Na kavītve rasaṇā vaśinī na vāc pāṇḍitye na ca vācike sā

Sā (she) na kavītve (in poetry) rasaṇā (tongue) vaśinī (controlled) na vāc (not speech) pāṇḍitye (in learning) na ca (and not) vācike (in eloquence) sā (she)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the limitations of language and the futility of attempting to grasp ultimate reality through words. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes that the ultimate truth, Brahman, is beyond the reach of language and intellect. The phrase 'na kavītve rasaṇā vaśinī' suggests that even in the realm of poetic expression, where language is used to evoke emotions and ideas, the tongue is not under one's control, implying that the ultimate reality cannot be captured by words. This verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self is ultimately one with the ultimate reality, beyond the duality of subject and object, and the limitations of language. Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning, as seen in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, underscores the idea that the ultimate truth can only be realized through direct experience, rather than through linguistic or intellectual constructs.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse is seen as an illustration of the dependence of the jīva (individual self) on Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, comments on the Bhagavad Gītā, where Kṛṣṇa says that He is the source of all speech and intelligence. The phrase 'na vāc pāṇḍitye' suggests that even in the realm of learned debate, where one might expect to find control over language, the individual is ultimately dependent on a higher power. This verse highlights the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the individual self is seen as a dependent entity, relying on the Lord for all abilities, including language and intelligence. Rāmānujācārya's emphasis on the importance of devotion and surrender to the Lord is reflected in his interpretation of this verse, where the individual's lack of control over language is seen as an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge one's dependence on a higher power.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse has universal and practical applications, as highlighted by Swami Vivekānanda in his lectures on the nature of language and reality. Vivekānanda emphasizes that language is a limited tool, incapable of capturing the fullness of human experience. The phrase 'na vācike sā' suggests that even in public speaking, where one might expect to find confidence and control, the individual is ultimately at the mercy of factors beyond their control. This verse points to the importance of self-awareness and the recognition of one's limitations, as emphasized by Vivekānanda in his speech 'The Real Nature of Man'. He argues that true freedom and empowerment come from recognizing and embracing one's limitations, rather than trying to impose control over language or the world. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, serves as a reminder of the importance of humility, self-awareness, and the cultivation of a deeper understanding of the human condition, beyond the limitations of language and intellectual constructs.

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