Dharme jaye satye ca kim me pārthivādhipa

Pārthivādhipa (O King) ca (and) satye (in truth) jaye (victory) dharme (in righteousness) kim (what) me (to me)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Mahābhārata probes the nature of duty within the framework of righteousness, victory, and truth. Ādi Śaṅkarācārya, in his non-dualistic interpretation, would likely view the question as an inquiry into the ultimate reality, Brahman. The seeker is essentially asking about their role or duty in the context of these ideals, which Shankara would argue are mere projections or attributes of the ultimate reality. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, a text closely related to this verse in context and theme, Shankara emphasizes the importance of understanding one's true nature (ātman) as being identical with Brahman, beyond the ephemeral concepts of dharma, victory, or satya. Thus, the question 'what is my duty' becomes a pretext for realizing the self's true nature, beyond the dualities and conditioning of the world. This realization is the ultimate duty, as it encompasses all others by transcending them.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, with its emphasis on devotion and the personal relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord), interprets this verse as a yearning for guidance on how to live a life pleasing to the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his Bhagavad Gītā commentary, highlights the concept of prapatti, or total surrender to God, as a means to understand one's duty. For Rāmānujācārya, the question posed here reflects a desire to align one's actions with the will of Īśvara, seeking a path that embodies righteousness, truth, and ultimately, devotion to the divine. Madhvācārya, while sharing the devotional emphasis, would interpret this verse through the lens of his dvaita (dualistic) philosophy, focusing on the distinct yet interconnected nature of the individual self and God. Thus, 'what is my duty' becomes a query about fulfilling one's role in the world as a servant of the Lord, with dharma, victory, and truth serving as guiding principles in this endeavour.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, a proponent of Neo-Vedānta, would interpret this verse as a call to action, emphasizing the practical application of spiritual principles in everyday life. In his lectures and writings, Vivekānanda often stressed the importance of realizing one's inner strength and using it for the service of humanity, seeing this as the ultimate fulfillment of duty. He would likely view the question 'what is my duty' as an opportunity to discuss the universal principles of dharma, victory, and truth, not just in a spiritual or religious context, but in the context of global unity and human upliftment. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, with his emphasis on the synthesis of Eastern and Western thought, might see this verse as reflecting a universal human quest for meaning and purpose. He would connect the ideals of dharma, victory, and truth to the contemporary challenges faced by humanity, arguing that understanding one's duty involves recognizing and respecting the diversity of human experience while striving for a common good that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.

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