śrutvā tu mama vākyam vismaye cāgrato 'bhavat
“Having heard My words, he was struck with wonder.”
Structure
śrutvā tu mama vākyam vismaye ca agrataḥ abhavat
tu (then) śrutvā (having heard) mama (My) vākyam (words) agrataḥ (immediately) vismaye (with wonder) ca (and) abhavat (he was)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| śrutvā | śrutvā | indeclinable | — | having heard |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, then |
| mama | mama | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | my |
| vākyam | vākyam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | words, speech |
| vismaye | vismaye | noun | dative · singular · masculine | wonder, amazement |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| agrataḥ | agrataḥ | indeclinable | — | before, in front |
| abhavat | abhavat | verb | √bhū · past · third | was, existed |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the significance of the non-dual reality. According to Shankara, when Arjuna hears Krishna's words, he is struck with wonder, indicating a momentary glimpse into the ultimate reality. Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of direct experience (anubhava) in realizing the brahman-ātman identity. In his Bhāṣya on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara explains that the ultimate reality is beyond human comprehension, yet it can be intuited through the Upanishads and the words of the Guru. This verse points to the significance of shruti, or revealed knowledge, in accessing the non-dual reality, underscoring the Advaita Vedanta emphasis on the unity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). Shankara's reasoning, as seen in his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, is that such moments of wonder and insight are essential for the removal of ignorance (avidyā) and the realization of one's true nature.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of the devotee's awe and reverence for the divine. According to Ramanuja, the jīva (individual self) is inherently related to Īśvara (the Lord), and moments like these, where Arjuna is struck with wonder, demonstrate the natural response of the devotee to the majesty of God. Ramanuja's Śrī Bhāṣya highlights the importance of bhakti (devotion) in accessing the divine, and this verse illustrates how the words of the Lord can evoke powerful emotional and spiritual responses in the devotee. Madhva, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, further emphasizes the distinction between the Lord and the individual self, seeing such moments of wonder as indicative of the jīva's innate dependence on and reverence for Īśvara, underscoring the devotional relationship central to Vaiṣṇava theology.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda often spoke about the universal applicability of Vedantic principles, and this verse illustrates the transformative power of spiritual knowledge. When Arjuna hears Krishna's words, his wonder is not just intellectual but deeply existential, reflecting a shift in his perspective on life and duty. Vivekananda, in his lectures and writings, such as 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda', emphasizes the practical application of Vedanta in everyday life, suggesting that such moments of insight can inspire individuals to re-evaluate their priorities and strive for a higher purpose. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, connects these moments of wonder and insight to the broader human quest for meaning and the universal, seeing them as indicative of a profound aspiration for transcendence that lies at the heart of human existence, reflecting the contemporary relevance of Vedantic thought.