atha dṛṣṭvā janakaṃ mithilāyāḥ purandhrīṃ varaṃ variṣṭham । tato rājā janakaḥ paripraśya jigyāsān-nivṛttyartham ॥
“Then, having seen Janaka, the best and most exalted of men, of Mithilā, the King Janaka questioned him to satisfy his curiosity.”
Structure
atha dṛṣṭvā janakaṃ mithilāyāḥ purandhrīṃ varaṃ variṣṭham tato rājā janakaḥ paripraśya jigyāsān nivṛttyartham
tato (then) rājā (king) janakaḥ (Janaka) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) purandhrīm (the lady) mithilāyāḥ (of Mithilā) varaṃ (the best) variṣṭham (the excellent one) paripraśya (having inquired) jigyāsān (about the desire to know) nivṛttyartham (for the purpose of dispelling)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| janakaṃ | janakaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | Janaka |
| mithilāyāḥ | mithilāyāḥ | noun | genitive · singular · feminine | of Mithilā |
| purandhrīṃ | purandhrīṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | the best of women |
| varaṃ | varaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | the best |
| variṣṭham | variṣṭham | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | the best |
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| janakaḥ | janakaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Janaka |
| paripraśya | paripraśya | indeclinable | — | having asked |
| jigyāsān | jigyāsān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | desires to know |
| nivṛttyartham | nivṛttyartham | indeclinable | — | for the purpose of stopping |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa points to the ultimate reality of Brahman, where the distinction between the individual self (jīva) and the supreme self (Īśvara) is transcended. Janaka, as a symbol of the seeker, represents the human aspiration to understand the truth. The phrase 'varaṃ variṣṭham' indicates the superiority of the self-realized individual, who has gone beyond the limitations of worldly knowledge. According to Shankara, the realization of the identity of Brahman and ātman is the ultimate goal of human existence. In his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, Shankara explains that the knowledge of Brahman is not a mere intellectual understanding, but a direct experience of the ultimate reality. This verse, in the context of the Rāmāyaṇa, highlights the importance of self-inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge, which ultimately leads to the realization of the non-dual nature of reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In this verse, King Janaka's inquiry represents the longing of the jīva to reunite with Īśvara. The phrase 'jigyāsān-nivṛttyartham' suggests that the King's questioning is driven by a desire to understand the mystery of the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Gītā, emphasizes the importance of bhakti, or devotion, as a means to attain this understanding. The relationship between the jīva and Īśvara is one of loving dependence, where the individual self seeks to surrender to the will of the divine. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, interprets this verse as an example of the categorical difference between the jīva and Īśvara, highlighting the need for the individual to recognize their dependence on the divine. In both traditions, the verse is seen as an opportunity to reflect on the nature of the divine and the human condition, and to cultivate a deeper sense of devotion and surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa offers a profound insight into the human condition, highlighting the universal quest for knowledge and understanding. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Rāmāyaṇa, emphasizes the importance of self-inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge as a means to attain spiritual growth. The phrase 'jigyāsān-nivṛttyartham' suggests that the desire to know and understand is a fundamental aspect of human nature, driving individuals to seek answers to life's great questions. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on Indian philosophy, highlights the significance of this verse in the context of contemporary life, where the pursuit of knowledge and understanding is often driven by a desire for personal fulfillment and self-realization. The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating a sense of curiosity and inquiry, and of recognizing the interconnectedness of all human experience.