dhanurādāya mṛdhanyaḥ śatasahasrasahasrāṇām
“Taking up his bow, the great warrior, ready to fight, stood against the multitude of a thousand soldiers.”
Structure
dhanuḥ ādāya mṛdhanī śata sahasra sahasrāṇām
mṛdhanī (of the enemy) śata sahasra sahasrāṇām (of hundreds of thousands) dhanuḥ (bow) ādāya (taking)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dhanuḥ | dhanuḥ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | bow |
| ādāya | ādāya | indeclinable | — | having taken |
| mṛdhanī | mṛdhanī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | sling or catapult |
| śata | śata | noun | accusative · plural · neuter | hundred |
| sahasra | sahasra | noun | accusative · plural · neuter | thousand |
| sahasrāṇām | sahasrāṇām | noun | genitive · plural · neuter | of thousands |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya interprets this verse as an allegory for the inner struggle of the jīva. The bow (dhanuḥ) represents the means to attain liberation, while the multitude of a thousand soldiers signifies the numerous distractions and obstacles on the path to Self-realization. The great warrior, Arjuna, embodies the ātman, which, when equipped with the right knowledge and determination, can overcome these challenges and ultimately realize its true nature as brahman. Śaṅkarācārya's non-dual reading emphasizes that the ātman, like Arjuna, must take up the 'bow' of self-inquiry and face the 'multitude' of worldly illusions to discover its essential identity with brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): According to Rāmānujācārya, this verse highlights the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara. Arjuna, as the devotee, takes up his bow in surrender to Krishna, the Īśvara, indicating the jīva's reliance on divine guidance and support in navigating the complexities of life. The multitude of a thousand soldiers represents the numerous challenges and temptations that Arjuna, and by extension all devotees, must confront and overcome with the help of Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya's commentary emphasizes the importance of prapatti, or surrender, as the means to attain the Lord's grace and ultimately achieve liberation. This verse thus underscores the personal and intimate relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the former seeks refuge and guidance in the latter.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture on the Bhagavad Gītā, views this verse as a call to action and self-empowerment. The bow represents the instrument of choice and will, while the multitude of soldiers signifies the vast and complex challenges of modern life. Arjuna's determination to take up his bow and face the multitude embodies the modern individual's need to awaken to their inner strength and potential. This verse, according to Vivekānanda, encourages individuals to stand up against the forces of ignorance, fear, and oppression, and to strive for self-realization and service to humanity. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings, further emphasizes the universal and practical application of this verse, highlighting the importance of cultivating courage, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity, and the need to harness one's inner resources to make a positive impact in the world.