na hi duṣṭakṛtoḥ kasya syāt svādupākasya durdharaḥ
“For no one can resist the result of their own misdeed, just as it is difficult to bear the fruit of a sweet dish one has eaten.”
Structure
na hi duṣṭakṛtaḥ kasya syāt svādupākasya durdharaḥ
na hi kasya duṣṭakṛtaḥ syāt, svādupākasya durdharaḥ
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| duṣṭakṛtaḥ | duṣṭakṛtaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | one who has done wrong |
| kasya | kasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of whom |
| syāt | syāt | verb | √as · liṅ-optative · third | may be |
| svādupākasya | svādupākasya | compound | karmadhāraya · "svādu pākasya" | of sweet food |
| durdharaḥ | durdharaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | difficult to bear |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the inevitability of experiencing the consequences of one's actions, akin to the inescapable physical effects of consuming a dish. Ādi Śaṅkarācārya's non-dual reading would interpret 'duṣṭakṛtoḥ' as the misguided identification with the ego, leading to 'svādupākasya,' the sweet but ultimately binding fruits of worldly actions. The difficulty in bearing these consequences, 'durdharaḥ,' signifies the suffering inherent in the cycle of saṃsāra. This suffering prompts the seeker to inquire into the true nature of the self, ultimately revealing the brahman-ātman identity, wherein lies liberation. As Shankara notes in his Brahmasūtra Bhāṣya, the realization of this identity frees one from the bondage of karma, illustrating how this verse points towards the ultimate reality beyond the realm of cause and effect.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava perspective on this verse emphasizes the concept of divine justice, where every action has its consequence. Rāmānujācārya would interpret 'duṣṭakṛtoḥ' as the jīva's misdeeds, which are a departure from the path of devotion to Īśvara. The 'svādupākasya' or the fruit of these misdeeds is a bitter experience, 'durdharaḥ,' signifying the suffering that jīvas must endure as a result of their karma. However, through devotion and surrender to Īśvara, the jīva can find relief from this suffering. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, highlights the importance of recognizing the distinction between the self and the actions of the self, emphasizing that true liberation comes from realizing one's dependence on Īśvara and seeking His grace to overcome the consequences of past deeds.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse is universally applicable, as it speaks to the inherent law of cause and effect that governs human experience. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on karma yoga, emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting the consequences of one's actions as a means to spiritual growth. The 'duṣṭakṛtoḥ' or misdeed represents any action that is not in harmony with one's true nature or the universal good, while 'svādupākasya' signifies the consequences that inevitably follow, which can be 'durdharaḥ' or difficult to bear. However, through self-reflection, acceptance, and a commitment to righteous action, individuals can transform their experiences, turning even suffering into an opportunity for growth. As S. Radhakrishnan notes, this principle is essential for building a more compassionate and just society, where individuals take responsibility for their actions and strive for the greater good, reflecting the practical and universal application of this ancient wisdom in contemporary life.