedānta perspective, emphasizes the universal and practical importance of a focused and unwavering gaze towards one's highest ideals or the divine. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often stressed the need for concentration and the cultivation of a strong will as fundamental to achieving spiritual growth and self-realization. The phrase 'na tvevāhaṁ jātu mumuṣurvasi tvayi' can be seen as an expression of the determination and sincerity required in one's spiritual pursuit. Furthermore, this verse encourages a mindset that seeks to integrate the divine into everyday life, reflecting Vivekānanda's call to live a life of practical spirituality, where one's actions and thoughts are guided by a constant awareness of the ultimate reality, thereby transforming daily life into a form of worship and service.