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Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa · 1.335
ततस्त्वया द्रष्टुमिहागतः

tatastvayā draṣṭumihāgatḥ

Then, he has come here to see you.

Structure

Padaccheda — word separation

tatastvayādraṣṭumihāgataḥ

Anvaya — prose reordering

tataḥ tvayā draṣṭum iha āgataḥ

Word-by-Word Grammar

WordIASTTypeGrammarMeaning
tatastatasindeclinablethen, thence
tvayātvayāpronouninstrumental · singular · masculineby you
draṣṭumdraṣṭumverb√dṛś · liṅ-optative · firstto see
ihaihaindeclinablehere
āgataḥāgataḥverb√gam · past participle · thirdhas come

Scholarly Commentary

Advaita Vedānta(Ādi Śaṅkarācārya)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, tatastvayādraṣṭumihāgataḥ, the non-dual implications are profound. According to Shankara, the seeker's journey to see the ultimate reality is symbolized by 'draṣṭum' (to see), implying a quest for the Self. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras, particularly on the topic of 'anvaya' and 'vyatireka', supports the idea that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the essence of the self, and this verse points towards the realization of that identity. The word 'tataḥ' indicates the ultimate goal, suggesting that seeing the truth (you, the ultimate reality) is the culmination of the journey. Shankara's reasoning on such passages underscores the importance of understanding the non-dual nature of reality to achieve liberation.

Vaiṣṇava Tradition(Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya)

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse, tatastvayādraṣṭumihāgataḥ, holds significant devotional implications within the Vaiṣṇava tradition. Rāmānujācārya would interpret 'draṣṭum' as the intense longing of the jīva (individual self) to behold the Īśvara (the Lord), here represented as 'tvayā' (you). This intense devotion is characteristic of bhakti, where the devotee seeks to see or experience the divine presence. The phrase 'tatastvayā' signifies the purposeful approach towards the Lord, indicating the ultimate goal of achieving union or communion with God. Rāmānujācārya's commentary on the Brahma Sutras, particularly his emphasis on 'prapatti' (surrender), aligns with this understanding, where the jīva's complete surrender to the Lord facilitates this divine sight.

Neo-Vedānta(Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan)

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda would likely see this verse, tatastvayādraṣṭumihāgataḥ, as an embodiment of the universal human quest for meaning and connection. The act of 'draṣṭum' (to see) represents the innate human desire to experience or understand something greater than oneself. Vivekānanda, in his lectures on 'Practical Vedanta', emphasized the importance of realizing one's true nature and the interconnectedness of all existence. This verse, with its focus on the individual's journey towards understanding or seeing the ultimate reality ('tvayā'), resonates with Vivekānanda's message of self-realization and service to others as a path to enlightenment. The practical application of this verse in contemporary life involves recognizing and pursuing one's deepest aspirations and values, symbolized by the journey to 'see' the truth.

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