Tataḥ śvetavrajaṃ dṛṣṭvā tāṃ ca kṛtyāṃ ca dhīmanām .
“Then, having seen the white-dressed (Kṛṣṇa) and the wise (Draupadī),”
Structure
Tataḥ śveta-vrajaṃ dṛṣṭvā tāṃ ca kṛtyāṃ ca dhīmanām
Tataḥ (then) dhīmanām (of the wise/ intelligent ones) śveta-vrajaṃ (the white army/encampment) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) ca (and) tāṃ (that) kṛtyāṃ (deed/ action) ca (and)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śveta-vrajaṃ | śveta-vrajaṃ | compound | karmadhāraya · "śvetaḥ vrajaḥ" | white mountain (or possibly a mountain with a white path) |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| tāṃ | tāṃ | pronoun | accusative · singular · feminine | her, that one (feminine) |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| kṛtyāṃ | kṛtyāṃ | verb | √kṛ · liṅ-optative · third | may she do |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| dhīmanām | dhīmanām | noun | genitive or possessive plural · plural · masculine | of the wise or intelligent ones |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, where it mentions 'śvetavrajaṃ' (white-dressed, referring to Kṛṣṇa) and 'dhīmanām' (wise, referring to Draupadī), can be seen as a pointer to the ultimate reality, beyond the duality of the worldly appearances. According to Shankara's reasoning, as seen in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, the ultimate truth is not about the distinction between the knower and the known, the seer and the seen. In this context, the 'white-dressed' can symbolize purity, and 'wise' can symbolize the discriminative knowledge that leads to understanding the true nature of reality. Thus, this verse can be interpreted as guiding the seeker towards realizing the non-dual Brahman-ātman identity, where the distinctions and dualities are transcended. Shankara's emphasis on the non-dual nature of reality underscores the idea that the verse is not just describing physical or mental attributes but rather pointing towards the ultimate, indivisible reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse underscores the importance of devotion and the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, highlights the role of devotion in realizing the divine. The 'white-dressed' Kṛṣṇa, with His divine and pure nature, and 'Draupadī', with her exemplary devotion, together illustrate the ideal of surrender and devotion to the divine. According to Rāmānuja, this surrender is not just an intellectual acceptance but a heartfelt dedication to the Lord, recognizing one's own limitations and the Lord's omnipotence. This verse, therefore, teaches us about the path of devotion, where the individual self, acknowledging its dependence on the divine, strives for a deeper, personal relationship with Īśvara, embodied here by Kṛṣṇa.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical and universal aspects of Vedāntic teachings. This verse, with its reference to the 'white-dressed' and the 'wise', can be seen as symbolizing the ideals of purity and wisdom that are universally applicable. Vivekānanda, in his speech at the World Parliament of Religions, spoke about the importance of realizing the divine within and recognizing it in all beings. This verse, in the context of Neo-Vedānta, can be seen as a call to action, encouraging individuals to embody these ideals of purity and wisdom in their daily lives. It underscores the importance of self-reflection, recognizing one's own potential for wisdom and purity, and striving to realize it, just as Draupadī, through her wisdom, and Kṛṣṇa, through His divine nature, exemplify these qualities. This interpretation aligns with Vivekānanda's emphasis on the empowerment of the individual through the realization of their inner divinity.