yadi ced avaśiṣyeta śaṅkām āvṛta-locanaḥ atha brahma-sahasrāṇi sahasraṁ cāpi yajuṣā
“If even a speck of dust remains on my eyes, then even a thousand Brahma's and thousand times the sacrifice with Vedas ”
Structure
yadi + cet + avaśiṣyeta + śaṅkām + āvṛta + locanaḥ + atha + brahma + sahasrāṇi + sahasraṁ + ca + api + yajuṣā
yadi (if) cet (in that case) āvṛta (covered) locanaḥ (eyes) śaṅkām (doubt) avaśiṣyeta (were to remain) atha (then) sahasraṁ (thousand) yajuṣā (of Yajur Veda) ca (and) api (also) brahma (Vedic knowledge) sahasrāṇi (thousands)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yadi | yadi | indeclinable | — | if |
| cet | cet | indeclinable | — | if (used in combination with yadi) |
| avaśiṣyeta | avaśiṣyeta | verb | √śiṣ · liṅ-optative · third | should remain |
| śaṅkām | śaṅkām | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | doubt |
| āvṛta | āvṛta | compound | bahuvrīhi · "ā-vṛta locanaḥ" | having eyes covered |
| locanaḥ | locanaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | having eyes |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then |
| brahma | brahma | noun | nominative · plural · neuter | Vedic hymns |
| sahasrāṇi | sahasrāṇi | noun | nominative · plural · neuter | thousands |
| sahasraṁ | sahasraṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | thousand |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also |
| yajuṣā | yajuṣā | noun | ablative · singular · neuter | of Yajur Veda |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse is pivotal in understanding the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes that even a slight trace of ignorance (śaṅkām āvṛta-locanaḥ) veils the true nature of the Self (ātman). The reference to 'a thousand Brahma's and the sacrifice with Vedas' signifies the immense effort required to remove this ignorance. According to Shankara, the knowledge of brahman, which is the ultimate reality, is not attained through external means like sacrifices but through the removal of ignorance. This verse points to the identity of brahman and ātman, suggesting that true knowledge lies in recognizing one's true self beyond the veil of ignorance.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): Rāmānujācārya interprets this verse in the context of the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). The 'speck of dust' represents the residual impressions (vāsanās) that obstruct the jīva's vision of its true nature and its relationship with Īśvara. The mention of 'a thousand Brahma's and the sacrifice with Vedas' indicates the immense merit required for self-purification. According to Rāmānuja, devotion to the Lord is the effective means to remove these obstructions, leading to a direct experience of one's true nature as a servant of the Lord. This verse underscores the importance of bhakti (devotion) in achieving spiritual liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda sheds light on the universal and practical implications of this verse, emphasizing the removal of internal obstructions to realize one's true potential. The 'speck of dust' symbolizes the limitations and biases that cloud our understanding. Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, highlights the need for self-purification and the cultivation of a broad, generous, and merciful heart. The reference to 'a thousand Brahma's and the sacrifice with Vedas' signifies the vast and profound effort required for personal transformation. This verse inspires a call to action, urging individuals to embark on a journey of self-discovery and service, recognizing the inherent potential within themselves and the interconnectedness of all existence.