na hi duḥkhāt prāptum arhati sukhaṁ vai duḥkham evaiva hi .
“For one does not attain happiness from distress, indeed distress only follows.”
Structure
na hi duḥkhāt prāptum arhati sukhaṁ vai duḥkham eva eva hi
na hi (no, not) duḥkhāt (from suffering) sukhaṁ (happiness) prāptum (to obtain) arhati (ought) vai (indeed) eva eva (only) duḥkham (suffering) hi (indeed)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| duḥkhāt | duḥkhāt | noun | ablative · singular · neuter | from suffering |
| prāptum | prāptum | verb | √prāp · supine | to obtain |
| arhati | arhati | verb | √arh · present · third | is fit for, deserves |
| sukhaṁ | sukhaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | happiness |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | indeed, truly |
| duḥkham | duḥkham | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | suffering |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only, alone |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only, alone |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where distress and happiness are not separate entities but interconnected aspects of the illusory duality (māyā). Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all duality, including the duality of happiness and distress. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the identification with the limited self (jīva) leads to the experience of distress, whereas the realization of the true Self (ātman) as identical with Brahman reveals the inherent bliss and freedom from distress. This verse points to the futility of seeking happiness through the removal of distress, instead, it advocates for the direct realization of the non-dual nature of reality, where distress and happiness are transcended. By citing the example of the rope and the snake, Śaṅkarācārya illustrates how the ignorance of our true nature leads to the perception of distress, and how the knowledge of our true nature as Brahman-ātman reveals the eternal bliss and freedom.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse highlights the importance of devotion and surrender to the Lord in achieving true happiness. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the role of prapatti, or self-surrender, in attaining the divine grace and realizing the true nature of the self. According to Rāmānujācārya, the jīva, or individual self, is incapable of removing its own distress through its own efforts, but rather, it is through the divine grace of Īśvara that one can attain true happiness. This verse illustrates the futility of relying solely on human effort to achieve happiness and instead, advocates for the cultivation of devotion and surrender to the Lord. By surrendering to the will of the Lord, the jīva can transcend its limitations and experience the divine bliss and freedom from distress. Rāmānujācārya cites the example of the Gopīs, who, through their selfless devotion to Krishna, attained the highest state of bliss and liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse has profound implications for modern life, where the pursuit of happiness is often misguided. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of cultivating inner strength and equilibrium in the face of adversity. According to Vivekānanda, true happiness can only be achieved by transcending the duality of pleasure and pain, and realizing the inherent freedom and bliss of the true Self. This verse highlights the futility of seeking external solutions to internal problems and instead, advocates for the cultivation of inner awareness and self-realization. By citing the example of the lotus leaf, which remains untouched by the water, Vivekānanda illustrates how the individual can remain untouched by the ups and downs of life, and instead, experience the eternal bliss and peace that lies within. In contemporary life, this verse can be applied to the pursuit of happiness, where individuals can shift their focus from external sources of happiness to the cultivation of inner awareness, self-realization, and spiritual growth.