sa tu dṛṣṭvā tān rājñaḥ śvetavājinaḥ samāhitān
“Having seen them, the king with his white horses stood still.”
Structure
sa tu dṛṣṭvā tān rājñaḥ śvetavājinaḥ samāhitān
saḥ (he) tu (then) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) tān (those) śvetavājinaḥ (white horses) rājñaḥ (of the king) samāhitān (stationed)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| tān | tān | pronoun | accusative · plural · masculine | them |
| rājñaḥ | rājñaḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of the king |
| śvetavājinaḥ | śvetavājinaḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "śvetavājī nāma yasya" | one whose steed is white |
| samāhitān | samāhitān | verb | √samāha · past participle · third | gathered |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'sa tu dṛṣṭvā tān rājñaḥ śvetavājinaḥ samāhitān', offers a poignant moment for reflection on the nature of reality. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between the observer (the king) and the observed (the white horses). This distinction is crucial for realizing the non-dual nature of Brahman. The king's standing still upon seeing his white horses can be seen as a metaphor for the stillness of the mind when it realizes its true nature, untouched by the external world. This stillness reflects the realization of the ātman's identity with Brahman, where all distinctions, including those between the self and the external world, are transcended. Thus, this verse points towards the ultimate reality where the illusion of duality is overcome, and the unity of Brahman-ātman is revealed.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the context of this verse, the Vaishnava tradition sees a profound moment of devotion and surrender. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, speaks about the importance of recognizing the Lord's presence in all beings and objects. The king's white horses can be seen as symbols of purity and spiritual aspiration. The king's act of standing still upon seeing them indicates a moment of reverence and recognition of the divine presence. This verse can be interpreted as a call to devotion, where the individual soul (jīva) recognizes its relationship with the Supreme Lord (Īśvara) and surrenders to His will. The stillness of the king represents the peace and tranquility that come from such devotion and recognition of one's place in the grand scheme of creation. This relationship between the jīva and Īśvara is central to Vaishnava theology, emphasizing the path of bhakti as a means to attain liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the practical applications of Vedanta, often emphasized the importance of balance and harmony in life. This verse, with its image of the king standing still amidst his white horses, suggests a moment of perfect balance and control. The king, symbolizing the higher self, is unperturbed by the external world, represented by the horses. This stillness is a metaphor for the inner peace and stability that can be achieved through the practice of meditation and self-control. Vivekānanda would likely interpret this verse as a call to individuals to strive for this inner balance, untouched by the fluctuations of the external world. This interpretation resonates with contemporary life, where individuals face numerous challenges and distractions. The verse offers a universal message of the importance of cultivating inner peace and stability as a foundation for living a meaningful and fulfilling life.