sa tu dṛṣṭvā cedam vṛpadam mahatāṃ patim
“Having seen this great chief of wolves”
Structure
sa tu dṛṣṭvā cetana vṛpa dam mahatām patim
saḥ (he) tu (then) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) cetana (this) vṛpa (boar) dam (this) mahatām (of great ones) patim (lord)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen, seeing |
| cetana | cetana | noun | — | intelligent being, consciousness |
| vṛpa | vṛpa | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | man, person |
| dam | dam | indeclinable | — | to him, him |
| mahatām | mahatām | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of great ones, of the great |
| patim | patim | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | lord, husband |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, 'sa tu dṛṣṭvā cedam vṛpadam mahatāṃ patim', the great chief of wolves symbolizes the jīva trapped in the cycle of suffering. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras 1.1.5, 'janmādy asya yataḥ', suggests that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the source of all existence. This verse, in the context of the Mahabharata, implies that the recognition of the 'great chief of wolves' as a symbol of suffering can awaken the seeker to the true nature of reality, leading to the realization of the non-dual identity of Brahman and Ātman. This realization is paramount for liberation from the cycle of suffering. Shankara's reasoning on the concept of 'mahatāṃ patim' as a symbol of the universe governed by a single principle underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between the individual self and the universe are transcended.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse, 'sa tu dṛṣṭvā cedam vṛpadam mahatāṃ patim', can be seen as an allegory for the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, with the great chief of wolves representing the Lord's omnipresence and control over creation. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya 1.1.1, discusses the concept of 'śeṣa-śeṣin' or the Lord and his servants, implying a relationship of dependence between the individual self and the ultimate reality. This verse, in the context of the Mahabharata, suggests that the jīva's recognition of the 'great chief of wolves' can lead to a deeper understanding of the Lord's sovereignty and the jīva's dependence on Him, thus fostering devotion and surrender. The Vaishnava tradition emphasizes the importance of this relationship in achieving liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): The verse 'sa tu dṛṣvā cedam vṛpadam mahatāṃ patim' can be seen as a call to recognize the universal forces that shape our lives, symbolized by the 'great chief of wolves'. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Cosmology and Psychology of the Upaniṣads', emphasizes the importance of understanding the universe as an interconnected whole. This verse, when applied to contemporary life, encourages us to look beyond individual struggles and recognize the larger forces at play, whether they be social, economic, or environmental. By acknowledging these forces, we can work towards creating positive change and fostering a sense of unity and cooperation, reflecting the universal and practical application of this ancient wisdom. Vivekānanda's writings on the harmony between the individual and the universe are particularly relevant in this context.