na yasya hṛdayaṃ paśir na yasya manasā hṛtā
“Of one whose heart is not (as soft as) a goat's and whose mind does not perceive (a distinction)”
Structure
na yasya hṛdayam paśir na yasya manasā hṛtā
na (not) yasya (of whom) hṛdayam (heart) paśir (is a deer) na (not) yasya (of whom) manasā (by the mind) hṛtā (has been stolen)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| yasya | yasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of whom |
| hṛdayaṃ | hṛdayaṁ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | heart |
| paśir | paśir | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | skin |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| yasya | yasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of whom |
| manasā | manasā | noun | instrumental · singular · neuter | with the mind |
| hṛtā | hṛtā | verb | √hṛ · past passive · third | has been taken |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the distinction between the individual self and the ultimate reality, Brahman. According to Shankara, the heart that is not like a goat's implies a lack of discrimination, which is a hindrance to self-realization. The mind that does not perceive distinctions refers to the inability to discern between the real and the unreal. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (BS 1.1.1) emphasizes the importance of discerning the ultimate reality, Brahman, from the fleeting world of appearances. In this context, the verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self, upon realizing its true nature, transcends the limitations of the mind and heart, achieving unity with the ultimate reality. Shankara's non-dual reading of this verse underscores the idea that the distinctions we perceive are ultimately illusory, and that the true self is beyond all duality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is often interpreted in the context of devotion and the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (BG 2.56), emphasizes the importance of cultivating a heart that is like a goat's, humble and submissive, in order to receive the Lord's grace. The mind that does not perceive distinctions refers to the jīva's inability to discern its own limitations and its dependence on Īśvara. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, would likely interpret this verse as emphasizing the importance of recognizing the distinction between the self and the Lord, and the need for the jīva to surrender to Īśvara in order to achieve liberation. In both interpretations, the verse highlights the importance of devotion and surrender in achieving a deeper understanding of the self and its relationship with the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse can be seen as a call to introspection and self-awareness in contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture on 'The Powers of the Mind' (CW 1:213), emphasizes the importance of cultivating a mind that is aware of its own limitations and biases. The image of the goat's heart suggests a need for humility and openness, while the mind that does not perceive distinctions refers to the tendency to get caught up in our own perceptions and assumptions. S. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life' (p. 115), writes about the importance of recognizing the distinctions between the self and the world, and the need to transcend these distinctions in order to achieve a deeper sense of unity and harmony. In this sense, the verse can be seen as a practical guide for personal growth and spiritual development, encouraging us to cultivate a more nuanced and aware understanding of ourselves and the world around us.