Hṛṣīkeśa ! tvayā diṣṭena mārgeṇa prāpnuyām mahato vṛṇum || 19 ||
“By the path shown by You, I may obtain the great boon.”
Structure
Hṛṣīkeśa tvayā diṣṭena mārgeṇa mahato vṛṇum prāpnuyām
Hṛṣīkeśa (addressing Krishna) tvayā (by you) diṣṭena (shown) mārgeṇa (path) mahato (great) vṛṇum (boon) prāpnuyām (may I obtain)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hṛṣīkeśa | Hṛṣīkeśa | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Hṛṣīkeśa (name of Krishna) |
| tvayā | tvayā | pronoun | instrumental · singular | by you |
| diṣṭena | diṣṭena | verb | √diś · past participle | shown |
| mārgeṇa | mārgeṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | path |
| mahato | mahato | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | greatest |
| vṛṇum | vṛṇum | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | desire |
| prāpnuyām | prāpnuyām | verb | √āp · optative · first | may I attain |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Bhagavad Gītā underscores the non-dual nature of reality, pointing towards the ultimate identity of brahman and ātman. Shankara, in his commentary on the Gītā, interprets Hṛṣīkeśa (the Lord of the senses) as the supreme consciousness that guides the seeker. The path 'shown by You' signifies the realization of one's true nature, which is not different from the absolute. The 'great boon' (mahato vṛṇum) refers to the liberation from the cycle of birth and death, achieved through the understanding of this non-dual identity. Shankara's reasoning emphasizes that such liberation is not something to be attained but rather recognized as the inherent state of being. Thus, this verse invites the seeker to embark on a journey of self-discovery, guided by the wisdom of the supreme consciousness, to realize the ultimate truth of brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of deep devotion and surrender to the Lord. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary, views Hṛṣīkeśa as the personal deity who is both the guide and the goal. The 'path shown by You' is the path of bhakti, or devotion, through which the jīva (individual self) seeks to unite with Īśvara (the supreme Lord). The 'great boon' signifies the grace of the Lord, which is essential for the jīva to overcome its limitations and achieve union with the divine. This verse, according to Rāmānuja, highlights the importance of prapatti, or self-surrender, as a means to attain this union. It emphasizes the personal relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the Lord's grace is seen as the primary factor in the liberation of the soul.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): From a Neo-Vedānta perspective, this verse embodies a universal message of spiritual guidance and self-realization. Swami Vivekānanda would interpret the 'path shown by You' as the inner voice of intuition that guides every individual towards their higher self. The 'great boon' represents the realization of one's inherent potential and the achievement of a higher state of consciousness. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, encourages individuals to seek inner guidance and to strive for self-improvement. It underscores the importance of spirituality in everyday life, not as an escape from the world, but as a means to engage with it more meaningfully. As Vivekānanda often emphasized, the goal is to realize one's true nature and to live a life of service and contribution to humanity, inspired by the wisdom of spiritual traditions like the Bhagavad Gītā.