na tu dehādavaroaktiṁ visṛjya yaḥ sa pitā mama
“He is my father, not abandoning bodily attachment, statement.”
Structure
na tu dehādavaroaktiṁ visṛjya yaḥ sa pitā mama
na tu (not) dehādavaroaktiṁ (the saying 'the body is separate') visṛjya (having abandoned) yaḥ (who) saḥ (that) pitā (father) mama (my)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| dehādava | dehādava | compound | tatpuruṣa · "dehasya ādavaḥ" | a pit, a well |
| roaktiṁ | roaktiṁ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | cry, lamentation |
| visṛjya | visṛjya | verb | √sṛj · optative · first | having released |
| yaḥ | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| pitā | pitā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | father |
| mama | mama | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | my |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'na tu dehādavaroaktiṁ visṛjya yaḥ sa pitā mama', underscores the non-dual nature of reality by highlighting the futility of bodily attachments. According to Shankara, the concept of 'dehādavaroaktiṁ' (bodily attachment) is a product of ignorance, leading to the misidentification of the self with the body. The true 'pitā' or father represents the unchanging, all-pervading Brahman. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1) emphasizes the realization of the identity of the individual self (ātman) with Brahman as the ultimate goal. This verse, in the context of the Rāmāyaṇa, serves as a reminder to transcend bodily attachments and realize the true, unchanging self. By doing so, one understands that the ultimate reality, or 'pitā', is not bound by bodily limitations, pointing towards the brahman-ātman identity. This non-dual reading encourages the seeker to look beyond the ephemeral and seek the eternal, unchanging truth within.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava perspective, particularly through the lens of Rāmānujācārya's visishtadvaita vedanta, this verse can be seen as an expression of the jīva's (individual soul's) innate longing for Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The phrase 'na tu dehādavaroaktiṁ visṛjya' suggests that true fatherhood, or the ultimate source of sustenance and protection, is not found in worldly, bodily attachments but in the loving grace of Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the personal, loving relationship between the jīva and Īśvara. This verse, therefore, can be interpreted as a call to recognize and cultivate this relationship, seeking refuge in the unconditional love of the Divine, who is the true 'pitā' or father, beyond all ephemeral worldly bonds. Madhvācārya, from a dvaita perspective, might further emphasize the distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, yet still, the verse would underscore the jīva's dependence on Īśvara's grace for true understanding and liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of Vedāntic principles in everyday life. This verse, with its message of transcending bodily attachments, resonates with Vivekānanda's call for individuals to rise above petty, self-centered concerns and realize their higher selves. In his speech 'The Real Nature of Man' (from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 2), Vivekānanda discusses the importance of understanding the true nature of the self, beyond physical and material limitations. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, highlights the universal relevance of Indian thought, including the concept of the ātman and its relationship to the ultimate reality. This verse can be seen as a reminder of the universal human quest for meaning and connection beyond the mundane, encouraging a deeper exploration of one's own nature and place within the larger cosmos. By applying the principles embedded in this verse, individuals can strive for a more authentic, fulfilling life, grounded in the understanding of their true, unchanging essence.