na hi duḥkhāt prāptum arhati sukhaṁ vai duḥkhān nivṛttiḥ
“Happiness cannot arise from misery; (true) happiness is only the cessation of misery.”
Structure
na hi duḥkhāt prāptum arhati sukhaṁ vai duḥkhāt nivṛttiḥ
na hi (no) duḥkhāt (from suffering) sukhaṁ (happiness) prāptum (to obtain) arhati (ought) vai (indeed) duḥkhāt (from suffering) nivṛttiḥ (cessation)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| duḥkhāt | duḥkhāt | noun | ablative · singular · neuter | from suffering |
| prāptum | prāptum | verb | √prāp · infinitive | to obtain |
| arhati | arhati | verb | √arh · present · third | is worthy of, ought to |
| sukhaṁ | sukhaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | happiness |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | indeed, truly |
| duḥkhāt | duḥkhāt | noun | ablative · singular · neuter | from suffering |
| nivṛttiḥ | nivṛttiḥ | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | cessation, removal |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, suggesting that true happiness cannot arise from a state of suffering, which is inherently dualistic. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasūtras (2.1.14) explains that the cessation of misery (duḥkhān nivṛttiḥ) is not a mere absence of pain but a revelation of one's true nature, which is blissful (ānanda). This points to the identity of brahman and ātman, where the individual self, upon realizing its true nature, transcends the dichotomy of pleasure and pain, achieving liberation. The non-dual reading of this verse thus directs the seeker towards the ultimate reality, beyond the fleeting experiences of joy and sorrow, to a state of eternal bliss and consciousness.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse highlights the dependency of the jīva (individual soul) on Īśvara (the Supreme Lord) for true happiness. Ramanuja's Śrī Bhāṣya (2.1.14) interprets the cessation of misery as the grace of God, which alone can bestow lasting happiness. The relationship between the jīva and Īśvara is one of servitorship and lordship, where the former seeks refuge in the latter to escape the cycle of suffering. This verse, in the devotional reading, emphasizes the path of prapatti (surrender) as the means to achieve true happiness, which is not a state of mere absence of pain but a positive experience of divine love and bliss, facilitated by the divine grace.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound insight into the human quest for happiness, underscoring that true fulfillment cannot be achieved by merely attempting to escape suffering. Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures on the 'Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda', emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the root causes of misery, rather than superficially seeking pleasure. He advocates for a holistic approach to life, focusing on the cultivation of inner strength, resilience, and a profound understanding of one's true nature. This universal message resonates with contemporary life, where individuals often find themselves in a perpetual pursuit of happiness, only to realize that true fulfillment lies in a deep sense of purpose, self-awareness, and inner peace, achievable through the cessation of the ego's and desires' tyranny over the mind.