atha rājā prahlādena uktvā dadarśa caturaśreṇa rājasabhāṃ pradakṣiṇena.
“Then, having spoken to Prahlada, the king saw the royal assembly on all four sides by going round it.”
Structure
atha rājā prahlādena uktvā dadarśa caturaśreṇa rājasabhāṃ pradakṣiṇena
atha (then) rājā (the king) prahlādena (to Prahlada) uktvā (having spoken) caturaśreṇa (having made) pradakṣiṇena (a circumambulation) rājasabhām (the royal court) dadarśa (saw)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| prahlādena | prahlādena | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with Prahlāda |
| uktvā | uktvā | indeclinable | — | having spoken |
| dadarśa | dadarśa | verb | √dṛś · past · third | he saw |
| caturaśreṇa | caturaśreṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with a quadrangular hall |
| rājasabhāṃ | rājasabhāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | the royal assembly |
| pradakṣiṇena | pradakṣiṇena | indeclinable | — | going round to the right |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa presents an opportunity to reflect on the non-dual nature of reality, as expounded by Ādi Śaṅkarācārya. The king's act of circling the royal assembly to see it from all sides can be seen as a metaphor for the seeker's journey to understand the ultimate reality, Brahman. Just as the king observes the assembly from multiple perspectives, the seeker must consider various aspects of the world to ultimately realize that everything is a manifestation of Brahman. This understanding leads to the comprehension of the identity between the individual self (ātman) and the universal self (Brahman). Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the importance of such a holistic view in realizing the non-dual truth. Thus, this verse, by illustrating the king's comprehensive observation, subtly points to the all-encompassing nature of Brahman and the path to self-realization through a non-dual perspective.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as exemplified by Rāmānujācārya, would interpret this verse with a focus on the relationship between the individual (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). The king, symbolizing the devotee, approaches the royal assembly, representing the world, with a sense of reverence and curiosity, just as one should approach the divine with devotion. The act of going around the assembly to see it from all sides may symbolize the devotee's effort to understand God's omnipresence and multifaceted nature. Rāmānujācārya's concept of viśiṣṭādvaita (qualified non-dualism) emphasizes the real distinction between the individual soul and God, yet their inseparable relationship. This verse, in the context of the Rāmāyaṇa, highlights the importance of devotion and the quest for a deeper understanding of the divine, reflecting the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on bhakti as a path to realizing one's relationship with Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): From a modern Vedāntic perspective, as articulated by Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, this verse can be seen as a call to holistic understanding and universal empathy. The king's action of circling the assembly to view it from all sides symbolizes the importance of approaching life's challenges and opportunities with a comprehensive and inclusive mindset. This verse encourages the development of a universal perspective, where one considers the multifaceted nature of reality and the interconnectedness of all beings. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the need for such a broadened outlook, advocating for the cultivation of love and understanding towards all. Similarly, Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, highlighted the relevance of Vedāntic principles in fostering a sense of global citizenship and harmony. Thus, this ancient verse offers a timeless lesson in the value of embracing diversity and promoting unity, applicable to contemporary life and its complexities.