Tataḥ śvetottareṇa Himavāntena ca yaḥ paraḥ । Tena hi Droṇo Adityā Nadiṇāṃ patirabravīt ॥
“Then, Drona, the lord of rivers, addressed the Sun, who was on the other side of the white and snow-capped Himavant.”
Structure
Tataḥ śvetottareṇa Himavāntena ca yaḥ paraḥ Tena hi Droṇo Adityā Nadiṇāṃ patir abravīt
Tena(by him) hi(indeed) Droṇo(Droṇa) Adityā(to Aditi) Nadiṇāṃ(of rivers) patir(the lord) Tataḥ(then) śvetottareṇa(having crossed the white mountain) Himavāntena(and the Himavant) ca(and) yaḥ(who) paraḥ(the other) abravīt(spoke)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetottareṇa | śvetottareṇa | compound | bahuvrīhi · "śvetottara + ena" | with the white (or northern) crossing or going beyond |
| Himavāntena | Himavāntena | compound | bahuvrīhi · "Himavān + anta + ena" | with the Himavant (Himalayas) at the end or boundary |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| yaḥ | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| paraḥ | paraḥ | adjective | — | highest, supreme |
| Tena | Tena | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by him |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| Droṇo | Droṇo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Drona |
| Adityā | Adityā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Aditya |
| Nadiṇāṃ | Nadiṇāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of Nadi |
| patir | patir | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | lord, husband |
| abravīt | abravīt | verb | √brū · past · third | he spoke |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Mahābhārata offers a profound glimpse into the non-dual nature of reality. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtras, emphasizes the ultimate identity of Brahman and Ātman. In the context of this verse, the 'paraḥ' or the other side of the 'śvetottareṇa Himavāntena' symbolizes the transcendent reality that underlies all phenomena. Drona's address to the Sun can be seen as a metaphor for the jīva's (individual self) recognition of its inherent divinity, echoing the famous statement 'Tat tvam asi' (You are That). This non-dual reading underscores the idea that the distinctions between the individual self and the universal Self are ultimately illusory, pointing towards the liberation of the individual through the realization of this unity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse highlights the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrībhāṣya, discusses the concept of 'aprakaṭa' (unmanifest) and 'prakaṭa' (manifest) aspects of the Supreme, which can be correlated with the 'paraḥ' (beyond) and 'śvetottareṇa Himavāntena' (the white and snow-capped Himavant) respectively. Drona, as a devotee, addresses the Sun, symbolizing the Īśvara, illustrating the devotee's dependence on and reverence for the divine. This interaction symbolizes the loving exchange between the Lord and His devotee, underscoring the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on bhakti (devotion) as a means to attain liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda often emphasized the practical application of Vedāntic principles in everyday life. This verse can be seen as a call to transcendence, where 'paraḥ' represents the limitless potential that lies beyond the confines of our mundane experiences, symbolized by 'śvetottareṇa Himavāntena'. Drona's conversation with the Sun can be interpreted as a metaphor for seeking guidance from our higher self or the universal consciousness. In his lectures and writings, Vivekānanda encourages individuals to realize their inner strength and divinity, much like recognizing the Sun's power and wisdom. This verse, thus, inspires a contemporary seeker to look beyond the immediate and strive for a connection with the universal, fostering personal growth and self-realization in the process.