na pravekṣyam iti prāha mṛgaḥ pādapamūlena tena dṛṣṭaḥ śṛgālo na paśyati ca yathā .
“The deer said, 'I will not enter; the jackal, having seen the tree's root with it and not seeing it otherwise, does not see.”
Structure
na pravekṣyam iti prāha mṛgaḥ pādapam ūlena tena dṛṣṭaḥ śṛgālo na paśyati ca yathā
mṛgaḥ (deer) praāha (said) na (not) pravekṣyam (I shall enter) iti (thus)tena (by him) ūlena (having seen) pādapam (tree) dṛṣṭaḥ (was seen)śṛgālo (jackal) na (not) paśyati (sees) yathā (as)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| pravekṣyam | praveṣyam | verb | √viś · fut · first | I shall not enter |
| iti | iti | indeclinable | — | thus, says |
| prāha | prāha | verb | √√hā · liṅ · third | he said |
| mṛgaḥ | mṛgaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the deer |
| pādapam | pādapam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | the tree |
| ūlena | ūlena | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by the trunk |
| tena | tena | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by him |
| dṛṣṭaḥ | dṛṣṭaḥ | verb | √dṛś · past · third | was seen |
| śṛgālo | śṛgālo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the jackal |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| paśyati | paśyati | verb | √dṛś · present · third | sees |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | as |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra can be interpreted through the lens of non-dualism, where the deer's reluctance to enter symbolizes the individual self's (jīva) hesitation to realize its true nature as the ultimate reality (Brahman). Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Brahma Sūtra, particularly in the section discussing the relationship between the individual self and the supreme self, highlights the importance of overcoming such hesitations. The deer's statement, 'I will not enter,' reflects the jīva's initial resistance to acknowledging its inherent oneness with Brahman, much like the jackal's limited perception. This verse, thus, underscores the Advaita Vedānta principle that the ultimate truth is beyond the duality perceived by the senses, pointing towards the unity of Brahman-ātman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse would focus on the devotional aspect, where the deer's decision not to enter can be seen as a metaphor for the devotee's choice to remain in ignorance, separated from the divine (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, discusses the importance of surrender to the divine will, which is reminiscent of the deer's situation. The jackal, symbolizing the forces of ignorance, cannot perceive the truth unless it is revealed through the grace of Īśvara, similar to how the deer requires guidance to understand the true nature of its surroundings. This verse, therefore, teaches us about the dependency of the jīva on Īśvara for spiritual enlightenment and the removal of ignorance, highlighting the path of devotion (bhakti) as the means to achieve unity with the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda's emphasis on the practical application of Vedāntic principles can shed light on this verse, where the deer's hesitation symbolizes the human tendency to cling to known limitations rather than venturing into the unknown, which represents spiritual growth. In his lectures on 'Practical Vedānta,' Vivekānanda discusses the importance of breaking free from such limitations to realize one's true potential. The jackal's inability to see the tree's root unless it is pointed out serves as a reminder that spiritual growth often requires guidance and self-reflection. This verse, therefore, has a universal and contemporary relevance, encouraging individuals to embrace the unknown, seek knowledge, and strive for self-realization, thereby applying the timeless wisdom of the Pañcatantra to modern life.