na hi dehābhirāmasya rājñoḥ nāyaṁ loko na paro lakṣmaṇa

na hi (not indeed) dehābhirāmasya (of one who delights in the body) rājñoḥ (of a king) na (not) ayam (this) loko (world) na (not) paro (the next world) lakṣmaṇa (Lakṣmaṇa)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse na hi dehābhirāmasya rājñoḥ nāyaṁ loko na paro lakṣmaṇa highlights the impermanence of worldly pleasures and the futility of attachment to the physical body. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the king who delights in his body is bound by the cycle of birth and death, and therefore, is not liberated. This liberation can only be attained by realizing one's true nature as the ultimate reality, Brahman. The verse emphasizes the importance of self-realization and detachment from worldly desires, which is a central theme in Advaita Vedānta. By transcending the limitations of the physical body, one can attain liberation and experience the ultimate reality. This verse serves as a reminder to seekers of truth to focus on the eternal and unchanging, rather than the ephemeral and fleeting. The pursuit of bodily pleasures is a hindrance to spiritual growth, and one must strive to overcome such attachments to achieve true liberation.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is often interpreted as a warning against the dangers of sensuality and attachment to worldly possessions. Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, prominent Vaiṣṇava acharyas, emphasize the importance of devotion to a personal deity, such as Viṣṇu or Kṛṣṇa, as a means of transcending worldly attachments. The king who takes pleasure in his body is seen as a symbol of the jiva, or individual self, which is bound by its own desires and limitations. The verse encourages the seeker to cultivate devotion and surrendered love for the supreme deity, which can help them overcome their attachments and attain liberation. The Vaiṣṇava tradition emphasizes the importance of bhakti, or devotion, as a means of achieving spiritual growth and self-realization. By surrendering to the divine will and cultivating love for the supreme, one can transcend the limitations of the body and attain a state of eternal bliss and liberation.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The modern interpreters of Vedānta, such as Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, offer a more nuanced and contextualized understanding of this verse. They see the king who delights in his body as a symbol of the ego-centric individual, who is trapped in their own desires and attachments. The verse is interpreted as a call to transcend the limitations of the ego and to realize one's true potential as a spiritual being. This transcendence can be achieved through the cultivation of virtues such as self-control, compassion, and wisdom. The modern Neo-Vedānta movement emphasizes the importance of applying the principles of Vedānta to everyday life, and sees the verse as a reminder to strive for self-awareness, self-discipline, and self-transcendence. By overcoming one's own limitations and attachments, one can attain a state of freedom and liberation, which is the ultimate goal of human existence. This modern interpretation emphasizes the relevance of Vedānta to contemporary life and encourages individuals to apply its principles in their personal and social lives.

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