Tataḥ śūraḥ pṛthivyā rājasūyena digvijayaḥ
“Then the conquest of the world was achieved through the Rājasūya sacrifice.”
Structure
Tataḥ śūraḥ pṛthivyā rājasūyena digvijayaḥ
Śūraḥ (hero) tataḥ (then) pṛthivyā (of the earth) rājasūyena (with Rājasūya) digvijayaḥ (conquest of directions)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śūraḥ | śūraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | hero |
| pṛthivyā | pṛthivyā | noun | ablative · singular · feminine | from the earth |
| rājasūyena | rājasūyena | compound | tatpuruṣa · "rājasūyena" | by the Rājasūya [sacrifice] |
| digvijayaḥ | digvijayaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | conquest of the directions |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the phrase 'ततः शूरः पृथिव्या राजसूयेन दिग्वijayaḥ' signifies the conquest of the world through the Rājasūya sacrifice, which from a non-dual perspective, symbolizes the ultimate victory of the Self (Ātman) over the worldly attachments and ignorance. According to Shankara, the Rājasūya sacrifice can be seen as a metaphor for the introspective journey where the individual ego (jīva) is sublated, leading to the realization of the absolute identity between Brahman and Ātman. The word 'शूरः' (śūraḥ), meaning brave or heroic, signifies the courage required to undertake this inner conquest. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.5) and the Brahmasutra (1.1.1) further elucidates this idea, emphasizing that true conquest lies not in external victories but in the realization of one's true nature as Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse with a focus on the devotional aspect, where the Rājasūya sacrifice represents the ultimate submission and devotion to Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). According to Rāmānujācārya, the word 'राजसूयेन' (rājasūyena) signifies the path of bhakti (devotion) through which the jīva (individual self) establishes a relationship with Īśvara, leading to liberation. The 'दिग्वijayaḥ' (digvijayaḥ), or conquest of the directions, symbolizes the omnipresence of the Lord. Ramanuja's commentary on the Brahmasutra (2.1.14) highlights the concept of prapatti (surrender), which is echoed in this verse as the means to achieve divine grace and ultimate liberation. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, would likely emphasize the dualistic aspect of this relationship, where the conquest is a result of the Lord's grace upon the devoted.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda would interpret this verse in the context of practical Vedānta, focusing on the universal principles applicable to contemporary life. The 'Rājasūya sacrifice' can be seen as a symbol for the struggle for self-realization in the midst of worldly challenges. Vivekananda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gita, often emphasized the importance of courage (शूरः, śūraḥ) and self-control in achieving spiritual victory. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, would likely connect this verse with the idea of the universal applicability of Vedāntic principles, emphasizing that the conquest of the world is not about external domination but about the inner victory over one's own limitations and the realization of the unity of all existence. This verse, thus, becomes a call to individual effort and moral courage in pursuit of a higher, universal truth.