rājaguhyaṁ pravakṣyāmi rahasyaṁ sanātanam | yena sarvān arīn vṛṇute rājā ca vihāyati ||
“I shall speak to you the eternal secret, the royal mystery, by which you will conquer all enemies and enjoy the kingdom.”
Structure
rājaguhyam pravakṣyāmi rahasyaṁ sanātanam yena sarvān arīn vṛṇute rājā ca vihāyati
ahaṁ (I) rājaguhyam (the king's secret) pravakṣyāmi (will tell) rahasyaṁ (secret) sanātanam (eternal) yena (by which) rājā (a king) sarvān (all) arīn (enemies) vṛṇute (destroys) ca (and) vihāyati (transcends)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rājaguhyam | rājaguhyaṁ | compound | karmadhāraya · "rājasya guhyam" | royal secret |
| pravakṣyāmi | pravakṣyāmi | verb | √vac · laṭ-future · first | I will speak |
| rahasyaṁ | rahasyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | secret |
| sanātanam | sanātanam | adjective | — | eternal |
| yena | yena | indeclinable | — | by which |
| sarvān | sarvān | adjective | — | all |
| arīn | arīn | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | enemies |
| vṛṇute | vṛṇute | verb | √vṛ · laṭ-present · third | he chooses |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| vihāyati | vihāyati | verb | √hā · laṭ-present · third | he rejoices |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya interprets this verse as a pointer to the ultimate reality, Brahman. The 'royal mystery' (rājaguhyaṁ) refers to the knowledge of the Self (ātman), which is beyond human comprehension. By realizing this mystery, one conquers all enemies, namely, the illusions (avidyā) that obscure the true nature of the Self. Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning, as seen in his commentary on BG 2.11, emphasizes the importance of self-inquiry (ātma-vicāra) to attain this knowledge. The phrase 'sarvān arīn vṛṇute' suggests the removal of all obstacles to self-realization, leading to the direct experience of the non-dual Brahman-ātman identity. This interpretation underscores the Advaita emphasis on the ultimate unity of existence, where the individual self (jīva) is not separate from the universal Self (Brahman).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Rāmānujācārya's commentary on this verse, the Śrībhāṣya, highlights the relationship between the individual (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). The 'royal mystery' refers to the gracious bestowal of divine knowledge by Īśvara, enabling the jīva to overcome all adversaries, including the forces of ignorance and evil. Rāmānuja's philosophy, as outlined in his Gītabhāṣya, emphasizes the role of devotion (bhakti) and self-surrender (prapatti) in attaining this knowledge. The phrase 'rājā ca vihāyati' suggests the jīva's ultimate union with Īśvara, where the individual enjoys the bliss of liberation (mokṣa) while still maintaining their unique identity. In contrast, Madhvācārya's Dvaita interpretation might view the 'royal mystery' as a reference to the inscrutable will of Īśvara, which guides the jīva towards liberation. The verse, in this context, underscores the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara's grace for spiritual progress.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets this verse as a call to practical spiritual action. The 'royal mystery' represents the innate potential within each individual, waiting to be unleashed through self-effort and dedication. Vivekānanda's emphasis on the importance of 'ātmano mokṣārtham jagat hitāya ca' (for one's own liberation and for the welfare of the world) is reflected in this verse, where the conquest of enemies and enjoyment of the kingdom symbolize the triumph of the higher self over the lower, ego-bound personality. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, further elaborates on this theme, highlighting the universal applicability of this verse in contemporary life. The 'royal mystery' can be seen as a metaphor for the hidden reserves of strength and resilience within each individual, which, when tapped, enable them to overcome life's challenges and achieve their full potential, contributing to the greater good of society.