Tataḥ śatakraṭau dṛṣṭvā putraṁ puṇyakarmaṇi kṣipraṁ mumoca vadhena
“Then having seen his son at the great sacrificer (Yajna), he quickly released him from death.”
Structure
Tataḥ śatakraṭau dṛṣṭvā putraṁ puṇya-karmaṇi kṣipraṁ mumoca vadhena
Tataḥ (then) śatakraṭau (at the sacrifice) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) puṇya-karmaṇi (the doer of good deeds) putraṁ (son) kṣipraṁ (quickly) vadhena (by killing) mumoca (he released)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śatakraṭau | śatakraṭau | noun | locative · dual · masculine | in the presence of Śatakraṭu (a name) |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| putraṁ | putraṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | son |
| puṇya-karmaṇi | puṇya-karmaṇi | compound | bahuvrīhi · "puṇya-karman + i (locative form of bahuvrīhi)" | one whose deeds are virtuous or the doer of virtuous deeds |
| kṣipraṁ | kṣipraṁ | indeclinable | — | quickly |
| mumoca | mumoca | verb | √muc · preterite · third | released, let go |
| vadhena | vadhena | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by killing |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse encapsulates the non-dual essence of reality as per Advaita Vedānta. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtras, often emphasizes the ultimate identity of Brahman and Ātman. Although there is no direct commentary by Shankara on this specific verse, the idea of release from death (vadhena) can be seen as a metaphor for liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsāra). The 'great sacrificer' (śatakraṭau) symbolizes the ultimate reality, and the son's release signifies the jīva's (individual self) realization of its true nature as Brahman. This interpretation aligns with Shankara's reasoning in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, where he discusses the process of realizing the Ātman. The non-dual reading of this verse thus underscores the central theme of Advaita Vedānta: the pursuit of knowledge (jñāna) to attain liberation (mokṣa). By understanding the true nature of reality, one transcends the limitations of the individual self and realizes the unity of all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is often interpreted through the lens of bhakti (devotion) and the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, discusses the concept of prapatti (surrender), which is relevant to this verse. The son's release from death can be seen as a symbol of the Lord's grace and mercy towards the devotee. The 'great sacrificer' represents the divine, and the act of release signifies the Lord's role in liberating the jīva from the bondage of karma. This interpretation is in line with Rāmānujācārya's philosophy of Viśiṣṭādvaita, which emphasizes the qualified non-dual nature of reality. Madhvācārya's Dvaita Vedānta, on the other hand, might view this verse as an illustration of the Lord's absolute control over the universe and the jīva's complete dependence on Him. The verse thus highlights the significance of devotion and surrender in achieving spiritual liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda's teachings often emphasized the practical application of Vedāntic principles in everyday life. In the context of this verse, one can see the relevance of selfless action (nishkāma karma) and the pursuit of spiritual growth. The 'great sacrificer' can be interpreted as a symbol of the higher self or the divine within, and the son's release from death represents the individual's liberation from the limitations of the ego. Vivekananda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, often discussed the importance of realizing one's true nature and transcending the boundaries of the individual self. This verse can be seen as an encouragement to strive for self-realization and to cultivate a sense of inner freedom. S. Radhakrishnan, in his writings, also emphasized the universal significance of such verses, highlighting their relevance to contemporary life. He often spoke about the need to integrate spiritual values into daily life, and this verse can be viewed as a reminder of the importance of living a life guided by higher principles and a sense of purpose.