pitṛṇām api cādhiīśa tan me brūhi gṛham astu me
“Tell me, O Lord, about my father’s kingdom, and let my home be there.”
Structure
pitṛṇām api ca adhīśa tat me brūhi gṛham astu me
pitṛṇām (of the ancestors) api (also) ca (and) adhīśa (you) tat (that) me (to me) brūhi (tell) gṛham (my home) me (my) astu (be)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pitṛṇām | pitṛṇām | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the ancestors |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| adhīśa | adhīśa | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | lord |
| tat | tat | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | that |
| me | me | pronoun | dative · singular · masculine | to me |
| brūhi | brūhi | verb | √brū · liṅ-optative · second | tell |
| gṛham | gṛham | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | home |
| astu | astu | verb | √as · liṅ-optative · third | let it be |
| me | me | pronoun | dative · singular · masculine | to me |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, pitṛṇām api cādhiīśa tan me brūhi gṛham astu me, when examined through the lens of non-dualism, reveals the seeker's quest for the ultimate reality. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasūtras, particularly his discourse on the nature of Brahman and the world, illuminates how the concept of 'gṛham' (home) can be seen as a metaphor for the individual's true nature, which is none other than Brahman itself. The verse thus embodies the longing to realize this true home, beyond the ephemeral 'home' in the material sense. The Adhiśa, or Lord, here symbolizes the ultimate reality, to which the individual (jīva) aspires to unite, underscoring the central theme of Advaita Vedānta - the identity of Ātman and Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse from the Mahābhārata can be seen as an expression of devotion and surrender to the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Gītā, emphasizes the importance of prapatti, or total surrender to God. The speaker's plea to the Adhiśa to tell them about their father's kingdom and to let their home be there can be interpreted as a yearning for union with the divine, where 'father's kingdom' symbolizes the divine realm and 'home' signifies the ultimate refuge in God. This reading highlights the intimate relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the individual seeks not only knowledge but also shelter and guidance from the Lord, exemplifying the Vaiṣṇava path of devotion and dependence on God's grace.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda and S. Radhakrishnan, key figures in Neo-Vedānta, would interpret this verse in the context of universal applicability and practical spirituality. According to Vivekananda, the longing for one's 'home' (gṛham) is symbolic of the universal quest for peace and self-realization. In his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, Vivekananda emphasizes the importance of realising one's true nature, which is beyond the confines of the material world. Radhakrishnan, drawing from the Mahābhārata and other scriptures, would argue that this verse represents the human aspiration for a transcendent home, a state of being that is untouched by the vicissitudes of life. This interpretation resonates with contemporary life, where individuals seek inner peace and a sense of belonging that transcends physical and material boundaries.