na te viduḥ striyaṃ devīm atha devān atha pūruṣān । viduḥstān hi sarvān vai tāṃ ca devīm ajānatām ॥
“They do not know her, the goddess, and the gods and men; for they know all those, indeed, but not the goddess.”
Structure
na te viduḥ striyaṃ devīm atha devān atha pūruṣān viduḥ stān hi sarvān vai tāṃ ca devīm ajānatām
te (you) na (not) viduḥ (know) striyaṃ (woman) devīm (goddess), atha (then) devān (gods), atha (then) pūruṣān (men)viduḥ (they know) stān (them) hi (indeed) sarvān (all) vai (indeed), tāṃ (that) ca (and) devīm (goddess) ajānatām (you do not know)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| te | te | pronoun | nominative · plural · masculine | they |
| viduḥ | viduḥ | verb | √vid · laṭ-present · third | they know |
| striyaṃ | striyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | woman |
| devīm | devīm | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | goddess |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, and |
| devān | devān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | gods |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, and |
| pūruṣān | pūruṣān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | men |
| viduḥ | viduḥ | verb | √vid · laṭ-present · third | they know |
| stān | stān | pronoun | accusative · plural · masculine | them |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| sarvān | sarvān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | all |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | indeed, truly |
| tām | tām | pronoun | accusative · singular · feminine | her |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| devīm | devīm | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | goddess |
| ajānatām | ajānatām | verb | √ajñā · liṅ-optative · third | they do not know |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa underscores the notion of avidyā, or ignorance, which veils the true nature of reality. According to Shankara, the knowledge of the goddess, who symbolizes the ultimate reality (Brahman), is obscured due to this ignorance. The phrase 'na te viduḥ striyaṃ devīm' highlights that the unenlightened cannot perceive the divine, which pervades all, including gods and men. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasūtra (1.1.1) elucidates that the knowledge of Brahman, which is the essence of all, including the goddess, is essential for liberation. This verse, in the context of Advaita Vedānta, points to the brahman-ātman identity, suggesting that the realization of the ultimate reality is beyond the distinctions of gods, men, and goddesses, and that it is this ignorance that prevents the understanding of this unity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse emphasizes the distinction between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya would argue that the knowledge of the goddess, a manifestation of the divine, is not possible without the grace of Īśvara. The verse 'viduḥstān hi sarvān vai tāṃ ca devīm ajānatām' suggests that while the jīvas may have knowledge of the world and its phenomena, they lack the understanding of the divine, which is the source of all. This underscores the dependency of the jīva on Īśvara for true knowledge and liberation. Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the difference between the soul and God, would further highlight that the ignorance of the divine is a fundamental aspect of the human condition, necessitating devotion and surrender to the divine will.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the universal principles of Vedānta, often emphasized the practical application of spiritual knowledge. This verse, with its reference to the unknowing of the goddess, can be seen as a call to recognize the divine in all aspects of life. Vivekānanda might interpret 'na te viduḥ striyaṃ devīm' as a reminder that true knowledge and power lie not in external manifestations but in the realization of the inner divine. This verse, in the context of modern life, encourages individuals to look beyond superficial distinctions and to strive for a universal understanding that encompasses all beings and aspects of the universe. S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, similarly underscores the importance of this realization for individual and societal transformation, highlighting the verse's message as one of unity and interconnectedness.