S a evam uktvā tu janapadān dṛṣṭvā duḥkhitān. Kṛtsnam anusamṛtya tato vavre ha yataḥ.
“Having spoken thus, and seeing the people distressed, he then reflected on the whole matter, and chose his way.”
Structure
Saḥ evam uktvā tu janapadān dṛṣṭvā duḥkhitān kṛtsnam anusamṛtya tato vavre ha yataḥ
Saḥ (he) evam (thus) uktvā (having spoken) tu (indeed) janapadān (the people of the realms) duḥkhitān (who were afflicted) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) kṛtsnam (everything) anusamṛtya (having reflected) tato (then) ha (indeed) yataḥ (from where) vavre (he departed)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saḥ | saḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| evam | evam | indeclinable | — | thus |
| uktvā | uktvā | indeclinable | — | having spoken |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| janapadān | janapadān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | the people of the country |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| duḥkhitān | duḥkhitān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | afflicted ones |
| kṛtsnam | kṛtsnam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | the entire |
| anusamṛtya | anusamṛtya | indeclinable | — | having reflected on |
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then |
| vavre | vavre | verb | √vṛ · past · third | he chose |
| ha | ha | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| yataḥ | yataḥ | indeclinable | — | from where |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Mahābhārata illustrates the importance of introspection and self-reflection in the pursuit of understanding the ultimate reality. The phrase 'kṛtsnam anusamṛtya' suggests a comprehensive recollection or reflection on the entirety of existence. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahmasutras, emphasizes the need for such reflection to realize the non-dual nature of Brahman, the ultimate reality. The distress of the people (duḥkhitān) serves as a catalyst for this introspection, pointing towards the impermanence and sorrow inherent in the worldly realm, thus prompting a search for the eternal and blissful. This verse, in essence, points to the Brahman-ātman identity, encouraging the seeker to look beyond the ephemeral world and seek the permanent, all-encompassing Self. The act of reflection (anusamṛtya) is a crucial step in this journey, allowing one to discern the eternal from the transient.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as seen through the lens of Rāmānujācārya, views this verse as an illustration of the jīva's (individual soul) inherent longing for liberation and its dependence on Īśvara (the Lord). The distress of the people and the comprehensive reflection undertaken by the subject of the verse symbolize the jīva's plight in the cycle of birth and death (samsāra) and its quest for a means to escape this cycle. Rāmānuja's concept of 'prapatti' or surrender to the Lord is relevant here, as the verse suggests a turning point (vavre ha yataḥ) where the individual, after realizing the futility and suffering of worldly pursuits, seeks a higher path. This turning point is akin to the surrender of the ego and the acceptance of one's dependence on a higher power, facilitating the jīva's journey towards liberation through the grace of Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, key figures in Neo-Vedānta, would interpret this verse as a call to action and self-reflection in the face of adversity. The comprehensive reflection (kṛtsnam anusamṛtya) is seen as a universal principle applicable to individuals and societies, encouraging a deep examination of one's values, beliefs, and actions. This process of introspection, Vivekānanda would argue, is essential for personal growth and societal progress, allowing individuals to discern their higher purpose and contribute meaningfully to the world. Rādhākrishnan, meanwhile, might emphasize the importance of this verse in highlighting the human condition - our capacity for suffering and our innate desire for transcendence. The choice of one's path (vavre ha yataḥ) after such reflection symbolizes the human freedom and responsibility to create a better future, both personally and collectively, by aligning one's actions with a deeper sense of purpose and morality.