Tameva dṛṣṭvā mahate vṛṇvante Drupado rājā pitā tava dadhou tvāṃ putram ॥
“Having seen him alone, the great Drupada, your father, chose you as his son.”
Structure
Tameva dṛṣṭvā mahate vṛṇvante Drupado rājā pitā tava dadhou tvāṃ putram
Drupadaḥ (Drupada) rājā (the king) pitā (the father) tava (of you) tvāṃ (you) putram (son) dadau (gave) tameva (him alone) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) mahate (for a great one) vṛṇvante (they choose)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tameva | Tameva | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| mahate | mahate | noun | dative · singular · masculine | |
| vṛṇvante | vṛṇvante | verb | √vṛ · laṭ-present · third | they choose |
| Drupado | Drupado | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | |
| pitā | pitā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | |
| tava | tava | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | |
| dadhou | dadhou | verb | √dā · liṅ-optative · third | he may give |
| tvāṃ | tvāṃ | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | |
| putram | putram | noun | accusative · singular · masculine |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse 'Tameva dṛṣṭvā mahate vṛṇvante Drupado rājā pitā tava dadhou tvāṃ putram' points to the non-dual reality when understood in the context of the entire Mahābhārata. According to Śaṅkara, the ultimate goal of human existence is to realize the identity of brahman and ātman. This verse, though seeming to discuss a worldly adoption, can be seen as a metaphor for the search for the ultimate truth. The 'great Drupada' symbolizes the individual's pursuit of the Self, and 'choosing' the protagonist as his son signifies the recognition of one's true nature. Śaṅkara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras, particularly in the discussion of the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the ultimate reality (brahman), underlines the idea that the realization of this identity is the path to liberation. Thus, this verse, when seen through the lens of Advaita Vedānta, encourages the seeker to look beyond the apparent duality of the world towards the ultimate non-dual reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be interpreted as an example of the Lord's grace in the life of the devotee. Drupada, in his search for a worthy successor, is analogous to the devotee seeking to unite with the divine. The act of 'choosing' represents the divine grace that initiates this union. Rāmānujācārya's concept of 'prapatti' or total surrender to the Lord can be seen as parallel to Drupada's action, where one surrenders their desires and ego, allowing the divine to guide the path. Madhvācārya's emphasis on the distinction between the individual self and the Lord highlights the devotional aspect of this relationship, where the individual's recognition of their dependence on the divine leads to a deeper devotion. Thus, this verse, in the Vaiṣṇava perspective, underscores the importance of grace and devotion in achieving union with the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The contemporary relevance of the verse 'Tameva dṛṣṭvā mahate vṛṇvante Drupado rājā pitā tava dadhou tvāṃ putram' lies in its emphasis on the universal principles of identity, acceptance, and the pursuit of the higher self. Swami Vivekānanda's teachings on the practical application of Vedanta emphasize the importance of recognizing the divine in every being. This verse, in the context of modern society, can be seen as a call to transcend artificial boundaries and recognize the inherent worth and divine spark in every individual. S. Radhakrishnan's philosophical writings often highlighted the universalism and humanism rooted in Indian philosophy, which this verse embodies in its depiction of Drupada's choice, symbolizing the universal acceptance and equality that should guide human relationships. Thus, this verse, through the lens of Neo-Vedānta, inspires a more inclusive and spiritually aware approach to life, encouraging individuals to seek and recognize the divine in all, thereby fostering a global sense of unity and shared humanity.