tato rājā parantapaḥ svayameva gato rathaḥ
“Then the king, who was a tormentor to his enemies, himself got into the chariot.”
Structure
tato rājā parantapaḥ svayam eva gato rathaḥ
tato (then) rājā (the king) parantapaḥ (the conqueror of enemies) svayam (himself) eva (indeed) gato (went) rathaḥ (on the chariot)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| parantapaḥ | parantapaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | conqueror of enemies |
| svayam | svayam | indeclinable | — | himself |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| gato | gato | verb | √gam · past · third | went |
| rathaḥ | rathaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | chariot |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'tato rājā parantapaḥ svayameva gato rathaḥ,' offers a profound teaching on the nature of the self. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes the distinction between the individual self (jīva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman). Here, the king, a symbol of the individual self, getting into the chariot, represents the jīva's entanglement in the world of duality. However, upon deeper reflection, one realizes that the king, as the ruler of his kingdom, is not separate from his domain, just as the ātman is not separate from Brahman. This non-dualistic understanding, as expressed in the Mahāvākya 'Tat tvam asi' (That thou art), is hinted at in this verse, where the monarch's action is a metaphor for the jīva's journey towards self-realization, ultimately leading to the understanding of the brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen through the lens of bhakti, or devotion. The king, as a symbol of the devotee, approaches the chariot, symbolizing the means to reach the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Gītā, emphasizes the concept of prapatti, or self-surrender, as the ultimate means to achieve union with the Lord. Here, the king's action of getting into the chariot can be seen as an act of prapatti, where the individual surrenders to the divine will, acknowledging the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara. This relationship between the jīva and Īśvara is central to Vaiṣṇava theology, highlighting the path of devotion as the most accessible means for the individual to experience divine grace and ultimately attain liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the practical applications of Vedānta, often emphasized the importance of self-awareness and self-reliance. This verse, where the king takes charge of his chariot, symbolizes the individual's need to take control of their own life's journey. Vivekānanda would interpret the king's action as a call to self-empowerment and personal responsibility, underscoring the importance of individual effort in achieving one's goals. This message resonates with contemporary life, where individuals are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed. Furthermore, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, highlighted the universal applicability of Vedāntic principles, including the concept of the unity of all existence. This verse, in the context of modern life, reminds us of our interconnectedness and the need for a holistic approach to personal and societal development, aligning with Radhakrishnan's vision of a harmonious and enlightened world.