na - tve - evaitāmṛtatvasya - lāsaḥ - na - ca - dehānāt - dehāntareṇa

na (not) tve (your) eva (indeed) aitāmṛtatvasya (of immortality) lāsaḥ (longing) na (not) ca (and) dehānāt (from body to body) dehāntareṇa (transition)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse is pivotal in establishing the non-dual nature of reality, as it denies the possibility of achieving immortality through physical means or by transmigrating into another body. Shankara, in his commentary on the Kaṭhopaniṣad, explains that the pursuit of immortality via the body is fraught with futility because the body is inherently mortal. The only path to immortality is through the realization of the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). Shankara's reasoning emphasizes that just as a pot, when broken, does not affect the space within it, similarly, the death of the body does not affect the ātman. This verse thus underscores the impermanence of the body and the permanence of the ātman, guiding the seeker towards the knowledge of Brahman-ātman identity as the true means to transcend mortality.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as a call to devotees to redirect their focus from the ephemeral body to the eternal soul and its relationship with Īśvara (God). Rāmānujācārya, for instance, would interpret this verse as highlighting the futility of seeking liberation through bodily means alone, emphasizing instead the importance of bhakti (devotion) and prapatti (self-surrender) to achieve the grace of God. The verse points to the understanding that the ultimate goal is not merely the immortality of the individual but the realization of one's true nature as a servant of God, leading to a life of devotion and service. This perspective underscores the personal, relational aspect of liberation, where the jīva (individual soul) seeks union with Īśvara, not just a state of being.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The universal and practical application of this verse is brought out by Swami Vivekānanda, who interpreted it as a call to transcend the limitations of the material body and realize one's higher, spiritual nature. Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often cited the Upaniṣads to emphasize the importance of spiritual practice and self-realization in achieving true freedom and immortality. He would see this verse as encouraging individuals to look beyond the fleeting nature of physical existence and strive for the eternal and the divine within themselves. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, highlighted the significance of this verse in the context of contemporary life, emphasizing the need to move beyond the confines of the body and the ego to experience a sense of unity and immortality. This perspective connects the verse to contemporary issues of personal growth, spirituality, and the human quest for meaning and transcendence.

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