Na kavittvaṁ vacaḥ śāstraṁ na vaiyākaraṇiko matiḥ । Yasya hṛdayamastīha tasya śāstreṇa kiḥ prayojanam ॥
“One who has a heart, what is the use of poetry, scripture, or grammatical intellect to him?”
Structure
Na kavittvaṁ vacaḥ śāstraṁ na vaiyākaraṇiko matiḥ Yasya hṛdaya-m-asti-iha tasya śāstreṇa kiḥ prayojanam
Yasya (whose) hṛdayam (heart) asti (exists) iha (here) na (not) kavittvam (poetic talent) vacaḥ (speech) śāstram (scripture) na (nor) vaiyākaraṇiko (grammatical) matiḥ (intellect) tasya (his) śāstreṇa (by scripture) kiḥ (what) prayojanam (use)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Na | Na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kavittvaṁ | kavittvaṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | poetry |
| vacaḥ | vacaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | speech |
| śāstraṁ | śāstraṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | treatise |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| vaiyākaraṇiko | vaiyākaraṇiko | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | grammarian |
| matiḥ | matiḥ | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | intelligence |
| Yasya | Yasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of whom |
| hṛdaya-m-asti | hṛdaya-m-asti | compound | karmadhāraya · "hṛdayam asti" | in whose heart is |
| iha | iha | indeclinable | — | here |
| tasya | tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of that person |
| śāstreṇa | śāstreṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · neuter | by the treatise |
| kiḥ | kiḥ | indeclinable | — | what |
| prayojanam | prayojanam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | use |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between the individual self (jīva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) dissolve. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (1.1.1) emphasizes that the ultimate goal is to realize the identity of Brahman and Ātman. This verse suggests that for one who has realized the heart's true nature, scripture and intellect become redundant, as the self is no longer bound by dualistic thinking. The phrase 'yasya hṛdayamastīha' implies that the heart, or the essence of one's being, is all that remains when the veil of ignorance is lifted, revealing the unified, undivided Brahman-Ātman. In this context, Shankara's concept of 'anubhava' or direct experience becomes paramount, transcending scriptural knowledge and intellectual understanding.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse highlights the intimacy between the jīva and Īśvara, where the devotee's heart is filled with love and devotion for the divine. Ramanuja's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (18.66) emphasizes the importance of surrender and devotion as the means to attain liberation. The phrase 'yasya hṛdayamastīha' suggests that the devotee's heart is where the divine resides, and thus, the need for scriptural knowledge and intellectual understanding becomes secondary. Madhva, on the other hand, would emphasize the role of devotion and self-surrender in attaining liberation, where the individual's heart is transformed by the divine grace. In this context, the verse underscores the Vaiṣṇava doctrine of 'bhakti' as the supreme means to attain union with the divine, rendering scriptural knowledge and intellectual understanding unnecessary for those who have experienced the divine love.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has a profound universal and practical application, as it emphasizes the importance of direct experience over scriptural knowledge and intellectual understanding. Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures on 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda' (Vol. 1, Ch. 3), highlights the importance of realizing one's true nature through direct experience, rather than relying on scriptural authority or intellectual speculation. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life' (Ch. 4), emphasizes the role of intuition and direct experience in attaining spiritual realization. The phrase 'yasya hṛdayamastīha' suggests that the heart, or the essence of one's being, is the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe, and that this direct experience is available to all, regardless of their background or intellectual understanding. This verse thus becomes a powerful call to action, encouraging individuals to look within themselves for the ultimate truth, rather than relying on external authorities or intellectual constructs.