tato lakṣmaṇo rāghavam் vācaspatim் vāgyata ātmānam்
“Then Lakṣmaṇa, being self-controlled and wise in speech, spoke to Raghu's son.”
Structure
tato lakṣmaṇaḥ rāghavam vācaḥ patim vāgyata ātmānam
tato (then) lakṣmaṇaḥ (Lakshmana) rāghavam (to Rama) vācaḥ patim (the lord of speech) vāgyata (addressed) ātmānam (himself)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| lakṣmaṇaḥ | lakṣmaṇaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Lakṣmaṇa |
| rāghavam | rāghavam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | Rāghava (Rāma) |
| vācaḥ | vācaḥ | noun | genitive · singular · feminine | of speech |
| patim | patim | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | lord/master of speech (Vācaspatim) |
| vāgyata | vāgyata | verb | √vāc · past participle · third | speech has been restrained/made silent |
| ātmānam | ātmānam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | himself |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, Lakṣmaṇa's self-controlled and wise speech to Rāma signifies the union of the individual self (jīva) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). According to Śaṅkara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, the wise and self-controlled individual is one who has realized the non-dual nature of reality. This verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self, through self-control and wisdom, recognizes its true nature as non-different from Brahman. Śaṅkara's reasoning emphasizes the importance of self-inquiry and the cultivation of wisdom in order to realize this non-dual identity. In the context of this verse, Lakṣmaṇa's wise speech to Rāma represents the individual self's journey towards self-realization and union with the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse highlights the devotee's (Lakṣmaṇa) devotion and surrender to the Lord (Rāma). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of self-surrender (prapatti) and devotion (bhakti) in achieving liberation. Lakṣmaṇa's self-controlled and wise speech to Rāma represents the ideal devotee, who, through his devotion and surrender, has attained a deep understanding of the Lord's nature. This verse also underscores the relational aspect of the jīva-Īśvara relationship, where the devotee approaches the Lord with humility and reverence. In this context, Lakṣmaṇa's speech to Rāma represents the devotee's attempt to connect with the Lord and understand His will, demonstrating the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on personal devotion and relationship with the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse offers a universal message of self-control, wisdom, and effective communication. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of self-control and self-awareness in achieving personal growth and spiritual development. Lakṣmaṇa's wise speech to Rāma represents the ideal of effective communication, where the individual, through self-control and wisdom, is able to express themselves clearly and convincingly. This verse has practical applications in contemporary life, where effective communication and self-awareness are essential skills for personal and professional success. As Vivekānanda wrote in his book 'Karma Yoga', 'the greatest force is the force of gentleness, and the greatest wisdom is the wisdom of non-violence'. This verse, in its portrayal of Lakṣmaṇa's self-controlled and wise speech, embodies these principles, offering a timeless and universal message of personal growth and development.