na jātu gṛhamekasy na deho na pitā na putraḥ । na bandhuḥ na ko 'pi paro na svaḥ ॥
“A man's home is not exclusively his own, nor his body, nor his father, nor his son; no one is his relative, and there is no one who is not related or unrelated.”
Structure
na jātu gṛham eka-sya na dehaḥ na pitā na putraḥ na bandhuḥ na kaḥ api paro na svaḥ
na jātu (never) gṛham (home) eka-sya (of one) dehaḥ (body) na (not) pitā (father) na (not) putraḥ (son) na (not) bandhuḥ (relative) na (not) kaḥ (who) api (even) paro (other) na (not) svaḥ (one's own)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| jātu | jātu | verb | √jan · optative · third | may ... be born |
| gṛham | gṛham | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | home |
| eka-sya | eka-sya | compound | tatpuruṣa · "ekasya" | one's own |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| dehaḥ | dehaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | body |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| pitā | pitā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | father |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| putraḥ | putraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | son |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| bandhuḥ | bandhuḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | relative |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kaḥ | kaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also |
| paro | paro | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | other |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| svaḥ | svaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | one's own |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality by emphasizing that nothing, including one's home, body, family, or relationships, truly belongs to the individual. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasūtra (2.3.40) echoes this sentiment, where he argues that the notion of 'mine' (mamata) is a product of ignorance (avidyā). The verse points to the brahman-ātman identity by highlighting the impermanence and illusoriness of worldly attachments, inviting the seeker to look beyond the ephemeral and realize the eternal, unchanging Self (Ātman). As Shankara notes in his Upadeśasāhasrī (18.37), the wise one sees all beings as his own Self, thereby transcending the limited and false sense of individuality. This realization is the key to liberation, where the distinction between 'I' and 'mine' is dissolved, and the non-dual nature of reality is directly experienced.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is seen as a call to devotion and surrender, highlighting the ultimate dependence of the jīva on Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya (2.3.40), interprets this verse as an emphasis on the Lord's proprietorship over all creation, including the individual's body, family, and possessions. The jīva's sense of ownership is thus an illusion, and true freedom lies in acknowledging and surrendering to the Lord's will. Madhvācārya, in his Anuvyākhyāna, further elaborates on the distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, noting that the former is dependent on the latter for its very existence. This verse, therefore, serves as a reminder of the jīva's duty to cultivate devotion and submission to the Divine, recognizing that all relationships and possessions are ultimately a manifestation of the Lord's grace and will.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a universal and practical message, relevant to contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Freedom of the Soul' (Complete Works, Vol. 2), notes that the sense of ownership and attachment is a primary obstacle to human freedom and well-being. The verse, in this context, serves as a reminder to cultivate detachment and recognize the interconnectedness of all beings. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'The Principal Upaniṣads' (p. 123), further emphasizes the importance of this verse in promoting a sense of universal brotherhood and social responsibility. By recognizing that nothing truly belongs to us, we are compelled to adopt a more compassionate and equitable approach to life, acknowledging the inherent value and dignity of every individual and the planet as a whole. This verse, therefore, has far-reaching implications for personal growth, social justice, and environmental sustainability.