atha rājā tad vacanam aśṛṇvān atha hṛṣṭapūrvaḥ
“Then, having heard that speech, the king was delighted beforehand.”
Structure
atha rājā tad vacanam aśṛṇvān atha hṛṣṭa-pūrvaḥ
atha rājā (then the king) tad vacanam (that speech) aśṛṇvān (heard) atha (then) hṛṣṭa-pūrvaḥ (with joy previously, i.e., he was already rejoiced)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| tad | tad | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | that |
| vacanam | vacanam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | speech, words |
| aśṛṇvān | aśṛṇvān | verb | √śru · past · third | he heard |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, again |
| hṛṣṭa-pūrvaḥ | hṛṣṭapūrvaḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "hṛṣṭaḥ pūrvaḥ yena" | one whose former (state) was joy |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa highlights the significance of the king's response to the speech, which can be seen as a metaphor for the individual self (jīva) responding to the call of the ultimate reality (Brahman). Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the importance of understanding the non-dual nature of reality. In the context of this verse, the king's delight can be seen as a reflection of the jīva's innate longing for union with Brahman. Shankara's reasoning on similar passages, such as the Chāndogya Upaniṣad, suggests that the ultimate goal of the individual is to realize the identity of the self with Brahman, thereby transcending the limitations of the mundane world. This verse, therefore, points to the potential for the individual to experience this unity, symbolized by the king's joy, which is uncaused and unconditional, much like the bliss of Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The delight of the king in this verse is emblematic of the loving relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, emphasizes the concept of prapatti, or self-surrender, as a means to achieve this loving relationship. The king's response to the speech can be seen as an act of prapatti, where he surrenders himself to the will of the speaker, much like the devotee surrenders to the will of God. This surrender leads to a deep sense of joy and fulfillment, as the individual self realizes its dependence on and love for the divine. Madhvācārya, in his commentaries, further highlights the importance of bhakti (devotion) in this context, suggesting that the king's delight is a natural consequence of his devotion to the speaker, which in turn reflects the devotee's devotion to God.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers valuable insights into the human condition, particularly in terms of our responses to challenging situations. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of cultivating a positive and optimistic attitude, even in the face of adversity. The king's delight, in this context, can be seen as a reflection of his inner strength and resilience, which allows him to remain joyful and composed, even when faced with difficult decisions. S. Radhakrishnan, in his writings, further highlights the universal relevance of this verse, suggesting that it speaks to the human aspiration for happiness and fulfillment. In contemporary life, this verse can be seen as a reminder of the importance of cultivating a positive mindset and approaching life's challenges with courage, optimism, and faith, much like the king's delight serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration in the face of adversity.