Evaṁ anena mahatā yathoktena ca yaḥ śṛṇuyāt bhagavato mama cāpy avismitaḥ.
“Thus, whoever hears from Me, the Supreme Being, and from the great soul like Arjuna, without being astonished.”
Structure
Evaṁ anena mahatā yathā uktena ca yaḥ śṛṇuyāt bhagavato mama cāpi avismitaḥ
yaḥ (who) anena (by Me) mahatā (the great one) evaṁ (thus) yathā (as) uktena (has been spoken) ca (and) śṛṇuyāt (hears) bhagavato (of the Lord) mama (of Mine) cāpi (also) avismitaḥ (without being astonished)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| evaṁ | evaṁ | indeclinable | — | in this way |
| anena | anena | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by Me |
| mahatā | mahatā | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by the great one |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | as |
| uktena | uktena | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with what has been spoken |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| yaḥ | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| śṛṇuyāt | śṛṇuyāt | verb | √śru · liṅ-optative · third | may hear |
| bhagavato | bhagavato | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of the Blessed One |
| mama | mama | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of Mine |
| cāpi | cāpi | indeclinable | — | and also |
| avismitaḥ | avismitaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | not bewildered |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Bhagavad Gītā, 'Evaṁ anena mahatā yathoktena ca yaḥ śṛṇuyāt bhagavato mama cāpy avismitaḥ,' is pivotal in understanding the non-dual nature of reality as per Advaita Vedānta. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of hearing the words of the Lord and great souls like Arjuna without being astonished, indicating a call to introspection and self-realization. The phrase 'bhagavato mama cāpy' signifies the ultimate identity between the individual self (ātman) and the Supreme Being (Brahman), suggesting that the distinctions between the teacher, the taught, and the Absolute are illusory. According to Śaṅkara, this understanding leads to the realization of the unity of all existence, pointing towards the brahman-ātman identity. This non-dual perspective is central to Advaita Vedānta, underscoring the idea that the ultimate reality is one, unchanging, and all-pervasive.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Within the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is interpreted with an emphasis on the devotional relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary, highlights the significance of hearing the words of the Lord with devotion and humility, as indicated by 'śṛṇuyāt bhagavato mama cāpy avismitaḥ.' The absence of astonishment ('avismitaḥ') suggests a state of surrender and acceptance of the Lord's words, leading to a deeper understanding of one's relationship with the Divine. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might emphasize the distinction between the Lord and the individual soul, underscoring the dependency of the jīva on Īśvara for liberation. Both perspectives within the Vaiṣṇava tradition underscore the importance of devotion and the recognition of one's place in relation to the Supreme Being, facilitating a path towards spiritual growth and mokṣa.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse from the Bhagavad Gītā offers a profound message that resonates with contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often emphasized the universal applicability of Vedāntic principles, including the idea of hearing and understanding spiritual truths without astonishment or prejudice. The phrase 'Evaṁ anena mahatā yathoktena ca' suggests a method of learning that is grounded in tradition yet open to individual experience. S. Rādhākrishnan, interpreting this verse, might highlight the importance of humility and an open mind in the pursuit of knowledge and self-realization. In the context of modern life, this verse encourages individuals to approach spiritual and philosophical inquiry with a sense of reverence and openness, recognizing the value of both tradition and personal experience. It underscores the importance of embracing wisdom from all sources, whether from great souls or the Supreme Being, to navigate the complexities of contemporary existence and to find a path towards inner peace and understanding.