tataḥ śagvaḥ praviveśa tāṃ nagarī dharmarājyāṃ purī.
“Then Shagva entered that city, the capital of Dharma.”
Structure
tataḥ śagvaḥ praviveśa tāṃ nagarīm dharmarājyām purīm
tataḥ (then) śagvaḥ (the horse) praviveśa (entered) tāṃ (that) nagarīm (city) dharmarājyām (ruled by Dharma) purīm (the city)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śagvaḥ | śagvaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Brahma or Prajapati (name of a person) |
| praviveśa | praviveśa | verb | √viś · past · third | entered |
| tām | tām | pronoun | accusative · singular · feminine | that (feminine) |
| nagarīm | nagarīm | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | city |
| dharmarājyām | dharmarājyām | compound | tatpuruṣa · "dharmarājyasya" | the righteous kingdom |
| purīm | purīm | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | city |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse signifies the non-dual essence of reality as Shagva's entry into the city, the capital of Dharma, represents the seeker's journey towards Self-realization. Shankara's commentary on the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28) explains that the ultimate goal is to realize one's true nature, beyond the duality of subject and object. In the context of this verse, Shagva's entry into Dharmarajya symbolizes the individual's merger with the universal Dharma, transcending worldly distinctions. This echoes Shankara's concept of 'Aham Brahmasmi' (I am Brahman), underscoring the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). The verse thus alludes to the Advaitic notion of liberation (moksha) as the attainment of this fundamental non-dual awareness.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is seen as an allegory of the jiva's (individual soul) journey towards union with Ishvara (the Supreme Lord). The city, Dharmarajya, represents the divine realm, and Shagva's entry signifies the soul's longing to dwell in the presence of God. Ramanuja's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (18.66) highlights the importance of surrender (prapatti) to the Lord, which is reflected in Shagva's willing entry into the city. The relationship between the jiva and Ishvara is one of loving devotion, with the individual soul seeking to realize its inherent dependence on the Supreme. In this context, Shagva's actions exemplify the Vaiṣṇava ideal of self-surrender, demonstrating the path to spiritual liberation through devotion and loyalty to the Divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse emphasizes the universal principle of righteousness and morality as embodied in the concept of Dharma. Swami Vivekananda's lectures on the 'Universal Religion' (1896) stressed the importance of recognizing the inherent divinity in every being, which is reflected in Shagva's entry into the city of Dharmarajya. The verse encourages individuals to strive for a higher moral standard, embracing the ideals of justice, compassion, and selflessness. Radhakrishnan's writings on 'The Hindu View of Life' (1927) also underscore the significance of Dharma as a universal principle, applicable to all aspects of human existence. In contemporary life, this verse inspires individuals to cultivate a sense of responsibility, ethics, and social conscience, recognizing their role as active participants in the global community and striving to create a more just and harmonious world.