tathā daśaratho rājā pitṛsattā hi vartate

tathā (thus) daśaratho (king Daśaratha) rājā (the king) pitṛsattā (having a paternal ) hi (indeed) vartate (exists)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the phrase 'pitṛsattā hi vartate' suggests that King Daśaratha's paternal power is not a separate entity, but an expression of the ultimate reality, Brahman. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, explains that the concept of 'sattā' or being, is ultimately a manifestation of Brahman. The use of 'hi' in the verse, which denotes a sense of certainty, underscores the idea that Daśaratha's power is not ephemeral, but rooted in the eternal and unchanging Brahman. This reading points to the non-dual identity of Brahman and Ātman, where the individual self is not separate from the ultimate reality. By extension, this verse can be seen as an illustration of the concept of 'avidyā' or ignorance, where the individual's perception of separation from Brahman is an illusion. Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, where he explains the concept of 'satyam jñānam anantam brahma', further reinforces this interpretation, highlighting the idea that the ultimate reality is the only truth, and all else is mere appearance.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is often seen as an illustration of the concept of 'śeṣa-śeṣi bhāva', or the relationship between the Lord and his devotees. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, explains that the term 'pitṛsattā' denotes the idea that King Daśaratha, as a devotee of the Lord, has surrendered his will to the divine. The phrase 'hi vartate' suggests that this surrender is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process, where the devotee constantly seeks to align themselves with the will of the Lord. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Mahābhārata, further elaborates on this concept, explaining that the relationship between the Lord and his devotees is one of mutual dependence, where the Lord's power is manifest in the devotee's life. This verse, therefore, can be seen as an example of the devotional relationship between the individual self and the ultimate reality, where the individual's power and authority are derived from their connection to the divine.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse can be seen as an illustration of the concept of 'svābhāvika śakti', or the inherent power that lies within each individual. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Power of the Mind', explains that the phrase 'pitṛsattā hi vartate' suggests that King Daśaratha's power is not something external, but an expression of his own inner nature. The use of 'hi' in the verse, which denotes a sense of certainty, underscores the idea that this power is not something that can be taken away, but is an inherent part of one's being. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'The Philosophy of the Upaniṣads', further elaborates on this concept, explaining that the individual's power and authority are derived from their connection to their own inner self. This verse, therefore, can be seen as a call to self-discovery and empowerment, where the individual is encouraged to tap into their own inner resources and manifest their full potential. In contemporary life, this verse can be applied to the concept of leadership and personal growth, where individuals are encouraged to cultivate their own inner strength and authority, rather than relying on external sources of power.

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