atha rājā tu mithilāṃ purīm . gatvā mahatā veṇunā . tāṃ veṇuṃ mahatāṃ śreṣṭho vādayāmāsa gocharam ॥
“Then, having reached the city of Mithilā, the king (Janaka) having a great bow, made that great bow produce a sound within its range.”
Structure
atha rājā tu mithilām purīm gatvā mahatā veṇunā tāṃ veṇuṃ mahatām śreṣṭho vādayāmāsa gocharam
atha (then) rājā (king) tu (indeed) gatvā (having gone) mithilām (to Mithilā) purīm (city) mahatā (great) veṇunā (with Veṇu), tāṃ (that) veṇuṃ (Veṇu) mahatām (of great sages) śreṣṭho (the best) vādayāmāsa (played) gocharam (playable range)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| mithilāṃ | mithilāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | the city of Mithilā |
| purīm | purīm | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | city |
| gatvā | gatvā | indeclinable | — | having gone |
| mahatā | mahatā | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by the great one |
| veṇunā | veṇunā | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with the flute |
| tāṃ | tāṃ | pronoun | accusative · singular · feminine | that |
| veṇuṃ | veṇuṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | flute |
| mahatām | mahatām | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the great ones |
| śreṣṭho | śreṣṭho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the best |
| vādayāmāsa | vādayāmāsa | verb | √vāday · preterite · third | he played |
| gocharam | gocharam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | a pasture, grazing ground |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, when examined through the lens of non-duality, underscores the unity of all actions and their ultimate source in Brahman. The king, Janaka, embodying the archetype of the Self-realized individual, uses the great bow, symbolizing the means to attain Self-knowledge. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). In the context of this verse, the act of making the bow produce a sound can be seen as the manifestation of the inherent potential of the Self, illustrating the idea that all actions are ultimately expressions of Brahman. Thus, this verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, encouraging the seeker to look beyond the external actions and recognize the unified, all-pervading nature of reality. By understanding the symbolism of the bow and its sound, one can grasp the Advaitic principle of non-duality, where the distinctions between the individual self and the ultimate reality dissolve.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an illustration of the relationship between the jīva (the individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Janaka, as a devotee of Viṣṇu, embodies the qualities of a bhakta, using his skills (represented by the great bow) in the service of the Lord. Rāmānujācārya, in his Bhagavad Gītā Bhāṣya, highlights the importance of prapatti, or surrender, to the will of the Lord. The act of making the bow produce a sound can be seen as a symbol of the devotee's surrender, where the individual's actions are dedicated to the service of the Divine. This verse demonstrates the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the personal relationship between the devotee and the Lord, where the individual's actions are guided by devotion and a deep sense of dependence on the Almighty. The sound of the bow serves as a reminder of the devotee's commitment to their spiritual path, underscoring the role of self-surrender in achieving spiritual growth.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the practical applications of Vedānta, would likely interpret this verse as a call to action, emphasizing the importance of self-discipline and focus in achieving one's goals. The great bow, symbolizing the individual's inner strength and potential, must be used effectively to produce a sound that resonates within its range. This can be seen as a metaphor for the individual's need to cultivate their inner resources, represented by the bow, to make a meaningful impact in the world. Vivekānanda, in his speech 'The Message of Vivekānanda', stressed the importance of self-reliance and individual effort in achieving spiritual growth and contributing to the greater good. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, serves as a reminder of the need to balance inner development with outward action, using one's skills and abilities to make a positive difference in the world. By applying the principles of this verse, individuals can cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and direction, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.