vāsudevastvayā proktam yacca dharme sarvam eva tat
“All that you have said, O Vasudeva, is verily the Dharma.”
Structure
vāsudevaḥ tvayā proktam yac ca dharme sarvam eva tat
vāsudevaḥ (the Lord) tvayā (by you) proktam (has been spoken) yac (what) ca (and) dharme (in the matter of Dharma) sarvam (all) eva (indeed) tat (that)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| vāsudevaḥ | vāsudevaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Vāsudeva |
| tvayā | tvayā | pronoun | instrumental · singular | by you |
| proktam | proktam | verb | √prokta · past participle | spoken |
| yac | yac | indeclinable | — | and |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| dharme | dharme | noun | locative · singular · neuter | in righteousness |
| sarvam | sarvam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | all |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| tat | tat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Shankara interprets this verse as an affirmation of the non-dual nature of reality. He notes that Arjuna's acceptance of Krishna's words as 'dharma' signifies the realization that all actions and knowledge are ultimately rooted in the supreme reality, Brahman. This verse, therefore, points to the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman), underscoring the idea that true knowledge and action arise from this understanding. Shankara's reasoning is grounded in the concept of 'vivarta,' where the world is seen as a mere appearance of Brahman, emphasizing that all distinctions, including those between dharma and adharma, are ultimately transcended in the realization of the non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): For Rāmānujācārya, this verse highlights the dependence of the individual self (jīva) on the divine (Īśvara), emphasizing the devotional path as the means to understand and realize dharma. He interprets Arjuna's acknowledgment as an expression of surrender to Krishna, the embodiment of dharma, indicating that true knowledge and action can only be achieved through devotion to the Lord. Madhvācārya, while also focusing on the devotional aspect, emphasizes the distinction between the Lord and the individual self, suggesting that this verse underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting this distinction in the pursuit of dharma, thus highlighting the dualistic (Dvaita) perspective of reality.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda sees this verse as a call to action, emphasizing the practical application of spiritual principles in everyday life. He interprets Arjuna's acceptance of Krishna's words as a reflection of the universal principle that true knowledge and wisdom are those that lead to the betterment of humanity. Vivekananda connects this verse to his concept of 'practical Vedānta,' where spiritual growth is not merely an intellectual or speculative pursuit but a lived experience that transforms the individual and society. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan views this verse as an affirmation of the universal relevance of the Gītā's teachings, highlighting the importance of integrating spiritual values into modern life to achieve a more harmonious and just world.