na ca yo'pi muktasaṅgo niṣedhavaṁś caiva । sa ca yogasaṁsiddhau kāle nāvaśiṣyate ॥
“And even one who has not been able to free himself from attachment, but has renounced, he also becomes perfectly accomplished in yoga at the time of death.”
Structure
na ca yo api muktasaṅgo niṣedhavat ca eva sa ca yogasaṁsiddhau kāle nāvaśiṣyate
sa (he) ca (and) api (also) yo (who) muktasaṅgo (free from attachment) na (not) ca (and) eva (indeed) niṣedhavat (having a prohibition) yogasaṁsiddhau (in the perfection of yoga) kāle (at the time) na (not) āvaśiṣyate (will remain)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| yo | yo | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also |
| muktasaṅgo | muktasaṅgo | compound | bahuvrīhi · "muktasaṅgaḥ" | one who has released attachment |
| niṣedhavat | niṣedhavat | compound | karmadhāraya · "niṣedhavat" | having an obstacle |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| yogasaṁsiddhau | yogasaṁsiddhau | compound | tatpuruṣa · "yogasaṁsiddhiḥ" | in the perfection of yoga |
| kāle | kāle | noun | locative · singular · masculine | at that time |
| nāvaśiṣyate | nāvaśiṣyate | verb | √śiṣ · futuristic-negative · third | will not cease to exist |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinction between the individual self (jīva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) is transcended. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes that even one who has not fully renounced attachments can achieve perfection in yoga at the time of death, implying a direct experience of the Self. This experience is not dependent on external circumstances but is an intrinsic aspect of one's true nature. By citing this verse, Śaṅkarācārya points to the brahman-ātman identity, suggesting that the realization of this unity is the ultimate goal of yoga, and that this verse supports the idea that such realization can occur even without complete detachment from worldly life, thereby highlighting the universality of the non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is often interpreted in the context of the loving relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, for instance, might view this verse as emphasizing the importance of devotion (bhakti) in achieving spiritual perfection. The act of renunciation mentioned in the verse can be seen as a form of devotion to God, where one renounces not just worldly attachments but also the ego, submitting completely to God's will. This surrender, even if incomplete, can lead to spiritual accomplishment at the time of death, underscoring the gracious nature of Īśvara. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might emphasize the role of divine grace in achieving such perfection, suggesting that it is God's grace that allows even the imperfectly detached to achieve union with Him at the moment of death, thus highlighting the devotional path as a means to attain the ultimate goal.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has profound implications for contemporary life, as it suggests that spiritual growth and self-realization are accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical applications of yoga and the importance of realizing one's true nature. He might interpret this verse as an encouragement to individuals to pursue spiritual practices, even if they feel deeply entrenched in worldly life, as the possibility of achieving a higher state of consciousness is always present. Sarvepalli Rādhākrishnan, on the other hand, could view this verse through the lens of humanistic ethics, suggesting that the pursuit of self-realization is not merely an individual endeavor but has universal implications for humanity, promoting a sense of global unity and understanding. Both thinkers would highlight the verse's message of hope and inclusivity, emphasizing that the path to spiritual fulfillment is open to all, regardless of their background or current state of attachment.