na kaṃcid api paśyāmi gatāgatavatāṃ niśi
“I do not see any of those whose comings and goings are (known to be) at night.”
Structure
na kaṃcid api paśyāmi gatāgatavatāṃ niśi
na (no/not) kaṃcit (anyone) api (also) paśyāmi (I see) gatāgatavatām (of those who move about) niśi (at night)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kaṃcid | kaṃcid | indefinite pronoun | — | anyone |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also, even |
| paśyāmi | paśyāmi | verb | √paś · laṭ-present · first | I see |
| gatāgatavatāṃ | gatāgatavatāṃ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "gata-āgata-vatāṃ" | one who has gone and come |
| niśi | niśi | noun | locative · singular · feminine | in the night |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In interpreting the verse 'na kaṃcid api paśyāmi gatāgatavatāṃ niśi,' Śaṅkarācārya would likely emphasize the non-dual reading, suggesting that the speaker is unable to perceive any entity that is subject to the cycle of birth and death, implying the transient nature of the phenomenal world. This verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, as it highlights the impossibility of perceiving the ultimate reality through the limited means of the senses, which are bound by time and space. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the knowledge of brahman is not acquired through sensory perception but through intuition and self-inquiry. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Śaṅkarācārya explains that the ultimate reality is beyond human comprehension, and the verse in question underscores this idea by emphasizing the limitations of sensory knowledge. Ultimately, the verse invites the seeker to look beyond the fleeting world and seek the permanent, unchanging reality that lies beyond the reach of the senses.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, the verse 'na kaṃcid api paśyāmi gatāgatavatāṃ niśi' can be seen as a devotional expression of the jīva's (individual self) longing for Īśvara (the Lord). The speaker's inability to perceive any entity that comes and goes at night may be interpreted as a metaphor for the jīva's inability to comprehend the mysteries of the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of surrender and devotion in understanding the nature of the divine. In this context, the verse may be seen as an expression of the jīva's dependence on Īśvara and the acknowledgment of the limitations of human understanding. The verse also highlights the transient nature of the world and the importance of seeking refuge in the eternal and unchanging Lord. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might interpret the verse as an illustration of the distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, emphasizing the dependence of the jīva on the Lord for liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The verse 'na kaṃcid api paśyāmi gatāgatavatāṃ niśi' can be seen as a powerful reminder of the impermanence of the world and the importance of looking beyond the fleeting nature of human existence. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on Vedānta, emphasizes the importance of introspection and self-inquiry in understanding the true nature of reality. This verse can be seen as an invitation to look beyond the limitations of the senses and to seek the eternal and unchanging reality that lies within. In contemporary life, this verse can be applied to the fast-paced and often chaotic nature of modern society, where individuals are often caught up in the cycle of birth and death, metaphorically speaking. The verse reminds us to slow down, reflect, and seek the permanent and unchanging reality that lies beyond the reach of the senses. As S. Rādhākrishnan notes in his writings on Indian philosophy, the ultimate goal of human existence is to realize this permanent and unchanging reality, and the verse in question serves as a powerful reminder of this goal.