athā rājā tu vijñāya vṛtaṁ ca hṛdi duḥkhitah
“Then, having understood what had happened, the king became distressed in his heart”
Structure
athā rājā tu vijñāya vṛtaṁ ca hṛdi duḥkhitah
athā (then) rājā (the king) tu (and) vijñāya (having known) vṛtaṁ (the situation) ca (and) hṛdi (in the heart) duḥkhitah (grieved)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| athā | athā | indeclinable | — | then, therefore |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| vijñāya | vijñāya | verb | √jñā · gerund · third | having known, understanding |
| vṛtaṁ | vṛtaṁ | verb | √vṛ · past participle · third | having been chosen |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| hṛdi | hṛdi | noun | locative · singular · neuter | in the heart |
| duḥkhitah | duḥkhitah | verb | √duḥkha · past participle · third | afflicted, distressed |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, 'athā rājā tu vijñāya vṛtaṁ ca hṛdi duḥkhitah', Shankara's commentary would likely emphasize the non-dual reading of the king's distress. According to Shankara, the king's understanding of what had happened (vijñāya vṛtaṁ) would be a moment of self-reflection, where the king transcends his limited ego and experiences the suffering (duḥkhitah) as a universal phenomenon. This suffering, Shankara would argue, is a product of ignorance (avidyā) about the true nature of reality, which is the brahman-ātman identity. The king's distress, in this reading, becomes an opportunity for him to realize his true Self, beyond the confines of his royal persona. As Shankara notes in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, 'the knowledge of the Self is the means to overcome sorrow' (BS 1.1.1). This verse, therefore, points to the possibility of liberative knowledge (vidyā) that reveals the ultimate non-duality of existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as represented by Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, would interpret this verse as an exemplar of the devotee's (jīva) emotional response to the will of the Lord (Īśvara). The king's distress (duḥkhitah) upon understanding what had happened (vijñāya vṛtaṁ) would be seen as a manifestation of his dependence on the Lord's mercy. Rāmānujācārya would likely argue that the king's suffering is a consequence of his separation from the Lord, and that his realization of this fact (vijñāya) is the first step towards reconciliation. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might emphasize the king's total surrender to the Lord's will, even in the face of adversity, as a demonstration of his devotion (bhakti). As Rāmānujācārya notes in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, 'the Lord's grace is the sole cause of the jīva's liberation' (GB 18.66). This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava reading, highlights the intimate relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, and the role of devotion in bridging their separation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): From a Neo-Vedānta perspective, as represented by Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, this verse offers a universal and practical lesson for contemporary life. The king's distress (duḥkhitah) upon understanding what had happened (vijñāya vṛtaṁ) can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition, where individuals often struggle to come to terms with the challenges and uncertainties of life. Vivekānanda would likely argue that the king's realization (vijñāya) represents a moment of introspection and self-awareness, which is essential for personal growth and transformation. Radhakrishnan, on the other hand, might emphasize the importance of cultivating a sense of detachment and equanimity in the face of adversity, as exemplified by the king's acceptance of his situation. As Vivekānanda notes in his lecture 'The Real Nature of the Soul', 'the soul is not affected by the miseries of the body' (CW 2:241). This verse, in the Neo-Vedānta reading, encourages individuals to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them, and to cultivate a sense of inner peace and resilience in the face of life's challenges.