tato duvāca pārthivān pāṇḍavo bhīma eva ca
“Then Bhim, the Pandava, spoke to the kings.”
Structure
tatoḥ duvāca pārthivān pāṇḍavo bhīmaḥ eva ca
tatoḥ (then) pāṇḍavo (Pāṇḍava) bhīmaḥ (Bheema) eva (alone) ca (and) pārthivān (kings) duvāca (spoke to)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tatoḥ | tatoḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| duvāca | duvāca | verb | √vāc · past · third | spoke, said |
| pārthivān | pārthivān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | kings, princes |
| pāṇḍavo | pāṇḍavo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | son of Pāṇḍu, i.e., the Pāṇḍava |
| bhīmaḥ | bhīmaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Bhīma, one of the Pāṇḍavas |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'tato duvāca pārthivān pāṇḍavo bhīma eva ca', highlights the importance of understanding the nature of the Self. According to Shankara, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond human comprehension. In his commentary on the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Shankara notes that the individual self, or jiva, is not separate from Brahman, but rather an illusionary distinction. Bhima's speech to the kings can be seen as a symbol of the individual's attempt to understand and express the ultimate reality, which is beyond words. Shankara's reasoning emphasizes that true knowledge can only be attained by transcending the limitations of the intellect and realizing the non-dual nature of Brahman-ātman. This verse thus points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self is ultimately one with the universal Self.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an example of the relationship between the jiva (individual self) and Īśvara (God). Ramanuja, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes the importance of devotion and self-surrender to God. Bhima's speech to the kings can be seen as an act of devotion, where the individual self (jiva) is seeking to understand and fulfill its duty (dharma) in relation to the divine. Madhva, on the other hand, would emphasize the distinction between the jiva and Īśvara, highlighting the independence of God's will. In this context, Bhima's speech represents the jiva's attempt to understand and align itself with God's will. Both Ramanuja and Madhva's perspectives emphasize the importance of devotion and self-surrender in achieving spiritual liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, 'tato duvāca pārthivān pāṇḍavo bhīma eva ca', has universal and practical applications in contemporary life. Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes the importance of self-expression and individuality. Bhima's speech to the kings represents the individual's need to express themselves and assert their identity. Radhakrishnan, in his writings on Indian philosophy, notes that the ultimate goal of human life is to realize one's true nature, which is beyond the limitations of the ego. This verse can be seen as a call to self-expression and self-realization, where the individual seeks to understand and fulfill their true potential. In modern times, this verse can inspire individuals to find their voice and assert their individuality, while also recognizing the interconnectedness of all human beings.