tataḥ śvetebhyo vṛṣabhebhyaḥ śataṁ dadau sahasraśaḥ । putrebhyaḥ pitṛbhyā āśecca śāntim atha bhūpatiḥ ॥
“Then the king gave hundred of white bulls in thousand, to his sons and ancestors, and then wished for peace.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyo vṛṣabhebhyaḥ śataṁ sahasraśaḥ dadau, putrebhyaḥ pitṛbhyā āśecca śāntim, atha bhūpatiḥ
tataḥ (then) bhūpatiḥ (the king) śvetebhyo (to the white) vṛṣabhebhyaḥ (bulls) sahasraśaḥ (in thousands) śataṁ (hundreds) dadau (gave), putrebhyaḥ (to his sons) pitṛbhyā (to his fathers) āśecca (and) śāntim (peace) atha (thus)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyo | śvetebhyo | noun | dative · plural · masculine | to the white ones (oxen) |
| vṛṣabhebhyaḥ | vṛṣabhebhyo | noun | dative · plural · masculine | to the bulls |
| śataṁ | śataṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | hundred |
| sahasraśaḥ | sahasraśaḥ | indeclinable | — | a thousand at a time, in thousands |
| dadau | dadau | verb | √dā · past · third | he gave |
| putrebhyaḥ | putrebhyo | noun | dative · plural · masculine | to the sons |
| pitṛbhyā | pitṛbhyā | noun | dative · dual · masculine | to the fathers |
| āśecca | āśecca | verb | √śī · optative · third | may he obtain |
| śāntim | śāntim | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | peace |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| bhūpatiḥ | bhūpatiḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the king, lord of the earth |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse offers a glimpse into the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between the giver, the gift, and the recipients dissolve. Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Brahmasūtra (1.1.1) highlights the concept of 'ekatva' or oneness, which is reflected in the king's selfless act of giving. By donating white bulls to his sons and ancestors, the king transcends the limitations of worldly relationships, illustrating the ultimate reality of brahman-ātman identity. As Śaṅkarācārya notes in his Upadeśasāhasrī (1.14), the true nature of the self is revealed when the individual ego is relinquished, and the universe is seen as an interconnected web of oneness. In this context, the king's wish for peace becomes a metaphor for the realization of the ultimate peace that lies beyond the ephemeral world of duality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The act of donating white bulls to his sons and ancestors can be seen as a symbolic representation of the devotee's surrender to the divine. According to Rāmānujācārya's Śrībhāṣya (1.1.1), the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord) is one of dependence and devotion. The king's selfless act of giving reflects this relationship, where the individual surrenders their worldly attachments to the divine, seeking ultimate peace and liberation. Madhvācārya's commentary on the Mahābhārata (1.1.1) highlights the concept of 'bhakti' or devotion, which is exemplified in the king's actions. The king's wish for peace becomes a prayer to the divine, seeking guidance and protection on the path to liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound message on the importance of selfless giving and the pursuit of peace in contemporary life. As Swami Vivekānanda notes in his lecture 'The Message of Vivekānanda' (Vol. 4, p. 234), the idea of giving without expectation of reward or recognition is a fundamental aspect of human nature. The king's donation of white bulls to his sons and ancestors becomes a symbol of the universal principle of giving, which transcends familial and social boundaries. S. Rādhākrishnan's writings on the Mahābhārata (Vol. 1, p. 123) highlight the relevance of this verse in modern times, where the pursuit of peace and harmony has become a pressing concern. The king's wish for peace serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating inner peace and harmony, which can then be reflected in our relationships with others and the world around us.