tataḥ śvetavrajā vṛddhā śavaśāstrānusāriṇī.
“Then following the śāstra, she whose garment was white and who was old.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetavrajā vṛddhā śavaśāstrānusāriṇī
tataḥ (then) śvetavrajā (having white goats) vṛddhā (old) śavaśāstra (corpse) anusāriṇī (following the)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetavrajā | śvetavrajā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | of white (or fair) dwelling |
| vṛddhā | vṛddhā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | old, aged |
| śavaśāstrānusāriṇī | śavaśāstrānusāriṇī | compound | karmadhāraya · "śavaśāstrānusāriṇī = śavaśāstra-anusāriṇī" | one who follows the doctrine of Śiva |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Mahābhārata, 'tataḥ śvetavrajā vṛddhā śavaśāstrānusāriṇī', presents an intriguing opportunity to delve into the non-dualistic interpretation. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the ultimate reality of Brahman and the illusion of the phenomenal world. In this context, the 'śvetavrajā vṛddhā' or the old woman in white, symbolizes the guidance towards the realization of the Ātman, the individual self, which is essentially non-different from Brahman. This guidance is 'śavaśāstrānusāriṇī', following the śāstra or the sacred texts, leading the seeker towards the understanding that the distinctions between the old and the new, the pure and the impure, are mere appearances in the realm of Maya. Thus, the verse points to the Brahman-Ātman identity, where the individual self, through the realization of its true nature, transcends the limitations of the physical and worldly attachments.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be seen as an illustration of the relationship between the jīva (the individual soul) and Īśvara (the supreme lord). The 'śvetavrajā vṀddhā' may represent the jīva, clothed in the white garment of purity and wisdom, which is a prerequisite for approaching the divine. The act of following 'śavaśāstrānusāriṇī' signifies the jīva's adherence to the sacred scriptures and the path laid down by Īśvara for the jīva's liberation. Rāmānujācārya would likely interpret this verse as highlighting the importance of prapatti, or self-surrender, where the jīva, recognizing its own limitations and the majesty of Īśvara, surrenders itself to the divine will. This act of surrender is facilitated by the guidance of the śāstras, leading the jīva towards the ultimate goal of residing in the presence of Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the universal and practical aspects of Vedāntic teachings. He would likely interpret the 'śvetavrajā vṛddhā' as a symbol of the wise and aged soul, who, having traversed the journey of life, has acquired the wisdom and purity represented by the white garment. The adherence to 'śavaśāstrānusāriṇī' would signify the importance of living a life guided by principles and values derived from sacred knowledge. This interpretation resonates with Vivekānanda's call for individuals to realize their inner strength and potential, and to live a life of service and compassion, unattached to the fleeting pleasures of the world. In contemporary life, this verse can be seen as a reminder of the importance of seeking wisdom, living a principled life, and cultivating the qualities of compassion and selflessness, as exemplified by the figure of the wise old woman.