śrutvā sainyaṁ samagraṁ māyāmṛtasya yuyutsataḥ

yuyutsataḥ (desiring to fight) māyāmṛtasya (of the divine army) samagraṁ (the entire) sainyaṁ (army) śrutvā (having heard)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, śrutvā sainyaṁ samagraṁ māyāmṛtasya yuyutsataḥ, underscores the concept of the individual self (jīva) being trapped in the realm of māyā, the illusory world. Shankara interprets the word 'māyāmṛtasya' as indicative of the jīva's entanglement in the cycle of birth and death, driven by the desire for victory or fulfillment in the mortal realm. However, the ultimate reality, Brahman, remains untouched by these phenomenal vicissitudes. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Shankara emphasizes the need for the renunciation of worldly desires and the cultivation of a non-dual (advaita) understanding, where the distinction between the individual self and the ultimate reality, Brahman, is transcended. This verse thus serves as a reminder of the illusory nature of worldly endeavors and the necessity of seeking the true self beyond the confines of māyā.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava traditions offer a devotional interpretation of this verse, focusing on the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya's Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta views the jīva as a dependent entity that must recognize its intrinsic connection with Īśvara to achieve true liberation. The phrase 'māyāmṛtasya yuyutsataḥ' is seen as a description of the jīva's struggle against the forces of ignorance (māyā) that bind it to the cycle of birth and death. Madhvācārya's Dvaita Vedānta, on the other hand, emphasizes the existential distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, yet both traditions concur that the jīva's liberation is contingent upon devotion to and grace from the Supreme Lord. This verse, in the context of the Bhagavad Gītā, calls the devotee to reflect on the ultimate goal of transcending the māyā-bound condition through bhakti, or loving devotion to Īśvara.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda interprets this verse as an allegory for the human struggle against the limitations and delusions of the worldly life. The 'māyāmṛtasya yuyutsataḥ' represents the eternal conflict between the aspirational spirit of humanity and the binding forces of ignorance and mortality. Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of recognizing and transcending these limitations to uncover the true, universal self within. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan saw in this verse a call to move beyond the confines of mundane existence, driven by egoistic desires, towards a more sublime understanding of human nature and its place within the cosmos. Both thinkers highlight the practical application of this verse in contemporary life, encouraging individuals to strive for self-realization and to cultivate a sense of unity and purpose that transcends worldly vicissitudes, akin to the Bhagavad Gītā's central message of achieving a state of yoga, or union, with the ultimate reality.

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