tathā sarve samāgamya munayo veda-vidyāsaḥ | cakāra maitrīm āhūṣy a daśarathē ca mumukṣavaḥ ||
“Thus, all the sages who were experts in the Vedas and desirous of liberation, having met, made friendly overtures to Daśaratha.”
Structure
tathā sarve munayaḥ vidyā-saḥ samāgamya veda-vidyāsaḥ daśarathē ca mumukṣavaḥ āhūṣy maitrīm cakāra
tathā (thus) sarve (all) munayaḥ (sages) vidyā-saḥ (having knowledge) samāgamya (having assembled) veda-vidyāsaḥ (knowing the Veda) mumukṣavaḥ (desiring liberation) daśarathē (unto Daśaratha) ca (and) āhūṣy (having called) maitrīm (friendship) cakāra (made)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tathā | tathā | indeclinable | — | thus, in that manner |
| sarve | sarve | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | all |
| munayaḥ | munayaḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | sages, ascetics |
| vidyā-saḥ | vidyā-saḥ | compound | dvandva · "vidyā ca saḥ" | the knowledgeable ones |
| samāgamya | samāgamya | verb | √gam · gerund · third | having come together |
| veda-vidyāsaḥ | veda-vidyāsaḥ | compound | tatpuruṣa · "veda-vidyā-śāstrāṇi ca" | those knowledgeable in the Veda and its branches of knowledge |
| daśarathē | daśarathē | noun | dative · singular · masculine | to Daśaratha |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mumukṣavaḥ | mumukṣavaḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | those desiring liberation |
| āhūṣy | āhūṣy | verb | √hū · gerund · third | having called |
| maitrīm | maitrīm | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | friendship |
| cakāra | cakāra | verb | √kṛ · preterite · third | he made, he established |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the unity of all beings, as the sages, despite their diverse backgrounds, converge in their pursuit of liberation, symbolizing the ultimate non-dual reality. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (1.1.1) notes that the pursuit of knowledge is a common thread among seekers, leading to the realization of the brahman-ātman identity. Here, the friendly overtures to Daśaratha signify the universal harmony that pervades all existence, pointing to the ultimate reality that transcends individual differences. According to Shankara, the realization of this unity is the key to liberation, as it allows the individual to transcend the limitations of the ego and realize their true nature as brahman. This verse thus serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating a sense of unity and harmony in our lives, as we strive to realize our true nature.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): The friendly overtures made by the sages to Daśaratha in this verse demonstrate the loving relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya's Sri Bhashya (1.1.1) highlights the importance of cultivating devotion and surrender to the Lord, which is exemplified by the sages' approach to Daśaratha. The verse illustrates the Vaiṣṇava concept of 'prapatti,' or surrender, where the individual self, recognizing its limitations, seeks refuge in the Lord. The sages' actions demonstrate their recognition of Daśaratha's role as a representative of the Lord, and their friendly overtures signify their devotion and willingness to surrender to the divine will. This verse serves as a model for the devotee's relationship with the Lord, emphasizing the importance of humility, devotion, and surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse highlights the importance of harmony and cooperation in achieving a common goal, which is a fundamental principle of Neo-Vedānta. Swami Vivekānanda's lecture 'The Common Bases of Hinduism' emphasizes the need for unity and cooperation among individuals from diverse backgrounds, which is exemplified by the sages' convergence in this verse. The friendly overtures made by the sages to Daśaratha demonstrate the power of love and compassion in breaking down barriers and achieving harmony. According to Vivekānanda, this verse points to the universal principle of interconnectedness, which is at the heart of Vedānta. In contemporary life, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of building bridges between different communities and working towards a common goal, recognizing that our individual pursuits are ultimately intertwined with the well-being of the larger community.