sa rājā bṛhadratho rājye putraṁ hīnaḥ putravat-sambhavam
“That King Bṛhadratha, who was childless, performed a ceremony to beget a son like a man with a son.”
Structure
sa rājā bṛhadratho rājye putraṁ hīnaḥ putra-vat-sambhavam
sa (that) rājā (king) bṛhadratho (Bṛhadratha) hīnaḥ (bereaved) putra-vat (like a father) putraṁ (son) sambhavam (as if born) rājye (in the kingdom)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | that |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| bṛhadratho | bṛhadratho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Bṛhadratha |
| rājye | rājye | noun | locative · singular · neuter | in the kingdom |
| putraṁ | putraṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | son |
| hīnaḥ | hīnaḥ | indeclinable | — | without |
| putra-vat | putra-vat | compound | karmadhāraya · "putra-vat" | son-like |
| sambhavam | sambhavam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | possibility/procreation |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the human desire for progeny and legacy, which is rooted in the ego and a sense of separate existence. According to Shankara, this verse can be seen as an illustration of the concept of ātma-samarpana, where one surrenders their individual desires and expectations to the ultimate reality. In his commentary on the Brahmasutras, Shankara notes that the desire for a son is a manifestation of the ego's attempt to perpetuate itself, whereas the true Self is beyond such desires. The phrase 'putravat-sambhavam' suggests a sense of false identification with the role of a father, which is transcended when one realizes the brahman-ātman identity. This realization is the ultimate goal of human existence, and it is only through this understanding that one can truly find peace and liberation.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse can be seen as an example of the devotee's desire for a meaningful relationship with the divine. According to Ramanuja, the desire for a son is a natural human aspiration, but it must be subordinated to the desire for a relationship with God. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, Ramanuja notes that the term 'putravat-sambhavam' suggests a sense of dependence on God's grace, rather than mere human effort. The king's action of performing a ceremony to beget a son is seen as an act of devotion, where he acknowledges his limitations and seeks divine intervention. This verse highlights the importance of surrender and dependence on the divine will, which is a central theme in Vaiṣṇava theology.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse speaks to the universal human aspiration for fulfillment and meaning. According to Swami Vivekananda, the desire for a son represents the human desire for creative expression and legacy. In his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind', Vivekananda notes that this desire is rooted in the human potential for self-expression and manifestation. The phrase 'putravat-sambhavam' suggests a sense of possibility and potential, which is a fundamental aspect of human consciousness. This verse can be seen as a call to tap into this potential and strive for self-actualization, rather than mere external validation. As Radhakrishnan notes in his book 'The Hindu View of Life', this verse highlights the importance of cultivating a sense of inner fulfillment and purpose, which is essential for living a meaningful and fulfilling life.