tataḥ śvetavrajam āsīnān ṛṣīn dṛṣṭvā yayaū ca tān
“Then, having seen the ṛṣis sitting in the white grove, he went to them.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetavrajam āsīnān ṛṣīn dṛṣṭvā yayaū ca tān
tataḥ (then) śvetavrajam (to the white mountain) āsīnān (seated) ṛṣīn (sages) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) ca (and) tān (them) yayaū (he went)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetavrajam | śvetavrajam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | white (or northern) encampment, referring to the encampment of the Pāṇḍavas |
| āsīnān | āsīnān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | sages, ascetics (who were sitting) |
| ṛṣīn | ṛṣīn | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | sages, seers |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen, on seeing |
| yayaū | yayaū | verb | √yā · past · third | he went |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| tān | tān | pronoun | accusative · plural | them, those sages |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the sage's journey to the white grove symbolizes the aspirant's pursuit of Self-realization. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1) states that the knowledge of Brahman is attainable through the realization of the identity of the individual self (ātman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman). The white grove represents a state of purity and tranquility, where the discriminative faculty (viveka) is sharpened, enabling the aspirant to discern the non-dual nature of reality. The verse implies that the sage's approach to the ṛṣis is not a physical movement but a symbol of the inner journey towards the understanding of the ultimate reality, where the distinction between the individual self and the absolute Self is transcended.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse highlights the importance of seeking guidance from enlightened souls (ṛṣis) in the pursuit of spiritual growth. According to Ramanuja's commentary on the Brahmasutra (1.1.1), the ultimate reality (Brahman) is a personal deity (Īśvara) who is the object of devotion and loving service. The ṛṣis in the white grove represent the community of devotees who have realized their intrinsic dependence on the Lord and have attained a state of selfless love and devotion. The sage's approach to the ṛṣis symbolizes the aspirant's desire to cultivate a similar relationship with the Lord, recognizing the dependence of the individual self (jīva) on the divine (Īśvara) and seeking to realize the bliss of loving service (prema) in the company of like-minded devotees.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has a profound universal application, as it underscores the significance of seeking wisdom and guidance from those who have realized the ultimate truth. Swami Vivekananda, in his lecture 'The Aim of Vedanta' (Complete Works, Vol. 2), emphasized that the goal of human life is to realize one's true nature and to attain unity with the ultimate reality. The white grove represents a state of consciousness characterized by harmony, balance, and inner peace, which is accessible to all, regardless of their background or creed. The sage's approach to the ṛṣis symbolizes the universal quest for knowledge, wisdom, and self-realization, which is the common aspiration of humanity, transcending geographical, cultural, and temporal boundaries. This verse invites us to embark on a journey of self-discovery and to seek guidance from those who have realized the ultimate truth, in order to attain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.