na khalu sau mṛgyaḥ phalam atīva sukha-daṁ vacaḥ । na caivāpi nāsty-eva nāsty-eva mati rañjayan ॥
“A pleasant speech is not to be searched for (or sought after) because it yields excessive happiness; nor does it not exist, when it delights the mind.”
Structure
na khalu sau mṛgyaḥ phalam atīva sukha-daṁ vacaḥ na ca eva api nāsty-eva nāsty-eva mati rañjayan
na khalu (certainly not) sau (that) mṛgyaḥ (desired) phalam (fruit) atīva sukha-daṁ (very happiness-giving) vacaḥ (speech) na (not) ca (and) eva (indeed) api (also) nāsty-eva (there is not) nāsty-eva (there is not) mati (with the intellect) rañjayan (delighting)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| khalu | khalu | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| sau | sau | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | that |
| mṛgyaḥ | mṛgyaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | desirable |
| phalam | phalam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | fruit, result |
| atīva | atīva | indeclinable | — | very, extremely |
| sukha-daṁ | sukhadaṁ | compound | karmadhāraya · "sukha-daṁ" | giving great happiness |
| vacaḥ | vacaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | speech, words |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also, even |
| nāsty-eva | nāsty-eva | compound | dvandva · "nāsti eva" | does not exist at all |
| nāsty-eva | nāsty-eva | compound | dvandva · "nāsti eva" | does not exist at all |
| mati | mati | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | intelligence, understanding |
| rañjayan | rañjayan | verb | √rañj · present participle · third | pleasing |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between the seeker, the sought, and the act of seeking dissolve. Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Brahma Sūtras highlights the idea that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond the realm of speech and thought. The phrase 'na khalu sau mṛgyaḥ' suggests that the pleasant speech, or the ultimate truth, is not an object to be searched for, as it is already inherent within. This aligns with Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, where he argues that the ātman, or the individual self, is ultimately identical with Brahman. The verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, implying that the search for truth is, in fact, a realization of one's own true nature, which is already perfect and complete.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as highlighting the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, emphasizes the importance of devotion and self-surrender in realizing the ultimate truth. The phrase 'phalam atīva sukha-daṁ vacaḥ' suggests that the words of the Lord, or the scriptures, yield excessive happiness, which is a result of the jīva's devotion and surrender. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, would interpret this verse as emphasizing the importance of knowledge (jñāna) and devotion (bhakti) in realizing the ultimate reality. The verse implies that the jīva's search for truth is, in fact, a search for a loving relationship with Īśvara, which is already present, but needs to be realized through devotion and self-surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Upaniṣads, emphasizes the practical application of this verse in contemporary life. He argues that the search for truth is not a mere intellectual exercise, but a lived experience of unity and harmony. The phrase 'na caivāpi nāsty-eva' suggests that the ultimate reality is not something that can be acquired, but rather, it is already present, and needs to be realized through self-reflection and introspection. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'The Principal Upaniṣads', highlights the universal and timeless relevance of this verse, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a sense of inner peace and harmony in today's fast-paced world. The verse reminds us that true happiness and fulfillment come from within, and that the search for truth is, in fact, a journey of self-discovery and realization of our own true nature.