tato bhīṣmo 'bhi-vadat prahṛṣṭaḥ śastra-pāṇir giri-śreṣṭham
“Then Bhishma, with a delighted heart and armed, addressed the best of mountains.”
Structure
tato bhīṣmaḥ abhivadat prahṛṣṭaḥ śastra-pāṇiḥ giri-śreṣṭham
tato (then) bhīṣmaḥ (Bhishma) prahṛṣṭaḥ (delighted) śastra-pāṇiḥ (with weapon in hand) abhivadat (addressed) giri-śreṣṭham (the best of mountains)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| bhīṣmaḥ | bhīṣmaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Bhīṣma |
| abhivadat | abhivadat | verb | √vad · past · third | spoke to, addressed |
| prahṛṣṭaḥ | prahṛṣṭaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | delighted, rejoiced |
| śastra-pāṇiḥ | śastra-pāṇiḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "śastraṃ pāṇiḥ yasya" | he who has a weapon in his hand |
| giri-śreṣṭham | giri-śreṣṭham | compound | tatpuruṣa · "giriḥ śreṣṭhaḥ" | the best of mountains |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, Bhishma's address to the best of mountains symbolizes the jiva's acknowledgment of the ultimate reality. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasutras (1.1.1) notes that the individual self (jiva) is non-different from the absolute reality (Brahman). Here, Bhishma, with a delighted heart, embodies the jiva's joyful recognition of its true nature, unencumbered by duality. Shankara's reasoning, as seen in his Upadesasahasri (1.14), underscores the necessity of understanding the non-dual essence, pointing towards the identity of Brahman and Atman. This verse illustrates the jiva's movement towards self-realization, reflecting the ultimate goal of Advaita Vedanta: the direct experience of non-duality, or the unity of all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is rich with devotional significance, as Bhishma's approach to the mountain can be seen as a symbol of the devotee's (jiva) relationship with the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Ramanuja, in his Sri Bhashya (1.1.1), emphasizes the loving dependence of the jiva on Īśvara, akin to Bhishma's reverence for the mountain, representing the Lord's majesty. Bhishma's delight signifies the joy of devotion, underscoring the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on bhakti as a means to experience divine love and proximity to God. Madhva, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (7.1), highlights the distinction between the jiva and Īśvara, yet their interconnectedness through devotion, illustrated by Bhishma's interaction with the mountain, symbolizing the reverent approach of the devotee to the divine presence.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse transcends traditional boundaries, offering a universal message of reverence and connection with nature and the divine. Vivekananda, in his lectures on 'The Real Nature of Man' (Complete Works, Vol. 2), speaks about the potential of every individual to realize their true, divine nature. Bhishma's delighted approach to the mountain signifies the human quest for the eternal and the infinite, reflecting Vivekananda's emphasis on the importance of experiencing the divine within and around us. Radhakrishnan, in his 'Indian Philosophy' (Vol. 1), discusses the concept of the universal self, highlighting the interconnectedness of all existence. This verse, through Bhishma's action, illustrates the practical application of such philosophical principles in daily life, encouraging a deeper appreciation and respect for the natural world and our place within it.