tathā daśaratho rājā pitrā putram athābravīt
“Thus King Daśaratha then spoke to his son.”
Structure
tathā daśaratho rājā pitrā putram athā abravīt
daśaratho (Dasharatha) rājā (the king) tathā (thus) pitrā (by his father) putram (to his son) athā (then) abravīt (spoke)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tathā | tathā | indeclinable | — | thus, in that manner |
| daśaratho | daśaratho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Daśaratha (the king) |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| pitrā | pitrā | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by the father (Daśaratha) |
| putram | putram | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | son (Rāma) |
| athā | athā | indeclinable | — | then, and then |
| abravīt | abravīt | verb | √brū · past · third | spoke, said |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'tathā daśaratho rājā pitrā putram athābravīt', signifies the non-dual nature of reality by highlighting the relationship between Daśaratha and his son Rāma. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of understanding the absolute (Brahman) and its relationship with the individual self (Ātman). In the context of this verse, the conversation between Daśaratha and Rāma represents the dialogue between the individual self and the ultimate reality. The use of 'tathā' (thus) indicates a sense of continuity and oneness, pointing to the identity of Brahman and Ātman. As Śaṅkarācārya notes in his Upadeśasāhasrī, the ultimate goal is to realize this non-dual identity, and this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of self-inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge (jñāna) to attain this understanding.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of the loving relationship between the Lord (Īśvara) and the devotee (jīva). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, highlights the importance of bhakti (devotion) in realizing the ultimate reality. The conversation between Daśaratha and Rāma represents the intimate relationship between the Lord and his devotee, with Daśaratha symbolizing the paternal aspect of God and Rāma embodying the ideal devotee. As Rāmānujācārya notes in his Śrī Bhāṣya, the goal of life is to cultivate a deep sense of devotion and surrender to the Lord, and this verse illustrates the importance of trust and obedience in the devotee's relationship with God. In contrast, Madhvācārya's Dvaita Vedānta would emphasize the distinction between the Lord and the devotee, highlighting the gracious nature of God's interaction with his devotees.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, 'tathā daśaratho rājā pitrā putram athābravīt', holds significant relevance in modern times, as it highlights the importance of effective communication and relationships in personal and social life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Upaniṣads, emphasizes the need for self-awareness, self-control, and self-sacrifice in building strong relationships. The conversation between Daśaratha and Rāma serves as a model for effective communication, demonstrating the importance of clarity, empathy, and understanding in interpersonal relationships. As Vivekānanda notes in his Complete Works, the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is essential for personal growth and social harmony. In a similar vein, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on Indian philosophy, highlights the significance of this verse in illustrating the importance of dialogue and mutual respect in human relationships, citing it as an example of the universal values that underlie Indian thought and culture.