tathā daśaratho rājā putra-śoka-samāhitḥ

tathā (thus) daśaratho (King Dasharatha) rājā (the king) putra-śoka (son-greed) samāhitḥ (overcome by)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara discusses the concept of vyavaharika satya, or the practical reality, and paramarthika satya, or the absolute reality. Applying this to the verse, 'tathā daśaratho rājā putra-śoka-samāhitḥ', we see King Daśaratha's grief as a manifestation of his identification with the ephemeral, worldly self. Shankara's reasoning, as seen in his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, would suggest that Daśaratha's sorrow stems from his inability to see the ultimate reality, the brahman-ātman identity, beyond the fleeting nature of worldly relationships. Thus, this verse points to the distinction between the individual self (jiva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman), highlighting the need for self-realization to transcend worldly sorrows.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as represented by Rāmānujācārya, views this verse as an example of the complexities of human emotion and the divine plan. Daśaratha's grief for his son Rāma is a natural response, yet it also serves as a reminder of the Lord's will, which sometimes seems incomprehensible to human understanding. Ramanuja's perspective, as outlined in his Śrī Bhāṣya, emphasizes the importance of surrender to the divine will and recognizing the jīva's dependence on Īśvara. In the context of this verse, Daśaratha's sorrow is a poignant reminder of the human condition and the need for devotion to and trust in a higher power, underscoring the relationship between the individual soul and the divine.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of Vedāntic principles in everyday life. Considering the verse, 'tathā daśaratho rājā putra-śoka-samāhitḥ', from a Neo-Vedānta perspective, we see King Daśaratha's grief as a universal human experience. Vivekānanda, in his speech 'The Real Nature of Man', discusses the importance of recognizing and transcending the limitations of the human ego. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, serves as a reminder of the universality of human emotions and the need to develop a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. It encourages individuals to reflect on their own reactions to sorrow and loss, and to cultivate a sense of inner strength and wisdom, as advocated by Vivekānanda and later philosophers like S. Rādhākrishnan.

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