atha rājā tadā dṛṣṭvā putraṁ putravat sagarbhabhṛt
“Then, seeing his son as if he were his own and as if still carrying him in the womb”
Structure
atha rājā tadā dṛṣṭvā putraṁ putra-vat sa-garbha-bhṛt
rājā (king) tadā (then) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) putraṁ (son) sa-garbha-bhṛt (with pregnant) putra-vat (as a son) atha (then)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| tadā | tadā | indeclinable | — | then |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | verb | √dṛś · past participle · third | having seen |
| putraṁ | putraṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | son |
| putra-vat | putra-vat | compound | karmadhāraya · "putra iva" | like a son |
| sa-garbha-bhṛt | sa-garbha-bhṛt | compound | bahuvrīhi · "garbheṇa sahabhṛt" | with a pregnant |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the king's perception of his son 'as if he were his own and as if still carrying him in the womb' suggests a deep, intrinsic connection that transcends the physical and temporal. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras, particularly in his discussion of the identity of Brahman and Atman, provides a framework for understanding this verse. The king's view of his son embodies the non-dual (advaita) perspective where distinctions between separate entities are Seen as illusory. The phrase 'putravat sagarbhabhṛt' underscores the idea that just as the king sees no difference between himself and his son, the ultimate reality (Brahman) is identical with the individual self (Atman). This verse, through the metaphor of parental love, points to the fundamental unity and interconnectedness of all beings, reflecting the Advaita Vedanta tenet of 'Tat Tvam Asi' (You are That).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse highlights the profound affection and sense of oneness a devotee experiences with the divine, paralleling the king's all-encompassing love for his son. Ramanuja's concept of 'aprathakṣīṇa' (inseparability) between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (God) is reflected here. The king's perception of his son as an extension of himself mirrors the Vaiṣṇava understanding of the jīva's relationship with Īśvara, where the jīva is dependent on and intimately connected with God. Madhva, on the other hand, might view this verse through the lens of 'bheda' (difference), emphasizing the real distinction between the king (as a metaphor for God) and his son (the jīva), yet still underscoring the profound love and care that characterizes their relationship. This verse thus underscores the devotional path, where love and dedication to the divine are paramount.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda often emphasized the universal and unconditional nature of love, as exemplified by a mother's love for her child, which knows no bounds and sees the child as an integral part of herself. This verse, with its imagery of the king seeing his son 'as if still carrying him in the womb,' speaks directly to this idea. It suggests a return to the womb of existence, where distinctions are not yet made, and all is one. Rādhākrishnan, in his discussion on the 'Religion of the Spirit,' might interpret this verse as an illustration of the unity and wholeness that lie at the heart of human experience. The contemporary relevance of this verse lies in its call to recognize and nurture this intrinsic oneness, not just between individuals but within the entirety of existence, promoting a worldview of harmony, compassion, and unity. In today's fractured world, this message of universal interconnectedness is more pertinent than ever.