na hi duṣṭajanasyasya mukhāt prabhūteḥ vacanaṁ yathā
“Just as a good saying does not come from the mouth of a wicked man.”
Structure
na hi duṣṭa-janasya mukhāt prabhūteḥ vacanaṁ yathā
na hi (not indeed) duṣṭa-janasya (of an evil person) mukhāt (from the mouth) prabhūteḥ (of a great one) vacanaṁ (speech) yathā (as)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| duṣṭa | duṣṭa | adjective | — | corrupt, wicked |
| janasa | janasa | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of a person |
| asya | asya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | his, of him |
| mukhaat | mukhaāt | noun | ablative · singular · neuter | from the mouth |
| prabhūteḥ | prabhūteḥ | adjective | — | rich, abundant; here: great, noble |
| vacanaṁ | vacanaṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | word, speech |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | as, like |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the importance of discerning the source of wisdom. According to Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasūtra, a wicked person's understanding is tainted by their own misperceptions and ignorance. The verse 'na hi duṣṭajanasya mukhāt prabhūteḥ vacanaṁ yathā' highlights that true knowledge cannot arise from a contaminated mind. This aligns with the non-dualistic perspective that the ultimate reality, Brahman, can only be grasped by transcending the limitations of the ego and the conditioning of the mind. The emphasis here is on the direct experience of the ātman, which is beyond the duality of good and evil, and recognizing that only a mind purified of evil tendencies can reflect the true nature of reality. Thus, this verse indirectly points to the brahman-ātman identity by negating the false sources of knowledge.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as a reminder of the importance of associating with righteous individuals to achieve spiritual growth. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the role of the guru and the company of the wise in attaining knowledge of the ultimate reality. The verse suggests that the words of a wicked person, no matter how eloquent, lack the power to guide one towards Īśvara. This perspective underscores the dependency of the jīva on Īśvara for liberation, emphasizing the need for surrender and devotion to a higher power. By focusing on the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara), this verse encourages believers to seek guidance from those who embody virtues and wisdom, reflecting the divine qualities.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on practical Vedānta, often stressed the importance of character in the pursuit of knowledge and spiritual growth. This verse resonates with his teachings, as it highlights the significance of the source from which knowledge is derived. Vivekānanda argued that only a pure and strong character can achieve anything substantial, whether in the material or spiritual realm. The verse 'na hi duṣṭajanasya mukhāt prabhūteḥ vacanaṁ yathā' serves as a reminder of the universal principle that one's words and actions must align with their character for them to be of any real value. In contemporary life, this principle applies to leadership, education, and personal development, emphasizing the need for authenticity, integrity, and a commitment to fostering positive change in the world.