tato dharmarājyasya rājā janayat tvat . tat prajāsargaṃ vidadhat prajāpatiḥ ॥ ४४ ॥
“Then, the King, the Lord of Creation, created you for the sake of righteousness and the creation of people.”
Structure
tato dharmarājyasya rājā janayat tvat tat prajāsargaṃ vidadhat prajāpatiḥ
tato (then) prajāpatiḥ (the lord of creation) tvat (from you) dharmarājyasya (of the righteous kingdom) rājā (the king) janayat (will generate) tat (that) prajāsargaṃ (creation of beings) vidadhat (having created)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| dharmarājyasya | dharmarājyasya | compound | tatpuruṣa · "dharmarājyasya = dharmarājya-sya" | of the righteous kingdom |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| janayat | janayat | verb | √jan · laṭ-present · third | he generates |
| tvāt | tvāt | pronoun | ablative · singular | from you |
| tat | tat | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | that |
| prajāsargaṃ | prajāsargaṃ | compound | tatpuruṣa · "prajāsargaṃ = prajā-sargaṃ" | creation of living beings |
| vidadhat | vidadhat | verb | √dā · laṭ-present · third | he imparts, bestows |
| prajāpatiḥ | prajāpatiḥ | compound | — | the lord of created beings |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinction between the creator and the created is ultimately an illusion. According to Śaṅkara, the universe is a manifestation of Brahman, and all entities, including humans, are essentially Brahman. The phrase 'tato dharmarājyasya rājā janayat tvat' can be seen as an indication of the ultimate reality, where the king, representing the supreme consciousness, creates the world and all beings within it. This creation is not a literal, physical act but a metaphysical one, pointing to the unity and interdependence of all existence. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Śaṅkara explains that the world is a projection of Brahman, much like a dream is a projection of the mind. This verse, in the context of the Mahābhārata, serves as a reminder of the brahman-ātman identity, encouraging the seeker to look beyond the duality of the world and realize the non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as an expression of the loving relationship between the jīva (the individual self) and Īśvara (the supreme lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes the concept of prapatti, or self-surrender, as the means to attain liberation. In this context, the verse 'tato dharmarājyasya rājā janayat tvat' can be seen as an invitation to surrender to the will of the supreme lord, recognizing that all creation, including oneself, is a manifestation of God's love and purpose. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, would interpret this verse as highlighting the distinction between the independent reality of God and the dependent reality of the world. According to Madhva, the world is created by God for the sake of the jīvas, and the verse serves as a reminder of the jīva's dependence on God for liberation and self-realization.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound message for contemporary life, emphasizing the importance of living a life grounded in dharma, or righteousness. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Mahābhārata, highlights the need for individuals to recognize their place within the larger cosmic order and to contribute to the well-being of society. The phrase 'tato dharmarājyasya rājā janayat tvat' can be seen as a call to action, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for creating a just and harmonious world. S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical writings, expands on this idea, arguing that the creation of a new world order, based on the principles of justice, equality, and compassion, is the ultimate goal of human existence. This verse, in the context of modern life, serves as a reminder of the importance of living a life of purpose and meaning, and of recognizing our interconnectedness with all of existence.