yaccaiṣa tena rājñā dṛṣṭumabhyāgato ranaṃ
“And this army has come to see the battle”
Structure
yac ca eṣa tena rājñā dṛṣṭum abhyāgato ranaṃ
yac (what) ca (and) eṣa (this) tena (by that) rājñā (king) dṛṣṭum (to see) abhyāgato (has come) ranaṃ (battle)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yac | yac | indeclinable | — | and, also |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and, also |
| eṣa | eṣa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this one, he |
| tena | tena | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by him, with him |
| rājñā | rājñā | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | king |
| dṛṣṭum | dṛṣṭum | verb | √dṛś · inf | to see |
| abhyāgato | abhyāgato | verb | √āgā · past participle · third | has come to, approached |
| ranaṃ | ranaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | battle, fight |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Ādi Śaṅkarācārya interprets this verse as an opportunity for Arjuna to realize the true nature of reality. Shankara notes that Arjuna's desire to see the battle is rooted in his identification with the ephemeral world, rather than the eternal Self (Ātman). The phrase 'yac ca eṣa tena rājñā' (And this army has come to see the battle) is seen as a prompt for Arjuna to look beyond the transient phenomenon of war and recognize the immutable essence that pervades all beings. Shankara's non-dual reading of this verse underscores the importance of introspection and Self-inquiry, as embodied in the Upaniṣadic mantra 'Tat tvam asi' (That thou art), which establishes the ultimate identity of the individual self (jīva) with the universal Self (Brahman). By contemplating the impermanence of the battlefield, Arjuna is encouraged to seek the timeless and unchanging reality that lies beyond the realm of sensory experience.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, views this verse as a demonstration of the Lord's grace and Arjuna's devotion. The phrase 'dṛṣṭumabhyāgato ranaṃ' (has come to see the battle) is seen as an expression of Arjuna's eagerness to fulfill his duty as a warrior, while also acknowledging the divine presence that accompanies him. Rāmānujācārya emphasizes the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord), highlighting the dependence of the former on the latter. In this context, Arjuna's desire to see the battle is not merely a personal aspiration, but an opportunity to recognize the Lord's presence in all aspects of life, including the midst of conflict. This verse is thus seen as a call to devotion and self-surrender, as the devotee seeks to align their actions with the will of the Divine, exemplified in the famous verse 'sarva-dharmān parityajya' (Abandon all duties and take refuge in Me).
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets this verse as a universal call to action and self-reflection. He sees Arjuna's desire to see the battle as a metaphor for the human condition, where individuals are often drawn to conflict and challenge as a means of growth and self-discovery. Vivekānanda emphasizes the importance of embracing life's struggles as opportunities for spiritual evolution, rather than shying away from them. This verse is thus viewed as a prompt for individuals to examine their own motivations and values, and to recognize the broader context in which they live and act. In contemporary life, this verse can be seen as a reminder of the need for courage, resilience, and self-awareness in the face of adversity, as well as the importance of cultivating a sense of purpose and direction that transcends personal interests and desires. As Rādhākrishnan notes, the Bhagavad Gītā offers a vision of human existence that is at once deeply personal and profoundly universal, speaking to fundamental questions of meaning, values, and the human condition.