tathā daśaratho rājā putra-śoka-samanvitaḥ
“Thus King Daśaratha was filled with grief on account of his son.”
Structure
tathā daśaratho rājā putra śoka samanvitaḥ
daśaratho (king Dasharatha) rājā (the king) tathā (thus) putra (son's) śoka (grief) samanvitaḥ (overwhelmed with)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tathā | tathā | indeclinable | — | thus, in that manner |
| daśaratho | daśaratho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Daśaratha (king's name) |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| putra | putra | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | son |
| śoka | śoka | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | grief, sorrow |
| samanvitaḥ | samanvitaḥ | verb | √sam-anv-i · past participle · third | accompanied by, seized with (grief) |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, tathā daśaratho rājā putra-śoka-samanvitaḥ, Śaṅkarācārya would likely emphasize the non-dual reading by interpreting King Daśaratha's grief as a manifestation of the illusion of separation. According to Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasūtra (2.1.14), the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond human emotions like sorrow. Daśaratha's grief, therefore, represents the bondage of the individual self (jīva) to the cycle of suffering, which can only be transcended through the realization of the identity of the individual self with the ultimate reality, Brahman. This verse points to the brahman-ātman identity by highlighting the impermanence of worldly relationships and the need to seek eternal peace beyond the fleeting nature of human experiences. Shankara's reasoning on this verse would likely underscore the importance of Self-inquiry and the cultivation of detachment as means to attain liberation from the cycle of suffering.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as represented by Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, interprets this verse as a poignant illustration of the devotee's (jīva) dependence on the Lord (Īśvara). King Daśaratha's sorrow, emanating from his love for his son Rāma, is seen as a metaphor for the devotee's longing for union with the Divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (12.6-7), emphasizes the importance of surrendering one's emotions, including grief, to the Lord, allowing the devotee to transcend worldly attachments and cultivate a deeper, devotional love for God. Madhvācārya, in his Anuvyākhyāna, would likely view Daśaratha's grief as an exemplar of the natural affection between the Lord and His devotees, highlighting the personal, loving relationship that exists between jīva and Īśvara. This verse thus underscores the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on bhakti, or devotion, as the primary means to attain spiritual liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhakti Yoga, would likely interpret this verse as a powerful example of the universal human experience of suffering and the importance of developing a broader, more compassionate perspective. He might argue that King Daśaratha's grief, though understandable, is also a manifestation of the ego's attachment to worldly relationships. Vivekānanda, in his 'Complete Works' (Vol. 3, p. 246), writes about the need to transcend such attachments and cultivate a sense of oneness with all existence. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his 'Indian Philosophy' (Vol. 1, p. 456), underscores the importance of recognizing the impermanence of all things and the need to seek eternal peace beyond the fleeting nature of human experiences. This verse, therefore, has a profound relevance to contemporary life, reminding us of the importance of cultivating emotional resilience, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the human condition, in order to navigate life's challenges with greater wisdom and equanimity.