na kavItvaṃ na cāritraṃ na dānaṃ na pratibhā yaśaḥ । ātmīyairapi tyaktum arhati yasya nṛpasya nityaśaḥ ॥
“Of a king who is constantly being abandoned even by his own people, what use are poetry, good character, generosity and fame?”
Structure
na kavItvaM na cAritraM na dAnaM na pratibhA yaSCa , AtmIyaiH api tyaktum arhati yasya nRpasya nityaSaH
yasya(of that king) nityaSaH(constantly) nRpasya(the king) na(not) kavItvaM(poetic talent) na(nor) cAritraM(good character) na(nor) dAnaM(generosity) na(nor) pratibhA(intelligence) na(nor) yaSCa(nor fame) AtmIyaiH(even by his own people) api(even) tyaktum(to be abandoned) arhati(is fit to be abandoned)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kavItvaM | kavītvaṃ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | poetic skill |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| cAritraM | cāritraṃ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | good character |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| dAnaM | dānaṃ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | charity |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| pratibhA | pratibhā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | intelligence, talent |
| yaSCa | yaś ca | compound | dvandva · "yaś ca" | and fame |
| AtmIyaiH | ātmīyaiḥ | noun | instrumental · plural · masculine | one's own people |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also |
| tyaktum | tyaktum | verb | √tyaj · infinitive | to abandon |
| arhati | arhati | verb | √arh · present · third | deserves, ought |
| yasya | yasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of whom |
| nRpasya | nṛpasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of the king |
| nityaSaH | nityaśaḥ | indeclinable | — | always |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the impermanence of worldly attributes such as poetry, good character, generosity, and fame. According to Shankara's reasoning in the Brahma Sutras, these attributes are mere superimpositions on the ultimate reality of Brahman. The king, who is constantly being abandoned, represents the ephemeral nature of worldly relationships and possessions. Shankara would argue that true identity lies not in these fleeting attributes, but in the unchanging, all-pervading Brahman. The verse points to the brahman-ātman identity by implying that the king's worth is not measured by his external possessions or relationships, but by his inner self, which is ultimately identical with Brahman. As Shankara notes in his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, 'the self is not something to be attained, but it is the very essence of our being' (Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1.1). This verse serves as a reminder to look beyond the ephemeral and seek the eternal, unchanging reality within.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse underscores the importance of devotion and surrender to a higher power. Ramanuja would interpret the king's abandonment by his own people as a consequence of his disconnection from the divine. The king's poetry, good character, generosity, and fame are of no avail without the blessings of Īśvara. The verse highlights the fragile nature of human relationships and the impermanence of worldly achievements, emphasizing the need for a deeper connection with the divine. Madhva would likely argue that the king's worth is measured by his devotion to Īśvara, rather than his worldly possessions or attributes. As Ramanuja notes in his Śrī Bhāṣya, 'the self is not independent, but is dependent on the Lord' (Śrī Bhāṣya 1.1.1). This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating devotion and surrender to the divine, recognizing that true fulfillment and meaning can only be found in a relationship with Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has significant implications for modern life, as it highlights the fleeting nature of worldly successes and the importance of cultivating inner strength and character. Swami Vivekananda would likely interpret the king's abandonment as a symbol of the disconnection between our inner and outer selves. The verse serves as a reminder that true fulfillment and happiness cannot be found in external sources, but rather in the cultivation of inner qualities such as self-awareness, compassion, and wisdom. As Vivekananda notes in his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind', 'the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall' (Complete Works, Vol. 6). Radhakrishnan would likely emphasize the universal significance of this verse, arguing that it points to the need for a global shift in values, from an emphasis on external achievements to a focus on inner growth and self-realization. This verse serves as a call to re-examine our priorities and values, recognizing that true fulfillment and meaning can only be found in the cultivation of our inner selves.