tato lakṣmaṇaḥ pavanena veginā saha brāhmaṇānāṃ rājaputra yaśasā ॥ ३३४ ॥
“Then with the swift Laksman and with the Brahmanas the prince attained renown.”
Structure
tato lakṣmaṇaḥ pavanena veginā sahā brahmaṇānāṁ rājaputraḥ yaśasā
tato (then) lakṣmaṇaḥ (Lakshmana) pavanena (with the wind god) veginā (who is swift) sahā (together) brahmaṇānāṁ (of the Brahmins) rājaputraḥ (the prince) yaśasā (with fame)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| lakṣmaṇaḥ | lakṣmaṇaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Lakṣmaṇa |
| pavanena | pavanena | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with the wind-like one (Lakṣmaṇa) |
| veginā | veginā | adjective | — | speedy, swift |
| saha | saha | indeclinable | — | with, together with |
| brāhmaṇānāṃ | brāhmaṇānāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the brāhmaṇas |
| rājaputraḥ | rājaputraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | son of a king |
| yaśasā | yaśasā | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with fame |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In the context of the Rāmāyaṇa, this verse offers a glimpse into the non-dual nature of reality. Laksman's association with Rama, reminiscent of the relationship between the individual self (jiva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman), underscores the Advaitic principle that the distinction between the individual and the universal is ultimately illusory. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasutras, particularly his discussion on the nature of the self and its relationship to Brahman, provides a framework for understanding this verse as pointing towards the brahman-ātman identity. The 'swift Laksman' and 'the Brahmanas' alongside 'the prince' symbolize the diverse aspects of reality, all of which are fundamentally one with the ultimate truth, thus hinting at the non-dual reality that underlies all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is particularly significant in the Vaiṣṇava tradition as it highlights the companionship of Laksman with Rama, exemplifying the devoted relationship between the jiva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Ramanuja, in his commentary on the Gita, emphasizes the importance of such devotion (bhakti) as a means to attain spiritual liberation. The mention of 'Brahmanas' and 'the prince' achieving renown together illustrates the Vaiṣṇava concept of the inseparability of the devotee from the Lord, where the devotee's actions and reputation are intertwined with the grace of God. This verse, therefore, is seen as an affirmation of the devotional path where the individual's pursuit of spiritual growth is inextricably linked with the divine presence in their life.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The essence of this verse, when viewed through the lens of Neo-Vedanta, emphasizes the universal principles of unity and cooperation. Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures on the Vedanta, underscores the importance of recognizing the divine in every individual and the unity of all existence. This verse can be seen as an illustration of such a principle, where Laksman, representing the ideal of selfless service, and the Brahmanas, symbolizing knowledge and spiritual guidance, together with the prince, achieve renown. This collective achievement signifies the harmony and mutual respect that can exist among different segments of society when they work together towards a common goal, reflecting Vivekananda's vision of a unified and progressive society. It highlights the practical application of Vedantic principles in fostering cooperation and mutual admiration, leading to the betterment of society as a whole.