Dhṛtarāṣṭrastu mahatā Vindhyavīthī Mṛcīnāṃ patiḥ.
“King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, whose fame was great, ruled over the kings on the Vindhya mountain range.”
Structure
Dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ tu mahatā Vindhyavīthī Mṛcīnāṃ patiḥ
Dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ (Dhritarashtra) tu (indeed) mahatā (by the great one) Mṛcīnāṃ (of the Mṛcī) patiḥ (lord) Vindhyavīthī (the path of the Vindhya)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ | Dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ | proper noun | — | Dhṛtarāṣṭra |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| mahatā | mahatā | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by the great one |
| Vindhyavīthī | Vindhyavīthī | proper noun | — | on the path of the Vindhya |
| Mṛcīnāṃ | Mṛcīnāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the Mṛcis |
| patiḥ | patiḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | lord |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya interprets Dhṛtarāṣṭra's rule over the Vindhya mountain range as a metaphor for the jīva's (individual self) deluded dominion over the world of senses. Śaṅkara argues that just as Dhṛtarāṣṭra's fame and rule are fleeting, so too is the jīva's claim to sovereignty over the ephemeral world. This verse, according to Śaṅkara, points to the ultimate reality of brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is not separate from the universal consciousness (brahman). By acknowledging the transience of worldly power, the verse invites the seeker to look beyond the illusory realm of name and fame, and to realize the timeless, spaceless essence of the self. In the context of brahman-ātman identity, Śaṅkara's commentary on this verse underscores the importance of self-inquiry and the discernment of the real from the unreal.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as represented by Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, views this verse as an illustration of the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Dhṛtarāṣṭra's rule over the Vindhya mountain range symbolizes the jīva's innate desire for mastery and control, which, when unguided by devotion to Īśvara, leads to chaos and destruction. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the Lord's sovereignty and the jīva's dependent status, highlighting the need for self-surrender and devotion. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, sees this verse as a demonstration of the Lord's indirect control over the world, where even the rulers like Dhṛtarāṣṭra are subject to His will. Both Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya stress the devotional aspect, urging the seeker to cultivate a loving relationship with Īśvara, acknowledging His supremacy and guidance in all aspects of life.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets this verse as a call to recognize the impermanence of worldly power and the need to seek a more enduring and universal reality. He argues that Dhṛtarāṣṭra's reign, like all human achievements, is transitory and that true fulfillment lies in realizing one's inner potential and connection to the universe. Vivekānanda sees this verse as an invitation to embark on a journey of self-discovery, to explore the depths of one's own being, and to uncover the universal principles that govern human existence. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of integrating the universal and the particular, the eternal and the temporal. He views this verse as a reminder that human aspirations and achievements, though important, must be grounded in a deeper understanding of the self and its place within the larger cosmos, and that true wisdom lies in recognizing the interplay between the individual and the universal.