Dharma eva hi tā vatāṃ śyām akṛtaṃ ca pāpam | śṛṇu rājan mahābhūtānī vṛṇuḥ
“In one who follows Dharma, no harm (tā) is done to any being and no sin (pāpam) is committed; listen, king, and then choose”
Structure
Dharma eva hi tā vatāṃ śyāma akṛtaṃ ca pāpam śṛṇu rājan mahābhūtānī vṛṇuḥ
Dharmaḥ (righteousness) eva (indeed) hi (for) tā vatāṃ (at that time) śyāma (dark) akṛtaṃ (has not been done) ca (and) pāpam (sin) śṛṇu (listen) rājan (O king) mahābhūtānī (of the elements) vṛṇuḥ (select)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dharma | Dharma | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | righteousness |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for |
| tā | tā | pronoun | nominative · plural · neuter | those |
| vatāṃ | vatāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of you |
| śyāma | śyāma | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | black or dark |
| akṛtaṃ | akṛtaṃ | verb | √kṛ · past participle · third | has not done |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| pāpam | pāpam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | sin |
| śṛṇu | śṛṇu | verb | √śru · imperative · second | listen |
| rājan | rājan | noun | vocative · singular · masculine | king |
| mahābhūtānī | mahābhūtānī | compound | tatpuruṣa · "mahābhūtānī" | great elements |
| vṛṇuḥ | vṛṇuḥ | verb | √vṛ · imperative · second | choose |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the significance of following Dharma, which, according to Shankara, leads to the realization of the ultimate reality, Brahman. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, Shankara emphasizes that the performance of actions in accordance with Dharma, without attachment, is a means to achieve self-realization. The phrase 'no harm is done to any being' points to the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between beings are transcended. Shankara's reasoning on similar passages, such as the verse from the Katha Upanishad, 'na tasya prāṇā utkrāmanti' (the life-breath does not depart from him), highlights that the one who follows Dharma becomes one with Brahman, thereby transcending the limitations of individual existence. This verse, hence, is seen as a pointer to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self realizes its oneness with the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as emphasizing the importance of following Dharma in the context of devotion to Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, commentary on the Brahma Sutras, underscores that Dharma is the means through which the jīva (individual self) can attain proximity to Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The phrase 'no harm is done to any being' is seen as an expression of the jīva's inherent compassion and love for all beings, which is a reflection of Īśvara's own nature. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Mahābhārata, highlights that the performance of actions in accordance with Dharma is a means to please Īśvara and attain liberation. This verse, thereby, is understood as a call to follow Dharma as a means to deepen one's devotion to the Supreme Lord and to realize the ultimate goal of liberation through devotion.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse is seen as a universal message, applicable to all humanity, irrespective of religious or cultural affiliations. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Mahābhārata, emphasizes the importance of following Dharma as a means to achieve inner peace and harmony. The phrase 'no harm is done to any being' is interpreted as a call to cultivate compassion and non-violence towards all living beings. In his speech at the World Parliament of Religions, Vivekānanda highlighted the significance of this verse in the context of promoting global understanding and peace. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on the Upanishads, underscores that the pursuit of Dharma is not merely a moral or ethical imperative but a means to realize one's true nature, which is characterized by wisdom, love, and compassion. This verse, hence, is seen as a practical guide for contemporary life, encouraging individuals to follow a path of non-violence, compassion, and self-realization, leading to a more harmonious and peaceful world.