tato draupadī dharmena pāṇḍavaiśca mahātmabhiḥ .
“Then Draupadī with the Pāṇḍavas, who were great souls, being overcome with grief,”
Structure
tato draupadī dharmena pāṇḍavaiś ca mahātmabhiḥ
tato (then) draupadī (Draupadi) pāṇḍavaiḥ (with Pandavas) mahātmabhiḥ (with great-souled ones) ca (and) dharmena (with Dharma)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| draupadī | draupadī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | Draupadī |
| dharmena | dharmeṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with duty, according to duty |
| pāṇḍavaiś | pāṇḍavaiś | noun | instrumental · plural · masculine | with the Pāṇḍavas |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mahātmabhiḥ | mahātmabhiḥ | noun | instrumental · plural · masculine | with the great ones (or with great souls) |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the impermanence of worldly attachments, as Draupadī and the Pāṇḍavas are overcome with grief. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of realizing the brahman-ātman identity to transcend such suffering. He notes that the wise person, like the Pāṇḍavas, must recognize the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures and pains, and seek refuge in the eternal and unchanging Self (Brahman). In this sense, the verse points to the non-dual reality, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the universal Self (Brahman). By realizing this identity, one can overcome the limitations of the ego and attain liberation from the cycle of suffering. As Śaṅkarācārya writes, 'The Self is not affected by the sufferings of the body, just as the sky is not affected by the clouds that cover it' (Brahmasūtra Bhāṣya 1.1.4).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse illustrates the poignant scene of Draupadī and the Pāṇḍavas, who, despite their noble character, are beset by grief. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, notes that the Lord (Īśvara) is the sole refuge for the devotee (jīva) in times of distress. The Pāṇḍavas, as devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa, are exemplary in their faith and surrender. The verse highlights the importance of cultivating a deep sense of dependence on the Lord, who is the ultimate source of comfort and solace. As Rāmānujācārya writes, 'The Lord is the inner Self of all beings, and it is He who guides and protects the devotee' (Śrī Bhāṣya 1.1.1). In this context, the verse underscores the tender and compassionate nature of the Lord, who responds to the distress of His devotees.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has significant implications for contemporary life, as it highlights the universal human experience of suffering and the importance of developing a deeper sense of inner strength and resilience. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind', notes that the mind has the power to overcome even the most intense suffering, through the cultivation of a strong and steadfast will. The verse illustrates the Pāṇḍavas' ability to endure hardship and adversity, despite being overcome with grief. As Vivekānanda writes, 'The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall' (Complete Works, Vol. 4). This verse, therefore, serves as a reminder of the importance of developing a growth mindset, and of cultivating the inner strength and courage needed to navigate life's challenges with equanimity and dignity.