na tadasti na tadasti na tadasti na tadasti । tatastatastatastatastatastad-anusandhāyi । na tadasti na tadasti ॥ ८ ॥
“There is not that, there is not that; having searched for it thus, again and again, that is not; the conclusion remains that there is not that.”
Structure
na - tad - asti - na - tad - asti - na - tad - asti - na - tad - asti - tataḥ - tataḥ - tataḥ - tataḥ - tataḥ - tataḥ - tad - anusandhāyi - na - tad - asti - na - tad - asti
na (not) tad (that) asti (exists) / na (not) tad (that) asti (exists) / na (not) tad (that) asti (exists) / na (not) tad (that) asti (exists) / tataḥ (from it) tataḥ (from it) tataḥ (from it) tataḥ (from it) tataḥ (from it) tataḥ (from it) tad (that) anusandhāyi (searching) / na (not) tad (that) asti (exists) / na (not) tad (that) asti (exists)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | no, not |
| tad | tad | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| asti | asti | verb | √as · laṭ-present · third | is |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | no, not |
| tad | tad | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| asti | asti | verb | √as · laṭ-present · third | is |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | no, not |
| tad | tad | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| asti | asti | verb | √as · laṭ-present · third | is |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | no, not |
| tad | tad | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| asti | asti | verb | √as · laṭ-present · third | is |
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | from that, thence |
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | from that, thence |
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | from that, thence |
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | from that, thence |
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | from that, thence |
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | from that, thence |
| tad | tad | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | that (object) |
| anusandhāyi | anusandhāyi | verb | √anusandhā · liṅ-optative · second | search for, investigate |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | no, not |
| tad | tad | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| asti | asti | verb | √as · laṭ-present · third | is |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | no, not |
| tad | tad | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| asti | asti | verb | √as · laṭ-present · third | is |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Kaṭhopaniṣad emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality. According to Shankara, the repetition of 'na tadasti' signifies the negation of all attributes and distinctions, leading to the understanding that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all limitations and dualities. Shankara's commentary on this verse highlights the importance of self-inquiry and the rejection of all notions of a separate, independent self. The phrase 'tatastatastatastatastatastad-anusandhāyi' suggests a persistent and diligent search for the truth, which ultimately reveals the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the universal self (Brahman). This identity is the core of Advaita Vedānta, and this verse is seen as a key pointer towards this profound understanding, encouraging the seeker to look beyond the phenomenal world and its distinctions to realize the non-dual reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is interpreted with a focus on the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, a key figure in this tradition, would likely view the negations in this verse as a means of purifying one's understanding of the ultimate reality, which is Īśvara. The repeated 'na tadasti' can be seen as a reminder to the devotee to relinquish all attachments to worldly things and misconceptions about the ultimate reality, recognizing that true fulfillment and knowledge come from devotion to Īśvara. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might emphasize the difference between the jīva and Īśvara, using this verse to highlight the futility of seeking ultimate truth in anything other than Īśvara, thus emphasizing the importance of bhakti (devotion) as the path to true understanding and liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Radhakrishnan, key figures of Neo-Vedānta, bring out the universal and practical application of this verse. Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often emphasized the importance of self-realization and the pursuit of spiritual knowledge. He might interpret 'na tadasti' as a call to transcend the limitations of the material world and to seek the divine within. The phrase 'tatastatastatastatastatastad-anusandhāyi' could be seen as an encouragement to seek truth diligently and persistently, regardless of one's background or beliefs. Radhakrishnan, known for his synthesis of Eastern and Western thought, might view this verse as a philosophical pointer to the universal human quest for meaning and the ultimate reality. He could argue that the negations in the verse represent the limits of language and human understanding, pointing towards a reality that transcends all human constructs, and encouraging a holistic and inclusive approach to spiritual and philosophical inquiry.