na hi duḥkhena viyogo na ca mohād viyogaḥ . viyogo eva viyogo yaḥ parasya na cātmanḥ ॥
“Separation is not caused by sorrow or infatuation; it is merely separation when it affects another, not oneself.”
Structure
na hi duḥkhena viyogo na ca mohāt viyogaḥ viyogo eva viyogo yaḥ parasyā na ca ātmanāḥ
na hi duḥkhena (not indeed with sorrow) viyogo (separation) na ca (and not) mohāt (from delusion) viyogaḥ (separation) viyogo eva (separation alone) viyogo (is separation) yaḥ (which) parasyā (of another) na (not) ca (and) ātmanāḥ (of oneself)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| duḥkhena | duḥkhena | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with sorrow |
| viyogo | viyogo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | separation |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mohāt | mohāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from delusion |
| viyogaḥ | viyogaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | separation |
| viyogo | viyogo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | separation |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only, indeed |
| viyogo | viyogo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | separation |
| yaḥ | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | which |
| parasya | parasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of another |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| ātmanāḥ | ātmanāḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of one's own self |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the non-dual nature of reality by emphasizing that separation is not caused by external factors such as sorrow or infatuation, but rather by a lack of understanding of one's true nature. Shankara's commentary on the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.4.10) explains that the separation between the individual self (jiva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) is due to ignorance (avidya) of their true identity. In the context of this verse, the separation (viyoga) referred to is the separation from one's own Self (atman), which is ultimately identical with Brahman. This verse points to the brahman-atman identity, suggesting that true separation is not from another, but from one's own true nature, which is Brahman. By realizing this identity, one can overcome the illusion of separation and attain liberation (moksha).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse can be seen as describing the relationship between the individual self (jiva) and the Lord (Īśvara). According to Ramanuja's interpretation, the separation (viyoga) referred to in this verse is the separation between the jiva and Īśvara, which is caused by the jiva's ignorance of its true nature as a servant of the Lord. This separation is not due to sorrow or infatuation, but rather due to the jiva's lack of devotion (bhakti) to the Lord. Madhva, on the other hand, would interpret this verse as highlighting the distinction between the jiva and Īśvara, emphasizing that the separation is real and not just an illusion. In both cases, the verse is seen as emphasizing the importance of devotion and knowledge of one's true relationship with the Lord in order to overcome the separation and attain liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has significant practical implications for modern life, as it highlights the importance of self-awareness and understanding in overcoming feelings of separation and disconnection. Swami Vivekananda, in his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind', emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's true nature as a spark of the divine, and overcoming the illusion of separation through self-realization. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life', explains that the separation referred to in this verse is not just a philosophical concept, but a lived experience that can be overcome through the practice of yoga and the cultivation of a sense of unity and interconnectedness with all beings. This verse can be seen as a call to action, encouraging individuals to look within and recognize their true nature, and to cultivate a sense of compassion and understanding towards others, in order to overcome the separations that divide us.