tathā tāsāṁ prajānāṁ ca rakṣaṇaṁ parameṇa tataḥ । śriyaṁ devīma upahvayac ca lakṣmīṁ janayatāṁ yaśaḥ ॥
“Then, for the protection of those creatures and for the sake of His own fame He invoked Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune.”
Structure
tathā tāsāṁ prajānāṁ ca rakṣaṇaṁ parameṇa tataḥ śriyaṁ devīma upahvayat ca lakṣmīṁ janayatāṁ yaśaḥ
tataḥ (then) parameṇa (with the best) rakṣaṇaṁ (protection) tathā (thus) tāsāṁ (of them) prajānāṁ ca (and of the creatures) devīma (the goddess) śriyaṁ (Lakshmi) upahvayat (called) ca (and) lakṣmīṁ (wealth) janayatāṁ (producing) yaśaḥ (glory)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tathā | tathā | indeclinable | — | thus, in that manner |
| tāsāṁ | tāsāṁ | pronoun | genitive · plural · feminine | of them |
| prajānāṁ | prajānāṁ | noun | genitive · plural · feminine | of creatures, of beings |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| rakṣaṇaṁ | rakṣaṇaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | protection |
| parameṇa | parameṇa | adjective | — | with the supreme, with the highest |
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, from that |
| śriyaṁ | śriyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | prosperity, wealth |
| devīma | devīma | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | goddess |
| upahvayat | upahvayat | verb | √hū · optative · first | may I call, may I invoke |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| lakṣmīṁ | lakṣmīṁ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | goddess of wealth, Lakṣmī |
| janayatāṁ | janayatāṁ | verb | √jan · optative · third | may she bring into existence, may she produce |
| yaśaḥ | yaśaḥ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | glory, fame |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the invocation of Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, by the Supreme Being for the protection of creatures and His own fame, points to the ultimate reality of Brahman. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras and the Upanishads emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between the deity, the devotee, and the world are transcended. Here, the act of invocation is a manifestation of the Supreme Being's own power, underscoring the idea that all distinctions, including those between the divine and the mundane, are ultimately illusory. This verse, in the context of the Rāmāyaṇa, serves as a reminder of the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self is not separate from the ultimate reality. The invocation of Lakṣmī, therefore, is not just a devotional act but a symbol of the Self's recognition of its own omnipotence, echoing Shankara's reasoning in his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse highlights the intimate relationship between the jīva (the individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). For Rāmānujācārya, the act of the Supreme Being invoking Lakṣmī for the protection of creatures and His own fame illustrates the Lord's graciousness and concern for His devotees. It underscores the importance of bhakti (devotion) in achieving spiritual liberation. The invocation of Lakṣmī is seen as a symbol of the Lord's desire to bestow prosperity and good fortune upon those who seek refuge in Him, emphasizing the path of prapatti (surrender) advocated by Rāmānujācārya. In contrast, Madhvācārya might view this verse through the lens of his Dvaita (dualistic) philosophy, focusing on the real distinction between the Lord, the goddess Lakṣmī, and the creatures, and seeing the invocation as an act of the Lord's independent will, showcasing His sovereignty and the dependence of all beings on Him.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound message for contemporary life, emphasizing the importance of selfless action and the pursuit of spiritual growth. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often highlighted the universal applicability of Vedantic principles, encouraging individuals to recognize their inner divine potential. The invocation of Lakṣmī by the Supreme Being can be seen as a metaphor for the awakening of the divine within oneself, leading to a life of purpose, prosperity, and service to others. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his writings, emphasized the practical implications of Vedantic philosophy, suggesting that spiritual growth is not merely an individual pursuit but has societal implications. This verse, therefore, encourages a holistic approach to life, where the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and the well-being of all creatures are intertwined, reflecting the harmony and balance that are central to Neo-Vedānta thought.