na hi duḥkhāt kasyacit kaśvin maraṇaduprabhavaḥ । sakṛd api na hṛṣyati duḥkhena yaḥ sadā hṛṣyati .
“For no one can ever get happiness from sorrow; and he who is always joyful, never revels even once in sorrow.”
Structure
na hi duḥkhāt kasyacit kaścin maraṇa-du-prabhavaḥ sakṛd api na hṛṣyati duḥkhena yaḥ sadā hṛṣyati
yaḥ (who) sadā (always) hṛṣyati (rejoices)duḥkhena (by sorrow) sakṛd api (even once) na hṛṣyati (does not rejoice)na hi (not indeed) duḥkhāt (from sorrow) kasyacit (of anyone) kaścin (some) maraṇa-duḥ-khā (death and sorrow)-prabhavaḥ (resulting from)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| duḥkhāt | duḥkhāt | noun | ablative · singular · neuter | from sorrow |
| kasyacit | kasyacit | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of anyone |
| kaścin | kaścin | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | anyone |
| maraṇa-du-prabhavaḥ | maraṇa-du-prabhavaḥ | compound | tatpuruṣa · "maraṇa-duḥprabhavaḥ" | born of sorrow and fear of death |
| sakṛd | sakṛd | indeclinable | — | even once |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also, even |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hṛṣyati | hṛṣyati | verb | √hṛṣ · present · third | rejoices |
| duḥkhena | duḥkhena | noun | instrumental · singular · neuter | with sorrow |
| yaḥ | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| sadā | sadā | indeclinable | — | always |
| hṛṣyati | hṛṣyati | verb | √hṛṣ · present · third | rejoices |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the dichotomy between sorrow and happiness is transcended. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasutras (Adhyasa Bhashya) elucidates that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond human experiences of pleasure and pain. The identity of Brahman and Atman implies that the Self is untouched by the fleeting emotions of joy and sorrow. This verse points to the liberation from the bondage of dual experiences, highlighting the futility of seeking happiness in sorrow. The phrase 'sakṛd api na hṛṣyati duḥkhena' suggests that even a single instance of reveling in sorrow is inconsistent with the pursuit of true happiness, which lies in the realization of the non-dual Self. In this context, the verse reinforces the Advaitic notion that the understanding of Brahman-ātman identity is the sole means to attain liberation from the cycle of sorrow and suffering.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as emphasizing the importance of devotion and surrender to the Lord. According to Ramanuja's Sri Bhashya, the jīva's (individual self) innate nature is to seek happiness, but this quest is often misguided, leading to further entanglement in sorrow. The verse 'na hi duḥkhāt kasyacit kaścin maraṇa-du-prabhavaḥ' underscores the futility of seeking happiness through worldly means, which are inherently ephemeral and sorrow-inducing. In contrast, the path of devotion, as outlined in the Bhagavad Gita, offers a means to transcend sorrow and experience true joy through self-surrender and loving service to the Lord. Madhva's Dvaita Vedanta also highlights the distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, emphasizing that true happiness can only be attained through recognition of this distinction and devotion to the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has profound implications for contemporary life, as it highlights the human tendency to seek happiness in fleeting and often sorrow-inducing experiences. Vivekananda, in his lectures on the 'Complete Works', emphasizes the need to cultivate inner strength and detachment in order to transcend the cycle of sorrow and happiness. The phrase 'sadā hṛṣyati' suggests that a person who is always joyful is one who has transcended the external stimuli that induce sorrow. Radhakrishnan, in his 'Indian Philosophy', underscores the universal relevance of this verse, arguing that the pursuit of happiness through external means is ultimately self-defeating. Instead, the verse points to the importance of cultivating an inner sense of joy and contentment, unconditioned by external circumstances. This reading is consistent with the Neo-Vedānta emphasis on the universal and practical application of Vedāntic principles to everyday life.