Tatah prādurbhūtarathaṁ mahāratho rājā janakaḥ । Sa tu rathasthā sthitvā yathārham abravīt ॥
“Then the great king Janaka appeared on the chariot; standing on the chariot, he spoke as was proper.”
Structure
Tatah prādurbhūta ratham mahāratho rājā Janakaḥ Sa tu ratha sthān sthitvā yathā arham abravīt
Tatah (then) mahāratho (the great warrior) rājā (king) Janakaḥ (Janaka) prādurbhūta (appeared) ratham (in a chariot) Saḥ (he) tu (indeed) ratha sthān (standing in the chariot) sthitvā (having stood) yathā (as) arham (befitting) abravīt (spoke)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatah | Tatah | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| prādurbhūta | prādurbhūta | verb | √bhū · past participle · third | having appeared, manifest |
| ratham | ratham | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | chariot |
| mahāratho | mahāratho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | great charioteer |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| Janakaḥ | Janakaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Janaka, a proper noun (name of a king) |
| Sa | Sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| ratha | ratha | noun | locative · singular · masculine | on the chariot |
| sthān | sthān | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in the position/standing |
| sthitvā | sthitvā | verb | √sthā · gerund · third | having stood |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | as, in accordance with |
| arham | arham | indeclinable | — | suitably, properly |
| abravīt | abravīt | verb | √brū · past · third | he spoke |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse presents an opportunity to delve into the non-dual nature of reality. According to Śaṅkara, the appearance of King Janaka on the chariot signifies the manifestation of the absolute, unchanging brahman in the realm of human experience. The fact that King Janaka is described as 'mahāratho' (a great warrior) and 'rājā' (a king) emphasizes his exceptional qualities, which, in a non-dual reading, point to the inherent perfection of the self (ātman). Śaṅkara's commentary on the Brahma Sūtras (1.1.1) explains that the ultimate reality is beyond human comprehension, yet it can be intuited through the scriptures and self-inquiry. In the context of this verse, King Janaka's emergence and speech 'as was proper' (yathārham) symbolize the spontaneous and effortless expression of the self, unencumbered by worldly conditioning, thus hinting at the brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse in the context of the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). King Janaka's appearance on the chariot can be seen as an emblem of the Lord's gracious manifestation in the world, underscoring the doctrine of divine incarnation. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Gītā (18.66), emphasizes the importance of surrendering to the Lord, which is exemplified in King Janaka's attitude, who, as a righteous king, embodies the virtues of a devotee. The verse suggests that King Janaka's speech, delivered 'as was proper,' reflects his understanding of his role in the world, which is in harmony with the Lord's will. This highlights the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the jīva-Īśvara relationship, where the individual self strives to align itself with the divine plan.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda's vision of a universally applicable Vedānta is relevant when considering this verse. The emergence of King Janaka on the chariot can be seen as a symbol of the unfoldment of human potential, where an individual's inherent greatness is manifested. In his lecture 'The Vedanta in Vedas' (Complete Works, Vol. 3), Vivekānanda discusses the idea that the ultimate goal of human life is to realize one's true nature, which is divine. This verse, therefore, can be interpreted as an exhortation to recognize and express one's inner potential, as King Janaka does by speaking 'as was proper.' S. Rādhākrishnan, in his 'Indian Philosophy' (Vol. 2), also underscores the importance of self-realization, which this verse illustrates through King Janaka's poised and dignified demeanor, serving as a model for contemporary life, where individuals strive to cultivate authenticity and inner strength.