Dharme yas tu mahatsvārājye'birato na vai .
“But he who is not attached to great sovereignty, that is to Dharma.”
Structure
Dharme yas tu mahat svārājye abhirataḥ na vai
yas (who) tu (indeed) abhirataḥ (inclined) na (not) vai (indeed) mahat (great) svārājye (in self-rule) Dharme (in righteousness)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dharme | Dharme | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in dharma |
| yas | yas | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| mahat | mahat | adjective | — | great |
| svārājye | svārājye | noun | locative · singular · neuter | in one's own kingdom |
| abhirataḥ | abhirataḥ | verb | √ram · past participle · third | delighted |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | indeed |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the importance of detachment from worldly possessions and desires, including the quest for sovereignty, in order to realize Dharma. According to Shankara, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond human conception and is the essence of Dharma. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara emphasizes that the realization of Brahman-ātman identity is the ultimate goal of human existence. This verse points to the idea that true sovereignty lies not in worldly power but in the realization of the Self, which is the ultimate reality. As Shankara notes in his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, 'The knowledge of Brahman is the means to attain the ultimate goal of human life.' By renouncing attachment to worldly sovereignty, one can attain the true sovereignty of the Self, which is the essence of Dharma.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse highlights the importance of selfless devotion to the Lord, who embodies Dharma. According to Ramanuja, the ultimate goal of human existence is to attain union with the Lord through selfless devotion and service. In his commentary on the Gita, Ramanuja notes that true freedom and sovereignty can only be achieved through surrender to the Lord. This verse points to the idea that attachment to worldly sovereignty is a hindrance to the attainment of this union. By renouncing such attachment, one can cultivate a sense of detachment and devotion, which is essential for realizing the Lord's grace. Madhva, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the Lord's sovereignty and one's own status as a servant. This verse, in Madhva's view, underscores the need to prioritize devotion to the Lord over worldly ambitions and desires.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a powerful message about the importance of living a life of purpose and meaning, unencumbered by worldly desires and ambitions. As Swami Vivekananda notes in his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind', true freedom and empowerment can only be achieved by cultivating a sense of detachment and inner strength. This verse points to the idea that true sovereignty lies not in external power or status but in the realization of one's own inner potential and purpose. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life', emphasizes the importance of integrating the individual's pursuit of self-realization with the broader social and cultural context. This verse, in Radhakrishnan's view, highlights the need to prioritize the pursuit of Dharma, or righteous living, over personal ambitions and desires, in order to create a more just and harmonious society.