tathaiva sa pitā devānāṃ ṛṣīnāṃ ca mahattamaḥ
“He (Brihaspati) is indeed the most great father of the gods and sages.”
Structure
tathaiva sa pitā devānāṃ ṛṣīnāṃ ca mahattamaḥ
sa (he) tathaiva (in the same way) pitā (father) devānāṃ (of gods) ṛṣīnāṃ (of sages) ca (and) mahattamaḥ (the greatest)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tathaiva | tathaiva | indeclinable | — | in that manner also |
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| pitā | pitā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | father |
| devānāṃ | devānāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the gods |
| ṛṣīnāṃ | ṛṣīnāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the sages |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mahattamaḥ | mahattamaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the greatest |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where Brihaspati, as the 'most great father of the gods and sages,' symbolizes the ultimate reality or Brahman. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, discusses the concept of Brahman as the ultimate essence of all beings, which aligns with the depiction of Brihaspati as a unifying figure. The verse tathaiva sa pitā devānāṃ ṛṣīnāṃ ca mahattamaḥ suggests that there is a singular, transcendent reality that underlies all distinctions, including those between gods and sages. This understanding is central to Advaita Vedānta's notion of the identity between the individual self (ātman) and the universal self (Brahman). The verse, thus, points to the ultimate non-dual reality, encouraging the seeker to look beyond the multitude of forms and names to the singular essence that pervades all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be seen as highlighting the role of the divine in guiding both the celestial beings (devānāṃ) and the wise sages (ṛṣīnāṃ). Brihaspati, as the preceptor of the gods, exemplifies the grace and wisdom bestowed by the divine upon those who seek it. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the concept of prapatti, or surrender to the divine will, as a means to achieve liberation. This verse can be interpreted as underscoring the importance of recognizing and surrendering to the divine guidance, represented by Brihaspati, for both the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the divine) are intertwined in a relationship of dependence and love. The distinction between gods and sages dissolves in the face of the divine, emphasizing the Vaiṣṇava tenet of bhakti, or devotional love, as the path to unity with the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, when viewed through the lens of Neo-Vedānta, offers a profound message of unity and the interconnectedness of all existence. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the universal principles inherent in the Vedantic tradition. The depiction of Brihaspati as the 'most great father of the gods and sages' resonates with Vivekānanda's vision of a universal brotherhood, where distinctions are transcended by the recognition of a common divine essence. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, stressed the importance of integrating the spiritual with the practical, advocating for a life that embodies both wisdom and action. This verse, thus, serves as a reminder of the harmony and unity that should exist between the spiritual and the mundane, the divine and the human, encouraging us to strive for a balanced and holistic approach to life, where the wisdom of the sages and the virtues of the gods are not separate ideals but complementary aspects of a unified existence.