Tataḥ śatakraṭau dṛṣṭvā putraṃ garbha ivāparam ।
“Then, he saw his son in the embryo-like form in the thousand-eyed (Śatakraṭu, i.e., Indra).”
Structure
Tataḥ śatakraṭau dṛṣṭvā putraṃ garbhe iva aparām
Tataḥ (then) śatakraṭau (having seen at the sacrifice) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) putraṃ (the son) garbhe (in the womb) iva (like) aparām (another)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śatakraṭau | śatakraṭau | noun | locative · dual · masculine | in the hundred-krayed one ( Yudhishthira ) |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| putraṃ | putraṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | son |
| garbhe | garbhe | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in the womb |
| iva | iva | indeclinable | — | like, as if |
| aparām | aparām | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | another, different ( woman ) |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Mahābhārata illustrates the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinction between the individual self (jīva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) is transcended. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes the importance of understanding the identity of Brahman and ātman. In the context of this verse, the 'thousand-eyed' Indra (Śatakraṭu) symbolizes the all-pervasive and omnipresent nature of Brahman. The 'embryo-like form' of the son represents the potential for self-realization, where the individual ego is transcended, and the true nature of the self is revealed. This verse thus points to the ultimate goal of Advaita Vedānta: the realization of the non-dual Brahman-ātman identity. As Šaṅkara notes in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, 'the Self is Brahman' (Ayam ātmā brahma), underscoring the fundamental unity of all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse highlights the intimate relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). According to Rāmānujācārya, the 'thousand-eyed' Indra represents the all-seeing and all-knowing nature of Īśvara, who is the inner guide and controller of all beings. The 'embryo-like form' of the son symbolizes the dependent and subordinate nature of the jīva, which is nurtured and protected by Īśvara. This verse thus illustrates the fundamental principle of Vaiṣṇava philosophy: the relationship of dependence (prakṛti-puruṣa) between the individual self and the ultimate reality. As Rāmānujācārya notes in his Śrībhāṣya, the jīva is 'supported by' (āśrita) and 'dependent on' (paratantra) Īśvara, emphasizing the devotional and loving relationship between the two.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound insight into the human condition, highlighting the potential for self-discovery and spiritual growth. As Swami Vivekānanda notes in his lecture 'The Cosmos: The Macrocosm', the 'thousand-eyed' Indra represents the infinite and multifaceted nature of the human psyche, which is capable of perceiving and experiencing the world in diverse ways. The 'embryo-like form' of the son symbolizes the latent potential within each individual, which can be nurtured and developed through self-reflection, introspection, and spiritual practice. This verse thus underscores the importance of recognizing and realizing one's true nature, which is a fundamental principle of Neo-Vedānta philosophy. As Rādhākrishnan notes in his book 'The Hindu View of Life', the ultimate goal of human existence is to 'realize the infinite within the finite', emphasizing the practical and universal application of this verse in contemporary life.