na hi duṣṭātmanaḥ śāstraṃ vācyam yena tadvadet | śāstreṇa vāgyataḥ śāstraṃ tyaktum arhati durvacaḥ |
“For one with a corrupted mind, scripture should not be recited, lest he speak ill; having spoken ill using scripture, he deserves to abandon it.”
Structure
na hi duṣṭātmanaḥ śāstraṃ vācyam yena tadvadet śāstreṇa vāgyataḥ śāstraṃ tyaktum arhati durvacaḥ
na hi(no, certainly not) duṣṭātmanaḥ(of one with an evil mind) śāstraṃ(scripture) vācyam(should be spoken) yena(by whom) tat(that) vadet(speaks) śāstreṇa(with scripture) vāgyataḥ(having been silenced) durvacaḥ(one who speaks ill) tyaktum(to abandon) arhati(should) śāstraṃ(scripture)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| duṣṭātmanaḥ | duṣṭātmanaḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of one with a wicked soul |
| śāstraṃ | śāstraṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | scripture, treatise |
| vācyam | vācyam | verb | √vac · potential · third | should be spoken |
| yena | yena | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by whom |
| tadvadet | tadvadet | verb | √vad · optative · third | may he speak |
| śāstreṇa | śāstreṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · neuter | with the scripture |
| vāgyataḥ | vāgyataḥ | verb | √vac · preterite · third | he spoke |
| śāstraṃ | śāstraṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | scripture, treatise |
| tyaktum | tyaktum | verb | √tyaj · infinitive | to abandon |
| arhati | arhati | verb | √arh · present · third | he deserves |
| durvacaḥ | durvacaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | one who speaks ill |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the importance of a pure mind in the pursuit of understanding scripture. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the mind must be free from the taints of duality and malice to truly grasp the non-dual nature of reality. The corrupted mind, or duṣṭātman, cannot but distort the teaching of the scriptures, leading to a misinterpretation that separates the individual self (ātman) from the ultimate reality (Brahman). Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Brahmasūtra (1.1.1) emphasizes the need for a qualified seeker who has purified their mind through the practice of virtues. This verse serves as a warning to those who would use scripture for nefarious purposes, and points to the ultimate goal of realizing the identity of Brahman and ātman, where such dualities and corruptions are transcended. The verse thus supports Śaṅkarācārya's non-dual reading of the Upaniṣads, highlighting the importance of inner purity for spiritual understanding.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as a caution against the misuse of scripture for personal gain or to spread falsehood. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of devotion and surrender to Īśvara (the Lord) as the means to attain true knowledge. The verse suggests that one who approaches scripture with a corrupted mind will only spread darkness and ignorance, rather than the light of knowledge. Madhvācārya, in his Anuvyākhyāna, highlights the distinction between the true Self (jīva) and the false self (ego), and how the scriptures must be approached with humility and a pure heart to realize the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara. This verse thus underscores the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on bhakti (devotion) as the path to true understanding and liberation, where the devotee approaches scripture with reverence and a willing heart to serve the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has a profound universal and practical application in contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Upaniṣads, emphasized the importance of cultivating a pure and strong character as the foundation for spiritual growth. He argued that knowledge without character is dangerous, as it can be used for destructive purposes. This verse echoes this sentiment, warning against the misuse of knowledge by those with corrupted minds. S. Radhakrishnan, in his writings on the Bhagavad Gītā, highlights the need for a holistic approach to human development, where intellectual knowledge is balanced with moral and spiritual growth. This verse thus serves as a reminder of the importance of integrating knowledge with character and wisdom, and the need for self-reflection and self-purification in our pursuit of understanding and applying spiritual teachings in our daily lives. It encourages us to approach knowledge with humility, reverence, and a commitment to using it for the greater good.