tasyataṃ mithilāyāṃ ca rājā jānāti pārvatī
“The king and the people of Mithilā know that very thing”
Structure
tasya - tat - mithilāyāṃ - ca - rājā - jānāti - pārvatī
Pārvatī (Parvati) rājā (the king) ca (and) tasya (his) tat (that) mithilāyāṃ (in Mithila) jānāti (knows)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tasya | tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of him |
| tat | tat | pronoun | nominative · neuter · neuter | that |
| mithilāyāṃ | mithilāyāṃ | noun | locative · singular · feminine | in Mithilā |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| jānāti | jānāti | verb | √jñā · present · third | he knows |
| pārvatī | pārvatī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | Pārvatī |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the concept of collective knowledge and awareness. The king and the people of Mithilā are aware of the situation, highlighting the interconnectedness of the ruler and the ruled. This unity of perception exemplifies the non-dualistic philosophy of Advaita Vedānta, where the ultimate reality is a unified, all-encompassing consciousness. The mention of 'that very thing' implies a shared understanding, transcending individual perspectives. Śaṅkarācārya would likely interpret this as a manifestation of the universal consciousness, where the distinctions between the king, the people, and the object of their knowledge dissolve. This collective awareness serves as a reminder of the ultimate goal of realizing the unity of all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition views this verse as an example of the divine plan unfolding in the mortal realm. The king and the people of Mithilā, being aware of the situation, are fulfilling their respective roles in the grand drama of the Rāmāyaṇa. This awareness is a testament to the omniscience of the divine, which guides human actions. Rāmānujācārya would likely see this as an illustration of the concept of 'prapatti,' or surrender to the divine will, where individuals fulfill their duties in accordance with their station in life. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might interpret this as an example of the 'śakti' or power of the divine, which enables humans to carry out their assigned tasks.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse can be seen as an example of the power of collective consciousness and the importance of social awareness. The fact that the king and the people of Mithilā are aware of the situation highlights the need for a unified and informed society. Swami Vivekānanda would likely view this as a call to action, emphasizing the importance of education and social responsibility. S. Rādhākrishnan, on the other hand, might interpret this as an illustration of the concept of 'sarvodaya,' or the upliftment of all, where the awareness and actions of individuals contribute to the betterment of society as a whole. This verse serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of human existence and the need for collective effort to achieve social and spiritual progress.