Nāsti mr̥tyuḥ kutsitodapi nāsti jīvamr̥tasyā ca nāsti rājā . Nāsti śr̥ṅgī na ca meṣī nāsti mūrkhasya nārī vā .
“There is no death even for an ugly person; no one is a living dead; there is no king; there is no horned sheep or goat; and a fool has no wife.”
Structure
Nāsti mr̥tyuḥ kutsitodapi nāsti jīvamr̥tasyā ca nāsti rājā Nāsti śr̥ṅgī na ca meṣī nāsti mūrkhasya nārī vā
Nāsti (there is not) mr̥tyuḥ (death) kutsitodapi (even to the wicked)Nāsti (there is not) jīvamr̥tasyā (of one who is dead while living) ca (and)Nāsti (there is not) rājā (a king)Nāsti (there does not exist) śr̥ṅgī (a female with horns) na (nor) ca (does exist) meṣī (a female goat)Nāsti (there is not) mūrkhasya (for a fool) nārī (a woman) vā (or)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nāsti | Nāsti | indeclinable | — | there is not |
| mr̥tyuḥ | mr̥tyuḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | death |
| kutsitodapi | kutsitodapi | indeclinable | — | even in the most wretched state |
| nāsti | nāsti | indeclinable | — | there is not |
| jīvamr̥tasyā | jīvamr̥tasyā | noun | genitive · singular · feminine | of immortal life |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| nāsti | nāsti | indeclinable | — | there is not |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| Nāsti | Nāsti | indeclinable | — | there is not |
| śr̥ṅgī | śr̥ṅgī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | she who has horns |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| meṣī | meṣī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | she who has a beard |
| nāsti | nāsti | indeclinable | — | there is not |
| mūrkhasya | mūrkhasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of a fool |
| nārī | nārī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | woman |
| vā | vā | indeclinable | — | or |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra presents a profound non-dualistic perspective when interpreted through the lens of Advaita Vedānta. The statement 'nāsti mr̥tyuḥ kutsitodapi' can be seen as pointing towards the impermanence of all temporal phenomena, including life and death, thereby hinting at the eternal and unchanging nature of brahman. The absence of a 'king' and 'horned sheep or goat' symbolizes the illusory nature of distinctions and dualities in the ultimate reality. Following Shankara's reasoning in his commentaries on the Upanishads and the Brahmasutras, this verse can be understood as guiding the seeker towards the realization of the brahman-ātman identity, where all distinctions, including the cycle of birth and death, are transcended. The emphasis is on the unity and non-duality of existence, encouraging the seeker to look beyond the ephemeral and illusory world to the eternal and unchanging brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition offers a devotional interpretation of this verse, focusing on the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of bhakti (devotion) in realizing one's true nature and relationship with the divine. This verse, when seen through the Vaiṣṇava lens, highlights the absence of true fulfillment or joy (symbolized by 'death' and 'living dead') without devotion to the Lord. The 'king' and 'horned sheep or goat' can be metaphorically understood as symbols of worldly power and delusion, which are transcended by the devotee who seeks refuge in the Lord. Madhvācārya's dualistic perspective would further emphasize the distinction between the devotee's path and the path of those deluded by the world, underscoring the role of divine grace in achieving liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse from the Pañcatantra holds profound lessons for contemporary life when viewed through the lens of Neo-Vedānta. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of looking beyond the superficial and realizing the deeper, universal truths. The statement about the absence of death, even for the ugly, and the lack of a living dead, can be seen as a call to transcend the limits and conditioning imposed by societal norms and expectations. It encourages individuals to tap into their inner potential and strive for self-realization. The absence of a 'king' and 'horned sheep or goat' can symbolize the rejection of arbitrary and unjust distinctions, advocating for a more inclusive and compassionate worldview. S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, would likely interpret this verse as an exhortation to embrace the universal and the eternal, beyond the confines of mundane and transient existence, thereby achieving a life of greater meaning and purpose.