sarve ca samavetāḥ syuḥ kṛtārthā yat-prabodhitāḥ । na caivāgrahāt prāṇān hanti martyḥ kim ivāgrahāt .
“All those who are instructed (to abandon obstinacy) attain their purpose; a mortal does not kill (others) out of obstinacy, then what is gained by it.”
Structure
sarve ca samavetāḥ syuḥ kṛtārthāḥ yat prabodhitāḥ na ca eva agrahāt prāṇān hanti martyḥ kim iva agrahāt
sarve (all) ca (and) samavetāḥ (having assembled) syuḥ (may they be) kṛtārthāḥ (having achieved their purpose) yat (when) prabodhitāḥ (are instructed)na (not) ca (and) eva (indeed) agrahāt (out of obstinacy) prāṇān (life) hanti (destroys) martyḥ (a mortal) kim (what) iva (like) agrahāt (out of obstinacy)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sarve | sarve | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| samavetāḥ | samavetāḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | |
| syuḥ | syuḥ | verb | √as · optative · third | may be |
| kṛtārthāḥ | kṛtārthāḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | |
| yat | yat | pronoun | nominative · neuter | what |
| prabodhitāḥ | prabodhitāḥ | verb | √budh · past participle | have been awakened/roused |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed/emphasizing particle |
| agrahaāt | agrahaāt | compound | tatpuruṣa · "agrahāt" | from obstinacy/stubbornness |
| prāṇān | prāṇān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | |
| hanti | hanti | verb | √han · present · third | kills |
| martyḥ | martyḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | |
| kim | kim | indeclinable | — | why |
| iva | iva | indeclinable | — | like/as if |
| agrahaāt | agrahaāt | compound | tatpuruṣa · "agrahāt" | from obstinacy/stubbornness |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the importance of relinquishing obstinacy, as it hinders the realization of one's true nature. According to Śaṅkara, obstinacy (agrahā) is a product of the ego, which in turn, is a manifestation of ignorance (avidyā). By abandoning obstinacy, one can attain their true purpose (kṛtārthā), which is the realization of the non-dual identity of brahman and ātman. As Śaṅkara notes in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra (1.1.1), the individual self (jīva) is not separate from the ultimate reality (brahman). This verse, therefore, points to the necessity of recognizing and transcending the limitations of the ego, allowing the individual to realize their true, unobstructed nature. In this sense, the abandonment of obstinacy is a key step in the journey towards self-realization, as it enables the individual to overcome the distortions imposed by the ego and directly experience the brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is understood as emphasizing the importance of devotion and surrender to the divine. According to Rāmānujācārya, the abandonment of obstinacy (agrahā) is a crucial step in the development of devotion (bhakti) towards Īśvara. By letting go of one's egoistic tendencies, the individual can cultivate a deeper sense of dependence on the divine, recognizing that their true purpose (kṛtārthā) is to serve and love Īśvara. As Rāmānujācārya notes in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (18.66), the individual must surrender their ego and desires to Īśvara, allowing themselves to be guided by the divine will. This verse, therefore, highlights the need for the individual to cultivate humility and devotion, recognizing the importance of surrendering to the divine and allowing Īśvara to guide them towards their true purpose.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a valuable insight into the human condition, highlighting the destructive nature of obstinacy and the importance of cultivating a more open and receptive mindset. As Swami Vivekānanda notes in his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind', obstinacy is a major obstacle to personal growth and self-realization, as it prevents the individual from adapting to new circumstances and learning from their experiences. By abandoning obstinacy, the individual can cultivate a more flexible and resilient mindset, allowing them to navigate the challenges of life with greater ease and effectiveness. This verse, therefore, has a universal and practical application, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a receptive and non-egoistic mindset in order to achieve one's true purpose and realize one's full potential. As Rādhākrishnan notes in his book 'The Hindu View of Life', the abandonment of obstinacy is a key step in the development of a more universal and compassionate worldview, allowing the individual to recognize their place within the larger web of life and cultivate a deeper sense of connection and responsibility towards others.