na kadācid-api mātṛ-sneḥād-anapagamīṣyati
“He will never depart from his mother's love.”
Structure
na kadācid api mātṛ-snehāt anapagamīṣyati
na (not) kadācid (ever) api (also) mātṛ-snehāt (from mother's love) anapagamīṣyati (will depart)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kadācid | kadācid | indeclinable | — | ever, at any time |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also, even |
| mātṛ-snehāt | mātṛ-snehāt | compound | tatpuruṣa · "mātṛ-sneha" | out of mother's love |
| anapagamīṣyati | anapagamīṣyati | verb | √gam · liṣ-optative · third | will not go away |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, na kadācid-api mātṛ-sneḥād-anapagamīṣyati, underscores the eternal and unbreakable bond between a mother's love and her child, symbolizing the non-dual relationship between Brahman and the individual self (ātman). Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasutra (BS 1.1.5) emphasizes that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the essence of all existence, including the love and affection that permeate human relationships. In this context, a mother's love represents an unconditional, selfless, and eternal aspect of human experience, mirroring the unconditional and eternal nature of Brahman's relationship with the world. This verse points to the Brahman-ātman identity by suggesting that just as a child can never truly depart from the love of its mother, the individual self can never be separate from the ultimate reality of Brahman. Shankara's reasoning emphasizes the non-dual nature of existence, where all distinctions, including those between the lover and the beloved, are ultimately sublated in the realization of the absolute, unconditioned Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse through the lens of bhakti, or devotional love. Ramanuja, in his Commentary on the Brahmasutra, discusses the concept of apratyakṣatva, or the invisible, loving presence of Īśvara (the personal God) that underlies all human relationships, including the exemplary love of a mother for her child. This verse illustrates the principle that just as a child is never truly separated from the love of its mother, the jīva (individual soul) is eternally connected to Īśvara through a bond of love and surrender. Madhva, in his Anuvyākhyāna, further elucidates the idea that love, such as that of a mother for her child, is a reflection of the divine love of God for the soul. This verse, therefore, symbolizes the eternal and unconditional nature of God's love for the devotee, a love from which the devotee can never truly depart, just as a child cannot depart from its mother's love.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of spiritual principles in everyday life. He might interpret this verse as highlighting the universal and unconditional nature of love, as exemplified by a mother's love for her child. This unconditional love is a reflection of the divine love that pervades the universe, a love that is eternal and from which one can never truly depart. In his speech 'The Ideal of a Universal Religion,' Vivekananda underscores the importance of recognizing and realizing this universal love as the foundation of all human relationships and spiritual growth. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, discusses the concept of 'sarvamukti,' or universal liberation, which involves realizing the inherent unity and interconnectedness of all existence. This verse, in the context of Neo-Vedānta, serves as a reminder of the universal and eternal nature of love, encouraging individuals to cultivate selfless, unconditional love in their personal and social lives, thereby reflecting the divine love that underlies all human experiences.