tayostva sminneva i-daṁ jagat sarvam idaṁ vrajeta । n āviśīdati nityaśaḥ ॥ 104 ॥
“For from those two, this entire world would assuredly come into being and never perish.”
Structure
tayoh, tva, asmin, eva, idam, jagat, sarvam, idam, vrajeta, na, aviśīdati, nityaśaḥ
tayoh (of them two) tva (you) asmin (in this) eva (matter) idam (this) sarvam (all) jagat (world) idam (this) vrajeta (should go) nityaśaḥ (constantly) na aviśīdati (does not grieve)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tayoh | tayoh | pronoun | genitive · dual · neuter | of those two |
| tva | tva | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| asmin | asmin | pronoun | locative · singular · masculine | in this |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only, just |
| idam | idam | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | this |
| jagat | jagat | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | world |
| sarvam | sarvam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | all |
| idam | idam | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | this |
| vrajeta | vrajeta | verb | √vraj · optative · third | may he go |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| aviśīdati | aviśīdati | verb | √śīd · present · third | does not become dejected |
| nityaśaḥ | nityaśaḥ | indeclinable | — | always |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa underscores the non-dual nature of reality, pointing to the ultimate identity of Brahman and Ātman. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes that the universe arises from the ultimate reality, Brahman, and that this emergence is not a creation in the conventional sense but an illusory manifestation (māyā). The phrase 'tayostva sminneva' suggests that from the two (the absolute and the phenomenal), this world originates, reinforcing the idea that all existence is an expression of the unified, absolute Brahman. Shankara's reasoning on related passages, such as the Chandogya Upanishad, elucidates how this verse contributes to the understanding of the brahman-ātman identity, central to Advaita Vedanta. By acknowledging the non-dual essence of all existence, one may transcend the illusions of duality and perceive the ultimate truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse focuses on the devotional aspect, highlighting the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Bhagavad Gita commentary, discusses the concept of 'śarīra-śarīrī' (the body and the embodiment), which illustrates how the supreme Lord is the ultimate reality that pervades and sustains all existence. The verse 'tayostva sminneva' is seen as pointing to the dependence of the world on the divine pair (often interpreted as Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī in Vaiṣṇava tradition), emphasizing that the world's existence and sustenance are due to the grace of the Lord. Madhvācārya, in his Dvaita Vedanta, while maintaining a clear distinction between the individual souls and God, also underlines the sovereign will of Īśvara in creation and the inseparable yet distinct relationship between the jīvas and the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Vedanta, often emphasized the practical and universal applications of its principles. He would interpret this verse as highlighting the unity and interconnectedness of all existence, underlining that from the duality of subject and object, the entire universe evolves, only to ultimately discover its non-dual, absolute essence. This understanding, Vivekānanda would argue, has profound implications for contemporary life, encouraging individuals to look beyond superficial differences and realize their inherent unity with all existence. S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, builds upon this theme, suggesting that the ultimate goal of human existence is to realize this unity, thereby achieving a state of universal brotherhood and peace. This verse, therefore, serves as a reminder of the Vedantic vision of a harmonious, interconnected world, guiding humanity toward a path of self-realization and global understanding.