na ca dehāgrahāt svārtho na ca mokṣād api hāni
“No benefit comes from attachment to the body, nor does harm come from liberation.”
Structure
na ca dehāgrahāt svārtho na ca mokṣād api hāni
na ca (not) dehāgrahāt (from attachment to the body) svārtho (one's own interest) na ca (not) mokṣād (from liberation) api (even) hāni (loss)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| dehāgrahāt | dehāgrahāt | compound | tatpuruṣa · "dehagraha + āt" | from the attachment to the body |
| svārtho | svārtho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | one's own purpose/goal |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mokṣād | mokṣād | compound | tatpuruṣa · "mokṣa + ād" | from liberation |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also |
| hāni | hāni | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | harm/loss |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, emphasizing that attachment to the body (dehāgrahāt) does not yield any true benefit (svārtho), as the body is ephemeral and fleeting. Conversely, liberation (mokṣād) does not bring harm but rather reveals the ultimate reality of brahman-ātman identity. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (BS 1.1.5) highlights the distinction between the self (ātman) and the aggregates (skandhas) that constitute the body, illustrating how the former is untouched by the vicissitudes of the latter. This verse, in line with Shankara's reasoning, points to the liberating knowledge that recognizes the identity of the individual self (jīva) with the ultimate reality (brahman), thereby transcending the limitations and sufferings associated with bodily attachment.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a devotional perspective, this verse can be seen as an exhortation to transcend bodily attachments and seek a relationship with the divine (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya (SB 1.1.1), discusses the concept of the self (ātman) as being inherently connected to Īśvara, emphasizing that true benefit (svārtho) lies in realizing and nurturing this relationship. Liberation (mokṣād), in this context, is not merely a negative concept of release from suffering but a positive attainment of union with the divine. The verse thus encourages the devotee to redirect their focus from bodily concerns to the cultivation of devotion (bhakti) and the pursuit of a loving relationship with Īśvara, through which alone true fulfillment and liberation are achieved.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound lesson in universalism and practical spirituality. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Real Nature of the Soul' (CW 2:64-74), emphasizes the importance of recognizing the distinction between the transient body and the eternal, unchanging self. He advocates for a life of service and selflessness, untethered by attachment to the body or fear of liberation. S. Radhakrishnan, in his 'Indian Philosophy' (Vol. 1, p. 341), underscores the human quest for meaning and freedom, suggesting that this verse points to the universal aspiration for transcendence. In contemporary life, this verse can be seen as urging individuals to look beyond the ephemeral and the mundane, cultivating a deeper sense of purpose and connection to the world and to themselves, thereby finding true fulfillment and liberation in the midst of life's challenges.