Na kavitvaṁ na cāritraṁ na deśo na kulaṁ na ca । Vidyāṁ vinā na muktir vāhaṁ vāhaṁ kimu vrajet ॥ १४८ ॥
“Without knowledge, there is no liberation; what is the use of poetic skill, good conduct, country, family or a 'I, I' ?”
Structure
Na kavitvaṁ na cāritraṁ na deśo na kulaṁ na ca vidyāṁ vinā na muktir vāhaṁ vāhaṁ kimu vrajet
Na kavitvaṁ (no poetry) na (nor) cāritraṁ (good character) na (nor) deśo (country) na (nor) kulaṁ (family) na (nor) ca (even) vidyāṁ (education) vinā (without) na (not) muktir (liberation) vāhaṁ (I) vāhaṁ (I) kimu (why) vrajet (should I go)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kavitvaṁ | kavitvaṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | poetic skill |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| cāritraṁ | cāritraṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | good character |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| deśo | deśo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | country |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kulaṁ | kulaṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | family |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| vidyāṁ | vidyāṁ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | knowledge |
| vinā | vinā | indeclinable | — | without |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| muktir | muktir | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | liberation |
| vāhaṁ | vāhaṁ | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | me/I |
| vāhaṁ | vāhaṁ | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | me/I |
| kimu | kimu | indeclinable | — | why |
| vrajet | vrajet | verb | √vraj · optative · third | should go |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the futility of worldly attainments and the inevitability of liberation through knowledge. According to Shankara, 'vidyā' or knowledge refers to the intuitive understanding of the brahman-ātman identity. The phrase 'vāhaṁ vāhaṁ' signifies the ego's persistence in affirming a separate self, which must be transcended through self-inquiry. This verse points to the non-dual reality, where the distinctions of poetic skill, good conduct, country, and family are sublated. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (BS 1.1.4) echoes this sentiment, stating that the ultimate goal is to realize the identity of the individual self with the absolute reality, unencumbered by worldly attachments or egoistic assertions.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition approaches this verse with an emphasis on devotion and the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya would likely interpret 'vidyā' as the knowledge of the Lord's gracious nature, which alone can bring about liberation. The phrase 'vāhaṁ vāhaṁ' represents the jīva's inherent tendency to affirm its separate existence, which must be surrendered to the Lord. According to Rāmānujācārya's Śrī Bhāṣya (SB 1.1.1), the cultivation of knowledge and devotion is essential for the jīva to realize its dependence on the Lord and attain liberation. This verse highlights the importance of self-surrender and devotion in achieving spiritual freedom.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse holds profound significance in contemporary life, as it emphasizes the universal importance of knowledge and self-awareness. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Ideal of a Universal Religion,' underscores the need for individuals to transcend their narrow, egoistic limitations and strive for a higher understanding of themselves and the world. The phrase 'vāhaṁ vāhaṁ' represents the ego's persistent affirmation of a separate self, which must be overcome through self-reflection and introspection. According to S. Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'The Bhagavadgītā,' the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is essential for individuals to realize their true potential and contribute to the greater good. This verse encourages individuals to look beyond their mundane accomplishments and cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and the world, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and liberated existence.