tataḥ śvetavrajā vyāso jagāma śibiram prati .
“Then, clad in white, Vyāsa went towards the camp.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetavrajā vyāsaḥ jagāma śibiram prati
tataḥ (then) śvetavrajā (with white goats) vyāsaḥ (Vyāsa) jagāma (went) śibiram (the camp) prati (towards)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetavrajā | śvetavrajā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | one with a white or shining dwelling (epithet of Vyāsa) |
| vyāsaḥ | vyāsaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Vyāsa (name of the sage) |
| jagāma | jagāma | verb | √gam · past · third | he went |
| śibiram | śibiram | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | encampment, tent |
| prati | prati | indeclinable | — | towards, against |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'tataḥ śvetavrajā vyāso jagāma śibiram prati,' can be interpreted through the lens of non-duality, where Vyāsa, clad in white, symbolizes the pure, untainted ātman. According to Shankara, the journey of Vyāsa towards the camp might symbolize the inward journey of the self towards realizing its true, unconditioned nature. In his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, Shankara emphasizes the importance of understanding the identity of brahman and ātman, underscoring that all actions, like Vyāsa's movement, are ultimately manifestations of the one, unchanging reality. Thus, this verse invites the reader to contemplate the essence of the self, beyond the outward appearances and actions, pointing towards the ultimate truth of non-duality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, Vyāsa's action of going towards the camp can be seen as a symbol of the devotee's journey towards union with the divine. Ramanuja, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes the concept of prapatti, or self-surrender, as the means to achieve this union. Vyāsa, clad in white, represents the jīva (individual self) approaching the Īśvara (the divine) with a pure heart. This verse highlights the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the jīva, recognizing its limitations, seeks refuge in the divine. Madhva, on the other hand, might interpret Vyāsa's movement as an exemplification of the Lord's grace, where Vyāsa, as a devotee, is being drawn towards his divine destination, illustrating the dynamic of bhakti (devotion) and the Lord's loving response to the devotee's call.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda often highlighted the importance of combining spiritual ideals with practical life. This verse can be seen as a call to action, where Vyāsa's movement towards the camp symbolizes the integration of spiritual knowledge with worldly engagement. According to Vivekananda, the true test of one's spiritual growth lies in how one applies it in daily life and service to others. Rādhākrishnan, in a similar vein, emphasized the importance of realizing one's true self and then using that realization to uplift humanity. Thus, Vyāsa's clad in white, moving towards the camp, can be interpreted as the embodiment of the ideal of service, purity, and wisdom in action, encouraging the reader to strive for a life that balances inner spiritual growth with outer service and compassion, reflecting the universal and practical application of Vedāntic principles.