Tataḥ śvetavraṇo rājā cakāra śaraṇaṁ mahat
“Then the king with the white scars made a great resort”
Structure
Tataḥ śveta-avraṇo rājā cakāra śaraṇaṁ mahat
Tataḥ (then) śveta-avraṇo (with white wounds) rājā (the king) mahat (great) śaraṇaṁ (refuge) cakāra (took)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śveta-avraṇo | śveta-avraṇo | compound | bahuvrīhi · "śvetaḥ avraṇo yasya" | having a white covering or armour |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| cakāra | cakāra | verb | √kṛ · past · third | made, did |
| śaraṇaṁ | śaraṇaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | refuge, shelter |
| mahat | mahat | adjective | — | great |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, "Tataḥ śvetavraṇo rājā cakāra śaraṇaṁ mahat", when analyzed through the lens of non-duality, suggests the ultimate resort or refuge (śaraṇaṁ) is not an external entity but the inner Self or Atman. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtras, emphasizes the idea that the highest reality, Brahman, is the ultimate refuge for all beings. The king with white scars (śveta-avraṇo rājā) can be seen as a symbol of the individual self (jīva) seeking liberation. The 'great resort' signifies the understanding and realization of the identity of the individual self with the ultimate reality, Brahman. This interpretation aligns with Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, where he discusses the importance of realizing the oneness of Ātman and Brahman for achieving true liberation.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be understood as the jīva's (individual self's) quest for refuge in Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The 'king with white scars' can symbolize the soul bearing the scars of saṃsāra (the cycle of birth and death), seeking shelter in the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, highlights the importance of prapatti, or surrender to the Lord, as the means to achieving liberation. This verse, in the context of the Mahābhārata, may suggest that true refuge or shelter (śaraṇaṁ) is found in devotion to and dependence on the divine will, underscoring the personal relationship between the jīva and Īśvara. Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the difference (bheda) between the individual self and the Supreme, might interpret the 'great resort' as the ultimate dependence of the jīva on Īśvara for both worldly and spiritual well-being.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical applications of Vedāntic principles in everyday life. This verse can be seen as a call to seek a deeper, spiritual refuge in the face of life's challenges. The 'king with white scars' may represent the individual who, despite past failures or setbacks, seeks a profound and lasting solution. Vivekānanda might interpret the 'great resort' as the awakening to one's inner strengths and the realization of the divine within. This aligns with his message of self-empowerment and the potential for human perfection. S. Radhakrishnan, with his focus on the universality of religious experience, could view this verse as an illustration of the common human quest for meaning and transcendence, cutting across specific religious traditions. The 'great resort' then symbolizes the universal aspiration for a higher, more fulfilling life, which is accessible through self-reflection, spiritual practice, and a commitment to ethical living.