dharme jāyadvāreṇa tena dṛṣṭā dṛṣadviṣā .
“By Dharma, with the vision born from wisdom, he saw the seeker of vision.”
Structure
dharme jāyadvāreṇa tena dṛṣṭā dṛṣadviṣā
tena (by him) dharme (in righteousness) jāyadvāreṇa (through the gate of birth) dṛṣṭā (seen) dṛṣadviṣā (she who was to be looked at with affection)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dharme | dharme | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in righteousness |
| jāyadvāreṇa | jāyadvāreṇa | compound | karmadhāraya · "jāyad-vāreṇa" | through the gate of birth |
| tena | tena | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by him |
| dṛṣṭā | dṛṣṭā | verb | √dṛś · past participle · third | seen |
| dṛṣadviṣā | dṛṣadviṣā | compound | dvandva · "dṛṣat ca viṣā ca" | a bull and a serpent |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'dharme jāyadvāreṇa tena dṛṣṭā dṛṣadviṣā', underscores the non-dual nature of reality by suggesting that true vision arises from wisdom, which is essentially the realization of the identity of Brahman and Ātman. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes the importance of knowledge in realizing this unity, stating that knowledge (jñāna) is the means to attain liberation (mokṣa). In this context, 'dharma' refers to the pursuit of knowledge that leads to this unified vision, where the seeker (dṛṣadviṣā) ultimately sees the truth. This aligns with Shankara's interpretation of the Mahābhārata, where the narrative is seen as a metaphor for the journey of the self towards Self-realization, highlighting the ultimate non-duality of existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as emphasizing the role of devotion and divine grace in attaining spiritual insight. According to Rāmānujācārya, the seeker's vision (dṛṣadviṣā) is facilitated by his adherence to 'dharma', which in this context, signifies devotion to and dependence on Īśvara (the Lord). This devotion is what allows the seeker to transcend his limited perspective and achieve a higher, spiritual vision. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might emphasize the qualitative difference between the jīva (the individual self) and Īśvara, yet both would agree that the pursuit of 'dharma' as outlined in this verse is crucial for the seeker to experience the divine, highlighting the soteriological importance of bhakti (devotion) in achieving liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda would interpret 'dharme jāyadvāreṇa tena dṛṣṭā dṛṣadviṣā' as a call to action for the modern individual, emphasizing the practical application of 'dharma' in everyday life. According to him, true wisdom and vision (dṛṣṭā) can only be achieved by living a life of integrity, compassion, and service, which are the essence of 'dharma'. Rādhākrishnan, on the other hand, would focus on the humanistic implications of this verse, suggesting that 'dharma' represents a universal principle of righteousness and ethics that can guide humanity towards a more harmonious and enlightened existence. Both thinkers would see this verse as a reminder of the importance of cultivating wisdom, selflessness, and moral responsibility to achieve a broader, more inclusive vision of existence, resonating with contemporary themes of global citizenship and human solidarity.