Tataḥ śvetavrajaṁ dṛṣṭvā tāṁ yayāti mithoktavān .
“Then, having seen her (with white garments), Yayāti spoke to her in a wrong way.”
Structure
Tataḥ śvetavrajaṁ dṛṣṭvā tāṁ yayāti mithoktavān
Yayāti tāṁ dṛṣṭvā śvetavrajaṁ tataḥ mithoktavān
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetavrajaṁ | śvetavrajaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | the white army or the army of the Pāṇḍavas |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| tāṁ | tāṁ | pronoun | accusative · singular · feminine | that (referring to Draupadī or the army) |
| yayāti | yayāti | verb | √yā · present · third | he goes |
| mithoktavān | mithoktavān | verb | √vac · past · third | he spoke falsely |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Mahābhārata, 'Tataḥ śvetavrajaṁ dṛṣṭvā tāṁ yayāti mithoktavān', can be interpreted through the lens of non-dualism by focusing on the nature of perception and reality. Yayāti's action of speaking to the woman in white garments 'in a wrong way' may symbolize the misperception of the ultimate reality, Brahman, due to the limitations of the human mind. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between the absolute (Brahman) and the relative (the worldly). This verse, in the context of Advaita, prompts us to examine our understanding of truth and our tendency to perceive and interpret the world through a distorted lens, ultimately pointing to the necessity of realizing the identity of Brahman and Ātman. The misinterpretation or 'mithoktavān' signifies the innate human tendency towards misconception, which is corrected through the realization of non-duality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition offers a devotional reading of this verse, emphasizing the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Yayāti's interaction with the woman, symbolizing the jīva's quest for union with the divine, is marked by a 'wrong way' of speaking, which could represent the imperfect or misguided attempts of the jīva to connect with Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya, in his interpretation, might see this as an example of the obstacles that the jīva faces in its pursuit of liberation, highlighting the need for surrender and devotion to overcome such misconceptions. Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the distinction between the Lord and the souls, might interpret Yayāti's mistake as a reflection of the natural limitations and flaws inherent in the jīva, underscoring the necessity of divine grace for true understanding and liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda and S. Radhakrishnan, key figures in Neo-Vedānta, would likely interpret this verse in the context of the universal principles of Vedānta and their application to modern life. The act of Yayāti speaking 'in a wrong way' can be seen as a metaphor for the misunderstandings and miscommunications that occur in human interactions, often stemming from our limited perspectives and biases. Vivekananda, in his lectures, often emphasized the importance of self-realization and the recognition of the divine in every being. This verse could be seen as an illustration of the importance of understanding and respecting the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals, avoiding the 'wrong way' of interacting that stems from ignorance or prejudice. Radhakrishnan, with his focus on the philosophical and ethical implications of Vedānta, might view this verse as highlighting the ethical imperative to cultivate empathy, compassion, and truthful communication in our relations with others, reflecting the universal and eternal principles of dharma.