athaṣṭādaśa bhuvaneṣu ca yā manye 'rjunapitṛn
“And I consider them to be the ancestors in the eighteen worlds.”
Structure
atha - aṣṭādaśa - bhuvaneṣu - ca - yā - manye - arjuna - pitṛn
ahaṃ (I) manye (think) yā (which) pitṛn (ancestors) arjuna (of Arjuna) aṣṭādaśa ( eighteen ) bhuvaneṣu (in worlds) ca (and)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now, well |
| aṣṭādaśa | aṣṭādaśa | numeral | — | eighteen |
| bhuvaneṣu | bhuvaneṣu | noun | locative plural · plural · masculine | in the worlds |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and, also |
| yā | yā | pronoun | nominative singular · singular · feminine | which, who |
| manye | manye | verb | √man · present · first | I think, consider |
| arjuna | arjuna | proper noun | — | Arjuna |
| pitṛn | pitṛn | noun | accusative plural · plural · masculine | fathers, ancestors |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya interprets this verse as an expression of Arjuna's limited understanding, bound by his ego and worldly attachments. The phrase 'athaṣṭādaśa bhuvaneṣu' is seen as a reflection of the fragmented and multiple nature of the universe, which is ultimately an illusion (māyā) veiling the non-dual reality of Brahman. Śaṅkarācārya's non-dual reading of this verse emphasizes the importance of transcending such limited perspectives to realize the ultimate identity of the individual self (ātman) with the universal reality (Brahman). This is akin to his interpretation of other key verses in the Gītā, where he underscores the need to move beyond the confines of worldly relationships and dualistic thinking to attain liberation (mokṣa).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, views this verse as an expression of Arjuna's filial devotion and his recognition of his ancestors as part of the divine plan. The phrase 'arjunapitṛn' is particularly significant, as Rāmānujācārya sees it as highlighting the importance of reverence for one's ancestors and the tradition (paramparā) they represent. This reverence is not just a social or cultural obligation but a spiritual one, reflecting the interconnectedness of all beings within the divine creation. Rāmānujācārya's devotional reading thus emphasizes the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Lord (Īśvara), where every action and thought, including those related to one's ancestors, is a form of service (bhakti) to the Divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the universal and practical applications of Vedāntic principles. Regarding this verse, he might interpret 'athaṣṭādaśa bhuvaneṣu' as a metaphor for the vast and complex web of human relationships and cosmic interdependencies. Vivekānanda would likely highlight the importance of recognizing and honoring these connections as part of one's spiritual growth and service to humanity. In his speech 'The Universal Religion' at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions, Vivekānanda underscored the unity and harmony that can be achieved by recognizing the divine in every being and in all aspects of the universe, thereby reflecting the modern, inclusive, and active interpretation of ancient texts like the Bhagavad Gītā.