Tataḥ śvetavato nāma purāṃ dṛṣṭvā divyāyanah.
“Then, having seen the divine city named Śvetavati, ”
Structure
Tataḥ śvetavato nāma purāṃ dṛṣṭvā divyāyanah
Tataḥ (then) śvetavato (of Śvetavata) nāma (named) purāṃ (city) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) divyāyanah (on a divine path)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetavato | śvetavato | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of Śvetavata |
| nāma | nāma | indeclinable | — | named, called |
| purāṃ | purāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | city |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| divyāyanah | divyāyanah | verb | √āya · past · third | went, proceeded |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse 'Tataḥ śvetavato nāma purāṃ dṛṣṭvā divyāyanah' points to the ultimate reality beyond the duality of the mundane and the divine. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes the concept of 'ekatva' or non-duality, which is also applicable to this context. The city named Śvetavati, when understood as a symbol of the absolute, leads the seeker to realize the brahman-ātman identity. This realization is the culmination of the knowledge that all distinctions, including those between the divine city and the mundane world, are ultimately illusory. The mention of 'divyāyanah' underscores the spiritual journey towards this non-dual awareness, where the distinction between the self and the divine is transcended. This interpretation is in line with Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning on similar passages, where he stresses the importance of recognizing the ultimate reality beyond all dualities.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, the verse 'Tataḥ śvetavato nāma purāṃ dṛṣṭvā divyāyanah' is seen as an expression of the loving relationship between the jīva (the individual self) and Īśvara (the personal deity). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, interprets such passages as indicative of the path of bhakti, or devotion, which leads the devotee to the vision of the divine. The city of Śvetavati represents the divine realm, and the act of 'dṛṣṭvā' (seeing) signifies the direct experience of the Lord. This experience is made possible through the 'divyāyanah' (divine path), which is the path of devotion and self-surrender. Madhvācārya, emphasizing the difference between the individual self and the divine, would view this verse as an invitation to follow the path of devotion to attain the grace of the Lord, thereby experiencing the divine city in a state of liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The verse 'Tataḥ śvetavato nāma purāṃ dṛṣṭvā divyāyanah' holds a universal message of spiritual aspiration and the quest for the ultimate truth. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of Vedāntic principles in everyday life. He would view the city of Śvetavati as a symbol of the ideal human society, where individuals have realized their true nature and live in harmony with the divine and with each other. The 'divyāyanah' represents the path of self-realization and service to humanity, which is the true path to experiencing the divine. S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, connects such verses to the broader human quest for meaning and purpose, suggesting that the vision of the divine city is a metaphor for the realization of human potential and the creation of a more just and peaceful world. This interpretation highlights the relevance of ancient spiritual texts to contemporary life and global challenges.