Tataḥ śvetavrajo rājā dhṛtarāṣṭrastv asācata.
“Then the king Dhritarashtra with his white army faced him.”
Structure
Tataḥ śvetavrajo rājā dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ tv asācata
Dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ (Dhritarashtra) rājā (the king) śvetavrajo (with white parasol) tataḥ (then) tv (your) asācata (sat)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetavrajo | śvetavrajo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | one with a white chariot or vehicle |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ | Dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Dhṛtarāṣṭra, a proper noun (name of a king) |
| tv | tva | indeclinable | — | you |
| asācata | asācata | verb | √as · preterite · third | was, existed |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse 'Tataḥ śvetavrajo rājā dhṛtarāṣṭrastv asācata' can be seen as an allegory for the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara's commentary on the Mahābhārata does not directly address this verse, but in his Brahmasūtrabhāṣya, he explains that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all duality and distinction, including the concept of 'white' and 'black' or good and evil. The 'white army' of Dhritarashtra can be seen as a symbol of the illusory distinction between good and evil, which ultimately dissolves in the realization of the unity of Brahman. This verse, in the context of the Mahābhārata, points to the struggle between the individual self (jīva) and the ultimate reality, highlighting the need to transcend the limitations of the ego and realize the brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an illustration of the conflict between good and evil, with the 'white army' of Dhritarashtra symbolizing the forces of darkness and ignorance. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Mahābhārata, highlights the role of divine providence in the battle between the Pāṇḍavas and the Kauravas, emphasizing the idea that the jīva (individual self) must surrender to the will of Īśvara (the supreme lord) in order to attain liberation. The 'white army' of Dhritarashtra represents the forces that oppose the will of Īśvara, and the verse suggests that the devotee must confront and overcome these forces in order to achieve spiritual victory. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, emphasizes the dualistic nature of reality, highlighting the distinction between the devotee and the supreme lord, and the need for the devotee to cultivate devotion and surrender in order to attain liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse can be seen as a symbol of the eternal conflict between good and evil, with the 'white army' of Dhritarashtra representing the forces of darkness and ignorance. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Mahābhārata, emphasizes the importance of self-control and self-discipline in the face of adversity, citing the example of the Pāṇḍavas who, despite being outnumbered, ultimately emerged victorious due to their courage and determination. The verse highlights the need for the individual to cultivate inner strength and resilience in order to overcome the challenges of life, and to realize the ultimate goal of human existence, which is to attain spiritual freedom and liberation. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on the Mahābhārata, emphasizes the universal and practical application of this verse, highlighting the need for individuals to confront and overcome their own inner demons in order to achieve spiritual growth and self-realization.