Naitāṃ samīkṣāṃ vacaśīti tena dṛṣṭā hi te mukham. Amī mayi dṛṣṭipātena dṛṣṭvā māṃ punarāgatāḥ.
“He said, 'Don't look at me like that, for you have seen my face; these (monkeys) having glanced at me with a sidelong look came back to me again.'”
Structure
Naitāṃ samīkṣāṃ vacaḥ iti tena dṛṣṭā hi te mukham Amī mayi dṛṣṭi-pātena dṛṣṭvā māṃ punar āgatāḥ
Tena (by him) dṛṣṭā (seen) hi (indeed) te (your) mukham (face) iti (thus) na (not) etāṃ (this) samīkṣāṃ (examination) vacaḥ (say) Amī (these) dṛṣṭi-pātena (by casting a glance) mayi (at me) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) māṃ (me) punar (again) āgatāḥ (have come)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naitāṃ | Naitāṃ | indeclinable | — | not such |
| samīkṣāṃ | samīkṣāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | examination |
| vacaḥ | vacaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | speech |
| iti | iti | indeclinable | — | thus |
| tena | tena | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by him |
| dṛṣṭā | dṛṣṭā | verb | √dṛś · past participle · third | seen |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| te | te | pronoun | nominative · plural · masculine | you |
| mukham | mukham | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | face |
| Amī | Amī | pronoun | nominative · plural · masculine | these |
| mayi | mayi | pronoun | locative · singular · masculine | in me |
| dṛṣṭi-pātena | dṛṣṭi-pātena | compound | tatpuruṣa · "dṛṣṭi-pāta ena" | by a glance |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | verb | √dṛś · gerund · third | having seen |
| māṃ | māṃ | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | me |
| punar | punar | indeclinable | — | again |
| āgatāḥ | āgatāḥ | verb | √gam · past participle · third | have come |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra can be interpreted through the lens of non-dualism, where the speaker's face represents the ultimate reality, Brahman. The monkeys' initial glance and subsequent return symbolize the jiva's (individual self) journey towards recognizing its true nature, the Ātman, which is ultimately one with Brahman. As Shankara would reason, the verse points to the idea that the seeker must look beyond superficial appearances and dualistic perceptions to realize the unity of existence. The phrase 'don't look at me like that' can be seen as an invitation to transcend mundane vision and perceive the world and oneself as an undivided whole, akin to Brahman. This interpretation aligns with Shankara's commentary on the Upanishads, where he emphasizes the need to transcend the limitations of the phenomenal world to realize the non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be seen as an allegory for the relationship between the jiva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The speaker's face represents the divine, and the monkeys' actions symbolize the jiva's initial ignorance and subsequent devotion. Ramanuja might interpret the phrase 'you have seen my face' as an indication of the jiva's innate capacity to recognize and worship the Lord. The jiva's glance at the Lord, symbolized by the monkeys' sidelong look, marks the beginning of its journey towards liberation, facilitated by the Lord's grace. This reading is consistent with Ramanuja's emphasis on the importance of bhakti (devotion) in achieving liberation, as outlined in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): From a modern perspective, this verse can be seen as a metaphor for self-awareness and personal growth. The speaker's warning not to look at them in a certain way can be interpreted as advice to look beyond superficial appearances and to cultivate a deeper understanding of oneself and others. Swami Vivekananda might view the monkeys' return as a symbol of the individual's capacity for self-reflection and transformation, where one's glance inward can lead to a more profound understanding of their true nature and purpose. This interpretation resonates with Vivekananda's emphasis on the importance of self-realization and service to others, as expressed in his lectures and writings, such as 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda'. The verse invites us to consider how our perceptions shape our reality and how a deeper look within can lead to personal and societal transformation.