sarvaprayatnair api niṣphalaṃ vṛthā ca tannivṛttiḥ । yo nāstikena nāstiko vigrahaḥ śāstrato bhavet ॥ ३३ ॥
“All efforts to convert an unbeliever are fruitless; and it is useless to stop it; because by injunctions of scripture an unbeliever has to contend against an unbeliever.”
Structure
sarva - prayatnair - api - niṣphalam - vṛthā - ca - tannivṛttiḥ - yo - nāstikena - nāstiko - vigrahaḥ - śāstrato - bhavet
sarva - prayatnair (by all efforts) api (even) niṣphalam (fruitless) vṛthā (futile) ca (and) tannivṛttiḥ (cessation of that) - yo (which) nāstikena (by a nāstika) nāstiko (a nāstika) vigrahaḥ (controversy) śāstrato (according to śāstra) bhavet (may be)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sarva | sarva | indeclinable | — | all, every |
| prayatnair | prayatnair | noun | instrumental plural · plural · masculine | by efforts |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also, even |
| niṣphalaṃ | niṣphalaṃ | adjective | — | fruitless, unsuccessful |
| vṛthā | vṛthā | indeclinable | — | in vain, uselessly |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| tannivṛttiḥ | tannivṛttiḥ | noun | nominative/accusative singular · singular · feminine | cessation of that |
| yo | yo | pronoun | nominative singular · singular · masculine | who |
| nāstikena | nāstikena | noun | instrumental singular · singular · masculine | by an unbeliever |
| nāstiko | nāstiko | noun | nominative/accusative singular · singular · masculine | unbeliever |
| vigrahaḥ | vigrahaḥ | noun | nominative/accusative singular · singular · masculine | conflict, strife |
| śāstrato | śāstrato | indeclinable | — | according to the scriptures |
| bhavet | bhavet | verb | √bhū · optative · third | may be |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra highlights the futility of attempting to convert an unbeliever, as it is a pointless endeavor. Śaṅkarācārya's non-dualistic interpretation would likely emphasize that the distinction between believer and unbeliever is ultimately a product of avidyā, or ignorance. The verse's mention of efforts being 'niṣphalaṃ' (fruitless) and 'vṛthā' (useless) underscores the idea that such distinctions are ephemeral and lacking in ultimate reality. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Śaṅkarācārya argues that the ātman, or individual self, is ultimately identical with Brahman, the ultimate reality. This verse, in highlighting the futility of sectarian disputes, points to the same truth: that all distinctions, including those between believer and unbeliever, are ultimately illusory and that the brahman-ātman identity is the sole reality. By recognizing this, one can transcend the limitations of sectarian thinking and attain a deeper understanding of the ultimate truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as represented by Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, would likely interpret this verse as underscoring the importance of bhakti, or devotion, in the pursuit of spiritual truth. The futility of attempting to convert an unbeliever highlights the need for a personal, devotional approach to spiritual growth, rather than relying solely on intellectual or dogmatic arguments. Rāmānujācārya's concept of 'śeṣa-śeṣi-bhāva', or the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara), emphasizes the idea that the jīva is inherently dependent on Īśvara and that liberation can only be achieved through devotion and surrender. This verse, in emphasizing the limitations of sectarian disputes, suggests that true spiritual growth can only be achieved through a personal, devotional relationship with the divine, rather than through intellectual or dogmatic debates.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse from the Pañcatantra offers a profound insight into the nature of spiritual growth and the limitations of sectarian thinking. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of universal tolerance and the need to transcend sectarian divisions. He argued that true spirituality is not about converting others to one's own belief system, but rather about realizing the universal truth that underlies all religions. This verse, in highlighting the futility of attempts to convert an unbeliever, suggests that true spiritual growth can only be achieved through self-reflection and a deepening of one's own faith, rather than through external means. As Vivekānanda noted in his lecture 'The Absolute and Manifestation', the ultimate reality is not something that can be imposed on others, but rather something that must be realized within oneself. This verse, in its emphasis on the importance of self-reflection and the limitations of external means, offers a powerful reminder of the need for a more inclusive and universal approach to spirituality.