na ca dehaṁ na dehasya nindā na stutir garuḍādīnām । yena gurutatvādihaṁ prāpya niṣprahustena dehinām ॥ 274 ॥
“One who has attained greatness, should not praise or criticise the body, nor the Garuḍa and others, being free from attachment.”
Structure
na ca dehaṁ na dehasya nindā na stutir garuḍādīnām, yena gurutva-ādi-haṁ prāpya niṣprahustena dehinām
dehinām (of embodied beings) dehaṁ (body) na (not), dehasya (of the body) nindā (blame) na (nor), garuḍādīnām (of Garuḍa and others) stutir (praise) na (nor), yena (by whom) gurutva-ādi (greatness etc.) haṁ (I) prāpya (having obtained) niṣprahustena (without being moved) eva (indeed)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| dehaṁ | dehaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | body |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| dehasya | dehasya | noun | genitive · singular · neuter | of the body |
| nindā | nindā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | blame |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| stutir | stutir | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | praise |
| garuḍādīnām | garuḍādīnām | compound | tatpuruṣa · "garuḍādi-nām" | of Garuḍa and others |
| yena | yena | indeclinable | — | by which |
| gurutva-ādi-haṁ | gurutva-ādi-haṁ | compound | tatpuruṣa · "gurutva-ādi-ah" | the greatness and other qualities of that |
| prāpya | prāpya | verb | √āp · gerund | having obtained |
| niṣprahustena | niṣprahustena | verb | √hru · permissive · third | may he shake off |
| dehinām | dehinām | compound | tatpuruṣa · "dehi-nām" | of those who have a body |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between the body, Garuḍa, and other entities are transcended. According to Shankara, the realization of gurutva (greatness) implies a state of consciousness that is beyond the limitations of the body and the external world. This is in line with his commentary on the Brahmasūtra (1.1.1), where he argues that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the essence of all existence. The verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the universal reality (Brahman). By transcending attachment to the body and external praise or criticism, one can realize this unity, as stated in the Bhagavadgītā (6.9), which Shankara interprets as the culmination of the path to Self-realization.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse is interpreted within the Vaiṣṇava tradition as emphasizing the importance of detachment and devotion to Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya would likely view the attainment of greatness (gurutva) as resulting from devotion to and dependence on the Lord. The reference to Garuḍa, the vehicle of Viṣṇu, highlights the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara. The critique or praise of the body or other entities is seen as insignificant compared to the soul's relationship with the divine. This perspective is reflective of Rāmānujācārya's commentary on the Bhagavadgītā, where he emphasizes the path of devotion (bhakti) as the means to attain spiritual liberation, underscoring the mutual dependence between the jīva and Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda would likely interpret this verse as emphasizing the importance of inner strength, self-awareness, and detachment in achieving greatness. He would argue that true greatness is not dependent on external validation or criticism but rather on the realization of one's inner potential. This is in line with his lecture on 'The Powers of the Mind', where he discusses the need to cultivate inner strength and independence. The universal application of this verse lies in its encouragement to look beyond external appearances and societal judgments, focusing instead on personal growth and self-realization. Vivekānanda's emphasis on practical Vedānta, where spiritual principles are applied to improve everyday life, resonates with the contemporary quest for self-awareness, mindfulness, and personal development.