tathā daśaratho rājā pitṛvatsalaḥ putram । vasiṣṭhaṃ ca hi brahma gurum ॥
“And thus King Daśaratha, who was very affectionate to his sons, spoke to Vasiṣṭha, who was the preceptor and a powerful being.”
Structure
tathā daśaratho rājā pitṛ-vatsalaḥ putram vasiṣṭhaṃ ca hi brahma gurum
tathā (thus) daśaratho (King Daśaratha) rājā (the king) pitṛ-vatsalaḥ (fond of his sons) putram (to his son) vasiṣṭhaṃ (Vasiṣṭha) ca (and) hi (for) brahma (the Brahman) gurum (the teacher)
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-vatsalaḥ | pitṛ-vatsalaḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "pitṛ-vatsalaḥ = pitṛṣu vatsalaḥ" | fond of his sons (and) father |
| putram | putram | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | son |
| vasiṣṭhaṃ | vasiṣṭhaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | Vasiṣṭha |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed, for |
| brahma | brahma | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | Brahman (the ultimate reality) |
| gurum | gurum | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | preceptor, teacher |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse illustrates the non-dual nature of reality, where King Daśaratha's affection for his sons and his reverence for Vasiṣṭha represent the interconnectedness of all beings. According to Ādi Śaṅkarācārya, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the essence of all existence, and the distinctions between individual selves (jīvas) are mere appearances. In his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, Śaṅkara explains that the relationship between the individual self and the ultimate reality is one of identity, not difference. In this verse, Daśaratha's relationship with Vasiṣṭha, who is both a preceptor and a powerful being, symbolizes the jīva's relationship with Īśvara, the divine guide. This highlights the non-dual reading of the verse, where the distinctions between king, son, and preceptor dissolve, revealing the unity of Brahman. As Śaṅkara notes in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, the realization of this unity is the ultimate goal of human existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse showcases the loving relationship between the jīva (King Daśaratha) and Īśvara (Vasiṣṭha, as a representative of the divine). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, emphasizes the importance of bhakti, or devotion, in bridging the gap between the individual self and the divine. Daśaratha's affection for his sons and his reverence for Vasiṣṭha demonstrate the dual aspects of bhakti: love for the divine and love for the worldly. Vasiṣṭha, as the preceptor, represents the divine guide who helps the jīva navigate the complexities of worldly life. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Mahābhārata, highlights the concept of 'śaraṇāgati,' or surrender, which is exemplified by Daśaratha's seeking guidance from Vasiṣṭha. This verse, therefore, underscores the importance of devotion and surrender in the Vaiṣṇava tradition, where the jīva seeks to cultivate a loving relationship with Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has profound implications for contemporary life, highlighting the importance of empathy, compassion, and guidance in human relationships. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Upaniṣads, emphasizes the universal principles of Vedānta, which transcend sectarian boundaries. The relationship between Daśaratha and Vasiṣṭha represents the ideal of a mentor-mentee relationship, where the guide (Vasiṣṭha) helps the seeker (Daśaratha) to navigate life's challenges. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, notes that this verse illustrates the concept of 'ācārya-devo bhava,' or the reverence for the teacher. In modern times, this verse encourages us to cultivate empathy and understanding in our relationships, recognizing the interconnectedness of all human beings. By embracing the universal principles of Vedānta, we can transcend our individual limitations and strive for a more harmonious and compassionate world.