tatsūtaputreṇa mahatā veditavyaṁ sagaṇāguṇam
“That should be known with its attributes and without attributes by the great son of a charioteer”
Structure
tat sūtaputreṇa mahatā veditavyaṁ sa-gaṇa-aguṇam
tat mahatā sūtaputreṇa sa-gaṇa-aguṇam veditavyaṁ
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tat | tat | pronoun | nominative · neuter singular · neuter | that |
| sūtaputreṇa | sūtaputreṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with the charioteer's son |
| mahatā | mahatā | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by the great one |
| veditavyaṁ | veditavyaṁ | verb | √vid · future passive · third | should be known |
| sa | sa | indeclinable | — | together with |
| gaṇa | gaṇa | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | troop |
| aguṇam | aguṇam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | without qualities |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse 'tatsūtaputreṇa mahatā veditavyaṁ sagaṇāguṇam' underscores the importance of understanding the ultimate reality with and without attributes. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the distinction between the saguṇa (with attributes) and nirguṇa (without attributes) Brahman. He reasons that the saguṇa Brahman is a lower level of understanding, a means to approach the ultimate, attributeless Brahman. This verse, in the context of the Rāmāyaṇa, points towards the brahman-ātman identity, where the seeker, like the son of a charioteer, must transcend the dualistic understanding to realize the non-dual essence. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, where he interprets the mahāvākya 'tat tvam asi' (you are that), supports this non-dual reading, emphasizing that the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the absolute reality (Brahman). This verse, thus, serves as a pointer to the deeper, non-dual reality that underlies all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the importance of understanding the Lord with attributes (saguṇa) as a means to approach the ultimate reality. The 'son of a charioteer' symbolizes the devotee who seeks to understand the divine through its various manifestations and attributes. However, Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the difference between the soul and God, might interpret this verse as highlighting the distinction between the saguṇa and nirguṇa aspects of the divine, underscoring the role of devotion and worship in bridging this gap. For both, the verse points to the significance of a personal, devotional relationship with the divine, where the understanding of God's attributes and actions in the world is crucial for spiritual growth and liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical applications of Vedantic principles. He might interpret 'tatsūtaputreṇa mahatā veditavyaṁ sagaṇāguṇam' as a call to understand the divine in both its immanent and transcendent aspects, applicable to everyday life. The 'son of a charioteer' represents the common individual who seeks spiritual growth. Vivekānanda, in his speech 'The Absolute and the Finite,' discusses the need to recognize the absolute in the finite, reflecting the saguṇa and nirguṇa aspects of reality. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in 'The Hindu View of Life,' discusses the concept of the divine as both the immanent and transcendent reality, accessible through devotion and knowledge. For both, this verse symbolizes the universal quest for meaning and the divine, emphasizing the importance of integrating spiritual understanding into daily life for personal transformation and societal welfare.