atha rājā tad-āgacchata kṛtvā cāpi pradakṣiṇām.
“Then the king came (to the forest) and having paid his respects by going round (the sage's ashram).”
Structure
atha rājā tad āgacchata kṛtvā ca api pradakṣiṇām
atha (then) rājā (the king) tad (that) āgacchata (came) kṛtvā (having made) ca (and) api (also) pradakṣiṇām (circumambulation)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| tad | tad | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | that |
| āgacchata | āgacchata | verb | √gacch · laṭ - past · third | he went, he approached |
| kṛtvā | kṛtvā | indeclinable | — | having done |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also, too |
| pradakṣiṇām | pradakṣiṇām | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | circumambulation |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse showcases the king's humility and devotion as he approaches the sage's ashram. According to Advaita philosophy, the king's actions signify the importance of self-surrender and reverence towards those who have attained spiritual enlightenment. By performing pradakṣiṇām, the king is acknowledging the sage's spiritual superiority and seeking blessings. This act of reverence is essential for spiritual growth, as it allows the individual to transcend their ego and attain a higher state of consciousness. The king's actions demonstrate his understanding of the importance of humility and devotion on the path to self-realization. In this context, the verse highlights the significance of guru-bhakti, or devotion to the spiritual guru, in achieving spiritual liberation. Ādi Śaṅkarācārya's commentary would likely emphasize the importance of cultivating a sense of awe and reverence towards the spiritual master, as this is seen as a crucial step in the journey towards self-realization.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an example of the importance of bhakti, or devotion, in achieving spiritual liberation. The king's actions demonstrate his devotion to the sage, who is considered a representative of the divine. By performing pradakṣiṇām, the king is showing his reverence and humility, which are essential qualities for a devotee. Rāmānujācārya would likely interpret this verse as highlighting the importance of prapatti, or self-surrender, in achieving spiritual liberation. The king's actions demonstrate his willingness to surrender his ego and seek the blessings of the sage, which is seen as a key aspect of devotion. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might emphasize the importance of the king's actions as a demonstration of his bhakti towards the divine, highlighting the role of devotion in achieving spiritual growth and liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): From a modern perspective, this verse can be seen as a representation of the importance of reverence and humility in personal growth and development. The king's actions demonstrate his willingness to learn from the sage and seek guidance, which is essential for spiritual growth. Swami Vivekānanda would likely interpret this verse as highlighting the importance of self-culture and the development of a sense of reverence and awe. The king's actions demonstrate his understanding of the importance of humility and devotion in achieving spiritual liberation. S. Rādhākrishnan, on the other hand, might view this verse as a representation of the importance of integrating spiritual values into everyday life. The king's actions demonstrate his ability to balance his royal duties with his spiritual aspirations, highlighting the importance of living a life of purpose and meaning.