Dharmaṃ ca palayanti te puṇyaṃ caivāgraṇī . Sarvam eva āgraṇī ced vā edā vedavidāṃ varaḥ .
“They protect Dharma and Punya is their foremost; if all Vedas are foremost then He is the best of Veda-knowing persons.”
Structure
Dharmaṃ ca palayanti te puṇyaṃ ca eva āgraṇī sarvam eva āgraṇī cet vā edā vedavidāṃ varaḥ
Te (they) dharmaṃ (duty) ca (and) palayanti (protect) puṇyaṃ (merit) ca (and) eva (indeed) āgraṇī (first) sarvam (all) eva (indeed) āgraṇī (is first) cet (if) vā (or) edā (these) vedavidāṃ (knowers of Veda) varaḥ (the best)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dharmaṃ | Dharmaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | righteousness, duty |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| palayanti | palayanti | verb | √pāl · present · third | they protect |
| te | te | pronoun | nominative · plural · masculine | they |
| puṇyaṃ | puṇyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | merit, virtue |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| āgraṇī | āgraṇī | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | leader, chief |
| sarvam | sarvam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | all, everything |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| āgraṇī | āgraṇī | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | leader, chief |
| cet | cet | indeclinable | — | if |
| vā | vā | indeclinable | — | or |
| edā | edā | indeclinable | — | in this way, thus |
| vedavidāṃ | vedavidāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of those who know the Veda |
| varaḥ | varaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | best, excellent one |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, Dharmaṃ ca palayanti te puṇyaṃ caivāgraṇī, highlights the preservation of dharma and the attainment of puṇya as the primary goals. According to Shankara, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the essence of both dharma and puṇya. The phrase 'sarvam eva āgraṇī' suggests that the knowledgeable person (vedavidāṃ varaḥ) sees the unity of all, transcending the distinctions between different dharmas and pūnyas. This non-dual reading is supported by Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras, where he argues that the absolute truth lies beyond the distinctions of the phenomenal world. The verse thus points to the identity of Brahman and Ātman, where the individual self (jīva) realizes its true nature as the ultimate reality, beyond the constraints of dharma and puṇya.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse in the context of the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of dharma and puṇya as means to attain the grace of the Lord. The phrase 'dharmaṃ ca palayanti' suggests that the Lord protects and preserves dharma, which is essential for the spiritual growth of the individual. The verse 'sarvam eva āgraṇī' implies that the Lord is the ultimate reality, and the knowledgeable person (vedavidāṃ varaḥ) recognizes this. Madhvācārya, in his Anuvyākhyāna, further emphasizes the devotional aspect, highlighting the need for self-surrender (prapatti) to the Lord, who is the ultimate authority on dharma and puṇya.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Vedas, emphasizes the universal and practical application of this verse. He interprets 'dharmaṃ ca palayanti' as the preservation of one's inner nature, which is the essence of dharma. The attainment of puṇya is seen as the cultivation of virtues, such as compassion and selflessness. The phrase 'sarvam eva āgraṇī' suggests that the individual should strive to see the unity and interconnectedness of all things. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on the Mahābhārata, highlights the contemporary relevance of this verse, arguing that it emphasizes the importance of living a life of integrity, compassion, and self-awareness. This verse, in the context of modern life, encourages individuals to cultivate a sense of purpose and meaning, and to strive for a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.