na tvāhamavasīdedaṃahaṃ nindāṃ ca garhayeyam | anindiṭo hi kaḥ sambhūtaḥ sarveṇa na kuṭaḥ || 138 ||
“I should not be disheartened and I should not censure anybody, for who is flawless and born without any fault?”
Structure
na tu aham avasīdaeyam aham nindām ca garhayeyam | anindiṭo hi kaḥ sambhūtaḥ sarveṇa na kutaḥ
na tu (not indeed) aham (I) avasīdaeyam (should become dejected) aham (I) nindām (blame) ca (and) garhayeyam (should utter) | kaḥ (who) hi (for) anindiṭo (has not been censured) sambhūtaḥ (was born) sarveṇa (by everyone) na (not) kutaḥ (certainly)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, however |
| aham | ahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | I, me |
| avasīdaeyam | avasīdaeyam | verb | √sīd · liṅ-optative · first | I should not become dejected |
| aham | ahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | I, me |
| nindām | nindām | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | blame, censure |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and, also |
| garhayeyam | garhayeyam | verb | √garh · liṅ-optative · first | I should blame or censure |
| anindiṭo | anindiṭo | compound | tatpuruṣa · "an-indiṭo" | not censured or blamed |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| kaḥ | kaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who, what |
| sambhūtaḥ | sambhūtaḥ | verb | √bhū · past participle | born, originated |
| sarveṇa | sarveṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by all |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| kutaḥ | kutaḥ | indeclinable | — | from where, why |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra resonates with the non-dualistic philosophy of Advaita Vedānta, as it hints at the idea that no being is utterly flawless. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's own limitations and the fleeting nature of worldly judgments. The phrase 'anindiṭo hi kaḥ sambhūtaḥ' suggests that all beings are interconnected and that criticizing others is ultimately a form of self-criticism. This understanding points towards the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is seen as non-different from the ultimate reality (brahman). By letting go of the tendency to judge and criticize, one can move closer to realizing this fundamental unity. As Śaṅkarācārya notes in his Upadeśasāhasrī, the knowledge of brahman is obstructed by our tendency to see differences and separations, which this verse encourages us to overcome.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, particularly through the lens of Rāmānujācārya's Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, interprets this verse as a call to humility and devotion. Recognizing that no one is without fault, the devotee approaches the deity with a sense of humility and acknowledgment of their own limitations. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrībhāṣyam, discusses the concept of 'aprathakṣya' or the inability to fully grasp the truth, emphasizing that our understanding is always filtered through our individual perspectives and biases. This verse reminds the devotee to approach their spiritual journey with a sense of awareness about their own flaws, thereby fostering a deeper sense of dependence on and devotion to Īśvara. By acknowledging our inherent limitations, we create space for grace and guidance from the divine, aligning with Rāmānujācārya's emphasis on the path of devotion (bhakti) as a means to experience the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda, a key figure in Neo-Vedānta, would interpret this verse as a practical wisdom for living a harmonious and compassionate life. He often emphasized in his lectures and writings the importance of self-reflection and the dangers of judgmental attitudes towards others. In his speech 'The Practice of Religion', Vivekānanda discusses how the tendency to criticize and judge others stems from our own insecurities and lack of self-awareness. This verse, with its message of non-criticism and recognition of universal fallibility, aligns with Vivekānanda's teachings on the need for empathy and understanding. By adopting a non-judgmental attitude, individuals can foster a sense of community and cooperation, essential for personal and societal development. Vivekānanda's interpretation would focus on the practical application of this verse in everyday life, encouraging individuals to strive for self-improvement rather than criticizing others, thereby contributing to a more peaceful and progressive world.