yo na hṛṣyati na dveṣṭi na śocati na prahlādayat
“One who neither rejoices nor hates nor grieves nor is delighted.”
Structure
yo na hṛṣyati na dveṣṭi na śocati na prahlādayat
yo (who) na hṛṣyati (does not rejoice) na dveṣṭi (does not hate) na śocati (does not grieve) na prahlādayat (and does not get jolly)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | yo | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hṛṣyati | hṛṣyati | verb | √hṛṣ · laṭ-present · third | rejoices |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| dveṣṭi | dveṣṭi | verb | √dviṣ · laṭ-present · third | hates |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| śocati | śocati | verb | √śuc · laṭ-present · third | laments |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| prahlādayat | prahlādayat | verb | √hlād · laṭ-present · third | rejoices greatly |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse signifies the state of Self-realization where the individual ego (jīva) transcends the limitations of worldly experiences. According to Shankara, the one who neither rejoices nor hates nor grieves nor is delighted has realized the true nature of the Self (Ātman), which is beyond the dualities of the world. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras (BS 1.1.1), Shankara emphasizes that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond human emotions and experiences. This verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual Self is recognized as none other than the universal Brahman. By citing the example of a liberated sage who is unaffected by worldly events, Shankara illustrates the state of liberation (mokṣa) in which the individual ego is transcended, and the unity of all existence is realized.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse highlights the characteristics of a devotee who has attained a state of selfless love (bhakti) for the supreme Lord (Īśvara). According to Rāmānujācārya, the one who is neither rejoiced nor hatred nor grieved nor delighted is a devotee who has surrendered their ego and emotions to the will of God. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (BG 6.32), Rāmānuja explains that such a devotee is indifferent to worldly experiences, as they are aware that everything is under the control of the Lord. This state of detachment is not a result of ignorance or apathy but arises from a deep understanding of the Lord's sovereignty and the devotee's complete dependence on Him. By cultivating selfless love and surrender, the devotee attains a state of inner peace and freedom from the fluctuations of the world.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse offers a practical and universal message for contemporary life. According to Swami Vivekānanda, the one who is neither rejoiced nor hated nor grieved nor delighted is an individual who has cultivated a state of inner balance and equipoise. In his lecture 'The Ideal of a Universal Religion' (1896), Vivekānanda emphasizes that this state of equilibrium is essential for spiritual growth and self-realization. He encourages individuals to develop a detached attitude towards worldly experiences, not in the sense of apathy or indifference, but as a means of transcending the limitations of the ego and realizing one's true potential. By applying this verse to everyday life, individuals can develop greater emotional intelligence, resilience, and compassion, leading to a more harmonious and peaceful coexistence with others.