tato lakṣmaṇaḥ sahitaḥ sītā imām avagamya dṛṣṭvā rāghaveṇa saha visarjayiṣyati
“Then Lakṣmaṇa along with Sītā having understood and seen this, will release her along with Rāma.”
Structure
tato lakṣmaṇaḥ sahitaḥ sītā imām avagamya dṛṣṭvā rāghaveṇa saha visarjayiṣyati
Rāghaveṇa (by Raghu's descendant)saha (together with)sītā (Sītā)sahitaḥ (along with)lakṣmaṇaḥ (Lakṣmaṇa)imām (this)avagamya (having understood)dṛṣṭvā (having seen)visarjayiṣyati (will abandon)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| lakṣmaṇaḥ | lakṣmaṇaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Lakṣmaṇa |
| sahitaḥ | sahitaḥ | compound | tatpuruṣa · "sahitah" | accompanied by, with |
| sītā | sītā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | Sītā |
| imām | imām | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | this |
| avagamya | avagamya | indeclinable | — | having approached, having come near |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| rāghaveṇa | rāghaveṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with Rāghava |
| saha | saha | indeclinable | — | with |
| visarjayiṣyati | visarjayiṣyati | verb | √visṛj · future · third | will release |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa, 'tato lakṣmaṇaḥ sahitaḥ sītā imām avagamya dṛṣṭvā rāghaveṇa saha visarjayiṣyati', can be interpreted through the lens of non-dualism by understanding the ultimate reality of Brahman-ātman identity. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, often emphasizes the importance of understanding the ultimate reality that underlies all phenomena. Although direct commentary on this specific verse is not available, Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning in similar contexts, such as his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, suggests that the release (visarjana) of Sītā along with Rāma can be seen as a metaphor for the liberation of the individual self (jīva) into the ultimate reality of Brahman. This liberation implies a transcendence of the duality of subject and object, where the individual self recognizes its non-dual nature with the absolute, thereby achieving mokṣa. In this context, the union of Rāma and Sītā symbolizes the unity of the individual self with the divine, pointing towards the ultimate truth of non-duality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, particularly through the lenses of Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, interprets this verse with a strong emphasis on devotion and the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, highlights the importance of prapatti, or self-surrender, as a means to achieve liberation. In the context of this verse, the act of Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā understanding and seeing the situation, leading to their release along with Rāma, can be seen as a symbolic representation of the jīva's surrender to Īśvara. This surrender, facilitated by devotion and knowledge, ultimately leads to the jīva's liberation. Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the difference (bheda) between the Lord and the individual souls, might interpret this verse as highlighting the gracious act of the Lord (Rāma) in including Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa in His liberation, underscoring the Lord's sovereignty and the dependence of the jīvas on Him for liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Radhakrishnan, representatives of Neo-Vedānta, would likely interpret this verse in a universal and practical light, applicable to contemporary life. Vivekānanda, in his emphasis on the potential of the human soul and the importance of service, might see the actions of Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā as emblematic of selfless service and devotion. The release of Sītā along with Rāma could symbolize the liberation of the human spirit through the realization of its divine nature, a central theme in Vivekānanda's teachings. Radhakrishnan, focusing on the harmony between the individual and the universal, could interpret this verse as illustrating the ultimate unity of human experience, where individual liberation (as symbolized by Sītā's release) is intertwined with the universal or divine will (represented by Rāma). This perspective encourages individuals to strive for a balanced and harmonious life, recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings and the ultimate reality that underlies human existence.