tathā daśaratho rājā pitṛvat priyakariṣyati .
“And thus King Daśaratha will act kindly like a father.”
Structure
tathā daśaratho rājā pitṛ-vat priya-kariṣyati
daśaratho rājā tathā pitṛ-vat priya kariṣyati
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tathā | tathā | indeclinable | — | in that manner, thus |
| daśaratho | daśaratho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Daśaratha (the king) |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| pitṛ-vat | pitṛ-vat | compound | karmadhāraya · "pitṛ + vat" | like a father |
| priya-kariṣyati | priya-kariṣyati | verb | √kṛ · futurum · third | will do kindly, will act kindly |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa suggests King Daśaratha's paternal affection towards his subjects is akin to the universal love of Brahman for all beings. According to Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras, such paternal love (pitṛvat) signifies the non-dual (advaita) essence of reality where the distinctions between the lover, the loved, and the love itself dissolve. In his Bhāṣya on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, Shankara explains that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the essence of all existence, much like a father is to his children. This verse, through the metaphor of King Daśaratha's paternal love, points towards the Brahman-ātman identity, suggesting that the love and care a father has for his children is a worldly reflection of the love and unity that is Brahman. This interpretation underscores the non-dual nature of existence, where all beings are interconnected and part of the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as expounded by Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, views this verse through the lens of bhakti (devotion) and the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). According to Rāmānuja's Śrī Bhāṣya, the love and care shown by King Daśaratha towards his subjects mirrors the gracious and merciful nature of Viṣṇu towards all jīvas. This paternal love is a manifestation of the Lord's prasāda (grace), which is always available to those who seek refuge in Him. Madhva, in his commentary on the Mahābhārata, emphasizes the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara, where the lord's love and protection are essential for the liberation of the soul. This verse thus highlights the importance of recognizing and embracing the divine grace in our lives, much like the subjects of Daśaratha would seek his benevolence and protection.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, key figures in the Neo-Vedānta movement, would interpret this verse in a universally applicable and practical manner. According to Vivekananda, the paternal love of King Daśaratha, as described in the Rāmāyaṇa, symbolizes the universal principle of love and compassion that underlies all existence. In his lecture 'The Ideal of a Universal Religion,' Vivekananda emphasizes the importance of recognizing and cultivating this universal love as a path to unity and harmony among all beings. Radhakrishnan, in his work 'An Idealist View of Life,' also underscores the significance of this verse in promoting a sense of responsibility and care towards all members of society, akin to a father's love for his children. This interpretation makes the verse relevant to contemporary life, highlighting the need for leaders and individuals to embody qualities of compassion, empathy, and kindness in their interactions with others.