sa tu dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavāṃs tvāṃ yathoktaṃ śaśi śiraḥ ।
“He, having thus seen the Pāṇḍavas, bowed to you with his head, like the moon.”
Structure
sa tu dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavān tvāṃ yathā uktaṃ śaśi śiraḥ
saḥ tu (he then) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) pāṇḍavān (the Pāṇḍavas) tvāṃ (you) yathā (as) uktaṃ (said) śaśi (moon) śiraḥ (on the head)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | then |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| pāṇḍavān | pāṇḍavān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | the Pāṇḍavas |
| tvāṃ | tvāṃ | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | you |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | as |
| uktaṃ | uktaṃ | verb | √ukta · past participle · third | it was said |
| śaśi | śaśi | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | moon |
| śiraḥ | śiraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | head |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the act of bowing by the subject to the Pāṇḍavas, likened to the moon, symbolizes the ultimate reality where the individual self (jīva) recognizes and submits to the universal Self (Brahman). Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality, where such distinctions between the self and the ultimate reality are transcended. The comparison to the moon, which is often seen as a symbol of the mind or consciousness, suggests the reflective and illuminating nature of this recognition. Thus, this verse can be seen as pointing towards the Brahman-ātman identity, where the individual ego dissolves into the universal consciousness, much like the way the moon's light is one with the sun's, illustrating the Advaitic principle of non-duality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, particularly through Rāmānujācārya's Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, views this verse as an expression of the loving relationship between the jīva (the individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The bowing of the head by the subject towards the Pāṇḍavas, as serene as the moon, signifies the surrendered heart of a devotee towards the divine. This act embodies bhakti or devotion, which Rāmānujācārya considers a primary means to achieve spiritual liberation. The moon, a symbol of serenity and peace, underscores the tranquil nature of devotion. Thus, this verse illustrates the Vaishnava emphasis on personal devotion and the path of love as a means to realize one's intrinsic relation with the Divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, emphasized the universal and practical applications of Vedantic principles in everyday life. He might view this verse as an illustration of the harmony and unity that can be achieved when the individual ego is transcended, much like the serene and unified light of the moon. The act of bowing, symbolizing humility and respect, is a call to action for contemporary society, highlighting the importance of mutual respect and cooperation. Furthermore, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, discussed the integration of the spiritual and the practical, suggesting that such a verse can inspire a way of living that values peace, harmony, and the pursuit of a higher truth, applicable in both personal and collective life, fostering a more compassionate and enlightened world.