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Mahābhārata · 1.399
ततः शुत्स्नः प्रविशन्सदसः प्रजापतीनां पितॄणां च देवाश्च ।

tataḥ śutsnaḥ praviśan sadasaḥ prajāpatīnāṃ pitṛṇāṃ ca devāś ca .

Then Śutsna entered the assembly of Prajapatis, Pitris and Devas.

TTS

Structure

Padaccheda — word separation

tataḥ śutsnaḥ praviśan sadasaḥ prajāpatīnāṃ pitṛṇāṃ ca devāś ca

Anvaya — prose reordering

tataḥ (then) śutsnaḥ (Shutsna) praviśan (entered) sadasaḥ (the assembly) prajāpatīnāṃ (of Prajapatis) pitṛṇāṃ (of Pitris) ca (and) devāś (of Devas) ca (and)

Word-by-Word Grammar

WordIASTTypeGrammarMeaning
tataḥtataḥindeclinablethen, thereafter
śutsnaḥśutsnaḥnounnominative · singular · masculineŚutsna (proper noun, name of a person)
praviśanpraviśanverb√viś · present participle · thirdentering
sadasaḥsadasaḥnounaccusative · plural · masculinethe assembly, gathering
prajāpatīnāṃprajāpatīnāṃnoungenitive · plural · masculineof Prajāpatis (lords of creation)
pitṛṇāṃpitṛṇāṃnoungenitive · plural · masculineof the ancestors
cacaindeclinableand
devāśdevāśnounnominative · plural · masculinegods
cacaindeclinableand

Scholarly Commentary

Advaita Vedānta(Ādi Śaṅkarācārya)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In the context of this verse, the entry of Śutsna into the assembly of Prajapatis, Pitris, and Devas can be seen as a symbol of the individual self (jīva) realizing its non-dual nature with the ultimate reality (Brahman). Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the importance of understanding the ultimate reality as the unchanging, all-pervading essence that underlies all existence. This verse can be interpreted through the lens of Advaita Vedānta as pointing towards the brahman-ātman identity, where the distinctions between the individual self and the divine are transcended. The assembly of Prajapatis, Pitris, and Devas represents the manifold manifestations of Brahman, and Śutsna's entry into this assembly symbolizes the individual's recognition of its true, non-dual nature. Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning, as seen in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, emphasizes the importance of self-inquiry and the realization of the Ātman as the means to understand this non-dual reality.

Vaiṣṇava Tradition(Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya)

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse highlights the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, discusses the concept of the jīva's inherent dependence on Īśvara and the importance of bhakti (devotion) in realizing this relationship. The assembly of Prajapatis, Pitris, and Devas, with Śutsna's entry, can be seen as a representation of the jīva's approach towards Īśvara, facilitated by devotion and surrender. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Mahābhārata, might view this verse as illustrating the doctrine of svatantra (independence) of the Supreme Lord, where the jīva's actions are ultimately dependent on the will of Īśvara. The Vaiṣṇava tradition, through this verse, emphasizes the devotional path as a means to understand and experience the loving relationship between the jīva and Īśvara.

Neo-Vedānta(Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan)

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the universal and practical applications of Vedāntic principles. This verse can be seen as symbolizing the individual's journey towards self-realization and unity with the universal consciousness. Vivekānanda might interpret Śutsna's entry into the assembly as the individual's aspiration to transcend the limitations of the ego and realize its true, divine nature. In contemporary life, this verse can be related to the pursuit of personal growth, self-awareness, and spiritual evolution. S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, discusses the importance of integrating the spiritual and the practical aspects of life, suggesting that the realization of the ultimate reality is not separate from everyday human experience. This verse, through a Neo-Vedāntic lens, encourages the individual to seek a deeper understanding of themselves and their place within the universe, fostering a sense of unity, compassion, and purpose.

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