śrutvā mayā pravaktum
“Having heard (the field of knowledge) to be spoken by Me”
Structure
śrutvā mayā pravaktum
mayā (by Me) śrutvā (having heard) pravaktum (to speak)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| śrutvā | śrutvā | indeclinable | — | having heard |
| mayā | mayā | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by Me |
| pravaktum | pravaktum | verb | √vac · liṅ-optative · first | to speak |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya interprets the verse śrutvā mayā pravaktum as an affirmation of the non-dual nature of ultimate reality. According to Śaṅkara, the phrase 'Having heard (the field of knowledge) to be spoken by Me' indicates that the knowledge being imparted by Kṛṣṇa is not just any knowledge, but the knowledge of one's true self, the ātman. Śaṅkara's reasoning is based on the understanding that the ātman is not separate from Brahman, the ultimate reality. This verse thus points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self is ultimately one with the universal self. Śaṅkara's commentary on this verse highlights the importance of self-inquiry and the role of the guru in guiding the seeker towards this realization.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as represented by Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, offers a devotional reading of the verse śrutvā mayā pravaktum. According to Rāmānuja, this verse signifies the beginning of the revelation of the divine knowledge by Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, to Arjuna, the devotee. The emphasis is on the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (God), where the jīva seeks to know the divine will and Īśvara graciously imparts that knowledge. Madhva, on the other hand, views this verse as a declaration of the supremacy of the Lord, where Kṛṣṇa, as the supreme teacher, imparts knowledge to Arjuna. Both Rāmānuja and Madhva's commentaries underscore the importance of devotion and surrender to the Lord in attaining spiritual knowledge and liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The Neo-Vedānta tradition, as represented by Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, offers a modern and practical interpretation of the verse śrutvā mayā pravaktum. According to Vivekānanda, this verse can be seen as an invitation to explore the deeper dimensions of human consciousness and the universal principles that govern life. In his lectures and writings, Vivekānanda often emphasized the importance of self-realization and the role of the guru in guiding the seeker towards that goal. Rādhākrishnan, on the other hand, interprets this verse as a call to integrate the spiritual and the practical aspects of life, where the seeker strives to realize the ultimate reality in everyday experience. Both Vivekānanda and Rādhākrishnan's commentaries highlight the universal and practical application of this verse, connecting it to contemporary life and the human quest for meaning and fulfillment.