tataḥ śvetavrajā vṛddhā śvetobhrāsvatā śikhaḥ.
“Then the old man with white hair and dressed in white appeared with a shining white crest.”
Structure
tataḥ śveta-vrajā vṛddhā śveta-obhrāsvatā śikhaḥ
tataḥ (then) śveta-vrajā (white-robed) vṛddhā (old) śveta-obhrāsvatā (with white shining) śikhaḥ (crest)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śveta-vrajā | śveta-vrajā | compound | karmadhāraya · "śveta ca vrajā ca" | having a white path or road |
| vṛddhā | vṛddhā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | old, aged |
| śveta-obhrāsvatā | śveta-obhrāsvatā | compound | karmadhāraya · "śveta ca obhrāsvatā ca" | with white splendor |
| śikhaḥ | śikhaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | flame, crest |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, describing the old man with white hair and dressed in white, points to the concept of the ātman as the ultimate reality. According to Shankara, the description of the old man signifies the state of the jīva that has transcended the limitations of the material world. The white hair and dress represent the purity and simplicity of the ātman, unadulterated by the fleeting nature of worldly attachments. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (BS 1.1.1) emphasizes the non-dual nature of the ultimate reality, where the distinction between the individual self and the supreme Self is dissolved. In this context, the old man's appearance symbolizes the state of liberation, where the individual self recognizes its identity with the brahman. This verse, therefore, underscores the central theme of Advaita Vedānta, namely, the realization of the non-dual Self as the ultimate goal of human existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The description of the old man in this verse is often seen as a representation of the sage Nārada or the divine being, who embodies the divine love and compassion. In Rāmānuja's Śrī Bhāṣya (SB 1.1.1), the emphasis is on the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the jīva, though distinct from Īśvara, is intimately connected with Him. The old man's shining white crest signifies the divine splendor, which is a manifestation of Īśvara's divine love. Madhva, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (BG 4.11), highlights the importance of devotion and surrender to the Lord, which is the path to liberation. In this context, the old man's appearance serves as a reminder of the divine presence that guides the devotee on the path to liberation, underscoring the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the personal relationship between the individual self and the Supreme Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Ideal of a Universal Religion' (CW 2:379-380), emphasizes the importance of realizing the divine within oneself. This verse, describing the old man with white hair and dress, symbolizes the ideal of the universal man, who has transcended the limitations of the material world and has realized his true nature. According to Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life' (HVL 44), the concept of the ātman is not just a metaphysical abstraction but a living reality that can be experienced in everyday life. The old man's appearance serves as a reminder of the potential for human transformation, where the individual can realize his true nature as a spark of the divine. This verse, therefore, has a universal and practical application, encouraging individuals to strive for self-realization and to embody the ideals of simplicity, purity, and compassion in their daily lives.