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Mahābhārata · 1.212
ततो धर्मराजस्तूर्णमुत्थाय युयुत्सया ।

tato dharmarāja stūrṇamutthāya yuyutsayā ।

Then Dharma-raja (Yama) quickly got up to go to the one who was eager to fight.

TTS

Structure

Padaccheda — word separation

tato dharmarājāḥ stūrṇam utthāya yuyutsayā

Anvaya — prose reordering

tato (then) dharmarājāḥ (the King of Dharma) stūrṇam (quickly) utthāya (having risen) yuyutsayā (with a desire to fight)

Word-by-Word Grammar

WordIASTTypeGrammarMeaning
tatotatoindeclinablethen, thereafter
dharmarājāḥdharmarājāḥnounnominative · plural · masculinethe rulers of dharma
stūrṇamstūrṇamverb√stṛ · pf. p. n. · thirdhaving been strewn or scattered
utthāyautthāyaverb√ut-√sthā · gerundhaving risen or gotten up
yuyutsayāyuyutsayānouninstrumental · singular · femininewith a desire to fight

Scholarly Commentary

Advaita Vedānta(Ādi Śaṅkarācārya)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, tato dharmarāja stūrṇamutthāya yuyutsayā, highlights the non-dual nature of reality when observed through the lens of Dharma-raja's action. According to Śaṅkara, actions such as rising quickly (utthāya) to approach one eager to fight (yuyutsayā) can be seen as manifestations of the ultimate reality, Brahman, acting through various personalities and roles. In his Brahmasutra Bhashya, Śaṅkara argues for the unity of all existence, citing the Upaniṣads' statements that ultimately, there is no duality. In this context, Dharma-raja's haste (stūrṇam) reflects the spontaneous and natural unfolding of events within the unified field of Brahman, illustrating how the ātman (individual self) and Brahman (universal self) are not separate entities but one and the same. This reading underscores the importance of transcending the phenomenal world's distinctions to grasp the underlying non-duality, echoing Śaṅkara's famous statement, 'Brahma satyam jagat mithyā, jīvo brahmaiva nāparaḥ,' which means 'Brahman is the only truth, the world is illusory, and there is ultimately no difference between the individual self and Brahman.' By considering Dharma-raja's action in this light, one moves closer to understanding the identity of Brahman and ātman.

Vaiṣṇava Tradition(Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya)

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be interpreted through the lens of the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, for instance, would view Dharma-raja's action as an illustration of the Lord's active engagement with the world, demonstrating both justice and mercy. According to Rāmānuja's Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, the universe is real and comprises sentient (cit) and insentient (acit) entities, all of which are interconnected and dependent on the Lord. Dharma-raja's rapid rise to confront the eager fighter symbolizes the Lord's prompt intervention in the lives of jīvas to guide them towards their ultimate goal, mokṣa, or liberation. This intervention is an act of divine grace, underscoring the personal and loving nature of the Supreme Being towards His devotees. Madhvācārya, from a Dvaita perspective, might emphasize the real distinction between the Lord and the jīva, seeing Dharma-raja's action as a display of the Lord's power and justice, highlighting the importance of devotion and recognition of the Lord's supremacy for the jīva's liberation.

Neo-Vedānta(Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan)

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, when viewed through the lens of Neo-Vedānta, offers profound insights into the universal principles governing human action and the pursuit of one's goals. Swami Vivekānanda, known for his practical Vedānta, might interpret Dharma-raja's quick action as a symbol of the energetic and purposeful engagement required for achieving one's aims, whether in the spiritual or worldly realm. In his lectures, Vivekānanda often emphasized the importance of self-control, concentration, and the will to succeed, qualities exemplified by Dharma-raja's decisive action. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, an exponent of Neo-Vedānta, might see in this verse a reflection of the dynamic interplay between the universal and the particular, the eternal and the temporal. For Radhakrishnan, Dharma-raja's action would embody the principles of justice, morality, and the balanced life, highlighting the need for individuals to align their personal will with the universal law (dharma) to find true fulfillment and contribute to the greater good. This reading makes the verse relevant to contemporary life, encouraging individuals to adopt a proactive, principled, and compassionate approach to their challenges and responsibilities.

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