na hi duṣṭaguṇopetaḥ śiṣyate rājavaṭsadā
“A corrupt person does not reform even under the patronage of a king”
Structure
na hi duṣṭa-guṇa-ūpetaḥ śiṣyate rāja-vaṭsadā
rāja-vaṭsadā (like a king's servant) na hi (not indeed) duṣṭa-guṇa-ūpetaḥ (having evil qualities) śiṣyate (is a servant)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| duṣṭa | duṣṭa | adjective | — | corrupt, evil |
| guṇa | guṇa | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | quality, attribute |
| ūpetaḥ | ūpetaḥ | verb | √ūp · past · third | having approached, possessed with |
| śiṣyate | śiṣyate | verb | √śiṣ · present passive · third | is left, remains |
| rāja | rāja | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| vaṭsadā | vaṭsadā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | robber, scoundrel |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, na hi duṣṭaguṇopetaḥ śiṣyate rājavaṭsadā, highlights the futility of external influences in reforming an individual with corrupt tendencies. According to Shankara, true reform can only occur through self-realization and the understanding of the non-dual nature of reality (Brahman-ātman identity). In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara emphasizes that knowledge of the Self is the ultimate means to overcome the limitations of the ego and the tendencies of the mind. This verse points to the idea that without this self-awareness, even the benevolence of a king cannot rectify a corrupt individual, underscoring the necessity of introspection and spiritual pursuit for true transformation.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse underscores the importance of divine grace in reforming an individual. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, discusses the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord), emphasizing that the jīva's liberation and purification depend on Īśvara's mercy. This verse can be seen as illustrating the limitations of worldly authority (even that of a king) in transforming a person, suggesting that true reform requires a deeper, spiritual connection with the divine. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, also emphasizes the role of devotion and the grace of Viṣṇu in overcoming one's inherent tendencies, providing a framework for understanding how spiritual surrender can lead to personal transformation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has profound implications for modern society, highlighting the need for inner transformation over external measures of reform. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda', emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the cultivation of positive qualities as the foundation for personal and societal progress. He argues that external forces, such as a king's patronage, cannot compel an individual to change their inherent nature, but rather, it is through the realization of one's own potential and the universal principles of existence that true transformation can occur. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in 'The Principal Upaniṣads', discusses the universal applicability of vedantic principles, suggesting that this verse points to the need for individuals to look inward for the source of their reform and growth, rather than relying solely on external authorities or circumstances.