śrutvā devaṁ deva-varaṁ vedān, prāha madhu-sūdanam, 12
“Having heard that the Supreme God, the best of gods, He (Arjuna) spoke to Kṛṣṇa, the slayer of Madhu.”
Structure
śrutvā - devaṁ - deva-varam - vedān - prāha - madhu-sūdanam
madhu-sūdanam (unto Krishna, the slayer of the demon Madhu) deva-varam (the greatest of gods) devaṁ (the god) śrutvā (having heard) vedān (the Vedas) prāha (spoke)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| śrutvā | śrutvā | indeclinable | — | having heard |
| devaṁ | devaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | the god |
| deva-varam | deva-varam | compound | tatpuruṣa · "deva-varam = devānāṁ varam" | the best of gods |
| vedān | vedān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | the Vedas |
| prāha | prāha | verb | √pra-ā-√hā · past · third | he spoke |
| madhu-sūdanam | madhu-sūdanam | compound | tatpuruṣa · "madhu-sūdanam = madhu-sūdano nāma" | the killer of the demon Madhu |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Shankara emphasizes the non-dual nature of the ultimate reality. This verse, where Arjuna addresses Kṛṣṇa as 'the Supreme God, the best of gods,' points towards the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the universal self (Brahman). Shankara's reasoning is rooted in the idea that the distinctions between gods and the supreme God are mere appearances, and the true essence is the unified, all-pervading Brahman. The address to Kṛṣṇa as Madhu-sūdanam, the slayer of Madhu, symbolizes the overcoming of the ego and the ignorance that veils the true nature of the self. This interpretation underscores the Advaita Vedānta's central tenet: the non-dual identity of Brahman and ātman, where the individual self, upon realizing its true nature, transcends the limitations of the mundane world.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse highlights the devotional relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the personal God). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary, emphasizes the importance of bhakti, or devotion, in realizing the true nature of God. The reference to Kṛṣṇa as the 'best of gods' and 'the slayer of Madhu' reinforces the Vaiṣṇava doctrine of the supremacy of Viṣṇu, with Kṛṣṇa being an avatar of Viṣṇu. The act of Arjuna speaking to Kṛṣṇa signifies the intimate, personal connection that can exist between the devotee and God, where the devotee seeks guidance and refuge in the Lord. This verse is seen as an exemplification of the path of devotion, where the jīva, through surrender and love, reaches the ultimate goal of union with Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often emphasized the practical and universal aspects of Vedāntic teachings. This verse can be seen as symbolic of the human quest for the divine. The figure of Kṛṣṇa, as the supreme God, represents the ideal of human perfection and the highest realization of the self. The act of Arjuna turning to Kṛṣṇa for guidance signifies the human need for a higher authority or a principle that guides us towards our true potential. Vivekānanda might interpret this verse as an encouragement to seek the divine within oneself, to recognize one's own higher nature, and to strive for self-realization. In contemporary life, this verse could inspire individuals to seek a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world, prompting a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.