na ca dehāgni paryāpto na svādhyāyo na tapasvinām । yatprāṇād eka māyāti kiṃ punaḥ prāṇadānena saḥ ॥
“The fire of the body is not sufficient, nor study, nor asceticism; what one attains from life (or vital energy), what more can be achieved by giving life?”
Structure
na ca dehāgniḥ paryāpto na svādhyāyo na tapasvinām | yat prāṇāt ekaḥ māyāti kiṃ punaḥ prāṇadānena saḥ
Saḥ (he) na (not) ca (and) dehāgniḥ (body's fire) paryāpto (sufficient) na (not) tapasvinām (of ascetics) svādhyāyo (self-study) na (not) | ekaḥ (one) yat (which) prāṇāt (from life) māyāti (attains) kiṃ (what) punaḥ (again) prāṇadānena (by giving life)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| dehāgniḥ | dehāgniḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | body's fire |
| paryāpto | paryāpto | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | sufficient |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| svādhyāyo | svādhyāyo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Vedic study |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tapasvinām | tapasvinām | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of ascetics |
| yat | yat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | what |
| prāṇāt | prāṇāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from the breath |
| ekaḥ | ekaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | one |
| māyāti | māyāti | verb | √mā · present · third | produces |
| kiṃ | kiṃ | indeclinable | — | what |
| punaḥ | punaḥ | indeclinable | — | again |
| prāṇadānena | prāṇadānena | compound | tatpuruṣa · "prāṇadāna ena" | by giving life |
| saḥ | saḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the limitations of physical austerities and intellectual pursuits in realizing the ultimate truth. According to Shankara, the 'fire of the body' (dehāgni) refers to the bodily functions and senses that are insufficient for attaining liberation. Similarly, 'study' (svādhyāya) and 'asceticism' (tapas) are inadequate means to realize the non-dual Brahman. The phrase 'what one attains from life' (yat prāṇāt ekaḥ māyāti) suggests that even the vital energy that sustains life is ephemeral and illusory. This verse points to the Brahman-ātman identity, implying that true realization lies beyond the realm of the physical and mental. As Shankara notes in his Brahmasutra Bhashya, 'The Self is not something to be attained; it is already present, but veiled by ignorance' (Brahmasutra Bhashya 1.1.4). This verse serves as a reminder to seek the ultimate reality beyond the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as emphasizing the importance of devotion and surrender to the Lord. Ramanuja interprets 'the fire of the body' as the ego and 'study' as the pursuit of knowledge without devotion. 'Asceticism' refers to the practice of self-control without a focus on the divine. The phrase 'what one attains from life' suggests that even the gift of life is a blessing from the Lord, and one should utilize it to cultivate devotion and service to Him. As Ramanuja notes in his Gita Bhashya, 'The Lord is the inner Self of all beings, and one should seek to realize Him through devotion and self-surrender' (Gita Bhashya 18.66). This verse highlights the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord), emphasizing the need for devotion and surrender to attain true liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a universal and practical message for contemporary life. According to Vivekananda, the 'fire of the body' represents the ego and selfish desires that drive human actions. 'Study' and 'asceticism' symbolize the pursuit of knowledge and self-control without a higher purpose. The phrase 'what one attains from life' suggests that even the gift of life is a precious opportunity to cultivate self-awareness, compassion, and service to others. As Vivekananda notes in his lecture 'The Real Nature of the Soul', 'The soul is not a mere bundle of thoughts and feelings, but a spark of the divine' (The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol. 2). This verse encourages individuals to look beyond material pursuits and cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in life, recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of living a life of service and compassion.