tataḥ śvetair aśvai mahīṣī samārūḍhe tayor yathārhaṁ vṛttam ājñaptaḥ
“Then, duly informed about their (Brahma and others) arrival on white horses, mounted on a buffalo, he (Yudhishthira) acted accordingly.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetaiḥ aśvaiḥ mahīṣī samārūḍhe tayoḥ yathārhaṁ vṛttam ājñaptaḥ
tataḥ (then) śvetaiḥ (white) aśvaiḥ (horses) mahīṣī (the queen) samārūḍhe (having mounted) tayoḥ (of them) yathārhaṁ (according to propriety) vṛttam (the occurrence) ājñaptaḥ (was informed)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetaiḥ | śvetaiḥ | adjective | — | white, grey |
| aśvaiḥ | aśvaiḥ | noun | instrumental · plural · masculine | horses |
| mahīṣī | mahīṣī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | queen |
| samārūḍhe | samārūḍhe | verb | √rūḍha · past participle · third | having mounted |
| tayoḥ | tayoḥ | pronoun | genitive · dual · masculine/neuter | of them |
| yathārhaṁ | yathārhaṁ | indeclinable | — | as it was |
| vṛttam | vṛttam | verb | √vṛt · past participle · third | happened |
| ājñaptaḥ | ājñaptaḥ | verb | √jñā · past participle · third | was informed |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Mahābhārata, Shankara might interpret this verse as an illustration of the non-dual nature of reality. The white horses represent the pure and tranquil mind, while the buffalo symbolizes the ego or the conditioned self. Yudhishthira's actions, guided by the wisdom of Brahma and others, signify the realization of one's true nature (ātman) as identical with the ultimate reality (brahman). This verse can be seen as a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery, where the individual ego is transcended, and the true self is revealed. Shankara's reasoning on related passages, such as the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes the importance of self-inquiry and the realization of the non-dual nature of existence. This verse, in the context of Advaita Vedanta, points to the ultimate goal of human existence: the realization of brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self is seen as a manifestation of the universal Self.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as an example of the devotional relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Yudhishthira's actions, guided by the wisdom of Brahma and others, demonstrate the importance of seeking guidance from those who have realized the truth. The white horses and the buffalo can be seen as symbols of the various means of approaching the divine, with the white horses representing the path of knowledge and the buffalo representing the path of devotion. Ramanuja, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes the importance of prapatti, or self-surrender, as the means of attaining liberation. This verse can be seen as an illustration of Yudhishthira's prapatti, as he surrenders his actions to the guidance of the divine, demonstrating the Vaiṣṇava ideal of devotion and surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures on the Mahābhārata, might interpret this verse as a call to action, emphasizing the importance of selfless service and devotion to a higher cause. The image of Yudhishthira, guided by the wisdom of others, can be seen as a metaphor for the individual's role in society, where one must balance personal action with a sense of duty and responsibility to others. Radhakrishnan, in his writings on Indian philosophy, emphasizes the importance of the 'purushartha' or the four aims of human life, which include dharma (duty), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation). This verse can be seen as an illustration of Yudhishthira's pursuit of dharma, as he seeks to fulfill his duty as a king and a leader, demonstrating the universal and practical application of this verse in contemporary life, where individuals must balance personal and social responsibilities.