tataḥ śatakratum upāgamya dhīman kṛtam astram upastṛim cakāra
“Then, having approached Śatakratu, the wise one made the completed missile and the upastr̥im.”
Structure
tataḥ śatakratum upāgamya dhīman kṛtam astram upastṛim cakāra
dhīman (wise one)tataḥ (then)śatakratum (to the one who performs a hundred rituals)upāgamya (having approached)kṛtam (prepared)astram (weapon)upastṛim (to cover)cakāra (made)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śatakratum | śatakratum | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | Indra (the one who has performed 100 Yajñas) |
| upāgamya | upāgamya | indeclinable | — | having approached, having come near |
| dhīman | dhīman | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | intelligent, wise one (referring to someone) |
| kṛtam | kṛtam | verb | √kṛ · past participle · third | made, created |
| astram | astram | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | weapon |
| upastṛim | upastṛim | verb | √stṛ · aorist · third | he covered, or overlaid |
| cakāra | cakāra | verb | √kṛ · aorist · third | he made, he did |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, Śatakratu represents the supreme deity, while the 'wise one' symbolizes the jīva who has realized its true nature. The act of approaching Śatakratu signifies the jīva's quest for Self-realization. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sūtra (1.1.5) highlights the importance of realizing the identity of brahman and ātman. This verse implies that the realization of the ultimate reality is the 'completed missile' that destroys ignorance. The 'upastra' or 'subordinate weapon' represents the discrimination between the real and the unreal. Thus, the verse points to the non-dual nature of reality, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately identical with the supreme reality (brahman). Shankara's reasoning on the Īśa Upaniṣad (1) also supports this interpretation, emphasizing the need to transcend the limitations of the individual self to realize the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse can be seen as an illustration of the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, with Śatakratu representing the divine. Rāmānujācārya's commentary on the Brahma Sūtra (1.1.1) emphasizes the importance of bhakti (devotion) in realizing the ultimate reality. The 'wise one' represents the devotee who, through devotion and self-surrender, approaches the divine and attains the 'completed missile,' which symbolizes the divine grace that destroys ignorance. The 'upastra' represents the secondary means, such as scripture and guru, that aid the devotee in realizing the divine. In his Śrī Bhāṣya (1.1.1), Rāmānujācārya highlights the role of bhakti in establishing a personal relationship with the divine, which is reflected in this verse.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse can be seen as a call to self-realization and empowerment. The 'completed missile' represents the human potential that is realized when one approaches the divine within. In his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind' (Complete Works, 2:12), Swami Vivekānanda emphasizes the importance of realizing one's inner potential and using it for the greater good. The 'upastra' represents the various yogic practices and disciplines that aid in realizing this potential. This verse highlights the practical application of spiritual principles in contemporary life, where individuals can tap into their inner strength and become agents of positive change. Vivekānanda's emphasis on the importance of self-reliance and inner strength is reflected in this verse, which encourages individuals to take charge of their lives and realize their full potential.