tataḥ śṛṇvann mahatāṃ vacaḥ
“Then he heard the words of the great sages.”
Structure
tataḥ śṛṇvann mahatāṃ vacaḥ
tataḥ (then) mahatāṃ (of great persons) vacaḥ (the words) śṛṇvann (listening)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śṛṇvann | śṛṇvann | verb | √śru · laṭ-participle · first|second|third | listening |
| mahatāṃ | mahatāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the great ones |
| vacaḥ | vacaḥ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine|neuter | speech, words |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse tataḥ śṛṇvann mahatāṃ vacaḥ signifies the importance of listening to the words of the great sages. According to Ādi Śaṅkarācārya, the words of the mahatāṃ (great sages) are a means to attain the ultimate reality, Brahman. The act of śṛṇvann (hearing) is not just a physical process, but a mental and spiritual one, requiring a deep sense of reverence and humility. The words of the great sages have the power to transform the individual, helping them to realize their true nature and attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. As Śaṅkarācārya would interpret, this verse suggests that the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is a vital aspect of the spiritual journey, and that the guidance of the great sages is essential for achieving spiritual growth and self-realization.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, the verse tataḥ śṛṇvann mahatāṃ vacaḥ is seen as an expression of devotion to the divine. The great sages, or mahatāṃ, are considered to be the embodiment of divine wisdom, and their words are seen as a manifestation of God's grace. Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, prominent Vaiṣṇava scholars, would interpret this verse as an emphasis on the importance of reverence and surrender to the divine. The act of hearing the words of the great sages is not just a intellectual exercise, but a devotional practice that helps the individual to cultivate a deep sense of love and devotion to God. This verse, in the context of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, highlights the significance of Rāma's devotion to the sages and his receptivity to their wisdom, which ultimately leads him to fulfill his divine mission.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): From a modern perspective, the verse tataḥ śṛṇvann mahatāṃ vacaḥ can be seen as a call to introspection and self-discovery. Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, prominent exponents of Neo-Vedānta, would interpret this verse as an encouragement to seek wisdom and guidance from within. The words of the great sages, in this context, represent the collective wisdom of humanity, which can help the individual to navigate the complexities of life and discover their own inner truth. The act of hearing and listening, in this sense, is not just a passive reception of knowledge, but an active process of self-reflection and self-discovery. This verse, in the context of modern spirituality, underscores the importance of embracing one's own inner wisdom and intuition, while also being open to the wisdom and guidance of others, in order to achieve personal growth and transformation.