na hi duḥkhāt prāptum arhati sukhaṁ vipattibhyḥ । na ca rājyād dhi tuccha-janaḥ ।
“For one does not deserve to obtain happiness from distress, nor does a base person from kingship.”
Structure
na hi duḥkhāt prāptum arhati sukhaṁ vipattibhyāḥ na ca rājyād dhi tuccha-janaḥ
na (not) hi (certainly) duḥkhāt (from suffering) prāptum (to obtain) arhati (is entitled) sukhaṁ (happiness) vipattibhyāḥ (from misfortunes)na (not) ca (and) rājyād (from kingdom) dhi (indeed) tuccha-janaḥ (a base man)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| duḥkhāt | duḥkhāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from sorrow |
| prāptum | prāptum | verb | √prāp · liṅ-optative · third | to obtain |
| arhati | arhati | verb | √arh · laṭ-present · third | is worthy of, ought to |
| sukhaṁ | sukhaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | happiness |
| vipattibhyāḥ | vipattibhyāḥ | noun | ablative · plural · feminine | from misfortunes |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| rājyād | rājyād | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from kingdom |
| dhi | dhi | indeclinable | — | then, indeed |
| tuccha-janaḥ | tuccha-janaḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "tucchaḥ janaḥ yasyāḥ saḥ" | a man of low character |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the notion that true happiness cannot be derived from external sources, whether it be the removal of distress or the attainment of royal status. According to Shankara, the pursuit of happiness through such means is akin to attempting to grasp a reflection in water, as it is fleeting and unreliable. The phrase 'na hi duḥkhāt prāptum arhati sukhaṁ vipattibhyḥ' suggests that one cannot genuinely attain happiness by simply eliminating suffering, for the root cause of distress lies in the misidentification of the self with the ephemeral body and mind. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1) resonates with this idea, emphasizing the importance of Self-realization in transcending worldly dualities. Ultimately, the verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, where true happiness and liberation arise from recognizing one's essential nature as the unchanging, all-pervading Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse highlights the futility of seeking happiness through worldly means, whether it be the avoidance of distress or the acquisition of power and wealth. Ramanuja's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (3.27) emphasizes the role of selfless devotion to Īśvara in achieving true happiness and liberation. The phrase 'na ca rājyād dhi tuccha-janaḥ' underscores the idea that even royal status, symbolizing the pinnacle of worldly achievement, cannot bring fulfillment to one who is not endowed with inner virtues and a sense of devotion to the Divine. Madhva's Dvaita Vedanta also resonates with this idea, as he emphasizes the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara for true happiness and liberation. The verse thus reinforces the Vaishnava emphasis on bhakti and the cultivation of a loving relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara).
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound insight into the human condition, highlighting the limitations of external sources of happiness and the need for inner transformation. Swami Vivekananda, in his lecture on 'The Real Nature of Man' (Complete Works, Vol. 2), emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's true nature as a spark of the Divine, beyond the ephemeral fluctuations of the external world. The phrase 'na hi duḥkhāt prāptum arhati sukhaṁ vipattibhyḥ' suggests that true happiness cannot be achieved by merely eliminating suffering, but rather by transcending the ego-bound consciousness that perpetuates dualities. Radhakrishnan, in his work 'The Hindu View of Life' (1927), also underscores the importance of cultivating a deeper sense of self-awareness and inner peace, recognizing that true fulfillment arises from aligning one's life with the universal principles of dharma and righteousness. The verse thus offers a timeless wisdom, relevant to contemporary life, emphasizing the need for inner growth and self-awareness in the pursuit of lasting happiness and fulfillment.