tato lakṣmaṇaḥ śoka-pariśrameṇa duḥkhitō jvalaṁ
“Then, afflicted by grief and fatigue, Lakshmana burned with sorrow.”
Structure
tato lakṣmaṇaḥ śoka-pariśrameṇa duḥkhitō jvalaṁ
tato (then) lakṣmaṇaḥ (Lakṣmaṇa) śoka-pariśrameṇa (by grief and exhaustion) duḥkhitō (afflicted) jvalaṁ (as if burning)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| lakṣmaṇaḥ | lakṣmaṇaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Lakṣmaṇa |
| śoka-pariśrameṇa | śoka-pariśrameṇa | compound | tatpuruṣa · "śoka-pariśramaḥ + ena" | with grief and exhaustion |
| duḥkhitō | duḥkhitō | verb | √duḥkha · past participle · third | being afflicted |
| jvalaṁ | jvalaṁ | verb | √jval · present participle · third | burning, suffering |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, Shankara might interpret Lakshmana's sorrow as an illustration of the suffering that arises from the misidentification of the self with the ephemeral and conditioned aspects of reality. The phrase 'śoka-pariśrameṇa duḥkhitō jvalaṁ' suggests that Lakshmana's grief and fatigue are fueled by his attachment to the external world, rather than a recognition of his true, unchanging nature as pure consciousness. As Shankara notes in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra (1.1.1), 'the ultimate reality is brahman, and the individual self is not different from it.' In this context, Lakshmana's burning sorrow can be seen as a call to introspection, encouraging the seeker to look beyond the limitations of the conditioned self and realize the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (brahman). Through this realization, one can transcend the suffering that arises from attachment and misidentification, and attain liberation (mokṣa).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse highlights the intense emotional bond between Lakshmana and his brother Rama, which serves as a paradigm for the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). According to Rāmānujācārya, the jīva is intimately connected with Īśvara, and this relationship is characterized by a deep sense of dependence and devotion. Lakshmana's sorrow and fatigue, as expressed in this verse, demonstrate the existential anguish that arises when the jīva is separated from its beloved Īśvara. In his Śrībhāṣya (2.2.42), Rāmānujācārya notes that the jīva's liberation (mokṣa) is contingent upon its recognition of its inherent dependence on Īśvara, and its willingness to surrender its egoistic tendencies. In this context, Lakshmana's burning sorrow can be seen as an expression of his longing for reunion with Rama, which symbolizes the jīva's longing for union with Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse offers a powerful reflection on the human experience of suffering and the importance of emotional resilience. As Swami Vivekānanda notes in his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind' (Complete Works, 2:45), 'the mind is the master of the body, and the body is the servant of the mind.' Lakshmana's grief and fatigue, as expressed in this verse, illustrate the profound impact that emotional suffering can have on the human psyche and physical body. However, as Vivekānanda also notes, 'the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall' (Complete Works, 4:332). In this context, Lakshmana's burning sorrow can be seen as a call to cultivate emotional resilience, to recognize that suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience, and to develop the inner strength and courage to rise above it. This verse highlights the importance of acknowledging and working with our emotions, rather than trying to suppress or deny them, and offers a powerful reminder of the importance of self-awareness and self-compassion in the pursuit of personal growth and transformation.