tato lakṣmaṇam āgasyadṛṣṭvā jaṭāṃ ca sītāyāḥ |
“Then he saw Lakshmana and Sita's matted hair”
Structure
tato lakṣmaṇam āgataḥ dṛṣṭvā jaṭām ca sītāyāḥ
tato (then) lakṣmaṇam (Lakshmana) āgataḥ (having come) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) ca (and) sītāyāḥ (of Sita) jaṭām (the matted hair)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| lakṣmaṇam | lakṣmaṇam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | Lakṣmaṇa |
| āgataḥ | āgataḥ | verb | √gam · past · third | having come |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| jaṭām | jaṭām | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | braid of hair |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| sītāyāḥ | sītāyāḥ | noun | genitive · singular · feminine | of Sītā |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the sight of Lakshmana and Sita's matted hair by Rama signifies the non-dual realization of the ultimate reality. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra (1.1.5), highlights that the realization of one's true nature is beyond the external attributes and manifestations. The matted hair of Sita and the presence of Lakshmana serve as a reminder to Rama of his true duty and nature, underscoring the idea that the supreme self (Brahman) is untouched by external circumstances. This verse illustrates the principle of 'vivarta-vāda', where the world is seen as a mere appearance of the ultimate reality, much like the matted hair is an external manifestation, devoid of inherent reality. The non-dual reading of this verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, where Rama's realization of his true self is facilitated by the sight of his companions, signifying the unity of all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is pivotal in highlighting the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the supreme lord). According to Rāmānujācārya, the sight of Sita's matted hair and Lakshmana's presence serves as a poignant reminder to Rama of his role as the protector and lord. This underscores the concept of 'prapatti' or self-surrender, where the individual self recognizes its dependence on the supreme lord. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Mahābhārata (3.30.26), emphasizes the idea that even in adversity, the devotee must remain steadfast in their devotion to the lord. In this context, Rama's encounter with Sita and Lakshmana illustrates the dynamic of the jīva-Īśvara relationship, where the individual self seeks refuge in the supreme lord, exemplifying the devotional reading of this verse.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Message of Vedanta' (Complete Works, Vol. 6), emphasizes the universal and practical application of this verse. He notes that the sight of Sita's matted hair and Lakshmana's presence symbolizes the power of selfless love and devotion. This, Vivekananda argues, is the key to realizing one's true potential and finding inner strength in the face of adversity. S. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Principal Upanishads' (1953), highlights the importance of recognizing the inherent unity of all existence, which is exemplified in Rama's recognition of his companions. This verse serves as a reminder that, in contemporary life, we must cultivate selfless love, compassion, and devotion to overcome the challenges we face, and to realize our true nature, which is rooted in the universal and eternal principles of Vedanta.