atha rājā tadā dṛṣṭvā putraṃ śoka-paripūrṇa-dṛṣṭiḥ.
“Then, having seen his son, the king's eyes became filled with grief.”
Structure
atha rājā tadā dṛṣṭvā putraṃ śoka paripūrṇa dṛṣṭiḥ
rājā (king) tadā (then) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) putraṃ (son) atha (then) śoka (grief) paripūrṇa (filled with) dṛṣṭiḥ (vision)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| tadā | tadā | indeclinable | — | then |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| putraṃ | putraṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | son |
| śoka | śoka | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | grief |
| paripūrṇa | paripūrṇa | adjective | — | full of, filled with |
| dṛṣṭiḥ | dṛṣṭiḥ | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | sight, vision |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, atha rājā tadā dṛṣṭvā putraṃ śoka-paripūrṇa-dṛṣṭiḥ, illustrates the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (BS 1.1.5) notes that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond human emotions like grief. The king's grief upon seeing his son is a fleeting, worldly experience, distinct from the eternal, unchanging Self (Ātman). This verse points to the brahman-ātman identity by highlighting the distinction between the ephemeral, conditioned world and the permanent, unconditioned Reality. Shankara would likely argue that the king's grief is a manifestation of avidyā (ignorance), whereas true knowledge (vidyā) reveals the identity of the individual self (jīva) with the ultimate Reality (Brahman). By recognizing this distinction, the seeker can transcend worldly attachments and realize the non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse underscores the intense emotional bond between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (BG 11.1) emphasizes the importance of bhakti (devotion) in realizing the relationship between the individual self and the Divine. The king's grief upon seeing his son is a metaphor for the devotee's longing for union with the Lord. This verse highlights the paternal love of the Supreme Being for His devotees, as exemplified by King Daśaratha's love for Rāma. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might interpret this verse as illustrating the difference between the Lord's (Īśvara's) real nature and the jīva's conditioned existence. The king's grief serves as a reminder of the impermanence of worldly relationships and the need for devotion to the eternal, unchanging Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has universal and practical implications for contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of emotional balance and control in achieving spiritual growth. The king's overwhelming grief serves as a reminder of the need to cultivate emotional detachment and inner strength. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on the Upaniṣads, highlights the significance of recognizing the impermanent nature of worldly relationships and the importance of developing a deeper understanding of the Self. This verse can be seen as a call to introspection, encouraging individuals to examine their own emotional responses and to cultivate a sense of inner peace and balance. By applying the principles of Vedānta to everyday life, individuals can develop greater emotional resilience and a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.