na hi kaścit kṣaṇād api prajāyate ca yaḥ . kutaḥ punar kasyā viphalā vāśanā rane
“For certainly no one who has once been born dies; whence then comes this grief in regard to a futile desire in battle?”
Structure
na hi kaścit kṣaṇāt api prajāyate yaḥ . kutaḥ punar kasyā vijaye rane spṛhā vāśanā
na (not) hi (certainly) kaścit (anyone) kṣaṇāt (even for a moment) api (also) yaḥ (who) prajāyate (takes birth) .kutaḥ (how) punar (again) kasyā (of what) vijaye (victory) rane (in battle) vāśanā (desire) spṛhā (or longing)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| kaścit | kaścit | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | anyone, someone |
| kṣaṇāt | kṣaṇāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from a moment |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also, even |
| prajāyate | prajāyate | verb | √jā · present · third | is born, comes into existence |
| yaḥ | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who, which |
| kutaḥ | kutaḥ | indeclinable | — | from where, whence |
| punah | punar | indeclinable | — | again, once more |
| kasyā | kasyā | pronoun | genitive · singular · feminine | of whom, of what |
| vijaye | vijaye | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in victory |
| rane | rane | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in battle, in fight |
| spṛhā | spṛhā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | desire, longing |
| vāśanā | vāśanā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | desire, craving |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, highlighting that the ultimate essence of all beings is unchanging and eternal. Shankara, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes that the sorrow and grief experienced by humans stem from their misidentification with the ephemeral body rather than the unchanging ātman. The phrase 'na hi kaścit kṣaṇād api prajāyate ca yaḥ' (For certainly no one who has once been born dies) points towards the immortal and unchanging nature of the self, which is ultimately identical with Brahman. This identity is what liberates the individual from the cycle of sorrow and grief, as one comes to realize that the true self is beyond the realm of birth and death. Shankara's commentary on this verse stresses the importance of understanding this non-dual reality to overcome the futile desires and attachments that lead to suffering in battle and in life.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is interpreted as emphasizing the importance of devotion and surrender to Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, for instance, would highlight the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara, noting that the former's existence and actions are ultimately dependent on the latter. The sorrow and grief mentioned in the verse are seen as arising from the jīva's ignorance of its true nature and its failure to recognize its dependence on Īśvara. Madhvācārya might further argue that the 'vijaye rane spṛhā' (desire for victory in battle) represents the egoistic tendencies of the jīva, which must be transcended through self-surrender and devotion to achieve true liberation. This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava perspective, encourages the individual to cultivate a deeper understanding of their relationship with the divine and to seek refuge in Īśvara, thereby overcoming the attachments and desires that lead to suffering.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Radhakrishnan, key figures in Neo-Vedānta, would interpret this verse as a call to recognize the inherent divinity and potential within every individual. Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of understanding the true nature of the self, beyond the limitations of the body and ego. This verse, with its assertion that 'no one who has once been born dies,' would be seen as underscoring the eternal and immortal essence of human beings. Radhakrishnan, with his focus on the practical application of Vedāntic philosophy, might argue that this understanding has profound implications for contemporary life, encouraging individuals to look beyond fleeting desires and victories, and instead strive for a deeper, more meaningful existence. By recognizing the eternal and unchanging core of their being, individuals can transcend the petty attachments and desires that lead to conflict and suffering, and instead cultivate a sense of universal compassion and harmony.