na kavitve gurutvaṃ na gurutve kavitvam | bibhradekaṃ na tadvidvān dvaividhyena hi hīnaḥ ||
“One who possesses one (either poetry or teaching) is not learned; because he is deficient due to lack of the other.”
Structure
na kavitve gurutvaṃ na gurutve kavitvam | bibhrad ekam na tat vidvān dvaividhyena hi hīnaḥ
na (not) kavitve (in poetry) gurutvam (greatness) na (not) gurutve (in greatness) kavitvam (poetry), tat (that) vidvān (learned person) ekam (one) bibhrad (bears) na (not), dvaividhyena (by duality) hi (indeed) hīnaḥ (is inferior)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kavitve | kavitve | noun | locative · singular · neuter | in poetry |
| gurutvaṃ | gurutvaṃ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | importance |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| gurutve | gurutve | noun | locative · singular · neuter | in greatness |
| kavitvam | kavitvam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | poetry |
| bibhrad | bibhrad | verb | √bṛh · present · third | he bears |
| ekam | ekam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | one |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tat | tat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| vidvān | vidvān | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | one who knows |
| dvaividhyena | dvaividhyena | noun | instrumental · singular · neuter | by the knowledge of two Vedas |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for |
| hīnaḥ | hīnaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | inferior |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between the poet (kavitva) and the teacher (gurutva) are transcended. According to Shankara, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all dualities. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara emphasizes that the knowledge of Brahman is not limited to one aspect or the other but encompasses all. This verse, in essence, points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is not separate from the ultimate reality (Brahman). The deficiency spoken of in the verse refers to the limited understanding that arises from perceiving the world through dualistic lenses. Shankara's reasoning on similar passages highlights the importance of transcending such dualities to realize the non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be seen as emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach to spiritual growth, where both the pursuit of knowledge (kavitva, or poetic expression, which can be seen as a form of devotion) and the guidance of a teacher (gurutva) are essential. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, highlights the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord), stressing that devotion (bhakti) is a means to realize this relationship. The verse suggests that one who lacks either the poetic/devotional expression or the guidance of a teacher is deficient in their spiritual journey, lacking the full understanding of the interdependence of the jīva and Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures and writings, often stressed the universal applicability of Vedantic principles in everyday life. This verse, from a modern perspective, can be seen as advocating for a holistic approach to personal and intellectual development. Vivekananda, in his speech 'The Ideal of a Universal Religion,' emphasized the importance of combining the head (intellectual pursuits) and the heart (emotional and devotional aspects) for a balanced life. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, discussed the importance of integrating different aspects of human personality for a fulfilling life. The verse, in this context, suggests that specializing in one aspect of life (be it poetic expression or teaching) without integrating other facets can lead to a lack of fulfillment and understanding, echoing the call for a more holistic and integrated approach to life.