dhanurādāya vīraḥ prahṛtyaśvān sagaṇaḥ pravartayat
“Taking up his bow, the hero, accompanied by his attendants, released his horses.”
Structure
dhanur ādāya vīraḥ prahṛtya aśvān sagaṇaḥ pravartayat
vīraḥ (the hero) dhanur ādāya (taking up the bow) sagaṇaḥ (with his army) aśvān (the horses) prahṛtya (having released) pravartayat (he caused to move)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dhanur | dhanur | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | bow |
| ādāya | ādāya | indeclinable | — | having taken |
| vīraḥ | vīraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | hero |
| prahṛtya | prahṛtya | indeclinable | — | having cast |
| aśvān | aśvān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | horses |
| sagaṇaḥ | sagaṇaḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "sa-gaṇaḥ" | with his troops |
| pravartayat | pravartayat | verb | √vart · liṭ · third | caused to advance |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Ādi Śaṅkarācārya emphasizes the non-dual nature of ultimate reality. This verse, where the hero takes up his bow, symbolizes the individual self (jīva) preparing for battle - a metaphor for life's challenges. Shankara might argue that the 'hero' represents the embodied self (ātman), while 'bow' signifies the means to attain liberation (mokṣa). The 'horses' signify the senses, which must be controlled to achieve this goal. Thus, this verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, as the ultimate reality is the unity of the individual self with the universal Self (Brahman). By releasing his horses, the hero demonstrates the ability to transcend sensory bondage, illustrating the Advaita principle of liberation through self-realization. Shankara's reasoning on related passages, such as the concept of 'nididhyāsana' (profound contemplation), highlights the importance of introspection in realizing this non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): According to Rāmānujācārya, this verse illustrates the devotional relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The 'hero' represents a devotee, taking up the 'bow' of bhakti (devotion) to 'release' his 'horses' - the senses - in the service of the Lord. Rāmānujācārya would likely emphasize the importance of prapatti (surrender) and the role of the guru in guiding the devotee towards selfless devotion. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might view this verse through the lens of 'bheda' (difference) between the individual self and the Supreme, highlighting the need for the jīva to acknowledge and surrender to the absolute superiority of Īśvara. Both perspectives converge on the notion that the ultimate goal is to realize one's inherent relationship with the Divine, either through selfless devotion or surrender. This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava tradition, underscores the significance of cultivating devotion as a means to achieve spiritual liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda might interpret this verse as a call to action, where the individual must take up the 'bow' of self-discipline and 'release' the 'horses' of one's potential. He would likely emphasize the importance of self-reliance and individual effort in achieving spiritual growth. In his lectures, Vivekānanda often highlighted the need for the individual to recognize and harness their inner strength, just as the 'hero' in this verse prepares for battle. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan might view this verse as an allegory for the human condition, where the 'hero' represents the individual striving for self-realization amidst life's challenges. He would likely emphasize the universal and practical applications of Vedāntic principles, such as the importance of self-control, self-awareness, and the cultivation of a deeper understanding of one's place in the world. This verse, in the context of modern life, reminds us of the need to balance our inner and outer lives, to 'release' our potential and strive for self-actualization.