tataḥ śaśāṅkaśikharaṁ himavāntam் giriṁ dṛṣṭvā
“Then, seeing the mountain with a peak shining like the moon”
Structure
tataḥ śaśāṅkaśikharaṁ himavāntam giriṁ dṛṣṭvā
tataḥ (then) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) śaśāṅkaśikharaṁ (moon-peaked) himavāntam (snowy) giriṁ (mountain)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śaśāṅkaśikharaṁ | śaśāṅkaśikharaṁ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "śaśāṅkaḥ iva śikharaḥ yena" | having a peak like the moon |
| himavāntam | himavāntam | compound | — | snowy, Himavant |
| giriṁ | giriṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | mountain |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, describing the mountain with a peak shining like the moon, symbolizes the ultimate reality, Brahman, which shines like the moon, untouched and unchanging. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, highlights the importance of recognizing the non-dual nature of reality. In the context of this verse, the mountain represents the individual self, and the peak shining like the moon represents the ultimate reality, which is the true nature of the self. The act of seeing (dṛṣṭvā) implies a direct experience of this reality, transcending the duality of subject and object. This verse, thus, points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self realizes its true nature as the ultimate reality. As Śaṅkarācārya notes in his Upadeśasāhasrī, the realization of this identity is the key to liberation.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In this verse, the mountain with a peak shining like the moon represents the Lord's abode, and the act of seeing it signifies the devotee's longing for a glimpse of the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, emphasizes the importance of bhakti, or devotion, in realizing the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). The verse suggests that the devotee's gaze upon the mountain is, in fact, a gaze upon the Lord's manifestation in the world. The shining peak represents the Lord's grace, which illuminates the path for the devotee. The Vaiṣṇava tradition, thus, interprets this verse as an expression of the devotee's yearning for a personal experience of the divine, and the recognition of the Lord's presence in the world. As Madhvācārya notes in his commentaries, this experience is rooted in the distinction between the individual self and the Supreme Lord, and the devotee's surrender to the Lord's will.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, with its vivid imagery of the mountain and the moon, invites the reader to contemplate the universal and timeless aspects of human experience. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Upaniṣads, emphasizes the importance of direct experience and self-realization. The act of seeing the mountain, in this context, represents the individual's quest for a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. The shining peak, symbolizing the ultimate reality, represents the universal consciousness that underlies all existence. As Vivekānanda notes, this verse reminds us that our true nature is not limited by our individual egos, but is, in fact, connected to the universal and the infinite. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on Indian philosophy, highlights the relevance of this verse to contemporary life, where individuals are often disconnected from their natural surroundings and their own inner selves. The verse, thus, serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating a sense of wonder, awe, and connection to the world around us, and of recognizing our place within the larger cosmic reality.