na hi duḥkhena viyogo na ca sukhena saṁyogaḥ nābhāvaḥ kasyacit kṛtsnaḥ sarvatra samānatā ॥
“For no one, sorrow brings separation, nor does happiness bring union; nor is there complete destruction; everywhere there is uniformity.”
Structure
na hi duḥkhena viyogo na ca sukhena saṁyogaḥ nābhāvaḥ kasyacit kṛtsnaḥ sarvatra samānatā
na (not) hi (indeed) duḥkhena (with sorrow) viyogo (separation) na (not) ca (and) sukhena (with happiness) saṁyogaḥ (union)nābhāvaḥ (not existence) kasyacit (of anyone) kṛtsnaḥ (complete) sarvatra (everywhere) samānatā (equanimity)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| duḥkhena | duḥkhena | noun | instrumental · singular · neuter | with suffering |
| viyogo | viyogo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | separation |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| sukhena | sukhena | noun | instrumental · singular · neuter | with happiness |
| saṁyogaḥ | saṁyogaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | union |
| nābhāvaḥ | nābhāvaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | non-existence |
| kasyacit | kasyacit | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of anyone |
| kṛtsnaḥ | kṛtsnaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | whole |
| sarvatra | sarvatra | indeclinable | — | everywhere |
| samānatā | samānatā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | sameness |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, emphasizing that neither suffering nor joy can sever the inherent unity of existence. As Shankara notes in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, the distinctions we perceive are rooted in ignorance (avidyā), and the liberation from this ignorance reveals the fundamental identity of brahman and ātman. The phrase 'na hi duḥkhena viyogo' suggests that suffering does not bring separation, pointing to the idea that even in the midst of duḥkha, the ultimate reality remains unaffected, underscoring the concept of brahman-ātman identity. This interpretation aligns with Shankara's reasoning on the nature of the Self, where he argues that the true Self is untouched by the ephemeral experiences of pleasure and pain, reinforcing the non-dualistic worldview.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse highlights the complex relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). According to Ramanuja, the concept of 'sarvatra samānatā' or uniformity everywhere suggests that despite the varying experiences of joy and sorrow, there is an underlying equality in the eyes of the Lord. This uniformity is not a negation of the real differences between beings but an affirmation of the Lord's impartial love. Madhva, on the other hand, might interpret 'nābhāvaḥ kasyacit kṛtsnaḥ' as indicating that the complete destruction or annihilation of the individual self is not possible since the jīva is eternally dependent on Īśvara, suggesting a qualified non-dualism where the distinction between the Lord and the individual self is maintained even in liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has profound implications for contemporary life, as it underscores the universal principle of equality and the transient nature of human experiences. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often emphasized the importance of looking beyond the superficial distinctions and recognizing the inherent unity of all existence. The phrase 'sarvatra samānatā' resonates with Vivekānanda's call for universal brotherhood, where every individual, regardless of their circumstances, is seen as a manifestation of the divine. Similarly, Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical writings, highlighted the importance of realizing this unity in diversity, arguing that true freedom and harmony can only be achieved by transcending the ephemeral dualities of pleasure and pain, and recognizing the deeper, unchanging reality that underlies all human experience.