sa tu dṛṣṭvā tu mahatāṃ mahato nipātam
“Having seen the great fall of the great”
Structure
sa - tu - dṛṣṭvā - tu - mahatāṃ - mahato - nipātam
saḥ (he) tu (then) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) tu (indeed) mahatāṃ (of the great ones) mahato (great) nipātam (the fall)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | verb | √dṛś · kṛtānī | having seen |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| mahatāṃ | mahatāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the great ones |
| mahato | mahato | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from a great one |
| nipātam | nipātam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | fall |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Mahābhārata, Śaṅkarācārya highlights the non-dual implications of this verse. The 'great fall of the great' signifies the collapse of worldly illusions, which conceal the ultimate reality of brahman-ātman identity. Śaṅkarācārya might interpret 'mahatāṃ mahato nipātam' as the cessation of the great misapprehension that separates the individual self (jīva) from the universal Self (brahman). This understanding is in line with his exposition of the Upaniṣads, where he emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality, suggesting that the ultimate reality is beyond human comprehension and duality. By recognizing the impermanence of worldly greatness, one may turn towards the pursuit of Self-realization, as hinted in this verse, thus aligning with the Advaita Vedānta's central theme of realizing the unity of all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, the verse 'sa tu dṛṣṭvā tu mahatāṃ mahato nipātam' underscores the transient nature of worldly achievements and the inevitability of decline. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, a part of the Mahābhārata, emphasizes the concept of 'prakṛti' and its role in the cyclical nature of creation and destruction, which could be seen as parallel to the fall of the great. This verse can be seen as a call to devotees to recognize the ephemeral nature of human greatness and seek refuge in the eternal and unchanging Īśvara (Lord). The relationship between jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara is one of dependence and devotion, where the jīva seeks liberation from the cycle of birth and death by surrendering to the will of Īśvara, highlighting the importance of bhakti (devotion) as a means to transcend worldly limitations.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his discourse on the practical applications of Vedānta in modern life, might interpret 'sa tu dṛṣṭvā tu mahatāṃ mahato nipātam' as a reminder of the impermanence of all earthly achievements, encouraging individuals to seek a more profound and lasting fulfillment. This verse can be linked to his emphasis on the universal principles of Vedānta, which advocate for the realization of the divine within every being. Vivekānanda's teachings on the importance of self-realization and service to humanity can be seen as a practical application of this verse, where recognizing the fall of human greatness leads to a shift in focus from personal aggrandizement to the betterment of society, thus reflecting the universal and practical application of Vedāntic principles in contemporary life.