Tataḥ śṛṇvan idaṁ vākyaṁ mumoca śokajaṁ nabhaḥ Ābāla-vṛddha-sametasya janasasya hṛdayaṁ vismayam āgamāt

Tataḥ (then) śṛṇvan (hearing) idaṁ vākyaṁ (this speech) nabhaḥ (from the sky) mumoca (released) śokajaṁ (born of grief) Ābāla-vṛddha-sametasya (of people including children and elderly) janasasya (of the people) hṛdayaṁ (heart) vismayam (wonder) āgamāt (came to)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Mahābhārata highlights the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the ultimate identity of Brahman and Ātman. In this context, the 'śokajaṁ nabhaḥ' (sorrow-born shower) symbolizes the veil of ignorance (avidyā) that obscures the understanding of this identity. As the sky releases its sorrow, it signifies the lifting of this veil, allowing for the realization of the true nature of reality. The 'hṛdayaṁ vismayam āgamāt' (hearts filled with wonder) represents the awe-inspired state of the individual who has glimpsed this ultimate truth. This verse, therefore, points to the brahman-ātman identity, underscoring the Advaita Vedānta thesis that the individual self is not distinct from the ultimate reality. Shankara's reasoning on similar passages in the Upanishads, such as the Chandogya Upanishad, emphasizes the importance of recognizing this non-dual identity to attain liberation (moksha).

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of the dependence of the jīva (individual soul) on Īśvara (the Lord). The 'śokajaṁ nabhaḥ' represents the grace of Īśvara, which is released in response to the devotion and surrender of the jīva. The 'hṛdayaṁ vismayam āgamāt' signifies the transformative power of this grace, which fills the hearts of all people with wonder and awe. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the importance of bhakti (devotion) in realizing the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara. This verse highlights the role of Īśvara's grace in lifting the sorrow of the jīva, underscoring the devotional reading of the Vaiṣṇava tradition. The relationship between the jīva and Īśvara is one of utter dependence, and this verse serves as a reminder of the necessity of surrender and devotion to experience the transformative power of Īśvara's grace.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a powerful metaphor for the human experience. The 'śokajaṁ nabhaḥ' represents the collective sorrow and suffering that pervades human existence. The 'hṛdayaṁ vismayam āgamāt' signifies the capacity for wonder, awe, and transformation that lies within each individual. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the innate potential for liberation and self-realization that resides within every human being. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, serves as a reminder of the need to transcend our individual and collective sorrows, and to tap into the transformative power of wonder and awe. As S. Rādhākrishnan notes, the ultimate goal of human existence is not merely to alleviate suffering, but to realize the full potential of human consciousness, which is capable of experiencing profound joy, compassion, and wisdom. This verse, therefore, has a universal and practical application, inviting us to reflect on our own capacity for transformation and growth.

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