kim idaṁ pravṛṇīma i doṣeṇa idam api sarvasām

ahaṁ (I) sarvasām (of all) doṣeṇa (by the fault) idam (this) api (also) kim (what) idaṁ (this) pravṛṇīma (should I choose)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the inherent struggle within an individual to discern the nature of right and wrong, stemming from the misidentification of the self with the body and mind. According to Śaṅkarācārya, this confusion arises due to avidyā (ignorance) about one's true nature, which is none other than Brahman. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Shankara explains that the question 'kim idaṁ pravṛṇīmi' (why do I choose this) reflects a deeper introspection into the causes of suffering and the realization that all actions, good or bad, are rooted in this fundamental ignorance. The verse points towards the ultimate goal of realizing the non-dual identity of Brahman and Ātman, where such dilemmas cease to exist as the individual understands the unity and interconnectedness of all beings. This realization is the path to liberation from the cycle of suffering, as one comes to understand that all harm caused to others is, in essence, harm caused to oneself.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava perspective on this verse emphasizes the concept of prapatti, or surrender, to the divine will of Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya interprets the question posed in the verse as an expression of the jīva's (individual self) bewilderment and frustration with its own inclinations towards sinful actions, despite knowing their harmful consequences. This, Rāmānuja explains, is due to the inherent weakness of the jīva when left to its own devices, separated from the grace of Īśvara. The solution lies in recognizing one's utter dependence on God and surrendering one's will to Him. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, would likely emphasize the role of individual effort in conjunction with divine grace, highlighting the importance of self-reflection and the struggle to align one's actions with dharma, all under the guidance of Īśvara. This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava tradition, underscores the necessity of devotion and surrender as a means to transcend the cycle of sin and suffering.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda would interpret this verse as a call to introspection and self-awareness, emphasizing the universal struggle to choose between right and wrong. He would argue that this dilemma arises from a lack of understanding of one's true nature and the interconnectedness of all humanity. In his lectures, Vivekānanda often stressed the importance of realizing one's own divine nature and the divine nature in all others, which leads to a life of selflessness and service. This verse, in the context of Neo-Vedānta, becomes a powerful reminder of the need to awaken to our higher selves and to act in ways that promote the well-being of all, recognizing that harm to others is indeed harm to ourselves. S. Radhakrishnan, in a similar vein, would focus on the ethical implications of this verse, highlighting the importance of moral responsibility and the cultivation of compassion as essential components of a meaningful and fulfilling life, reflecting the universal principles of Vedānta in modern life.

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