Nahi kaśyaciṁ kupitasya vaktalyaṁ nāpi śaktasya na ca kṛtajñasya .
“One should not speak to an angry person, nor to one who is too powerful, nor to one who is ungrateful.”
Structure
Nahi kaśyaciṁ kupitasya vaktalyaṁ nāpi śaktasya na ca kṛtajñasya
Nahi (not) kaśyaciṁ (to anyone) kupitasya (of an angry person) vaktalyaṁ (speech) nāpi (nor) śaktasya (of a powerful person) na (not) ca (and) kṛtajñasya (of a grateful person)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nahi | Nahi | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| kaśyaciṁ | kaśyaciṁ | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | anything, something |
| kupitasya | kupitasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of an angry person |
| vaktalyaṁ | vaktalyaṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | speech, talk |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | and not, nor |
| śaktasya | śaktasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of a powerful person |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| kṛtajñasya | kṛtajñasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of a grateful person |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra offers a profound insight into the nature of communication and the Self. According to Śaṅkarācārya, one should not engage with an individual consumed by anger, overwhelmed by power, or ungrateful, as such interactions can lead to the reinforcement of the ego and the obscuration of the true nature of reality. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya emphasizes the importance of maintaining equanimity and detachment in all interactions, as this allows for the realization of the non-dual essence of brahman-ātman. By avoiding entanglements with individuals who embody these negative qualities, one can more easily cultivate a state of inner peace and discern the ultimate reality that underlies all phenomena. This verse thus serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment and self-control in the pursuit of spiritual growth and the realization of the brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse underscores the significance of maintaining a devotional attitude and choosing one's interactions wisely. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, highlights the importance of cultivating a sense of dependence on Īśvara, recognizing that true strength and wisdom come from the divine. In this light, engaging with an angry, powerful, or ungrateful individual can be seen as a distraction from one's devotional path, potentially leading to a diminution of one's bhakti. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Mahābhārata, emphasizes the need for a jīva to approach Īśvara with humility and gratitude, recognizing the inherent dependence of the individual self on the divine. This verse thus serves as a reminder to Vaiṣṇavas of the importance of carefully selecting their associations and maintaining a focus on their devotional practice, in order to cultivate a deeper relationship with Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse from the Pañcatantra offers practical wisdom for contemporary life, as highlighted by Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan. In his lectures on the importance of self-control and emotional regulation, Vivekānanda emphasizes the need to cultivate inner strength and detachment in the face of challenging interactions. Similarly, Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on the relevance of Indian philosophy to modern life, underscores the importance of discernment and wisdom in choosing one's relationships and interactions. This verse can be seen as a reminder to approach interactions with mindfulness and discernment, recognizing the potential impact of negative or unwholesome associations on one's own well-being and personal growth. By avoiding entanglements with individuals who embody anger, a sense of power, or ingratitude, one can create space for more positive and uplifting relationships, and cultivate a deeper sense of inner peace and wisdom, reflecting the universal and practical application of this ancient wisdom.