tato dharmarājasya putro dhṛtarāṣṭraśca rājaputraḥ
“Then the son of Yama, namely Yudhishthira, and Dhritarashtra the king's son”
Structure
tato dharmarājasya putro dhṛtarāṣṭraś ca rājaputraḥ
tato (then) dharmarājasya (of Yama, god of death) putro (son) dhṛtarāṣṭraś (Dhritarashtra) ca (and) rājaputraḥ (the king's son)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| dharmarājasya | dharmarājasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of Dharmarāja |
| putro | putro | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | son |
| dhṛtarāṣṭraś | dhṛtarāṣṭraś | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Dhṛtarāṣṭra |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| rājaputraḥ | rājaputraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | prince, king's son |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Mahābhārata presents an interesting case for non-dual interpretation. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, discusses the concept of 'putra' or son, emphasizing that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all worldly relationships. In this context, the mention of 'dharmarājasya putro' can be seen as a pointer to the ātman, the individual self, being a spark of the divine, underscoring the identity of Brahman and ātman. This reading aligns with Śaṅkarācārya's overall philosophy, where the distinctions between the individual self and the ultimate reality are transcended. The use of 'dhṛtarāṣṭraśca rājaputraḥ' following the introduction of Yudhishthira serves to further illustrate the illusory nature of worldly designations and relationships, pointing the seeker towards the non-dual truth beyond such distinctions.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is particularly noteworthy in the Vaiṣṇava tradition for its depiction of Yudhishthira as 'dharmarājasya putro,' emphasizing Yudhishthira's role as a protector of dharma, similar to how Viṣṇu, the Supreme Being, maintains the cosmic order. Rāmānujācārya would likely view this as an example of the jīva (individual soul) living in accordance with the will of Īśvara (the Lord), illustrating the harmony between the human and the divine. Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the distinction between the Lord and the souls, might interpret 'dhṛtarāṣṭraśca rājaputraḥ' as highlighting the contrast between those who follow the path of righteousness (like Yudhishthira) and those who are misled (like Dhritarashtra), underscoring the choice between devotion to the Lord and worldly entanglements.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā and Indian philosophy, often emphasized the universal applicability of ancient Indian wisdom. This verse can be seen as a call to recognize the inherent divinity within each individual, as implied by the term 'dharmarājasya putro.' Vivekānanda would likely interpret this as a reminder of the human potential for realizing one's true nature, beyond the confines of worldly identities and relationships. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, highlighted the importance of integrating the spiritual and the practical in human life. He might view 'dhṛtarāṣṭraśca rājaputraḥ' as symbolizing the dual aspects of human nature - the struggle between the aspirational (Yudhishthira) and the mundane (Dhritarashtra), encouraging a balance that fosters personal and societal growth.