na hi duṣṭe matiḥ śāstrād na ca dṛṣṭād dṛśyate dhuayam
“A corrupt mind does not derive benefit from scripture, nor does one see the two (purusharthas) from perception.”
Structure
na hi duṣṭe matiḥ śāstrāt na ca dṛṣṭād dṛśyate dhuayam
na (not) hi (indeed) duṣṭe (in the wicked) matiḥ (intellect) śāstrāt (from scripture) na (not) ca (and) dṛṣṭād (from the seen) dṛśyate (is seen) dhuayam (doubt)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| duṣṭe | duṣṭe | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in the corrupt one |
| matiḥ | matiḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | intellect |
| śāstrāt | śāstrāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from the scripture |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| dṛṣṭād | dṛṣṭād | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from the seen |
| dṛśyate | dṛśyate | verb | √dṛś · ātmanepada-present · third | it is seen |
| dhuayam | dhuayam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | smoke |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the importance of a pure mind in understanding the ultimate reality. According to Shankara, the corrupt mind, tainted by ego and desires, cannot derive benefit from scriptures. The verse 'na hi duṣṭe matiḥ śāstrād' highlights the necessity of a refined intellect to grasp the non-dual nature of Brahman. Shankara's reasoning, as seen in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes that the scriptures can only be truly understood when the mind is freed from impurities. The phrase 'na ca dṛṣṭād dṛśyate dhuayam' suggests that perception alone is insufficient to reveal the two purusharthas, implying that a deeper, intuitive understanding is required to comprehend the ultimate reality. This aligns with Shankara's notion of brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self is ultimately one with the universal Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as emphasizing the role of devotion in achieving spiritual growth. Ramanuja, in his Śrībhāṣya, highlights the importance of a pure heart and a mind oriented towards the divine. The verse 'na hi duṣṭe matiḥ śāstrād' is seen as a call to recognize the limitations of scriptural knowledge alone in achieving spiritual liberation. The relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the divine) is central to Vaiṣṇava thought, and this verse suggests that without a pure and devoted heart, the scriptures remain inaccessible. Madhva, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, further emphasizes the importance of bhakti (devotion) in overcoming the limitations of the human condition, thereby facilitating a deeper understanding of the divine and the two purusharthas.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the universal and practical application of Vedāntic principles. This verse, with its emphasis on the corrupt mind's inability to derive benefit from scriptures, resonates with Vivekananda's call for spiritual renewal and practical application of spiritual principles. The phrase 'na ca dṛṣṭād dṛśyate dhuayam' can be seen as highlighting the limitations of mere perception and the need for a deeper, more intuitive understanding of reality. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, further develops this idea, suggesting that true understanding and spiritual growth require a synthesis of intellectual knowledge and practical, lived experience. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating a pure and reflective mind, unencumbered by ego and desires, in order to access the deeper truths of existence and achieve a more authentic and fulfilling life.