na hi duḥkhāt prāptam sukhaṁ vidyād viṣād api . na ca santāpād vahneḥ śīta-snigdhaṁ jalam yathā .
“Just as cold and soothing water is not obtained from fire or poison, similarly happiness is not obtained from sorrow.”
Structure
na hi duḥkhāt prāptam sukhaṁ vidyāt viṣād api na ca santāpād vahneḥ śīta snigdham jalam yathā
na (not) hi (certainly) duḥkhāt (from suffering) prāptam (obtained) sukham (happiness) vidyāt (one should know) viṣāt (from poison) api (even) na (not) ca (and) santāpāt (from burning) vahneḥ (of fire) śīta (cold) snigdham (cool) jalam (water) yathā (as)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| duḥkhāt | duḥkhāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from suffering |
| prāptam | prāptam | verb | √prāp · past participle · third | obtained |
| sukham | sukham | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | happiness |
| vidyāt | vidyāt | verb | √vid · optative · third | let one know, suppose |
| viṣād | viṣād | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from poison |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also, even |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| santāpāt | santāpāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from burning |
| vahneḥ | vahneḥ | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from fire |
| śīta | śīta | adjective | — | cold |
| snigdham | snigdham | adjective | — | unctuous, soothing |
| jalam | jalam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | water |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | just as, like |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, pointing to the ultimate identity of Brahman and Ātman. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (BS 1.1.5) emphasizes that the absolute truth, Brahman, is untouched by the dualistic experiences of happiness and sorrow, which are mere appearances. Similarly, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (BG 2.56), Shankara highlights the significance of transcending the dichotomy of sukha and duḥkha to realize the tranquil and unchanging Self. This verse reinforces the notion that true happiness is not a product of external factors but an intrinsic aspect of the Self, unassociated with the fleeting experiences of sorrow or pleasure. By recognizing the impermanence and unreliability of worldly sources of happiness, the seeker is prompted to inquire into the nature of the Self, thereby approaching the realization of the non-dual Brahman-Ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as emphasizing the importance of devotion and surrender to the Lord (Īśvara) for attaining true happiness. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya (SB 1.1.1), discusses how the jīva, entrapped in the cycle of suffering and pleasure, can find liberation through devotion to the Lord. This verse is seen as cautioning against seeking happiness through worldly means, which are impermanent and tainted by sorrow. Instead, it points to the pursuit of a relationship with the Divine, where true and enduring happiness can be found. In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, the grace of the Lord is seen as the means to overcome sorrow and attain bliss, highlighting the dependency of the jīva on Īśvara for ultimate fulfillment and happiness.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse holds profound relevance for contemporary life, emphasizing the futility of seeking lasting happiness through external sources. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda' (Vol. 1, 'Paper on Hinduism'), emphasizes the importance of looking inward for true fulfillment. He advocates for the development of inner strength and character, untouched by the dualities of pleasure and pain, as the foundation for a happier and more meaningful life. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his 'Indian Philosophy' (Vol. 1), discusses the universal appeal of this verse, highlighting its applicability to human experience across cultures and time. Both thinkers underline the practical wisdom of this verse, encouraging individuals to cultivate a deeper, inner source of happiness that is resilient to life's challenges and uncertainties.