na māpayetprāṇamihāśanāya |
“One should not give up life even for a mouthful of food.”
Structure
na māpayet prāṇam ihāśanāya
na (not) māpayet (should measure/adjust) prāṇam (life/breath) ihāśanāya (for hunger here/ in this world)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| māpayet | māpayet | verb | √mā · optative · third | should not cause to drink |
| prāṇam | prāṇam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | life, breath, or creature |
| ihāśanāya | ihāśanāya | compound | tatpuruṣa · "ihā + aśanāya" | for food here, for eating here |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond the fleeting pleasures of the world, including food. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1) resonates with this verse, emphasizing that one should not be deluded by worldly desires. The verse 'na māpayetprāṇamihāśanāya' highlights the impermanence of the body and the futility of sacrificing one's life for temporal gratification, pointing towards the eternal and unchanging nature of the Self (ātman). In this context, the pursuit of food or any worldly pleasure is seen as a distraction from the realization of the brahman-ātman identity, which is the ultimate goal. By emphasizing the rejection of sacrifices for mundane desires, this verse aligns with Shankara's reasoning on the importance of discerning the eternal from the ephemeral, guiding the seeker towards the path of self-inquiry and non-dual understanding.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is viewed through the lens of the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya's interpretation of the Bhagavad Gītā (2.14) highlights the ephemeral nature of worldly pleasures and pains, which aligns with the message of this verse. The jīva's tendency to succumb to desires, such as the desire for food, is seen as a manifestation of its bondage to the cycle of birth and death. This verse, 'na māpayetprāṇamihāśanāya', serves as a reminder of the jīva's true nature and its relationship with Īśvara, emphasizing the importance of not sacrificing one's life or spiritual well-being for fleeting worldly pleasures. Instead, it encourages the jīva to seek a higher purpose, culminating in devotion to the Lord and the realization of its inherent dependence on Him.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound message that resonates deeply in contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Real Nature of Man' (from the Complete Works, Vol. 2), emphasizes the importance of realizing one's true nature beyond the limitations of the body and material desires. The verse 'na māpayetprāṇamihāśanāya' can be seen as a call to reevaluate one's priorities, recognizing that life's value lies not in its external possessions or pleasures but in its intrinsic worth and the pursuit of higher goals. S. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'Eastern Religions and Western Thought', discusses the universal quest for meaning and the tendency to overlook the profound in favor of the mundane. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of living a life that reflects a deeper purpose, where one does not sacrifice their existence for short-term gains but instead strives for a harmony that integrates the individual's aspirations with the greater good of humanity.