sa evam uktvā tu munaye tvidaṁ vacana-brahma paripatyadhenumadaḥ
“Having thus spoken, the Brahmin, having abandoned the eulogized speech, left (the place) with his cow.”
Structure
saḥ evam uktvā tu munaye tvidam vacana-brāhma paripatyadh-enum-adaḥ
saḥ (he) evam (thus) uktvā (having spoken) tu (indeed) munaye (to the sage) tvidam (this) vacana-brāhma (Vedic speech/words) paripatyat (abandoned) enum (like a cow) adaḥ (then/ at that time)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| saḥ | saḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| evam | evam | indeclinable | — | in this way |
| uktvā | uktvā | indeclinable | — | having spoken |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| munaye | munaye | noun | dative · singular · masculine | to the sage |
| tvidam | tvidam | pronoun-compound | — | this |
| vacana-brāhma | vacana-brāhma | compound | bahuvrīhi · "brāhma vacanam yasya" | Brahmic speech |
| paripatyad | paripatyad | verb | √pat · imperfect · third | abandoned |
| aṣṭhādaḥ | aṣṭhādaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Mad-animal |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Mahābhārata offers a profound insight into the nature of reality, underscoring the non-dual essence of Brahman. The Brahmin, having spoken, abandons his attachment to the speech, symbolizing the transcending of the ephemeral by the pursuit of the eternal. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras highlights the distinction between the lower and higher knowledge, where the former pertains to the world of duality and the latter to the realm of non-duality. In this context, the verse points to the Brahmin's realization of the ultimate truth, beyond the fleeting nature of worldly interactions, echoing the Upanishadic declaration 'Tat tvam asi' (That thou art), affirming the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the universal self (Brahman). This identity is key to understanding the Advaitin perspective on liberation, where the recognition of one's true nature as Brahman leads to the cessation of ignorance and the attainment of moksha.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse emphasizes the loving relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). The Brahmin's act of leaving with his cow after speaking can be seen as a metaphor for the devotee's journey towards God, where the 'cow' represents the nourishing and protective grace of the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, discusses the concept of 'prapatti' or surrender, where the individual, recognizing their limitations, surrenders to the will of the Lord, much like the Brahmin surrenders his attachment to worldly speech. This act of surrender is not a loss of identity but a realization of one's true dependence on and relationship with Īśvara, leading to a deeper devotional life and ultimately, liberation through the Lord's grace. The verse thus highlights the path of bhakti, where love and devotion to God are the means to attain spiritual liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a powerful message of detachment and the pursuit of higher knowledge, relevant to contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often emphasized the importance of renouncing worldly attachments to achieve spiritual growth. The Brahmin's abandonment of his speech symbolizes the need to transcend the mundane and seek the universal truth. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, discusses the concept of 'spiruality' as an essential aspect of human existence, which involves the realization of one's deeper self beyond the confines of the ego and worldly desires. The verse can be seen as an encouragement to seek this deeper self, to engage in a journey of self-discovery and spiritual exploration. In today's world, where individuals are often overwhelmed by the din of worldly distractions, this verse reminds us of the importance of introspection, self-reflection, and the pursuit of wisdom, guiding us towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life.