na hi duṣṭaguṇo doṣaḥ śītaṃ payo na ca madhuḥ
“A fault is not a fault if it has a good quality; cold milk is not honey.”
Structure
na hi duṣṭa-guṇo doṣaḥ śītaṃ payo na ca madhuḥ
doṣaḥ (fault) na hi (not indeed) duṣṭa-guṇo (a bad quality) śītaṃ (cold) payo (milk) na (not) ca (and) madhuḥ (honey)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| duṣṭa | duṣṭa | adjective | — | faulty, bad |
| guṇo | guṇa | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | quality, attribute |
| doṣaḥ | doṣa | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | fault, defect |
| śītaṃ | śīta | adjective | — | cold |
| payo | payas | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | milk |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| madhuḥ | madhu | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | honey |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse न हि दुष्टगुणो दोषः शीतं पयो न च मधुः highlights the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between good and bad, or cold milk and honey, are ultimately illusory. According to Shankara's reasoning in the Brahmasūtra Bhāṣya, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all dualities and attributes. This verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self, upon realizing its true nature, transcends the limitations of the mundane world. The 'fault' or 'doṣa' in this context refers to the ignorance of one's true nature, which is not a flaw in the absolute sense, but rather a temporary obscuration. Shankara's commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad also underscores the importance of recognizing the unity of all existence, where the distinctions between the individual self and the ultimate reality are dissolved.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse can be seen as an expression of the complex relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). According to Rāmānujācārya's Śrībhāṣya, the 'fault' or 'doṣa' in this context refers to the inherent limitations and imperfections of the individual soul, which can only be transcended through devotion and surrender to the Lord. The 'good quality' or 'guṇa' that offsets the fault is the soul's innate capacity for devotion and love, which enables it to experience the divine grace. Madhvācārya's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the dependence of the individual soul on the Lord, and the need for self-surrender in order to attain liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has a profound relevance to contemporary life, as it highlights the importance of looking beyond surface-level appearances and recognizing the inherent value and goodness in all things. According to Swami Vivekānanda's lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, the 'fault' or 'doṣa' in this context refers to the limitations and imperfections that are an inevitable part of the human condition. However, these limitations can be transcended by cultivating a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around us, and recognizing the intricate web of relationships that binds us all together. As S. Rādhākrishnan notes in his writings on Indian philosophy, this verse points to the universal and timeless wisdom that lies at the heart of all spiritual traditions, and offers a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, empathy, and understanding in our daily lives.