dhṛtarāṣṭras tu mahatā yayau rājā sagotro pravṛttaḥ

dhṛtarāṣṭras (the king Dhṛtarāṣṭra) tu (then) mahatā (by the great one - Kṛṣṇa) sagotro (with his clan) rājā (the king) pravṛttaḥ (having been prompted) yayau (went)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the inherent duality in human perception, as Dhṛtarāṣṭra's longing is contrasted with the ultimate reality of non-duality. Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes the importance of recognizing the ātman, the true Self, beyond the limiting identifications with the body and mind. In his discussion of this verse, Shankara might note that Dhṛtarāṣṭra's action, driven by a great longing, illustrates the binding power of desire (kāma) and the need for Self-inquiry (ātma-vichāra) to transcend such limitations. By contemplating the impermanence of all things, including one's own kinsmen, the seeker can begin to realize the eternal, unchanging essence of the Self, which is none other than Brahman. As Shankara writes in his Upadeśasāhasrī, 'The knowledge of the Self is the means to attain liberation' (Upadeśasāhasrī 1.14).

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In this verse, we see the complex interplay between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, would likely emphasize the role of bhakti (devotion) in transcending the limitations of the human condition. Dhṛtarāṣṭra's longing, though driven by worldly concerns, can be seen as a faint reflection of the soul's innate longing for union with the Divine. The Vaiṣṇava tradition teaches that the jīva, though finite and dependent, can experience a deep sense of connection with Īśvara through devotion and self-surrender. As Rāmānuja notes in his Śrībhāṣya, 'The Lord is the inner Self of all beings, and it is He who inspires the intellect and guides the actions of the devotee' (Śrībhāṣya 1.1.1). By recognizing the Lord's presence within and without, the devotee can cultivate a profound sense of dependence and love, ultimately leading to liberation.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a powerful reminder of the human condition, with all its complexities and contradictions. As Swami Vivekānanda notes in his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind,' 'The human soul is a vast, infinite ocean, with waves of joy and sorrow, of love and hatred, ever rising and falling' (Complete Works 4.246). Dhṛtarāṣṭra's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked desire and the importance of cultivating self-awareness. In contemporary life, we can apply the lessons of this verse by recognizing the ways in which our own longings and desires can drive us, often unconsciously. By developing a greater sense of self-awareness and introspection, we can begin to transcend the limitations of our ego-bound personalities and connect with a deeper, more universal sense of purpose and meaning. As S. Rādhākrishnan writes in his book 'The Hindu View of Life,' 'The individual self is not a separate, independent entity, but a unique expression of the universal Self' (The Hindu View of Life, 45).

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