na hi duṣṭendriyāṇāṃ sukṛtaṃ phalati karhicit | anarthasaṃrambhāsteṣāṃ cintāṃ ca parinirvahan
“The good deed never bears fruit for those with corrupted senses, and having begun an evil path, they constantly worry about it.”
Structure
na hi duṣṭeindriyāṇāṃ sukṛtaṃ phalati karhicit | anartha-saṃrambhās teṣāṃ cintāṃ ca parinirvahaḥ
na (no) hi (indeed) duṣṭeindriyāṇāṃ (of those with corrupted senses) sukṛtaṃ (good deeds) karhicit (ever) phalati (bear fruit)anartha-saṃrambhās (undertaking of harm) teṣāṃ (their) cintāṃ (worry) ca (and) parinirvahaḥ (destruction)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| duṣṭeindriyāṇāṃ | duṣṭendriyāṇāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of those whose senses are corrupted |
| sukṛtaṃ | sukṛtaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | good deed |
| phalati | phalati | verb | √phal · present · third | bears fruit, yields result |
| karhicit | karhicit | indeclinable | — | ever, at any time |
| anartha-saṃrambhās | anartha-saṃrambhās | compound | karmadhāraya · "anartha-saṃrambhās" | whose undertakings are harmful |
| teṣāṃ | teṣāṃ | pronoun | genitive · plural | of them |
| cintāṃ | cintāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | worry, anxiety |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| parinirvahaḥ | parinirvahaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | cessation, destruction |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the futility of actions motivated by a corrupted sense of self, which is a hindrance to realizing the ultimate truth of brahman-ātman identity. According to Shankara, the corrupted senses are a product of avidyā, or ignorance, which prevents the individual from perceiving the non-dual reality. The phrase 'na hi duṣṭendriyāṇāṃ sukṛtaṃ phalati' highlights the idea that good deeds alone are insufficient for liberation if the senses are corrupted. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasūtras (BS 1.1.1) emphasizes the importance of self-inquiry and the cultivation of wisdom to transcend the limitations of the ego-bound sense of self. This verse serves as a reminder that true liberation can only be achieved through the realization of one's true nature, beyond the influences of the corrupted senses.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is seen as a warning against the dangers of succumbing to the sway of one's corrupted senses, which can lead to a life of suffering and separation from Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (BG 3.27), emphasizes the importance of surrendering one's actions to the divine and cultivating a sense of dependence on Īśvara. In this context, the phrase 'anartha-saṃrambhās teṣāṃ cintāṃ ca parinirvahaḥ' highlights the futility of pursuing a path that is contrary to one's true nature as a servant of Īśvara. The Vaiṣṇava tradition emphasizes the importance of bhakti, or devotion, as a means of transcending the limitations of the ego-bound self and achieving a state of union with the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound insight into the human condition, highlighting the consequences of allowing our senses to dictate our actions. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of self-control and the cultivation of a strong will as a means of overcoming the limitations of the senses. The phrase 'na hi duṣṭendriyāṇāṃ sukṛtaṃ phalati' serves as a reminder that true success and fulfillment can only be achieved through the cultivation of a higher sense of purpose and values. In contemporary life, this verse can be seen as a warning against the dangers of hedonism and the pursuit of fleeting pleasures, and a reminder of the importance of cultivating a sense of inner discipline and self-awareness in order to achieve true freedom and happiness.