athaṣṭādaśabhiryuktān dṛṣṭvā yuddhāya samupāgam
“Then having seen the eighteen divisions of the army, he approached the battle.”
Structure
atha aṣṭādaśabhir yuktān dṛṣṭvā yuddhāya sam upāgam
atha (then) aṣṭādaśabhir (with eighteen) yuktān (mounted) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) yuddhāya (for battle) sam upāgam (they came)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| aṣṭādaśabhir | aṣṭādaśabhir | noun | instrumental · plural · masculine | with eighteen |
| yuktān | yuktān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | yoked, i.e., mounted |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| yuddhāya | yuddhāya | noun | dative · singular · masculine | for battle |
| sam | sam | indeclinable | — | together, with |
| upāgam | upāgam | verb | √gam · laṭ-present · first | I approach |
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 non-dual nature of reality. When Arjuna sees the eighteen divisions of the army, he is witnessing the multifaceted nature of the world, which ultimately points to the unity of brahman. Shankara's reasoning emphasizes that Arjuna's observation of the army is a moment of introspection, where he must reconcile his individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (brahman). This verse, therefore, sets the stage for the subsequent teachings of the Gītā, which ultimately aim to establish the identity of brahman and ātman. As Shankara notes in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra (1.1.1), the individual self is not separate from the ultimate reality, but rather an expression of it. Thus, Arjuna's journey begins with a recognition of the world's multiplicity, which will eventually lead him to the realization of the non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, views this verse as a depiction of Arjuna's surrender to the will of Lord Krishna, the supreme Īśvara. The eighteen divisions of the army represent the various aspects of the material world, which are all under the control of the divine. Arjuna's approach to the battle, therefore, symbolizes his devotion to Krishna and his acceptance of the Lord's guidance. Rāmānuja's commentary emphasizes the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara, where the former submits to the will of the latter. This verse, in Rāmānuja's view, highlights the importance of self-surrender and devotion in achieving spiritual liberation. As Rāmānuja notes in his Śrī Bhāṣya (1.1.1), the individual self is inherently dependent on Īśvara, and it is through devotion and surrender that one can attain a direct experience of the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, key figures in the Neo-Vedānta movement, interpret this verse as a call to action and self-reflection in the face of uncertainty. When Arjuna sees the eighteen divisions of the army, he is confronted with the complexities and challenges of the world. This verse, therefore, serves as a reminder that individuals must approach life's battles with a clear understanding of their own strengths, weaknesses, and values. As Vivekānanda notes in his lecture 'The Message of Vedanta' (1896), the ultimate goal of life is to realize one's true potential and to contribute to the greater good. This verse, in the context of modern life, encourages individuals to cultivate self-awareness, courage, and determination in the face of adversity. Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'The Idealist View of Life' (1932), further emphasizes the importance of integrating spiritual values into daily life, suggesting that individuals must strive to realize their higher selves in the midst of worldly challenges.