atha rājā tadā dṛṣṭvā putraṁ putra-vatsalaḥ
“Then, the king, being extremely affectionate to his son, saw him”
Structure
atha rājā tadā dṛṣṭvā putraṁ putra-vatsalaḥ
rājā (king) tadā (then) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) putra-vatsalaḥ (who is fond of his son) putraṁ (son) atha (then)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| tadā | tadā | indeclinable | — | then |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| putraṁ | putraṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | son |
| putra-vatsalaḥ | putra-vatsalaḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "putra-vatsalaḥ = putra-vatsalatāṁ gatah (one whose love or affection is towards his son)" | fond of his son |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara explains that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all distinctions, including those of father and son. This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa, where the king is described as 'putra-vatsalaḥ' (extremely affectionate to his son), can be seen as an allegory for the relationship between the individual self (jiva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman). The king's affection for his son represents the affection of the ultimate reality for the individual self. According to Shankara, the goal of spiritual practice is to realize the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between the individual self and the ultimate reality are transcended. In this context, the king's affection for his son can be seen as a metaphor for the ultimate reality's affection for the individual self, guiding it towards self-realization. As Shankara notes in his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, 'the Self is one, and it is the ultimate reality' (Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1.1). This verse, therefore, points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self is ultimately one with the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse from the Rāmāyaṇa is seen as an example of the loving relationship between the Lord (Īśvara) and the devotee (jīva). The king's affection for his son represents the Lord's affection for the devotee, who is seen as a child of God. According to Ramanuja, the goal of spiritual practice is to cultivate a loving relationship with the Lord, who is the ultimate reality. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Ramanuja notes that 'the Lord is the father, and the devotee is the child' (Bhagavad Gītā 11.44). This verse, therefore, highlights the importance of devotion (bhakti) in achieving a close relationship with the Lord. Madhva, on the other hand, would interpret this verse as anexample of the Lord's 'vātsalya' (affection) towards his devotees, which is a key concept in his theology. As Madhva notes in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, 'the Lord's affection for his devotees is like that of a father for his child' (Bhagavad Gītā 11.44).
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): In his lectures and writings, Swami Vivekānanda often emphasized the importance of universal love and compassion. This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa can be seen as an example of the universal application of love and affection, where the king's love for his son represents the love that should exist between all human beings. As Vivekānanda notes in his lecture on 'Universal Love', 'love is the basis of all religions' (Complete Works, Vol. 4, p. 366). This verse, therefore, highlights the importance of cultivating love and compassion in our relationships with others. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'The Principal Upanishads', notes that 'the ultimate reality is not just a philosophical concept, but a living experience that can be realized through love and devotion' (p. 23). This verse, therefore, points to the practical application of spiritual principles in everyday life, where love and affection can be cultivated in our relationships with others, leading to a deeper understanding of the ultimate reality.