yena sarvān arīn vṛṇute sa pūr vāhṇe prapaśyati
“He who chooses (to conquer) all enemies, sees them in the morning”
Structure
yena sarvān arīn vṛṇute sa pūr vāhṇe prapaśyati
saḥ (he) yena (by whom) sarvān (all) arīn (enemies) vṛṇute (takes in) pūr vāhṇe (in the forenoon) prapaśyati (sees)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yena | yena | indeclinable | — | by whom |
| sarvān | sarvān | adjective | — | all |
| arīn | arīn | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | enemies |
| vṛṇute | vṛṇute | verb | √vṛṇ · present · third | chooses |
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| pūr | pūr | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | city |
| vāhṇe | vāhṇe | noun | dative · singular · masculine | to Vasudeva |
| prapaśyati | prapaśyati | verb | √pś · present · third | sees |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In the Bhagavad Gītā, the verse 'yena sarvān arīn vṛṇute sa pūr vāhṇe prapaśyati' underscores the importance of recognizing and conquering one's inner enemies – desires, anger, and ignorance. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on this verse, emphasizes the non-dual reading by highlighting the ultimate goal of realizing the identity of Brahman and Ātman. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the true conqueror is not the individual self but the one who has transcended the limitations of the ego and recognized the universal Self. This understanding is rooted in the concept of 'vairagya' or detachment, where the individual detaches from worldly desires and recognizes the ultimate reality. By citing verses like BG 6.11, Śaṅkarācārya guides the seeker towards the path of self-inquiry and the realization of brahman-ātman identity. Through this, the Advaita tradition interprets this verse as a call to introspection and the pursuit of Self-knowledge, underscoring the ultimate non-duality of existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition offers a devotional reading of the verse 'yena sarvān arīn vṛṇute sa pūr vāhṇe prapaśyati'. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). According to Rāmānuja, the conqueror of all enemies is not just the individual but the Lord Himself, who, through His grace, enables the devotee to overcome their inner enemies. This understanding is rooted in the concept of 'prapatti' or surrender, where the individual surrenders to the Lord and seeks His guidance and protection. Citing verses like BG 6.11, Rāmānuja highlights the importance of devotion and surrender in achieving spiritual liberation. In contrast, Madhvācārya's commentary may emphasize the dualistic aspect, where the individual soul, with the help of the Lord, conquers their inner enemies to ultimately achieve liberation. Both perspectives within the Vaiṣṇava tradition stress the central role of devotion and the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara in understanding this verse.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The verse 'yena sarvān arīn vṛṇute sa pūr vāhṇe prapaśyati' holds profound significance in contemporary life, as emphasized by Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan. According to Vivekānanda, this verse symbolizes the universal struggle between good and evil, where the true conqueror is the one who has mastered their own mind and emotions. In his lectures and writings, Vivekānanda often cited the importance of self-control and the cultivation of inner strength to overcome life's challenges. Similarly, Rādhākrishnan, in his interpretation of the Bhagavad Gītā, highlights the practical application of this verse in everyday life, emphasizing the need to recognize and conquer one's inner enemies – such as fear, anger, and jealousy – to achieve a more harmonious and balanced existence. Both thinkers bring out the universal and timeless relevance of this verse, connecting it to the human quest for self-improvement and spiritual growth, and demonstrating its applicability in modern life.